Unexpected

Chapter 17

JOANNA

It goes without saying that I slept like shit. Gabe rocked my world last night, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. About us together.

First, I saw a soft side of him he has always kept guarded. He showered me with attention and selflessly helped me get out of my writing block. Later, he showed me he's more than the rockstar persona the world is used to.

Then last night...

It was perfect.

So much so, I can still feel him between my legs. I can still hear his muffled groans. I can still taste his lips.

He simply consumed me, making me forget everything but his touch. When he asked me if I regretted it, I froze, though. He's clearly much more experienced than me and has slept with his fair share of women without giving them a second thought afterward. But me? I can't just pretend it didn't mean anything. How do I explain to him I've waited my whole life for that moment?

He awoke feelings in me I'd buried inside years ago. He made me remember how much I love him.

But then what?

He told me not long ago that sex is just sex.

If I don't protect my heart, he will bulldoze it so fast. I'm not sure how I'll recover from it.

I didn't see the time Maria came to our room last night, but I could hear her moving around as she got ready for bed. She's my best friend and the one person I can talk to about anything. So, I hate the fact I'm lying to her. But how do I tell her I slept with her brother? Especially when I never mentioned being into him in the first place. I'd give anything to hear what she thinks about Gabe and me, but I just don't know how to go about it.

Guilty washed over me when she checked on me before leaving the house. She wanted me to join her at a coffee shop again, but I told her I had a lot of calls to make and that I'd rather stay home. The truth is that I am embarrassed to face her.

Now, it's almost nine in the morning and as I finish getting dressed, I hear some commotion in the living room. Sighing, I have no option but to see what's going on.

The boys are all gathered in the living room with two men and a woman. I can feel the tension in the air as everyone stop talking when I walk in. Great.

"Jo..." Gabe clears his throat, his eyes soft and searching. "Uh, I don't know if you remember Martin, our manager, and Tom, our lawyer." He points to a balding man who is probably in his mid fifty and another guy who looks like he came straight from a GQ magazine with his square jaw and piercing brown eyes.

"Hey. Good to see you guys" I smile, remembering I've met them once or twice over the years.

They just smile back and nod politely.

"And this is Lena, our PR." He points to a tall woman by Dave's side who I've only heard about. Her long red hair is tied up in a sleek ponytail, which accentuates her cheekbones. She looks like she's in her early thirties, but her green and sharp eyes give her a more mature vibe.

"It's nice to meet you, Lena." I smile, and her gaze darts between Gabe and me for a second before she offers me her hand.

"You must be Maria's friend," she says while we shake hands.

"Yeah..." My lips curl into another smile. "I don't want to intrude. I'll just get some coffee and grab my computer."

"If anything, we're the ones intruding on your vacation," Josh says, making me chuckle.

"You're too sweet." I wink at him and head to the kitchen. I can still hear their murmured voices as I grab a mug and quickly fix my coffee before walking back to my room to get my things.