 
# Too Tempting

## The Lewis Cousins, Book 1

## Bethany Lopez
Too Tempting

Copyright 2017 Bethany Lopez

Published January 2017

ISBN - **978-1540493200**

Cover Design by Makeready Designs

Cover Photo by Wander Aguiar Photography

Cover Model: David Wills

Editing by Red Road Editing / Kristina Circelli

Proofreading by KMS Freelance Editing

ebook Formatting by Bethany Lopez

Paperback Formatting by Type A Formatting

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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_To the Writing Community,_

_Thanks for the guidance and support over the last five years._

_I couldn't have persevered without you all!_

# Contents

Chapter One ~ Gabe

Chapter Two ~ Zoey

Chapter Three ~ Gabe

Chapter Four ~ Zoey

Chapter Five ~ Gabe

Chapter Six ~ Zoey

Chapter Seven ~ Gabe

Chapter Eight ~ Zoey

Chapter Nine ~ Gabe

Chapter Ten ~ Zoey

Chapter Eleven ~ Gabe

Chapter Twelve ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirteen ~ Gabe

Chapter Fourteen ~ Zoey

Chapter Fifteen ~ Gabe

Chapter Sixteen ~ Zoey

Chapter Seventeen ~ Gabe

Chapter Eighteen ~ Zoey

Chapter Nineteen ~ Gabe

Chapter Twenty ~ Zoey

Chapter Twenty-One ~ Gabe

Chapter Twenty-Two ~ Zoey

Chapter Twenty-Three ~ Gabe

Chapter Twenty-Four ~ Zoey

Chapter Twenty-Five ~ Gabe

Chapter Twenty-Six ~ Zoey

Chapter Twenty-Seven ~ Gabe

Chapter Twenty-Eight ~ Zoey

Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Gabe

Chapter Thirty ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirty-One ~ Gabe

Seven Weeks Later

Chapter Thirty-Two ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirty-Three ~ Gabe

Chapter Thirty-Four ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirty-Five ~ Gabe

Chapter Thirty-Six ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirty-Seven ~ Gabe

Chapter Thirty-Eight ~ Zoey

Chapter Thirty-Nine ~ Gabe

Chapter Forty ~ Zoey

Chapter Forty-One ~ Gabe

Epilogue

Sneak Peek of Too Complicated, book 2 in The Lewis Cousins Series

Chapter One of Imperfect Harmony (House of Archer, #1) by Raine Thomas

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Also by Bethany Lopez

# Chapter One ~ Gabe

I took a deep breath as I walked out of my cabin and onto the wooden deck overlooking the lake and forty wooded acres of my camp.

I'd built _Camp Gabriel Lewis_ over three years ago, after I'd retired from the NFL and decided to make my dream of working with teens a reality. My camp was not just a football camp, and not just your traditional sleepaway camp; it was a combination of both. It was the culmination of a vision I had when I was a young kid, and the only things I gave a _damn_ about in life were football and my annual camping trip with my cousins.

"Son of a bitch, it's good to be back here!" I grinned over my ceramic coffee mug at my cousin, Reardon, who'd just pulled in.

Crazy tall, blond, and charismatic, he was the person I'd been closest to growing up. My best friend. Now he was a lawyer in the small town he grew up in.

"Happy to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cherry Springs?" I asked with a chuckle.

"No, man, things there are quiet as usual," Reardon responded as he pulled his duffle bag from the trunk of his Mercedes. "I'm just looking forward to kicking your ass at family sports day this year."

"You wish, cupcake," I responded wryly, feeling ridiculously happy to see him again.

"Hey, I've been working out," he countered with a grin.

When he reached the top we came together in a quick hug, each giving the other a sharp clap on the back before pulling apart.

"C'mon, I'll walk you down to your cabin so you can get settled in. Jasmine and Dillon are en route. They'll probably get in tonight. Serena had to work today, but said she should be in first thing in the morning."

"Sounds good."

I followed him back down the steps and onto the trail, which led to the row of cabins. The counselors stay in the cabins when camp is in session, but my family always lived in them when we came down for our annual trip the week before opening.

"This is you, as usual," I said, jogging up the steps to open the door, since his hands were full. "So, what have you been doing since Easter?" I asked as he tossed the bag effortlessly onto the bed.

"Had a couple cases, nothing really exciting," he replied, opening the drawers to the dresser so he could unpack.

"Things still good with Brenda... or was it Bonnie?" I asked, honestly unable to remember the name of the girl he'd brought for Easter dinner.

"It's Becca, _and no_ , we broke up."

When I looked at him pointedly, asking him what happened without saying the words, he shrugged.

"She liked the idea of being with a lawyer, but not living in a small town. She kept trying to convince me to move to the city... kept leaving brochures around and shit. I finally told her that leaving was not an option for me, and she bailed."

"That sucks, Rear, I'm sorry things didn't work out," I said sincerely. Neither of us had ever been married. In our twenties, we'd enjoyed playing the field, but we'd recently agreed that we were ready to stop all the bullshit and settle down.

Unfortunately, the kind of women we seemed to attract weren't the kind that we wanted to marry. Now we were older, and set in our ways, we were finding that women our age were set in theirs too, so it was difficult to find someone who wanted the same things we did.

"It's for the best," he replied, rolling his bag up and shoving it in the closet. "It's better to find out now, than when I proposed, right?"

"Was it that serious?"

"I don't know... It could have been."

I looked my cousin over, determined he didn't look heartbroken or anything, and figured he was better off. He'd find the right woman soon enough, but for now, it was time to enjoy a week with our favorite people.

"I was just about to take a look around, see if anything needs to be fixed," I said, tilting my head toward the door. "You wanna head out?"

"Yeah, sounds good. Let me just hit the head real quick and we can take off on foot."

I went back out onto the porch to let him take a piss in peace. These cabins had their own bathrooms, and were usually shared by two counselors of the same sex. Once you got to the part of camp where the campers stayed, there were communal bathrooms and showers. Each of those cabins had five bunk beds, and a twin bed for the junior counselors.

"All right, let's do this," Reardon said as he rushed outside, the screen door slapping as it closed.

We took off at a brisk pace as we walked. I was probably three inches shorter than Reardon, but even though I was retired, I still kept myself in pretty good shape. My cousin was no slouch by any means, but he did spend a lot of time behind a desk. Even though he knew I was faster than him, and almost always came out on top in any competition, Reardon was still the most competitive person I knew. That was why, after less than a half mile of him trying to walk faster than me, he took off at a sprint, his laughter floating behind him.

"Really?" I shouted. "You're starting this shit already?"

Then I was off, running at full speed and gaining on him within moments. Right before we reached the break in the trees to the center of main camp, I gave it an extra push and passed him with a whoop.

I stopped at the flagpole, hands on my knees as I looked up at him, laughing at his red-faced scowl.

"When you gonna give it up?" I asked good-naturedly. A big part of our relationship included giving each other a hard time.

"Never," he vowed, like he always did, then held his side. "I think I caught a cramp."

"Serves you right, cupcake."

Reardon shook his head as he looked around.

"The place looks great."

"I had a team come in about a month ago. Did general landscaping and maintenance. Made sure everything was on point for opening day. I've used them before, so I knew they'd do the job I hired 'em to do, but a lot can go wrong in a month. I want to make sure that at some point this week we put eyes on every facility. Make sure nothing broke, fell, or got eaten by a wild animal since they left."

"Sounds easy enough," he replied, then asked, "I know it's kind of early, but I'm starving. What are your plans for dinner tonight?"

"I was thinking we could either do brats or steaks. I picked up a tri tip too, but figured we could save that for the last night."

"That sounds good, and for tonight, steaks sound perfect."

"We can head back and get the grill fired up. I can always hop on the four wheeler and take a quick turn around the camp before dinner."

"Perfect."

We were headed back toward our cabins when the sound of leaves crunching had me bracing and looking to my left.

The last thing I expected to see was a leggy brunette in cut-offs and a tank top come walking out of the woods. Being an hour away from the closest town meant we didn't often get unexpected visitors, but I was more curious than worried when she spotted us and relief flooded her face.

"Hey," she said, her low, throaty voice open and friendly. "I'm so happy to see you guys. I parked back in the welcome lot, which is empty by the way, and have been growing more and more worried. This _is_ Camp Gabriel Lewis, right? I'm supposed to be filling in for my sister as chaperone for the week while my nephew's here at camp."

I took in her big brown eyes and long dark hair, which was currently going wild and trying to escape its ponytail, then shot Reardon a look before turning back to her and replying, "I hate to say it, darlin', but camp doesn't start until next week."

# Chapter Two ~ Zoey

"Shit, shit, shitty, shit!" I didn't realize I'd chanted that out loud until I heard the two gorgeous male specimens in front of me start chuckling.

I mean seriously, what outer dimension did I just walk into? Were these guys genetically modified or something? One was tall, dark, and looked deliciously like Superman, and the other was an insanely tall Viking with blond hair and ice-blue eyes.

Maybe this was a male Stepford camp or something.

"Excuse my language," I muttered, because my mother would be horrified to know I'd sworn in "public." I guess that's what I get for hibernating in my cave and not double checking the details with Chloe before I left. I paced back and forth as I rambled on, "I'm just usually _so great_ at annotating my calendar correctly."

One of them cleared their throat, causing me to stop pacing and extract the thumb I'd been chewing on as I tried to figure out how to resolve my current predicament.

"I'm sorry you came all this way, but like I said, camp doesn't start until next week..."

"Do you guys work here or something?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

"Yeah," the blond one answered. "There's a group of us here making sure the camp is ready for opening and hanging out for the week. If you'd like, you're welcome to join us."

Superman turned to his buddy, a look of surprise showing on his face before he masked it and turned back to me.

"Um, of course, you probably have to clear things with your job, since you got the weeks mixed up," he said, not quite offering to let me stay like his friend had.

"Oh, I'm a writer and editor, so I make my own schedule. I was planning to write at night, after the kids went to bed... I guess I can go to the nearest town and rent a room for the week."

I started pacing again as I thought of all the work I could get done in a week away. I might even get the first draft done....

A throat cleared again, putting a halt to my musings.

"The nearest town's an hour away, and the only nice place they have would cost a mint. Reardon's right," Superman said, and I assumed he was referring to the Viking. "Since you're already here, there's no reason you can't stay on. That'll save you some money, and you can still get some work done."

"That's very generous, but..." I tried to think of a good reason why I couldn't stay here with two random dudes that wouldn't sound rude.

_I don't want to be a burden..._

_What would we eat?_

_Are you the only two here, or are there more Adonises wandering around?_

_Is ravaging a possibility..._

"Don't worry," Superman said, reading the questions on my face. "Two of our cousins are women, so you wouldn't be alone with us. It's just the five of us, and we have plenty of food. One more mouth won't hurt. Although, we don't have Wifi, so if you need it for your work, that may cause a problem."

"A week of writing with no internet to distract me?" I was talking to myself again, and began to worry that they'd think I was mental and take back their offer. I couldn't let that happen; I needed to lock this down _right now_. "Thank you so much, that would be great. I can help out however you need... with cooking, or getting the camp ready. I don't want to take advantage, but a week away with no internet would actually help me out a tremendous amount."

Reardon grinned, stepped forward, and held out his hand.

"Glad to help. Now, can we know the name of the beauty who'll be joining us for the next week?"

"Oh, sorry," I said with a frown as I shook his massive hand. "I can't believe I didn't introduce myself. I'm Zoey."

If they realized I left off my last name, they were too gentlemanly to pry. It was a last-minute decision that would help give me the break from reality that I needed.

"Nice to meet you Zoey," Superman said, stepping forward when Reardon stepped back, and offering me his hand. I looked up, and noticed for the first time how deep brown his eyes were. Like melted chocolate. Suddenly hungry, I reached out and took his hand, then gasped when a white-hot flash ran through me on contact. "Like I said, this is Reardon, my cousin, and I'm Gabe. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I replied, my voice whisper soft. I'd obviously been in the cave too long if one touch from Superman's... er, I mean, _Gabe's_... hand left me feeling like the Kraken was about to be released after being dormant for too long.

"If you'll take us back to your car, we can take you around to staff parking and get you set up in a cabin."

At Gabe's words, I was suddenly struck with a terrifying thought. What if they weren't actually associated with the camp? What if they were going to lure me away and chop me to bits, or worse? _Make me watch The Matrix movies_. Don't get me wrong, I love Keanu Reeves, but The Matrix just didn't do it for me...

My writer's brain was at work, thinking up a million different reasons why I was crazy to even be considering getting into a car with these two, when we all turned at the sound of running feet and saw a gorgeous redhead rush down the path and launch herself in Reardon's arms.

"What's up, _Ass_?" she squealed, giving him a bear hug, then pulling back to slap him playfully on the cheek. "I've missed your ugly mug."

"Do you know what it's like driving eight hours with that much exuberance in the car? _God_ , I thought we'd never get here."

I turned to see a handsome man, who looked a whole lot like the woman, except his hair was more of a deep auburn, whereas hers was fire-red, walking casually down the same path she'd just burst through.

"You should've known better than to try to contain Jazzy for that long," Reardon said as she jumped from his arms to crash into Gabe's.

The new arrival noticed me standing off to the side and walked over quietly.

"And who do we have here?" he asked with a kind smile. "I'm Dillon, cousin to those two and twin to the girl with the disposition of a Jack Russell Terrier."

I laughed at his wit and shook his offered hand.

"Zoey, vagabond and interloper."

Dillon had a deep laugh that made me smile, and when I turned my head, I was surprised to see Gabe watching us with a frown.

"Hi, Zoey, I'm Jasmine," the perky redhead said, bouncing over and shocking me when, rather than shaking my hand, she threw her arms around me and gave me a quick, but firm, hug. "Are you staying with us?"

I looked around at the group of freakishly gorgeous, but really nice people, and decided that my earlier worries were due to my wild imagination. I decided to trust that these people were who they said they were, and stay the week to get some work done... but just in case, I'd text my sister to let her know where I was and that if I didn't check in every night at nine, to send the police.

"Yup, I'm staying."

# Chapter Three ~ Gabe

I fell behind the group as we made our way back to the cabins. Jasmine was talking Zoey's ear off as they trailed after Reardon and Dillon, who were chatting and laughing as they led the pack.

I'd been surprised when Reardon invited Zoey to stay the week with us, rather than allowing her to head into town. We'd always had a strict policy about bringing dates with us to camp – we didn't do it. This was the only time we got to be away from our hectic lives and enjoy catching up, and we'd all agreed that until we met the people we wanted to marry, we'd enjoy our time together solo.

Not that having Zoey around would be a hardship. She wasn't classically beautiful, her face was a little too long, her mouth a little too wide, and the way she kept muttering under her breath and talking to herself made her come off a little zany, but somehow, it all worked for her. And when we'd touched... _Bam_ , I'd felt the sizzle of chemistry run through me.

I usually had a hands-off rule about anyone involved with the camp. Being an ex-pro ballplayer, and the owner of the camp, I'd had plenty of counselors, and mothers, make a play over the years. I wasn't naïve enough to think their advances had anything to do with me, or the man that I was; all they were worried about was status and dollar signs.

In the past, I'd had no problem taking women up on their offers and showing them a good time, but I didn't want anything like that touching my camp. This place meant a great deal to me, and I wasn't going to do anything that would take away from what I was trying to do with the kids.

Technically, however, camp wasn't in session until next week. And Zoey didn't seem to have any idea who I was, which was a nice bonus for someone who lived the bulk of their adult life in the spotlight.

I wasn't sure if anything would happen between us or not, but I needed to have a talk with my cousins and let them know that she was off-limits. We had that spark, and I'd felt a flash of jealousy when I'd seen her laughing with Dillon, so I needed to lay it out in a way that they'd understand.

Besides... _I saw her first_.

"Do you want to put Zoey in with Serena and I?" Jasmine asked when we got to the cabin she and our cousin always shared, preferring to be together.

I noticed a flash of concern pass over Zoey's face, and figured she'd been hoping to have a spot to herself, so that she could get her work done. Assuming she wouldn't want to chance hurting Jasmine's feelings, I decided to save her by answering, "No, she can have number five. She mentioned needing to get some stuff done, and would probably have a better chance of that without dealing with yours and Serena's all-night gossip sessions." I turned to her and felt my chest tighten at her answering smile. "If that's all right with you..."

"That would be perfect, thanks," she responded in that sexy, throaty voice, then turned to Jasmine and added, "But I'd love to hang out when I'm not working."

"Sounds good," Jasmine responded, not offended in the least. "I can drive you back to your car so that you can bring it over here and get yourself unpacked."

"Perfect."

I watched the women walk off toward Dillon's SUV, then drive away.

"How does it feel, living a charmed life?"

I turned my head toward Dillon and cocked an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

"Only you, Mr. NFL, MVP, Super Bowl Champion, turned upstanding citizen with a camp for teens, would have a woman like _that_ stumble across your path."

I felt the grin take over my face.

"Just lucky I guess..."

"My ass," Dillon grumbled good-naturedly. "I'm going to spend the rest of the week scanning the woods, hoping for a buxom blonde to come trampling out."

"She's here for her nephew," I explained. "Got her weeks mixed up."

"That's what Rear said," he replied, following me around back to the grill. "You gonna make a play, or what?"

I pulled the cover off and crouched down to turn the gas on, then straightened and looked into his green eyes.

"I'm taking it into consideration, and I'd appreciate if both you and Reardon kept things on a strictly friendly level."

"Yeah, I kinda figured that when you nearly shot daggers out of your eyes when I did nothing more than introduce myself to the woman," he said with a chuckle.

"I wouldn't go that far," I replied, although I was pretty sure he was accurate on that account. "You want to start on the potatoes while I season the meat?"

"I can do that."

"I was also hoping I could talk you into making your beans. I think I remembered everything for them."

"Anything else? An amuse bouche perhaps?" Dillon asked sarcastically.

"Nah, I think we'll go a little more rustic tonight, but thanks," I replied with a chuckle, then asked. "Where'd Reardon disappear to?"

"He said he had to check in with the office real quick."

"Well tell him work is off-limits, and to get his ass out here and help if he wants to eat."

"Aye, aye, captain."

# Chapter Four ~ Zoey

"So, you guys are all cousins, huh?" I asked Jasmine when we were alone in the car. Being naturally curious, I wasn't shy about asking questions or getting to know people. It helped me a lot in my work.

"Yup," she answered with a smile. "Our fathers are brothers. We were all born in a small town called Cherry Springs, and for the most part, grew up together."

"That must have been nice," I replied, thinking that it really did. I had my sister, Chloe, but we hadn't really gotten along much as kids. She'd been a girly girl, loving to dress up and be social, whereas I tended to keep my head in a book and stay more to myself. We hadn't had any family nearby, so the idea of being close to my cousins was a foreign one.

"It was. Serena moved away when she was in middle school, but every summer we all went camping together."

"And you still do," I muttered, thinking it more to myself than meaning to say it out loud. "That's really wonderful."

"Yeah, it is. There were many years where we were all so caught up in our own lives that we were lucky to see each other every year at Christmas, but a few years ago, Gabe had the idea for us to meet here every summer, to reconnect, and we've been making it a priority ever since."

"Wow, that's really cool. I envy you that closeness with your family," I admitted, without really meaning too. Jasmine was just such an open and receptive person, that it was almost impossible not to share with her.

"Aren't you close with your family?" she asked, swerving to miss a fallen branch.

"I'm pretty close with my sister now, but we weren't growing up, and I love my nephew to pieces. Other than that, I don't really have anyone." My lips turned down at the realization. Had I gotten so used to being alone with my words that I'd lost the friendships I'd formed over the years?

Jasmine didn't say anything, but I could feel her pity. Okay, maybe pity was a strong word, but I could definitely feel her sadness at the thought of not having a tight-knit family. I'm sure it was hard for her to comprehend, what with her being part of the Swiss Family Robinson and all, but I didn't want her to feel sorry for me.

I had a great life.

"As a writer, I guess I tend to keep to myself," I explained, for some reason _needing_ her to understand. "Not that I'm a hermit or anything... I love people. Watching them, talking to them, studying their characteristics... but I spend most of my time alone, writing, so I guess I haven't made the effort to be close to anyone other than my sister and her son."

"That makes sense," Jasmine replied, her tone gentle. "Dillon and I work in the family business, retail, so I'm surrounded by people constantly. I feel like I'm always on display, and have to present a positive and enthusiastic image at all times. It can get exhausting. Working in solitude sounds nice."

I smiled at her attempt to make me feel better. She was obviously a very sweet person, and I was beginning to feel happy about getting the dates of camp wrong. Maybe I'd have the opportunity to have meaningful conversations and make friends with these people. Maybe it would be good for me to get out of my cave and interact with _real live_ people...

"Well, working in a family business sounds nice too. Do all of you work there?"

Jasmine shook her head as she pulled up next to my car and parked, then turned to me.

"No, just Dillon and I. Gabe was always more interested in sports, and Serena was more creative. She's an artist and creates the most beautiful pieces... Ass followed his father's footsteps and studied law. He's the only one, along with Dillon and I, who are still in Cherry Springs full time."

Curious, I asked her the question that had been on my mind since she first burst onto the scene, "Why do you call Reardon, ass? Is he a real jerk or something?"

Jasmine's laugh was soft and sweet.

"No, Reardon's the nicest guy I know, certainly more so than Gabe, or even Dillon. It started when we were kids... We gave him the nickname, Rear. Once we got a little older, it morphed into Ass. I'm sure one of the guys started it, but it caught on, and we've been teasing him with it ever since."

I laughed as she told the story, picturing them all as kids, running around and teasing each other affectionately. It made a nice picture.

"Well," I said hesitantly, for some reason not wanting to get into the solitude of my own car. "I guess I'll follow you back."

As I did just that, I thought about the dynamic of the group I was about to be a part of for the next few days. They would be interesting to be around, to study, as they'd all probably make fascinating characters. Not that I'd be so bold as to model one of my characters out of the people who were so kind as to let me stay, but I was sure to find some unique characteristics to explore.

There was also that flash of sexual awareness that I felt around Gabe. It would be interesting to see if it was still there throughout the week, or if it was just a flash in the pan, so to speak.

He had no idea who I was, none of them did, which was a nice change. Not that as an author I was usually recognized on site, but I'd be surprised if they hadn't at least heard my name before. It would be nice to have a little anonymity.

Being famous made it hard to judge whether people were interested in me for me, or if they were more interested in my name and paycheck.

I liked the thought of just being a woman for a little while... seeing where things could go naturally.

Of course, I had no idea if he was single, or even remotely interested, but I was curious enough to find out...

# Chapter Five ~ Gabe

Dinner had been a festive affair, with my cousins and me laughing and joking as we caught up with each other after a few months apart.

Zoey hadn't seemed uncomfortable. She'd been quiet, but had watched our interaction with rapt attention, a small smile on her lips as she took it all in.

Reardon, Dillon, and I had hung out, drinking beer and talking shit, while Jasmine went off to take a shower and turn in, and Zoey begged off to get some writing done.

I hadn't gotten a chance to talk to her, not more than casual, group conversation, and I hoped to remedy that today. She intrigued me. The way her big eyes watched each of us, seeming to crave the dynamic that we naturally shared after growing up together. I sensed a sadness there, and longed to find out what was going on in that obviously churning brain of hers.

I woke refreshed, as I always did when I was at camp.

I don't know what it was... the fresh air, the lack of technology, or just the knowledge that I would be surrounded by people I loved, doing the thing that meant the most. Probably a combination of everything. Add to that the knowledge that there was an intriguing woman on the premises, made waking up all the more joyful.

I brushed my teeth, threw on my running shorts, and laced up my sneakers, eager to get out and enjoy the morning before my cousins began to wake and search out breakfast.

I'd been running every morning since I was a freshman in high school. I knew I had to be fast and tough to make the football team, so I'd started my routine at an early age. That dedication and drive had gotten me far in the sport I loved, and even though I no longer played the game, that routine was still a part of me. There was nothing like starting the day with the fresh morning light on my face and the sound of my feet hitting the ground.

I was about a half mile in when I heard it... not the sounds of the birds chirping, or the twigs crackling as they fell to the ground, but the high strains of someone who could not carry a tune.

I didn't like to run with headphones on, preferring the sounds of nature as I let my head clear, but when I broke through the trees, I saw that Zoey liked to listen to music as she ran.

She was a few feet ahead of me, but running at much slower pace, so I throttled back a bit, not ready to pass her.

She was wearing hot-pink running shorts with a matching tank, her long sable hair pulled back into another ponytail, which swished back and forth as she ran. Her voice cracked as she sang along with her music, loudly, obviously expecting to be alone out on the trail.

When Zoey raised her arm and started bumping her fist along to the music, I couldn't hold back my laughter any longer.

"Ahhhh!" she yelled when my laugh penetrated her ear buds, causing her to turn in surprise. She yanked the buds out of her ears and placed a hand against her chest as she came to an abrupt stop. "You _scared_ me."

"Sorry," I said, holding my hands up and trying to sound contrite.

"I didn't know anyone else was out here..." Her eyes were wide as she took me in.

"I try to run every morning. I'm usually alone, since my cousins wouldn't get up and run unless they were being chased."

Zoey laughed softly, pushing a few strands of hair off of her slightly sweaty face.

"I don't run every day, but when I woke up and saw what a beautiful day it was, it seemed like a waste not to get out and enjoy it."

"Care if I join you?" I asked, gesturing toward the trail.

She didn't need makeup, her face was interesting and beautiful without it, but the slight flush to her cheeks made her even more so. I felt a stirring in my blood as my eyes wandered, registering just how nice and _tight_ her body looked in her running clothes.

_We need to get moving..._

"Sure," Zoey replied, turning to start a slow jog.

I matched my cadence with hers, and was pleased when she left the ear buds out, letting me know she was open to talking as we jogged.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked, suddenly unsure what to say to this woman without scaring her off.

"Yes, wonderfully, actually. I usually have a tough time getting to sleep, but it must have been the fresh air or something, because I crashed almost as soon as my head hit the pillow."

"I find that I always sleep better when I'm here." Jeez, I sounded like an uptight idiot.

_Get it together, Gabe..._

"Uh," I cleared my throat. "What are your plans for today?"

"I have some writing to do," she said, then paused before adding, "But if you need help with anything for the camp opening, just let me know. I want to repay you for your hospitality."

"Don't worry about it," I assured her, not wanting her to feel like she owed me anything. "But, we were planning to head to the lake a little later. Check out the paddleboats, canoes, and the docks. Make sure everything's safe and ready for use. Of course, that means we'll have to play around a little bit at the lake, if you're up for it."

Zoey turned her head toward me, her teeth flashing as she smiled.

"That sounds perfect."

"Great, I'll come by and get you, let you know when we're ready to go."

We jogged the rest of the way in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts as the morning sounds filled the air.

It was nice. Easy. And I found myself looking forward to the sight of Zoey in her bathing suit.

# Chapter Six ~ Zoey

I tried to focus on my characters, truly I did, but my mind kept drifting back to running into Gabe on the trail. _Shirtless and sweaty_...

I almost had a heart attack!

Good gravy boat... the man didn't have an ounce of fat on his body. Tanned skin pulled tightly over lean, hard muscles... I was lucky my face had already been sweating, because the drool just blended right in.

He'd startled me. I'd been enjoying a light jog, the music filling me up as I prepped for another day, and when I heard that deep, delicious laugh, I'd thought I was willing Gabe into existence. If I was honest, I'd thought of little else since Jasmine and I had gotten back to the camp the evening before... but when I'd turned and seen him, his handsome face alive with laughter, and that tall, delicious form half naked before me, I'd clutched my chest like an Eighteenth Century maiden in need of vapors.

So, I'd been sitting here, anxiously waiting for him to come and pick me up to go to the lake. Embarrassing as it was, I'd come back to my cabin after the run, showered, and put my bathing suit on. That was three hours ago.

I'd spent those three hours typing away on my laptop, then backspacing to erase everything I'd written.

I was writing a book about teens, magic, and destiny, and all that kept flowing out of me were hot, sweaty sex scenes, with a hero that looked a helluva lot like Superman.

I needed therapy... Or a really good bout of sex.

The knock at my door had me whipping my head away from my computer, and my heart literally flipped in my chest when I saw Gabe standing on the other side of the screen door.

_He was still shirtless!_

All I could think was, _the man had better be single_ , as I pushed my chair back and walked over to open the door.

"Hey," I managed softly.

"You ready?" he asked with a handsome grin, his eyes roaming over my excuse for a bathing suit cover-up.

It was a lacy number that really didn't cover the bikini underneath at all. I'd noticed him checking me out, in between the moments that I was checking him out. I didn't jog, do yoga, and torture myself with workout DVDs for nothing. It was time for me to step up my game and take matters into my own hands.

We were now less than a week away from the camp being taken over by teens, so my window of opportunity was dwindling.

"Yes," I replied with what I hoped was a seductive smile. "Do I need anything?"

"Nope, you're perfect as you are," Gabe replied, holding the door for me as I joined him outside. "My cousin Serena called and is almost here, so the others are going to hang back and wait for her. We'll go ahead and they'll meet us in a little bit."

I searched his eyes, wondering if this meant he wanted some alone time with me, and it felt like a marching band had taken up residence in my stomach.

"Sounds great."

We walked down the steps and I paused when I noticed the four-wheeler parked there.

"I figured we'd ride over, if that works..." Gabe said, holding out his hand. I placed mine in his, cognizant of the heat I felt whenever we happened to touch, and let him help me onto the seat.

I scooted back to give him space, and held my breath as he hopped on and settled in front of me.

He turned his head and said, "Hold on," then turned back to start up the machine.

I gingerly placed my arms around his middle, still not breathing as my arms touched his bare skin.

_Good lord,_ he felt smooth.

His hand grasped mine and he pulled, bringing me flush against his back and causing me to hold on tighter.

My head got light as the spicy, woodsy smell of him drifted up, and the heat of his back warmed my front.

This man was potent... One hundred proof.

The four-wheeler rumbled beneath us as we took off, my arms tightening even more at the sudden movement.

We arrived by the dock at the lake much too quickly, and I had to make myself remove my arms from around his waist before things got awkward.

Gabe got off first and helped me down.

I could really get used to this gentlemanly stuff he kept doing.

"I'm going to go in the shed and check over the paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes real quick, but if you want, you can head into the water."

"Okay," I replied. I could already feel the heat of the sun beating down on me, and the lake looked very inviting with the rays glimmering off the surface. Plus, after being fused up against Gabe, I needed to cool down before I did something crazy, like run my hands over his naked torso.

# Chapter Seven ~ Gabe

I was having the hardest time not jacking off in the damn shed.

_Just one little stroke,_ my inner demon urged.

Zoey's lush tits pressed against my back as we rode to the lake had been pure torture, and then I'd made the mistake of pausing before going into the shed to do inventory like I'd said I was going to. Instead, I watched as she sauntered down the dock, pulled the flimsy cover-up over her head, and revealed her body on perfect display in a little white bikini.

_Damn_... First the sweaty jog, then the four-wheeler ride, and _then_... I watched as she dove off the dock into the water and held my breath until she surfaced and ran her hands over her slicked-back hair. That was when I disappeared into the shed.

This girl was driving me to the brink of crazy.

That long, dark hair, those big eyes, and that body... _Shit!_

_Get it together, Gabe. You're a man in your damn thirties, for Christ sake. You've had plenty of beautiful women. The sight of another one shouldn't have you on the brink of masturbating in the shed like a horny boy._

I closed my eyes and thought of getting tackled by a three-hundred-pound linebacker, then did a quick check of the equipment, before saying _fuck it_ and strolling out and down the dock.

When I got to the edge I looked out at Zoey treading water and asked, "How is it?"

"Perfect," she replied with a happy smile. "Just the right amount of chill to make it refreshing."

Like a man possessed, I kicked off my sandals and dove in, gasping slightly when my body registered the temperature of the water, then swam back up to the surface. I wiped the water out of my eyes and saw that Zoey was only a few feet away, her face cautious but curious, and a little bit of something else.

Drawn to that look, I swam slowly toward her. Not saying a word, I reached my hand out and gently wiped a droplet of water off of her cheek.

I saw her shiver and, hoping it was from my touch rather than the water, I eased closer. Slowly, I drifted closer, to give her time and space to stop me if I was crowding her, or offering something she didn't want.

When she stayed in place, those big eyes watching me, I put my other hand around her waist and drew her closer. Zoey gasped slightly, her plump lips parting, causing the heat of her breath to caress my neck. I looked down, and she looked up, and I saw the invitation in her eyes, so I took it.

Dipping low, I brushed my lips against hers. Softly at first, then I pulled her lower lip between my teeth and sucked at it gently. Doing so ignited something in her, because one second she was soft and pliant in my arms and the next she attacked, pulling me tightly against her as she locked her lips fully on mine and swept her tongue through my mouth.

Her enthusiasm would have been sexy as hell, but since we'd both been trying to tread water, her exuberance threw us off track, and we were both suddenly going under.

I placed my hands under her arms and kicked my feet, rocketing us both back up and out of the water. Gasping, I kept her in my arms and swam toward the shore, stopping once we were in water shallow enough to stand in.

"Are you okay?" I asked, stunned. She swiped the hair out of her face as she muttered something about being out of her mind, and I couldn't stop the laughter from billowing out of me.

Zoey's eyes shot up, and she looked briefly offended, before her wide mouth slanted up, and she began to laugh along with me.

I was still chuckling when I took a step closer and put my finger under her chin to tip her head up.

"Let's try that again, now that we have our feet on the ground," I murmured.

"Wait!" she yelled, causing me to still. "You're single, right?"

I grinned, relieved that this was what had stopped her, and answered, "Yeah. You?"

"Yeah."

"Good," I replied, then swept down and slanted my head, groaning when the taste of her filled me. Her arms came around my neck and I felt her straining toward me, so I lifted her easily, my blood raging when she wrapped her legs around my waist and shoved her hands in my hair, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss.

I'm not sure how long we stood there, the water lapping at my waist as we made out under the summer sun.

She felt amazing, and tasted even better, and I would have loved to be there, in that moment, for the rest of the day.

My cousins, however, had other plans.

"Whew!" I heard Jasmine call, as someone let out a shrill whistle.

" _Fuck_ ," I muttered as I pulled back and turned my gaze toward the shore, where my cousins stood with various expressions.

Reardon was removing his fingers from his lips, so I knew he'd been the whistler, while Dillon grinned as he clapped his hands together slowly and loudly. Jasmine was grinning ear to ear, and Serena, who'd yet to meet Zoey, was looking at the two of us curiously.

"Um," Zoey said, tapping my shoulder and drawing my attention back to her. "Can you put me down?"

Her voice was soft, and embarrassment flushed her cheeks, which only made me want to throw her down and give my family a real show. Instead, I did as she requested and placed her back down into the water.

"Are we checking the equipment, or do you two want some privacy?" Reardon asked with a smirk.

Jasmine reached over and punched him, likely defending her new friend, causing Rear to yell an exaggerated, "Ow!"

"Just give us a minute!" I yelled back, then waited until they all started walking toward the shed to turn to Zoey and ask, "You okay?"

"Yes, really good actually," she said with a coy grin.

I leaned closer and nipped her earlobe gently before saying gruffly, "You're too tempting... You'd better stay close to me for the rest of the day and keep me in line, otherwise I'm not sure what I'll do."

"Okay," she whispered again, this time shyly, but I could see her pleasure at my words.

" _Okay_ ," I repeated, casually threw my arm over her shoulder, and led her out of the water.

# Chapter Eight ~ Zoey

I can't remember the last time I had a really good make-out session. Outside. With a _gorgeous_ , ripped guy. And almost drown him in the process...

If Gabe hadn't put me so at ease by laughing at the situation, then proceeding to kiss me breathless, I would have died of mortification. I'd been so turned on, so _eager_ , that I'd basically leapt on him in the deep end of the lake. What a boob!

Luckily, Gabe didn't seem turned off by my obvious exuberance, he rather seemed to like it.

He kissed like it was his _job_ , and I'd been so swept up in all his delicious goodness, that I hadn't even heard his cousins approach. The fact that they'd been heckling us didn't even penetrate until Gabe had broken the kiss and I'd followed his gaze in a total daze.

When he'd said I was tempting and that he wanted me to stick with him the rest of the day, I was unabashedly pleased. The thought was thrilling, and I was hoping for tons of stolen kisses. Now that I'd had a taste, I knew I'd be craving those lips all day long.

I'd been a little embarrassed when we got to shore and I saw that Gabe's other cousin, Serena, had arrived, and the first impression she'd gotten of me was sucking her eldest cousin's face. It didn't seem to alter her opinion of me, though, because she was just as nice as could be.

"Hey, Serena," Gabe had said, pulling her in for a hug. "Good to see you again. This is Zoey."

"Hello, Gabriel," she'd responded, her delicate features conveying her pleasure at being with her cousins again. Then she turned to me with a genuine smile and said, "Nice to meet you, Zoey. I hope this isn't too forward, but I love your face. Would you be open to sitting for me while we're here?"

At her request I remembered what Jasmine had said about her being an artist, and although it seemed a bit of a strange thing to ask right out of the gate, I was honored that she'd asked. "Um, sure, I guess so... It's nice to meet you too."

Serena gave a small smile and a nod, and I wondered how long sitting for a painting lasted.

Now, we were pulling stuff out of the shed. Kayaks, tubes, canoes, etc., and pulling them over to the launch.

"Everything looks good so far. Let's take them out and make sure there aren't any issues we can't see," Gabe said.

Reardon and Dillon grabbed a couple kayaks, while Serena and Jasmine started pulling a canoe toward the water.

"Care to paddle with me?" Gabe asked, gesturing to one of the paddleboats.

"Sure," I answered. Honestly, I would have said yes to just about anything he wanted to do with me at this point. Paddle boating, necking, going back into the shed and shutting the door so he could have his wicked way with me...

I cleared my throat, and my dirty mind, and waited as he got the boat into the water, then held it in place so I could get in. Once we were both in, we started paddling out into the lake.

The men were already way ahead. It looked like they were racing, while the women were taking more of a leisurely trip.

"So," Gabe began, "tell me all about Zoey."

I was enjoying the easy camaraderie we shared, but wanted to be as truthful as possible with him. I wasn't sure if what we were starting was a fling or could possibly lead to more, but the idea of lying didn't sit well with me either way. I still wanted my anonymity, at least for a while longer, so I decided to focus on telling him about my personal life, rather than my professional one.

"Well... I have a sister, which you already know, and a nephew, Christopher. I grew up in Michigan, and went to school in Boston, which is where I was planning on staying, but when my sister found out she was pregnant, I moved to North Carolina to help her out. I've been there ever since."

"What about your parents?"

I bit back a groan when my thighs began to burn.

_Who knew paddle boating was so hard?_

"They're around... off and on. Once Chloe and I were both out of the house, they moved down to Florida and spend a lot of their time either golfing or traveling. Chloe was too embarrassed at first, being alone and pregnant, to say anything to them, so she called me." I shrugged as I remembered how easy it was to pack up and move when my sister needed me. Being a writer meant I could work anywhere, and even though I didn't make as much money when I first started out, I'd had no problem packing up my meager belongings and being there for my sister. "I lived with her after she had him, but as time went on, they didn't need me as much, so I got my own place. My parents roll through town once and a while, and we'll go there to visit them when they're in town, for holidays and stuff, but now, we're all pretty much caught up in our own lives. Chris is twelve, going on twenty, and he's always busy with sports and his friends, and both Chloe and I work a lot, but we get together when we can."

"They sound lucky to have you."

"I don't know about that..."

Gabe placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it gently.

"Not a lot of people would have packed up their lives and moved to a different state in order to help their sister. Then you stayed and helped raise your nephew. You sound pretty amazing to me."

I flushed, pleased at his compliment, and placed my hand over his.

"I think the relationship you have with your cousins is pretty great too. I love that you all grew up together, and you take the time to get together like this every year. You've got a pretty amazing family."

Gabe looked out over the lake at his cousins and laughed as Reardon shouted out in glee that he'd won.

"Yeah, they're pretty terrific. Reardon and Dillon were always like brothers to me, and Jasmine and Serena... sisters. I guess I was pretty fortunate that our parents all stayed in the same small town when they started their families, so that we had the chance to grow up together. It sucked when Serena moved, but they came back a few times a year to visit."

"It makes a difference," I said softly.

"What?" he asked, his chocolaty eyes searching my face.

"Having strong family ties," I replied. "I think it really helps to shape a person."

Gabe nodded, and opened his mouth to reply, but the sounds of laughter and water splashing pulled his attention back to his cousins, who were heading toward us at rapid speeds.

"My kayak works perfectly," Reardon yelled out with a cocky grin, then tilted his head and added, "But I think Dillon's might be broken... It's so slow."

Dillon laughed good-naturedly at the ribbing, then asked, "What's for food? I'm starved."

"Looks like we need to head back and feed the beasts," Gabe said, and I nodded in understanding. "Would it be okay if I came by tonight, after dinner? We could take some time to get to know each other, without interruptions..."

I paused, thinking about all of the things we could do without interruptions, and he must have taken my silence as uncertainty, because he added, " _Just_ to talk."

I smiled then, warmth filling me at the knowledge that he was trying to assure me that he wanted more than a hook-up, that he wanted to take the time to get to know me.

"I'd love that," I replied, then proceeded to think about all the ways I could make him change his mind about the _just talking_ part.

# Chapter Nine ~ Gabe

"So... this seems kind of sudden."

I turned from the grill to see Serena walking toward me, a couple of cold beers in her hands. She offered me one and I took it gratefully.

"Thanks," I said, turning back to flip the burgers. "I assume you're talking about Zoey, and not the brats."

"Yeah," she said, stopping beside me, a worried expression on her face. "She seems nice and all, but what do you know about her?"

"I know that she's funny, quirky... a writer. I know she dropped everything and moved to help her sister when she needed her, so she has a strong sense of family. Of loyalty. I know she came here to be there for her nephew, but is a little scatterbrained and got the dates mixed up. I know that everything I've learned about her so far, I really like."

"Hmmmm," Serena muttered, tipping her head back to take a sip of her beer. "Are you sure she's who she says?"

" _Rena_ ," I began, putting the tongs down and turning to my overprotective cousin.

She held her hand up, stopping my protest.

"Just hear me out... You know nothing about her other than what _she's_ told you. You're a rich and powerful man, Gabe, and it wouldn't be the first time that a woman has pulled out all the stops to try and capture you. Yes, I agree that if that's what she's doing, Zoey's using a much different approach than the others, and I give her props for style, _but, Gabe_ , I just want you to know what you're getting into before it goes too far and you're seriously attached to this woman."

I looked her in the eye and admitted, "It may already be too late for that..."

"C'mon, you just met."

"I know, but there's something about her, Rena. She makes me laugh. She's sexy as hell without even trying. She brings out this side of me that wants to take care of her... I'm not totally off my rocker and saying I'm in love, but, Serena, I haven't been this intrigued by a woman in a long time. I want to see where it goes." I put my hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "I love that you're looking out for me, but I think Zoey's legit. I don't think she came here with a secret plan to make me fall for her so she could take all my money."

"Okay," Serena said with a frown. "I trust your instincts. But I'll be watching her."

I chuckled at her and pulled her in for a hug, feeling utterly content when her small arms came around me.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Thanks for the beer," I said, pulling back and dropping a kiss on her forehead.

As she was walking back around the front of the cabin, Reardon turned the corner and headed my way.

"It'll be done in a few minutes," I called before he could ask.

Reardon patted his flat stomach and grinned.

"Not trying to be a pain, but I need to fill this sucker up."

Being the tallest of us by far, Reardon had always eaten more than your average man. When he'd hit puberty and began the first of three growth spurts, my aunt used to complain that she had to take out a second job just to keep him fed.

"I've got two brats and a burger with your name on 'em."

"Good man," Reardon said with a grin. "So... things seem to be progressing with Zoey, huh?"

" _Jesus_ , what is this? Are you all taking turns? It's fine. She's a nice woman and I like her, that's all."

Reardon held up his hands in surrender and said, "Whoa!" He turned his head back toward the direction Serena had just left in, then back to me. "Is that what Rena was back here about?" At my nod he said, "I was just making an observation. I like Zoey, and I'm glad that you two seem to be hitting it off. That's all I meant."

"Sorry, didn't mean to bite your head off," I said sheepishly.

"No worries, and don't worry about Rena, you know what a mother hen she is. She's just looking out for you. I'm sure she and Zoey will hit it off; she just needs to get to know her a bit."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right," I replied as I placed the meat on a platter and turned off the grill.

We walked around and took the food to the picnic table, where the others were waiting with the buns, sides, and condiments. I was happy to see Serena sitting down with Jasmine and Zoey. They were all talking and everyone looked at ease.

When Serena looked up, I gave her a grateful smile and said, "Dinner is served."

Everyone busied themselves making their plates, then sat around the table, talking in between bites.

I noticed Zoey eating quietly and watching the group intently, and was going to try and pull her into the conversation when her eyes widened and she stood up abruptly.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said absently, then picked up her plate and started backing away. "I just thought of something I have to do. Please excuse me."

I watched, confused, as she stumbled her way down toward her cabin, the door slamming behind her as she went inside.

"What was that?" Dillon asked, his face reflecting the same concern I was feeling.

"I'll go check on her," Jasmine said, rising from her spot.

"Me too," Serena added, following after our cousin.

"Should I go?" I asked, unsure how to handle Zoey's abrupt departure.

"Nah, let us girls handle it," Jasmine replied from over her shoulder. "We'll let you know if you're needed."

# Chapter Ten ~ Zoey

I was scribbling fiercely, the plate of food I'd brought with me forgotten.

Watching Gabe and his cousins... the way they interacted, communicated, and obviously felt about each other, had given me an epiphany. There was something missing in the book I was currently finishing up, and inspiration had struck over dinner.

I grinned excitedly as I wrote. My editor was going to lose her mind!

A knock on the screen door had my grin fading as I looked up to see who was disturbing my train of thought.

"Can we come in?" Jasmine asked.

I _really_ wanted to say no, but realized Jasmine and Serena might take it wrong, not understanding the intense need I had to put pen to paper.

"Of course," I said instead, allowing my desire to be polite to overrule my desire to be alone.

I went back to writing, trying to get down the ideas that I had before I lost them, and Jasmine sat down on the bed while Serena walked around the room.

"So... I was just telling Serena that she needn't be worried that you have some sordid underlying plan to trap our cousin and use him for your own gain..."

Still half in a daze, the gist of Jasmine's words penetrated my brain and I looked up, confused.

"What? Why would I use him?"

Jasmine waved her hand, as if waving away my question.

"But I told her, the last person that would need to use our cousin for anything, would be _Zoey Zahn_..."

My brain cleared immediately and I dropped my pen.

"How long have you known?" I asked, my stomach dipping as I worried that she'd be upset with me. I liked Jasmine, and didn't want her to think I had any sort of negative reason for keeping my identity to myself.

"I thought you looked familiar that first day, and it kept bugging me, but I didn't know why," she answered, flipping her flaming hair over her shoulder then giving a small shrug. "I went to Comic Con last year and saw you on a panel, but that was the only time I'd really seen your face, so it didn't register right away. I woke up last night and it came to me."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I figured you had your reasons, and you weren't hurting anyone by not announcing that we had one of the most popular writers in the world sleeping in the next cabin."

"Well... I wouldn't go that far. I was just enjoying the privacy, and the chance to be a regular person, you know? It was nice to have you all like me just for me," I admitted.

Jasmine got up and crossed to me, her arms reaching out to take my hand in hers.

"We _do_ like you for you, Zoey."

"I like you guys too, and I'm sorry I didn't say anything."

"I get it," Serena chimed in, speaking up for the first time since entering. "And I'm sorry I assumed the worst."

"That's okay... I get it too. Your cousin's a very handsome and likeable guy, and I actually love the fact that you guys are all so close that you'd look out for him that way." I smiled at the younger woman, then gestured to my notes. "That's actually why I rushed back here...Watching you guys and the dynamics you share helped me figure out what's been missing with the story I'm writing."

"Is it the third book in the trilogy?" Jasmine asked, clapping her hands excitedly.

I laughed and answered, "Yes. Have you read them?"

"Are you kidding?" she replied, her voice raising an octave. "Who hasn't? I love this series and cannot wait to read book three. I'm so excited that they're being made into movies. Do you get to decide who plays your characters? When do they start filming? Will you get to be there?"

" _Jasmine_ ," Serena said, quietly chastising her cousin, but I just giggled at Jasmine's enthusiasm.

"Sorry," Jasmine said, blushing slightly.

"That's okay," I replied, squeezing her hand. "I really appreciate the fact that you love my books so much. Um... no, I don't get to decide who will play each part, but they are asking for my input. They start filming next month, and I get to stop by the set, but I probably won't be there the entire time. I'm a little nervous about the stories translating well to film, but I'm also really excited, and beyond honored that they're being made."

" _That's so cool_ ," Jasmine breathed, and I had to laugh. She sounded exactly like my teenaged fans, and I kind of loved that about her.

"It is pretty cool," I agreed, then added, "I'm sorry if my running off came off as strange. You didn't have to come check up on me. There's nothing wrong, I just got an idea that I had to get down."

"I totally get that," Serena said, surprising me. "When I get inspiration for a painting, I have to start working on it right away. One time we were all together for Thanksgiving, and I was suddenly struck with the burning need to paint... I left before dinner and drove six hours back to my studio."

Jasmine chuckled and said, "Your mom was so mad." She turned to me and added, "She'd invited this guy over. He was new in town and didn't have any friends or family. She was hoping he and Serena would hit it off and give her lots of grandbabies."

Serena groaned and threw herself backward on the bed.

"My mom is crazy for grandbabies."

Another knock on the door had all of our heads swiveling.

"Am I interrupting?" Gabe said as he eased the door open, revealing a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hand.

"Nope, we were just leaving," Serena replied, jumping off the bed and walking toward her cousin.

Jasmine crossed over to me and leaned in, whispering, "You don't have to worry, we won't tell anyone your secret. It should be up to you..."

"Thanks," I replied, smiling back at her. "I really appreciate that."

"You two be good," she said loudly, then kissed Gabe on the cheek before following Serena out of my cabin and leaving Gabe and me alone.

# Chapter Eleven ~ Gabe

"You sure I'm not interrupting?" I asked when Zoey stood unmoving, her eyes wide as she watched me come in. "I can come back another time..."

My words seemed to shake her out of her reverie, because she shook her head and answered, "No, please, come in."

I grinned at her stilted movements, wondering if my being in her space made her nervous, and hoping, just a little bit, that it did.

"I'm sorry if I seemed strange, running off from dinner like that, but I had an idea for the book that I'm working on, and I had to get it down while it was still fresh."

Zoey brushed stray stands off her face, and I noticed her hand was trembling slightly.

"Not strange," I replied, with what I hoped was a reassuring grin. "I was just worried that something was wrong. I'm glad it had to do with your work, and not something one of us said or did."

"No, no, not at all," she replied, bringing her wide eyes up to mine, _finally_ looking at me.

"Good," I said softly as I poured the wine I'd already uncorked into the goblets. Handing her one I asked, "Want to sit, or do you want to go back out and join the group?"

"We can sit," she said softly, holding the goblet in two hands as if it were a lifeline.

"So," I began once we were settled a slight distance apart, knees touching. "What are you working on?"

Zoey's face flushed as she replied, "Just the third book in a series I'm doing... no big deal."

"O-kay," I replied, taking the hint that she didn't want to talk about work and changing the subject. "What made you decide to come here, to the camp with your nephew?"

Zoey visibly relaxed, so I knew the redirect had been a good idea. If she didn't want to talk about her writing, I certainly wasn't going to force her to. I hoped we had time enough to get to that at a later date.

"Chloe was originally going to come, but said that something came up with work at the last minute," she replied with a half-shrug. "That's not uncommon for her, she works hard to provide for Christopher... but, she didn't want him to come to camp alone. He's never been away from home for that long before, and although _I'm_ sure he would have done just fine, she's a bit of a worrywart. Chris called me, pleading for me to come along so that he didn't have to cancel. Of course I said yes. It's only a week, and with my job, it's easy for me to work from anywhere. Of course, then I had to go and get the dates wrong..."

"I'm glad you did," I admitted, smiling when she grinned at me over her glass.

"Me too."

I took a sip then eased back, getting more comfortable before saying, "So, tell me about Christopher."

Zoey's expression grew animated, and I could see the love she felt for her nephew written there.

"Chris is great! Smart, funny, and a huge football fan," she began. "He's been talking about coming to this camp since it opened. This is the first year he's old enough, so that's another reason why I agreed to come right away, I know how much it means to him." She took another sip of wine, her tongue darting out to catch a stray drop, causing my focus to waiver. "I know next to nothing about football, but Christopher has loved watching it since before he could talk. It's something that he and Chloe share, and if there's a game happening, you can bet they're watching it."

"But you don't watch with them?" I prodded, thinking that would explain why she had no idea who I was.

"No," she admitted with another shrug. "If there's a game on while I'm there, I'll usually pick up a book and read. I've tried to get into the game, for their sake, but I just don't get it. I don't know why... I usually pick things up quickly, but I cannot get a grasp on the rules of football. What about you, do you like it?"

I didn't want to lie, but I wasn't ready to lose my anonymity yet, so I replied honestly, "Yes, I love football. I played in high school and college. Reardon, Dillon, and I take in games whenever we can."

"I'll have to introduce you to Chris," she said.

"I'd love that." Unable to hold back any longer, I brought my hand up to her face, running my fingers along her soft skin before playing with a strand of her hair.

Zoey closed her eyes and held her breath. I leaned over and brushed my lips gently across the place my fingers had just touched.

I leaned back slightly, looking into her upturned face, before placing my glass, then hers, on the end table, and coming back to see her watching me. All trace of nerves gone, she surprised me by placing her hand behind my head and pulling me back toward her.

She met my lips with a fervor, opening her mouth and sweeping her tongue along my lower lip, pulling a groan from me before I took over. I leaned her back slightly, loving the feel of her soft breasts against my chest, her hand tightly grasping the hair at the nape of my neck, as I teased her with my mouth.

I broke away from her lips, kissing down her exposed neck and flicking my tongue along the base. She tasted sweet and salty, like a decadent desert, and I wondered if I'd ever get my fill.

Realizing that my body was drawn tight, and I was reaching the point where necking on the couch wouldn't be enough, I pulled away and sat down a foot farther than I'd been moments before.

I'd told her I was coming over just to talk, and didn't want to overstep my bounds or take more than she was willing to give so soon in our budding relationship.

She looked unbelievable sexy, her chest heaving as she watched me with eyes half-lidded with desire. Her lips were swollen from my kiss, and I had to dig my fingernails into my hands to stop from reaching out and pulling her to me.

I was mentally telling myself all the reasons we needed to take things slow, when Zoey shocked me by straddling me swiftly, bringing her lips back to mine as she ground against the desire that I had no hope of disguising. It looked like taking it slow wasn't on Zoey's agenda, and who was I to deny this woman anything?

# Chapter Twelve ~ Zoey

I'm not sure what came over me... I was like some sort of hot and bothered vixen who was going to take what she wanted.

I wasn't usually so forward, leaving the guy in my life to make the first move, but when it looked like Gabe was going to stick to his guns on taking it slow, my libido took over. I was tired of taking it slow. For once, I wanted to go after what I wanted, and right now, what I wanted was writhing beneath me.

I pulled the rubber band out of my hair and let my long hair hang loose around us, covering our faces like a thick curtain in what I hoped was a sexy move. Gabe's large hands immediately came up and sunk into the dark strands, so I figured I was on the right track. I rocked slowly, my eyes nearly rolling back in my head as I felt his hard length rubbing just where I needed him.

My lips were roaming of their own free will, memorizing every inch of his face... forehead, cheekbones, and finally, those full, luscious lips.

I could write an entire book about his lips...

I reached down and grasped the hem of his tank top, lifting it, then pulling, frustrated when his arms were in my way.

"Thanks," I breathed when he took the shirt all the way off, and I was finally able to put my hands on all of that delicious skin.

I started with his shoulders, enjoying the feel of his hard muscles beneath my soft palms. Down his biceps, then crossing over to pay homage to his defined chest. I bent lower and touched the tip of my tongue to his nipple, softly at first, but when his groan rumbled against my lips, the fire in me caught and I began to suck and bite. First one nipple, then the other, before kissing and licking a trail to his perfectly sculpted abs.

I'd never been with a man whose body was a work of art, and I didn't want to waste this opportunity, so I used my hands and lips to worship every inch of him.

My head came up when I heard him chuckle, eyes heavy with desire and lips swollen.

"I'm beginning to think you just want me for my body," he said gruffly, his half grin telling me that he was perfectly okay if that were the case.

"Not _just_ ," I answered breathlessly. "But I have to say, it doesn't suck." I moved back up, brushing his lips sweetly before admitting, "I think you're kind." Kiss. "Funny." Kiss. "Smart." Kiss. "But it doesn't hurt that you look like Superman."

" _Superman_?" he asked with a full-on laugh, running his thumb along my lower lip, his eyes a delicious dark chocolate. "I assure you I'm just a man, Zoey." Kiss. "But... if I _was_ Superman, you would surely be my kryptonite."

With a feat of strength that had me gasping, he stood, lifting me with him and wrapping my legs around him as he moved us swiftly to the bed. My head hit the pillow, and my body quivered at the feel of his hard, long length, covering my body completely. He braced himself on his forearms so as not to crush me, then kissed me deeply.

It registered in the far reaches of my mind that I'd won, that this was really going to happen, so I gave myself a quick mental high five before losing myself in the headiness of his kiss.

With impressive speed and agility, Gabe took off my shirt and bra, and before I could have a moment of embarrassment or modesty, his dark head lowered and he took my nipple into his mouth.

Moaning, I arched my back and shoved my fingers into his hair, briefly thinking how soft and silky it felt before my mind shut off totally and I was unable to do anything but feel.

_Feel_ the sweet tug of desire in my belly.

_Feel_ Gabe's hot, wet mouth covering my nipple.

_Feel_ the gentle scrape of his teeth as he bit me softly.

_Feel_ the rage of emotion unfurl in me as my need for him grew into a frenzy.

I bucked my hips, not wanting him to stop what he was doing, but trying to move my hands lower so that I could touch him in all the ways I wanted to.

I cried out with loss when the cold air hit my breast, and his mouth moved lower, kissing along my stomach as his fingers began to ease my shorts down my thighs.

My heart rate quickened as I watched Gabe's focus as he finished undressing me, then dropped his own shorts, before joining me back on the bed. He opened my legs swiftly, kneeling between them as his eyes devoured me in a way I prayed his mouth would next.

Gabe looked up suddenly, keeping his hot eyes locked on mine as he lowered his head. The sight of his mouth kissing me sweetly, right as I felt his tongue flick out and hit my clit, had me clenching the bedspread beneath my hands.

It was the most erotic thing I'd ever experienced... until he sucked my clit into his mouth and my hips launched up.

"Ohhhh," I couldn't help but moan. "That's new..."

Gabe chuckled against me, and I swear, that rumble was nearly my undoing.

He swept his tongue deftly up and down, and I nearly blacked out at the enormous sensations running through me.

I wanted him in me, wanted to come when he was moving over me, so I sat up and put my hands under his arms, urging him up.

"Let me," he urged, but I shook my head fervently.

"I want you inside," I begged, unashamed... just needy.

His eyes darkened to pitch at my plea, and I fell back with a happy sigh when he rose above me. I don't know when he got out a condom, or where he pulled it from just then, and I didn't care. All I cared about was watching as he sheathed his rock-hard cock.

_Oh yeah_ , I thought, _I just said **cock** in my head. If anything deserved that sexy, erotic-sounding moniker, it's that beautiful thing Gabe is currently stroking as he brushed the tip against me._

I urged my inner voice to shut up and let me enjoy the moment, and as Gabe eased himself slowly inside of me, inch by inch by inch, I laid my head back once again and did just that.

"Oh my god," I breathed softly as he filled me up, his hard chest brushing against my soft breasts as he moved in and out of me, stopping to tease me with the head of his cock before pushing deeply back inside.

"You're amazing," he groaned, and I opened my eyes to see his on me, watching the pleasure flit across my face.

I brought my knees up, and he placed his arms underneath and lifted, titling my hips and causing himself to delve even deeper.

I know I moaned, groaned, and probably even shouted... his name, God's, and maybe even my own, as he continuously hit the spot that had my orgasm building until I crashed over the edge and trembled in Gabe's arms.

As I pulsed around him, he picked up the pace, rocketing against me as I held on to his shoulders and gave him the resistance he needed. I came out of my stupor just in time to watch his face as he reached his release, and I swore I'd never seen anything so beautiful, or any man look as handsome, as Gabe did in that moment.

# Chapter Thirteen ~ Gabe

I couldn't remember the last time I'd spent the night with a woman. One of my favorite things about being in a relationship was waking up with a soft warm body next to me. That drowsy, content feeling you'd get as you snuggled next to the woman you were with.

Anxious for that feeling, I wore a grin before I'd even opened my eyes, and stretched out my hand to draw Zoey to me. When all I found was empty sheets, I tossed back the covers and sat up, searching the small cabin and finding the object of my desire typing away furiously at the desk in the corner.

I laid back down, turning on my side as I pulled the covers back over me.

Her dark hair was piled on her head in a messy bun, and she was muttering to herself as she worked. She'd thrown on a Goonies T-shirt and a pair of running shorts, and I was surprised to see she had black horn-rim glasses on her face.

She was a crazy mix of adorable and sexy, and I settled back into the pillow, content with watching her work.

I let my mind run through the list of things I needed to get done over the next few days, while mentally planning the things I wanted to do with Zoey before the camp was overrun with teenagers.

There was a waterfall a few miles away that I'd love to hike with her to, and I needed to talk with Jasmine to see when everyone wanted to do our big campfire, as well as put things in motion for our annual Sports Day competition.

I'm not sure how long I stayed there, but when I looked over at the clock and saw that it was already almost nine, I knew I had to get up and get moving. Reluctantly, I cleared my throat and rose to sitting, then smiled to myself when I realized clearing my throat hadn't gotten Zoey's attention. She was still typing away, oblivious to the fact that I was awake.

I stood and gathered my clothes from the floor, my eyes on her as I pulled them on. When I was done slipping on my shoes, I crossed the room and bent to press my lips lightly to Zoey's head.

She flinched slightly, then tilted her head back to smile sweetly at me.

"Hey," she said softly. "I didn't hear you get up."

"Morning," I responded. "I have to get going. I'm supposed to meet the guys so we can check out the cabin, tents, and yurts on the campers' side, but I was hoping I could talk you into taking a break this afternoon. Say, one o'clock?"

Zoey's nose wrinkled cutely as she did some sort of mental calculation, then nodded.

"I think I could make that happen."

"Great. Wear something you can hike in, with a bathing suit underneath."

"Okay."

She was already turning her focus back to her screen, so I kissed her quickly on the cheek, then headed out to meet my cousins, knowing full well they were going to give me shit for being late.

I was jogging up the path when the razzing began.

"Walk of shame, is it?"

I lifted my head to see Reardon and Dillon sitting in the rockers on my cabin's front porch, each of them rocking slightly, giant cups of coffee in their hands.

"Jealous?" I asked Reardon with a grin as I made my way up the steps.

"Bet your ass," he admitted, causing me to chuckle.

"Let me grab a quick shower and one of those," I said, indicating his coffee.

"Take your time," Dillon said, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the chair. "I'm happy right here."

True to my word, I was back out on deck seven minutes later with my hair still damp and a steaming mug of java in my hand.

"Ready?" I asked, already walking down the steps.

I heard Dillon groan, but knew they were following me when I heard the creak of the wood porch.

"So, did you have a nice evening?" Reardon asked as he matched his steps to mine.

"Yeah," I replied vaguely.

"Was everything okay? With Zoey, I mean..." Dillon asked, falling in on my other side. "The girls said she wasn't mad or anything."

"No, she wasn't mad, just got some inspiration for her writing and had to go get it down on paper," I replied, smiling at the memory of Zoey's abrupt exit.

"She's a little nutty," Reardon said, but just as I was about to reply he added, "I like that about her."

Rather than taking offense, I agreed, "Yeah, me too."

"She's pretty cool," Dillon put in. "I'm kind of pissed I didn't arrive sooner."

I turned to my cousin, one eyebrow raised, and asked, "You think that would have made a difference?"

He looked me up and down, face expressionless, before he grinned and shrugged. "No, probably not. You two seemed to hit it off straight away. I'm happy for you, man."

"Whoa," Reardon said, stopping in his tracks. "Happy for him about what? They just met for crying out loud, I wouldn't be congratulating him just yet."

"I don't know," Dillon responded, crossing his arms over his chest. "I've never seen him act like this around other women. I think Zoey's something special."

They both turned their eyes to me.

"Oh, are you done talking about me like I'm not here?" I asked sardonically.

Neither of them answered.

I took a deep breath and shrugged.

"I'm not about to go out ring shopping," I replied, looking the men I trusted most in the eyes. "But Dillon's right, there's something different about Zoey. I really like her, and I'd like to get to know her better."

"So, you think you will see her after she and her nephew leave camp?" Reardon asked. I knew he was only looking out for my best interest, but his disbelief that Zoey and I could have something real was grating my nerves.

"I don't know, Rear, we haven't discussed it yet, but... _yeah_ , I'd like to see what we'd be like outside of camp. In the real world."

"I hope it happens then, Gabe," Reardon said. "You know I want what you want."

"I know, man," I replied, then asked, "Are we done with the heart to heart now?" When they both nodded and we resumed walking I added, "Then let's get some work done, I have a date this afternoon."

# Chapter Fourteen ~ Zoey

"Ohhhh, _that's good_ ," I muttered, then giggled softly.

Lifting my eyes from the screen, I stared across the room, unseeing, as I stretched my arms above my head. My mind was full of magic, mystery, and mythical creatures as I lifted my coffee cup to my lips to take a sip, and realized that the cup was empty.

"Hmmm, when did that happen?" I asked myself out loud, then groaned when I tried to stand and my muscles protested.

I heard the sound of footsteps, and turned my head to see Gabe through the screened porch. I swiveled my head around, searching for the clock, and gasped when I saw it was one o'clock on the nose.

" _Shoot_!"

I was about to start apologizing, but when Gabe opened the door and peeked his head around, a large sexy grin on his face, all words left me.

He was impossibly handsome. No, really. Those lips...

" _Chitty Chitty Bang Bang_..." That's what came tumbling out when my words came back, causing Gabe's grin to widen.

"What?"

"Nothing," I answered quickly.

"Are you just now finishing up?" he asked, coming fully into the room.

"Yeah," I said, leaning to the side in an effort to stretch my aching back. "I got caught up, but I can be ready in two minutes."

"If you aren't done, we can reschedule."

"No," I said, in a louder-than-necessary voice. "I'm looking forward to it."

Gabe's face softened at my admission and he took a few steps toward me, pausing to brush the back of his hand against my cheek.

"Have you eaten anything?"

"Coffee."

Gabe chuckled. "Coffee isn't food."

"It should be," I replied softly, mesmerized by his gentle touch.

He brushed a loose tendril back and said, "Get ready, Zoey. It'll do you good to stretch your legs and get some food in you."

"Okay."

I rifled through my things until I found a bathing suit, running shorts, and a tank top, then hurried into the bathroom to get changed. I felt bad about not being ready when he arrived, but was relieved that it didn't seem to bother him in the least. In fact, I hadn't seen him get riled up about anything in the admittedly short amount of time that we knew each other.

I really liked that about him.

"Ready," I said as I rushed out. I crossed to the room as he opened the door for me and then followed me outside.

"Here, a little something to tide you over," Gabe said, handing me a granola bar.

I stilled, my hand out, each of us holding an end of the bar, and lifted my eyes to his.

"That's so thoughtful." And it was... As silly as it may sound, it was the most thoughtful thing I could remember a guy doing for me.

Gabe released his end of the bar and swung to the side, showing me the backpack he was carrying.

"Don't worry, I have a full lunch in here. Once we make it to the waterfall, we can set it up and take our time." He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine, then raised his head and said, "Let's go."

We started off in the opposite direction of the camp, so we passed his cousins, who were all sitting on Jasmine's porch eating their lunch and talking. When she noticed us, she raised her hand and said, "Have fun, you two," causing everyone to turn and wave.

I couldn't hear what Reardon said, but I heard Dillon laugh in response, so I figured they were ribbing Gabe, even though he wasn't there to hear it.

As we walked through the woods, the sweet smell of wildflowers and budding bushes filled the air, and I could feel my mind and body loosen with each step. It was a beautiful day, and I was excited to see where Gabe was taking me.

"It's funny," I began, my thoughts jumbling out of my mouth. "I never imagined I'd be here when I told my sister I'd take her place at camp. I mean, obviously I knew I'd be _here_ , as in at the camp, but the thought of meeting someone, and having the connection that I have with you, never even crossed my mind."

When I realized what I'd said out loud, I stumbled. Literally.

Gabe's hand reached out to catch me and we stopped, turning toward each other. I kept my head down, afraid that I'd been presumptuous and said too much.

_Our connection_... What if he didn't see it that way? Gosh, sometimes I wondered how it was possible I was in my thirties, when I often felt like an awkward teen.

" _Hey_ ," Gabe prodded, bringing his finger under my chin and lifting, so I was forced to face him. "I feel the same way."

I felt the smile bloom across my face at his words, and the tension in my gut eased. Gabe lowered his head and kissed me again, but this time it was more than a simple brush of the lips. He was firm, insistent, so I opened my mouth to him and allowed us both to be swept away by the budding emotions we were feeling.

I clutched his hips as he deepened the kiss, worried my knees were going to buckle and I'd tumble to the ground.

"Mmmm," he groaned deliciously as he pulled away. He made sure I was steady, then took my hand and asked, "All good?"

I nodded, still a little dazzled by the effective lip lock, and we turned to continue down the path, my hand still secured in his.

# Chapter Fifteen ~ Gabe

I was in unchartered territory.

There was a warmth in my chest, a fire in my belly, and I couldn't stop smiling.

If the guys were with us, I knew they'd be eating this shit up, but after Zoey's admission, I doubt even they could ruin this feeling.

Was it contentment?

Happiness?

Hope?

I wasn't sure. Maybe it was a combination of all three.

I did know, though, that with the way I was feeling, and things were progressing, that I had to tell Zoey the truth about who I was and what I'd done in the past. The omission was beginning to feel like a lie, and I wasn't comfortable with that. I wanted this feeling to last, and in order for that to happen, I figured I needed to be completely honest. I just hope she'd understand my reasons and not feel betrayed in some way.

I'd been with plenty of women who'd react badly... loudly... violently, if I kept _anything_ from them, but for some reason, I thought Zoey was different.

I guess I'd find out soon.

We were about to break through the trees and get our first glimpse of the waterfall, so I trained my eyes on Zoey, eager to see her reaction. She didn't disappoint.

Her eyes widened as she gasped, and pure pleasure spread across her face. The hand I wasn't holding came to her chest to rest over her heart and she murmured, "It's amazing."

"This is one of my favorite places in the world," I admitted, causing her attention to turn to me.

"I can see why."

I gave her hand a playful tug and said, "C'mon," then took off at a jog.

She laughed as I pulled her, a sweet tinkling sound that made me smile. It was a new laugh, one I hadn't heard before, and I wondered what other things about her I'd still had yet to discover.

I stopped once we got to the edge of the pool of water at the base of the waterfall. Rocks surrounded the rest of the area, so with the fall in our front, and the forest at our backs, it was like we were in our own private paradise.

Zoey crouched and put her hand in the water as I unzipped my pack and pulled out a blanket. I spread it out, then set out the other items I'd brought along.

"Do you want to eat or swim first?" I asked as I laid out the sandwiches, pitas, hummus, and fruit.

She turned and looked from me to the food, then back again and answered, "Eat."

I sat, holding out my hand in invitation. My stomach clenched as she walked toward me to take it. Her hair was still up in a messy bun, and her tan skin glowed in the brilliant sunlight. She looked fresh, sweet, and I suddenly wanted to taste her more than I wanted to breathe.

When she placed her hand in mine, I tugged, causing her to fall into my lap with a laugh. Unable to wait, I dipped my head, capturing her happiness as I got my taste. Her laugh turned to a moan and her hands came around my neck, holding me closer. When we were both breathless I pulled back slightly and looked down at her.

"You taste good."

"So do you," she replied, her voice low and throaty.

I wanted to lay her down and sink into her, but I knew she hadn't eaten all day, so I controlled the beast inside me and placed her next to me on the blanket.

"Let's eat."

I laughed when she didn't hesitate, grabbing the closest sandwich, opening it quickly and taking a big bite.

"Mmmmm," she said, eyes half closed. "So good."

The sounds she was making coupled with the look on her face were about to make me lose control, so I turned my head and looked at the water, trying to concentrate on every drop as it cascaded over the rocks.

Once I had myself in check I turned back and chuckled when I saw that half of her sandwich was already gone. I grabbed mine and leaned back, watching her as I opened the sandwich bag.

"So, what did you guys do today?" Zoey asked in between bites.

"We got a lot done actually," I replied. "After three years we've got a good system going on. All of the cabins are ready for the kids to start arriving, and the counselors, of course, who will start arriving Saturday morning. We have a lot of returning counselors, so the final preparations will take no time at all. Everything's on track."

"That's cool that you all come here every year. It must be nice to get that time together with your family. Especially in a place like this," she said, her gaze sweeping the beautiful view.

That was the opening I needed, so I sucked it up and said, "Zoey, there's something I need to tell you."

Her head swiveled, and her eyes looked worried as she said tentatively, "Well, that's never good."

I grinned in spite of myself, then sat up and admitted, "I may not have been completely forthcoming about who I am."

Zoey lowered her hand, the last bit of uneaten sandwich forgotten.

"Oh, crap... You're married?"

"What? No!"

"Wanted for murder?"

I just looked at her.

"Gay?"

"Seriously?" I asked, a laugh escaping me. "We've had sex..."

"Bisexual?"

I bit my cheek to keep from laughing. I wanted her to know that I was being serious, but she was making it difficult.

"How about you let me finish?"

Zoey nodded her head slowly.

"My full name is Gabriel Lewis."

She didn't say anything for a moment, then I saw the light dawn over her face.

"As in _Camp Gabriel Lewis_?"

"Yes."

I held back a chuckle as she smacked herself in the head.

"So, you're a football player and this is your camp?"

"I'm a retired football player, and yes, this is my camp."

"Wow," she said, picking up a grape and popping it in her mouth. "Chris is going to lose his mind. He _loves_ you!"

I smiled, pleased at her reaction, and said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away. I didn't know you, and I've had women come here before in hopes of sleeping with an NFL player, or hell, getting married to one."

Zoey's eyes widened and she leaned forward. " _Really_?"

"Yeah," I replied with a laugh. "You'd be surprised how many women want that... Then again, some of them just want my money."

I kept my eyes on her face, looking for any sort of negative reaction, and was relieved when I found none.

"I get it," she said, reaching a hand out and placing it on my knee. "You kept your true identity a secret just in case I was a gold digger or a groupie. I'm not offended. I mean, really, we've only known each other a few days... It was the smart thing to do." Zoey smiled sweetly, then nodded again and said, "That explains Serena's initial reaction to me. It also explains why you and your cousins come here every year to set up. I was wondering. I just figured you were the caretaker or something."

I shook my head, my smile a permanent fixture.

"No, we all come up every year to see each other, like I said. Everyone but Reardon will leave on Sunday before camp starts. If they have the time, they'll come back at the end of summer. Reardon usually takes two weeks off. He likes to stay for the first session of camp, get some time with the kids and blow off steam before heading back home. Plus, it gives us a little extra time together. He'll be leaving at the same time that you and Chris do."

Zoey scooted closer and pushed me slightly, causing me to lie back on the blanket, and then she lay next to me and placed her head on my chest.

"What made you decide to tell me now?"

"What you said on the way over here, about our connection," I replied, hugging her closer to me. "Like I said, I feel the same way, and it didn't feel right to keep part of who I am away from you. It's a very big part, and can come with some complications. I wanted you to know everything, so we can move forward and see where this thing goes."

Zoey's arm tightened around my waist, but she didn't say anything, so I pushed on.

"I don't know the logistics yet, and I do have seven more weeks of camp left after you leave, but I'd like to keep seeing each other ... long distance, until we can figure something out."

"I'd like that too," she replied, and I closed my eyes, letting that feeling of warmth and contentment envelope me.

# Chapter Sixteen ~ Zoey

"I'm so happy he told you," Jasmine said as she watched me put makeup on from the corner of my bed.

I'd been barefaced and au natural for the entire time I'd been at camp so far, and since we were about to join the gang for a big bonfire, and I planned to sneak off with Gabe afterwards, I thought it would be nice to do myself up a bit and let Gabe see another side of me.

"I understood his reasons, but didn't like feeling like we were all keeping this big secret from you." My eyes came to hers in the mirror, and I knew what she was going to ask next. "Did you tell him who you are?"

She didn't look accusatory, just curious, but I was saved from answering when Serena came to the door.

"Hello," she called.

"Come on in," I answered, giving her a smile when she pushed open the door.

She looked cute in a pair of cut-off shorts and a lightweight long-sleeved top with the Roxy emblem on it. Her hair was long and loose, the entire ensemble making her look sweet and fresh.

"Did I miss anything?" Serena asked Jasmine as she sat next to her on the bed.

"No, we were just getting to it," she told her cousin, then they both turned their attention on me.

I tried to think of a way to change the subject, but the look on their faces told me there was no getting out of this one.

" _No_ ," I admitted after taking a deep breath and turning to lean back against the dresser. "I didn't tell him."

"Why not?" Jasmine asked gently as she wound her long red locks up into a bun. "You have to know he's not going to care. In fact, he'll understand more than most people would... the fame, the money, people using you for who you are... He's dealt with all of it."

I bit my lip and tilted my head down.

"I know you're right, and I thought about telling him right then, I really did, but all I kept thinking about is how different we are. How different our pasts are, and our lives out there." I lifted my hand and swept it, indicating the outside world.

"So what?" Serena asked. "So you're different, that's a good thing. Haven't you heard the old adage, opposites attract?"

"Of course," I answered, lifting my head to face them. "But he's a football player. A big one. He said he played in high school, college, and the NFL. Now, I don't watch or understand the game, but I've seen stuff about the players. He's been a big deal his whole life, could have his pick of women, and probably has... He's had women work hard to get in his bed, and to get him to marry them, he said so himself."

Jasmine stood up and took a few steps toward me as she explained, "Yes, that's all true. Gabe has never had a hard time finding a date, and women have gone to crazy lengths to be with him, but, _Zoey_ , that's in his past. When he was a teenager, at college, and in his early twenties, he was swept up in it, I'll admit, but he's not like that now. He's a grown-up. A man. I'd say in the last five years he's dated only a couple women. He's done with all of that playboy stuff."

"I believe that, believe you," I said, pushing off the dresser to stand in front of her, trying to make her see where I was coming from. "But my life was nothing like that. I was the quiet girl in school, helped with sets in the drama department in high school, and studied hard in college. I'm a total geek, a nerd. I started out writing _Star Wars_ fan fiction, and can count the number of guys I've been with on one hand... if I only had three fingers on it. The football players never looked at me, and I gave them a wide berth."

"This isn't high school," Serena said from her perch on the bed. "You're both adults, and I can tell he really likes you."

"Yeah, _here_!" I shouted, then realized I was yelling and lowered my voice. "But this is like a fantasy world, it isn't real. He said he wants to keep seeing me after camp, but how is that even possible? I spend my days in my house, usually in my pajamas, writing and talking to my virtual friends online. I only go out when I get low on coffee and my supply of Red Vines is gone. I have no social life and the only people I interact with are my sister and nephew. I doubt that's the kind of thing he's into."

"Have you talked to him about it? Not the fact that you're a famous writer, but the rest of it, the day-to-day stuff that you're worried about?" Jasmine asked softly.

"No. I didn't really start freaking out until after we came back here and I was left alone with my crazy brain," I replied. "He said he wanted to see me after, and I said that I did too."

"And, do you?" Serena asked.

I met her eyes and nodded, causing a beautiful smile to cross her face.

"Then that's all that matters. The rest will work itself out."

"Do you think so?"

"Yes," Jasmine answered, then surprised me by pulling me in for a hug. "Just talk to him."

"Okay."

"Now, hurry up and finish getting ready. Those guys will eat all the s'mores and drink all the beer if we're late."

I finished by putting a shimmery gloss on my lips, then grabbed my sweater off the back of the chair, just in case.

"Ready," I announced, and we all headed out of my cabin.

It was already dark as we made our way through the woods to the bonfire site. Jasmine was telling us a story about Dillon getting in trouble for stealing a freshly frosted lemon cake out of their kitchen when he was seven. His mother had found him sitting under the porch, half the pan empty with bits of yellow cake all over his face. He'd tried to blame Jasmine for putting him up to it, but their mother didn't believe him.

"I totally did put him up to it too. I knew how much he loved lemon cake and told him Mom had made it just for him... She'd made it for a business dinner our father was having that night. He got in so much trouble." Jasmine was laughing at the memory as we neared the sight, and when I noticed Dillon glaring at us, I knew he'd heard the whole thing.

"I was grounded from my Nintendo for a week," he said, scowling at his twin.

"Awe, I'm sorry, bro," Jasmine said with a jaunty smile as she leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.

"Get away from me," he replied, his voice rough, but the quirking of his lips giving him away. "Dad still blames me for losing that account, and it was over twenty-five years ago."

I was grinning as I walked over to where Gabe was sitting, watching his cousins bicker around him. He patted the log next to him and I sat down, leaving a space between us. I was still a little freaked out over my earlier mental freak-out about the differences between us. Of course, he had no idea about any of it. When he left me with a kiss and a promise to see me at the bonfire, everything had been hunky dory.

Gabe put his hand around my waist, putting slight pressure there so I would scoot over until our sides were pressed up against each other. When I looked up at him shyly, all I saw were his luscious lips as they descended and greeted my own.

_Sigh._

Maybe I needed to stop worrying about what happened out in the real world, and just enjoy my time in fantasyland.

# Chapter Seventeen ~ Gabe

"You good?" I asked Zoey. She was lying on top of me, we were both naked, and my hand was drawing circles on her back.

After we had our fill of beer, s'mores, and the company of my cousins, we'd come back to her place, and this time, I took the lead. She'd been sweet, responsive, and sexy as hell, and now we were both working on evening out our breathing as we laid in the dark.

"Mmmm," she responded drowsily. "Yeah, why?"

"You seemed a little off when you first got to the bonfire. I just wanted to make sure nothing happened."

Zoey pushed against my chest with her hands, tucking her thick hair back so it flowed in a mass around her. _Damn_ , but she was beautiful.

"I had a minor freak-out after we got back from the waterfall," she admitted.

"What about?"

She chewed on her lip nervously and averted her eyes, then said to the wall, "I started thinking about how different we are. Not just in our career paths, but in our relationships... I realized that you've probably been with a lot of women." She flinched when she said it, and my stomach clenched at her words. "Not that I'm insinuating anything. It's just, I'm much less _experienced_."

I grasped her chin gently and brought her face back to me.

"I'm not going to lie to you, but I'm not going to go into great detail either. _Yes_ , I've been with my share of women. The first few years I was in the NFL, I was a little out of control. It was a lot to handle all at once... the money, the fame, the women, but after a while I realized I wasn't living the life that I wanted, so I stopped."

Her dark eyes were wide, but I didn't see any judgment there, so I asked, "Is that the only thing you were _freaking out_ about?"

"I'm worried that you'll find me boring... once the shine wears off."

The chuckle escaped before I could help it, causing Zoey's face to grow tight.

" _Hey_ ," she said as she slapped a hand on my chest. "I'm being serious."

"I know, I'm sorry," I replied, biting off my laughter. "But, Zoey... _Babe_... the last thing you could _ever_ be is boring."

"You say that now, but just wait until every time you see me I'm in pajamas or yoga pants, with my hair a mess, a coffee stain on my teeth, and a half-eaten Red Vine in my hand. Or, when you want to hang out, and all I want to do is catch up on _The Walking Dead_. I don't have friends that I go out with. I don't have an active social life. I'm just me... B-O-R-I-N-G Zoey."

My chest was shaking, and it was nearly impossible not to laugh out loud as she ranted.

"Look, it's early stages yet, but let me lay some stuff out for you," I started, lifting to give her a quick kiss on the lips before going on. "I sometimes have to go to events, make appearances, and stuff like that. I'll invite you, and you can come if you want. If not, no problem. I'm not going to make you do things you don't want to do. I have friends, but mostly I have family. My family's important to me, and yours is important to you. I may ask you to come meet the rest of my family, or join us for holidays, but I won't expect you to be at my beck and call for all social outings. That work for you?"

She blinked, then nodded slowly.

"I like _The Walking Dead_ , and I also have to catch up on the last season of _Sons of Anarchy_. Have you seen it?"

"Yes."

"Well, it's up to you whether you watch it with me or not. I like to watch sports. I already know that you don't, but maybe while I'm watching sports, you can read, or write..."

"That sounds good," she said softly, the fear starting to leave her face and her lips twitching.

"Do you want to have kids some day?"

At that, her eyes widened so much I feared they'd pop out of her head.

"Yes," she squeaked.

"Me too," I said, then brushed my knuckles over her cheek. "Does that cover everything?"

"It covers a lot."

"Good. If anything else pops into your head and freaks you out, talk to me... That's the only way this thing is going to work."

"Okay."

There was one more thing I needed her to know before we moved on. "Zoey, I can promise you that you can trust me. I have never, nor would I ever, cheat on a woman. I'm just not built that way. I want to see where this goes, and really hope it goes far, but if that changes, I'll let you know. The last thing I want to do is hurt you."

Her lips tilted fully then and she said, "Okay," before leaning down and kissing me sweetly.

Her tongue ran along my bottom lip before she pulled it between her teeth and sucked, causing the sweetness to leave me, a burning need in its place. Taking control of the kiss, I tilted my head and shoved my hands in her hair, holding her to me as I ravaged her mouth with mine.

When she pulled back, lips swollen, cheeks flushed, and eyes heavy, I asked, "Do I look bored?"

Zoey grinned broadly as she shook her head. Then she jumped me.

# Chapter Eighteen ~ Zoey

"Are you ready to get your asses kicked?" Reardon shouted.

"Puh-lease," Jasmine answered with a smirk. "You couldn't kick our asses if you had a rocket strapped to _yours_ , Ass!"

"Yeah, Rear, you're going down," Serena added, getting into the competitive spirit.

"You're cute, Rena," was Dillon's reply as he settled into a lunge, ready to run.

I was quiet as I watched them trash talk each other. It was interesting to observe, but I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. It was my first time being in any sort of sports day competition. It was the Saturday before camp, and from what Gabe said, they did a run through of the course every year, because each Saturday of camp the campers would get to compete on the same course. There were spotters stationed throughout the course, and a medical team on hand just in case there were any injures, which I had to admit, scared me a little bit. Yes, I kept myself in pretty good shape, considering I spent most of my day sitting, but this was totally out of my comfort zone.

"Enjoy your talk," Gabe said calmly as he stretched out his magnificent body. "You all know who's going to be the first one to cross that finish line."

Apparently Gabe was always the winner of the cousins' competition, and while I found his confidence sexy, at the same time, his arrogance was a little annoying.

I decided to try and get in on the action.

"I hate to break it to you, but I'm going to put a foot up all of your asses," I said haughtily.

_Wait... I'm not sure that came out right_ , I thought, and I looked around to see them all grinning at me.

When Gabe chuckled and gave me a wink, I scowled at him and muttered, "Whatever."

"All right, guys, follow the course, be safe, and may the best man," the announcer guy stopped when Serena cleared her throat, "uh... person, win. On your mark, get set, go."

I jogged at a comfortable pace, happy to stay at the back of the group, since I really had no idea where we were going. Gabe had showed me the path and tried to explain it all to me the night before, but I had to admit, I'd been so mesmerized by the shape of his mouth and tone of his voice, that I'd barely paid attention to what he was saying anyway. Regardless, I wasn't concerned about winning; I just hoped I could finish in one piece.

When I arrived at the ropes course, Serena was following Jasmine up the ladder that climbed a tree, while the three men were already across the first length of rope. I climbed, trying to block out the fear that was starting to take hold. When I got to the top of the platform, Jasmine was almost across and Serena was just stepping onto the rope. One of the helper guys told me to step into the harness and buckled me up, then clasped a rope to my belt and handed it to me.

"Just focus on balance and the other side. Don't look down, and don't worry, if you fall off the harness will hold and we'll pull you across."

" _Son of a bee sting_ , are you serious?" I asked after I made the mistake of glancing over the platform. "Kids do this?"

The man chuckled and replied, "All the time. They love it. Now, off you go."

I looked up and across, just in time to see Serena give me a thumbs up and yell, "You've got this!"

I tried to smile, but my lips were trembling just as much as my legs. I took a deep breath and stepped gingerly onto the rope. After what felt like a lifetime, but was only moments, I made it safely to the other side. I sidestepped around the platform to get to the other side of the tree, even though I was scared to see what was next. I almost peed in my running shorts when I saw the zip line disappearing into the trees.

"What kind of camp is this?" I asked under my breath, then looked up when the next safety guy started to chuckle. He walked through what I would need to do once I neared the other side in order to stop, and I watched his every movement as if my life depended on it.

Because it did.

"You'll be fine," he assured me. "Once you get to the other side, you'll repel down the wall and be back on solid ground, then you'll jog to the next leg of the course."

"Oh, sure, no big deal," I replied a bit nastier than was necessary, but when Gabe said they were doing a sports competition, I'd imagined more of a triathlon than a freaking death course. I guess that would teach me to pay attention to what my boyfriend was saying, rather than imagining what his lips could do to me.

_Whoa, boyfriend? Slow down, sister_...

Before I could chastise myself any further, I was hurtling across the sky, screaming my head off, with no end in sight.

I finally saw the platform, with another big guy waiting for me. He waved his hand, indicating I should follow the directions to slow down and stop. Once I was safely in his arms, he walked me over to the side where I would repel down and indicated what I should do.

As I looked over the edge, I vowed that I was going to make Gabe pay for putting me through this. I wasn't sure how yet, but it sure as hell was going to happen.

I held tightly to my rope as I lowered myself over the side, then brought my feet up and began pushing off the wall of the rock as I lowered myself to the ground. I actually enjoyed the repelling. Maybe because I knew I'd soon be safely on solid ground again.

By the time the last guy helped me out of my harness and set me free, I was able to smile at him and say, "Thank you." Then I took off jogging.

I caught a flash of pink from Serena's shorts, and was happy that I hadn't fallen too far behind. When I was almost caught up to her, my glee fled as I noticed the obstacle course waiting before me.

"I thought this was _football_ camp, not _boot_ camp!" I shouted as loud as I could through pants when I reached the wires that Jasmine and Serena were low-crawling under.

I don't know how, but Jasmine found it in her to laugh as she came through the other side and stood.

"I know it's tough, but it's a great workout, and the kids love it. It's usually their favorite part of camp."

"They're nuts," was my reply as I lowered to my belly and began to move.

_Okay, that wasn't so bad_ , I thought as I made it to the end of the wires and jogged to where the girls were swinging on a rope over a small pool of water.

Maybe it was because I wasn't up in the trees, or maybe it was because I could see the guys, neck and neck, going over the last couple obstacles while I caught up to the girls, but as I swung on the rope and landed on the other side of the pool, I had a grin firmly in place as I jumped through the tires and passed Serena.

Jasmine was struggling to pull her body over and under the ladder of logs when I passed her, taking off at a sprint when I saw the guys going over the wall. Gabe hopped down and ran, the path leading him back around so he passed me as I got to the base of the wall. I looked up at it, groaning at the thought of having to scale another high obstacle.

I grabbed the rope and tried to climb, but my already sore arms shook with protest.

"I don't think I can do it," I moaned as I tried to brace myself against the wall with my feet and pull myself up.

"You can."

I looked over, startled at Gabe's words, and saw him running over to me. He grabbed the rope next to me, his position mirroring mine.

"Pull!" he yelled, and I dug deep and listened, walking my feet upward as I used every ounce of energy I had left to pull myself up the rope.

"Pull!"

"Pull!"

"Pull!"

Gabe reached the top and swung his leg over, then offered his hand to me. I grasped it gratefully, and he helped pull me up enough so I could swing my leg over.

When we were both seated, facing the opposite, he turned to me and said, "We jump on three."

I was too winded to answer, so I simply nodded.

"One, two, three."

We pushed off and landed in the dirt below, then he held out his hand to get me on my feet and we started running. I heard Jasmine, then Serena, hit the ground behind us, and that fueled me on.

"We're almost at the finish," Gabe stated, then asked, "Finish strong?"

Rather than answer verbally, I kicked up my heels and gave it my all. When we reached the finish line, Dillon was drinking water, and Reardon was grinning so broadly that I knew he'd won.

I kept walking, even though all I wanted to do was collapse, and accepted the water bottle that someone offered me.

"Congratulations," Gabe said as he clapped Reardon on the back, then walked toward me with his hands on his hips. "You okay?"

"I hate you," I answered, causing him to chuckle.

He wrapped his sweaty arms around my equally sweaty body and dipped his head low.

"No you don't," he said, then brushed his lips softly against mine and added, "I'm proud of you."

"Me too," I admitted. "Thanks for coming back for me."

"Always," he said sweetly, causing my stomach to turn to goo and my heart to pound happily in my chest.

Then I thought about the ropes course and promised myself, _I'm still going to get him back,_ as I smiled sweetly and leaned in to kiss him more thoroughly.

# Chapter Nineteen ~ Gabe

It seemed like all of a sudden we'd entered warped speed.

Time was going by too quickly. We'd already had the sports day, my counselors had all arrived, and we'd been working all day on finishing touches for tomorrow's Opening Day.

I hadn't seen much of Zoey. She'd spent the day with Jasmine and Serena in the General Store, stocking shelves and making sure there weren't any last-minute items that needed to be ordered for the first wave of kids.

Now we were getting ready to meet up for a game of two-hand touch, before having a big barbecue to welcome the counselors and say goodbye to Dillon, Jasmine, and Serena. It was always bittersweet for me when my cousins left and the campers arrived, but at least I still had Reardon for another week.

And Zoey...

She'd be with me for one more week as well.

My camp was co-ed, but unfortunately, there weren't a lot of girls in the twelve-to-eighteen age range who still played football. Which meant there was only one cabin dedicated to the females, and the rest were for the males. I had one female counselor on staff, and she, as well as the women, like Zoey, who came to chaperone would stay in cabins together with the female campers.

Zoey had decided to just move her stuff to the cabin at the main site where she'd be staying for the rest of her trip, that way the counselor who'd be staying in the one she had been sleeping in could move his stuff in right away.

That meant she wasn't just a few doors down from me, _and_ she'd have roommates for the duration of her stay here. I'd tried to talk her into moving into my cabin for the rest of her trip, but she'd turned me down right away.

" _No_ , I couldn't do that," Zoey had insisted when I'd made the suggestion.

"Why not?"

"We don't know each other well enough to live together," she'd hissed, causing me to chuckle.

"It's not like we'd really be moving in together, Zoey. Think of it more like... going on vacation together."

Her face had softened, but before I could celebrate winning the argument she shook her head and said, "Christopher gets here tomorrow. It'll be weird enough to him that I hooked up with you while I was here; he'd flip if he showed up and we were essentially living together."

I understood her point, so I placed my arms over her shoulders and leaned my head down, resting my forehead on hers.

"But you are going to tell him about us, right? We're not going to try to keep it a secret, because I don't want that..."

Zoey's lips tipped up as she replied, "Yes, we'll tell him, but I'm sleeping in the female cabin."

"I'll agree to that, if you'll agree that tonight, you're with me."

She flushed at the insinuation of my words, then nodded and replied softly, "Okay."

Now, although I was excited to kick the asses of the college-aged counselors at football, I was more than ready for the evening to be over so I could spend the night showing Zoey what she'd be missing down in the other cabin.

"Are you ready to get your ass handed to you, old man?" one of my counselors, Antoine, asked as I strolled onto the field.

I didn't respond. I simply smirked at him as I passed and walked toward my cousins.

The football field was the place where I felt absolutely at home. I'd grown up on fields just like this one. I'd won, I'd lost, I'd gotten in fights and been injured, made great friends, and great enemies. If there was one place where I had one-hundred percent confidence in my abilities, this was it.

"Hey," I said as I reached the huddle.

"Hey, Gabe," Dillon said, thrusting his chin out toward the huddle of twenty-something guys. "The tweens are talking all kinds of smack already, say they've been practicing for this all year."

I grinned and replied, "Well, hopefully they at least give us a challenge this time."

I looked around at my cousins, dressed out in their athletic gear, ready to throw down. Serena and Jasmine had tied back their hair and put black marks under their eyes. We'd been playing the game together since we were old enough to throw a ball, and our girls were always ready to play. The first year the kids had underestimated them, and the girls wiped the field with their asses. The guys never made that mistake again.

"Where's Zoey?" I asked when I realized she wasn't in the group.

"Over there," Jasmine replied, pointing to the bleachers. "She's not going to play."

I started to jog over, just as I saw Jeremy, one of my counselors, stop and start stretching right next to where Zoey was sitting.

She looked hot in her tank top and short running shorts, her hair pulled back and her face sun-kissed. I knew exactly what Jeremy was up to, and as I got closer, I knew I was going to have to make a statement to let my hormone-driven counselors know what was up.

"It's nice to meet you, Zoey," Jeremy was saying. He leaned to the side as he stretched, then put his hands to the hem of his shirt and lifted it off in one quick move. "You wanna play on our team?"

"No thanks," Zoey answered quietly, looking over and up at me as I stepped up.

"Easy, _killer_ ," I said, my voice teasing as I clapped a hand on Jeremy's shoulder. "You aren't putting the moves on my woman, are you?"

Jeremy shot a look between me and Zoey and started backing away, his hands up in surrender and a big grin on his face.

"Definitely not, Coach, just testing the waters. I didn't know she was spoken for."

"Spread it," was my reply, then I turned to see Zoey looking up at me, confusion spread over her face.

"What was that about?"

"I'm letting the boys know that you're with me, so they can stop flirting and trying to get in your pants."

" _What_?" Zoey asked, her eyes disbelieving. "They aren't flirting with me."

Just then Antoine yelled out, "Hey, Ms. Zoey, you gonna play?"

I looked over my shoulder and saw Jeremy run over to Antoine and say something, then Antoine turned his eyes to me and shouted, "Sorry, Coach!"

I turned and looked pointedly at Zoey.

She waved her hand and said, "Stop, they aren't flirting. They're just trying to be nice."

"Babe," I said, leaning down to keep her eyes on me as spoke. "They're young, horny, college football players. They're used to having any girl they want, and right now, you sitting here looking sexy as hell, you're what they want."

"But I'm ten years older than they are."

"Even better. Ask Rena and Jazzy, they're constantly having to turn these guys down. Doesn't stop the guys from trying every year though."

"Gabe," she said, still disbelieving. "College guys didn't want me when I was _in college_ , why would they want me when I'm old?"

I ran my finger down her cheek, stopping to brush the pad across her full lower lip.

"Babe, I can guarantee you that the guys _did_ want you in college. With those glasses, that hair, and your body... no question. But now, _as a woman?_ A smart, sexy, funny, quirky, and cute-as-hell woman? I'm going to be the envy of _all_ the guys, young and old-er."

Zoey's face turned soft and her eyes grew misty.

"No one has ever said anything like that to me before."

"Get used to it," I said, then lowered my head to kiss her lightly. "Now, are you playing with us or do you want to watch?"

"I think I'd feel more comfortable watching."

"Sounds good, babe. Wish me luck?"

"Good luck," she replied, then put her hand behind my head and pulled me down for one more kiss.

# Chapter Twenty ~ Zoey

I don't know how it happened... Really, I don't.

One minute I was sitting on the bleachers, warm from Gabe's words and wondering how long the game was going to last, eager to get back to my computer, and the next Gabe's shirt came off and he started playing football.

That's all that happened, but it flipped a switch in me that I didn't know was wired.

And it was wired straight to my libido.

No lie.

Gabe started barking orders at his team, his face all business, and I watched as his muscles rippled with each movement. Each pass. Each catch. Each step of his feet.

I'd never thought of myself as shallow, or someone who would ever be caught up by the way a person looks, let alone mesmerized by some muscles, but there was something about Gabe on a football field that was magic.

Pure, sexual, makes you want to lick the sweat off his body, magic.

I could barely stand it. What was probably only an hour of action tops seemed like a lifetime of torture.

By the time he was giving high fives to Reardon, Dillon, and the girls, celebrating their win, I was so wound up that I feared one look at me and everyone would know I was about to explode, so I hightailed it out of there.

Not thinking, I headed straight for my old cabin, then when I realized my stuff was no longer there, I had to decide whether to go to my new cabin or to Gabe's, which was where I'd dropped my gym bag and laptop for the night. Needing privacy, I redirected myself to Gabe's and let myself inside, shutting the door firmly behind me.

Suddenly assaulted by the smell of Gabe, my eyes darted around the room until they landed on his unmade bed. Even as I walked over to it, I wondered who this woman was... I'd never reacted to a man the way I did with Gabe, and I'd never been so turned on that I felt a burning need for release.

But it happened.

I crawled into Gabe's bed, snuggled into his sheets, and closed my eyes, allowing his scent to fuel my senses, as I did what I needed to find relief.

I was coming down, a smile on my lips, when the door crashed open and Gabe rushed inside.

"Zoey," he said loudly, both his sudden presence and his voice startling me and making me jump up guiltily. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh... yeah," I breathed, and I just knew my face was as red as a cherry tomato.

Gabe stopped at the foot of the bed, his head swinging around as he tried to figure out what was going on.

"I saw you rush off the field and was worried something had happened," he said, running his hand through his damp hair. He must have hurried after me, because he was still shirtless.

And sweaty.

And breathing hard.

I sucked my lip between my teeth as I looked him over, and was taken aback when I realized I was getting fired up again.

Gabe's eyes narrowed on my lip and he asked, "Are you taking a nap?"

"No," I replied vaguely, mortification warring with desire within me.

I could see the light dawn in Gabe's eyes, and I wanted to die. I laid down quickly, throwing the covers over my head as I tried to curl into a ball and disappear.

What were the chances that Gabe would let this go and leave me alone?

The covers were ripped away and I had my answer.

Gabe's hands came under my arms and he lifted me from my ball and set me on my knees on the mattress in front of him. His eyes were like chocolate lava cake. I could feel the heat from his chest in front of me, and his pillowy lips were open in surprise.

Desire won out.

"What were you doing in here?" he asked gruffly.

" _Gabe_ ," I pleaded, not wanting to say it out loud, even though we both knew what I'd been doing.

"Say it."

I looked at him under my lashes and whispered, "Masturbating."

Even though he'd guessed, he sucked in a breath at my admission, and his eyes turned molten.

"Why?"

My gaze darted away, and my brain scrambled.

"Tell me, Zoey," Gabe said, moving even closer. "What made you so hot that you had to leave the field?"

I took a deep breath, deciding to go balls out and just tell him the truth. I didn't think he'd think less of me, even if it was an embarrassing thing to admit.

"You," I replied, the sexual diva from earlier making another appearance. I shuffled forward on my knees so there was barely a breath between us, and put my hands to his chest. "Watching you play... your shirt off, your muscles rippling... the way you took charge and commanded the field; it drove me a little crazy."

The words had barely left my mouth when his control snapped. One second I was on the bed, the next I was lifted. His mouth hit mine as my feet hit the floor, and we were moving. It was hot, fast, and felt like it was teetering on dangerous.

In other words, the best thing I'd ever experienced _in my life_.

One hand was in his hair, the other at the dip of his lower back, and I was fighting to keep up.

" _Turn_ ," he said, and I immediately complied, my hands going to the wall to brace.

My head fell forward as I tried to pinpoint what was happening. He was everywhere. Hands pulling my short to the ground, lifting my shirt so it bunched up around my chest, exposing my breasts. Then one hand was pinching my nipple as the other grabbed my ponytail, yanking it back, and his lips were at my neck.

"I love that you touched yourself in my bed." His breath was hot on my ear as he spoke softly, then ran his tongue along the lobe, down my neck, stopping to suck the spot where it met my shoulder. " _So fucking hot_."

I whimpered, the sound of his voice, his teasing hand, and the feel of his hard cock against my bare ass becoming too much to handle.

" _Gabe_ ," I pleaded shamelessly.

"Tell me," he demanded, and I felt him pulling his shorts down behind me

" _I need_..."

"What? Say it, Zoey, or you're not going to get it."

I turned my head, and his face was there. I put my lips against his and breathed, " _Fuck me_."

He complied.

Gabe's hands came to my hips and he pulled, tipping my ass back before he placed one hand on the base of my back and slid inside in one swift movement.

"Oh," I breathed, my eyes rolling back in my head as he thrust deep, then deeper.

When his hand slipped along my stomach, then lowered and began massaging my clit, I reached a hand down to stop him.

"I can't," I begged, feeling overwhelmed.

He grabbed my hand, placing his over mine as he guided them even lower, until I could feel him moving in and out of me.

" _Oh my God_ ," I moaned, stars flashing around my eyes as he moved our hands back up, our fingers working together until the orgasm rushed through me and I came long, loud, and hard.

I was barely aware of Gabe's hands on my hips, holding me still as he pounded out his own release. His arm caught me around the waist before I slipped boneless to the floor, and I vaguely registered that he moved us to the bed.

When I was curled in to him, head on his chest, legs wrapped around his, he pulled the blankets up over us and whispered, "You can watch me play football any time."

And then, even though I don't know how we had the energy, we laughed as he held me in his arms.

# Chapter Twenty-One ~ Gabe

I woke with a slight jumble of nerves, something I always had on opening day, so I left Zoey sleeping soundly in my bed and went for a run. By the time I returned, Zoey was gone, a note left where her head had lain.

**I want to be there when Chris's bus arrives, so I'll see you later. Good luck today! XO Zoey**

Now, a few hours later, camp was in full swing, the nerves had turned to adrenaline, and I was watching with a smile as kids milled around, talking with other kids they knew, meeting new ones, and moving their stuff into their cabins.

Dillon, Jasmine, and Serena had all taken off this morning, and although it was a bummer to see them leave, we made plans to get together over Labor Day weekend in Cherry Springs.

"Looks like a good group," Reardon said. He was leaning against the railing of The Lodge, which was our main meeting place. This is where we'd hold the opening ceremonies, the early morning meets, and the end of camp banquet. It was also the dining facility, and a place for campers to hang out when they had free time. Kind of the central hub of camp.

"Yeah," I agreed as I surveyed the area. "A good mix of new blood and return campers."

I watched as the counselors began forming groups with their assigned campers, directing them to where they'd be staying, and where they needed to be for the ten o'clock opening ceremonies. I didn't mind public speaking. Especially when it was a bunch of kids who were here because they loved football and really wanted to be here. I looked forward to getting to know as many kids as I could and, hopefully, helping to fan the flames of their passion for the game.

My eyes caught on Zoey as she made her way through the mingling bodies, her arm thrown around a teenage boy I could only assume was Christopher. Tall for his age, with dark shaggy hair and a wide grin, Chris bore little resemblance to his aunt, but when they looked at each other, both talking animatedly, there was no denying their bond.

Not many twelve-year-old boys would allow a relative to walk around a group of their peers in such an affectionate manner, but I could tell it didn't bother Christopher in the least.

Wanting to meet her nephew and let Zoey know I wanted to get together this evening, before all the craziness began, I jogged down the steps and over to where the pair had stopped.

"Hey," I said as I neared them. Christopher's head came up first, and when his eyes landed on me they widened. I knew he recognized me, which wasn't surprising since it was _my_ camp, but the look of awe and excitement that flickered across his face proved that Zoey was right, he was a fan.

Before either of them responded, I bent and kissed Zoey softly on the lips. Not just to reiterate to her that I wanted to be open about our relationship, but because I hadn't kissed her yet today, and I'd missed her.

"Hey," Zoey replied when I righted myself. "This is my nephew Christopher. Chris, this is..."

Christopher found his voice and cut her off.

" _Gabriel Lewis_ ," he breathed, his youthful exuberance showing.

He looked between his aunt and me, his finger pointing first at me, then at Zoey.

"You just kissed Gabriel Lewis, Aunt Zoey."

I bit back a chuckle as Zoey flushed.

"We're kind of dating," she admitted, then elbowed him in the side when he exclaimed, " _No shit_?"

"Language," she chastised, which I thought was cute.

"Sorry," Chris replied automatically, obviously not sorry at all. "This is beyond cool. I can't wait to tell everyone."

" _No_ , Chris, don't go telling everyone. If they find out, they find out, but just let this play out naturally, okay?"

Chris looked like he wanted to argue, but nodded his agreement before turning to me and muttering, "She's always so worried about privacy. I just don't get it. I always tell all my friends that my aunt is _the Zoey Zahn_ , and she just gets embarrassed. Now I can say that not only is my aunt _the Zoey Zahn_ , but she's dating _Gabriel Lewis_... I'd be the king of school." Then he shook his head and sighed, "What a waste."

Zoey had grown pale while Christopher ranted, but he didn't notice; he was too caught up in the unfairness of it all.

"Although, I hate to say, Aunt Z, I did tell some of the kids on the bus who you were." He shrugged. "It just came up... Anyway, they want to meet you. Maybe take a picture or get your autograph. I hope that's okay."

At his hopeful look, Zoey nodded, but her eyes were on me.

Everything was clicking into place. The fact that she was a writer, that she'd never told me her full name, and that she so easily understood my reasons for keeping who I was a secret.

She'd been doing the same thing.

By the look on her face, I could tell she expected me to be upset, maybe even angry, but I wasn't. How could I be? If anyone would understand her reasons, it would be me... which was the only thing that I found annoying.

Why didn't she fess up when I did?

Why hold on to the secret?

I heard Reardon give the five-minute warning and knew I had to go and get ready for the opening ceremonies, so rather than give away what I was feeling, I kept my face blank and said to Zoey, "We'll talk later."

She just nodded, and I could see she was worried, but I figured it served her right to let her sweat a little bit.

# Chapter Twenty-Two ~ Zoey

I watched Gabe walk away, chewing my lower lip as I fretted.

I hadn't known him long enough to know all of his facial expressions or emotions yet. Was he mad at me? Disappointed? I just couldn't tell, and I knew I'd worry about it until we were able to speak again.

"Aunt Z..." I don't know how long Chris had been trying to get my attention, but he'd resorted to poking me in the arm, which probably meant for a while.

"Yeah?" I asked, distracted.

"I _cannot believe_ that you are hooking up with _Gabriel freaking Lewis_!" I finally turned to focus on my nephew, who was looking like he was about to implode. "I mean, he's only the _best football player ever,_ and, like, the _coolest_ guy. Did you see his commercial for Nike? Total bad-ass!"

"Language," I muttered automatically, knowing how my sister, Chloe, felt about her son swearing.

Used to my response, Chris just rolled his eyes and kept on rambling.

"I've seen every game he's ever played, watched every commercial, read every article. Did you totally lose your mind when you met him?"

I shook my head, my mind still full of worry.

"No, I didn't even know who he was until I'd already known him a few days, and then, only because he told me."

I could read my nephew's face, which was currently filled with disbelief.

"How's that possible? You've been at the house, like, a million times. I have a poster of him in my room."

I flushed guiltily at the fact that I'd not paid close enough attention to my nephew when he'd talked about his hero, and now he knew it.

"I recognized his name, once he told me, I'd just never really paid attention to what he looked like," I replied, hoping knowing the name was one point in my favor, then added, "Plus, they're always wearing the helmets and armor, how can you tell what any of them look like?"

Chris didn't seem convinced, he just looked at me and corrected, "They're pads, Aunt Z, not armor... Jeez."

"Sorry, kiddo."

In a flash, Chris's face cleared and he grinned widely. "That's okay. Now you're like, his girlfriend, so I'm gonna get to know him better than everyone."

We looked up when the campers were all told that the opening ceremony was about to begin, and walked inside to join Chris's group.

I watched, only half listening, as Gabe stood in front of everyone and welcomed them loudly. He obviously loved this camp. He was excited and a really excellent speaker. The kids were watching him with rapt attention as he went over what they could expect throughout the week.

Training, fundamentals, down time, swimming, bonfires, the ropes course, and the end of camp banquet.

I had no doubt the week was going to fly by, which filled me with unexpected regret. I didn't want this time with Gabe to end. I knew he'd said we'd see each other once summer was over, but I still wondered what we'd look like in the real world, and I worried that we wouldn't make it.

And even though I'd known him only a week, I really wanted us to make it.

Once the briefing was over, I followed Chris to his cabin, to see where he was staying and make sure he didn't need anything, before going to mine to meet the girls and get ready for our first session of the day, fundamentals.

I walked in to see Jenny, the counselor I'd met the day before, and the three female campers who were currently putting away their clothes.

"Hi," I said to the new arrivals. "I'm Zoey, and I'll be staying with you ladies this week."

"Hi, I'm Georgia," a tall brunette I'd guess was fifteen said as she made her bed on the lower bunk.

"Lucy," a smaller, bulkier, raven-haired girl replied as she put her clothes away. She looked oldest. I figured her to be around seventeen.

I turned to the other girl, who was sitting cross-legged on the bunk above Georgia, quietly. Taking everything in. I clocked her at right around Chris's age. She had curly blonde hair and was cute as a button.

"And who are you?" I asked, when it looked like she wasn't going to offer up her name.

"Grace, ma'am," she finally said, even giving me a small smile.

"It's nice to meet all of you," I said in what I hoped was a cheerful, warm tone. I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but wanted the girls I was bunking with to feel at ease with me. "Please let me know if you need anything. I'm here with my nephew, Christopher, and need to go meet him at fundamentals, but don't hesitate to grab me any time throughout the week if you need me."

Not waiting for a response, I wheeled around and headed back out the way I came, calling out, "Later, Jenny," as I left.

When I got to the fields, the kids were already warming up, running sprints and touching the line, before sprinting back. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to wait by the sidelines or watch from the bleachers, and was looking around to see what the other adults were doing when I heard Chris's voice shout, "Hey, Aunt Z, over here."

I turned toward the sound, and saw my nephew waving me over to where he and Gabe were standing.

"Hey, I was just telling Coach Lewis that you wouldn't mind holding the stopwatch and calling time."

I turned my head slightly to see Gabe grinning at me, probably due to Chris's enthusiasm, but I also hoped it meant he wasn't upset with me.

"Hi," I said as I walked closer.

"Hi," Gabe returned softly, then rendered me speechless when he bent and kissed me sweetly before thrusting the stopwatch and whistle into my hand.

I moved my head quickly, hoping that no one was watching our interaction, but all I saw was Chris's expression. He was looking between Gabe and me and nearly vibrating with excitement.

"You'd better join the others, Chris," Gabe said as he righted himself.

"Yes, Coach," Chris replied eagerly before dashing across the field.

I chuckled as I watched him go, then turned to Gabe with a sigh and started, "Look, Gabe..."

"Later," he interrupted, then gave me a wink before jogging off. Gabe turned his head and added, "Just blow the whistle every five minutes and we'll start a new exercise," as he joined the kids.

I nodded my consent, but thought, _Crap on a stick, he's going to make me sweat._

Then I spent the next hour watching Gabe work out with his campers. It was not a bad way to spend an hour.

# Chapter Twenty-Three ~ Gabe

"How'd your first day go, brother?" Reardon asked as he sat down next to me, his plate piled high with grilled chicken, salad, and a pudding cup.

"Great," I replied as I picked up my tuna sandwich to take a bite. "The kids are in great shape, with a couple exceptions, but overall, I was impressed. You?"

"Well, I had the easy stuff, swimming and whatnot, so I couldn't speak to the kids' fitness levels, but they all seem to have great attitudes."

I nodded as I chewed, my eyes surveying the room. It was dinnertime, and we tried to keep the menu pretty healthy during the week, saving the hamburgers and hot dogs for the Friday barbecue and bonfire. The kids didn't seem to mind. They were all tearing through their meals like they were starving, which, after a day outside, working out and playing in the sun, they probably were. I knew they'd all be sleeping hard tonight, which was good, because by day three, we usually had to start night patrols to stop the kids from sneaking out.

I grinned as I watched Zoey and Chris a few tables away. It looked like she was seated with a table of fans, and they were all shooting rapid-fire questions about her books.

I'd expected Zoey to look uncomfortable, she didn't seem the type to want to be the center of attention, but she was smiling and laughing along with the kids. They seemed to be in a deep discussion, so I was surprised when I caught Chris's eye and he yelled out, "Coach Gabe, what's your favorite movie?"

" _Rudy_ ," I answered automatically, then saw half the kids around me nodding in agreement.

"Aunt Z says _Star Wars_ is the best movie ever made!" he shouted back, trying to bring me into a conversation that was happening a good four tables away from me. Still, I could see he was excited by our relationship, so I didn't see the harm in humoring him.

"Another excellent film," I replied.

I heard Reardon chuckle next to me and shot him a look, then looked back at Chris when he said, "Aunt Z's never seen _Rudy_."

"We'll have to remedy that," I replied with a grin.

Zoey must have told him to stop yelling across the room, because he shot me another grin, then sat down in his seat. Zoey looked over her shoulder and gave me a half shrug.

I winked, then turned my attention back to my plate. I still had some work to do after dinner, which I was hoping to do quickly so I could get some time in with Zoey before lights out.

Once we were done with dinner, I stopped by the General Store to see if they needed anything, then popped into my office to check email and get some paperwork done. When I looked at the clock and saw it was already after eight, I decided to call it a night and headed up to my cabin.

I was almost to my steps, the day running like a play reel in my head, when a sound caused me to look up and I saw Zoey rocking on my porch.

"You been waiting long?"

I could barely see her shake her head in the dark, before she answered, "Not too long."

"Sorry, I had some work to do," I explained as I walked up the steps and opened my door, then waited for her to get up and lead us inside.

"It's no problem, really," she assured me. "After dinner I hung around while Chris called Chloe, then I went back to my room to get some work done. I was able to get a chapter in before everyone started coming in, then I came here to see you."

"Well, I'm glad you did," I replied, shutting the door behind me then turning to her. "Did you come by to watch _Rudy_?"

Zoey laughed. "No."

I crossed the room to her and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close and bringing my face close enough that our noses touched.

"That's too bad, it's a good flick," I said, then dipped lower to kiss her parted lips.

She opened for me immediately, her tongue meeting mine as they danced. I tilted my head and took the kiss deeper, my hand pulling the rubber band out of her hair as I did, so I could free her long locks and tangle my hand in them. When I tugged lightly, she groaned in my mouth and leaned in, trying to get even closer.

When I pulled back, we were both breathing heavily and I admitted, "I missed you today."

I felt her lips tip up as she breathed, "I missed you, too."

When she pushed back, leaving her hands on my chest as she looked up at me, her face holding a trace of worry, and asked, "Are you mad at me?" I decided to let her off the hook.

My hand at her hip flexed in emphasis as I said, "No, Zoey, I'm not." I could see the relief in her eyes as I continued, "I get it, I do. I can't say I'm not disappointed that you didn't come clean when I did, but I understand your reasons for wanting to be incognito for a while."

"I just felt silly," she replied, and I wondered what she was talking about. "When you came clean...it made so much sense, the stuff that you've been through and the fact that you've had women use you for your money and status. I've never experienced that. I've had people want to get close to me to try and get a leg up in the business, or see what I could do for them, but for the most part, I just wanted you to see me as Zoey, not as _Zoey Zahn_. I just wanted to be a woman who was falling for a man, not _Zoey Zahn and Gabriel Lewis."_

At her confession I grinned and asked, "You're falling for me?"

All trepidation cleared from her expression, replaced by a sweet, joyful smile.

"Yes," she admitted softly.

I brought my fingers to her chin to keep her eyes on me when she would have ducked her head and replied, "That's the best news I've heard all day. I'm falling for you too, Zoey."

Swiftly, I lifted her in my arms, causing her to laugh loudly and happily as her arms came around my neck. Then I walked her to the bed and proceeded to show her just how far I'd fallen.

# Chapter Twenty-Four ~ Zoey

I'd gotten up early, unaccustomed to the sounds that come from sharing a small space with four other girls, and decided to go for a run. It felt nice to be out in the crisp morning air, and I couldn't help but think of that first morning Gabe and I went running together.

I'd hoped maybe I'd run in to him, but... no luck.

I had breakfast with Chris, and caught just a glimpse of Gabe and Reardon as they rushed out of the dining hall, then parted ways with my nephew when he went to join his new friends in the weight room and then go hang out at the lake before they had to be at their first scrimmage.

So now I was back in my cabin, typing furiously away at a new idea that just wouldn't go away. It was completely out of my style and genre, but I couldn't get the vision of a tall, gorgeous, pillow-lipped hero out of my head. I didn't know if it would amount to anything, or if I would ever even let anyone else see it, but I had to get it out.

My very Gabe-like hero had just discovered he has the power to time travel, and is about to go on an adventure unlike anything he'd ever imagined. I knew the heroine would be an Old English romance writer, similar to Jane Austen in the early eighteen hundreds, but I'd yet to figure out the best way to get the pair together.

I was daydreaming visions of bonnets and flushed cheeks, when I heard the giggling of girls. At first I thought it was coming out of my daydream, then I heard the door clap against the jam, and I jumped in my seat.

They hadn't heard me yet, Georgia and Grace, because their heads were down as they talked, their focus on each other.

"Just talk to him," Georgia was saying to Grace.

Grace shook her head, her blonde ringlets swinging about her face, and I made a quick note to give my heroine blonde ringlets; they were just too cute.

"I can't," Grace replied miserably. "He's so cute, and funny... plus his aunt is..."

I figured it was time to make myself known once I realized who they were talking about, so I cleared my throat and bit back a laugh when they both jumped.

"Oh, hey... Ms.... um, Zoey," Grace stammered, her face flushed with embarrassment at being overheard.

"Hey, girls," I replied, smiling at them both. I decided not to embarrass Grace further by commenting on what I heard, instead asking, "How's your morning been?"

Grace smiled gratefully while Georgia responded, "It was pretty great! After breakfast we hit the gym, then went to the lake and went kayaking. The lake is beautiful. I wish I could stay here forever."

"Where are you from, Georgia?"

She flopped on her bed, then planted her head in her hand and replied, "Las Vegas. Living there can be fun, but mostly it's boring. I'm too young to really spend any time on the strip. You can only see the dolphins and stuff so many times. And my parents have to work a lot, so..." She shrugged and laid back.

"Well, it was nice of them to send you here. Do you play football back home?"

"Rec ball, but I'm one of the oldest on the team. Most kids my age play for the school, but girls aren't allowed to try out, so I take what I can get."

"That's terrible," I replied, incensed for her. "You should be able to try out just like everyone else, no matter what your gender."

"My parents have been fighting that battle for the last three years," Georgia said, now looking up at the bunk above her. "I think after this summer it'll be time for me to give up. Some of the kids at school make fun of me, and there's no use causing drama if we have no chance of changing anyone's mind."

"Is it the same for you, Grace? Where are you from?"

Grace sat on the side of Georgia's bed and nodded.

"Yes, I'm twelve now, so this year will be my last year of rec ball. We don't go above age twelve like they do where Georgia's from. I live in Boise."

"Would you want to try out for the middle school if they let you?" I asked.

"Not really," Grace replied, then looked at Georgia and explained, "Right now we play two-hand touch. The middle school is tackle. I don't think I could try out against the boys and win. I'm a lot smaller, and I think I'd be more afraid of getting hurt."

"That's nothing to be ashamed of, Grace," I said, when she looked worried that Georgia would be disappointed in her. "You can still love football and support your friends and the team, even if you aren't on it."

"Being tackled doesn't worry me, I just wish I'd be given the chance, you know?" Georgia said from under her arm, which was now covering her eyes.

Grace put her hand out to pat Georgia on the arm, then brought her eyes to mine and asked, "Are you coming to the scrimmage?"

"I wouldn't miss it."

A knock at the door had us both swinging our heads toward the sound. I was about to get up and see who it was when the door opened and Christopher peeked his head around.

"Hello," he called out.

"Chris," I admonished. "You can't just barge in. Knock first."

"I did," he said, walking into the room and lifting his chin at Georgia and Grace.

"Wait for someone to call out or answer the door. This is a female cabin. Someone could have been changing."

He held up his hands in surrender, causing my no-nonsense tone to be ruined by my indulgent smile.

"What's up? Is it time to go to the scrimmage?" I asked, saving my document and powering down my laptop.

"Yeah, but, um, I was actually coming to see if Grace wanted to walk over with me," Chris said, his voice a little shaky.

I watched as Grace closed the mouth that had dropped open at his words and stood slowly, almost as if in a trance.

"Um, yeah," Grace replied, then turned to Georgia and asked, "See you there?"

Her friend smiled and nodded, then looked to me and wiggled her eyebrows.

I bit back a smile and I watched my sweet nephew hold the door open for my painfully shy roommate, then shoot me a grin and say, "See ya there, Aunt Z."

"Be good," I called out, not really sure what to say, or if Chloe would even be okay with what had just happened.

"Yes, ma'am," Chris said with a wink, then took Grace's hand and led her away.

# Chapter Twenty-Five ~ Gabe

I snuck up behind Zoey, who was currently talking with Jenny, our female counselor. I put a finger to my lips so Jenny wouldn't give me away, then wrapped my arms around Zoey's middle and hugged her close.

She started for a second, then turned to me with a happy smile and said, "Hey."

Unable to resist, I dropped a kiss on her nose and replied, "Hi." Then added, "How's it going, Jenny?"

"Great, Coach," Jenny replied, beaming as she watched Zoey and me. "I'll catch up with you later, Zoey."

"Okay, see ya, Jenny," Zoey answered, then swiveled her head back to me and asked, "What are you up to? Want to have lunch?"

"Actually, that's what I'm here for," I replied, turning her in my arms so she was flush against me. "I'm stealing you away for lunch."

"Oh, really?" Zoey asked, her eyes twinkling.

"Yup, let's go."

She laughed as I pulled her away. The campers and counselors started going into the dining hall for lunch, while I led Zoey back to my cabin. It felt fun and silly, as if we were doing something we shouldn't be doing, so that by the time we hit the path to my cabin, we were almost jogging.

It was nice to feel this way, almost like we were the teenagers at camp, instead of the adults.

When we reached the stairs, I pulled her to me once more, waiting until her face was tipped up and her eyes were on mine before admitting, "I missed you last night."

Her face warmed and she replied, "I missed you, too. I just felt like I needed to chaperone Chris and Grace's late-night lake excursion."

"You could have come over after."

"It was late, and I was tired. I figured after the last few days, you'd be pretty wiped too."

I nodded, bent to kiss her cheek, and said softly in her ear, "Just putting it out there, but it's never too late for you to stop by. I would have loved to feel you slip into bed with me and hold you throughout the night, but I understand if you were tired and needed some space."

"Thanks," Zoey replied, then breathed, "God, are you real?"

I chuckled and assured her, "One-hundred percent." Then I squeezed her hand gently and asked, "Hungry?"

She nodded, so I took her up and into my cabin, laughing when she saw the pizza and wine picnic I had waiting in the center of the bed and started clapping as she did a little jig.

"Pizza? Yay!"

"I had a craving, and was hoping you'd feel the same."

"Mmmm, I do, but how did you get it?"

"I have my ways."

"Well," she said moving toward the bed. "I don't care how you did it, just that you did... and invited me."

"Don't tell Reardon, he'll kill me," I joked as I watched her sit cross-legged on the bed and get comfortable.

Zoey looked at me, eyes wide.

"Should we save him a piece?"

"Hell, no," I replied. "Dig in."

She needed no further invitation, grabbing a slice and taking a bite. The moan that escaped her lips as the spicy sauce and gooey cheese hit her tongue was enough to have me grabbing my wine and taking a healthy sip.

I needed to keep my wits about me. We still had half a day of activities. Plus planning for tomorrow's game, barbecue, and bonfire, then Saturday's ropes course, not to mention Sunday's closing ceremonies and banquet. It was hard to believe that the first week was almost over, but when you held a camp in the summer that brought in new kids each week and was packed with activities, the time tended to fly by.

It just sucked that the end of _this_ week would mean the end of this time with Zoey for the next seven weeks. I didn't know how I'd handle the long distance, when I'd gotten so used to being able to see her whenever I wanted.

Rather than dwell on the inevitable, I joined her and grabbed my first slice.

"I don't know if it's just been a while, or if this pizza was fired by the gods, but this tastes like heaven."

I savored my bite before answering, "Actually, one of the cooks here makes them. She used to own a pizza shop, but passed it down to her kids when she retired. She liked to work with us in the summer, just to stay busy and be around her friends, and the kids. She'll make more for the banquet."

"She's a genius," Zoey said on another moan.

"You're going to have to stop moaning," I said huskily. "Or you aren't going to get any more pizza and you're going to be late to Chris's next session."

She cleared her throat and asked, "Um, what are your parents like?"

"Nice tactic," I replied with a grin as I picked up another piece of pizza. "Have you heard of Ozzie and Harriet?" Zoey nodded. "Well, they're nothing like that. My mother hates to cook and clean, that's always been my dad's forte. Which is funny considering he was kind of a biker, and now they run a bar. My mom's a firecracker. Always ready to stand up and fight for what she believes in and those she loves. My dad's more laid back."

"They sound awesome," Zoey said as she picked up her wine and tasted it.

"They are," I replied, smiling at the thought of them.

"What kind of bar do they run?"

"I'd say it's half biker bar, half sports bar. A lot of guys dad used to hang with come in a lot, and with word of mouth, the clientele grew. They have a bunch of my jerseys and stuff on the walls, and if there's a game televised, they're showing it. I guess it's a pretty unique place. A family bar."

"I'd love to see it," she said offhandedly.

"I'd love _for_ you to see it, and to meet them, my parents."

Her big eyes sought mine and she asked, "Really?"

I reached out and took her hand in mine, my thumb caressing her knuckles.

" _Really_." I decided to just go for it. "We have a get together over Labor Day weekend. Maybe you could come?"

"I'll have to check my calendar, make sure I don't have anything going on, or due to my publisher, but if I can, I'd love to."

"Yeah?" I asked, feeling as if my heart was soaring and not even caring how mushy and sentimental that sounded.

"Yes," Zoey replied, leaning toward me over the pizza in invitation.

I accepted and met her halfway, laying a kiss on her that I hoped conveyed the depths to which I had already fallen.

# Chapter Twenty-Six ~ Zoey

It had been another long day. I'd felt nervous and unsure, even though Gabe had pretty much laid it out that he wanted me to spend the night with him, when I crept into his cabin and snuggled against his sleeping body. He'd rolled over, cuddled into me, and slipped deeper into sleep.

I'd laid there, grinning like a loon, unable to find sleep for a while.

I was crazy happy.

Like, _crazy_... I'd never imagined I'd be at this point with Gabe so soon. We hadn't even known each other two weeks and were already making plans for me to go home with him and meet his family.

It was inconceivable.

This didn't happen in real life, did it?

Can a geeky, awkward, woman-child like me _really_ end up with a guy like Gabe? Everything that I knew about him so far was perfect. The way he was with family, with the kids, the life he'd led that made him the man he was today... it was all perfect. For me. It was like we'd both had to live our lives and make it to this point, so that we would be ready for each other.

I was certain, no matter what he said, that had we met in college, or our twenties, we wouldn't have given each other a second glance. Either of us. But now, in this time, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world.

_Thank God I mixed up the camp dates,_ was my last thought before finally drifting off to sleep.

By the time I woke up, Gabe was already off on his run, so I'd showered and left to go meet Chris. The day was another long and fun-filled one, ending with the football game, barbecue, and bonfire.

The kids were all stoked, and I had to admit, I was too.

I brought my camera and a notebook to the game.

The camera so I could get pictures of Chris for Chloe, and quite possibly sneak some of Gabe for myself.

The notebook was so I could observe the players during the game and in between plays so I could note their interactions with each other, and the coaches, and just basically get ideas for new quirks and mannerisms for future characters.

Luckily, since teenagers, and my nephew, surrounded us, Gabe was not playing in the game. He was coaching.

Even though I had no idea what was going on, I enjoyed watching them play. The easy banter, the competitiveness, the constant slapping. It moved fast and the evening sky was filled with shouts and laughter.

I was struck by what a great thing Gabe had done here. He'd obviously put a lot of thought and hard work into making this dream of his a reality. Some may argue that it was easy for him, since he'd made a lot of money playing football and had the funds to do it. Although I would agree that was definitely an advantage, the fact that he had chosen to do something that was positive and fulfilling, not just for him, but for teenage kids who shared his passion, was a beautiful thing.

I watched the boys waiting patiently on the bench for their turn on the field, the coaches yelling out corrections and encouragement, and when I saw Georgia running as fast as lightning toward one end of the field, her hands thrown in the air when she reached her goal untouched, I stood up and cheered.

I had no idea what happened, but it sure was exciting.

I made a mental note to give her, and the other girls in my cabin, a gift of some sort for being such badass examples for teenaged girls everywhere.

By the time I got to the barbecue, the kids were happily eating their burgers and dogs as they went over the highlights of the game.

I saw Gabe and Reardon standing off to the side, their heads together as they talked. I was about to give them privacy while I grabbed a plate, when Gabe spotted me and waved me over.

"What's up, Zoey?" Reardon asked when I reached them. "We were just going over tomorrow's ropes course. Will you be joining us again?"

I gave a dry laugh in response and shook my head.

"I think I'll pass."

"You sure?" Gabe asked with a grin, then threw his arm over my shoulder when I gave him a dirty look. "Just kidding. We'll be busy with the kids for most of the day. It should give you a lot of alone time to get some work done."

"I'm looking forward to that, actually. Chris asked if I wanted to come watch him on the course, but I think I'd be more nervous watching him up there than when I was up there myself. I trust you guys to take care of him," I added with a meaningful look for both of them.

"Of course," Gabe replied.

"Your boy is safe with us," Reardon promised. Then looked around and said, "I'll be sad to leave day after tomorrow."

"Me too," I said, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice so Reardon didn't think I was some crazy, clingy woman who'd attached myself to his cousin.

Obviously Gabe wasn't worried about that because he said, "I'm trying to get her to come for Labor Day."

Surprise was evident on Reardon's face when he asked, "Really?"

"Yup, I think she'll love Cherry Springs."

Reardon looked at Gabe for a minute, then must have made the decision to just go with it, because he said, "You will, Zoey. It's a great town, filled with wonderful people. Although, I have to warn you, when the whole family is together, we can be quite a handful."

"Well, I hope it works out, because that sounds amazing."

Reardon's face relaxed and I knew I'd said the right thing. Cherry Springs, and his family, obviously meant the world to Gabe's Viking cousin. His initial reaction made me wonder if he'd had a problem getting the women he'd dated to embrace small-town life.

We grabbed some plates and food, the men piling theirs high, while I stuck with a cheeseburger, potato salad, and baked beans.

Reardon and Gabe talked about Cherry Springs while we ate. About Reardon's law office downtown, Gabe's parents' bar right on the outskirts, and the family business that Dillon and Jasmine had mentioned they both worked.

"Lewis Sporting Goods is a small chain, mostly in the Midwest, and that's due mostly to Dillon and Jasmine. They've really turned that place around since they took over."

"Wow, I had no idea, that's wonderful," I gushed, excited at the thought of seeing all of the places they described. "What about Serena?"

"Well, as you know, she's an artist. She also works in an art studio in Chicago, to help pay the bills. We all keep telling her that she needs to move back and open her own studio in Cherry Springs, but she hasn't succumbed to the pressure yet."

"I think she will," Reardon said. "She was talking about how much she missed living by family before she left."

"I hope so," Gabe said. "It would be good to have her there when I come home."

"Speaking of, when are _you_ going to make Cherry Springs your home base again?" Reardon asked.

Gabe looked at me, his expression soft, and shrugged.

"I guess we'll see what happens."

Suddenly feeling the pressure and uncertainty of our lightning-speed relationship, I hopped up, gathered my trash and said, "I'll see you both at the bonfire."

Gabe grabbed my wrist before I could dart off and asked, "You okay?"

"Yup, peachy," I lied, then scampered off to get a little alone time and figure out what the hell I was doing.

# Chapter Twenty-Seven ~ Gabe

I knew I'd freaked Zoey out with my honesty. So I decided to lay off on being so vocal about my intentions and give her a break during the bonfire. She already knew where I was coming from, and what I wanted, so I figured we could just enjoy the moment, and not focus on what was going to happen tomorrow.

At first, I was worried that she may go into hiding and not come to the bonfire, but rather than chase after her, I waited, and felt a rush of pleasure when I saw her moving through the darkness toward the orange flames.

Choosing to be optimistic, I'd saved her a spot.

Zoey looked around, searching through the crowd of bodies, so I lifted my hand. When her eyes found me and she started in my direction, the knot of worry that I hadn't realized I was holding, loosened in my belly.

She sat next to me and I reached my arm out to pull her just a little closer. When I had her tucked in, I leaned in and asked, "You ready for s'mores and ghost stories?"

Her smile was timid when she replied, "Always," and I knew she was still in her head, freaking out.

Hoping to throw her off balance and get her to stop fretting, I lowered my voice so only she could hear me.

"Have I ever told you how much I like your legs?"

Zoey blinked, my words taking her off-guard, then her lip curved a bit in a purely feminine response.

"No."

She was wearing shorts, a tank top, and flip-flops. I placed a hand on her thigh and began to caress it lightly with my thumb.

"They're really sexy," I murmured. "Long, lean, toned. Every time I see them, I imagine them wrapped around me."

Zoey gasped and looked around her anxiously.

" _Gabe_ , there are children present," she admonished.

"They aren't paying attention to us," I replied, and they really weren't. I'd gotten us a seat outside of the pack, and the campers were all chattering happily as they passed the makings for s'mores around and the fire roared in the center of us all.

"I like your hands too."

"My hands?"

"The way they look typing away as you're writing. The strength in them. And the way those long fingers look when they're wrapped around my cock."

I noticed Zoey's breaths getting shorter, deeper, so I brought my lips to her ears and kept going, my eyes on our surroundings so I would be aware of anyone's approach.

"I like that spot where your neck meets your shoulder..."

I kissed her briefly there, flicking my tongue out quickly. She emitted a soft moan that made my hardening cock jump in anticipation.

I decided to back off a bit. I didn't want to take it so far that we gave ourselves away, knowing that would embarrass the hell out of Zoey. And embarrassment was definitely not my goal.

"Shhh," I breathed in her ear, then put a little distance between us, leaving my hand on her thigh.

"Look at me," I commanded. When I had her gaze I added, "I love your eyes. The way they convey your thoughts and feelings, and show the sweetness and intelligence within."

" _Gabe_ ," she said, almost like my name was a plea.

"And your voice." This time I had to bite back a groan. "So sexy, Zo."

"I love your lips," she said throatily, causing me to grin.

Before I could respond, Reardon's voice broke in.

"What are you two up to?"

Zoey jumped in her seat and moved an inch away, her face flushing guiltily as she turned to him and insisted, "Nothing."

Reardon's eyes crinkled as he chuckled.

"I can see that," he replied, his voice full of laughter.

I took a deep breath, then turned to my cousin and said, "Just waiting to enjoy some s'mores."

"Me too," Reardon replied, then gestured to the seat next to me and asked, "Mind if I join you?"

I was going to kill him...

"Of course not," Zoey answered.

While Reardon got situated, I leaned in to Zoey and whispered, "We'll finish this later," then sat up in my seat and returned my focus to what was happening around us.

Reardon was talking about all the stuff he had to do when he got home, when the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate made it our way. I went to pass them to Zoey, and noticed she was staring off toward the other side of the fire.

"Zoey?" I asked, trying to get her attention.

"Aren't they sweet?" she asked. I followed her gaze to see Chris and the curly-haired blonde, Grace, sitting next to each other holding hands and talking, totally captivated by each other.

"Is she the first girl he's been interested in?"

"As far as I know. He's never said anything to me about a girl, but I don't know if he would or not."

"I think he would."

"You do?" she asked, her head turning toward me.

"Yeah," I replied, taking her hand in mine. "It's obvious you guys share something special. You're his cool Aunt Z. I bet he tells you everything."

"He's such a great kid," she said, her focus turning back to the young couple. "And so is she. So sweet and quiet. It's a shame they probably won't see each other again."

"Never say never," I said, smiling at the pair. "I bet they keep in touch via text and Facebook, at least for a while."

When she didn't answer, I lifted the bag in my hand and asked, "Care to burn a marshmallow?"

She turned to me with a smirk and answered, "Burnt, no. Perfectly browned, definitely."

"No way," I argued. "The best way to roast a marshmallow is to burn it until it's nice and crispy, so that when you bite into it, you have the crunchy outside and the gooey center."

"You're wrong."

"Prove it."

"Gladly," she said, then stood abruptly and walked off.

I watched her walk around and talk to a few kids, then bring three of them over.

"They're going to judge," Zoey said as she took the bag from my hand. "We'll both roast three marshmallows each, and they will decide whose is the best."

"No contest," I replied as I stood, then thrust the chocolate and graham crackers at Reardon and said, "Hold this."

"Aye, aye, Captain," was his sarcastic reply, but I ignored him and went to get two skewers from the refreshment table.

When I got back, I handed one to Zoey, then took a marshmallow out of the bag she held open for me.

We roasted our marshmallows and gave them to the judges, who'd obviously forgotten whose camp they were attending, since they unanimously picked Zoey's lightly toasted marshmallows for the win.

"You cheated," I accused when Zoey thrust her arms up in victory.

"Did not," she replied haughtily, moving those hands to her hips.

"You probably offered them signed books or something."

"Nobody likes a sore loser."

Now her hip was cocked, and our judges were snickering.

"I'm not a sore loser, you're a mean winner."

Zoey looked at me for a minute, then threw her head back and started laughing.

"You're a nut," she said, then moved in to put her arms around my waist and rest her head on my chest.

"Thanks, guys," I said to our judges.

As they walked away I placed my lips on Zoey's head and kissed her briefly.

"You're a nut," I said, mimicking her words.

"I guess that means we belong together," she said softly, tilting her head back to look up at me.

"I guess so," I replied softly.

# Chapter Twenty-Eight ~ Zoey

Gabe's perception of my fears, and absolute ability to put me at ease, had me thinking that he was _definitely_ not real. No one could be that perfect, or rather, that perfect _for me_.

He must have a weird tick I hadn't noticed yet.

Or the inability to appreciate eighties music.

Maybe he hated puppies and kittens.

Or thought Eminem was overrated.

I didn't know what his flaw was yet, but it was bound to come out sooner or later.

I just hoped it was something I could live with. A weird tick would be okay, all of the others would be deal breakers.

I'd spent the morning catching up on emails and social media, working on edits from my publisher, and even got a chapter in on my indulgent work in progress.

I reached for another Red Vine and gasped when I realized the carton was empty. When I went to my bag to grab another one, I saw that I was out.

_Well, I guess it's a good thing I leave tomorrow_ , I thought, then sighed. It was crazy how sad the thought of leaving made me. The lack of Red Vines notwithstanding, I really liked it here, and was melancholy at the thought of returning home.

Which was super strange, because I loved my space.

If I was honest with myself, the biggest bummer was leaving Gabe, but since I wasn't ready to be honest with myself I decided to sit back down and get back to work.

I don't know how long I'd been typing away, when a noise by the door caused me to look up. Jenny was walking in with a brown paper bag in her hand.

"Hi, Zoey," she said cheerfully. "I don't want to bother you. I just came here to pick up something, and when Gabe asked if I was coming to the cabin, he asked me to bring you this." She held up the bag to show me, then crossed the room and put it on the table next to me. "He said you probably haven't consumed anything other than coffee and Red Vines..." I resisted the urge to fling the empty candy container off the desk as she continued, "So he wanted to make sure you got some sustenance."

Gingerly, I opened the bag and peeked inside, then reached my hand in and pulled out a turkey sandwich, barbecue chips, and a banana.

"He seems to really like you," Jenny said, her face taking on a dreamy expression.

I'm sure mine matched when I answered, "Yeah... He's so thoughtful."

As if on cue, my stomach growled, causing us both to laugh.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it, and I'll report back to Gabe that you're fueling up."

"Thanks, Jenny."

"No problem."

When she left, I unwrapped the sandwich and began eating. It suddenly hit me, that during my time here Gabe had planned and executed many thoughtful moments for me, and I'd never once surprised him with anything.

I saved what I was working on, closed the windows I had open, and powered down my laptop, then I stood and began pacing as I finished my lunch.

Once I had an idea formed, I rushed out to put my plan into action.

First, I stopped by and had a talk with the cook, gushing about how wonderful her pizza was before I begged her for a favor.

Next, I went to the General Store and bought some candles, eye black, and one of Gabe's jerseys. The candles were more for camping than romance, but I had to make do with the tools I had available to me.

I went back, showered, did my makeup, and styled my hair in big loose curls.

I looked at the clock and figured I had just enough time to go back to the kitchen, then hightail it to Gabe's cabin in time to get everything set up before he got home from dinner. He'd mentioned that he'd be eating with the kids after the ropes course. It was their last dinner, and he liked to answer questions from the campers, and get their feedback about their week.

As I was walking to his cabin, inspiration struck when I passed a bush full of blooming flowers. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, and hoping I wasn't breaking some rule about messing with the landscaping, I picked as many buds as I could hold.

I let myself in and started setting up.

After I made his bed, I scattered the flowers around, putting some on the bed and some around the room. Then I found a smooth jazz station on Pandora and hooked it up to his Bluetooth speaker. I ran to his bathroom, took off the clothes I was wearing, and put on his jersey so that I was wearing only that with a pair of boy shorts underneath. I fluffed out my hair and put the eye black on under my eyes, then lit the candles. After I'd turned off all the lights, I placed the cherry pie in the middle of the bed and situated myself around it, lying on my side with my head propped up on my hand, and my hair fanned out around me. Then I locked my eyes on the door and waited.

I'm not sure how long I waited, but I was stuck with the thought that I probably should have gone to the bathroom before draping myself across the bed, so I scooted over and off and ran to the bathroom.

I was washing my hands when I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs, so I rushed out of the bathroom and launched myself onto the bed, getting in position and trying to look sexy, when the door opened.

Gabe's eyes came straight to me. They widened a bit, and his lips tilted up, then his face changed, causing me to worry that somehow I'd made a mistake trying to surprise him.

Then Reardon stepped around him, eyes on me, and muttered, "You always were a lucky son of a bitch."

Gabe turned, put his hands on Reardon's chest and pushed.

" _Out_."

Reardon shot me a big smile, winked, and said, "Later, Zoey."

"Later," I replied, at a loss for what to do.

Once he'd shoved Reardon out the door, Gabe shut and locked it, then turned to me with dark eyes.

Stunned by the turn of events, I was still on the bed, but I'd drawn up my knees in an attempt to hide my underwear. I watched as Gabe stalked toward me, reaching behind his head, pulling his T-shirt up and over his head.

When he reached the side of the bed he said, "I love seeing you in my jersey."

Slowly, I lowered my legs and positioned myself back the way I'd intended, then I reached out, ran my finger through the whipped cream on top of the pie, and sucked it off, as I watched his reaction.

When I knew I had his rapt attention, I deliberately eased my finger out of my mouth, running it along my plump lower lip.

"Want to play two-hand touch?" I asked in my sexiest voice.

# Chapter Twenty-Nine ~ Gabe

The end of week banquet was always bittersweet... saying goodbye to the campers we'd gotten to know during the week, only to do a quick turnaround after they left, to get ready for the campers due in the next day. This one was even more so, because I knew once the banquet was over, Reardon would be leaving for Cherry Springs, and Zoey and Chris would be headed back to North Carolina.

I loved my camp. Truly, with all my heart and soul, but I had to admit that I wished I was leaving with Zoey and Chris.

I wanted to meet her sister, Chris's mom, Chloe. I wanted to see where Zoey lived and worked, to get a glimpse into her _normal_ life. And I was eager to take her back to Cherry Springs, show her off to my parents, and let her see the charm of the small town I'd grown up in.

I knew all these things would happen eventually. I just needed to be patient. But that didn't stop me from wishing I could have it all now.

The pizza was a huge hit, as usual, even though Reardon had given me the stank eye as he grabbed a slice. He was still bitter over the fact that I'd had one made for me and Zoey, and hadn't thought to grab one for him.

Oh well, it didn't hurt for him to wait. It looked like that's what we had to do for the good things in life... wait.

Now the campers were milling around, exchanging phone numbers and sharing memories. I made the rounds and talked to the departing campers, then stopped to talk to some of the counselors about the meeting after departure and the fact that we all had a long night ahead of us. I knew they didn't mind. They enjoyed the in-between nights, when they didn't have any kids to take care of and could kick back and relax after we got everything prepped for the new arrivals.

Usually I joined them for a bonfire or late-night card game, but I had the feeling I wouldn't be in the mood once Zoey drove away.

I found her standing with Reardon, a few feet away from Chris and Grace, who were having a tearful goodbye. At least on Grace's end.

"Everything all right?" I asked softly as I walked up to the adults.

Zoey glanced at the young couple with a frown and said, "She's taking this pretty hard."

"Nothing that a little time and distance won't cure," Reardon said, earning him an elbow jab from Zoey.

I smiled at the pair of them, happy that my best friend slash cousin and the woman I didn't want to let out of my sight had become so close. He treated her just like he would Jazzy or Rena, and she treated him the same.

I put my arm around Zoey's waist and stepped close enough to feel her warmth against my side.

"We were just talking about Labor Day. I was telling Zoey how our dads like to drink beer and fight over who smokes the best ribs."

"It's true," I said with a chuckle. "They have a longstanding competition going, and no matter what anyone says, they'll go to their graves fighting over those damn ribs."

"It sounds wonderful," Zoey said, causing Reardon and I to look at each other and say fondly, "It is."

"Oh my gosh!" Zoey squealed suddenly, causing me to brace myself and look up.

"What is it?" I asked, but she didn't hear me. I looked up to see what had caused her excitement and saw a woman walking toward us.

She wore a skirt and blouse with heels. Business attire. And had her long brown hair pulled back straight and tight, in what looked like a painful bun. Her eyes were on Zoey, big brown eyes, and I had a tingling of recognition.

I heard Christopher say, "Mom, I thought you couldn't make it." And when I realized that he was talking to the approaching woman, it all clicked in to place.

This was Chloe, Zoey's sister. I turned my attention to her once more, and could see a slight resemblance. The eyes, the hair, and maybe a little fraction of the face, but that's where the similarity ended.

She was buttoned up, while Zoey was free and unencumbered.

I saw her eyes come to me and widen, then lower to my arm around Zoey's waist, before coming back to me again, and I literally watched the blood drain out of her face.

Then something else niggled in my brain, as she lifted a hand to her mouth and emitted a cry, before turning on her heel and running back out of the room.

Zoey muttered, "What in the world?" before turning to me and saying, "Be right back," and running after her sister.

I stood still as a statue as my head swiveled to Christopher, who was staring after his mother and aunt, confusion apparent on his face. His handsome face, with a strong jaw, topped with thick dark hair, and a body that was taller than usual for a twelve-year-old boy.

That niggling grew into a hot ball of fire in my chest, when Reardon leaned in and asked, "Isn't that the woman from the after-party... Your first Super Bowl?"

"Thirteen years ago," I stated, my voice barely audible.

"Yeah," Reardon said, his eyes burning a hole in the side of my head. "Chloe, right?"

"Right," I replied, as my entire world crashed around me.

# Chapter Thirty ~ Zoey

"Chloe," I called as I ran out the door and swiveled my head, trying to see which direction she went.

When I looked to the right, I saw her standing down at the end of the porch, her hands on the railing, bent over at the waist.

"What is going on?" I asked when I reached her.

Chloe's head came up, and her face had a haunted look that scared the bejesus out of me.

" _Chloe_ ," I urged. "I don't understand... You said you couldn't come, then you do, and you run out like your skirt is on fire. _Talk to me_."

"You and Gabriel Lewis?" she asked, which struck me as weird. Why was that what she was focused on? She couldn't be jealous...

"Yes, but, why would that make you run out? Do you know him?" I asked, confusion swirling around in my head.

"It's... complicated."

"How?" I asked, my confusion turning to frustration at her vague answers. "Just spit it out, Chlo."

"I was going to come here... with Chris... but I chickened out," Chloe started randomly. "I couldn't do it... didn't know how. I was afraid."

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at my sister.

"Afraid of what?"

"I told you that I'd contacted Chris's father and he didn't want anything to do with Christopher, so I refused to tell anyone who he was or put him on the birth certificate."

"I know what you told me," I answered warily.

"I lied," she said, and the frustration turned to anger.

"You lied? For thirteen years?" I asked, throwing my hands up. "So, who's the father?"

Chloe stood, turned to me, and put her hands on my arms. This was her big sister "I'm about to break it to you" stance, so I braced.

"It's no accident that Chris developed a love for football, who his favorite team was, or his favorite player, because I encouraged it... When this camp started, I told him about it and kept it in the back of his mind for the past three years, so when he was old enough, he could come. I had it all planned out..."

The anger turned to a cold stark fear and I ripped out of her grasp.

"You can't be serious."

"How could I know?" Chloe asked, her eyes pleading with me to understand, which I absolutely could not do. "I chickened out and he asked you instead. I figured it would give him a chance to be in the same space, even though neither of them knew. I never imagined that you and he would develop feelings for each other... It was only supposed to be a week."

"But I got the dates mixed up and came early," I mumbled, letting it all come together in my head. "And still, when I told you I was staying, and who was here, you didn't say anything."

"I couldn't," she insisted. "I'd lied to you for all of those years. You'd given up everything for us and moved to help, and I'd repaid you with lies... I couldn't tell you that over the phone."

"And you never told him?"

Chloe shook her head.

The weight of everything came crashing down on my shoulders.

Gabe was a father to a twelve-year-old boy. A child he never knew existed. My nephew.

It was all too much.

I half fell to my knees, then slid the rest of the way to the floor, my hands coming to my head as pain overtook the fear.

"Go away."

" _Zoey_... please."

" _Go_!"

I heard her heels clicking away from me, then Gabe's voice. "Don't go anywhere," he said, his tone harsher than I'd ever heard it. "I need to talk to your sister. I'll meet you in my office. Reardon will show you the way."

"This way," I heard Reardon say, then the sound of Gabe's footsteps getting closer.

I felt movement behind me, then his arms enfolded me, my back hitting his chest as his chin rested on my shoulder.

"It's true," he said, and I couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question. "She never told you?"

I shook my head, my heart aching.

"I have so many questions," he murmured.

"Yeah," I managed, leaning back into him.

"There was nothing between us," Gabe said, causing the first tear to escape down my cheek. "We shared a moment, nothing more."

"What happened?" I asked. Not wanting to know, but needing to.

"I was twenty-two, twenty-three. It was my first year in the NFL and my team won the Super Bowl. I didn't have much to do with it, but I was still a part of the team, and we did a lot of celebrating. Reardon was with me, and we were partying and going a little nuts with it all... We were at one of the parties and were quite a few drinks in. I hate to say it, but during that time, I had no trouble picking up women and I used that to my advantage. That night, it happened to be Chloe. It was meaningless... A mutually satisfying encounter that I didn't think of again until I recognized her face ten minutes ago. It wasn't even a night. No one went home with each other, we had sex right in the club we were in..."

I made a strangled sound.

"Sorry," Gabe said, his arms contracting around me. "I know you don't want the details, I just wanted you to know that it was only sex. One time. And I never saw, or heard, from her again."

I pushed out of his arms and stood, leaning on the rail for strength as I looked up into his beautiful face.

"I don't blame you, and I'm sorry, _so sorry,_ that she kept Christopher from you," I said as he came to his feet and covered my hand with his own. "But it's too much. She lied to me too, for all of these years, and I'm so angry with her. I'm also so sad for you that you've missed out on so much, and I don't know what you're thinking or feeling, but I have to say, I'm over the moon that Christopher gets to find out that not only does he have a father, but that it's _you."_

"Zoey," Gabe started, his face full of the myriad of emotions he was feeling.

I held up my hand to stop him, needing to get my words out and get out of here as fast as I could. I felt like my insides were boiling lava, and I was about to erupt any moment.

"I need some time... to process, and to figure out what I want..."

"What you want? Zoey..."

"Please, Gabe, just give me time."

Gabe ran his hand over his face in frustration, and probably to give himself a moment to calm down.

"You know I can't come after you."

"I know," I replied. "That's the only thing that makes this easier."

"I'll give you seven weeks, but, Zoey, after the camp is closed for the season, I'll be in North Carolina."

I nodded then started to ease myself away from him.

"I'll call, text, email... whatever, every day."

"I can't promise I'll answer."

"I'll do it anyway," he said, and I took one last long look at him to get my fill, before turning and getting out of there as fast as I could without running.

When I reached the tree line, I looked back and saw Gabe still standing on the porch, his forearms leaning on the railing, his head in his hands. The need to go back and comfort him was great. I knew his whole world had changed in a single second, but so had mine, and I just didn't think my heart could take another second.

I needed solace, and time to think. I needed my own space. My own things. I needed to figure out if I was strong enough to handle the fact that the man I'd fallen for was the father of my sister's child.

# Chapter Thirty-One ~ Gabe

I stayed there for a while after Zoey left, trying to cipher through all of the thoughts, feelings, and questions that were running through me.

When I felt like I was in control enough to talk to Chloe civilly, I started on the path to my office.

"Coach Lewis?" a now-familiar voice called from behind me, causing my chest to tighten as I turned.

"Hey, Chris, what can I do for you?"

My eyes roamed over him, as if seeing him for the first time, while simultaneously memorizing every inch of him. Heart pounding, a mixture of fear and dread filled my stomach as I wondered what the hell I was going to do about this unbelievable situation.

"Have you seen my mom, or Aunt Z?" he asked as he walked closer, his head coming up to my shoulder.

"Zoey had to go," I began, not quite sure what to say, but not wanting to upset him. "Ah, your mom is waiting to talk to me in my office. She'll be taking you home."

"Oh, okay," he replied with the easy acceptance that only a child could have. "Can you tell her I'll be down by the lake with Grace and her folks?"

"Sure thing," I replied, turning to go. Needing to put a little distance between us.

"Oh, and, Coach?"

"Yeah?"

"It really was so great to meet you. I had the _best_ time, and can't wait 'til you come to Aunt Zoey's. Maybe we can hang out, throw the ball or something."

Christopher looked up at me, his face so eager and full of innocence, and I wondered how much of that innocence would be lost after all of this.

"Yeah, sure, kid."

"Cool, see ya later, Coach."

I watched him walk away, my nerves on edge as I thought about him, his mother, and what this may do to my relationship with Zoey. She was obviously, understandably, freaked, and I worried that the great thing we'd been building was about to be shattered.

When I got to my office, Reardon was waiting for me outside.

"Everything okay?"

"Not really, but it will be."

Reardon nodded and was about to say something when I asked, "How did you remember her? Chloe? From that night at the bar? It actually didn't click for me right away, but it did for you..."

Reardon rubbed his hand behind his neck, then looked up at me sheepishly.

"I actually saw her first, that night, but I chickened out. If you'll remember, I didn't have much game back then, and at those parties, the women were usually there hoping to land a football player."

"I remember you did all right..."

He chuckled and said, "Yeah, I did, but she intimidated me. When I finally worked up the courage, I saw her making her way over, then beeline right to you. I figured, there wasn't much point after that, so I went along with it, and never saw her again."

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "I wish you'd have said something. You know I never would have made a play if I'd known."

"Water under the bridge, man," Reardon said, his face serious as he switched from cousin mode to lawyer mode.

"All right, when you go in there, I don't want any mention of compensation, parental rights, or anything of that nature. The first thing we'll do is order a paternity test."

"I think he's mine, Rear. I mean, just look at him," I began, but he held up his hand to cut me off.

" _Thinking_ isn't good enough, we need proof." Reardon's face softened. "Look, Chris is a good kid, he is, and if the DNA tests come back positive, we'll welcome him into the family with open arms, but we have to be smart about this. You're a very wealthy, high-profile person, and my job is to make sure that you're being taken care of. Let me do my job."

"Got it," I replied, agreeing with everything he said.

"Let's do this then," he said and opened the door.

I walked around to my desk, sitting and getting comfortable, before bringing my gaze to the woman sitting before me. I could tell she'd been crying, which had my demeanor softening, then Reardon cleared his throat and gave me a sharp nod to begin.

I sat tall in the chair and tried to think rationally, but what popped out of my mouth was, "Why didn't you tell me?"

Reardon sighed, but didn't object, his eyes looking to Chloe for her answer.

Chloe took a deep breath and brought her large dark eyes, which were so much like Zoey's, to mine.

"I tried, at first," she said, her voice rough from crying. "I tried to reach you through the team, your agent, even a PR firm, but they all thought I was some groupie trying to get close to you."

"Did you say you were pregnant?"

Her face flushed and she shook her head.

"No, I didn't want you to find out that way."

"So you just gave up?"

"After a while... yes. I saw stuff about you in the media, and you were always going out and traveling... I didn't think you'd have room in your life..."

"Don't do that," I cut her off, my anger rising. "Don't presume you know me based off what you've read or seen on TV. That isn't me, and it isn't fair. I had a right to know, and you took that choice away from me."

"Allegedly," Reardon put in, causing Chloe to turn to him in confusion and ask, "What?"

"We'll need a paternity test ran before Mr. Lewis claims any responsibility, or parental rights, for the child."

I saw Chloe start to bluster, then think better of it, instead saying sadly, "I understand."

Not satisfied with her answers so far, I asked, "What about later? When he started asking about his dad... Zoey said you told them that his father didn't want anything to do with him."

"Well, I worded it quite differently to Christopher. I told him that his father loved him, but wasn't in a place in his life where he could be a father, so it was just the two of us."

"And that worked?"

"For a while... I introduced you to him at an early age, and he's always known who you are, as a football player. We watched all of your games, and he's followed your career."

"It's not the same, Chloe."

" _I know that_ ," she insisted, her tone pleading. "If I could go back and change things, I would... I planned to bring him to camp as soon as he was old enough, knowing that you'd be here, and I could talk to you about it in person. He's almost a teenager, and he's becoming a man, I knew that having you in his life would help him in that transition."

"What about me? What about all of the things I missed out on?" I stood, both Chloe and Reardon standing with me.

"Okay," Reardon said, stepping in between Chloe and my desk. "I think we've done all we can here today. I'll be in contact about the tests, and once we get the results, Gabe and I will be in touch to talk about what happens next."

"Okay," Chloe said, her voice small.

"Chloe," I said, walking around my desk to stand next to Reardon. "I have obligations to be at this camp for the next seven weeks, there's nothing I can do about that, but once the campers leave, I'll be coming to North Carolina. Whether the results are positive or negative, I'll be going to see Zoey, I just wanted to make sure you understood that. Your sister and I began a relationship here, and I plan to fight to keep it."

"I understand."

"Can you please wait to say anything to Christopher about this, until we know for sure, and I can be there for him."

Chloe gave me a small smile then and answered, "Yes, I can do that."

"Thanks," I said as kindly as I could manage, needing to get out of there. "I have to get to work, but Reardon will get your information, and we'll be in touch soon."

That said, I walked out without a backwards glance. I headed straight for my cabin, threw on my running shorts, a T-shirt, and some Nikes, and took off to clear my head.
**Seven Weeks Later...**

# Chapter Thirty-Two ~ Zoey

"I'm thinking a pen name would be best. This book is so different from your others, that I don't think the readers will cross with you, and it's probably best not to try and market it to your young fans. Don't you agree?... _Zoey_?"

I looked up from the doodle I'd been drawing on my napkin and flushed, embarrassed to be caught not paying attention by my agent.

"Sorry, Jen," I replied, sitting up taller in my seat and moving my napkin under the table to hide it. I was sure she'd already seen it, but I still felt the need to act like a child caught in the act. "Um, yeah, a pen name would probably be best."

Jen sighed and took a sip of her dry martini. She was used to my quirks and the way I succumbed easily to distractions, but the look on her face told me that she knew this wasn't just me being me.

"Are you going to tell me what's been bothering you?" she asked, her voice holding compassion she usually kept hidden.

"What? Nothing, I'm good," I lied through my teeth.

"Maybe something to do with the Adonis in your new books?" she asked carefully. "You've certainly never written a man like that before, and even I have to admit, as jaded as I am, that those sex scenes are off-the-charts hot."

I blushed at her words, worrying, not for the first time, that I'd put too much of Gabe, of our relationship, in my latest book.

"Let's just say, things are complicated right now."

"I can accept that." When her phone buzzed, Jen looked down and said, "I need to take this, just give me a moment," then stood and walked to the far side of the patio dining area where we had just finished our working lunch.

I was in New York.

When Jen had called and said she wanted to discuss my latest manuscript, I'd jumped on the chance to go to her, rather than have a meeting over the phone, or via videoconference. I'd needed to get out of town for a while. Away from my sister's attempts at reconciliations, and my nephew's concern over the breech in his mother's and my relationship.

Plus, I needed something to take my mind off Gabe... as if that were even possible.

Hell, he wouldn't allow it.

In the almost seven weeks since I'd left him at camp, he'd texted me daily, left numerous voicemails, and sent me a gift every Friday.

The first week it had been a bucket of Red Vines, which made me smile. Then came the sunflowers, the Bluetooth ear buds, a Blu-ray copy of _Man of Steel_ , a delivery from Papa John's pizza, and a floatation device, which had me fall to the floor laughing when I opened it.

I was trying hard to work through my thoughts and feelings about him, and everything that had happened. I had hoped distance would cool my attraction to him and make the possibility of walking away easier, but he was doing his damndest to make it impossible.

I hadn't spoken to him since I left, and I'd barely spoken to my sister, but I'd spent time with Christopher, as usual, his questions getting harder and harder to deflect.

I knew the paternity test came back positive. Gabe had left a voicemail and sent a text when he'd heard, and I'd gotten a call from Chloe confirming that Gabe was Chris's father. Chris didn't know yet; Gabe and Chloe had decided to wait until Gabe was there in person, which I could understand, but I felt awful keeping such a thing from my nephew.

I didn't want to be a part of my sister's lie.

"Sorry about that," Jen said as she sat back down at the table.

We finished up our meeting, discussing the upcoming tour for the last book in my paranormal series, and we left it with her promise that she'd begin shopping my new manuscript right away.

The driver took me back to the airport. The flight home was quick and painless, but all of my attempts at reading were dashed by thoughts of Gabe's impending visit.

The seven weeks were almost up, and with the news he had to share with Christopher, I knew he wouldn't waste any time in flying out.

I wasn't ready to see him.

I knew that any walls I'd put up, and claims I made to myself about pushing him away, would all crumble at the first sight of him. And I was afraid. Afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the emotional upheaval that was about to commence. That I wouldn't be strong enough to stand by him when he needed me the most. Especially since my initial reaction was to run and hide in my writing cave for the next year.

Pulling up the long drive of my over two-acre home, I looked around at the large expanse of space and wondered if I should get a pet. Maybe a dog, pot-bellied pig, or even a pony. I'd always wanted one as a little girl, and I definitely had the space.

Then I drove passed the basketball hoop I'd had put up for Chris, and into my garage, and talked myself out of it.

When I was home, I was usually locked away. I barely even came outside and used the rocking chairs I had sitting on my wraparound porch. Any animal I got would probably die of starvation and loneliness, if it didn't run away first.

With that depressing thought lingering in my head, I walked to my mailbox and found my weekly package from Gabe waiting.

I was ripping through the paper, even as I told myself I shouldn't open it, then stopped in the middle of my driveway, a gasp escaping my lips as I pulled out a long bronze chain with charms of a parchment and quill on it.

It was so thoughtful, and perfect for me, and without another thought I clasped it around my neck. My hand was on the necklace as I took out the note folded inside.

_See you Sunday. Love, Gabe_

_Shit,_ I thought, _guess I can't hide forever._

It looked like I'd be facing the music the next day when Gabe came to town. If only I knew what I was going to do.

# Chapter Thirty-Three ~ Gabe

I'd only meant to give her a kiss hello...

As soon as the last camper left for the season, I'd given my cousin Dillon, who'd come down to take over the task of closing the camp for the season, a hug of thanks and a promise to call him as soon as I landed in North Carolina.

Deciding to hold off on checking into my hotel until later, I drove my rental car straight to Zoey's house.

I needed to see her, desperately.

When she'd opened the door of her rambling ranch-style home, her hair piled on top of her head, wearing yoga pants and an oversized tank, I'd gathered her surprised form to me.

_God, how I'd missed her face._

I grabbed her by the waist with one hand, bringing her in close, while my other hand wrapped around her neck, and I brought my lips crashing down on hers. I'd taken her off-guard, her lips parted with unspoken words, so I took advantage and swooped inside.

If she'd kissed me sweetly, then stepped aside, I would have waited to be welcomed in like the gentleman I had every intention of being, but when she kissed me back with a fervor that spoke volumes, I took the kiss deeper.

I backed her up against the doorframe, and the next thing I knew, we were engulfed in each other.

Her hands were everywhere, up my shirt, in my hair, clasping on to my hips, as our mouths relayed how much we'd missed each other over the last few weeks. When a breeze hit my bare back, I realized she was trying to lift my shirt off, which brought a few of my senses back.

Bending slightly, I lifted her at the back of her thighs, and she gave a little hop, wrapping her legs around my waist as I moved us off of the front porch and into the house, kicking the door shut with my foot.

The yoga pants fit her like a second skin, so that felt like there was no barrier between her supple ass and my hands. I roamed freely as I navigated toward her large plush sofa in the center of the room. She bucked against me, her breath a moan on my lips when I moved my hand lower to satisfy my barely contained hunger.

By the time I was lowering her to the couch, I was tearing at her clothes. First the tank top, then her yoga pants. When I saw she was wearing a sports bra, I dipped my hand underneath it to caress her already pebbled nipple and ordered, "Off."

While she was relieving herself of her sports bra, I undressed, then stopped to look down at her beautiful body.

Her eyes were taking in the expanse of my naked chest, then went lower, my cock jumping under her hot gaze, happy to be on display.

Zoey licked her plump lips and sat up, moving forward to the edge of the couch so she was seated before me. She looked up at me with those big brown eyes as her fingers wrapped around my cock and stroked the length slowly. She licked her lips again, leaning close enough so the tip of her tongue lightly grazed the head of my cock, causing me to groan.

"Fuck me with your mouth," I demanded, reaching behind her to pull her hair out of its rubber band, then sinking my hand into the thick mass of her hair, tugging it tightly at the root.

She kept her eyes locked on mine as she eased her mouth around my cock, one hand coming behind me to grab my ass and pull me closer. I nearly lost it then, the need to thrust into her mouth great, but I kept a tight rein on my control and let her keep the lead.

Zoey's tongue was whirling around my head as she simultaneously sucked and hummed, her head rocking back and forth as she slid my length in and out. When she closed her eyes and moaned, I knew I could take no more, and I wanted to get off inside of her, not come down her throat, so I tugged on the hair in my hand to hold her steady as I moved my hips back. She released me with a pop and looked up at me with a heavy-lidded gaze.

Needing to feel her, I reached low and ran my fingers over her pussy.

"You're so fucking wet for me," I nearly growled. "You liked sucking my cock, didn't you?"

She barely had time to emit a groan at my words, because my mouth was on hers again. I sat back against the cushions and grabbed her waist, lifting and flipping her until she sat astride me. When she was poised above me, I sucked the fingers that were still wet with her in between my lips, and reached my other hand between us and thrust my fingers inside. Her head flew back and she began to move, my thumb flicking her clit with each rock of her hips.

" _Gabe_ ," Zoey moaned. It was the first thing she'd said since I arrived, and it was music to my ears.

"I want you inside," she pleaded, and I was more than happy to oblige.

I moved my hands to her hips and let her tease me for a moment, her wet lips moving back and forth over my dick, then lowering slightly, and lifting back off. Once I was through with her tease, I held her hips steady and thrust quickly up and inside.

Her hands came to my shoulder and her eyes closed, so I lowered my hips and let Zoey take a ride. With every thrust, her clit hit my flesh, and I knew by the little breaths that were coming out of her parted lips and the rosy flush on her cheeks, that she was close. I met her movements, grinding up as she pushed down, then lowered my head, eager to get a taste of her supple tits.

She made a little squeak in the back of her throat when I sucked her into my mouth, then rode harder when I scraped my teeth over her hard nipple and bit down lightly.

" _Oh... My God... Gabe_..." she moaned loudly, as I watched the beauty of her. Head thrown back, long hair cascading down her back, face alight with pleasure, I felt my own release begin to build and flipped her over onto her back.

Her legs still wrapped around my waist, I thrust into her, harder and harder, as her inner walls clenched around me, still feeling the effects of her orgasm. I pounded my way to my own release, then lowered my forehead to hers and we both struggled to catch our breath.

I lifted my head to gaze down at her, and when she opened her velvety-brown eyes, I said, "I missed you."

# Chapter Thirty-Four ~ Zoey

_Well, that didn't go as I had planned..._

My body lax and satisfied, I laid there in Gabe's arm, looking up at the face I'd been dreaming about for seven weeks, my mind going a million miles a second.

I was supposed to put the brakes on things when I saw him, not practically strip him down on my front porch. But when I'd opened the door and seen him standing there, all real and gorgeous, and so damn tempting, all thoughts of voicing my concerns flew the coop.

I'd gone much, much longer than seven weeks without having sex with another person before.

Hell, I'd gone longer without having a self-induced orgasm. But after going seven weeks without Gabe's touch, and then finally having him just a few feet away, and very touchable, I'd been like an addict faced with my addiction.

Not jumping him would have been like not drinking from a puddle after being stuck in the desert with no water for weeks.

I was helpless to the needs of my body.

_That's my story, and I'm sticking to it._

I realized the problem with allowing my baser instincts to dictate my actions, when Gabe said he missed me in that sweet, tender tone, and all I wanted to do was curl into him and hold on for the rest of my life.

Needing to put some distance between us and allow my brain to begin functioning again, I excused myself to go to the bathroom and crawled out from under him.

I gave his naked back one last look before I ran through my bedroom, into my en suite, and closed the bathroom door behind me.

I leaned back against it, sighed, and hit my head against the door.

_Stupid_

Bang.

_Horny._

Bang.

_Zoey._

"Is everything all right in there?" Gabe asked from the other side of the door, startling me since I didn't expect him to be in my room.

" _Everything's just peachy, Mr. Sexy Lips_ ," I mumbled in response.

"What?" he asked, and I swear it sounded like he was fighting back laughter.

"I said, _yes_ , everything's fine. Be right out," I replied, a little nastier than necessary.

I went to the bathroom, then realized I hadn't brought any clothes or anything in with me to cover my body.

I was going to have to walk back out there naked.

_Perfect._

Taking a deep breath, I tried to hold on to any anger, frustration, and annoyance that I could muster, and walked out into the room.

I stopped, losing that breath at the sight of Gabe in my bed, my minty green sheets pulled up to his waist as he leaned against my padded headboard, his eyes on me with a sexy smile on his face.

_Shit!_

I walked over and grabbed the robe that was flung over the back of the chair at my vanity, hoping I appeared confident in my skin, and not like I was anxious to be covered and wrapped up in the safety of silk.

I turned back to him, tying my robe tightly around me, and noticed his hair was mussed... probably from that time a few minutes ago, when I'd been tugging and pulling at it like a woman possessed.

Possessed by the need for an orgasm...

"Zoey," Gabe said, pulling me out of my memories, and patted the spot next to him on the bed. "C'mere."

"Um," I began, resisting the urge to crawl into that bed with everything I had. "I think we should go back to the living room... and talk."

Rather than allow him to bewitch me with his sexy eyes, or wait for a response, I hurried out of my room and over to the coffee machine. I put a cup underneath, then hit the button to brew a single serving and busied myself with getting creamer and a spoon out.

"Would you like coffee?" I asked without turning when I heard the rustle of him getting dressed.

"No thanks," he said, his flat tone causing my stomach to dip painfully.

I turned with a frown, my eyes taking on a life of their own as I greedily watched his well-defined torso disappear as he pulled on his shirt.

"Um..." I began again, wondering where my words had run off to.

"Look, Zoey, you're obviously still having some issues with everything that's going on with your sister and I, and on one hand... I can totally understand that." He sat and began pulling on his shoes, then brought his eyes to mine. "On the other, you've had seven weeks to sort it out. To talk it over with me, and with Chloe, but you haven't. I'd hoped your greeting at the door meant that you were ready to move forward. For us to figure out what our next steps were, but from what just happened in there, I'm guessing you don't want to talk about moving forward."

I wanted to say something, but the words were stuck in my throat. Instead I kept opening and closing my mouth silently, like a carp or something.

"I came here straight away from the airport, because I wanted to see you. I didn't mean for that to happen," he said, gesturing toward the door. "But I'm certainly not sorry that it did. I wish you looked like you felt the same." He ran a hand through his hair, then patted it down in an attempt to fix it. "Look, I have to go. I told Chloe I'd meet her so we could talk to Chris, and I'm already running late. I'd planned to ask you to go with me, but I think it would be better if I came back later, when I have more time, so we can discuss the things you want to discuss. All right?"

My heart fell at his admission that he wanted me to be there when he and Chloe told Christopher that Gabe was his father, even though I didn't think it was my place _to_ be there.

"Tomorrow," I croaked, thinking I needed more time to process what just happened, and figure out what I wanted to say to him.

"Seriously?" he asked, anger flashing across his features.

"Please," I begged, not wanting to hurt him, but needing the extra time.

Gabe walked passed my desk, pausing to pick up the tablet that always had my to do list, prioritized with things crossed off when I finished them.

"Edits, contact publisher, cover design approval, schedule events, update blog," he read, then looked at me, eyes blazing, and asked, "Am I on your list of priorities? Maybe you can schedule me in for tomorrow."

I felt the jab, and knew he was lashing out because I'd hurt him. After all, he'd been in such a rush to get to me, that he'd made me his first stop after landing, proving that I was his first priority, even above going to speak with his son.

The door shut firmly behind him and I sagged against the counter, wishing I knew what the right answer was, and that I didn't feel so betrayed by the fact that he and my sister had not only had sex, but produced a beautiful son together.

My coffee forgotten, I went to my room and crawled into bed, the scent of Gabe swirling around me as I laid down and cried.

# Chapter Thirty-Five ~ Gabe

I was torn between wanting to go back and shake some sense in Zoey, and heave her over my shoulders, take her to bed, and make love to her all day.

I'd been so caught up in being happy, that I didn't see her pulling away until she came out of the bathroom after I'd heard her hitting the door. I'd hoped I could persuade her into getting in bed with me to cuddle, and then leave her there with the promise of what I'd do to her when I returned, but she'd definitely doused that flame.

Now I needed to turn my focus on what I was about to do. I'd had a little while to get used to the fact that I had a son, who although practically grown, would still, hopefully, want me in his life. Christopher, however, had no idea that his life was about to change.

So I'd give Zoey the time she requested, and focus on meeting Chris again... This time, as his dad.

It was about fifteen miles from Zoey's property to her sister's. I crossed over into city limits, and pulled up to a nice town house in a well-established neighborhood. I'd been let into the gated community, passed a pool, tennis courts, and playground, and was pleased to see that Chris had grown up in a kid-friendly environment, and probably had lots of friends and neighbors within walking distance.

Before I had a chance to knock, Chloe answered the door, once again professional from top to toe in a business suit, makeup freshly done, and hair pulled back off her face.

"Sorry I'm late," I said, hoping to lay the groundwork for a positive meeting.

"No problem," she said, stepping aside to let me in. "I told Chris to be home in about fifteen minutes, just in case you wanted to discuss things before he arrived."

"Great," I replied, and followed her into what I assumed was her home office.

We'd talked since Reardon had given us the results of the DNA test, so I knew that she'd started off waitressing, moved up to restaurant manager, and now managed a catering business. Her friend was the chef, and she was in charge of marketing, working with clients, and everything that would fall under Human Resources in a company.

Chloe sat down behind her desk and I took the chair closest to the door upon entering.

"Have you thought any more about your plans?" she asked, not wasting time with small talk, which I actually appreciated.

I leaned forward, elbows to my thighs and said, "Yes, actually, I have something I want to run past you... I figured today I'd talk to him, then ask if he wants to spend some time alone, maybe go back to my hotel. I'll be here for a few days, and any time he has free, I'd like the chance to spend with him."

"As long as he's comfortable with that," she replied, something I didn't understand crossing her face.

"Of course... In a couple days I'll be heading to Cherry Springs. My family always gets together for Labor Day weekend, and I'd like to bring Christopher with me, so he can meet everyone."

When she straightened in her chair and looked like she was going to oppose, I held up my hand and said quickly, "I'd like you to come too."

I could tell I'd shocked her when her mouth closed and she stared at me suspiciously.

"I'm not trying to swoop in here and take our son away from you. I know how close you are, and I appreciate everything you've done to give him a happy life. He's a great kid, Chloe, and that's mostly due to you. I'm not trying to change that. But now that I know about him, I want a chance to get to know him and be there for him too, and I'd really like for him to get to know my family. I know it's soon, and you probably wouldn't be comfortable sending him off, so I'm asking if you'll come along. I'm sure it would put him at ease to have you there, and you'd feel better being able to watch over him."

"Don't you think that would be a little strange?"

"No, it'll be fine. My family knows what happened. They know about Chris and they're eager to meet him. You guys can stay at my house, or if you'd rather, I can put you up in the local B & B."

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course," I said, then added, "I plan to ask your sister to come along as well. I'm not sure if she will or not, but if so, at least that's one more friendly face."

I knew they hadn't mended fences yet, but Chloe just nodded.

"Then, once the trip home is done, I'm going to look into getting a house here, so I can be closer to Chris. We can work on a visitation schedule and everything then, if that works for you."

"You'd do that?" she asked, her eyes filling and her face softening. For the first time, she reminded me of the girl I'd met all those years ago. "You'd move here for him?"

"Absolutely," I stated. "And I want our relationship to be a good one, Chloe. Open lines of communication. If there are rules, I want to know them. If you have an issue with something I do, please, tell me right away. I think it's important, for Christopher, that we have a positive and healthy relationship."

Chloe let out a deep breath and said, "I'd like that," then her body went tight at the sound of a door slamming in the distance.

"Mom, I'm back!" Christopher shouted. "Whose car's out front?"

"Let's move to the living room," she said, rising quickly and going out to head off our son.

My nerves were suddenly alive and dancing furiously within me as I worried what Chris's reaction may be.

Chris looked up as soon as I stepped out of Chloe's office, confusion, then excitement lighting his face.

"Coach Lewis?" he asked, practically sprinting over to me. He stopped before crashing into me, then tilted his head and asked, "Are you here to see Aunt Z, 'cause she hasn't been over in a while?"

"Please, come sit," Chloe said, herding us into the family room.

I waited until we were all seated to say, "Actually, Chris, I'm here to see you."

"Really? Awesome!" he exclaimed, then turned to his mom. "Did you know he was coming?"

"Yeah, buddy, I did," Chloe looked nervously at me, then cleared her throat and reached over to take her son's hand. "We have something we need to tell you."

His face cleared of excitement, and when the fear took its place, I realized he thought we were about to lay some terrible news at his feet... probably about Zoey.

"I'm your father," I blurted. Just like that, causing Chloe to shoot me a look. "Sorry," I told her, then looked at Chris, who was staring at me as if I'd just grown another head. "I didn't know until a few weeks ago, or _I swear_ , I would have been there for you. I'd like to be here for you now."

Christopher was silent and I could almost see the thoughts tumbling around in his head as he tried to compute what I'd just said.

"You didn't know?" he asked. "When I was at camp... you didn't know then?"

"No, Chris, I didn't. Your mom told me that last day. I had to finish out the weeks I had scheduled at camp. You know, all of those kids signed up and paid to be there... but as soon as I finished everything up, I flew out to be with you. We, your mom and I, agreed that we wanted to tell you in person. I'm sorry that I had to wait all of those weeks."

"But you knew," Chris said accusingly to his mother. "You knew all of this time...You lied to me."

" _Christopher_ ," Chloe pleaded, but Chris didn't want to hear it.

"All of these years, every time I asked who my dad was... you lied. You knew it was him all the time. We watched his games and you bought me his posters," Chris's voice was thick with emotion, and he wiped angrily at the tears on his cheek. "You lied to everyone. Aunt Z. Grandma. Grandpa. Coach... I mean Mr.... Gabriel Lewis... all of us. Why?"

"At first it was because I couldn't get a hold of him to let him know I was pregnant, then after that, after I lied the first time... it just became easier to stick with the lie. I didn't want you to get hurt," Chloe said, speaking through her own tears.

"We know you're confused and upset, Chris, but we're here for you. I'll answer any questions you have, I'd just like the chance to get to know you," I cut in, trying to give Chloe a chance to compose herself. "Why don't we give you both some time to cool down. I'll take you back to my hotel. We can check in, grab some dinner, maybe a swim... What do you say?"

"I'll go grab my stuff," he said, not looking at his mom, who was sitting on the couch, watching him with devastated eyes.

When he left the room I asked, "Are you okay?"

Chloe wiped at her cheeks and took a deep breath.

"He just needs time," I said, hoping to reassure her. "He'll realize you only had his best interests at heart."

"You think so?" she asked, and I felt the pain on her face deep in my gut.

"That's the kind of kid you raised," I replied softly, pleased when she gave me a small smile.

"Call me and let me know how he's doing?" Chloe asked.

"You got it," I said, then rose, eager to get some time alone with my son.

# Chapter Thirty-Six ~ Zoey

The pounding on the door echoed the pounding in my head as I struggled to sit up and come fully awake. Pulling the sash tightly around my waist, I rose from my bed and hobbled to the door, wondering nervously if Gabe had ignored my wishes and came back.

I could see the silhouette of my sister through the pane of glass in my front door. There was a moment where I thought of easing back from the door and pretending I was gone, even though my car was sitting right in the driveway, but I told myself I wasn't a coward and opened the door.

Chloe's face was ravaged with tears and her hair was coming out of her ponytail, looking as if she'd rubbed a balloon on her head to make static electricity.

I'd never seen my sister look so disheveled.

My concern outweighed my anger, so I took her hand and drew her inside.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I shut the door behind her and ushered her to the couch.

"He hh–hh – _hhates_ me," she sobbed, falling into my arms.

"Shhhh," I murmured, caressing her back as she trembled in my arms. "Just give him time. He'll come around."

I held her until her breathing evened out and she pulled back, embarrassment flooding her face as she wiped at her cheeks with the heel of her palms.

"Sorry," she began.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I replied, rising to grab the box of tissues off of my desk and handing it to her.

"Yes, I do," Chloe replied, her eyes watching me warily. "For so many things... Crying on your shoulder being the least of them."

"Chlo..."

"No, please Zoey, let me talk."

At my nod she continued, "I'm so sorry for the mess I've made of everything. For the lies, the _years_ of lies. For not coming clean about why I backed out of going to the camp... and not saying anything when I heard the excitement in your voice when you talked about Gabriel Lewis. I was selfish, and afraid, and I wish I could take it all back."

"I know you do," I replied, placing my hand over hers.

"What are you going to do? About Gabriel?"

"I don't know, Chloe, I really don't. I like him, could even _love_ him, but I just don't know if I'm strong enough to get past all of this,"

"You are, Zoey, I know you are. I've never seen you like this over a man before. I'd hate for you to throw away a chance at happiness."

My eyes filled and I decided to be completely honest with her. It was the only way we could move forward.

"I hate knowing that he's had sex with you."

Chloe flinched as if I slapped her, but squeezed my hand and said, "Zoey, it meant nothing."

"It does though, Chloe. It means something to me. You've been intimate, even if it was only once, and you had a son together. That's not nothing."

"No, you're right... But we never had feelings for each other. Not the way you guys do."

I took a deep breath and asked the question I was terrified to ask.

"Will you tell me what happened?"

Chloe shook her head and said, "No, Zoey. Don't do that to yourself. All you need to know was that I was out with my friends, I'd been drinking, and I decided to do something totally out of character. I never regretted it, especially not after I got Christopher out of it, but I've always thought of it as like a dream. Something that happened, but in an alternate reality. I never loved him. I never wanted a relationship with him. And he never wanted that with me."

"I don't know if that's enough," I admitted softly, tears streaming down my face. "But, _God, Chloe_ , I like him so much..."

This time, my sister held me as I wept. When I was finally tapped out, I leaned back to look at her and said with a wry laugh, "We're quite the pair, aren't we?"

She hugged me and said, "I love you, Zoey."

"I love you too."

Chloe's phone dinged, so she pulled it out of her purse and checked the message.

"Gabriel says that Chris is fine. They're about to go to the pool, then have dinner. He asked if he could keep Chris overnight, then take him to school in the morning."

"Are you going to let him?"

Chloe's eyes held a tinge of sadness, but her lips turned up as she said, "Chris was upset with me, but you should have seen his face when he first saw Gabriel. This is going to be good for him... I'm going to say yes. It's what's best for Christopher."

After she responded, she put her phone away and asked, "Can I stay here with you tonight? I don't want to be alone."

"Of course," I replied, thinking it would probably be good for both of us to have each other tonight. "We can order pizza, watch a movie... whatever you want."

"That sounds perfect," Chloe said with the first genuine smile I'd seen since all of this had happened.

As we scarfed down pepperoni pizza with black olives and watched _How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days_ , one of our go-to movies, I thought about what I was going to say to Gabe when he came over the next day.

I needed to be strong and keep my pants on this time; jumping him before he had a chance to even make it in the house wasn't going to help us work through our issues. Forgiving my sister wasn't easy, but we were family... With Gabe, it wasn't as easy as forgiveness; he hadn't done anything wrong. In fact, it wasn't really about him, it was about me... and I wasn't sure if I had it in me to ignore the fact that he had been intimate with my sister. Especially when I'd have a constant reminder of that fact.

Did that make me a terrible person? Maybe.

But I couldn't help the way I felt...

# Chapter Thirty-Seven ~ Gabe

I'd just had the most incredible night of my life, and when I eased out of the carpool lane at Christopher's school, I did it with a huge grin on my face.

We'd gone swimming at the hotel pool, went to Five Guys for burgers and fries, then stayed up and watched Thursday night football on TV. And through it all, we talked. We talked about what my childhood was like, what his was like, about playing football in college, then the NFL. He told me about his breakup with Grace, the long distance was too much for them, and I talked about how Reardon had always been my best friend.

We didn't share everything, and didn't delve into some of the really heavy stuff, but it was a wonderful beginning, and I was so proud of the young man he was.

Chloe had really done an amazing job raising him, and based off of what Chris had told me, Zoey played a big part in it as well.

I'd tried to push thoughts of Zoey and the issues we were having to the back of my mind, wanting to really focus on getting to know Chris better, but when I'd laid down at night, I could no longer deny my fears.

Her reaction, and apparent inability to talk things through, scared me. Yes, this was a strange and hurtful situation, but if she was ready to bolt at the first sign of conflict, how could we have a lasting relationship?

I went back to my hotel room, phoned Reardon and my agent, then started looking online for local realtors. I liked the area Chloe lived in, but a house like Zoey's was more my style. Something with a little land, and a lot of room for Chris and his friends to hang out.

I'd always known that I wanted children, and figured once I found the right woman and settled down, I'd be ready to start a family. I never imagined that I'd find out I already had a kid, let alone who was twelve, but now that I had him, I wished I hadn't waited so long. Or, more accurately, that I'd been there with him since the day he was born.

I guess you didn't know what you were missing until you had a taste of it.

Once I figured I'd wasted enough time, and Zoey should be up and about, and focused on her day, I got back in my car and made my way out to her place.

After knocking, I turned to get a better look at her property. A nice sitting area with a fire pit off to one side, a basketball hoop, and a grouping of trees along the back.

"Hey," Zoey said softly, startling me out of my musing.

"Hi," I replied, my eyes sweeping over her. She looked as beautiful as ever, and I struggled against the need to pull her into my arms. I felt disappointed that things weren't as easy and carefree as they had been back at camp, but was determined that they would be one day soon. "You look great."

"Thanks. Do you want to come in?"

"Yeah."

_Well, don't we sound just like two polite strangers?_ I thought as I walked in, choosing to go take a seat at her breakfast nook instead of on the couch where we'd had sex yesterday.

"Can I get you a something to drink?"

"No, I'm good."

When she went and started to make herself coffee, I felt the residual anger from yesterday seeping back in. It didn't seem like anything had changed overnight. Zoey was still trying to avoid me, even though we were in the same damn room.

"Can you sit?" I asked through clenched teeth.

Zoey's eyes widened at my request, but she left the empty coffee cup on the counter and came to sit next to me.

After a few moments of silence she said, "So, um, Chloe said Christopher stayed with you last night. How did all of that go?"

"It went really great. We talked a lot and had fun hanging out," I said, then I pushed a little and added, "I wished you were there."

Zoey shook her head.

"No, it really isn't my place. You two should get to know each other without his aunt standing in the way."

"I didn't mean I wanted you there as his aunt. I wanted you there as my girlfriend."

Her mouth got tight and she spat, "But that's just it, Gabe, _I am his aunt_ , and now you're his father. It's more complicated than introducing your son to your girlfriend."

"So you don't mind that I'm a father, but you do mind that I'm your nephew's father... Is that what this is all about? Holding me at arms' length because of your sister?" I asked, needing to know the root of the problem holding her back if I had any hope of salvaging what we had.

"Is that not a good enough reason?"

I sighed, frustrated but trying hard not to be.

"Yes, it's a good enough reason... Any reason you have is _good enough_ , but if you won't talk it out with me, how can we fix it?"

"I don't know if we can..."

"Zoey, I told you before, what happened with Chloe was nothing more than two people getting off. I hate to sound crass, and I'm not trying to bad mouth your sister, but that's the God's honest truth."

"I know, you've both said that, and I believe you... But I still _hate_ it. I hate that you kissed her, touched her, had _sex_ with her... I hate that the guy I'm falling in love with was with my sister _first."_

_"Zoey..."_

"No, you want to know what kind of twisted shit is going on in my head, I'll tell you. It may not be rational, and some of my feelings may be presumptuous, but they're _my feelings_ , and they're driving me crazy."

"Okay."

"You're my nephew's father. If we got married, I'd be his aunt _and_ his stepmother. If we had more kids, Chris would be their half-brother _and_ their cousin."

"Those are just titles. Who cares?" I asked, barely containing my anger.

"Maybe I care."

"Maybe you're just latching on to this and not letting go because you _want_ an excuse to end things. Maybe it was fine and good when we were at camp and things were easy, but now that things are serious, and we're facing something we never imagined we would, you've decided it's too hard and I'm not worth the effort."

"Is that what you think of me?" she asked, standing quickly and actually having the audacity to look offended.

"That's what you're showing me here, Zoey. What am I supposed to think?"

I followed suit, standing abruptly and sending the chair flying a few feet behind me.

Zoey's chest was heaving as she looked at me with hurt and confusion.

"I don't know."

"Well, here's what I know..." I took a folded piece of paper out of my wallet and threw it on the table. "Chris and I are leaving tomorrow for Cherry Springs. I've already told Chloe I want her to come with us, to ease her mind about Chris meeting my family for the first time. I wasn't sure what your plans are, since you've been less than happy to see me since I arrived, but I went out on a limb and bought you a ticket anyway. You and Chloe are scheduled for the same flight on Saturday."

Zoey looked down at the paper like it was a snake before shifting her eyes back up to mine.

"I want you, I think I've proven that. I came here for you, just like I said I would, and I want to bring you home, just like we discussed. But, Zoey, now it's up to you. I'll make it easy on you. Are you willing to work on your issues and give us a chance? Can you let go of your hang-ups about being Chris's aunt and my girlfriend? If you're ready to show up and meet my family as _my woman_ , then get on that plane. If you don't show up, I'll have my answer."

I wanted to pull her to me one last time, but wasn't sure she'd be receptive to the gesture. So, with my heart aching, I left, and prayed all the way back to the hotel that she'd bought my bluff.

# Chapter Thirty-Eight ~ Zoey

I was sitting in front of my computer, the cursor flashing over the blank page in the Word document. I'm not sure how long I'd been sitting there, hours at least, but the words weren't coming out.

I looked up at the clock, aware of the looming deadline and the fact that not only had I not packed anything, but I hadn't showered or gotten dressed.

Did this mean I wasn't going?

I didn't like ultimatums, and Gabe had definitely given me one. Was I going to let this opportunity pass me by and sit here in my pajamas feeling sorry for myself, rather than getting on that plane and fighting for what I wanted?

Pounding on the door caused me to jump.

" _What the...""_ I muttered as I pushed back and rose to go answer it.

I swung the door open to see Chloe, perfect from head to toe in her version of casual wear, pressed slacks and a flowing blouse, her hair down and straightened so it was flat, smooth, and shiny.

She walked in, her hands fluttering around her in a nervous gesture.

"Reardon called me this morning," she began, pacing rather than taking a seat.

"What about?"

"To get my account numbers... Gabriel's paying me back child support."

Warmth flooded my belly.

"That's wonderful."

"It's a lot. I mean, _a lot_ , a lot. He wanted to know everything, hospital bills, insurance, all of it. They're depositing the money today, and I'll start receiving current child support payments every two weeks."

I reached a hand out, grasping her arm to keep her still for a moment, and assured her, "Chloe, that's _great_!"

"He's already put money aside for Chris to go to college."

She was overwhelmed, and I swear there was relief underneath, I just needed to help her find it.

"Honey, you and Chris deserve this. You've worked so hard and accomplished so much on your own. All of those nights and weekends on your feet waitressing, taking the good shifts so you could earn more tips, putting yourself through college so you could move up to management and make more. Then finally opening your own business so you were finally able to work from home and be there when Chris came home from school, then take him to practices. You're an amazing mother, and I'm so happy that Gabe is going to help ease some of the financial burden for you."

"Some? He's relieving all of it."

"Chloe, that's a good thing."

"It's too much, Zoey. I don't want him to think I'm after his money."

I chuckled and pulled my sister to me, hugging her hard before pulling back to look at her worried face.

"Gabe knows that... and, Chloe, I'm sure Reardon went over everything and is giving you the standard percentage of Gabe's earnings. He's a wealthy man, and he wants to provide for his son. Just think of all the things you can do with it, other than paying off debt. You can finally buy a house, like you've always wanted. You can go back to school and get your MBA."

"No, Zoey, this money isn't for me..."

I stopped myself seconds before pulling her hair, the need to knock some sense in her great.

"Chlo," I said with a low growl. "You scraped and saved to put yourself through school while you provided for your son. Your first priority has always been Chris, as it should be, now you have someone to help and take the pressure off of you. You could have denied Chris so much growing up, in order to save money for yourself, but you didn't. Look at this money as a repayment for everything you and Chris couldn't afford, if you need to, but I think you should use it for school and a house if that's what you want. Those are both things that directly correlate with Chris's livelihood."

I looked up at the clock and said, "Oh, crap! It's almost time to go, let me grab my things."

"You're coming?"

I thought of what she just told me about Gabe, and pictures flashed through my mind.

Meeting him and Reardon in the woods that day, Gabe so tall and handsome as he smiled down at me with those fantastic lips.

The two of us paddle boating after our unbelievably hot kiss in the water.

The picnic at the waterfall.

Watching him play football shirtless, and the two of us losing control in his cabin afterwards.

His smile.

His laugh.

That body.

_Hell yes, I am going to Cherry Springs!_

I shot her a grin and sprinted to my room, grabbing my carry-on bag out of the back of my closet and throwing stuff in there. It was September, so I grabbed shorts, jeans, a light sweater, and my bathing suit... You never knew what could happen. I was shoving toiletries into a bag when I looked in the mirror and squeaked.

_God, when was the last time I showered?_

"Time?" I shouted.

"We have to leave in ten minutes," Chloe yelled back.

I jumped in the shower and shaved everything that needed shaving while the conditioner worked its magic, then rinsed and hopped out, toweling off as I rushed into my room and grabbed clothes out of my drawers. I threw a rubber band on my wrist to put my hair up on the drive, then rolled my suitcase out.

"Ready."

"Hair and makeup in the car?" Chloe asked, eyeing me warily.

She'd never go out looking the way I did, let alone to someplace as public as the airport.

"Yes, dear," I replied sarcastically, but couldn't pull it off, my face betraying my excitement.

"Then let's get on the road."

# Chapter Thirty-Nine ~ Gabe

"He's really a wonderful boy," my father said fondly as we watched Chris and Reardon shooting hoops in my parents' backyard. We'd arrived yesterday, and I'd opted to spend last night at their house, wanting to let them got to know Chris better. Tonight, I'd be taking him to mine. I figured I'd let him pick out a bedroom, then we could go to Best Buy and get him all set up with some video games or something.

So far, Chris was doing just great. Thriving even, with the outpouring of love and acceptance that my family was showering on him.

It was as if he'd always been a member of our family, and it made me feel a contentment that I'd never achieved before.

"Yeah, Chloe did a great job with him."

"I'm not going to lie, son, it's going to be strange having her here, knowing what she kept from all of us for the last twelve years... The opportunity to have that boy in our lives, but I've talked to your mother and she promised to be on her best behavior."

"Thanks, Dad," I replied with an easy smile. We had discussed Chloe and her decisions since I found out that Chris was my son and I'd broken the news to my parents.

At first they'd been furious, my mom wanting to hop on a plane and go give Chloe a piece of her mind, but after relaying the conversations I'd had with her, and her reasons for keeping quiet, they'd calmed down quite a bit.

Meeting Christopher though, and seeing what they'd missed out on in the flesh, had gotten my mother a little riled up again. But if anyone could calm her down and make her see reason, it was my father.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Dillon called as he walked out of the house, his cousin trailing behind him.

"Rena," my father called in greeting as he unfolded from his chair. "Come here, my talented girl."

Serena crossed and went immediately into my dad's open arms.

"Uncle Zeke, I've missed you," Serena said, offering me a smile. "Hey, Gabe."

"Hey, Rena," I replied, reaching out to tug on her long brown locks, causing her to stick her tongue out at me.

"Don't tease your cousin," my father warned me, for probably the billionth time in my life.

"She's not my only package," Dillon said, then pointed to the house. "I found them outside of the airport trying to find a cab."

I followed his finger to the big bay window where I could see Zoey, Chloe, and Jasmine inside talking with my mother.

My heart jump-started and the tension I hadn't realized I'd been holding inside unraveled at the sight of her.

Here. In my childhood home. Talking to my mother.

" _Shit_ , I'd better get in there." The fact that my mother was in there hit home. Jasmine wouldn't be any sort of buffer, if Annabeth Lewis thought her only son had been wronged.

I could hear my father and Dillon chuckling as I hurried into the house and Serena's call of, "Good luck."

Too happy, excited, and relieved when I saw her to do anything but hold her, I ignored everyone else in the family room and went to Zoey. Her eyes hit mine just as I reached her and gathered her against me. Zoey's arms came around my neck and her head hit my chest, then we just held on.

"You came," I muttered into her hair, my hands caressing her back.

Zoey leaned back and I looked down into her upturned face. There was a tightening in my chest that threatened to choke me as her hands came to rest on my cheeks and she righted my world. "I love you."

I could breathe again as happy laughter fled me and I lifted her to spin us around.

"I love you too!"

Then, oblivious to the fact that there were other people in the room, I crushed my mouth to hers and tried to convey every emotion that was warring inside of me to her.

The sound of someone clearing their throat had me lifting my head, and I turned Zoey with a huge grin and said, "Mom, this is Zoey. Zoey, this is my mother, Annabeth."

"It's lovely to meet you," Zoey said softly, her voice full of embarrassment.

I finally looked up from our moment to see my mother standing there, arms crossed, eyes on us. She didn't look as happy as I felt, and I thought, _Oh shit_.

" _Mom_ ," I began, but stopped when she gave me the look that had successfully shut me up since I was old enough to talk.

"Zoey," my mother said with a tilt of her head. "As my son's guests, you and your sister are welcome in my home...and I'll reserve judgment until I've gotten to know you both better. But I have to admit, the two of you coming into his life, even with the addition of my delightful grandson, has brought up some concerns that I'll need answered."

"Yes, ma'am," Zoey answered softly, her nerves causing her voice to shake.

I realized Chloe was standing there, regret and fear at my mother's words clear on her face. I placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Thanks for doing this, Chloe. It really means a lot. Christopher's doing great. He's outside playing basketball, if you want to go see him."

Chloe gave me a grateful smile, and Jasmine said, "I'll take her," then they both left the room.

"Mom, I need to steal Zoey away for a minute."

"Of course, Gabe, I'll just go get freshened up."

Taking Zoey's hand, I led her up the stairs and into the room I'd stayed in the night before, eager for a chance to get to speak with her alone before we got lost in the madness that was my family.

We both sat on the edge of the bed, facing each other, and I was happy to see that although my mom had obviously freaked her out a little bit, Zoey was more like the woman from camp than the one I saw in North Carolina.

"I'm sorry about my mom," I said, so happy that she'd decided we were worth fighting for, and hoping she wasn't ready to bolt at the first sign of adversity. "She's protective, but she'll come around, I swear."

Zoey nodded and attempted a smile, but didn't really pull it off.

Needing to know that she'd come here ready to talk things through, I asked, "Are you okay with Chloe being here? And Christopher?"

Zoey placed her hand on my knee and finally smiled.

"I've done a lot of thinking over the last few days. So much, in fact, that if I was never alone again with my thoughts, it would be too soon. I was driving myself crazy. All of the what ifs, and worrying what other people would think ... What the media will say when they get a hold of our story... But I realized, none of it matters. You matter and I matter. What we think, what we feel, that's all I need to focus on."

"It makes me so happy to hear you say that," I admitted, and it really did, but I needed to know it all. "Not to start anything, but I think we need to lay everything out now. I don't want issues to resurface later because we didn't discuss them."

Zoey nodded, so I continued, "The stuff with Chloe... I want to have a good relationship with her. I plan to communicate with her often, about visitation and vacations, everything to do with Chris. Are you going to be all right with that?"

"Yes."

"Stuff like this, holidays and stuff, I want to be able to invite her along. It's been just her and Christopher for so long, and I want him to be able to spend holidays with my family, but I don't want her to feel like I'm taking him away and leave her all alone...so I'll always give her the option to come along, for both of their sakes. Can you deal with that?"

"I think what I wasn't taking into consideration before is that she is _my sister_... not just the mother of your child. Any other relationship that I was in, if I fell in love and married someone else, I'd want him to include my sister and Chris in our family traditions... birthdays, holidays... and that's what you're doing."

Her words gave me hope, but I still had questions.

"And Christopher. The fact that he'd be your nephew/stepson... you said that was an issue for you."

"I would never not date a man because he had a son, and if it got serious, I'd need to build a relationship with him. The kid could be a delinquent, a brat, or just flat out hate me... the possible areas of conflict are too many to name, but with Chris... well, we already love each other. And I've had the privilege of knowing him since he was born, and we already have a wonderful relationship. I'll always be his Aunt Z, and that's perfect for me."

I brought my hands up to cup her face and asked one last time, "You're sure about all of this?"

"Absolutely," she said, her hands coming to hold my wrists. "I promise you, Gabe, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."

# Chapter Forty ~ Zoey

When Gabe asked if I wanted to get out and explore downtown Cherry Springs, I'd jumped at the chance. Not just because his mom had freaked me out, although she did, but because I wanted to see the place he'd been telling me about, the place where he'd grown up.

That's why we were walking hand in hand down Main Street, my head swiveling as I tried to take it all in.

Seriously quaint, the street was lined with colorful awnings and pretty, old-school signage. There was even a town square with a gazebo, and a small pond with benches looking over the water.

As I took it all in I squealed, "Oh! This looks just like the town in _Gilmore Girls_."

Gabe's head turned to me, confusion on his face.

"What?"

"You know," I urged with a hand squeeze. "Rory and Lorelei...single mom who works in an inn while raising her super-smart teenaged daughter."

"No," Gabe answered emphatically. "That sounds like something I would never want to watch."

I laughed at his dry tone.

"Well, the town they live in looks just like this one. And they have festivals for everything. Does Cherry Springs have festivals?"

Gabe's lips twitched and he replied, "I wouldn't say we have festivals for everything, but we do have parades and fairs to celebrate holidays. The Fourth of July, Halloween, Easter... you get the idea."

Excited at the prospect of going to a festival like that, something I'd never done, had me hopping next to him.

" _Oh_ , can we go to one?"

Gabe chuckled at my exuberance and said, "Yeah, babe, we can go to one."

"Awesome! Do they have barn dances?"

"What?"

"You know, a barn decorated with twinkling lights, bales of hay set up as seats, a bluegrass band playing... maybe a banjo?"

"Uh, no... No barn dances."

"Oh, that's kind of disappointing."

Gabe tugged lightly on my hand and we started walking again. He pointed out Reardon's office, the General Store, and his parents' bar.

"With the bar, the law office, and the sporting goods store, Cherry Springs has a lot of businesses with Lewis in the title."

"Yes."

"Do you guys, like, run the town?"

"What, like the mob?"

That made me giggle.

"No, I just mean, when people hear your name, they know who you guys are. You're kind of a big deal here."

Gabe shrugged, and I could tell I'd embarrassed him, so I couldn't help teasing him some more.

"Maybe they'll rename the town. You know, like Lewis Town, or Lewis Springs... oh, or, Cherry Lewis. You know, like Jerry Lewis, but with Cherry."

It started with a sharp belly laugh, then Gabe's face lit up and he started really letting go.

"You're nuts," he said between breaths, and I just smiled up at him, happy to have _this_ part of our relationship back.

But now it was even better.

"I love you," I said, stepping up to give him a kiss.

"Let's get a drink," he suggested against my lips.

"Okay," I said, and he led me into his family bar.

As my eyes tried to adjust to the low lights of the room, I looked around, instantly falling in love. Deep, rich wood surfaces, low music in the background, loud enough to hear it was classic rock, but soft enough so you could have a conversation with the people you were drinking with. The decorum was just how Gabe had described it, half biker bar, half sports bar, and a hundred percent welcoming.

My eyes caught his mother's behind the bar, and I watched as she took in our clasped hands, then the traces of laughter that were still on Gabe's face, and I _swore_ , I saw her soften toward me a little. She may not trust me yet, but it was obvious that she loved her son like crazy, so I had every confidence that she'd come around, just like Gabe said.

"I'm gonna go say hi to Dad in the back, you wanna come?"

"No, that's okay, I'll meet you at the bar," I said, indicating the empty stools next to Reardon.

"Grab me a beer?"

"You got it," I replied, then lifted my chin so he could kiss me.

He didn't disappoint, and when he walked away, he left me a little dazzled.

Once I had my wits about me, I bellied up to the bar and asked Reardon, "Did Chloe come?"

"No," he replied, turning his face toward mine. "I asked, but I could tell she was feeling out of place. She stayed back with Chris."

"That's too bad, but I know she's been anxious about getting some time with him. Things are still a little strained between them."

"He's a good kid, just needs time."

"Yeah, he is... and I feel bad for her, even though I understand where Chris is coming from. We were all pretty mad at her."

"What about your folks?" This was asked by Annabeth as she sauntered over to us.

"My folks?"

"Yeah, did she keep the fact that Gabe was Chris's father from them too?"

I swallowed, knowing that Annabeth deserved answers to her questions, but feeling guilty for talking about my sister behind her back.

"She didn't tell any of us."

"How do they feel about that?"

"Well, Mrs. Lewis, my parents aren't like you and your husband. They're a little more... distant. They are more concerned about each other than anything Chloe and I do. When she told them, they didn't have much of a reaction. Unfortunately, it doesn't really make a difference to them, since it doesn't affect them."

"Seriously?" Annabeth asked, her face full of shock, and I felt the need to defend my parents.

"It's not that they don't love us... and Christopher... they're just a little careless, that's all."

"Careless? I can't imagine not worrying about my child and wondering why they felt the need to keep such a thing a secret."

"Well, Mrs. Lewis..."

"Annabeth."

"Annabeth," I amended. "Not to be rude, but I think your questions involving Chloe, Chris, and Gabe, should be answered by them. I'm not really comfortable speaking for my sister. And since I found out the same time Gabe did, I don't know much more than him, but I do know my sister. And I can promise you, Annabeth, that everything she's done in her life has been for her son. I know she feels bad for keeping her secret, but I'm certain she did what she felt was right at the time."

Annabeth gave me a small smile and placed her hand over mine at the bar.

"I can appreciate that, honey. Now what can I get for you?"

"Can I have a red wine? Oh, and Gabe wants a beer, but he didn't say what kind."

"I know what he likes."

"Of course."

When she went off to get our drinks, I turned to Reardon and said, "She can be pretty intimidating."

"You have no idea," he replied wryly, then added, "But you did right, standing up for your sister. There's nothing as important to Aunt Annabeth as family, and she'll respect that you want to protect yours."

I turned my attention fully to Reardon, taking in his well-styled blond hair and strong face.

"How come you're not in a relationship, Reardon? A tall, strong Viking like yourself, you must be beating off the ladies."

Reardon let out a sharp laugh and asked, "Viking?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought when I first met you. I thought you looked like a Viking and Gabe looked like Superman. It was like winning the hot guy lottery."

He fully laughed at that, and when Annabeth set down my wine, I said "Thanks," then took a sip.

"I'm no Viking. Vikings are ruthless, dangerous criminals. I'm just a nice guy lawyer living in a small town. I've had girlfriends, but ultimately, either they don't want to settle in Cherry Springs and live the small-town life, they run when they find out I'm a lawyer, or I get the 'you're a nice guy, but...' talk."

"Really? I can't believe that. A hot lawyer who's a _nice guy_? You don't find those everywhere. You just haven't met the right girl yet."

"Maybe I need to get a motorcycle?" he said thoughtfully, causing me to laugh.

"Did you just say my cousin's a hot lawyer?" Gabe asked, his arms coming around me.

"Yeah, bro, looks like she finally realized she picked the wrong guy," Reardon said jokingly.

"In your dreams," Gabe responded, then reached over me to pick up his beer.

"You're not lying," Reardon responded softly.

"She's out there," I said confidently. "You just haven't met her yet."

"I thought I had," he replied, looking off into the distance, caught in a memory. "Turned out I was wrong."

# Chapter Forty-One ~ Gabe

I thought having Zoey in my town, meeting my parents and seeing where I grew up, was going to be the pinnacle of this visit home for me. I was wrong. It was having Zoey in my house.

After having a drink at the bar, we'd left Reardon there to nurse his beer, then went back to my parents to pick up Chloe and Chris and bring them back to my house, where we'd be staying for the rest of the trip.

Chris had gone up to his room to break in the new Xbox One and face time his friends, and Chloe had disappeared into the guest room to lay down, the excitement of the day so far obviously weighing on her.

That left me and Zoey to fend for ourselves, which I had to admit, didn't bother me in the slightest.

I was showing her around my four-bedroom, ranch-style home on five acres. It was a lot of house for one man, but when I'd found it for sale I'd snatched it up and had it renovated. My family used it for parties and such, and I loved knowing it was there and ready for me to start a family.

Now, having them all here with me, I knew what that looked like, and I _really_ liked it.

"This is _gorgeous_ ," Zoey was saying as she looked out into the expanse of my yard. "Is that a barn out there?"

"It is," I replied, looking out at the classically red structure that sat about a half mile away from the house. "It's empty, except for the riding lawnmower and a tractor that the previous owners left behind. I'm not here enough to have animals or anything yet, maybe if I move here permanently someday."

"So you have a barn, that's practically empty?" she remarked, causing me to look at her curiously, then her question from earlier came to me.

"You want to have a barn dance," I said as more of a statement than a question.

I ran my hand down her long hair, which was free and hanging down past her shoulders, realizing I'd give her anything, even if it was a damn barn dance.

"I really do," she replied wistfully, swinging away from the railing to launch herself into my arms.

"I'll let you in on a little secret."

"What's that?"

"You plan your dance for Halloween, and ask my mom to help, throw in a hayride or some shit, you'll have her eating out of the palm of your hands."

Zoey pulled back, her wide eyes on me.

"Really?"

"Hell yeah," I replied, leaning down to drop a kiss on the tip of her pretty little nose. "If there's one thing Annabeth Lewis loves, it's a party."

" _Awesome_."

I ran my nose along the length of hers and whispered softly, "I'm happy you're here."

"Me too."

"And I'm sorry my mom's being a little difficult, but you give her some time, just be you, and let her help you plan the town's first-ever barn dance, and I promise, she'll love you as much as I do."

"Okay."

"Now, what do you say I grab you a glass of wine, I get a beer, and we sit over on that porch swing a while."

"That sounds perfect."

We sat out on the swing, talking about our plans for the immediate future. I had my son up in his room happily playing video games, and the woman I loved curled up next to me on my porch, and I knew without a doubt I was the luckiest man in the world.

# Epilogue

"Does this stay or go?" Chloe asked, pointing to my cardboard cutout of R2D2.

"Um, stay, but I'll move it to my office," I replied, then went back to packing up my books.

It had been five months since I made the decision to get on that plane and go to Gabe, and our lives had been moving at warp speed since.

We'd split a lot of time between North Carolina and Cherry Springs, going there for all of the holidays, and taking Chloe and Chris along with us. Rather than rent a house here, I'd told Gabe he should just move in with me, which he had... happily. We'd finished off a bonus room over my garage and turned it into my office and were busy moving everything up there to give us more space in the main part of the house. He hadn't moved a bunch of stuff in, but keeping my office downstairs didn't work, especially since I needed silence to write, and he always had some sort of sport playing on the television.

It was weird, living with another person and sharing space, but I found that even the annoying things he did didn't outweigh the fact that I was the happiest I'd ever been.

My Young Adult series was complete and I'd finished the press tour before Thanksgiving, and my time travel book had been sold to a new publishing house, which made me excited, but terribly nervous. Now I was beginning a new series. It was about a zombie apocalypse, set in the nineteen seventies, and took place in Cherry Springs.

The town inspired me. The small-town feel, the way everyone knew each other and looked out for one another. So that got me thinking, what if one of their local sweethearts, a real "girl next door" type, contracted a disease on spring break on a remote island, and became a zombie. How would the town react? Would they hide her secret from the world, protect her? Or would they turn against her, kill her, and try to keep it a secret?

I didn't have all the details worked out yet, but Gabe and I were moving to his place in Cherry Springs for a few months to help me get in the right headspace.

We were already planning to bring Chris out for his spring break, Easter, and Memorial Day, then for the summer, but I knew both he and Gabe were going to miss each other fiercely. They'd grown incredibly close over the last few months.

"Have you thought any more about moving with us to Cherry Springs?" I asked Chloe, nervous about bringing it up again. I didn't want her to feel pressured, but I really wanted her to come. "You can go back to school, and I know Chris wouldn't mind..."

"I'm still thinking about it, okay?" Chloe asked, giving me a look. One that screamed, _stop asking that question._

"Okay," I replied softly, then added, "I think Reardon would be happy if you moved there."

Chloe looked up at me, her face full of confusion.

"Why? Reardon doesn't even like me."

Boy, my sister sure could blind.

"Uh, _yeah_ , he does... I think he likes you a lot, and not in the friendly sort of way."

"Shut up! You're delusional, Zoey. You've got stars in your eyes, and you're seeing things that aren't there."

"If you say so," I muttered, thinking I shouldn't push my luck when she was already annoyed with me. And maybe I did want everyone to find love because I had, but I'd seen the way Reardon looked at her when he thought no one was watching.

"Hey, babe, you ready?" Gabe called as he walked in the front door, then said, "Hi, Chloe."

"Hey, Gabe."

"Honey, I don't know if now's the best time," I started, looking at the boxes scattered throughout my living room.

"You need to eat," Gabe argued. "So I'm going to feed you. C'mon, we'll be back in less than an hour."

"I don't want to leave Chloe..."

" _Go_ ," Chloe urged.

"Okay," I said, throwing up my hands, even though it made me twitchy to leave things half done.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked for the third time since we left the house.

Gabe just smirked and didn't answer. Just like he had every other time I'd asked.

I folded my hands with a huff and bounced back in my seat, staring out the window as we passed a sign stating Moore Cove Falls was at the next turn. I watched as Gabe swung the car that way, then pulled to a stop and parked. He got out, popped the trunk, and pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket.

"We're having a picnic?" I asked, my little tantrum over as I realized how sweet my man was. _Again_.

"Yes, my little impatient love," Gabe said with a smile, then offered me his arm.

It wasn't a hard hike, but it was a beautiful one.

When we got to the base of the waterfall, Gabe spread the blanket out on a beautiful large rock and placed the picnic basket on top, then took my hand, and walked us over to the falls.

"It's gorgeous," I said, staring at the clear water cascading down the jagged stone surface.

"It's not _our_ waterfall, but I still hoped it would be the perfect spot," he said, and when I shifted to ask him _perfect for what_ , I saw him lowering to his knees.

My right hand came to my mouth, trembling as I looked down at my handsome man.

He gripped my left hand, his hands shaking slightly as he looked up at me, his eyes full of love, hope, and promise.

"Zoey," he began, and I whimpered behind my palm. "I've never met a woman like you before in my life. Funny, gorgeous, smart, and sexy as hell. I love the way you're always watching, taking things in, and storing them away in that brilliant mind of yours. I love your addiction to Red Vines, and the relationship you share with my son. Your open heart, generosity, and belief in me is unwavering, and I want to spend the rest of my life proving to you that mine is the same. Be with me... No matter where our lives take us next, or what happens, I know that I can deal with it, if you're by my side. Please, Zoey Zahn, say you'll make my dreams a reality, and become my wife."

Gabe pulled a small blue box out of his jacket pocket and opened it, revealing a gorgeous heart-shaped diamond ring, with more diamonds lining the band.

I stood there for a few seconds, staring at the ring and trying to memorize everything he said word for word so I could transcribe it later and keep it with me forever, then I shouted, "Yes, Gabriel Lewis, nothing would make me happier."

He slid the ring on my finger, then jumped up with a _Whoop_! and lifted me, swinging me in a circle as we both laughed happily.

As I leaned down and captured his laughter with my lips, I thought about how perfect this moment was, a beautiful story that we could share forever, and decided that this was enough happiness to fill up this moment in our life.

I'd wait until we were settled in our home in Cherry Springs to tell him I was pregnant.

* * *

THE END

# Sneak Peek of Too Complicated, book 2 in The Lewis Cousins Series

**Chapter One ~ Reardon**

* * *

I sighed as I watched the family of ducks waddle into the pond from my seat on the wooden bench at Cherry Springs Pond. I often crossed the street from my Law Office in the afternoon to eat lunch and enjoy some fresh air. It was good for me to get out from behind my desk, and look at something other than paperwork and my computer.

Usually, it had a calming effect and helped relieve any stress I may be feeling from work, but today, my shitty mood had nothing to do with work.

It was one hundred percent due to Chloe Zahn.

Gorgeous, smart, independent, _complicated_ , Chloe Zahn.

I'd first seen Chloe the night she hooked up with my cousin, Gabe, at his first Super Bowl Party about fourteen years ago. Neither of us saw her again until last summer, when she came to Gabe's summer camp to tell him that the boy who'd just spent a week at his camp, was actually his son.

If that wasn't shocking enough, Gabe had, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending how you looked at it, fallen for her sister Zoey, and Chloe's declaration caused a whole lot of confusion and turmoil.

Luckily, things had worked out between Gabe, Zoey, Chris, and Chloe, and now they were one big, but weird, happy family.

Things got even more complicated when they all decided to make Cherry Spring's their home, Chloe included, and were moving quickly, so everyone would be settled and have plenty of time to plan Gabe and Zoey's wedding, which was coming up in four short weeks.

Why was I in a bad mood over Chloe moving to town, when everything was obviously going well with the soon to be blended family? Because I'd wanted Chloe since the second I saw her across that smoky bar when I was a young, dorky law student, and she'd walked straight into the arms of my cousin.

In my mind, she'd always been the one who got away.

Little did I know, all the years I'd been remembering her and wondering what could have been, she was raising her and Gabe's son alone, never thinking twice about me. I wasn't even a blip on her radar.

Tossing the last of my corned beef on rye to the ducks, I stood tall and stretched, then turned to head back to my office, yelling hello to familiar faces along the way.

Cherry Springs was the kind of place where everyone knew not only your name, but who you had a crush on in elementary school, and how you got that cut on your upper lip. (Bike accident.)

I loved everything about it.

"How's your momma, Reardon?"

I paused outside the door to my office, and turned to see old Mrs. Dingle coming toward me from the coffee shop on the corner.

"She's doing really good, Mrs. Dingle, all ready for the Easter Parade," I replied with an easy smile. One of the great aspects of living here was the people, and as the only lawyer in town, I always thought it was part of my job to take the time to stay on friendly terms with everyone.

It had driven my ex, Becca nuts, the way people were always stopping us to talk, expecting us to spend time catching up, when all she was worried about was getting back to the city and hitting up the hottest new restaurants and clubs. I must have been crazy to think she'd ever want to get married and settle down here, but I'd definitely considered asking her.

Thank God I came to my senses before I did.

"Wonderful," the much smaller woman replied. At six foot six inches, I was used to towering over everyone, but Mrs. Dingle was probably a flat five foot. "I know Annabeth is over the moon about young Christopher, and now Zoey is pregnant, too, I'm sure your momma would like a grandbaby someday soon, what are you waiting for, son? A big strapping boy like you shouldn't have a hard time finding a woman to settle down with."

I felt my face redden, but this was a conversation I was used to having. Even more so now that Gabe had given his parents not one, but two grandbabies to fawn over. It was making the other Lewis matrons antsy.

"I'm doing my best, ma'am."

"Well, don't dawdle," she said, then her face turned sly when she added, "Hmmm, she's a nice prospect."

I turned to see who Mrs. Dingle was looking at, then froze when I saw Chloe walking down the sidewalk, her gaze on the gazebo across the street.

Right before she could walk in to me, I cleared my throat, and she stopped, startled.

When Chloe recognized that it was me, she gave an unsure smile and said, "Oh, uh, hello, Reardon."

"Chloe," I replied with a stiff nod, cursing myself silently. I was always such a moron around her. First, I'd been resentful of the fact that she'd picked Gabe, then wary when she showed up with a teenaged son, saying it was his. The lawyer in me had taken over, and I'd come off pretty harsh until we knew she was telling the truth. I knew she thought I didn't trust her, didn't like her, and I'd done nothing to dissuade her from believing that. It was better than her knowing the way I really felt.

After an awkward pause, during which I noticed that her long dark hair was hanging straight and shiny down her back, and her large brown, doe eyes were watching me warily, her smile dropped and she said, "I'm just looking around, acquainting myself with my new home... I'm sure you have to get back to work, uh, see you tonight."

"Tonight?" I asked dumbly, apparently being in her presence made me a total idiot.

"Dinner at Zoey and Gabe's?" she said slowly, and I remembered that they'd invited me over to help welcome Chloe to town, permanently. I knew Dillon and Jasmine were going, but I'd been planning on begging off for work, but now, if I didn't show after talking with Chloe about it, she'd think I was avoiding her.

Which had definitely been my plan.

"Oh, yeah, right, see you there," I replied, then turned before I stuttered around any more and let myself into my office.

I was a funny, confident, successful man. I'd dated a number of women, and could even be considered a catch, why then, did I always turn into my geeky high school alter ego whenever I was around Chloe?

I'd dated beautiful women before, what made her different?

I needed a distraction, something to get me through the night without making a complete ass of myself.

_She's just a girl... right?_

Pulling my phone from my inside pocket, I scrolled down until I found the name I wanted and pressed send.

"Shauna, hey, how's it going?" I asked, when the whisper soft voice answered. "Great, yeah, me too. Hey, I was wondering... I know it's last minute, but are you busy tonight? Care to join me at a family dinner? Six o'clock? Perfect, see you then."

Sexy, single, and always ready for a good time, Shauna was just who I needed to help get my mind off of the fact that Chloe, the one woman I wanted, but could never have, was in my life to stay.

* * *

Now Available - Too Complicated

# Chapter One of Imperfect Harmony (House of Archer, #1) by Raine Thomas

Archer wanted blood. Hot temper burned in his chest as he stormed down the tunnels of the venue where he and the rest of Suddenly Something had just wrapped up another concert.

He'd absolutely had it.

Catching up with the band's lead singer, Brandon Evans, Archer grabbed his shoulder, spun him around, and got right in his face. "I'm so sick of your shit, Brandon!" When Brandon snorted and tried to shrug him off, Archer tightened his hold. "No way. You're not walking away this time, you prick."

"Archer, now isn't the time for this," came a female voice from behind them.

Archer whipped his head around to pin Regina Greene, Suddenly Something's manager, with a dangerous glare. "It's never the right time, Regina. Back the hell off."

Brandon smirked and nodded dismissively at Regina. She gave them each warning looks before clipping away on her ice pick heels in the direction of the security guards manning the end of the long tunnel. Archer figured she was telling the guards to keep anyone from entering the tunnel while his "conversation" with Brandon took place. God forbid word got out to the public about the band members arguing.

"What are you whining about now, Archie?" Brandon asked in a bored voice, leaning negligently against the tunnel wall.

Archer's already seething temper threatened to ignite over Brandon's use of the hated nickname. "You know why I'm pissed, Brandon. You stepped all over my vocals tonight. You've been doing it more and more and I'm sick of it."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "Who the hell cares? No one comes to hear you sing. You're the backup __ vocalist, Archie. I'm the lead singer. It's time you got that through your huge head."

" _My_ huge head?" Archer echoed. "You're the one who seems to think this group revolves around you."

"That's because it does," Brandon retorted. "I'm the face of Suddenly Something. You're nothing."

The barbed comment hit a bull's eye, but Archer wasn't about to let Brandon know it. "That's bullshit. I've played a big part in our success. Hell, I'm more talented than you and you know it. That's why you keep trying to step over me."

Brandon's blue eyes frosted. His nostrils flared. Archer knew how to get his digs in just as well as Brandon did.

"You're joking, right?" Brandon said, pushing away from the wall. "You seriously think you're more talented than I am?"

"Damn right."

"Then why don't you go out on your own and prove it?"

Anxiety crept along Archer's spine. "Don't tempt me."

Brandon laughed, loudly and heartily. The harsh sound resonated off the tunnel walls, slapping against Archer's pride. His hands curled into fists.

Making an exaggerated show of wiping his eyes, Brandon said, "Archie, you're a talentless, dickless, completely expendable son of a bitch. We've had backup singers and guitarists before you and we'll have others when we finally get rid of you. I dare you to break your contract and try to hack it on your own. Hell, I'll even convince the rest of the band to sign off on your departure so you don't get penalized with breach of contract. That's how sure I am that you mean nothing to us."

Archer refused to show any of the concern he felt over Brandon's conviction. "Fine. Maybe I will."

"Yeah," Brandon said, shaking his head and laughing again. "Good luck with that. I'm sure it'll go _so_ much better than the last time you cut a solo album."

Still chuckling, Brandon turned and headed towards the band's green room, touching two fingers to his forehead and lifting them in a mocking farewell salute. Regina looked up from her phone as Brandon neared her at the end of the tunnel. She glanced from him to Archer. After a brief pause, she followed Brandon around the corner and out of sight.

Guess it was clear where her loyalty stood.

When he was alone, Archer opened and closed his fists as the argument with Brandon ran through his mind. His anger warred against a heavy onslaught of uncertainty. Why had he gone and mouthed off like that? He'd known it would never go his way. Now he had all but gotten himself kicked out of a band that was making its way up the charts.

Unvented frustration stormed through him. With no one there to shout at, he turned and gave a nearby metal door a swift kick.

"Hey!" yelled a feminine voice from the other side of the door.

"What the hell?" Archer eyed the door. "Who's in there?"

"My name's Lily Montgomery. I'm locked in here. Can you open the door?"

He grabbed the door's handle and attempted to turn it. "No. The lock looks messed up. I think someone tried to use something other than a key to open it."

"Oh, great. Maybe that's why the door was propped open earlier."

Archer looked in the direction of the green room. Although it grated, he needed to go back and make amends with Brandon. Who had he been trying to kid with all of that talk about going out on his own?

"I'll send someone to get you out of there," he said absently, turning to head down the tunnel.

"No!" the voice—Lily, he recalled—exclaimed. "Please don't leave me. It's dark and cramped in here and I've been trapped for hours."

"I can't get the door open unless I go get someone."

"Do you have a phone?"

"Who the hell am I supposed to call?"

"My Uncle Ray. He's a security guard here."

Sighing, Archer pulled out his phone. "Fine. What's his number?"

She rattled off the digits. He entered the number and listened as it rolled to voicemail. Sensing that the trapped Lily wouldn't be happy with that outcome, he disconnected the call and issued a sharp whistle to catch the attention of the security guards at the end of the tunnel. When they glanced at him, he waved one of them over.

"What's wrong?" the guard asked as he approached.

"There's someone locked in here," Archer told him. "Do you have a key?"

The guard's brow furrowed. "No, but I'll find out who does."

"Thanks." As the guard headed back to his companion at a jog, Archer said, "They know you're in there now, Lily. Someone will come and get you out soon."

"Don't leave me. Please."

"But I have to go and—"

"You were right, you know," she interrupted.

"What?"

"You're a much better singer than Brandon Evans."

He blinked. "You're a fan?"

"Not really," she admitted, bringing an unexpected smile to his face. "I grew up listening to classic rock. But I just spent the past hour or two listening to you guys perform. You get some interesting nuances in the acoustics down here."

Tilting his head, he repeated, "Nuances?"

"Yeah. It was easy to pick out the different vocalists. You're Archer, right? I did some research on you guys before I came to the show with my uncle."

Deciding that he'd rather spend the next few minutes in the tunnel with a stranger than placating Brandon, Archer moved over and slid to the ground with his back pressed against the door. "You can call me Dane," he found himself saying.

"The articles I read all said you preferred to go by Archer."

"Yeah, well, I don't feel like being Archer right now."

"Fair enough," she said with an equable shrug in her voice. "So why are you sticking with this group when the lead singer is such a dill-hole, Dane?"

His lips curved up again. "Because we're gaining fans every day. We're on the path to huge success."

"Largely because of you," Lily pointed out, mirroring his earlier comment to Brandon. "My research indicated that Suddenly Something has sold more records since you joined them than before. I also pulled up a lot more photos of you than Brandon when I did my searches. You have more followers on social media and a larger fan club. That has to chap Brandon's ass."

Archer's smile widened. He decided he liked Lily Montgomery. His smile faded, though, as he remembered what Brandon had said.

"You may be right," he said, "but those things won't necessarily translate into a successful solo career."

"You cut a solo album a few years ago, right?"

A flush heated the back of his neck, prompting him to reach up and rub it away. "Yeah. It didn't do too well."

"It flopped major. The label dumped you like a flaming turd."

Insult leaped up to join embarrassment. "Gee, thanks."

"Well, it's true," she said pragmatically. "But for goodness' sake...you were a geeky thirteen-year-old whose voice was still transitioning and it was your first attempt at a music career after years of acting. The press was bound to be brutal with you. You can hardly expect that you'd have the same experience now, especially after the success you've achieved with Suddenly Something. Besides, no one said you have to go solo. Just start over with band mates you actually like."

He considered that. Coming from someone who sounded objective, the words held more power. He wanted to believe her. Part of him, he was surprised to discover, actually did.

"Why did you do so much research if you're not a fan?" he wondered.

"I've been researching an article for my school's newspaper. My uncle invited me along tonight so I could try and get an interview or two to beef up the piece. I was going to enter it into the school's journalism contest. Then I got stuck in this supply closet thanks to a couple of your bitchy fans who thought I was backstage to jump you or someone else in the band. Guess they were eliminating possible competition."

"You're an aspiring journalist?"

"An aspiring writer," she clarified. "Not sure if journalism's the way I want to go, but I'm giving it a shot."

"Ah. Do you attend a local college?"

"High school. I'm only sixteen."

His eyebrows lifted. She was nearly the same age as him. "You sure sound older. You speak like...I don't know. Like a snooty grown-up."

She huffed at that. "It's called _maturity_."

"I was going to say nerdiness."

"Well that's certainly true."

Her response made him laugh. It was refreshing to meet someone who didn't take herself too seriously. His attention turned as the security guard strode down the tunnel with a member of the maintenance staff. It didn't take long for the maintenance worker to confirm the lock wouldn't open with a key. He hurried off to find the right tools to remove the handle.

Ignoring the few people who started trickling down the tunnel, Archer resumed his vigil on the opposite side of the locked door. "What's going to be the topic of this article you're writing?" he asked Lily.

"I haven't figured out the angle yet," she replied. "I had hoped something would click after the interviews. It's pretty hard to think of things to write that haven't already been done to death."

He nodded in understanding. "It's the same in trying to succeed in the music industry. You have to stand out and shine if you're going to make it big. Not an easy thing to do with so many other artists out there."

There was a brief pause. "I don't get it, Dane," Lily said at last. "What are you so afraid of?"

Archer frowned over the blunt question. "That's easy enough for you to say. You're not the one facing the idea of trying to make it on your own after failing so badly before."

"You're right, I'm not. And neither are you. What you're doing is considering making a change while you're already on the cusp of stardom...a change that could finally push you over the edge into the success you so obviously want."

He bristled over her pointed statement even though he knew she was right. "You make it all sound so simple," he grumbled. "What if all that's waiting for me over that edge is an empty void?"

"Then you make the world crave to be in that void right along with you."

Lily's calm and practical responses eased the anxiety and pressure that Archer had carried into the conversation. By the time her uncle and the maintenance worker returned with the tools and removed the door handle to free her, he'd made a decision that would change the course of his future.

The door finally opened and Lily stumbled out, blinking against the light. Archer helped steady her before she turned to give her waiting uncle a hug. It somehow didn't surprise Archer when Lily then turned back to him and hugged him, too.

Overall, her appearance suited the image he had formed in his head while they talked. Her hair was pulled back into a sensible ponytail. Rectangular dark-rimmed glasses perched on her lightly-freckled nose, framing her highly intelligent gaze. Silver braces gleamed as she shifted away from him and flashed a grateful smile.

The only trait that surprised him was her petite size. With her strong opinions and clear determination, he somehow pictured a much more domineering physical presence. Lily looked more like a woodland sprite than the pit bull he'd imagined.

"Thanks for your help, Dane," she said. "Now can someone point me in the direction of the closest bathroom before my bladder explodes?"

"Sure," Archer replied before casually adding, "and after that, how would you like some content for the story you came here to write?"

Her eyes sharpened with what he interpreted as approval. "You're going to do it?"

"Yep. You convinced me, Lily Montgomery. Let's go turn the music world on its ear."

* * *

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# Acknowledgments

This book was a long time coming. I actually completed it a year and a half ago and submitted it to my Agent, Marisa Corvisiero. I want to thank her for believing in my work.

Allie at Makeready Designs, for your amazing vision, patience with me and my ideas/questions/suggestions. It's always a joy to work with you.

Wander Aguilar for the Amazing Photography, and David Wills for posing for such a wonderful cover photo.

Kristina at Red Road Editing, for giving me great feedback, as well as edits, and always being there for me.

KMS Freelance Editing, for your quick turnaround and support over the years.

Christine Borgford of Type A Formatting, I'm so grateful to have you in my life. You've been such a light over the years, always supportive and positive, and I'm thrilled that we finally had the opportunity to work together. Your beautiful pages really capture the feel of this story.

My early Alpha and Beta readers: Raine, Lori, Ann, Kristi, Jennifer, and Autumn. I can't tell you how much your feedback means to me.

Hugs and Kisses to my family, for their unwavering support.

# About the Author

Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than thirty books and has been published since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.

When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.

Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!

To learn more about upcoming events and releases, sign up for my newsletter.

www.bethanylopezauthor.com

bethanylopezauthor@gmail.com

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