The Bet (4 page)

Gabrielle
decided at the last minute to invite Tyler and Sam over for dinner. Being alone
with Chris and having a potential argument was something she wanted to avoid. Her
older brother was, a recently retired NFL quarterback with blonde hair and blue
eyes. He sat at the dinner table filling in his sister and Chris on all the
latest news they had missed since being gone.

“How
did your tryout with ESPN go?” Gabrielle asked her brother while she played
with her food.

Adele
had put on a feast. Meat loaf, mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, corn on the
cob. In between bites of food, Tyler replied. “Good. I’ll know tomorrow.”

Chris
piled a forkful of potatoes on his fork before he placed it in his mouth; he
noticed that Gabrielle hadn’t touched her food. In an attempt to be polite, he
looked over at Tyler and said, “Good luck, man. You know you’ve got this.”

Tyler
smiled at his friend and replied, “Thanks, Chris. I’ll call you guys the minute
I hear some news.”

Gabrielle
continued to play with her food. Noticing the uncomfortable silence that lasted
for several minutes, Chris attempted to continue small talk with his guests and
compliment Adele on cooking a great meal.

“Adele,
this meal is fantastic. I can’t believe how much I missed your cooking. Thank
you, hon,” Chris told her as Adele took his now empty plate from him and placed
a piece of pie in front of him.

“You’re
welcome Chris. So happy that you and Gabby are home. The house is so empty when
the two of you aren’t here.”

“We
missed you, too, Adele,” Gabrielle said as she took a long swig of her wine.

Chris
held up his hands in protest as he looked at the pie. “Pie? Oh, I can’t. Not
now.”

“C’mon,
you know you want it, Chris.” Adele told him.

“Yeah,
you know you want it, bro,” Tyler chimed in.

Chris
leaned back and smiled. He patted his stomach proudly. “Honestly, I am full. I
can’t. I’ve had two helpings of everything. I don’t even have enough room right
now for wine.”

Gabrielle
emptied her glass as quickly as she grabbed his drink. “Well, I’ll have some
for you if you don’t want yours.”

Despite
the silence, Gabrielle had been drinking heavily throughout the night, drinking
the wine on the table as if it were water. Concerned, he gently touched her arm
underneath the table and whispered, “You okay baby?”

Gabrielle
toasted him. She nodded yes and took a long sip of wine. “Aaah,” she said as
she continued to savor the taste. “That’s good wine. Adele, what kind is this again?”

“Pinot
Grigo. It’s your boyfriend’s favorite.”

Gabrielle
tipped her glass to Chris and hiccupped. A little embarrassed, she put her hand
over her mouth. “Oops. Excuse me, Chris, this is some good shit,” she said with
a snicker.

Chris
was stunned. As were Tyler and Sam.

Gabrielle
nearly polished off the whole bottle of wine by herself. She looked over at
Adele who picked up the bottle from the table. When she attempted to take
Gabrielle’s wine goblet, Gabrielle slapped her hand away.

“Oh
no, Adele. You can put my glass and the bottle back. It’s fine.”

Adele
nodded. She tried to take the glass again. Gabrielle stopped her once again.

Adele
looked at Chris. He discreetly put his hand up.

“Del,
I’m fine. Don’t pay any attention to him.”

Placing
the bottle back on the table, Adele stood, looking straight at Tyler and Sam.

“Sis,
I’m going to bring Sam home. Chris, I’ll stop by tomorrow?” Tyler told them.

“See
you tomorrow,” Chris told both men as they exited.

Finishing
her remaining glass, Gabrielle reached over to the bottle and poured the last
of the wine into the goblet.

Chris
glared at her. For Gabrielle to do this was out of character. She also had
never spoken to Adele that way before either.

“What’s
with you all of a sudden?” she asked him.

“Why
don’t you put the glass down Gabrielle, and eat something?” Chris said.

“Not
very hungry. Got a lot on my mind tonight,” she said in sharp tone as Adele
began to clear the table. As Chris began to help the housekeeper, Adele stopped
him. “Talk to her, something’s troubling her, son,” the housekeeper whispered
to him.

“Damn
right Del!” Gabrielle yelled as she overheard the two talking.

Standing
up, Gabrielle braced her hands on the table.

“You
know. I’m his girlfriend! And for some reason he’s telling you more shit than
he could EVER tells me. I thought you and I were best friends, Chris. Guess I’m
not one of the trusted ones after all,” she cried.

With
the help of another maid, Adele finished clearing the table and walked into the
kitchen. Chris walked over to his girlfriend. He took the glass from her and hurled
it across the room.

“What
the fuck!” Gabrielle yelled.

“Don’t
you ever treat Adele, like you just did! What the hell are you thinking acting
like that in front of your brother and Sam? Whatever problem you have with me,
you take it up with me!” Chris yelled.

“Well,
well. Now that I’ve got your attention!” she yelled.

“You’ve
always had it Gabby. What is going on with you?” he asked

“You
and me…maybe we should just end this. It’s obvious that you don’t want to this
anymore.”

“You
mean this bet?” Chris asked.

Gabrielle
began to cry. “No. All of it! You know it’s been hard watching you these past
few months. Saying nothing because I know how much the music means to you. I
know people have hurt you. I stood by your side when you fired your manager
before this tour and then dealt with all of my baggage. What you did for me is
something that I’ll be forever grateful for. I love you so much that I couldn’t
tell you to not work on a new CD or go on tour for a little bit. I didn’t know
what to say…”

Chris
realized that Adele was right. He walked over to her to grab her hand.
Gabrielle pushed him away. “And this bet? What bullshit! You were the one to
say that if you lost you’d stay home and not do anything.”

“I
know I did,” he told her.

“Are
you going to be able to it? You’re freaking out over staying home is making me
wonder and the lengths you went to try to win? Is our love not enough for you?”

“Of
course it was. It was a stupid, stupid thing to do. She was pretty and I
thought it’d be something different for us to share and experience. I am so
sorry. I never have done just nothing. I don’t know how to sit at home. I don’t
know what hit shows are on TV or what movie won the best picture Oscar. My mind
is always busy. I always need to be doing something whether it’s writing or
playing music. I haven’t been just home or had nothing to do for a long time.
What if the fans forget who I am when I’m gone? What am I going to do? I don’t
know what I’d do if they forgot me.”

Gabrielle
wiped the tears from her face. “You’re writing and creating music is what makes
you. That is something, Chris, that I would never want to take away from you.
I’d never forgive myself for that,” she told him.

“You
shouldn’t. These are fears that I have to face. I didn’t want to, but maybe it
wouldn’t be so bad to take a break,” he told her still appearing unsure. “I’ve
had four back to back hit CDs. Maybe it’s good for me to walk away for a bit
and enjoy myself. I’m so much better since we got together. Maybe a little
living and spending time with you and your family would add something to my
writing and give me some much-needed time to get to know you and myself better.
All of you need me more now than my fans need me.”

Gabrielle
ran into his arms. He pulled her away and wiped her tears. She covered her
mouth. “I’m so sorry Chris,” she told him softly as she kissed his forehead.

“Gabrielle,
I love you. Only you. Those fans mean nothing to me. Not in that way. You know
if you ever want to spend time with me, all you have to do is ask.”

“I’m
asking you now. I’d like a vacation with my boyfriend and hopefully future
husband. I miss Christian Knight. I saw glimpses of him in Vegas and I realized
just how I missed him.”

Chris
smiled. “I just didn’t know how to lose at anything either. Losing isn’t
something that happens naturally to me,” he said.

“You’ll
learn and find things to do like us normal people,” she quipped before
continuing. “It’ll be different, but it’ll be great to see you go to games with
my father and brother. I want to be that friend that you can still confide in.
Like you did with Del. I’m here for you, good and bad Chris. Richer for
poorer….sickness and in health. I would like to be everything to you if you let
me.

Chris
began to smile. “I’m sorry. I never knew how much all of this has been
bothering you or bothering me. I’m sorry I ruined Valentine’s Day,” he told
her.

“There
needs to be a balance. When we’re here, you’re Christian. Out there, Chris
Knight.”

Chris
nodded, “Okay.”

“Because
I didn’t tell you that, a lot of this was bothering me. I am sorry. I shouldn't
have let you go on thinking everything was okay. If something is bothering me
from now on, I’ll just come out and tell you so that we can work through it.
I’ll apologize to Del, Sam and my brother tomorrow,” Gabrielle added.

“I
guess now I gotta go find a hobby. Maybe buy an engagement ring,” Chris
quipped.

“You?
I had better start learning football fundamentals. Wait; did you just say an
engagement ring?” Gabrielle asked.

Chris
looked stunned. “Yep. Gabrielle, will you marry me after this tour is over? Show
me what’s it's like to be a part of civilization again and away from the TMZ’s
of the world?”

Gabby
nodded through tears. “Yes! Yes, of course I will. Only if you show me football
101.”

Chris
laughed. “I promise that I will. You know, I can rebuild cars, maybe I’ll
restore that old Camaro junker Sam has at his house collecting dust.”

“You’ll
be amazing. You should do that for Sam.”

“I
can also have Del show me around the kitchen.”

“Ahhh…no.”
Gabrielle shook her head.

“No?
Didn’t you like my omelets?”

“Not
if it nearly burns down this house and half the street,” Gabrielle told him.
The two of them held hands and walked up the stairs.

Still
a little drunk, Gabrielle stumbled as she went up the stairs, startling Adele.
The housekeeper opened up the door a crack and peered out to make sure that all
was well before she closed the door.

Still
on the steps, Chris and Gabrielle leaned against the wall. Chris tried
unsuccessfully to pick her up, but their passion could no longer contain
itself.

Chris
bent over and brushed his lips gently over his girlfriend’s. Gabrielle’s mouth
responded in kind. She missed the warm taste of his mouth, the feel of his
skin. She kissed the tip of his chin.

Chris
arched his neck as her kisses went slowly down his chest. One by one, the
buttons went rolling down the stairs as she unbuttoned his shirt. His swollen
member brushed against her thigh. Unfazed, she unzipped his pants and pulled
them down. The only thing they saw was each other, his touch sent waves of desire
through her. His hungered gaze locked into her as he unbuttoned and pulled down
her jeans. Lifting her up to reach him, her body pleaded for his to enter her. “Please”
she begged as her legs wrapped themselves around his waist. His tip throbbed at
her swollen entrance. “Fuck me, fuck me now.” She begged through sobs. He had
never given up so much control before. He was hers completely. In one swift
move, he lifted her up and glided every inch of himself inside her. “Oh my God,
Gabby!” he moaned. The two moved together as one. Overcome by The Bet.

The
End

Quarterback Sneak by Desiree Holt

Stacy Halligan has spent her
adult life focusing on her career, choosing men with far less care than she
does her professional path. That’s probably the reason all of her relationships
end in disaster. Now she’s senior editor of the magazine where she works and
she was so sure this latest hunk would be the one. When he dumps her, just
before Valentine’s Day, who does she complain to, as always, but her next door
neighbor and friend, backup quarterback Max Sullivan. She sees Max as her best
friend. Comfortable. Easy to be with.

Max doesn’t mind hanging out with
Stacy but in the three years they’ve lived next door to each other he’s hoped
for a lot more. Now he sees his opening. When he offers to put on a blitz
leading up to Valentine’s Day to make the guy jealous, he has an ulterior
motive. He wants to show her he’s the one she should pick, because he wants
Stacy for himself. His campaign includes, chocolate, flowers, little gifts and
hopefully, really hot sex. Because he’d been dying forever to get her into his
bed and keep her there.

Will this work? He only has until
Valentine’s Day to find out.

http://www.desireeholt.com/

***

If You Dare by Aliyah Burke

When two people lost in their
careers are thrown together, can passion kindle lost souls and ignite the
flames of love?

Justin Kapp is on an Alaskan
cruise when he meets a woman that gives the vacation an entirely new outlook.
From the very beginning he knew she was something special. Something more.

Kathryn Maynard, a top divorce
attorney in Virginia Beach, accepts a dare that puts her on an Alaskan cruise
and rail package. She would rather be anywhere but here, however the arrival of
an intense man, changes that. Changes her.

When reunited in Virginia and
Justin wants more than she's willing to allow herself to give. After he leaves,
she realizes what is the most important. Will she take the chance and dare her
heart to love?

http://www.aliyah-burke.com/books/index.htm

***

Redneck Romeo by Randi Alexander

When Genevieve Riley sneaks onto
the O’Bannon Ranch to return a stolen heirloom, the boy she’d fallen in love
with as a teenager, Nick O’Bannon, catches her before she can slip away. The
problem is, he’s now a big, rugged cowboy, and those feelings from a decade ago
resurface. She can’t concentrate on anything but picking up where they left
off.

Nick can’t believe what his dogs
cornered. Beautiful ‘Jellybean’ Riley, all grown up and sexier than sin. He
never knew what tore her from his life when they were teens, just as their relationship
was starting. With the heat radiating between them, he knows he can seduce her,
but can he make her stay this time?

http://randialexander.com/preview/red-hot-valentine-redneck-romeo/

***

Tastes Like Chocolate by Graylin
Rane

Viviana's heartbreak and betrayal
by her ex-fiance' is poured into her sculpting. While working on a statue of
pure milk chocolate, she finds herself talking to the man emerging about her
hopes, dreams, and desires. Sprinkling gold dust over his stunning finished
form makes his body glitter as he comes to life taking her into his arms. Their
passion ignites a side of her she'd given up on, can they survive the jealousy
of her former flame to find love?

http://www.graylinfox.com/rhv-tastes-like-chocolate/

***

Sweet Indulgence by Shyla Colt

This sexy short will help make
your Valentine’s day sizzle.

Born on February 14th, Chastity
Roberts has never taken stock in the holiday for lovers. But this year Cupid
has a little something special up his sleeve. Out on the town with her best
friend, she runs into the green-eyed male who keeps her panties wet and her
thoughts dirty at work.

Eli Cole is a man who turns
heads. But the only woman he has eyes for is Chastity. After six months of
hiding his affection to allow her to settle into her new role, he’s ready to
indulge in the sweetness only her body can offer.

http://www.shylacolt.com/books/

***

Sweet Sizzle by Jodi Redford

Valentine’s Day—the bane of Rory
Sinclair’s existence. Hard to forgive the one holiday responsible for the
single most moronic decision of her life. If it was up to her, she’d skip
anything to do with cupid, but with her business partner home sick with the
flu, she’s stuck delivering a bunch of cookie bouquets to a local firehouse.
Who knows, maybe she’ll cure her Valentine’s Day neurosis and heat up the
mattress with a hunky firefighter. Her plan of donning some edible undies and
getting her freak on goes up in flames though the instant she steps through the
doors of Station 5 and spots Bennet Jackson—the man responsible for her decade
long Valentine’s Day boycott.

No matter how hard he’s tried,
Ben has never gotten over the innocent girl he foolishly let slip between his
fingers. When Rory unexpectedly crashes back into his world, he figures it’s
his only shot at righting the wrongs of his past and getting her back in his
bed and his life. For good. Unfortunately, she has other plans. Ones that don’t
include him. He’s well aware that she has every reason to despise him, but if
there’s one thing he’s up for, it’s a challenge. Because there’s no way in hell
he’s losing the woman of his dreams again. And this time he’s prepared to pull
out every dirty, sexy, and hotter-than-sin trick to convince her to stay.

http://www.jodiredford.com/More_Books.html

***

Turnaround by Cassandra Carr

Becca and James don't date. Both
are in their thirties and neither has found anyone they feel is potential
spouse material. Becca attends a "We Hate Valentine's Day" party at a
local bar where James is bartending. He knows from the first day they meet that
Becca is someone special, but Becca's more cautious. James sets out to prove to
Becca there really are happy-ever-afters.

http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com

***

The Bet by Ty Langston

Meet Chris Knight, lead singer of
the international Rock Band, Knight’s Armor. He’s successful, rich and is in
deeply in love with his girlfriend, Gabrielle. Gabrielle is a music columnist
for Rockline Magazine. Her love of everything music pales in comparsion to the
love she has for her boyfriend, Chris Knight. What happens when two people love
each other so much, but decide to change the rules? The dice is cast, a bet is
made, how much will things change between them? Or will it end things for good?

http://www.tylangston.com

A Kiss From a Rose by Michel
Prince

Jenna Turner wasn’t looking for
anything but a quick bite to eat when she met the sexy peace officer Marcus
Peterson. While Jenna has always been singularly focused on her next big
promotion at work, suddenly she’s distracted by alluring texts from Marcus.

His evocative words and her
naughty responses invoke emotions neither seem ready for, and luckily, neither
have room in their busy lives to follow through on all their sexting.

Can two career driven people find
the time to take their relationship to the next level? Or will careers and the
pressure to achieve goals cause the end to a budding love?

http://www.michelprincebooks.com/