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 ope
ning 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.