We finished dinner quickly, with me eating three servings. "Damn, Mom. That was delicious."

She laughed as she grabbed my now empty plate. "I'm sure. I'm glad you enjoyed it and watch your language."

Gabby smiled as she handed my mom her plate. "Thank you, Mrs. Price."

"Sweetie, please call me Teresa."

I looked at Gabby as I reached across the table for her hand. She looked back at me. She smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Let's go for a walk," I said to her.

She didn't respond but got up and headed for the front door. 

"Mom, we're going for a walk," I called out as I followed after her. 

I grabbed my jacket and stepped into the cool December air. Gabby was waiting at the end of my driveway, arms crossed as she was looking at the stars.

I walked until I was standing next to her. "Ready?"

She took my hand and we started down the sidewalk. 

"Want to tell me what's on your mind?" I asked. 

"Not really," she answered honestly.

"All right, I'll tell you what's on mine." I took a deep breath before continuing. "Being in that place, was indescribable. I had a cellmate who didn't sleep, which creeped me out. No privacy. The food was shit." I stopped for a minute, clicking my tongue I added, "But, the worse part was, there was no you."

"Hayden-"

"No, Gabby," I cut her off as I stopped walking and turned to face her. "I know you blame yourself for everything that's happened. It's not your fault. None of it is." I let out a long breath. "My father planned out my whole life since I was three. He made me want what he wanted. I had no idea I was living a lie. Then, I found you. I found you, Gabby. You kept trying to push me away. You were the first thing I ever truly wanted for myself."

I let out a small chuckle at that. "Maybe that's why I'm so selfish with you. I've never had what we have. I didn't even know I wanted a real relationship. I know you're pulling away from me, Gabby."

She looked away from me, unable to confirm or deny. 

The next part was hard for me to say, but she needed to hear it. Hell, I needed to hear it. "Right now, I need you. You're my constant. With everything going on, I need you."

She met my gaze and softened a little. She rested her hands on my chest, like that time we were at Bonfire Pointe. Her eyes were full of unshed tears. "I need you, too."

I leaned forward and kissed her softly. She let her body melt against mine. Finally. This feeling right here, this is what I missed the most. 

"Come on," I said, taking her hand and walking back towards my house. "You're staying the night."

"What about your mom?"

"Gabby, she knows we aren't going to have sex in the house. Well, at least not with her in it," I added, shooting her a sideways smile. 

She did her normal shy smile and I wish I had a camera with me. That's my Gabby.

We got back to my house and went upstairs. I needed a fucking shower. Taking a shower in jail was a nightmare. Not only was there no privacy, but some of the guys there tried to get extra friendly. Yeah, I'm all set. 

We went in my bedroom, shutting the door behind us. 

"How about a bath?" I asked.

"That sounds wonderful," she answered to my surprise. I figured I would have to do a little coaxing. She walked over to me and lifted my shirt, pulling it over my head. 

I tried to hold back my groan from the pain, and I heard her gasp. She was staring at my chest. She reached her hand out and softly began to trace the black and blue bruises there. 

"How did this happen, Hayden?"

"Some asshole in the lunch line. It looks worse than it feels."

She gave me a look that said she knew I was full of shit. She went into my bathroom, filling the tub with hot water. 

I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing her neck. She relaxed a little before turning in my arms. "Bath time."

I took the rest of my clothes off, leaving them on the floor. I let out a moan as I sank into the hot relaxing water. 

I looked up at her and gave her a smile. "Your turn."

She stripped out of her clothes slowly. I tracked every movement she made, trying to memorize every single inch of her. Normally, she sits between my legs, resting against my chest. This time, I was pleasantly surprised when she straddled my lap.

"Well, maybe we will be having sex in the house after all."

She laughed as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "No, perv. I don't want to hurt your bruises." She used her left hand to trace the bruise around my eye. Then she brought it down to my chest again, running her soft fingers over my skin. 

"That feels amazing. God, I missed you."

She met my gaze and a tear fell down her cheek. I frowned as I reached up and wiped it away. "Why are you crying?"

"I- I can't, Hayden." 

"Can't what?"

"I don't know. I've never loved anyone like this."

"Neither have I," was my honest reply. I've dated a ton of girls, but I have never even lusted after them, let alone loved.

"I'm scared."

When she said that, I never saw her look this vulnerable to me. This was different. It was as if she was baring some part of herself she kept hidden from me.

I cupped her face, bring her lips to mine. I kissed her, and when she opened her mouth to me, I stroked her tongue with mine. 

If I was being honest with myself, I was scared too. Scared of this legal shit, scared of the future, and I was scared that Gabby wouldn't be able to be happy. Not because of me, but because of the damage her father's done.

I pulled away and made sure she saw the truth in my eyes when I said, "I love you, so much."

"I love you, too, Golden Boy," she said with a smile, before putting her mouth back on mine. 

There was something unsaid in her eyes. I couldn't put my finger on it and, honestly, I was too exhausted right now.

***

The following morning, I woke up to the best feeling in the world. Gabby was stroking my hair while kissing my chest. "Good morning, Golden Boy."

I could tell by her voice that she was in a good mood today. I opened my eyes and looked at her. God, she was beautiful. I'll never get tired of looking at her. She was wearing one of my black t-shirts, and knowing she didn't have on anything underneath, made me want her even more. 

She straddled my waist, kissing me deeply. I moaned into her mouth as she rocked the softest part of her against the hardest part of me.

"My mom is downstairs."

She started kissing her way down my chest when she said, "No, she's not. She left thirty minutes ago."

She looked up at me as she continued kissing her way down my abs. She pulled my boxers off and wrapped her hand around my hard cock. 

I instinctively arched my back, not caring about my fucking ribs. "Fuck, Gabby."

"You know," she said in a sultry voice as she continued to stroke me torturously. "There is always something I wanted to try."

Before I could ask what that was, she took me into her mouth. I buried my hand in her hair, getting lost in the pleasure she was causing. "Good God, that feels good."

She took me deeper and I couldn't take it anymore. I leaned up, grabbing her shoulders. "Stop. I need to be inside you. Now."

She straddled my body and bit her lip as she slowly lowered her body onto mine. 

She met my gaze a second before she started riding me slowly, finding a rhythm she liked. I gripped her thighs, getting lost all over again. I could never get enough of her. In that moment, I knew the truth. This amazing, sweet, gorgeous creature...was meant for me. 

***

I was waiting outside Starbucks for Brad to meet me. Spending the morning with Gabby was amazing. We were both so out of it that we didn't realize we didn't use a condom. Thankfully, she was on birth control. 

After feeling her like that, without a condom, yeah...I already threw those fucking things out. There was no going back after that. 

Brad pulled up a few minutes later. He got out of his truck and waved as he started walking to where I was sitting. "Sup, man?"

I sighed. "Same old, same old." I took a sip of my coffee before asking, "Any news?"

"Nothing definitive," he said as he eyed the menu.

I waved my hand in front of his face. "Hey! Pay attention."

"Sorry, bro. I'm hungry."

I gave him a droll look. "You're always hungry."

He sighed. "Fine. Nothing definitive, but he said he has a strong lead." 

A strong lead. That was semi-promising. I was hoping for something a little more concrete and sure. "And this won't get us into more trouble?"

He shook his head as he started eating my bagel. "Nope. We're good."

"Why don't I believe you?"

He snickered. "Because you've known me since we were kids."

Wanting a change of subject, I asked, "What should I get Gabby for Christmas?"

He shrugged. "I have no freaking idea. You know I'm not good at presents."

"How could I forget? Last year, you gave me a hug."

He put his hand to his chest and with a serious expression, "And I meant it."

I shook my head at him. This fucking guy. My question was still unanswered. What the hell do I get Gabby for Christmas? 

Pulling out my phone, I texted Alex. 

Gabby

"Come on, Alex. Put your phone away and help me." I was standing in front of the watch section of Macy's. 

After our roll in the sheets this morning, he dropped the "C" word on me. Alex and I haven't celebrated Christmas since our mom died. I didn't know what the hell to get him. 

I looked at three different stores and every thing seems so...impersonal. I want to get him something meaningful. 

I looked at Alex, who for the last ten minutes has been sucked into his phone. "Hey," I said, "who are you texting?"

His head snapped up, "What? No one." He put his phone in his pocket. 

"Good, then will you please help me?" 

He walked up and looked at the watches and made a face. 

"What's that face for?" 

He looked at me and sighed. "Gabby, we've been to like, a thousand stores. None of this stuff is for Hayden." 

"Exactly my point," I said and slamming my hand on the glass. "I'm officially screwed." 

"No, you just have to get something that will really mean something." 

I gave him a look. "That's my problem, genius." 

He thought for a moment, "He loves you. Think of what means something to you, and go from there." 

That...wasn't a bad idea.