Savannah turned to look at him with a question written on her face. “What are we celebrating?”
Gabriel walked slowly into the room, dragging one foot at a time as he shrugged playfully. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the promotion I got today.”
Savannah ran up to Gabriel, throwing her arms around him. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”
“I’m happy for us, kitten. This is going to be so good for us.” Gabriel smiled. “That means I’m making fourteen an hour now, and I get two weeks off PAID each year. More money and more time with the family. How much more perfect could it be?”
Savannah grinned and kissed his lips as Rio walked over to them. He put his arms around their legs, wanting to be included in their embrace. Gabriel laughed and leaned over, lifting his son to his hip. The three of them laughed, and Savannah couldn’t help thinking this was the perfect night. The three of them could be… no, they were the perfect family.
Chapter 19
“You ready to go?” Gabriel asked from outside the bathroom door.
“Yeah, I’m coming now.” Savannah looked at herself in the mirror. They were going to a new restaurant outside Tampa tonight with Jay and Paula. Rio was with Gabriel’s mom for the night, and Savannah felt like getting dolled up. It was something she rarely did, but the effort was wholly worthwhile tonight.
Savannah stepped out of the bathroom to find Gabriel leaning against the door frame. He wore a short-sleeved white button-up dress shirt tucked into a pair of black dress slacks. “Damn, kitten. You look amazing.” Grinning, Gabriel added, “Give me a little turn so I can see.”
Grinning and blushing, Savannah turned slowly. The short black dress she wore shifted against her skin as she did. Gabriel ran a hand over her shoulders, covered only with thin spaghetti straps. Leaning in to kiss where his hand had been, Gabriel said, “Maybe we should stay in tonight.”
Savannah giggled. “No. I was promised a night out.”
“Oh, but kitten, you look so good I want to keep you all to myself.” Gabriel offered a wicked grin and licked his lips.
Savannah laughed and took his hand to lead him to the living room, where Jay and Paula now waited. The four of them were riding together. Jay was dressed like Gabriel. Paula wore a tight, strapless dress in neon pink that popped against her dark brown skin.
“You guys finally ready?” Jay asked, grinning wider than usual. Savannah’s brother seemed especially happy since getting serious with Paula. Only a few minutes with the bubbly, bright woman would tell anyone why.
“Yup, all ready to go,” Gabriel clapped his hands together as he spoke. He was in an unusually cheerful mood, but finally getting his promotion could be the cause of it. Maybe the idea of a night alone with Savannah helped, too. They hadn’t gotten much alone time since moving back in together. A night of wild passion was what they both needed after working so many long hours.
They were riding in Paula’s car since hers was both the nicest and the roomiest. Savannah sat up front, while the guys sat in the back. Tampa was an hour away, so Savannah got comfortable and pulled off her shoes. “Girl, I wish I wasn’t driving so I could do that, too,” Paula said from the driver’s seat. “These things look sexy, but man, they kill your feet.”
Savannah had to admit Paula’s shoes were sexy. They were the same pink as her dress, and way taller than Savannah’s two-inch black pumps. Thin straps ran halfway up Paula’s calf. “You can make Jay drive on the way back.” Savannah giggled.
“Babe? You gonna drive on the way back for me?” Paula glanced in the rearview mirror at Jay.
Savannah heard Jay laugh. “Sure, babe. Does that make me DD?”
Paula laughed. “Yup.” Jay only laughed in response.
Savannah glanced in the backseat. Gabriel, sitting catty-corner from her, smiled. Savannah had never seen him dressed so formally, and couldn’t help but appreciate how well Gabriel cleaned up. Of course, Savannah guessed he might be thinking the same thing about her.
It didn’t take them long to reach the restaurant. It was a Spanish-Caribbean fusion place with a long bar against one wall. The venue was huge, and half of it was filled with small four-top tables. The other half contained a dance floor, and upbeat music played.
They were seated and ordered drinks. Savannah wasn’t much of a drinker, but Paula convinced her to order a mojito. “I’m telling you, Savannah, they’re amazing, and I’ve heard this place makes the best.”
“Are they strong?” Savannah asked. She’d done a good amount of drinking during college, but not as much as everyone else.
Paula shook her head. “No, girl. I could drink a whole pitcher by myself and still only get a buzz.”
That convinced Savannah, so she let Paula order her one, too. Gabriel and Jay opted for beer. The music, the atmosphere, and the drink had Savannah feeling giddy. She hadn’t been out once since she got home from college, and even more than that, Paula was great company. Savannah never had many friends, but her brother’s bubbly girlfriend made her feel at ease.
The four of them ordered food and ate while making lighthearted conversation of no importance. Finished with their meals, they ordered a second round of drinks. The mojito was light and sweet, almost like juice, but with a strong hint of mint. Gabriel talked to Jay with his arm around Savannah’s slender shoulders.
Paula stood up. “Jay, I love this song. Come dance with me!”
Jay laughed. “You know I’m not much of a dancer, right?”
Paula rolled her eyes. “I don’t care. Come dance.” Jay only shrugged and followed Paula to the dancefloor. They disappeared among a growing crowd of dancers.
“What about you, kitten? Will you dance with me?” Gabriel leaned in close to her ear as he spoke.
Savannah giggled. “Gabe, I don’t dance.”
Gabriel turned her face to him and kissed Savannah. She tasted the beer he’d been drinking on his lips. “I’ll teach you.”
Pulling back slightly, Savannah giggled again. “I didn’t know you knew how to dance.”
Grinning, Gabriel said, “What? You have a hot Latin lover and you don’t think he can dance?” Savannah laughed and took another sip from her drink. Her face was starting to feel a little warm and tingly. Gabriel grabbed her hand. “Come on, kitten, let’s dance.”
Gabriel pulled on her hand and Savannah grudgingly got up to follow. She dragged her feet as he led her to the dance floor. Savannah had always felt awkward in crowds of strangers, but the music was hypnotic and the night felt exciting. Gabriel pulled her into the crowd and turned to face her.
Gabriel didn’t say anything. It would have been senseless, anyway, because here on the dancefloor the music was louder. Instead, he placed his hands on Savannah’s hips. He moved her in rhythm to the music, in rhythm to his movements. Gabriel was fluid on the dancefloor. He’d been right – he could dance. Savannah wasn’t a natural by any means, but she quickly got the hang of what Gabriel wanted her to do.
Savannah lost herself in the music. She lost herself in Gabriel. Despite dozens of other people around her, it was like the whole world consisted only of him.