Desperate (A Contemporary Romance)

by Katerina Winters

  Sitting on the edge of her bed Salene pulled on the gold flip-flops as Bishop sat across the room watching her intently. Letting her gaze drift out the window Salene thought of the other member of the household that had been watching her just as intense lately. For the past week since the terrifying storm her and Gabriel's relationship seemed to evolve. It was like waking up to find that the seedling planted the night before had already grown into a young green sprout. When she opened her eyes the next morning, she had felt the gentle movements of the couch dip around her as the warm weight that was with her through the night disappeared. Standing next to the couch Gabriel lifted his arms in a stretch causing his T-shirt to lift slightly giving her a peak at the toned V-like muscle on his pelvis. The sight immediately brought a heat to her cheeks as he turned and caught her gaze.

  Something was different between them since then. Salene found herself dancing a dangerous dance of subdued flirtation. Everything in her told her to stop it in its tracks, to not go any further. What could come of this game? The relationship between her and Gabriel has been tumultuous at best, adding anything more would spell disaster surely. Yet, she found her blood racing at his glances, or her body reacting to the smallest touch. The night spent wrapped in his arms was sensual torture. How can she go from loathing the man one week and wanting to open herself to him in the most biblical way the next? It just wouldn't do, this is Gabriel Breslin for God sake, her best friend's soon-to-be ex-husband. Well ex-best friend actually, but dammit it still felt wrong.

  "Uggg just stop thinking about it," she whispered to herself as she headed towards the hallway. "Just focus on the picnic today."

  Stepping out into the living room Salene spotted Gabriel balling up a large piece of brown paper. Looking up at the wall her eyes caught the gold shell shaped mirror—fully repaired. Salene's breath caught in her throat as her heart thudded loudly, she tried to immediately justify why he could have done this as she approached. He probably just wanted the house to look perfect for his coworkers she thought pragmatically.

  "I got it repaired," Gabriel said quietly as she stepped closer and stopped.

  The room was so quiet only the slight jingle of Bishop's collar rang in the air as he entered the room.

  "I know how much you liked it." He continued, his green eyes searching hers for approval. At that point, Salene knew immediately he repaired the mirror just for her sake.

  Nodding her head, she smiled and prepared to thank him when she noticed his eyes visibly scanning her body up and down with a growing frown.

  "What?" She questioned, feeling instantly self-conscious at his heavy scrutiny.

  "No," shaking his head and motioning to her outfit. "Not going to happen."

  "Excuse me?" Her eyebrows shot up as she gave him a daring look.

  "That outfit isn't going to work," Gabriel was still staring at her figure with a look of mesmerized shock and anger. "You look…"

  "I look what?!" She snapped, though she was starting to get ticked at his nerve Salene couldn't help but feel a little flattered at his heated gaze towards her body.

  "You look practically fucking naked," Gabriel growled as his own anger grew to match hers.

  "What! I do not." She protested in outrage.

  "Woman," he said dangerously low, stepping closer to her until she hit the arm of the couch. With both their chest practically touching Gabriel gave her a fiery look. "Go change."

  Narrowing her eyes, Salene stared back at him with just as much intensity as she responded to his command. "No."

  Green eyes widened in excitement as he smiled at the challenge, causing her insides the freeze. The grip appeared on her waist simultaneously as he leaned in closer to her face. "Salene, it would only be a privilege to rip every…"

  The loud gong of the doorbell interrupted his dark threat, but he still held her in place against him and the couch. In this position, Salene could feel every taut muscle clearly through the thin swim trunks and T-shirt. The hard bulge against her upper thigh made her whole body go rigid. Aroused and a little frightened she stared back at him in shock.

  He knew she felt his arousal, but didn't care.

  "Saved by the bell Salene," he whispered so close to her lips.

  Pulling back from her Salene felt the pang of disappointment intertwine with relief. Though she was utterly confused with herself, she didn't want him to let her go just yet.

  As if reading her mind, the grip around her waist tightened suddenly. With no sense of warning, Gabriel kissed her hard and quickly. Salene nearly collapsed as he quickly turned to open the door to greet the arriving guests. Fire, her body, was on absolute fire while her lips tingled from the quick kiss. Every fiber of her being wanted more while her mind was lost in confusion.

  Somehow Salene was able to wrangle her chaotic emotions in for the party. Gabriel told her to expect a lot of people, but she was not prepared for the actual turnout. The backyard had over fifty people in it by two hours into the party. The guests couldn't have been more corporate America if they tried. It was a bunch of glossy white smiles and laughter all around, everybody looked like they were having a grand old time.

  Gabriel was never far off either, every few minutes she found herself being introduced to another coworker while his hand lay possessively at the curve of her waist. Salene felt as if she was going to pass out, her head was spinning from all the mixed emotions.

  They were standing next to the new state-of-the-art grill when the accountant they were speaking to spotted a friend by the pool and left. This was the first time Salene would be alone with Gabriel since he kissed her earlier. No, she wasn't ready to be alone with him just yet. What if he brought up the kiss? Salene had no idea what to say or even think on the matter. Taking a sip of his beer as he turned the meat on the grill Gabriel turned and looked at her, his eyes traveled above her head and widened slightly. Just as she was opening her mouth to ask "what" a strong grip wrapped around her waist drawing her back against the solid body behind her.

  "Goddamit, I spotted your thick ass from across the lawn." The deep voice of her assailant rumbled in her ear.

  Smiling Salene pinched the tattooed wrist on her waist.

  "Ouch," Kevin's deep reply sounded comical as he let her go to turn around.

  The familiar face made her want to sigh in relief, wrapping her arms around his narrow torso Salene buried her face in his chest.

  "I'm so happy you came," she mumbled into his shirt.

  "I can see," Kevin laughed. Looking down at her against his chest Kevin gave her a quizzical look. "Everything cool?" he lowered his voice just for her, knowing Gabriel was watching.

  Knowing Gabriel could not see her face in this position, Salene made a face to Kevin to convey everything was not indeed cool.

  Kevin made a "mmm" noise as he nodded, totally receiving her hidden distress signal.

  "Hey Gabe," Salene could hear Tobias's voice behind her as he joined them by the grill. "Hey, Salene."

  Kevin's body went stiff as a board in her arms. Pulling back Salene had to bite her lip as she watched Kevin's normally cool expression turn to shock and back to a forced cool again. Turning to Tobias, Salene was surprised to see a similar look on his face, though Tobias made no effort to hide his apparent interest in Kevin.

  "Tobias, this is my friend and coworker Kevin," turning to Kevin she gave him a secret grin. "Kevin, this is Gabriel's neighbor Tobias."

  Amidst the obvious growing tension between the two men, short polite “hello's” were exchanged. Looking over to Gabriel for support he looked just as amused and at a loss as she was.

  "Salene, come help me bring out some more food for the grill." Gabriel gave her a look that told her he just wanted to leave them alone.

  Nodding she quick walked away with Gabriel, leaving Kevin alone with Tobias. Closing the sliding glass door behind them, they walked into the kitchen laughing.

  "I've never seen Tobias speechless before." Gabriel laughed as he grabbed a cookie off a t
ray a guest brought.

  "I know right," Salene could practically feel the sparks zing between the two.

  Leaning against the counter, she stood on her toes to get a good look out the kitchen window towards the grill. The two were still talking, that was a good sign.

  Fingers on her waist made startled her as she was turned back around without her own effort. Gabriel stood dangerously close, pressing her against the cool granite counter-top. Dear God, she wasn't ready to discuss what was going on between them yet. The searing heat from his fingers pressing against her gossamer cover up was playing havoc with her senses.

  "About earlier…" Gabriel began.

  The whooshing sound of the patio door opening preceded Kevin's interruption.

  "You little whore." Kevin hissed as he came around the counter.

  Stepping back slowly Gabriel leaned on the counter next to her.

  "What?" She asked shocked by Kevin's entrance and still humming from Gabriel's advances.

  "Why in the hell didn't you tell me about that…that Goliath of a man?" Kevin's anger fizzled nearly to a pout towards the end.

  Salene was explaining to Kevin how she didn't know Tobias all that well but thought he was a great guy when Gabriel turned and frowned as he looked out onto the backyard.

  "Hey, I need to go out and show my face to a couple of higher-ups," Gabriel gave her a tired look as he walked towards the door. "You should stay in and enjoy the AC for a bit longer. Oh and Kevin," with his hand on the door handle Gabriel shot Kevin a knowing look. "Our intern Emanuel is currently drooling all over Tobias."

  Kevin was out the door before Gabriel.

  The air conditioner did feel wonderful, sitting down in the den Salene was able to secretly people watch the party from the couch. The bright sun made it nearly impossible to see into the den through the wall of glass, but she could see out just fine. The pool was positively packed with people, hanging in or on the edges of the pool. All the outdoor furniture was taken up by occupants including the extra picnic tables Gabriel borrowed from a friend. Across the yard where the nice covered seating was Salene could see Gabriel talking to what she assumed were the more powerful figures of the company. Everyone else was dressed in some sort of swimwear whereas the two older men, and their spouses were dressed in light summer clothes. Gabriel, on the other hand, was completely shirtless with a pair of black and blue swim trunks. Like moths to a flame Salene watched as about two different women vied for his attention, casual touches, practiced laughter, and brilliant smiles surrounded Gabriel.

  Not to mention perfectly sized boobs on every one of those cows.

  Annoyed with her jealousy towards both the women's looks and Gabriel, Salene flopped down backward on the couch. The memory of the brief contact his lips made with hers resurfaced in her mind. Good God, how can her body just betray her like that? Never once before has her body went from zero to ten like that with any other man. Just thinking about the possibility of sex with Breslin made her want to scream—in more ways than one. Dear God what was she thinking, they hated each other, right? What would that make her if she slept with him, some terrible conniving backstabbing mooch? Covering her eyes with one hand, Salene let her legs dangle off the arm of the couch. No, she shouldn't be that harsh with herself Salene thought, she wasn't backstabbing anyone nor was she conniving. Besides, there wasn't even anyone to even think that about her, besides Amber her and Gabriel had no common friends.

  This was just so confusing Salene wasn't even sure what was going on. This could all be just some prank Gabriel was pulling, or he could just be bored and looking for a good time. Salene wasn't really the type of girl he dated anyways, so there had to be something going on. The thought that his attention might be a trick or just a one off, due to boredom hurt. It hurt a lot more than she was prepared to admit.

  Stretching her arms back on the length of the couch behind her, Salene jumped when she heard the door open to the den. Quickly she sat up and was surprised to find Derek Cipriani at the door.

  "Wait,” Derek held out his hand to pause her. "Before you think or say anything just know I brought Bishop as a chaperone." Derek stepped into the room with Bishop on his trail.

  Seeing the question on her face, Derek smiled handing Bishop something out of his hand to which Bishop promptly devoured.

  "I had to lure him in with a piece of bacon," Derek explained with the wicked smile.

  Not able to help herself Salene gave a small smile as Bishop came around and jumped up on the couch next to her. Carefully Derek followed Bishop's path and sat down on the other side of Bishop.

  "Did you get the flowers I sent?”

  Frowning Salene shook her head, as she idly ran her hand through Bishop's fur. "No I'm sorry, when did you send them?"

  Smiling as if he suspected as much, he looked down at the floor before looking back at her with a handsome smile.

  "No worries, maybe they just got lost in transit," leaning his elbows on his knees Derek's gaze turned serious. "It's better if I told you in person anyways."

  Salene shifted in her seat, nervous where he was going with this. It was more than uncomfortable to sit across from a man that saw her naked like he did.

  "I didn't get a chance to apologize that night," he was most likely referring to Gabriel's involvement that night. "I'm truly sorry Salene."

  The earnest apology combined with what was most likely his most practiced sad face pulled at her heartstrings. Salene was no fool, she was aware of the power pretty boys like Derek Cipriani had over women. That beautiful model like face could be a woman's downfall. Although she knew all of this, Salene could see no point in holding a grudge.

  Smiling softly back at him she nodded. "It's okay, I understand it was an accident."

  Letting out a sigh of relief Derek sat back against the couch cushions with an easy-going smile. "Thank you."

  A silence settled between them that Salene wasn't sure how to break. It was as if he wanted to say something else. Standing up from the sofa Derek paced in front of her for a minute before sitting on the edge of the coffee table directly in front of her. Now he was much closer, their knees were only a few inches from touching. Despite his tall frame, Salene did not feel cornered or engulfed like she would if it was Gabriel sitting across from her. Derek's lean body type didn't have near the amount of bulkish girth that Gabriel possessed. Being in close proximity to Gabriel made her feel heart-racingly overwhelmed and out of control the situation, that was not the feeling she got with Derek.

  "I want to confess something to you, and I hope you won't take this the wrong way." He said giving her a penetrating look. "I haven't been able to get you out of my mind since that night."

  Salene opened her mouth to reply, but he rushed to continue.

  "I know, what that sounds like," he held out his hand to pause her. "But my God you are beautiful. I mean I have thought of nothing else since."

  Hearing a compliment like that felt good no matter who it came from.

  Smiling widely, she tried to lift the heavy moment. "I bet you say that to all the girls you see naked."

  Derek laughed, visibly relaxing at her reaction until his eye caught something out the window causing him to grimace. Leaning back, he dug something out of his red swim trunks' pocket.

  "Here," Derek handed her a business card. The card was nearly identical to the one Gabriel had. "That has my phone number on it—my personal phone number."

  Without even thinking about it her hand naturally accepted the card he extended.

  "I do hope you will call me," he whispered before standing up.

  As if he was expecting him Derek turned to the door just as Gabriel stepped through. Well more like darkened, Salene thought as she noticed the telltale signs of Gabriel's growing displeasure. Alerted to his owner's presence Bishop sat up from her lap thumping his tale happily against the sofa. The muscle in Gabriel's jaw twitched agitatedly as his cold eyes scanned the room, passing over her for the briefest second before r
esting on to Derek.

  "This will be the second time you have gone into a room that is off-limits in my house Cipriani." Gabriel's tone was flat and unfeeling as he casually gripped both ends of the white towel hanging around his neck. "You are starting to test my patience."

  Coming around the couch, Derek stopped a few feet away from Gabriel.

  "I apologize about that Gabe, I wanted to make sure I apologized to Salene in person, especially considering the fact she never received the flowers I sent."

  Salene was sure that was of subversively placed accusation at Gabriel, accusing him of interfering with the flower delivery—which he very well could have. The accusation was met with an unwavering icy stare, but Salene could sense Gabriel's growing tension. Like a clock being wound too tight Gabriel's anger was seconds away from breaking through.