by Logan Chance
I’m so close to coming, I can barely keep it together. I grit my teeth, my hand finding her clit. I trace the bundle of nerves with my fingers, going even harder with each swipe of my hand.
She moans. “Gabriel, I’m so close.”
I bite her shoulder, trying my best to preserve any shred of restraint I have left. I will never tire of Clementine. And I can’t stop myself from wanting this woman over and over again. I keep pushing my thick cock inside her. “Come on me. Come all over my dick,” I tell her.
She reaches around, fondling my balls with her hand.
“Clementine, you’re ruining me.” I can’t hold on.
We both come in a blaze of white-hot heat. It’s like this tiny island goes up in flames with us as we both reach that heightened state of euphoria.
We land on our backs, our breathing ragged as we stare at the sky.
“Fuck, Clementine,” I say between breaths. “I...fuck.”
She doesn’t say anything, but reaches out to hook her pinky with mine. “I could stay here forever,” she finally says, and by fuck, I’ve never wanted to give her anything more than I do right now.
In this moment, with Clementine laying on the beach, her hair fanned out, her golden eyes satiated, I want to give her everything she’s ever wanted.
I know I’m falling for her, because I can’t stop myself from hoping one of those things is me.
FOURTEEN
Clementine
* * *
I WANT to crawl into the rock cave over my shoulder and never resurface. Gabriel looks like a porn star in all his naked glory, also fucks like one too, but I can’t stare at him right now without getting wet and wanting him all over again. And while having sex with him makes all my problems disappear, it’s only temporary.
Because as soon as we both come down from our high, all the bad things are still there.
Bishop Blackstone being the biggest.
As I sit here and debate on the best way to tell him everything I’ve been dealing with the last few years, he kisses me.
And it isn’t a normal kiss. No, this kiss has meaning. It’s filled with promises he can’t possibly keep.
Am I falling for this man?
No, I can’t. That is not an option.
Gabriel breaks the kiss. “Is everything ok?” He stares at me like he can fix all the broken pieces. And I wish he could.
He might be able to if I opened up to him.
“I was just thinking about everything.”
“Clementine, I’m sorry for it all. I’m sorry my grandfather dragged you into my life.”
I sit on my knees, my hands clasping Gabriel’s face. “No, I’m sorry he dragged you into it.” Gabriel is the unsuspecting innocent party here. His only contribution is the wealth he holds. And the empire he holds so dear. That’s his collateral.
I know what I need to do now. “We should head back to Colorado,” I tell him.
He stands and grabs his shorts, sliding them on. “Yeah, we’ve been gone for a while.”
And all I can think is we haven’t been gone long enough. I don’t want to leave this hidden paradise with him. I don’t want to leave him.
I know he’ll be my husband soon, but that’s if we ever make it down the aisle.
Either way, forever is not in the cards for us. Forever will never be in the cards for us, because I don’t have forever to give to him.
I find my suit and get dressed while Gabriel gets the kayak ready. The sky turns dark with a storm brewing off the coast.
“We need to hurry,” Gabriel says as we push the kayak off the shore.
I paddle as hard and as fast as I can, but I don’t think we’ll make it back to the sailboat before it rains.
Somehow, by the luck of fate we make it back to the boat just as the first drop of rain touches my forehead.
We move down into the cabin as the rain falls heavier, and I head into the bathroom to shower and change. As I’m shampooing my hair, the bathroom door opens, and Gabriel steps in.
He opens the glass shower door, and removes his clothes. “You seemed so...something. After we had sex, you seemed sad,” he tells me as he moves under the spray with me. “And I just can’t help to think I’m to blame for making you sad. And I can’t live with myself if I have.” His solemn face inches closer to mine and I reach my arms around his neck.
I kiss his lips and then stare up into his eyes. “You’re one of the only things in my life that doesn’t make me sad.”
He leans his forehead against mine, his words melting my heart, “I just want to make you happy.” And then he kisses me with more passion than my body can fathom.
It lights every cell, every nerve, everything on fire.
I’m a bad liar trying my best to pretend this man doesn’t affect me the way he does. Who am I kidding?
I could never not want him. And it’s not just his looks. He’s kind. And the way he is with Tennyson melts my heart.
I can’t stand to be inside my own head anymore, so I let Gabriel help me escape. I welcome his touch. I enjoy his lips on my heated skin. I beg this man to take me again in the shower, letting him wash away all of my sins.
And I don’t lie to him when I ask him to make love to me.
I don’t lie when I tell him he’s the best I’ve ever had.
And I will never lie to him when I beg him for more.
Gabriel gives me everything I’ve ever wanted here in this shower, making me feel like we could somehow beat the odds and be together forever.
Even though, it’s probably the biggest lie I’ve ever told myself, I believe it for right now. I believe the lie when he kisses me and tells me he’s never wanted anyone as badly as me.
I believe him when he tells me he can’t wait to make me his wife.
And I want to believe him when he promises me forever with him by my side.
It’s a fantasy I will forever hold close to my heart.
THE MOMENT we enter the cottage on the beach, Tennyson runs up to me and wraps his arms around me. “Want to see the picture I drew?”
“Of course I do,” I answer back with a big smile.
He hands me a picture with three circles and lines from the circle. “That’s us,” he says.
I can make out the three people with what appears to be a kite. “Is it us flying the kite on the beach?”
He smiles wide, like I just answered the million-dollar question. “Yes.”
I show Gabriel, and he smiles. “I’m going to hang this up in my office at home. Is that ok?” he asks Tennyson.
Tennyson smiles. “Yes. In a frame.”
I smile at Faye, thanking her for watching him and then we get busy packing to return to Colorado.
“I can’t believe we really have to leave,” I tell Gabriel as we pile into the SUV to take us to the airport.
“We can always come back anytime you want.”
A rush of warmth floods my system, making me feel like with Gabriel anything can be possible. And maybe one day all of us can come here.
I busy myself with helping Tennyson get calm before the flight, and texting Erin to tell her we’re coming back to town.
I glance down at my phone as soon as the plane takes off and see an unread text message from Ronin, saying, “Bishop knows.”
I’m going to have to tell Gabriel everything soon.
FIFTEEN
Gabriel
* * *
BEING BACK in Colorado makes me a bit on edge. In St. Thomas, I didn’t have to worry every five minutes for Clementine’s safety. Here, I do.
I dial Dean’s number.
“We still haven’t found him,” Dean says, answering on the first ring.
“Thank you.” I carry a sleeping Tennyson onto the helicopter to take us back to the estate. Where the fuck is this mother fucker? I have so many questions for my brother. “Let’s change tactics. Find Bishop instead.”
“On it,” Dean says, hanging up the phone.
“What’s wr
ong?” Clementine asks into the headset as soon as the helicopter lifts off the ground.
I take her hand, kissing her soft skin. “Nothing we can’t handle.”
The minute we get home, Dean greets us in the foyer. “We have some solid leads.”
I had dinner ordered, and Clementine, Dean and I sit down to eat while Faye takes Tennyson to bed.
“I want everything with this wedding to go off smoothly,” I tell Dean over a rack of lamb. “I don’t want any surprises.”
Dean nods his head.
“Do you think Bishop will show up?” Clementine asks.
I place my hand over hers, giving it a little squeeze. “I don’t want you to worry about anything. Dean will make sure nothing happens.” I glance over at Dean. “Right?”
Dean nods again. “We couldn’t have more security possibly fit in the building. I want you both to know we’ll be tracking Bishop’s movements the day of the wedding.” Dean takes a drink of wine. “Is the wedding all set?”
“I think there’s only one thing left to do,” Clementine says, bringing a bite of mashed potatoes up to her lips. “I just need a dress.”
“I’ll go with you to pick one out,” I tell her, not wanting her to be alone until that ring is on her finger and we are legally married.
“Well, isn’t it bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the wedding?” Clementine asks.
“I think in this case it doesn’t really matter. It’s not like this is a real marriage anyway,” Dean blurts out.
I silently beg him to shut his fucking mouth, because if anything isn’t real about this marriage, I don’t know how I’ll be able to survive the next year.
“Right,” Clementine says with a nervous laugh.
I place my hand over hers again. “I’d like to still come with you to make sure everything’s ok. I don’t have to see the dress.” I give her a small smile, hoping to ease the tension Dean created in the room.
Dean raises a brow in my direction, but he doesn’t say a word.
After dinner, Clementine heads off to her room to sleep, and Dean and I convene in the study with some Prichard’s double-barreled bourbon and a pack of Cuban cigars.
“Don’t tell me you’re starting to develop feelings for her,” Dean says the minute I take my first sip of alcohol.
“I am. Is that so wrong? Maybe my grandfather saw something I didn’t.”
Dean uses the cigar cutter to cut off the cap of his Cohiba, before lighting the foot end. “It’s not wrong, but are you sure about this?”
I shake my head, lighting my own cigar in the process, stepping out onto the small patio off the end of the study. “I don’t know what’s going on anymore. I never wanted to get married, or be a stepfather. But, now with Clementine…” I pause. “I know I want her. I know I can’t stop thinking about her. I don’t know what it means.”
Dean follows me through the double french doors. “I think it means you’re in love.”
My heart skips a beat, or else it completely stops. I’m not sure. No, I’m not in love. Never been in love. Never plan on being in love. “I don’t think that’s it. I’m just a little consumed by her.”
“Love,” Dean says, taking a drag of his cigar.
“No.” That can’t be the answer. It just can’t be.
Sure, being around Clementine is pretty much the only thing I want to do right now, but it has to be a phase.
I’ve just never met anyone else like her. It’s the infatuation of having a shiny new object around—that has to be it.
But, then I remember being in the shower with her this morning. Feeling her, kissing her, touching her like a man who loves a woman touches. Is it the craziest thing in the world for a man like me to fall in love?
It is. No more talk about this love stuff.
I finish up with Dean, saying goodnight and head off to my room to get a good night’s sleep. When I open the door, Clementine’s fast asleep in my bed. I walk to the edge of the mattress and watch her.
Her eyes flutter a little as she sleeps, something I’ve never noticed before. I smooth away her hair from her eyes, and sigh. This woman will be the death of me.
“Gabriel,” she breathes out, her eyes opening just a smidgen, “is that you?”
“Yes.” I remove my tie, and then unbutton my shirt as she slowly wakes. “I’m here.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“You don’t need to explain.” I flip off the bedside table lamp, letting the only light in the room come from the moonlight streaming in through the windows. “You don’t ever have to explain anything to me.” I lift the covers, sliding in next to her.
She snuggles up next to me, her head nestled in the crook of my arm. It feels right. “I’m nervous.”
“You have nothing to worry about.” I would never let anyone touch her. “I’m here to take care of you.”
She lifts her head, resting on her elbow, her eyes gazing into mine. “I know. I think that’s why your grandfather wanted you to marry me. To take care of us.”
I reach my hand up, touching her soft skin. “What are you talking about?”
“You have to promise me you’ll keep us safe.”
I sit up, more worried than I’ve ever been. “Clem, what are you talking about?”
She kisses my lips, softly, taking my breath away with her. “Did I ever tell you about my sister?”
“Not really.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I miss her so much. And it makes me so sad she’s missing out on Tenny’s life.”
I wrap my arms around her, curling her against my chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“She thought she was in love. She thought she knew what she was doing, but she was so wrong.” Clementine is in full on tears now.
I stroke her hair. “I’m so sorry.” I feel like an idiot, because I’ve never been good at this kind of thing. I’ve never had the right words to say. All I can think about is the pain I felt when I lost my parents. “When my parents died, I was a mess. I didn’t want to eat or play. I was so young, and I still remember how angry I felt. I was angry at the world.”
“Death is the whole world's fault,” she says. “A series of unfortunate events that lead to someone’s death. It isn’t fair. This life isn’t fair.”
“For many years, I blamed everyone. But, you can’t blame anyone, because it was an accident,” I tell her, grazing my fingers down her arm, remembering my parent’s car crash, and the small details we had about the whole ordeal. “It sucks.” She wipes the tears away. “There are people to blame for what happened to Savannah, though. I want to make them pay.”
I push back, finding Clementine’s honey-colored eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Before my sister started work here at Joseph’s, she went to work for Alastair Blackstone.”
“Bishop’s father?”
She nods. “Yes, and they’re the reason she’s gone.”
“What exactly happened?”
“I can’t tell you. But you have to promise me, you won’t let anyone hurt us.”
“I promise you, Clementine.” And I mean it.
They’ll have hell to pay. She’s mine to protect now, and I’ll make sure I always do.
SIXTEEN
Clementine
* * *
IT’S BEEN two days since we came home from St. Thomas, and it’s been two nights I’ve slept in bed with Gabriel. I don’t know what it is, but he makes me feel safe.
I haven’t done much of anything the past two days, except, plan a wedding. An extravagant one at that. It’s not that I want the extravagance, I just want to get the whole thing over and done.
“Yes, five-hundred,” I tell Lana, in her office, after Gabriel steps out to take a phone call. “I’d like five-hundred paper airplanes released at the end of the ceremony.” I know how much Gabriel loves kites, planes, and drones. So, I think he’ll get a kick out of this romantic gesture. It’s something I want to do for him for keeping Tennyson
and I safe.
“I love that idea,” Lana says back. “Have you picked out your dress yet?”
I haven’t even thought of a dress. “No. There’s just been so much going on.”
“Don’t stress. That’s what I’m here for.”
I smile and stand. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Call me if you need anything else.”
We say our goodbyes and I step out of her office.
Leaned against the wall, Gabriel glances up from his phone. “Ready to get a dress?”
I nod. “I am.”
I shouldn’t be thinking about this as a real wedding, but there’s a small part of me that is kind of hoping for the happily ever after with Gabriel by my side.
He touches the small of my back, leading me out of the building and to the black sedan waiting by the curb.
Gabriel tells Stafan where to go as soon as we slide into the back seat. LaBrec’s—the place for a dress. Normally, it’s by appointment only, but from what I’m learning, Gabriel Prince doesn’t need appointments.
“Who knew when we were young, and I flew my drone into your hair, we’d end up marrying,” Gabriel says as Stefan pulls away.
“Not me,” I say. Funny how fate works.
“Sorry there isn’t enough time to get a dress custom made for you,” Gabriel says.
I wave a hand, dismissing his words. “It’s fine. Better to get this over with sooner than later.” I don’t want to waste a year planning this wedding just to prolong the inevitable.
A strange look crosses Gabriel’s features, that I can’t quite read, before he pulls out his phone.
“I just need to take care of a few things,” he says.
I check my phone just for something to do. There’s a text from Ronin, and I stiffen. Without opening it, I put my phone away, not wanting to deal with him.
We pull up to Labrec’s and Stefan parks the car.
Have you ever had something burning a hole in your pocket? This phone right now is for real, straight up burning a hole in my purse, taking up all my headspace. I need to read the message.