by Emme Rollins, Julia Kent, Anna Antonia, Helena Newbury, Aubrey Rose
I blanched. My tongue ached to confess he wasn’t the only one to feel it.
“Yet, I’d take every moment of that a hundred times over if it meant that I could finally be with someone who could be real with me. You don’t try to impress me and you don’t want my money. You don’t watch your tongue out of fear that I’ll get angry and not do business with your family. When I’m with you I know that what I get is real. The pain, the happiness, all of it is genuine.”
His words made me feel like a goddess. I only wished I could be half a good a person as he painted me to be. “Not always. I don’t show you half of what I really feel.”
His gaze softened. “But I still know it’s there, Emma. It exists and that’s all that matters to me.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thank you, Gabriel. I’m still not staying.”
“Neither am I.”
I can’t explain how relieved those words made me. Was I already that attached to him again? If I had any sense at all I would walk away and never speak to Gabriel again.
“Can you leave? I mean, aren’t you expected to stay for longer?”
An arrogant smirk proceeded, “It’s good to be king sometimes, Emma, especially because I can do what I want.”
“So you only want to be real with me and not the rest of the world?”
“Well, let’s not get crazy.”
“All right, King Gabriel. Let’s go and eat. I’m paying, remember?”
He smiled, obviously relieved. “I haven’t forgotten.”
I reached out for his hand. I didn’t have to think about how right it felt. “I know a place where we can eat until our bellies want to explode. You game?”
Gabriel squeezed my hand. “That is the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
We smiled together, thoughts of Embry and the rest gone as if they’d fallen off the edge of the world.
Chapter Six
The doorbell chimed incessantly. I crawled out of bed, cursing whoever had the nerve to wake me up at the crack of noon. I croaked, “Yes?”
“Rise and shine, Emma.”
“Gabriel?”
“In the flesh.”
Excitement skittered along my spine. “What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to see you.”
I looked at my wrist. “But we just saw each other.”
“Five hours ago! Which is way too long to be apart from you.”
“But—”
“Emma, my dear, can we have this conversation in person?”
My eyes felt stuck to one another. I could barely muster up the strength to force them open even as my heartbeat quickened. I couldn’t deny how pleased I was that I’d get to see him again.
We’d left the fundraiser the night before and piled into Gabriel’s limousine. I’d instructed Waylon to drive halfway between downtown and suburbia to the finest 24 hour Chinese restaurant in the world. Gabriel had practically jumped out of the limo in his excitement.
I’d felt strange going into Hong Kong Garden #5 knowing Waylon was going to be outside waiting. However, he turned down our invitation to join us and instead settled down with an e-reader.
“I already ate dinner tonight. Thank you though.”
Gabriel had twined his fingers with mine and led us into the restaurant. We settled into a red pleather booth and talked for hours. He charmed me with stories of his adventures around the world. I entertained him with…well, I’m not sure. My life had been remarkably dull until he careened back into it.
“What about boyfriends?”
“Why would I want to tell you?”
“Why wouldn’t you?” Gabriel waved a fried wonton. “Was there someone as important as me?”
“What a big head you have!”
“Answer the question, Emma.”
“I am not talking to you about my past relationships.”
“Fair enough.” He swallowed a bite of lo mein. “Aren’t you going to ask me if there was someone as important as you?”
My fried rice settled in my stomach like a rock. “No, I’m not going to ask.”
“Good. It saves time. The answer is no.”
I didn’t have to look at a mirror to know my cheeks flushed pink with pleasure. “Good. It saves time with me asking about Embry.”
He glanced up at me, gaze serious. “I’m sorry again for tonight. I shouldn’t have brought you there knowing she might show up.”
“Water under the bridge, Gabriel.”
He regaled me with tales of the Amazon. I told him about my planned trip to Paris—a first for me.
“Which airline are you flying?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Emma, you’re so suspicious! It’s not like I’d have your tickets cancelled so you’d have no choice but to fly in with me on my plane, would I? Seriously, when’s your trip and what airline?”
I zipped my lips shut.
Eventually we rolled ourselves back into his limo. I’d dreaded the idea of having to drive back home when all I wanted to do was crash.
“Where do you live, Emma?”
“About fifteen minutes from here. Why?”
“So I can take you home, silly.”
“Aren’t you going to drop me off at Obelisk Pointe?”
“Are you out of your mind? There’s no way I’d drop you off downtown this late at night!”
“It’s barely midnight.”
“It’s not happening, my dear, so you can just put it firmly out of your mind.”
“Gabriel,” I explained patiently. “If I don’t get my car, your security will have it towed.”
“They wouldn’t dare. Besides, I already let them know your plates and how we’ll be by to pick it up in the morning.”
I would’ve swung my arm at him, but I was too full and tired to do so. “We’ll be by?”
“Yes, we will. Now tell me your address.”
This wasn’t a battle I was prepared to win. Not when I was stuffed into complacency and mellowed by how much he’d made me laugh.
A short time later, we rolled up to my apartment complex. Gabriel peered through the darkened window, examining the buildings with an air of intense curiosity. “Which floor do you live on?”
“The ground floor.”
Gabriel’s mouth pressed into a frown. “I don’t like that very much.”
“Really? I like it fine.” I had a large patio that looked out over the tennis courts. It was quite lovely, especially in the spring.
“Yes, you would because you’re so contrary and just love to argue with me.”
“Why don’t you like it?”
“Because anyone could just break into your apartment. Do you have a dog?”
“No. I’m more of a cat person.”
“Of course you are. It also goes without saying I’m a dog person. Do you at least have an alarm system?”
“No.”
“You will tomorrow.”
“I’ll be fine without one, Gabriel, just like I’ve been fine all year long that I’ve lived here.”
“Emma.”
“Gabriel.”
He huffed, obviously irritated that I wasn’t taking my safety as seriously as he was. “Why won’t you let me get you an alarm system?”
“Because I don’t need one.”
“How can you say that? You’re a woman living alone in a ground-floor apartment without a dog. Please, Emma? It would take loads off my mind to know you have some kind of security system.”
“Why don’t you just move me out into a gated house with round the clock security?”
Gabriel perked up. “Would you let me?”
“No! That’s called sarcasm.”
“It sounds like a great idea to me. I really think we should explore it further.”
The limo finally pulled up in front of my building. I reached out and cupped his chin. “Goodnight, Gabriel.”
“Wait, Emma.” He held my hand in both of his, smiles all gone. “I�
��m serious about the security system. I can have it installed in the afternoon if you’d let me.”
I sighed, knowing I was going to cave. “Does it matter that much to you?”
“Yes!”
Gabriel sounded like my mother. She always harped on me that it wasn’t safe for a girl alone in the big city to not at least have some kind of alarm. “Fine. Send someone over. If it costs more than—”
“It’s not going to.”
“Because you’re going to pay for it?”
“Because you don’t have to worry about the cost.”
“Gabriel, you have to stop throwing your money at me.”
“You could just accept it. Honestly, it would make everything run smoother.”
I groaned and threw my arm over my eyes. “You come on so, so strong.”
“I call it focused.”
“Strong.”
“Welll, I don’t know about you, but I don’t have another seven years I’m willing to wait on us.”
Us.
“Gabriel, I’ll think about it.”
“They’ll be here in the afternoon.”
“How is that the answer to me thinking about it?”
“Because you already told me to send someone over.” His smirk promised I wouldn’t be able to rescind the order.
“Okay, but only because I’m too stuffed to properly fight you at the moment.”
“Hmm, Emma Adams has a weakness. I’ll be sure to keep you stuffed from here until eternity.”
“Yes, and when I’m a blimp I’ll be sure to sit on you until you can’t move. Teach you to use my weakness as a weapon.”
Gabriel lifted my hand to his lips. “That’s not a threat when you’d be the most beautiful blimp in all of creation.”
Our playfulness faded as the air between us charged with longing. Gabriel cupped my neck, long fingers pressing gently and urging me to lean closer to him.
“I had a wonderful time with you, Emma. I don’t want to let you go.”
I squeezed his hand. Euphoria hit my veins. His lips were so close to mine. “Who says you have to?”
Whoa! Who did that sultry voice belong to? Surely it couldn’t have been me!
“Are you teasing me, Emma? I don’t think I’ll be able to take it if you are.” Gabriel brushed his lips against mine. The soft as a feather motion wrung a low, ragged moan out of me.
“I think it’s you who’s teasing me.” I was no match for him. Gabriel could have me laid out naked in no time flat if he so chose. I couldn’t build walls fast enough to keep him out of my tower.
“Hmm, maybe I am.” Gabriel’s tongue licked the full curve of my lower lip.
My hands gripped his lapel, ready to slip the jacket off his shoulders at the earliest moment.
“I would love nothing more than to come in…in all ways.” Gabriel traced a line from my shoulder down to my elbow. “I would love it more than anything, Emma.”
“Then what’s stopping you?”
He cupped my face gently. “I’m saving myself.”
I felt adored, worshipped, and precious. Entranced, I whispered, “For what?”
“For you. For when you’re as crazy about me as I am for you. Don’t keep me waiting for long, Emma. Please.”
I stumbled out of the limo, dazed and on fire for him as he walked me to my door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Emma.” Gabriel kissed my hand and waited for me close the door before leaving.
And now here we were—me half-asleep and still excited because of the glorious man on the other side of the door.
“Emma?”
I opened the door, squinting at Gabriel as he stood on my threshold with bags of food and a carrier with four cups. “Hello, sleepyhead.”
“Hello, Gabriel.” He was dressed in jeans and a finely woven gray sweater. He looked elegant and casual. Beautiful as always. I stepped aside, conscious of my flannel pants and baggy t-shirt. “How can you look so good after so little sleep?”
“Didn’t you know? I don’t sleep more than a few hours at a time.” Gabriel stepped into my small entryway.
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“How is that possible?”
“I’m too busy to sleep.” He looked between my dining area and kitchen. “Where would you like me to put these?”
I pointed to my round cherry wood table. Gabriel set them down. He dug into the bags, pulling out containers of fruit along with muffins, scrambled eggs, thick slices of bacon, and toast. It smelled heavenly.
“Where’d you get the food?”
“I had it cooked.”
“Lucky. I usually have to do my own cooking.”
“Then maybe one day soon you can teach me.”
I took a couple of steps into my kitchen to grab some plates and utensils. “Why ever would you want to learn now?”
“So I can cook for you.”
I set one plate in front of him and another on the opposite side of the table. “Oh.”
Gabriel winked at me. “You sound so excited.” He took one step toward me.
God, I bet I look awful. Morning breath, natty hair…ugh!
I backed up and mumbled, “Let me get dressed.”
“No need, Emma. I like you as you are.”
“I’ll get freshened up then.”
“Sure.”
I walked back into my room and closed the door. Going quickly through my morning routine, I couldn’t erase the giddy smile that kept curling my lips up. Thoughts of how the last time Gabriel visited me in the afternoon flashed through my mind. It had gone terribly then. It didn’t have to be that way now.
I wouldn’t let it, not when I had a second chance at my first love.
It’s a new day.
In a few minutes I was minty-fresh and had pulled my hair in a high ponytail. I thought about changing my clothes but then decided against it. And not because Gabriel said he liked me as I was.
Definitely not.
When I came back into the dining area, Gabriel had already laid out our feast on our plates and was waiting for me. He stood up and pulled my chair out before returning back to his seat.
“I wasn’t sure which one you preferred so I brought you orange juice and coffee.”
“Juice is more than fine. I don’t really care for coffee.”
“No to the coffee then.” Gabriel plucked a large cup from my side of the table and took it into the kitchen. He returned quickly and sat across from me. “Eat up, buttercup.”
I smiled and picked up my fork. “It looks so good. I’m not sure if I can eat it all.”
“Eat until you’re stuffed.”
“I’m sure I will…wait a minute. Why are you trying to stuff me?” I studied his nonchalant expression. “You’re planning something. What is it?”
“I’m hurt, Emma. I do something nice for you and you look at it with suspicion. It’s a shame, really it is.”
“Gabriel…”
“Yes?”
“Why are you here so early?”
“It’s not early. It’s the afternoon.” He speared a pineapple chunk and popped it into his mouth. “And I wanted to see you. Do I need any other reason?”
“Ah, I guess not. So do you want to hang out here then?”
“I was thinking something all the lines of a trip to the zoo and dinner. After we get your car.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s all that’s planned.” Gabriel held out a forkful of scrambled eggs. “Here.”
I opened my mouth obediently. The eggs were delicious. “My compliments to the chef.”
“I’ll be sure to pass them along. Now eat up, sweetheart. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
It was strange to have Gabriel in my apartment, but I got used to it quickly. He put me at ease, talking about anything and everything. By the time we finished eating and started cleanup, I was easily moving around him in my narrow galley kitchen as if he’d been there forever.
“May I have a showing
of your place or is it too early to begin tours?”
He looked so eager I couldn’t help but laugh. “Sure. Come right this way.”
I stepped into the living room. “Here we have the sitting room, guest room, library, and media room. It’s a forward thinking design for the girl on a tiny budget.”
Gabriel nodded his head sagely, examining the white walls and comfy furniture with an inquisitive eye. “Yes, yes. I believe I’ve seen this done in Japan. It’s quite clever to get so much use out of a compact space.”
We took a few more steps and entered the hallway. I gestured to the half-bath on the right. “And here is the guest bathroom. Equipped with all the necessities while using the minimum square footage and still be up to code.”
Gabriel turned on the light and poked his head inside. “Looks quite unused. Toilet seat down. Very good signs. Yes, I think this is how it should be. I’m claiming this bathroom as mine. No one with dangly parts is allowed to use it except me.”
I raised my brow and continued on. “Duly noted. And this is the Master Bedroom and sole bedroom for this floor plan. It’s large, airy, and gets plenty of sun. A walk-in closet is a surprise, the surprisingly roomy bathroom equipped with garden tub is a joy, and the French door leads to the best part of the apartment.”
Gabriel stepped inside my space. His gaze rested on the rumpled bed for an indecent moment. “Nice sheets.”
I couldn’t help but think of him lazing about those very same sheets. The imagery was quite lovely. “Toile is very in with fans of cottage chic.”
“Really? I’ll have to share that with my decorator.” Gabriel ran his hand across the foot of the sleigh bed as he made his way over to the patio door. “May I?”
I loved how formal he could be. I bowed my head and waved him onwards. “Please do so, Sir.”
“Then I shall, my dearest Madam.”
We walked out onto my patio. Gabriel leaned against the metal railing and scanned the area. “It’s very pretty. I can see why you like it here.”
I considered the patio the best part of my apartment and my personal oasis. I’d decorated it with a couple of thickly cushioned oversized chairs and a wrought iron table I’d spray painted ivory. The outdoor rug beneath our feet brought a cheerful tangerine splash of color to the gray concrete. A large fountain gurgled in the corner, accented by over fifty pavers I carried by hand and set in place. Several ferns were scattered throughout, softening the hard lines and bringing much-needed greenery to the utilitarian space.