“Tsk, tsk, Red. Open them for me, Baby.”
Her eyes burned into his, but her hands rose and she slowly pushed the cups of the bra to the sides and felt her nipples tighten painfully at his heated gaze.
“Come here, Red.”
She took the steps that separated them and her breath caught in her throat when his hands closed over her breasts and kneaded them skillfully. His fingers twirling and tweaking the nipples between them. She moaned and ran her tongue over her lips.
“You have beautiful breasts, Baby. I could touch and kiss them the whole day long. Just the taste of them on my tongue drives me crazy with need for you!”
His head lowered and his one hand curled around her hair at the nape of her neck to pull and bend her over backwards. His lips closed over her breast and he sucked it sensually and deep into his mouth and immediately left it to taste the other as well and she mewled. Her whole body quivered in his arms and she felt volcanic heat flow from where he suckled all the way down her body to tighten painfully in her core.
He nibbled on the one tip and then on the other. He pulled her breast as deep as he could into his mouth and then pulled back, racking his teeth all the way to the tip, smiling at her uncontrolled mewl. He bit down on the tip and suckled it immediately and she gasped breathlessly. He repeated it with the other breast as well and Sienna was on fire.
“Gabriel … please …”
“Please what, Bella Donna?”
“Stop! You have to … oohh … stop!”
He suckled both nipples hard and deep once more before he regrettably pulled her head towards his and kissed her tenderly. He stepped back and stroked her nipples softly one last time before he pulled her bra back over them and snapped it closed. Sienna forced air into her lungs with hard, deep and desperate pulls while he buttoned her shirt.
“It is unfortunate that I have to go into the office now … you were away for far too long! I suggest you rest well this afternoon, Red. You will not get any sleep tonight!”
Elaine watched Gabriel follow the path Sienna took into the garden and smilingly shook her head.
“I sincerely hope those two can see what they have between them. They are both so hard headed.”
William turned to Elaine and looked at her. She had a healthy glow to her still smooth and perfect skin. She was a very beautiful woman, even at the age of sixty five. Her blond hair was still full and shiny with hardly a glitter of silver.
“How is it that you still look so young with a granddaughter Sienna’s age?”
“I was very young when her mother was born and Sienna was born when she was barely nineteen. It was very hard for us all when her parents died. We were always a very close family. Sienna took it very hard. I suppose because she was an only child.”
“And your husband. When did he pass away?”
“Oh … Gerard left us more than twenty years ago. He had a brain tumor. In the end he died peacefully in his sleep.”
“I am sorry. It is never easy to lose a loved one.”
“And you, William?”
He smiled and shrugged. “I never married and have no kids. I gave my heart to a woman just after I specialized. We got engaged and I was happy. We decided to wait until I paid off my study debt before we got married. I guess she did not want to wait that long. She left me six months before we were supposed to get married. After that, I guess I lost faith in love from womankind and concentrated on my work.”
“It is so sad to go through life alone without love.” Elaine touched his arm and smiled at him with warmth in her eyes. William looked searchingly into her eyes.
“I never met anyone in all the years that made my heart beat faster and made me want to feel love again … until we bumped into each other at the Art Gallery. Are you willing to take a chance on me, Elaine? I can’t promise romance and flowery versus … I don’t think I remember how, but I do know that you make my heart beat faster and I feel lost when you leave the room.”
“William … at our age … do we really need romance and flowery versus? I feel the same about you and I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are willing to take a chance.”
He took her hands in his and slowly drew them up to his lips and kissed her knuckles tenderly. His eyes shone with tenderness and Elaine’s with excitement.
“Do you need months and years of courtship, Elaine? I know this is very quick, but we are not youngsters anymore and I already know what is in my heart. We already met each other over three months ago and I do not want to waste time that we could spend together on wooing you.”
“Nor do I. I have always been a romantic at heart and the night you pulled me against you to keep me from falling, my heart was lost to you already.”
“Do you think Sienna will be very upset if this trip becomes our honeymoon?”
“William?”
He smiled at her gasp. “Yes Elaine, I want to marry you, today if possible! I do not want to waste more time. I know we’ll be happy together and we can decide where we want to live later. I have already decided to stop practicing. I have amassed a rather sizeable fortune over the years investing and it is time to enjoy life. We can even just travel for a bit.”
“This is … are you sure you are ready to stop practicing? You are so good at what you do and so loved at the hospital!”
“I am sure. So, Elaine Thorne, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Elaine beamed and leaned forward to kiss him tenderly on his lips.
“Yes William … only if you will do me the honor of becoming my husband!”
“There is no doubt about that, my love!”
She looked up and noticed Sienna and Gabriel returning, their hands clasped between them. Sienna was slightly flushed, but Gabriel had a huge smile on his face. He looked like the proverbial cat that got his cream.
Sienna noticed her Gramps and William’s clasped hands and frowned, but when she noticed the happy and excited glitter in her eyes, she felt warmth flow through her heart. She deserved love and happiness. She has been alone for so long and because she had a teenager to look after she never looked for love. She has noticed over the past few years that Gramps seemed lonely and could find nothing but happiness for her in her heart.
Gabriel also noticed and frowned down at Sienna, but relaxed when she smiled happily. He kept his frown on his face and he addressed William sternly.
“Doctor Salt, is there something you wish to declare to us?”
“Oh for goodness sake, Gabriel! Declare! Really? Why not just tell us?”
“Stop interrupting me, Donna! This is serious.”
William blushed a little and with a brief smile at Elaine nodded in their direction.
“Yes, Elaine and I met a few months ago at an Art Gallery and have gone out a few times. I have just asked her to marry me and she said yes.”
Sienna’s eyes widened and filled with tears. Her Gramps was leaving her! Elaine noticed the look and jumped up to wrap her in her arms.
“My darling! I will always be there for you! You know that!”
“I know, Gramps. I am just so happy for you! You deserve to be happy!”
“William is going to retire and then we will decide where we’re going to stay. We might even move to Italy.”
This time the devastation was clear on Sienna’s face. Her life was in Washington and she could not imagine what it would be like not to have Gramps nearby.
“Why … here? I will never see you!”
Elaine glanced at Gabriel and glared at his smiling face. He was very happy with the turn of the events and clearly agreed with Elaine that they move to Italy. The only one that had tunnel vision was Sienna.
“Don’t fret, Sienna. Nothing has been decided yet. Besides, you and I did speak about that some time ago. You always said there are so much exciting historical events in Italy and Europe to explore. We can all move here!”
Sienna looked at her Gramps with mixed feelings. She might have wanted to move to Ita
ly before, but there was no way she would move now. Not if it meant seeing Gabriel all over the news with all his floozies hanging on his arm or getting married eventually.
Gabriel watched the emotions flash over her face and nearly growled. She clearly did not see herself in Italy for a long period of time and had every intention of going back to Washington once she has done her job. She was in for a big surprise. If she thought her debt was ever going to diminish, she was in for a big surprise!
“Yes, Red … you have amassed quite a debt over a short period of time. Imagine how big it will be by the time you are done with the research.”
She gasped and turned to him with her hands on her hips. Her eyes flashed like glimmering amethysts at him.
“If you for one moment think I am going to stay on the Island once my research is done, you are totally demented! No Gabriel … when I am done, I am going back home!”
“Really? Do you really believe you would be able to leave this country if I decide you will stay, Red?”
“You can’t force me to stay, Gabriel!”
“Hmm … don’t know about that. Maybe you should find out how much power I hold as King in this country, my dear. It spreads a lot wider than just San Marino I am afraid!”
“No! I … you will not force me to stay!”
His smile was feral and his eyes flashed like the morning sun.
“Correct me if I am wrong, Sienna, but don’t you need your passport to leave this country.”
“Don’t ask me stupid quest … NO!”
Her eyes widened when she remembered handing her passport to Benito to clear them all through Customs when they landed. A sure sign of the power of the Royal house of Seravalle. He never gave it back to her!
“Don’t worry, my love. It is safely locked away in the safe along with mine. Now, you all will have to excuse me. I have to finalize a few things at the office, before we leave in the morning.”
He reached for Sienna but she literally jumped back to avoid his hands. His eyes rose and he smiled sardonically.
“So quickly does she forget! Come and kiss me goodbye, Red.”
She glowered, but his flashing eyes reminded her of what she just committed to in the garden and she stepped closer with stiff legs and an even stiffer body. Gabriel was not fazed however and pulled her tight into his body and kissed her more intimately than he would have with her Gramps present, had she not been so obstinate.
Chapter Fourteen
“It is such a pleasure to meet you Sienna. Sophia told me all about you. I am so happy that Gabriel agreed to have the research done. It is something that the family should have done ages ago.”
Sienna returned the motherly hug and found it difficult to believe that she was a born and bred Italian. She spoke English fluently with not even a hint of an accent.
Aunt Viola and Gramps connected from the first moment their eyes met and Sienna was happy that she would have a female friend once Gabriel took her hostage again. She smirked and sighed. The way he treated her since yesterday one would swear she was a criminal. She could not go anywhere without him lurking close by. Where the devil did he think she could disappear to without her passport?
She watched the three older people move down the porch and walk towards the garden where Aunt Viola had set up some tea and cakes.
“Stop frowning, Red. My aunt might just think you don’t want your Gramps to visit with her.”
She glared at him. “Your aunt is a lovely lady! So are Sophia and Andreas. Even Benito has become tolerable. So stop pretending that I am a grouch!”
“I find it quite telling that I am the only one omitted in that line up!” However the grin on his face belied any affront he was trying to depict in his voice.
“What else do you expect? You forcibly pushed me into an obligation on something that was purely a mistake!”
“It seems I need to remind you once again, Red. First you seduced me and all I did was to collect on what you owed me. Then you kept taking from me and giving back a lot less …”
“Oh … you … me take from you! You deliberately make me …”
“It is not my fault, amore that your body craves mine and my touch so much that you respond so rapidly and so … satisfyingly, I might add. Stop glaring at me, Baby. You know it is the truth. Secondly, you are the one that ordered me to stay away from other woman … so my darling dear Sienna … that leaves only you to see to all my needs.”
He leaned closer against her and whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her neck.
“Or are you sexually frustrated, Red? I told you last night I would keep your mouth covered and my aunt won’t hear your cries.”
“Gabriel! Will you stop?”
“Don’t worry, Baby. I made sure our rooms are in the wing opposite from everyone else. Tonight I will service you well!”
She slapped him on his shoulder and swung away to stomp towards the others where they were having tea under the gazebo in the garden. She growled in frustration when his deep chuckle followed her down the steps. Then she squealed when he swung her high in his arms and twisted her backwards to kiss her wildly and passionately in full view of his astounded aunt.
She was breathless when he let her go and he took her hand in his and drew her towards the others.
“I will never forgive you for this, Gabriel! What must your aunt think?”
“That her nephew appreciates a beautiful woman.”
“Well appreciate me when they are not around! You can’t just …”
He stopped so quickly her arm was pulled back by his as she continued on. He glared at her and his voice was even more raspy than usual.
“Why? I am not going to lurk around corners when I want to kiss or touch you, Sienna. For as long as you are the only woman I sleep with or allowed to touch, you better get used to it. I like touching and kissing you and I refuse to hide you away as if we are having a secret tryst!”
“So you would rather the tabloids turn me into a fortune hunter and hussy!”
“The tabloids again! I do not pay any attention to that and I never have! Why you do, I have no idea! You are neither a fortune hunter nor a hussy and I most definitely have never thought of you as such. That is what should matter!”
“It matters for the people that read it. And those are the people that support you and your family! Please Gabriel! If you are adamant to pursue this … damn debt I owe you … keep it private and between us!”
His amber eyes swirled like a desert storm and his anger was clearly visible in his voice.
“Forget it, Sienna. I am not going to be a liar and pretend I don’t want you or touch you when there are others present. No matter where we are. Or are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
She gawked at him and threw her hands up in the air in frustration. She started walking to the others and yapped over her shoulder.
“Forget it! Why I even bother I don’t know! No one can compete with your arrogance and pigheadedness!”
“Sienna! We are not done with this conversation! Come back here!”
His voice carried to the others and they all sat watching them with interest. Sienna ignored the command and waved him away over her shoulder, yelling back at him.
“What conversation? You demand … or no, you don’t demand … you decree and I have to obey!”
“If you don’t get back here right this instance, woman, your butt is going to hurt so much you won’t sit for a week!”
“Poppycock King Gabriel! Go and jump in the lake!”
She saw her Gramps eyes widen and knew she went a tad too far and she broke into a dead run straight to William’s chair to hide behind him, just as Gabriel grated to a stop in front of his chair. His eyebrows raised and his mouth curved into an amusing grin.
“Do you really think hiding behind the only other man here is going to protect you, Red?”
“No, but hiding behind my future Gramps does!” She gripped his shoulders and prayed he would heed her plea.
Her Gramps chortled at the expression on Williams’ face and Aunt Viola chuckled with elation. She never thought she’d witness the day that a woman challenged Gabriel. So much so that he got angry and threatened her!
“I am sorry, Gabriel, but she is right. I take my new position very seriously and I cannot allow you to threaten hurting her butt. Now if you threatened to kiss her breathless … well that I can’t find fault with!”
“William!” Gramps shrieked at him and he just shrugged his shoulders with an innocent expression on his face.
“Now that is a suggestion I would most definitely consider as an alternative!”
“I should have known you men would stand together! No, Gabriel, don’t you even think that! You put your damn lips anywhere near mine I will bite them until they bleed!”
He ignored her and slowly prowled closer whilst she retreated with a hand held out to ward him off. Her eyes pleaded with him and she shook her head.
“Gabriel … this is not funny!”
“Does it look like I am joking, honey?”
She kept walking backward and he stopped with his hands on his hips. His voice soft when he bade her, “Come here, Red.”
She shook her head and glared at him. His eyes rose and he repeated very softly.
“Red, I said, come here.”
She sighed and dropped her head on her chest. She took three long steps right into him and his whole body tightened when her softness rubbed against him.
“Yes, my King.”
“You are sorely testing my patience, donna! Now … kiss me.”
Her eyes glittered like ice and he smiled, but swallowed it quickly when her hands reached out to rest on his chest and then slowly caressed up past his shoulders to tangle her fingers in his hair at the nape of his neck. She pulled his head down and her lips closed around his and she kissed him wildly and with so much passion his shaft grew to full arousal within a heartbeat. His hands clutched her hips against his and he forced desperate breaths through his nostrils. She ended the kiss and her eyes were smoky. She leaned closer and whispered in his ear.
You Owe Me, Baby Page 12