I didn’t have to ask. I already knew.
I put my foot onto the smooth surface, fully prepared to climb up without assistance. Gabriel put pressure onto my thigh, a subtle command to stop. He then placed his hands onto my waist and lifted me up.
Now perched on my pedestal, blindfolded and wrapped in yards of ribbon, I thought the question again—where was my life with Gabriel going to lead next?
And how will we get there?
I didn’t know but I was ready. I shed any lingering traces of doubt like an old skin and prepared for the next stage in my life. I didn’t know all the answers and was bound to stumble, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that I had finally listened to my heart.
I loved Gabriel Gordon and always had. Nothing could change that and nothing could keep me away from him.
I felt my expression lighten with joy. I couldn’t wait for what came next! I didn’t fear my future with Gabriel anymore and I didn’t see any other obstacles to stand between us and our unconventional romance. We were in love and together. What more could I ask for?
My lips curved into a slow smile. Gabriel swore he would never let me go. I finally felt the same. And because of that we were fully free.
“How are you feeling, Emma?”
“Wonderful. Better than good. Divine.”
“And that’s what I was waiting to hear all day. Thank you, my dearest love.” His hand squeezed my ankle. “I promised you a date, didn’t I?”
“I remember something about a date,” I answered coyly. “I also remember saying I was going to cook for you when you got back.”
“That is something I haven’t forgotten. Would you mind saving that for me next week though?”
“Okay.” I had to admit that I was a little disappointed. I loved how much Gabriel loved me doing the domestic goddess thing for him.
“Don’t pout, my love. Not when I want to keep my word to you. I say we have enough time to squeeze a date in this weekend, don’t you think?”
“Aren’t we on one?”
Gabriel snorted. “Hardly! I promised you a date where we’d go shopping, have lunch, go to a museum, have dinner—”
“See a show, go out for drinks, and then bed. Where we’ll then fall asleep after an hour or two of vigorous sex.”
The laughter was heavy in his voice. “Your memory is a force of nature, Emma! Remind me to watch my words and never promise more than I can give.”
“Of course, Mr. Gordon,” I assured him sweetly.
“Thank you very much, Ms. Adams.”
I enjoyed our bantering, especially when we were like this. I wished I could see his face or at the very least, lean down and kiss him. “It’s still early. We can drive uptown and start our shopping.”
“No can do, baby.”
“Do you want to do something else instead?”
“I can take you out around town any time. I promised you a proper date and a proper date is what you’re going to get.”
“Meaning?”
“Your bag is in the trunk for a reason, Emma.”
I’d completely forgotten about it. “I thought that was an overnight bag for me to stay here with you.”
“Nope. Our flight leaves…well, whenever I want it to. Are you ready to be set free, Emma?”
“No, not really. Can’t I stay like this?” I answered truthfully. I wasn’t quite ready to leave my pedestal and I also wasn’t ready to share Gabriel with the rest of the world.
“Well, my dear girl, I have influence and pull, but I doubt I can carry you through the airport bound like this without getting arrested.”
I imagined the smirk on his face. “Oh, that’s too bad.”
“Indeed. We should be able to completely disregard the rules of society, but we do what we must to blend, don’t we?” Gabriel’s strong hands lifted me up and over his shoulder. “Just a little longer, Emma…”
I’d gone from goddess to trophy of war. While I loved being adored from afar, this I liked even better. I wondered if I could interest him in incorporating this position in a future game. I hoped so.
I rested my head on his back while he carried me down what I imagined was the center hallway. Gabriel soon set me down. My toes sank into a luxuriously-soft carpet, verifying that we were indeed back in the master suite. I stood patiently while he went through the painstaking task of undoing my ribbon bindings.
When the last bit fell away, I felt a sudden, ominous warning. Unconsciously I moved closer to Gabriel. He instantly took me in his arms and calmed with sweet murmurs. I shook off my apprehension and hugged him tight.
“What is it, Emma?”
“Nothing, Gabriel. I just got a little superstitious. That’s all.”
He was silent for a moment and then he said, “Remember what I said, Emma? I won’t lose you again. Not for the world. You’re safe with me.”
“I know, Gabriel.” I knew it so why did I get so scared again? I calmed myself with It’s just going to take time for you to not have to have control over every little thing. It’ll get better.
His fingers unknotted the blindfold. I winced, expecting light to pierce my eyesight uncomfortably. Nothing happened. The room was dark, Gabriel having drawn the blinds over every window sometime before. My lover’s thoughtfulness never failed to move me. Gabriel was always so sweet to me. Always.
I reached for him, not wanting an inch to separate us. “I love you, Gabriel.”
Surprise flipped his smile before deep pleasure shined brightly in his arresting gaze. “I love you too, Emma.”
Unable to completely banish my uneasiness, I asked with uncharacteristic vulnerability, “Nothing will ever tear us apart, will it?”
“Never!” Gabriel swore, ruthless clench in his jaw affirming his sincerity.
I tightened my arms around his waist and rested my head against his chest. We stood there for a long time, unwilling and unable to let the other go.
Continue Emma and Gabriel’s adventures in Book III of the “Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Love” series:
Dangerous for You – Coming Early 2014
ABOUT ANNA ANTONIA
Anna is a lover of all things dark and passionate. Living in the Southeastern United States, she enjoys antiquing, DIY thrift store finds, sedate hiking along trails, and spending time with her family and menagerie of pets. Being the only girl in a household full of men makes it hard to always be a lady, but she gives it a good old college try.
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
About Anna
Bad for You (Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Love) Page 17