“You’re so spoiled.”
“Yes. You’ve known this for a long time. I’m not as bad as I was before, though. That should help a teeny bit,” Gabrielle said, wiggling her fingers at him.
“This is serious, Gabrielle. We don’t know what Quattro could be planning next. Damian’s death doesn’t guarantee that they won’t still come after you. I’ll get Bobby and Everett to figure out what’s going on,” Sebastian said.
“Ike’s friends?” Gabrielle balked. “How could they possibly help?”
“Trust me. There aren’t two better people that you’d want on your side. Especially with what you’re dealing with,” Sebastian confirmed. “While they are figuring out what Quattro could be planning, I’ll need complete access to your itinerary, cell phone, electronic tablets, and laptops. Every login and password on anything you do online. Bobby will place tracers on them so we can monitor every email, call, and text in case Quattro tries to hack into your accounts or reach out to you. You don’t go anywhere without me by your side. I will be your fucking shadow. Your cell phone will be updated with a tracker in the rare instance that we get separated. As long as it’s with you, I’ll be able to find you. Don’t worry. The backup to the cell phone tracker will be a bracelet. It emits a signal that I can track as long as your close to a WI-FI signal. That’s my last resort to find you if you’re cell phone is confiscated or destroyed.”
“Wow, you’re not a rookie at this,” Gabrielle said, taken aback by how quickly he formulated a plan to protect her on the spot. “Seems intrusive.”
“Seems like a lifesaver.” Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her.
She cowered under his rebuke. Now that she’d gotten her way, she couldn’t make light of the threat that could be lurking.
“One more thing. This one is the most important.”
Gabrielle raised an eyebrow. What could be more important than a complete and utter invasion of her privacy by the one man driving her crazy with lust? At least he hadn’t demanded full access to her writing journal. That would be one place she could work through all these feelings for him without him knowing it.
“When I tell you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. Keeping you safe is more of an art than a science. I may not be able to articulate clearly why I know you’re in danger, but that doesn’t mean my instincts are wrong. I won’t waste time convincing you why you must do as I ask. Think you can live with that?”
Gabrielle bristled as her tired mind went to the most salacious thoughts. She wouldn’t mind complying with his every command … in the bedroom. She had no doubt it would bring her extreme pleasure and the sweetest satisfaction. Damn, she wanted this man so much right now.
She took a deep breath and said, “I can live with that.”
Chapter19
Sebastian stared at Gabrielle standing on the wooden deck that extended from the back of his bungalow home. The location was perfectly isolated, as Sebastian had wanted. Nestled in the foothills of the Cabrito Mountains on a small tract of land gifted to him by the King Family, he had a breathtaking view of the lush trees and pristine black sand beach of the Tango Lowlands a hundred feet below. The area was known for being inhabited by a small population of recluses who shunned the outside world and lived without electricity, internet, and phone lines. They rarely left the gorge, choosing to live off what nature provided.
Sebastian hadn’t gone completely off grid when he’d chosen this spot to build his modest home. He took full advantage of the King Family resources. His property was surrounded by the jungle and protected by a security system worthy of royalty. No one could come within 50 feet of his house without having their every move tracked by his motion-following cameras.
No matter how much he’d wanted to argue with Gabrielle, she’d been right to suggest moving in with him. It was the safest place for her, even if it wasn’t the safest for his own fucking heart.
Elbows resting on the railing, she leaned over, staring down at the black sand beach below. She wore a turquoise Hullabaloo t-shirt tied at her waist, accentuating her perfect hourglass figure. The curves of her round ass stuffed into tight black leggings were on full display, causing his cock to twitch with anticipation.
This was going to be torture every damn minute of every damn day. A fight to keep his hands off this woman. To keep his cock from between those thick, irresistible thighs.
“This view is stunning,” Gabrielle said, turning to grace him with a gorgeous smile.
“Most definitely,” Sebastian said, delighting in the view of her boobs pressed against the tight t-shirt. She had to be a D cup. Maybe double D. Fuck.
“I understand why you picked this spot,” She rubbed at a few remnants of mud splattered on her face from the trek on his ATV to where he lived. He’d explained in too much detail why bringing a dozen suitcases transported in a Mercedes G-wagon wouldn’t work. The mountain roads were narrow and muddy. His house was made for one, and he rarely had visitors.
He’d talked her down to one hiking backpack stuffed with everything she considered “essential,” which still seemed like a lot to him. She’d surprised him by not balking at the rustic mode of transportation. Swinging her backpack over her shoulders, she jumped on the four-wheeler without hesitation. Her body had pressed against his, hands caressing his six-pack, soft thighs melded against him. He was surprised he hadn’t stopped the ATV and fucked her on the spot. But restraint prevailed because that wasn’t what she needed. Sex would be a temporary distraction.
He didn’t want to be a temporary anything for her.
One taste wouldn’t be enough, so he settled for none.
But he wasn’t sure how long he could resist Gabrielle. Finding Quattro and stopping them from making their next move against her was his top priority. Once he’d vanquished the threat, she would go back to her life. There would be distance between them. No reason for them to interact anymore. That was the best thing for him.
All his focus had to be on accomplishing that goal, not getting into her panties.
“The best sunrises and sunsets in St. Felipe can be seen here,” Sebastian said, pointing to a quaint table with two wooden chairs at the back of the deck.
“I can’t wait to see it.” Gabrielle sauntered toward him, tucking thick strands of her wavy hair behind her ears. A face he could never tire of seeing. “Guess I should unpack my clothes. Where’s the guest bedroom?”
“Didn’t I mention that earlier? There … isn’t one.” Sebastian walked barefoot onto the deck and lifted her backpack from the ground. “Only one bedroom since I set up a gym and home office in the other room. The couch doesn’t pull out to a bed, either.” He pointed at the modest couch against one wall of his living room. The cushions were hard and had seen better days. It would be fucking uncomfortable to sleep on. He wasn’t looking forward to that.
