I didn’t know what to make of the out-of-the-blue seriousness from him. “O-okay.”
He got out and I quickly evacuated the car. It wasn’t a good idea to leave a shiny vehicle idling in the middle of the ghetto. As he met me on the sidewalk, his expression shifted, the soft smile on his lips lovely.
“Thank you for tonight,” I said.
“Thank you for today,” he countered, his bedroom eyes hooding.
Ask me to come home with you, please.I knew I should get upstairs and his expensive car out of here as quickly as possible, but the blissed out feeling returned with a vengeance.
He whispered a curse. “I’m trying really hard to be good, but you have to let me do this.”
As he closed the distance between us, my body sang with victory. Gabriel kissed me sweetly and I forgot about the danger surrounding us. The entire world disappeared with the smack of our lips.
“More,” I whispered.
He grinned wickedly and took my lips again. The kiss was gentle but deeper and the barest of tongue swiped along my bottom lip. I opened for him. Kissing had always been filled with trepidation and awkwardness, but in the moment, I was comfortable. He knew what he was doing, his movement careful, testing. When I responded with enthusiasm, he went a little deeper, the flats of our tongues meeting. He was the kind of person that kissed with his entire body, warm hands cupping my cheeks, his torso brushing against my own. And when I dared to open my eyes… I stared into pure lust.
“You like that?” He purred.
I licked my lips and nodded, completely ready for more.
He smirked and stepped away. With a slanted grin, he cooed, “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby boy.”
I waved awkwardly as he got in his car and left. I stood on the steps for a long minute until I realized I was throwing wood. I quickly escaped to my apartment and gulped down a big glass of water. I plopped in bed and fell asleep with a big smile on my face.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
GABRIEL
I caught myself smiling like a fool again. I hid my pure happiness under the guise of a welcoming practitioner as I said goodbye to my client. It was almost lunchtime, and I was desperate to see Jake. Despite being disappointed he didn’t sleep over, the night had ended well. It was only a matter of time before he wound up in my bed for more than a much-needed massage. I stopped in my office and finished up the client’s paperwork then dropped it off at the receptionist’s desk so she could enter the details into the database.
I nodded at a closed door and asked Linda, “My father is just getting started?”
“His 11:45, yes.”
“Alright, I’m off for lunch then. Be back soon.” I stopped in the bathroom to freshen up. I winked at my reflection, feeling like a million bucks then left with my laptop bag.
As I walked toward Marco’s Fresh Market, I thought about how well everything was going. Yes, Jake needed a little something extra, but I didn’t mind. Slow was good for both of us. It would give us the opportunity to learn about each other, grow comfortable, and by the time we finally had sex, there would be little awkwardness. I craved intimacy and I had a strong suspicion he had very little experience in that department.
A fierce desire to protect him bubbled up. I didn’t like that he lived in squalor and worked so hard for so little. I’d been privileged all my life, but I could understand a lot of people weren’t. I wanted to spoil him rotten. He seemed like the kind of guy that deserved attention, happiness, and…love. Did I even know what love was? I’d never experienced the emotion beyond my family, and I’d gotten close with Sean, but I imagined it waswonderful. I’d be lucky if I got to live it and fuck, did I hope Jake wastheone. It was easy imagining our lives together, but reality was a different beast.
I pushed past the revolving doors of the market and searched out Jake. I found him wiping down the salad bar counters. He was absolutely glowing, that little kiss last night seeming to do him good.Oh, baby boy, you have no idea what’s coming,I thought. The one thing I liked about getting old? I’d racked up a ton of experience and I couldn’t wait to unleash it on him. I fully intended to leave him a puddle on my bed.
He spotted me and grinned widely, his cheeks mottling. It was nice to be welcomed. He had a great smile, and I got the feeling the happiness he showed was only for me.
“So nice to see you again,” I said, smirking. “You’ve been so helpful. I do have some more questions. My cousin is flying in from France and I’m planning a dinner for him. I want to make a salad but am confused about the difference between iceberg and butter lettuce. Can you help?”
He covered his laugh and spoke up to give the impression he was trying to help a customer. “Sure, I can help you with that, sir. Marco’s Fresh Market carries a variety of lettuces you will find to your taste.” He scooted a little closer and lowered his voice. “You know, no one is going to believe you're a confused customer when you look at me like that.”
“It’s not something I can help,” I whispered and grabbed an empty salad container. “You’ve very look-able. And something is different today.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. You look…happy,” I said, scanning my eyes all over him.
“Oh.” He tried to hide his smile between his teeth. “Maybe I am.”
“Could I have something to do with it?”
