"Ijust wanted to make sure you are not going to try and leave me hanging with allthis furniture in the back of my truck." He lied, grabbing her shouldershe slowly guided her out of the kitchen and through the garage.
Afterabout a half an hour of meticulous cleaning, they had all the furniture placedin the house. It was an odd feeling decorating with Salene, months ago hepictured doing this task with his newly minted wife. Amber, on the other hand,turned out to have no such shared dream.
"MyGod it looks like an actual house now." Salene laughed as she admired thefront living room. Looking around he had to admit she was right—nonverbally ofcourse. The front living room now had a beautiful wood coffee table that lookedlike a cut tree, along with the new area rug, two end tables, and matchinglamps. The decoration was actually really nice, a mixture of modern and rustic.The rest of the furniture, mirrors, and pictures were spread across the longhouse removing the Spartan feel.
"Myfavorite piece has to be this mirror." Walking to the front entrance hall,she stopped at the new side entry table and mirror.
Themirror was simple enough, gold braided metal intertwining within itself made upthe frame in a shell-like shape. Running her fingers along the edge of theframe Gabriel could see her smile through the reflection, her mind seemed to beelsewhere. Taking the unsupervised opportunity, the hunter within him observedthe figure before him.
Allthroughout college and his entire dating repertoire Gabriel had only dated onetype of woman. Women that were tall, lithe, and bordering on frail. The womanin front of him was a complete contradiction to that type of woman. Salene'sbody finally made him understand what curvy meant. Because to truly caress abody like that a man's hand would never stop dipping and rising. Tonight likethe other night she was wearing one of those skintight workout outfits anddespite his animosity towards the woman he found his eyes drawn more than onceto her curves. Shapely legs that led to an impossibly pleasing ass, hips thatcurved perfectly into her waist and to top it off the biggest set of tits hehad ever seen. Too bad she was the most annoying woman on the planet.
"UggI feel extremely grimy, I am going to go clean up," running her fingersthrough the long thick hair she snapped a rubber band around it. "There issoup in the fridge."
Watchingher walk away reminded him of what he wanted to tell her.
"Ohyeah, this Sunday I have a bunch of guys coming over to hang out." Gabrielwatched her for her reaction, but she simply turned and gave him a questioninglook. "What I am saying is, I need you to make yourself scarce. I do notneed you around seeking attention or trying to gain any sympathy with yourhomeless sob story."
Likea switch to a light being flipped, the happiness in her eyes vanished."Why do you have to be so rude Breslin, we were actually having such anice time?"
Annoyedhe pressed further, ignoring his instincts to stop. Leaning against the livingroom sofa, he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Woahdon't get upset Salene," he gave her a mean smile. "I am simply justtrying to prevent any sad and desperate acts of attention seeking on your part.I know how women can be around a group of guys." His mind immediately wentto memories of Amber around his friends. The woman became unrecognizable, drunkoff the male attention being the only woman in the room.
Shakingher head with a cold smile, she laughed, that empty patronizing laugh he hadheard many times before. "You are pathetic."
Noone could make him go zero to a hundred like this fucking woman.
"NormallyI would debate that with you," straightening from the couch he stooddirectly in front of her looking down at her. "But you and I both know youare just displaying a textbook case of dissociative anger over the fact thatunlike yourself I have more than one friend. Friends that pick up the phonewhen I call."
Thestinging words hit their mark like a poisonous arrow. Pain flashed through herbrown eyes as she took a step back. Gabriel immediately regretted the barb asshe tried to compose herself.
"Youare right Breslin," her eyes looked at him with a fire that should havewarned him. "I just hope once your friends discover your hatefulpersonality they will not run out on you as well. I would hate for that tohappen a second time."
Notwaiting for a response she walked off.
Clenchinghis fists Gabriel turned to go towards his gym. It was a good thing she leftwhen she did because he was in a dangerous mood. With the desire to hitsomething he slammed the door shut behind him to the gym. Never in his life didhe want to strangle a woman as bad as he wanted to wrap his hands aroundSalene's pretty little neck.
Bythe time Sunday evening arrived Gabriel had not shared more than a handful ofwords with his roommate. Both of them were far too prideful to back down.Salene was still setting up the food when Tobias arrived. Even though he gaveher his credit card and instructions for food, he did not expect such a spread.Sandwiches, dip, tacos, chips and a whole bunch more.
"HiSalene," Tobias leaned against the kitchen counter giving her hisaward-winning smile. "You ready for the game?"
Thesmile she gave him did not quite reach her eyes, remaining listless just likethe past few days since their argument.
Notlooking up she focused on the creamy dip she was pouring into a bowl. "Ummno I am going to have to take a rain check if you do not mind Tobias."Still not making eye contact she turned towards the sink. "I have myorders, and I have about ten applications waiting to be filled out."
"Orders?"Tobias immediately turned back to him casting Gabriel an angry glare.
Tobiashad made it quite clear to him that he did not like the way he treated Salene.Annoyed Gabriel went to the den to get the TV and surround sound setup,anything to get away from the emotionless brown eyes.
"Whatthe hell man?" Tobias whispered coming up behind him. "You lockingher in her room now?"
WhetherSalene knew it or not she had made one friend almost on-sight with Tobias.
Scrubbinghis face with one hand Gabriel threw down the remote to face the muscled upbehemoth. "Look, I told her to make yourself scarce tonight. I do not needher making a fool out of herself in front of the guys."
Leaningon the back of the couch with both hands to his sides Tobias gave him a seriouslook. "When are you going to realize that she," he pointed towardsthe kitchen. "Is nothing like Amber. I am not even sure how those two wereeven friends."
Thegiant well thought out spread on the counter was evidence that the two womenwere different, along with so many other factors Gabriel tried to ignore.Rubbing the stubble on his cheeks in the habit of frustration they both heardthe voices at the same time. If Gabriel was not already annoyed, he sure asfuck was now when he stepped out of the den to see Derek Cipriani smilinglargely to a wide-eyed Salene. Her hand was still in his as if he was justgreeting her, but Derek had yet to let go. Holding her hand in his, Derek wassaying something to her as she nodded and gave a soft laugh.
