"Noshit, that guy is beyond obsessed with his body.”
Thetension between them seem to dissipate minutely, it was not much, but it madeeating with him a little bit more comfortable.
"Whenis your dad picking up Bishop?" She remembered, giving Gabriel a sad look."I am really going to miss him when he goes."
Takinga sip of his wine Gabriel leaned back in his chair and gave her questioninglook, raising one golden eyebrow. "Bishop is my dog he isn't goinganywhere."
"What?But I thought your dad said he was his dog?" Now she was really confusedshe could have sworn that Breslin Senior mentioned dropping off his dog.
Gabrielshook his head with a slight smile. "No that bastard just loves Bishop,and he likes taking him fishing with him."
"Well,that is good." She really did love Bishop she was not sure what she woulddo if he was not there to help take the stress off fighting with Breslin allthe time. "When I move out do you think we can temper our mutual disdainfor one another so I can maybe come by and see Bishop."
Itfelt odd asking him that. What would it be like seeing Breslin when sheeventually moved out?
"Maybe,if you stay in my good graces that is," he gave her breathtaking smile, asmile that made Salene wonder how such an attractive man could be so rotten.
"Wellsince we are on the subject of Bishop," Salene said carefully. "Didyou by chance let Bishop into my room last night?"
Thelittle bit of tension that dissipated earlier between them seemed to come backfull force at her question.
Likea warlock's flame his green eyes blazed brightly over the rim of his wineglass. Setting down the empty glass, Gabriel grabbed the bottle and pouredhimself a generous amount before filling hers as well.
"Whywould I do that?" His voice was deep, and his tone was brusque.
"I…I do not know maybe I was just having a stress dream." Now she felt alittle embarrassed to ask him such a strange question, that was obviously outof character. "It is no big deal I was actually happy for Bishop'scuddling."
"Aboutlast night." Gabriel's tone softened as his eyes made contact with hers."I…"
"Please,"Salene tried waving it off before he began. "Let us just forget about thewhole…"
"No,I cannot fucking forget about it." Gabriel lashed out, angry now he sat upstraighter in his chair, the legs that were on either side of hers pulled back.At his full height, he seemed to dwarf the small table they were at. "Itold that piece of shit to use the half-bath up front when the party started. Iactually told everyone that so I know he heard me. You are a guest in my house,that means you are my responsibility. So no, I cannot forget about you beingmolested under my own roof."
Salenewanted to argue that she did not get molested per se, but she knew it would bea losing battle. Though she had to secretly admit his old worldviews on hisresponsibility and anger over the situation made her heart beat a littlefaster. It was no doubt grounded in sexist thinking but it was kind of sweetnonetheless.
Thankfullythey were interrupted again by the waiter checking to see if everything wasokay. Without any consultation with her, Gabriel ordered a large slice ofItalian cream cake and two forks.
"Youare going to share this cake with me so do not give me any shit about it beingtoo many calories or anything else women try to say to make themselves lookgood." He cast her an accusing stare as a warning.
Therewere so many points to argue it was ridiculous, first she wanted to argue againabout his chauvinistic demands but at this point what was the use, there was nogetting through to the man. Secondly, she wanted to honestly ask him did herbody type look like it was missing any meals, but she would be forced to hithim if he gave back a snarky reply. So she settled for a patronizing smile.
Thecake arrived, and it was three layers of moist absolutely delicious goodness.By her fourth bite she had to bow out, or she was sure she was going to have tobe carried out. Conceding defeat Salene pushed the desert plate towardsGabriel, with a wolfish grin he polished off the rest of the cake. After a fewminutes of much-needed digestion on both their parts, they got up to leaveafter Gabriel paid the bill. Stopping at the front glass door, Salene let out agroan.
"What…Oh," Gabriel's question was immediately answered when he looked over herhead to see it pouring rain outside.
Thesky was nearly black with just a hint of deep navy blue to offset the oncomingnight. The small parking lot was a haze of pounding rain and streetlightreflections. Salene could hardly make out the vehicles in the downpour. Thiswould be the day that she wears a pencil skirt, a white blouse, and five-inchwedges. Bracing herself, she began to push forward on the glass door. The firmgrip on her elbow stopped her and pulled her back. Turning around she looked upat Gabriel in confusion.
Lookingdown at her he seemed to search her eyes for a moment in curious amazement."One day you are going to have to tell me what kind of guys you have beengoing on dates with." He gave her a soft smile that flashed his perfectwhite teeth, a smile she truly did not know how to take. "Stay here."
Leavingher stunned in silence Salene watched him push open the glass door and make aswift run across the parking lot to his truck. Salene had no words, she simplycould not process what just happened. The slight giggle from beside her toldher the hostess processed it just fine. The black truck pulled around close tothe front awning. With no time to delve deeper on the matter, Salene rushedout. Opening the passenger side door under the protection of the awning shejumped into the truck only suffering maybe a handful of raindrops.
Turningto thank Gabriel she gasped. "Oh no, you're soaked!"
Thewhite long sleeve shirt was plastered to his skin, even despite the low lightin the truck the clinging shirt showed off his muscular biceps with precision.Running a hand through his damp hair, he flicked water on the seat behind him.
Lookingaround in the front and the back seat Salene searched for something to dry himoff with. "Do you have a towel or… Oh never mind I found one."Reaching over the backseat, she found a green towel folded in the seatunderneath a gym bag.
“Salenedon't worry about it, it’s just water.” His words trailed off as she pressedthe end of the towel to the side of his cheek.
