Theding of his phone alerted him of the text. Glancing at his phone Gabriel smiledlargely at the received text.
Youare such a dick, thanks for the stolen flowers--Tobias.
Frustratedwith the necklace clasp Salene dropped it, the chain did not seem to be longenough for her to get a good look at what she was doing.
"Ohthat reminds me," she gave him a coy smile that immediately made him wary."We never talked about our game plan for dating."
Hewent very still at her words, carefully he asked. "Excuse me?"
"Youknow," she adverted her gaze from his serious one. "When you want tobring ladies over, and I am here."
Awave of annoyance hit him again. Turning back to his computer he began to typeup an email only giving her half of his attention. Actually, he hadn't really datedanyone since Amber left. There were a couple of one night stands, but he wouldhardly call that dating. Channeling his annoyance at the subject through hisfingers, his typing picked up speed. The thought of dating actually disgustedhim if he was being honest. Being a good judge of character was somethingGabriel prided himself in. Growing up with a serial dater of a father Gabrielknew exactly what kind of woman he did not want and what mistakes to avoid bywatching his dad. When he proposed to Amber, he was so fucking sure she was theone. Sweet, bubbly, gorgeous, and willing to let him take the lead. He couldnot have been more wrong. Like Odysseus, he was lured in by Amber's sweet songof lies. Gabriel was not keen on going back out into the world of witchesdisguised as nymphs.
"Iwas thinking you could tell people I am your sister."
Ifhe had been drinking anything, he would have surely choked. Turning backstraight he sat back in his chair and gave her bewildered look.
"Whoin the hell would believe that?" He laughed as the scenario played itselfin his head. "We look nothing alike."
"Ohcome on it would work," she defended her theory. "Perception isreality and besides, you know there is such a thing as half siblings."Smiling deviously, she reached across the desk and cupped his hand."Brother dear."
Itwas like being electrocuted, white-hot heat coursed through his hand at hertouch and at her words, too hot to stand. Snatching his hand away he nearly hitthe wall behind him as the chair rolled back.
"Fuckno," he shook his head trying to get her words and her touch out."That sounds like some damn porno."
Atthat, her pretty round face scrunched up with disgust and laughter. "What!No, it would only be a porno if we were having sex."
Herwords were the equivalent of a gong going off in the room. The very declarationof sex between them out loud sucked all the air from the room. Every nerveending in his body went on high alert as he looked back at her. Laughingnervously, a tight constrained laugh, she picked the necklace back up in herfingers and began to nervously pick at it as she tried to continue.
"Well…I… I mean you know, what I mean…I was just thinking that telling your dates Iwas.…" Her words faded away as she became nervous by his obvious lack ofresponse.
Notable to take it anymore he got up.
Theabrupt move made her jump. Bishop who was curled up on the floor, at her feetmerely raised one eyebrow.
"Standup and turn around," he ordered, his voice came out a little rougher thanhe intended.
"What…"Ignoring her wide-eyed confusion he grabbed her by each elbow and pulled her upuntil she was standing right in front of him. Turning her around he pushed hersoft curls over her shoulders.
"GabrielI can…" Brushing his hand against her neck, he pulled the silver chainaround until he could see the clasp.
Quietlyhis fingers worked at the tangled chain as the rest of his body focused on thewoman inches in front of him. The fresh, feminine scent wafted gently in theair around him as they stood silently. From his height behind her, Gabrielcould easily see the swell of her breast over her shoulders. Unclasping the clasp,he pulled at the chain, his gaze dipped dangerously low as he watched the chainand pendant ascend through the valley of her breast through the discreteopening of her polo shirt. Holding the necklace by each end he held it outbefore her, caging her in his arms.
Thesoft “thank you” did nothing to quell the heat that was escalating within him.Handing over the jewelry he stepped back. How the fuck did he keep gettinghimself into the situations with her, it was killing him? From straddling heron his kitchen floor, seeing her nipples harden next to him as he drove, andexperiencing the most tortuously intimate pat-down in his truck. This patternhad to stop.
Turningaround Salene gave him a searching look as if she was looking for what to say.Losing his patience with each second, he just wanted her out of his officebefore something happened—before he made something happen. About to saysomething snarky to piss her off, she spoke first.
"Iknow we have nothing but differences between us," he focused on the wallbeyond her head, anything but those sweet caramel eyes. "But I really dowant to thank you for everything you have done for me."
Itwas like his body was hit by a sudden fever. Walking back around to his desk hesat down giving himself a barrier between himself and the woman.
"Yeswell hopefully you will be gone soon, now that you have a job. Just make sureyou don't get fired again."
Likeso many times before he watched the brief flash of hurt pass through her eyesbefore being masked with resignation. Nodding curtly, she left him alone withBishop at her heels. Leaning back in his chair he let his head fall back. Thesemoments between them had to stop, there was no way he could allow himself to doanything with Salene. They were like night and day. She hated him and he… well,he hated that she hated him. It enraged him to know how little she thought ofhim, to think that her and Amber must have laughed at his expense.
Despiteall his reasoning’s to despise the woman under his roof, Gabriel could notfigure out why it seemed to bother him when he saw the pain he caused her withhis barbs.
Thesooner she was out, the better.
