"Don'tyou fucking dare," he threatened, his voice lethally soft.
Thescream immediately died in her throat as her fear climbed. In their position,the full weight of his body on top of hers pressed her deep into the mattress.It was terrifying to know she was powerless against his raw strength, Salenecould not move her arms one inch in his iron hold. With his chest pressedagainst hers, he could surely feel her heart beating wildly against her breast.
"FuckSalene, what the hell do you think I'm going to do to you?" The vibrationsof his voice passed through their pressed bodies rumbling against her chest.
Shockedshe tried to move her pinned wrist as emphasis. "How can you ask me thatin this position?!"
Fora moment he did not say anything, green eyes just stared at her searchingly.Shifting his weight, the bed creaked as he stood up using his hold on her armsto pull her back to a standing position. Sliding his rough hands from herwrists to her elbows he kept her in a light grasp in case she might try for thephone again.
"Pleasetell me you know me well enough to know I wouldn't hurt you?" They werestanding so close Salene had to make herself focus on his low-pitched words.
Beforetonight she would've had an answer for him but after the rage, she witnessedearlier Salene wasn't so sure.
Seeingthe hesitation in her face, Gabriel let her go and stepped back, running a handthrough his hair in frustration.
"Look,"his voice sounded tired. "I came here to apologize and to bring youback."
Shakingher head, she moved past him to stand at the end of the bed. "No, I don'tthink that is a good idea."
"Salene,I'm trying to apologize here," walking towards her he closed the distancebetween them. "I know what happened earlier was… Was wrong, to say theleast. I swear to God I've never gotten that angry before my life. I nevermeant to scare you. I obviously still have some unresolved anger towards Amberthat I should have never taken out on you." His green eyes searched herface to see what she was thinking. "I would like to start over with you Salene.I can't let you stay in this murder den of a hotel especially considering howeasy it was for me to get your room info from that piece of shitdownstairs."
Salenecould feel her resolve weaken. It would be nice to start over, but her pridestaunchly refused.
Seeingher hesitating, he backed away from her a couple of steps putting his hands inhis pockets. Lifting his chin, he stared down at her past the bridge of hisnose with a hard look. The patience he was trying to give her had reached itsend.
"Saleneif you don't come back with me you will go broke here. Because I can assure youthe rates will increase, the roaches will multiply, and that dumb trailer willget broken into."
Thetruth of his words stung. Lowering her head, she nodded in defeat.
Notgiving her a chance to change her mind Gabriel grabbed her bag off the tableand pulled her out of the room by the hand. After a quick check out by theoddly eager old man, Gabriel followed her back to his place in his truck. Therain had let up entirely leaving it cool and wet out. Backing the trailer backinto the garage Gabriel unhitched the trailer from the car.
Withher bag in hand, she slowly followed Gabriel into the quiet house as the garagedoor shut behind them. When she stepped inside Salene was greeted by an overlyhyper Bishop. Rubbing the back of his ears she smiled at the sweet dog, he wasprobably terribly confused by all the drama.
Standingup straight Salene hoisted her overweight bag higher on her shoulder, she couldfeel Gabriel's eyes on her. Averting her gaze, Salene shifted nervously on herfeet amidst the overbearing silence.
"Hereare these back," holding out his hand, Gabriel held the key and garageremote she tossed inside earlier.
Takingthe items, Salene shook her head. "I don't know, I don't think this is agood idea." Looking up to him she tried to make him see that this was abad idea, that it would never work. "We just don't get along, it's only amatter time before we fight again. And… And I'm just not used to this…"
Tiredand beyond demoralized Salene could feel her throat sting as it tightened upforeshadowing another wave of tears. Looking away she tried to blink away theunwanted moisture.
"Comeon," Gabriel gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the barstool.Grabbing the overnight bag strap off her shoulder, he commanded her to sit. Settingtwo tumblers on the empty counter, he pulled out a bottle of whiskey."Look, I can't force you to stay, if you want to leave you are free to doso. I just don't want you leaving because of that shit earlier." Gabrieltook a hard swallow of his drink as if the very reminder of what happenedneeded to be suppressed in his mind. Taking a couple of sips of the hot spicyliquid, she looked at him as he continued. "I meant what I said, I'msorry, and I would like for us to start over on a clean slate."
Forsome reason his words made her feel desperate and sad at the same time.Desperately she wanted to believe him, but her mind had too many reservations.
"Buthow, we fight all the time?" The warmth of the liquid was spreadingthroughout her body, her voice sounded much more breathless than she intended.
Turningin his barstool his knees brushed past hers as he turned her way.
"Ohwe're going to argue on that I have no doubt. And I won't sit here lie to youand say I won't." For what seemed like the first time in a long time hegave her a smirk. "To be honest, I kind of enjoy arguing with you."She knew it, she thought to herself. "But I can promise I will never repeattonight and when we do argue I won't… I won't…" He paused searching forthe right words.
"Hitbelow the belt," she mumbled dryly as she gulped back the rest of thestinging whiskey.
"Exactly."
Tiredlyshe nodded, Salene could agree to that. The idea of starting over did soundrefreshing. Feeling increasingly drowsy Salene stepped off the stool and ontothe floor on unsteady feet.
"Ithink I'm going to go to bed Breslin," she murmured, bending down to pickup her bag.
