Thatwas a mistake, standing upright she immediately felt dizzy as if she did it toofast.
"Giveme that," the bag was pulled from her grip as she felt the strong arm wraparound the back of her waist. "I suspected you were a lightweight."
Salenewas too dizzy to argue as he led her down the hallway to her room. Clicking onthe light, Gabriel sat her bag near the bed. Salene was about to step away fromhim when he turned her around by the shoulders to face him. Blinking in inebriatedconfusion Salene furrowed her brow as she focused on his face.
"Iknow I already said this, but I just want to make sure it's clear betweenus." Standing here like this made her realize how small the room was fortwo people, especially for a man of Gabriel's size. The confining feeling inhis presence made her actually aware of the mattress pressing against the backof her knees. "Despite my anger earlier, I would've never hurt you."
Theneed for her to understand was etched into his face, though it wasn't aquestion he needed to hear her say the words. Separating her shock andresulting fear from that moment Salene thought about the man in front of her.Letting her eyes trail down the strong column of his neck she settled on thelarge rounds of his shoulders. Wide, strong shoulders that led to equallymuscular arms, oh yes this man could easily hurt her but looking into his needfilled eyes she knew that he would never do it.
Noddingshe smiled softly, "I know Gabriel."
Chapter 14
Thedoor to the garage opened just as she was grating the parmesan cheese on thepotato and sausage soup.
"Godthat smells good," Gabriel groaned tiredly as he sat his briefcase on thecounter
Murmuringa thank you she ladled the soup into two bowls. Setting his bowl and spoon onthe bar counter she grabbed a beer and a bottle of water from the fridge.Perching herself up onto her own stool she handed him the beer. Taking thebeer, he gave her a smirk.
"Iam surprised to see you out of your room tonight." He gave her penetratingstare that she refused to meet directly, instead, she focused on her soup."I would've thought you would've continued avoiding me by eating in yourroom like you have for the past few nights."
Therewas a sharpness to his tone, she looked up to see if he was angry but he wasstill giving her that award-winning half smile.
Feelinga little put on the spot, she sighed replying. "Honestly, I figured if Ijust stayed out of your way we wouldn't fight as much. And I would've eaten inmy room tonight if I weren't positive Bishop would have knocked me overcarrying hot soup down the hallway."
Puttinghis spoon down near the already empty bowl, he took a healthy swig of the beer."Look, it's awkward as fuck to know that there is someone in your housepurposely avoiding you." Before she could get up to refill their bowls hegrabbed hers and his and got up. "How the hell are we supposed to getalong if you keep hiding from me?"
"Iknow, I guess I just didn't want to risk another one of our bickeringarguments."
Devouringhis second bowl of soup he got up to get another beer as she still worked onher second bowl.
"Don'tworry about it, I love arguing with you." He teased as he spooned a hugeportion into his mouth.
Obviously,her soup was on the mark tonight. Not able to help herself she smiled at hisblatant honesty.
"Iknew you liked it, you insane sadist," she laughed.
"Well,you wouldn't be the first woman to call me that," he said proudly."So I can agree to that."
Forsome reason that made her think about what Amber alluded to at the restaurantthat Gabriel had some weird sex fetish. Turning away quickly she went to thesink to wash out her bowl, hoping he missed the surprise in her face.
"Also,"he continued seemingly without notice. "Since my bosses are aware of mywanting to cause physical harm to Cipriani and my absences last month I am inneed of some proverbial ass kissing." He grumbled as he filled his dishesinto the dishwasher. "So, unfortunately, I volunteered my house for ourannual corporate picnic. We always do one around this time of year for my departmentand a handful of others."
"Ohwow, that sounds like a lot of work."
Noddinghis head, he cast her an evil smile. "Yes, we're going to have our workcut out for us." Emphasizing the "we" part.
Followinghim to the den she sat down on the sofa next to Bishop while Gabriel ploppedlightly on the other side of the dog, yanking at his tie.
"Oh,well I am not sure how much help I am going to be contained in my room as peryour orders." Salene feigned wide-eyed worry as she threw his own rules inhis face.
Cuttingher a sidelong look he frowned before slowly smiling. "No don't worry,with our new getting along policy all the old rules are null and void."
"Howgracious of you sire," she grumbled as Bishop inched higher into her lap,practically sitting on her.
"Ido my best," rolling up the sleeves to his shirt he laced his fingersbehind his head and got comfortable on the sofa.
Therewere a few minutes of silence between them as the only noise came from thefootball game.
