"Excuseme?" Her eyebrows shot up as she gave him a daring look.
"Thatoutfit isn't going to work," Gabriel was still staring at her figure witha look of mesmerized shock and anger. "You look…"
"Ilook what?!" She snapped, though she was starting to get ticked at hisnerve Salene couldn't help but feel a little flattered at his heated gazetowards her body.
"Youlook practically fucking naked," Gabriel growled as his own anger grew tomatch hers.
"What!I do not." She protested in outrage.
"Woman,"he said dangerously low, stepping closer to her until she hit the arm of thecouch. With both their chest practically touching Gabriel gave her a fierylook. "Go change."
Narrowingher eyes, Salene stared back at him with just as much intensity as sheresponded to his command. "No."
Greeneyes widened in excitement as he smiled at the challenge, causing her insidesthe freeze. The grip appeared on her waist simultaneously as he leaned incloser to her face. "Salene, it would only be a privilege to ripevery…"
Theloud gong of the doorbell interrupted his dark threat, but he still held her inplace against him and the couch. In this position, Salene could feel every tautmuscle clearly through the thin swim trunks and T-shirt. The hard bulge againsther upper thigh made her whole body go rigid. Aroused and a little frightenedshe stared back at him in shock.
Heknew she felt his arousal, but didn't care.
"Savedby the bell Salene," he whispered so close to her lips.
Pullingback from her Salene felt the pang of disappointment intertwine with relief.Though she was utterly confused with herself, she didn't want him to let her gojust yet.
Asif reading her mind, the grip around her waist tightened suddenly. With nosense of warning, Gabriel kissed her hard and quickly. Salene nearly collapsedas he quickly turned to open the door to greet the arriving guests. Fire, herbody, was on absolute fire while her lips tingled from the quick kiss. Everyfiber of her being wanted more while her mind was lost in confusion.
SomehowSalene was able to wrangle her chaotic emotions in for the party. Gabriel toldher to expect a lot of people, but she was not prepared for the actual turnout.The backyard had over fifty people in it by two hours into the party. Theguests couldn't have been more corporate America if they tried. It was a bunchof glossy white smiles and laughter all around, everybody looked like they werehaving a grand old time.
Gabrielwas never far off either, every few minutes she found herself being introducedto another coworker while his hand lay possessively at the curve of her waist.Salene felt as if she was going to pass out, her head was spinning from all themixed emotions.
Theywere standing next to the new state-of-the-art grill when the accountant theywere speaking to spotted a friend by the pool and left. This was the first timeSalene would be alone with Gabriel since he kissed her earlier. No, she wasn'tready to be alone with him just yet. What if he brought up the kiss? Salene hadno idea what to say or even think on the matter. Taking a sip of his beer as heturned the meat on the grill Gabriel turned and looked at her, his eyestraveled above her head and widened slightly. Just as she was opening her mouthto ask "what" a strong grip wrapped around her waist drawing her backagainst the solid body behind her.
"Goddamit,I spotted your thick ass from across the lawn." The deep voice of herassailant rumbled in her ear.
SmilingSalene pinched the tattooed wrist on her waist.
"Ouch,"Kevin's deep reply sounded comical as he let her go to turn around.
Thefamiliar face made her want to sigh in relief, wrapping her arms around hisnarrow torso Salene buried her face in his chest.
"I'mso happy you came," she mumbled into his shirt.
"Ican see," Kevin laughed. Looking down at her against his chest Kevin gaveher a quizzical look. "Everything cool?" he lowered his voice justfor her, knowing Gabriel was watching.
KnowingGabriel could not see her face in this position, Salene made a face to Kevin toconvey everything was not indeed cool.
Kevinmade a "mmm" noise as he nodded, totally receiving her hiddendistress signal.
"HeyGabe," Salene could hear Tobias's voice behind her as he joined them bythe grill. "Hey, Salene."
Kevin'sbody went stiff as a board in her arms. Pulling back Salene had to bite her lipas she watched Kevin's normally cool expression turn to shock and back to aforced cool again. Turning to Tobias, Salene was surprised to see a similarlook on his face, though Tobias made no effort to hide his apparent interest inKevin.
"Tobias,this is my friend and coworker Kevin," turning to Kevin she gave him asecret grin. "Kevin, this is Gabriel's neighbor Tobias."
Amidstthe obvious growing tension between the two men, short polite “hello's” wereexchanged. Looking over to Gabriel for support he looked just as amused and ata loss as she was.
"Salene,come help me bring out some more food for the grill." Gabriel gave her alook that told her he just wanted to leave them alone.
Noddingshe quick walked away with Gabriel, leaving Kevin alone with Tobias. Closingthe sliding glass door behind them, they walked into the kitchen laughing.
