"I'venever seen Tobias speechless before." Gabriel laughed as he grabbed acookie off a tray a guest brought.
"Iknow right," Salene could practically feel the sparks zing between thetwo.
Leaningagainst the counter, she stood on her toes to get a good look out the kitchenwindow towards the grill. The two were still talking, that was a good sign.
Fingerson her waist made startled her as she was turned back around without her owneffort. Gabriel stood dangerously close, pressing her against the cool granitecounter-top. Dear God, she wasn't ready to discuss what was going on betweenthem yet. The searing heat from his fingers pressing against her gossamer coverup was playing havoc with her senses.
"Aboutearlier…" Gabriel began.
Thewhooshing sound of the patio door opening preceded Kevin's interruption.
"Youlittle whore." Kevin hissed as he came around the counter.
Steppingback slowly Gabriel leaned on the counter next to her.
"What?"She asked shocked by Kevin's entrance and still humming from Gabriel'sadvances.
"Whyin the hell didn't you tell me about that…that Goliath of a man?" Kevin'sanger fizzled nearly to a pout towards the end.
Salenewas explaining to Kevin how she didn't know Tobias all that well but thought hewas a great guy when Gabriel turned and frowned as he looked out onto thebackyard.
"Hey,I need to go out and show my face to a couple of higher-ups," Gabriel gaveher a tired look as he walked towards the door. "You should stay in andenjoy the AC for a bit longer. Oh and Kevin," with his hand on the doorhandle Gabriel shot Kevin a knowing look. "Our intern Emanuel is currentlydrooling all over Tobias."
Kevinwas out the door before Gabriel.
Theair conditioner did feel wonderful, sitting down in the den Salene was able tosecretly people watch the party from the couch. The bright sun made it nearlyimpossible to see into the den through the wall of glass, but she could see outjust fine. The pool was positively packed with people, hanging in or on theedges of the pool. All the outdoor furniture was taken up by occupantsincluding the extra picnic tables Gabriel borrowed from a friend. Across theyard where the nice covered seating was Salene could see Gabriel talking towhat she assumed were the more powerful figures of the company. Everyone elsewas dressed in some sort of swimwear whereas the two older men, and theirspouses were dressed in light summer clothes. Gabriel, on the other hand, wascompletely shirtless with a pair of black and blue swim trunks. Like moths to aflame Salene watched as about two different women vied for his attention,casual touches, practiced laughter, and brilliant smiles surrounded Gabriel.
Notto mention perfectly sized boobs on every one of those cows.
Annoyedwith her jealousy towards both the women's looks and Gabriel, Salene floppeddown backward on the couch. The memory of the brief contact his lips made withhers resurfaced in her mind. Good God, how can her body just betray her likethat? Never once before has her body went from zero to ten like that with anyother man. Just thinking about the possibility of sex with Breslin made herwant to scream—in more ways than one. Dear God what was she thinking, theyhated each other, right? What would that make her if she slept with him, someterrible conniving backstabbing mooch? Covering her eyes with one hand, Salenelet her legs dangle off the arm of the couch. No, she shouldn't be that harshwith herself Salene thought, she wasn't backstabbing anyone nor was she conniving.Besides, there wasn't even anyone to even think that about her, besides Amberher and Gabriel had no common friends.
Thiswas just so confusing Salene wasn't even sure what was going on. This could allbe just some prank Gabriel was pulling, or he could just be bored and lookingfor a good time. Salene wasn't really the type of girl he dated anyways, sothere had to be something going on. The thought that his attention might be atrick or just a one off, due to boredom hurt. It hurt a lot more than she wasprepared to admit.
Stretchingher arms back on the length of the couch behind her, Salene jumped when sheheard the door open to the den. Quickly she sat up and was surprised to findDerek Cipriani at the door.
"Wait,”Derek held out his hand to pause her. "Before you think or say anythingjust know I brought Bishop as a chaperone." Derek stepped into the roomwith Bishop on his trail.
Seeingthe question on her face, Derek smiled handing Bishop something out of his handto which Bishop promptly devoured.
"Ihad to lure him in with a piece of bacon," Derek explained with the wickedsmile.
Notable to help herself Salene gave a small smile as Bishop came around and jumpedup on the couch next to her. Carefully Derek followed Bishop's path and satdown on the other side of Bishop.
"Didyou get the flowers I sent?”
FrowningSalene shook her head, as she idly ran her hand through Bishop's fur. "NoI'm sorry, when did you send them?"
Smilingas if he suspected as much, he looked down at the floor before looking back ather with a handsome smile.
"Noworries, maybe they just got lost in transit," leaning his elbows on hisknees Derek's gaze turned serious. "It's better if I told you in personanyways."
Saleneshifted in her seat, nervous where he was going with this. It was more thanuncomfortable to sit across from a man that saw her naked like he did.
"Ididn't get a chance to apologize that night," he was most likely referringto Gabriel's involvement that night. "I'm truly sorry Salene."
Theearnest apology combined with what was most likely his most practiced sad facepulled at her heartstrings. Salene was no fool, she was aware of the powerpretty boys like Derek Cipriani had over women. That beautiful model like facecould be a woman's downfall. Although she knew all of this, Salene could see nopoint in holding a grudge.
Smilingsoftly back at him she nodded. "It's okay, I understand it was anaccident."
