Lettingout a sigh of relief Derek sat back against the couch cushions with an easy-goingsmile. "Thank you."
Asilence settled between them that Salene wasn't sure how to break. It was as ifhe wanted to say something else. Standing up from the sofa Derek paced in frontof her for a minute before sitting on the edge of the coffee table directly infront of her. Now he was much closer, their knees were only a few inches fromtouching. Despite his tall frame, Salene did not feel cornered or engulfed likeshe would if it was Gabriel sitting across from her. Derek's lean body typedidn't have near the amount of bulkish girth that Gabriel possessed. Being inclose proximity to Gabriel made her feel heart-racingly overwhelmed and out ofcontrol the situation, that was not the feeling she got with Derek.
"Iwant to confess something to you, and I hope you won't take this the wrongway." He said giving her a penetrating look. "I haven't been able toget you out of my mind since that night."
Saleneopened her mouth to reply, but he rushed to continue.
"Iknow, what that sounds like," he held out his hand to pause her. "Butmy God you are beautiful. I mean I have thought of nothing else since."
Hearinga compliment like that felt good no matter who it came from.
Smilingwidely, she tried to lift the heavy moment. "I bet you say that to all thegirls you see naked."
Dereklaughed, visibly relaxing at her reaction until his eye caught something outthe window causing him to grimace. Leaning back, he dug something out of hisred swim trunks' pocket.
"Here,"Derek handed her a business card. The card was nearly identical to the oneGabriel had. "That has my phone number on it—my personal phonenumber."
Withouteven thinking about it her hand naturally accepted the card he extended.
"Ido hope you will call me," he whispered before standing up.
Asif he was expecting him Derek turned to the door just as Gabriel steppedthrough. Well more like darkened, Salene thought as she noticed the telltalesigns of Gabriel's growing displeasure. Alerted to his owner's presence Bishopsat up from her lap thumping his tale happily against the sofa. The muscle inGabriel's jaw twitched agitatedly as his cold eyes scanned the room, passingover her for the briefest second before resting on to Derek.
"Thiswill be the second time you have gone into a room that is off-limits in myhouse Cipriani." Gabriel's tone was flat and unfeeling as he casuallygripped both ends of the white towel hanging around his neck. "You arestarting to test my patience."
Comingaround the couch, Derek stopped a few feet away from Gabriel.
"Iapologize about that Gabe, I wanted to make sure I apologized to Salene inperson, especially considering the fact she never received the flowers Isent."
Salenewas sure that was of subversively placed accusation at Gabriel, accusing him ofinterfering with the flower delivery—which he very well could have. Theaccusation was met with an unwavering icy stare, but Salene could senseGabriel's growing tension. Like a clock being wound too tight Gabriel's angerwas seconds away from breaking through.
"Ummthank you again, Derek," she spoke up quickly, cutting through theescalating male tension. "Don't forget to go out and get somebarbecue."
Withrelief her interjection seemed to have worked, nodding politely her way Derekstepped past Gabriel out of the den. Now she was alone with Gabriel, cautiouslySalene looked up at him to gauge his mood. Still gripping each end of the towelaround his neck Salene could see the ripple of movement across his knucklesdown his powerful forearms. For a brief second Salene was transfixed by thefull unhindered access of his bare biceps on display as they flexed beautifullyin their curled position. Using every drop of control, she tore her gaze awayto see him round the back of the couch, stopping in front of her Gabriel stoodin the spot that Derek was in earlier.
Lookingdown past the bridge of his nose Gabriel regarded her with silent observation.Since he was standing in the space between the couch and the coffee tableSalene couldn't stand up unless she wanted to be pressed flat against his body.The very thought made her mind go into overdrive.
"Areyou mad?" She asked, not able to endure the silence any longer.
"No,"one eyebrow raised slightly. "Should I be?"
Thequestion was loaded as they came. Depending on how she answered Salene could beenticing his anger or admitting to the untitled feeling growing between them,something she wasn't sure she was ready for or even quite understood.
Lookingup at him Salene went with her instincts despite whatever deep meaning mightensue. "No."
Alittle of the tension he was holding visibly dissipated from his body.
"Didhe give you his number?" Gabriel seemed to know Derek's kind very well.
Handinghim the business card Derek gave her Salene knew that in a way she was givinginto Gabriel by giving him the number. Taking the card from her fingers, hecrumpled the card in his fist before shoving it in his pocket. The fire in hisemerald gaze burned away the icy tension that Derek's presence caused. Grippingthe top of her shoulders Gabriel pulled her to a standing position pulling herflush against his nearly bare body. With nowhere else to put her hands Salenegripped each of his biceps as he held her close, the hot skin beneath herfingertips seared itself into her mind.
"Icannot wait for this damn party to be over and done with." He whisperedhoarsely.
Salene'sbody was on fire as it reacted to the boiling desire in Gabriel's body. Notable to say anything as her mouth went dry, her eyes filled with want andnervous fear as she looked back at him.
Readingher emotions masterfully Gabriel gave her a comforting smile as his large handsmassaged her shoulders. "Don't worry, I will be on my best behaviortonight."
Salenewasn't sure if she should believe him.
