SlowlyGabriel pulled back to her surprise, holding him back from her with one handshe searched for the right words to say "This can't…
"Isee," Gabriel nodded, his face hardening as he looked away.
Thegreen eyes that were lit with such raw passion seconds ago tightened with rejectionand a tinge of hurt as he stepped back in the water. The loss of his touch wasshattering as he began to pull back from between her legs.
"No,don't!" Clutching at his shoulders, she stopped him from going anyfurther. "I just don't want this… I don't want this to be a joke."Stumbling over her words in flustered embarrassment.
Seeingthe matching need in her eyes, Gabriel returned to her with full force."My God sweetheart I am dead serious." Relief punctuated his words ashe lifted her by the waist from her submerged seat.
Clutchinghis shoulders as he turned around, Gabriel changed their positions sitting onher previous seat forcing her to straddle his lap. The hard bulge in his lappressed against the thin fabric of her bikini tantalizing every nerve.
"It'smore than apparent I have much to make up for," the hands at her waistslowly traveled up in unison until they stopped just underneath her breasts.The soft graze of his knuckles against the weight of her breasts made her gasp."But I'll go slow Salene, I promise."
Closingher eyes at the bliss, he was causing she felt his lips against the undersideof her jaw.
"Tellme Salene," again he kissed her only inches from her mouth driving hercrazy, all she wanted was to end this never ending torture. "Tell me youwill give us a chance?"
Noddingshe dug her fingers into his large shoulders. "Yes," she repliedbreathlessly. Salene was burning up with need, she would say anything he wantedat this point.
Gabriel'sbody shook in relief as he exhaled deeply.
"Good,"he whispered seemingly to himself. "Now," the flame in his eyesrenewed brighter as his gaze settled over hers. "I've had a long andtrying day today sweetheart." Running his hands down her flanks, he letthem follow the curve of her ass gripping the soft plump flesh. "You haveno idea how much control I expended today watching my coworkers leer at you alldamn day. So now I'm in need of a taste." Emphasizing his words bypressing her core against the hard bulge in his lap.
Givingher no chance to confirm or deny his wants Gabriel captured her lips with hisown. Salene gasped at the sudden connection, giving Gabriel complete access.Delving deeper his tongue sought dominion over hers while one hand wrappeditself in her hair pulling her to his desired angle. With no choice but tosurrender her body softened against his, she realized just how hard and urgenthis own need was. Never in her life has a kiss tasted so good, Salene felt asif she could disappear within it.
Pullingback, he gave her an opportunity to catch her breath while the hand wrappedwithin her curls massaged the base of her scalp.
Grinningdarkly, he bit her lip teasingly. "I'm looking forward to tasting evenmore of you."
Chapter 19
Layingon the gurney in the cold, empty surgical waiting area Salene stared at thedripping IV as her mind wandered.
Thingsbetween her and Gabriel didn't go as expected. The following day after theirevening in the hot tub Gabriel was called to work for some emergency clientcontract negotiation, despite it being a Sunday. The next day was the samesituation and each time he called her late that night from his office soundinghighly annoyed but very apologetic. It was by Tuesday when he had to fly out oftown with a handful of other coworkers to go "save" the contract, thatthe seed of doubt settled deep within her heart.
Salenewas starting to feel like a fool.
Maybeshe read far more into that night then she should have. Everything seemed sogenuine though, the look of need in his beautiful eyes to the possessivestrength in his arms. Could he have just been telling her what she wanted tohear? Turning her head in frustration Salene idly toyed with a strap connectedto the gurney. That reasoning didn't make sense. Besides a kiss, nothing elsehappened he told her he meant what he said about taking it slow when theyparted ways that night. All she could think of was that everything he said wasa big joke or even worse that he came to his senses and realized he wantednothing to do with her in that way.
Salenecouldn't just sit by and idly wait for the man to come back and explain, shewouldn't! Gabriel said that the trip could take up to a week at most when hecalled her that night he flew out. No, Salene had never been the type of womanto worry or chase after a man. Maybe he really was swamped with work or herfears were true and he was distancing himself, either way, she was going totake action. The following day she scheduled her surgery for the end of theweek. Hopefully, by the time Gabriel came back, she would be well on the roadto recovery and on the road to a new self.
Focusingon the excitement and nervousness of the surgery Salene organized everythingfor the big day. Everything from taking off of work, getting a sitter forBishop, and buying supplies for her recovery.
No,no matter how bad it hurt when she thought about Gabriel's abrupt departure shewas not going to let it hold her back.
"Weare almost ready Miss Agnew." Denise the really sweet nurse that washelping her told her as she checked Salene's chart.
Lethargicfrom the medicine Salene just nodded her head knowing once she opened her eyesagain she would have a whole new self-image.
Chapter 20
Tappinghis knuckles impatiently against the steering wheel Gabriel stared anxiously atthe seemingly long red light, waiting for it to turn green. Gabriel needed toget home as soon as possible, something was wrong.
Lastnight at about three in the morning him and his coworkers wrapped upnegotiations with the client. It was too late to call so Gabriel figured hewould surprise Salene and come home earlier than they expected.
Heshould have just fucking called.
Fromthe moment he left Gabriel could sense something was wrong. There weren't anyobvious signs just an underlining thread of unease in her voice when he called.The unease grew with each passing day. In the past, there was never a reason totalk to Salene over the phone for a length of time to know if he was justimagining something or not. Gabriel was used to talking directly with herpretty round face, easily watching her emotions convey through. A call offeredhim no clues whatsoever.
