Salenewanted to explain, but her mind felt so foggy making her feel like she wasunderwater. Squatting next to her on the balls of his feet Gabriel came eye toeye with her, his green gaze was harsh and unforgiving. Unlatching the sidearmrest to the wheelchair, he slid one arm around her waist and the other underher knees.
"Wait,I can…" Her protest made no difference, she was already being liftedeffortlessly into the air.
"Shutup Salene," Gabriel growled as he sat her in the passenger seat with thegentleness his voice lacked. "Since I can't beat you until you haverecovered, it doesn't mean I'm not entertaining the idea of stranglingyou."
Carefullysnapping the seatbelt around her, Gabriel shut the passenger door beforeletting her have a chance to reply.
Thegentle sway of the vehicle on the ride back along with the permeating silenceonly aided her lethargy. Salene couldn't remember falling asleep but the nextthing she knew she was being carried down a hallway. The mortification of beingcarried like a child quickly dissipated when she realized they were inGabriel's room.
"Wait,"her voice was hoarse. "My room…has things…" A sudden wave ofdizziness stopped her explanation.
Sheneeded to be in her bedroom, that was where all of her recovery supplies werelocated. Gently she felt her back hit the soft mound of pillows on the bed.
"Allof the supplies you secretly transported to your room have been placed inhere." Gabriel pointed to what she initially thought was a nightstand nextto the bed. The mini fridge she struggled with days earlier was next to thebed.
"Okay,"she replied in a small voice, Salene didn't mean for this to turn out this way.The whole goal was not to inconvenience or depend on anyone. Exhausted sheleaned back against the cool pillows, shivering slightly. "Thankyou."
"Areyou cold?" The gruff question seemingly didn't need an answer since heturned away walking to the walk-in closet. Stepping out of the closet withsomething in his hand he stood back in front of her. "Here wearthis."
Squattingdown onto his haunches he reached for the tie of her dress.
Fearlanced through her muddled mind. "No, I'll be…"
"GoddammitSalene," like a dam bursting at the last drop of water being added,Gabriel's held in anger roared forth. "I don't know what the fuck happenedbetween the time I left and now, but I told myself while I waited for you insurgery I would help you recover and after that," Salene's heart seemed topause in silent fear as she waited for his words. Grinding his teeth, themuscles underneath the trimmed gold beard flexed in anger. "After that,you can decide once and for all what the hell you want to do. But rightnow," he whispered deadly soft. “You will stop fighting me."
Pushingher arm to the side, he grabbed the knot to the wrap dress and tugged it loose.So many emotions ran through her as she stared down at her lap avoiding hisangry gaze. Shame for her actions, embarrassment as he slipped each arm throughthe thick long sleeve shirt like a child, and hurt. Gabriel's anger hurt farmore than she could have of ever imagined.
Buttoningthe last button on the oversize shirt Gabriel abruptly stood up. "I willgo get your food, don't move." He was already turning to leave when hegave the terse command.
Salenedidn't have to wait long before Gabriel came back holding a wooden tray.Setting the tray of her lap Gabriel pointed to the yellowish white pills in thecorner.
"Takethose only after you eat, oh and you can thank Tobias and Kevin for thefood." He stated matter-of-factly.
Lookingup from the delicious looking soup Salene watched Gabriel give her an evilsmirk reading her thoughts perfectly. Oh God, just thinking of Kevin findingout this way hurt her all over again. This was not at all what she had planned.
"Everythingyou need should be on the fridge next to you." Gesturing towards herphone, the TV remote, and other things next to her. "If you need me callmy phone instead of straining yourself to yell." Turning towards the door,he paused not even looking back he added. "If I catch you out of bed Iwill happily tie you to the bed."
Sittingon the bed in silence Salene slowly ate the steaming soup. The flavorful souptasted really good, but she could barely enjoy it. Things did not go asplanned, she wanted to be back home recovering when he came back. Noweverything was messed up, the stress made her stomach knot. Not able to eatanymore Salene took the pills, which left a nasty aftertaste in her mouth. Tooweak to move the heavy tray Salene just left it over her lap relaxing into thepillows.
Evenin her sleep her anxiety plagued her, images of Gabriel's and Kevin's angryfaces repeated themselves through her dreams, the disappointment from both menwas suffocating. Salene tried to explain, to defend her actions but they wouldnot listen to them, turning away from her both men walked away. Holding out herarm she tried to get them the stop and come back, but no sounds would come outof her mouth. The stinging pain of abandonment rippled through her as sherealized she was all alone.
"Whatare you crying for?" The deep familiar voice seemed to drift around herlike a fog. "I'm the one who got hurt today, you left me." The warm,soft brush of lips against her face made her tremble.
Strugglingto find her voice Salene whispered hoarsely." I wouldn't leave… Ithought…please don't leave me."
Thistime, she felt the softness of the kiss against her lips, gently working hermouth open she felt his tongue dance softly against hers coaxing a low moan outof her. Was this real or dream?
"Don'tworry sweetheart," the depth of his voice rumbled against her lips."I have no intentions of letting you go."
Chapter 22
Thefamiliar urge to use the bathroom pulled Salene from the last hazy grips ofsleep. Tiredly she focused on the unfamiliar surroundings until she recalledthat she was sleeping in Gabriel's bed. Movement out of the corner of her eyefocused her attention on the large lump next to her—a moving lump. Pushing oneof her many pillows out of the way to see clearly, Salene's heart skipped alittle when she realized the lump was Gabriel sleeping next to her.
Lyingon his stomach with his face pointed towards her Gabriel looked so peaceful.The normally stern face softened slightly by sleep making her want to reach outand caress his handsome face. Letting her gaze wander she noticed the sheetsbunched around his waist showing off his well-defined back and shoulders. Therewas so much heat radiating off his body it only made her shiver. The room waspractically freezing, though Gabriel didn't seem to mind. The combined warmthfrom his radiating heat and the extra blankets he must have covered her withlast night created a warm cocoon she didn't want to leave—but she really had topee.
Movingcautiously due to her breast and the man sleeping beside her, Salene carefullypeeled back the covers. Swinging her legs off the bed onto the plush carpetSalene prepared herself for the stiff pain through her chest as she began tostand she felt the grip on her wrist.
"Whereare you going?" Gabriel’s scratchy morning voice rumbled behind her as heanchored her down with the grip on her wrist.
