"Actually,"she cut him off politely as she pulled the polo shirt on quickly. "I ammore sore from last night than the surgery."
Ifshe expected a look of contrition she would've been disappointed.
Smilinghe grabbed the top shelves on either side of the closet, blocking her from anypossible escape. "I won't apologize about that sweetheart, I enjoyed everyminute of it." Salene's heart jumped at his deep words. "Wouldyou?" The emerald gaze turned serious.
Confusedby the sudden change Salene frowned. "Would I what… apologize for lastnight?" He only stood stone still at her question. Looking up at his hardface Salene felt a wave of relief rush through her, he was just as confused andapprehensive as she was. So glad she wasn't alone she reached out to himcupping his face, letting her thumbs run over the scruffy beard. "Ofcourse not."
Wrappinghis arms around her waist, he pulled her closer. "I will be honest, when Icame out to see the bed empty, I went a little cold fearing you had left or hadregrets or something."
Hearingthe doubt in his voice Salene's instinct to soothe the gentle beast of a mankicked in. Wrapping her arms around his neck Salene covered his lips with herown. That initiative was all he needed, with a low growl of satisfactionGabriel pressed her against the back wall. There was a slight minty taste tohis mouth as he deepened the kiss. Without hesitation, Salene's body hummed tolife in response to his hunger. It was the feeling of her pants being undonethat brought her back to reality.
"NoGabriel," she said breathlessly pushing his bulky frame back. "I toldyou I have to go in today."
Frustratedhe stepped back giving her a dangerous scowl. "Dammit Salene just quitthat stupid job. I can…"
"No,"jabbing her finger into his chest she cut him off. Incensed by his words thehot passion he caused was quickly replaced by annoyance. "I will not besome kept woman dammit." Pushing him back out of the closet with hergrowing ire she stepped past him. "I will not be some random bored trophyjust lying around the house waiting for you to come home all day."
Seeinghow serious she was, Gabriel ran a hand through his drying hair giving her ahalf smile. "I'm sorry baby, I didn't mean it like that," he walkedback over to her pulling her stiffened body close again. "I'm probablysubconsciously trying to make it, so you only have me to turn to or somepsychological bullshit like that."
Notable to hold onto her irritation she kissed his cheek. "What are youtalking about, I have only you to turn to as the last few months haveproven."
Runninghis hands up and down the length of her back, kneading the muscles soothinglyhe smiled handsomely. "Salene sweetheart you are one of the strongestwomen I've ever met."
DearGod this man was driving her crazy, the temptation to just blow off work andmake love to him has never been so strong.
Smilingback, she replied. "We can pick up where we left off when you get backhome tonight."
Emeraldeyes darkened dangerously. "Don't wear anything you want left intacttonight."
***
Goingto work was not as bad as she thought it was going to be. The store was wellstaffed giving her plenty of time to go over the books and schedules. WhatSalene really feared wasn't her recovery or pain at work it was Kevin. Salenehad spoken to Kevin on the phone a couple of times during her recovery and eachtime he yelled and guilted her about what he termed as an "ultimatebetrayal." It was no better when she saw him in person. Eventually, afterhalf an hour of shunning her, Kevin eventually forgave her especially due tothe fact that he was practically humming with pent-up news he only wanted totell her in person.
Closingthe door to her office, Salene sat on the edge of her chair in pure bliss asshe listened to Kevin tell her the juicy details of his and Tobias's developingrelationship. The look of pure happiness on her friend's face was so pleasingto see. Salene was almost hesitant to bring up the subject of her owndeveloping relationship. Some deep illogical part of her felt that just byspeaking about it aloud might jinx it as if it was a balloon ready to pop bythe slightest movement. Kevin for some reason didn't seem all that surprised bythe news.
Althougha question he asked her as she was leaving that day stayed on her mind for thenext couple of days. Kevin asked if the relationship was purely physical or didit feel like it was moving toward something deeper. Honestly, the questionscared her bit, for reasons she couldn't quite pin down.
Whenher and Gabriel got off work each day, the time they spent together wasidyllic. There was nothing they did not talk, laugh, and occasionally bickerabout. It was during the occasional bouts of bickering that Kevin's questionresurfaced in her mind, unlike the past their arguments had no animosity just aplayful tone of trying to best the other. Were they moving towards somethingmore? Was that even something she wanted?
Beingin Gabriel's arms was unlike any other experience she had in the past withother men. Many nights they laid in bed or on the couch watching movies andeach time Gabriel followed her lead. In the past with men Salene always foundherself fighting off pushy advances when all she wanted to do was enjoy themoment. Gabriel was nothing like that, he seemed to possess an innateconfidence that ruled his actions. When she was in his arms never has she feltmore cherished and safe. Growing up she never felt that way, being a sibling ofa total of six Salene always felt like a cog in some bigger working machine.Valued but not quite necessary. Even her friendship with Amber, Salene felt asif Amber viewed her merely as an accessory. No, not with Gabriel though, withhim, she felt like she was the most important person in the room of many. Andif she decided she wanted more, he would give her everything. It only took theright touch or one seeking glance to dare the beast beside her, to provoke himinto action. Slowly he would answer each enticement with a deep and thoroughkiss, wordlessly acknowledging her challenge.
Onceshe lit the fire, there was no turning back. Gabriel's desire was as envelopingas a tsunami before she knew it she found herself helpless underneath hishands. Reveling in her weakened state Gabriel was unstoppable, like a machinewhose sole purpose was to make her lose herself in his arms. No, Salene wasn'tsure about the direction of the relationship was heading or even if it wasmoving at all. Maybe this is it, maybe there would never be anything more, butfor now Salene didn't care she didn't want to think of the future she justwanted to enjoy this moment.
Ithad been a couple of weeks since her surgery, and the swelling had finally gonedown. Salene nearly cried when she tried on each of her old bras and realizednot a single one fit properly. Thank you, God, everything was perfect. Despiteit being super crowded in the mall, considering it was three days untilThanksgiving, Salene found herself walking down the marble floor of the upscalemall near their house. It was one of the few malls Salene never got around toseeing. Three stories of shining pristine marble and glass surrounded them asthey walked. The upscale mall had everything from ice skating rinks, hotels,and star rated restaurants.
Thelingerie store was located right above the health and fitness store Gabrielneeded to go to. The store was lined with eight-foot shelves, all filled fromtop to bottom with endless bottles of various supplements. Curious Salenewandered slowly down the aisles reading some of the labels while Gabrielshopped.
"Hi,is there anything I can help you find today?" The friendly voice pulledher attention from the bottle of berry extract she was investigating.
Wearingsome black slacks and what looked to be a very tight Under Armor shirt, theyoung man in front of her smiled. Not able to stop herself Salene's eyestraveled up and down the length of his sculpted body, stopping at his lazysmile. All of it told her one thing—this guy most likely spent all of his timeworking out and hooking up. Aww to be young and living a dream she thought witha smile.
"Nothank you," she smiled brightly. "I am just browsing, though to behonest, I'm not sure I can afford a lot of what is in here."
Thelook on his face quickly changed from his customer service glossy smile to alook of familiar wariness.
"Studentloans?" He asked as if confirming the shared misery, he detected in hervoice.
Salenecouldn't help but laugh. "How did you know?"
