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“And you picked up the habit because?”
“Because goodbye does seem so...I mean, I have very few people in my life. My mother, my sister and brother, a nephew. A small circle of friends. I don’t say goodbye to any of them.Good night. See ya later. Be good.But never goodbye.”
When I looked into his eyes, I hastily looked away again. The warmth radiating from his gaze overwhelmed me, leaving me once again melting in a fit of nerves.
“Look at me.”
I blew out a breath, my eyes glued to the small flickering candle in the center of the table. “You’re so bossy.”
“Yes, I am. Now look at me.”
“Gabriel, hasn’t anyone told you eye contact is overrated-”
“You answered my first question. Now it’s time to address the second one. Why are you always putting yourself down, Suzanne?” He leaned across the table. “You’re smart. You have a beautiful sense of humor, and no matter how hard you try to deter me, I can’t keep my eyes off you.”
I lifted my eyes to his again. “It’s a long story.”
Our eyes locked.
“I have time.”
That voice. If I were a braver soul, I would have told him anything he wanted when he asked me using that sensual tone, but I really didn’t want to talk about myself anymore. “I’m not sure a first date is the time to psychoanalyze my hang-ups. It might scare you away.”
“I don’t scare easily, Suzanne.”
“No. You’re superhuman, aren’t you?”
“Trust me. Since I met you, I’ve been reminded that I am very much a red-blooded male.”
Heat flooded my cheeks – again! He had to think I was the mousiest woman he’d ever met. I bit my cheek thinking that...perhaps, mousy women were exactly the type he preferred. Though I was drawn to Gabriel like no one ever before, his insistence that I open up so soon after meeting him was a bridge I wasn’t willing to cross yet.
I chose my words carefully, not because I feared his response, but because I valued it. His reaction would tell me more about the man who had so quickly appeared in my life.
“I’m touched that you care enough to ask.” I ran my fingers nervously over the edge of my napkin. I took a deep breath and tried to avoid his eyes. Gabriel wore his soul in his eyes and right now, the depth of compassion I saw was overwhelming. Overwhelming - that was the only word I had for him. My inner shy girl wanted to run away, but my warrior princess stood her ground. I knew I could trust him if I let him know how I really felt.
Why?Why did it feel so easy with him?
But it wasn’t easy enough. My protective instincts were still there. The warrior was on guard.
“Go on,” Gabriel encouraged me with a deep, tender voice.
“I would like for us to get to where I can discuss this with you. I think you would understand, but... we just met. There are things I’m just not ready to share yet. I hope you understand.”
His eyes narrowed for a split second right before his features softened again.
“I understand. If I was pushy, I apologize.”
“It wasn’t that.” I reached for his hand across the table. Realizing what I’d done, I started to pull away, but he captured my hand and held it lightly against the tabletop.
“No. You’re right. I put pressure on you, and I shouldn’t have. It’s your story to tell... whenyoufeel like it. I shouldn’t force you to talk about something you choose to keep private.” He rubbed the back of my hand with the pad of his thumb. “One day, you’ll trust me. If you feel then that I’ve earned the right to hear your story, I’ll be there for you.”
He had the perfect storybook response. I couldn’t stop my smile.
“You really are superhuman. Or maybe, a super human.”
He let go of my hand and took a swallow of wine. “I told you: I’m just a man, sweetheart. Just an average, red-blooded man.”
