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Chapter 15
Millions of thoughts raced through Gabriel’s mind as he led Evie to his room. What if she changed her mind? What if she didn’t know what she was agreeing to? Everything rested on this one night. If this went well, then maybe he could convince her to stay with him. Or for him to move with her. For them to stay together.
What if she didn’t enjoy it? The self-doubt and anxieties hadn’t plagued him for years. Everything rushed inside his mind. All the thoughts except for one.
Gabriel opened the door for Evie and saw her stop cold with one foot inside the doorway. She then retracted her step and backed away. Gabriel regarded her curiously, then peeked inside his room and closed his eyes in agony.
Justine, a curvy brunette, was lounging on his bed. Naked. She stood and walked toward him, her lush hips swaying, her round breasts bouncing with each step, her nipples perked up in excitement.
“You are finally home, dear.” She threw her arms around his neck before he realized what was happening. He placed his hands against her belly to push her away, but she clung to him, moving her pelvis against his still-aroused length. “I see you are happy to see me too,” she said in a sultry whisper and nipped on his earlobe. Gabriel pushed her as gently as he could with his anger rising. “Who’s that?” she said, and he turned to regard the horror-stricken face of his wife.
“I’m…” Evie found her voice a moment later.
Gabriel, as silver-tongued as they come, couldn’t seem to find a thing to say.
“I’ll leave.” Evie whirled around and hurried away from the room, from the hall, and probably from the house.
Gabriel didn’t move a muscle. Justine raised a questioning brow at him.
“That was my wife,” he said in a strained voice.
“Your what?” Justine screamed.
“My wife,” Gabriel repeated more assertively. “Who let you in here?” he asked as he moved deeper into the room. He scrubbed his hand over his face. This was a nightmare.
“Nobody needs to let me in,” Justine said defiantly. “I know my way through the back of the house.”
“Well, I should have changed the locks,” he said angrily. He knew Justine didn’t deserve his ire. She wasn’t the only woman to use his back door to visit him. His door was permanently open to all his lovers. But why had she come today, of all days?
“What, got married, and suddenly you’re too good for me?” Justine walked to the chair angrily and started putting on her clothes.
“I apologize,” Gabriel said, staring out the window. “I shouldn’t be angry with you. I just… I didn’t think you’d be here.”
“The moment I saw your carriage return, I came to see you. Or did you think just because you lost your fortune, I’d stop coming?” She turned to him then, understanding dawning in her eyes. “That’s why you married, isn’t it? Did you promise her fidelity?”
“No,” he said, not clarifying which question he was answering.
“Then it’s not a bother.” Justine came close to him and plastered her body to his, her breasts pressed against his back. The action she knew would have his blood boiling. Somehow, it didn’t arouse him at that moment. All he wanted was to hold his slim, tiny wife.
“It’s over, Justine.” Gabriel turned to her and regarded her coldly.
Fury ignited in her eyes. “You can’t just end it like that!”
“I just did,” he said darkly.
“At least let’s do it one more time. I can’t bear to live without knowing one more night of passion with you,” she purred, playing with the lapels of his jacket.
“I’m certain you’ll get by.” Gabriel retracted her hands from his jacket and strode out of the room. “I trust you can find your way out,” he threw over his shoulder as he left.
Gabriel found Evie in the garden. She was sitting on the bench, staring blankly into space. He stood quietly, watching her, drinking her in. He didn’t want to disturb her; she looked so peaceful. He imagined her sitting like that on the bench in her garden in Peacehaven, with the view of the sea. And he realized he had no right to keep her here. Not in the middle of the messy break-ups with his numerous lovers. Not exposed to the scandals he had gathered throughout his lifetime. Facing the hatred of other men and jealousy of other women. He was an idiot, believing that he could give her something better than she already had. She wanted freedom. Not being prisoned against her will in a large dirty city, chained to the most scandalous lord London had ever known.
He came closer to her and sat down on the bench beside her.
“I didn’t know she was here,” he said after a moment of silence.
Evie didn’t say anything. She just nodded.
“I didn’t—” Gabriel let out a frustrated breath and raked his hand through his hair. “She’s gone now.”
