AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She continued along and when she reached a familiar patch of woods, she stopped quite suddenly. The woods looked exactly as they had, that glorious place where she and Archer had made love the first time. Lost in her thought, she almost didn't notice she wasn't alone in the space. Gabriel stood there, looking very out of place, staring up at the tree: a tree that had the power to make a blush rise on Quinn's face. Not wishing to disturb him, she started to turn away but stopped when she heard Gabriel's deep voice from behind her, "It's beautiful here, isn't it, Quinn?"
How did he know it was her? "Yes."
He turned and looked at Quinn with such intensity that her legs again felt weak. "For some reason this spot, in particular, I find I'm quite fond of," he seemed to tease.
She felt her cheeks burn from embarrassment as Gabriel tilted his head to study her.
"Is it something I said?" he asked but there was no missing the note of humor in his address.
Quinn's voice was a bit hoarse when she replied, "No."
He stopped just in front of her and she tilted her head back to keep eye contact. She couldn't control the shiver of recognition that went though her. In that moment, in this spot, it felt as if she was looking up into Archer's face. She wanted to reach out and touch him but she didn't dare.
"I'm sorry I forced Derek on you," he said finally, "especially in light of how that all turned out. The bastard didn't even wait around to make sure you were okay before he took off to get here."
"Well, he looks out for himself so I can't say I'm all that surprised," Quinn soothed, "Iamsurprised that I finally got to meet you. Writing is nice but I like having a face to go with the name. Can I ask why I never met you before today?"
He looked uncomfortable but he didn't reply.
"You aren't going to tell me?" she probed, "Tell me, at least, why you started writing to me?"
He grinned which made him look almost boyish before he offered, "And ruin the mystery?"
Quinn spoke before she realized what she intended to say. "I suspect, Gabriel, it would take a hell of a lot more than that to ruin the mystery surrounding you."
She wasn't certain but she thought she saw longing wash over his features but he lowered his head before she could really discern what emotion fueled the look.
"I'll see you tonight," he started away from her but she stopped him with a question.
"Why did you come to Whispering Winds now?"
He turned his head and offered cryptically, "It was time," before he turned and continued on his way.
She couldn't help leaning up against what she now considered her favorite tree and watched him walk away. Was it coincidence that Gabriel had come to Whispering Winds now, particularly when he seemed to hold some memories that were not his own?
Quinn didn't believe in coincidences.
That night she dressed in a black sheath dress and pulled her hair up into a messy knot. She added a touch of makeup and slipped into her four-inch black sandals, then grabbed her wrap and purse and headed downstairs.
Cole wasn't there yet but Gabriel stood in the overly feminine room decorated with wallpaper covered in little pink roses and Victorian-style furniture -- not Quinn's style at all. A fire was roaring in the creamy white-wood trimmed fireplace and it was there, looking into the fire, where Gabriel stood. He was dressed in a different suit, though still black, and the collar of his shirt was peeking out in the back so she could see he had opted for a black shirt as well.
She wondered what he was thinking that had him so absorbed and then, as if she had spoken his name, he turned to her. He said nothing as he silently watched her and a smile touched his lips.
He whispered hoarsely, "You are exquisite."
She could feel herself blushing and not so much from his words, which were fabulous, but from the unguarded and heated look he was giving her. Before she could reply, he walked to her and reached for her hand.
"Cole was called away so it's only you and me tonight."
The butterflies started in her belly as her mouth grew unaccountably dry on account of his hotness. He was watching her reaction and asked, "Is that all right or would you rather cancel?"
Her voice wasn't altogether steady but her words were very sincere, "I would very much like to have dinner with you."
His only response was to tenderly kiss her hand then tuck it into his arm and lead her outside.
The Moon and Stars was dark and cozy. Gabriel and Quinn were seated at a romantic table in a private corner with their own fireplace. Their waiter handed them menus and took their drink order while bright orange flames licked up the flue.
Quinn stared at Gabriel and couldn't suppress the nagging feeling that she knew him, had always known him. Did she feel that way about him because he reminded her of Archer? Possibly. She didn't even know him. What she did know was that he had reached out to her when she had needed it most.
