AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“About what?”
“Anything, everything. We should get to know each other better. And when am I ever going to have you all to myself again?”
Any time he snaps his fingers, if he keeps looking at me like that.
“Should I start?” he asks.
Since I’m a little choked for words at the moment, I simply nod.
He leans forward, forearms on his knees, looking at the floor. “I want to apologize for the way I behaved yesterday.”
“I already said we’re okay.”
“I’m not.” He looks up, dark eyes searing into mine. “You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and I won’t let you slip through my fingers because I didn’t try hard enough.”
I scoff a little at that; if he tries any harder, where are we going to end up? Secluded on the moon?
Undeterred, Gabriel continues, “I’ll just lay all my cards on the table. I want to be with you. No games. I’m not in this just for the thrill of the chase. I won’t get bored the moment you give in. And I’m not hiding a sleazy temperament like your ex did.”
I scoot around on the couch to face him, my heart beating at an alarmingly fast pace.
“And I’m not saying I’m perfect. I have a big personality.”
I can’t help but smirk at that.
“And I’ve been on my own most of my life, so I’m settled in my ways. But also willing to change, willing to make room for the right person.”
“How can you be so sure I’m that person?”
“I don’t have it in writing from Cupid himself if that’s what you’re asking. But I’d rather hope, and be disappointed, than never expect anything.”
I smile at him. “Stop being so darn sweet.”
“I can see you want this too, so why are you still resisting?”
“You’re older than me, more experienced, stronger…”
He smirks. “You proved the other day that’s not true.”
“I don’t mean physically,” I clarify. “I’m scared that if we got together, I’d get lost in your aura, lose myself.”
“Blake, I don’t want to change you or bend you to my will. One reason I like you so much is that you can stand your ground with me. You challenge me in a good way. I respect you and admire you. I love the way you call me out—”
“Even when it’s in the national press?”
“Thank goodness you did, woman, or we’d never have met.”
“I don’t know,” I say, “What if I still say no?”
“I’ll be sad.” A flash of a grin. “But there’s no other way I can go about this. I’ve told you where I stand. The next move is yours.”
I cover my face with my hands and shake my head.
Gabriel scoots closer to me and rests an arm behind the couch, leaning toward me. With the other hand, he gently lowers mine, gaining eye contact again. “I assure you, Blake, you’ll regret it if we don’t try.”
“What if I end up regretting it even more if we do?” I challenge him. “What then?”
“I can’t tell you how to live your life, but unless you want to spend it alone, you’re going to have to open your heart again.”
