Page 79 of Gabriel's Salvation

I try to protest but the rumble of my tummy gives me away.

“I'll take that as a yes,” Gabe laughs, as he leans over and picks up the room service menu.

We both spend the next few minutes perusing the menu.

“I can't decide what to have; it all sounds so good,” I whine. Gabe reaches over and snatches the menu out of my hands and for a second, I worry I’ve done something wrong. That is until his signature frown turns into a slight smirk.

He picks up the phone and calls down to reception, “Can I place an order for room 308? Yeah, I'll take the pancakes with a side of syrup, chocolate sauce on the side, some strawberries, and uh, yeah, some cream. I also want a portion of the poached eggs on toast with bacon… yes for two, my girl is hungry. You got a fucking problem with that?”

I internally cringe at how rude and snappy he’s being to the poor person on the other end of the phone, but something about being called ‘his girl’ does things to me. I can't explain what exactly it is, though.

“Yeah, we will also take a pot of coffee, apple juice, and orange juice…”

He turns to me and whispers, “Wine?” but I shake my head. It's barely 10 a.m.

“...and I'll take a bottle of bud… I don't care what time it is….well then I suggest you find one!” Gabe snaps before slamming the phone down.

“Gaaabe, there's no need to be so rude,” I yell at him in a half playful, half serious tone.

“Stupid douchebag, trying to tell me they don't serve alcohol at 10 a.m. Who the fuck does he think he is?” he huffs as he takes out his cigarette and attempts to light it, still sitting in bed.

“Gabe, do that on the balcony…please,” I add when he throws me a pissed off look. Heck, if looks could kill, I'd be dead twenty times a day with this guy. I add a little smile, which seems to do the trick because he shrugs and makes his way outside.

Once he's out of the room I make my way to the bathroom. For some strange reason, despite everything else we've experienced together, the idea of him hearing me pee just fills me with embarrassment.

I finish up, making use of the free toothbrush and mouthwash, then head back to the bedroom.

I expect to see Gabe back inside by now but realize he’s still outside smoking.

I take my opportunity to stare at the hard ridges of his shoulders, the huge tattoo of angel wings that cover his back, and how cute his butt looks.

I make my way over to him, expecting him to turn around, but when I get near him, it’s clear that he is in his own world. As I get closer, I notice he's staring at people who are passing by on the street below. I quickly throw my arms around his waist from behind.

“I got you!” I laugh. “Good thing I'm not a bad guy sneaking up ready to push you off this balcony,” I joke as I give him a slight nudge.

A slight scoff leaves Gabe’s mouth as he quickly maneuvers so that I'm now the one in the front, trapped within his arms.

“Baby, you couldn't sneak up on me if you tried,” he says in that sexy, growly voice he has while he plants little kisses on the side of my neck.

“You had absolutely no idea I was here. I totally snuck up on you,” I laugh, giving him another playful push.

“That's cute, Little Spark” he says sarcastically. “I heard you flush the toilet, and turn on the tap. I heard the bathroom door open.” I internally die knowing that if he heard the toilet flush and the water running, he likely heard me pee as well.

“I heard the floor creaking as you stood perving on me at the door. And I heard all seven steps it took for you to reach me. So remind me again Sparky, at which point you thought you were being so stealthy?” He continues to tease me.

“What the fuck, you heard all that? Who are you, Spiderman?” I laugh.

“Nah, I'm just used to listening for danger,” Gabe says nonchalantly.

“And counting footsteps keeps you safe from danger, does it?” I joke, “What danger do your spidey senses protect you from then, I wonder, Mr. Super Hero?”

But his response kills my playful mood instantly.

“I pray you never have to find out.”

Even though he only said eight words, he said them in such a raw way that it fills me with so much sadness. I don't know everything he went through in his life, but from the few small things either he, Nate, or Izzy have let slip, I know it was fucking shitty.

Unsure of what to do or say, it's clear that whatever he's talking about is no joking matter. Part of me wants him to open up more and let me see the side of him he keeps buried, but from the little I’ve figured out about Gabe so far, sitting and discussing our innermost thoughts and feelings is a form of torture in his eyes. Instead of asking him the questions I have whirling around in my brain, I just hold him and hug him tightly.

---