Page 37 of Angel Eyes

“Non, ma belle.” I cupped the base of her head, sliding her silky strands between my fingers as my lips brushed her temple. “Believe me, I want you more than I want my next breath, but I respect you too much to risk you waking up tomorrow with regrets.”

Her shoulders trembled, and for one horrible moment, I thought she was crying. Then I heard her snort softly. Closing my eyes, I smiled up at the ceiling.

“Why, Ms. Chandler, are you laughing at me?”

She lifted her head, pressing a hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry, it’s just, sometimes I wonder if you’re my guardian angel or something.”

“I’m just looking out for your best interests, beautiful.” She nodded, her shoulders relaxing as she rested her head on my shoulder again.

“Thank you, Gabriel.”

I held her for a long time, drawing lazy circles on her back until the sounds of her breathing became deeper, more even. Lifting her from the couch, I carried her to the bedroom at the end of the hallway, settling her onto the bed before tucking her under the duvet. She burrowed beneath the covers in her sleep, and I smoothed her hair away from her face, memorizing the sight of her brown-gold curls spilling over the pillow.

Time to go.

I paused in the doorway. It felt like something had changed tonight. My attraction to her was a foregone conclusion at this point, but there was something else too, something stirring beneath the surface. It was almost as if …

An unsettling feeling gnawed at my insides.

No. It wasn’t possible. I hadn’t even known her that long, just a couple of weeks. Grabbing my jacket, I pulled it on and made for the door.

Whatever else might be happening between us, I was at least certain of one thing.

There was no way I was falling for Juliet Chandler.

Fourteen

Gabriel

“Morning …”

I peeled my eyes away from the tour schedule spread out in front of me as Nora strolled through the front door of Le Peloton Café, slinging her bag onto the couch and crossing the room without breaking her stride. She dropped a paper bag onto the counter. “I brought you breakfast.”

“Thanks.” I paused, my hand already halfway into the bag. “Wait, what’s the catch?”

She smirked, plucking a piece of lint from her sleeve. “Oh, Gabe, always so mistrustful.”

I eyed her for another beat before grunting and examining the contents of the bag.

In truth, I was starving, not to mention sleep-deprived. I’d barely gotten any rest after leaving Juliet’s apartment last night, the memory of her soft skin tormenting me until long after the sun was up. Extracting a sliced baguette, I broke off a corner and slathered it generously with butter and jam before lifting it to my mouth. I paused, catching Nora’s eye. “What?”

She waggled her eyebrows. “Late night?”

I regarded her coolly. “You know, until recently, I had no idea you were such a busybody.”

She laughed, not bothering to deny the accusation. “Well, until recently, you weren’t nearly as interesting.” She propped her chin on her fist. “I heard you and Juliet went to a nightclub last night. I take that to mean things are … progressing?”

I took a large bite, chewing slowly. “Good to know James can keep a secret.”

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but wife trumps best friend. He tells me everything.”

“Does he now?” I lifted a brow, helping myself to a second slice. “What’s my blood type, then?” Her cheeks pinkened after a long silence. “Thought so. A couple of gossips, the pair of you. Do you have nothing better to do than pry into other people’s private affairs?”

“Private affairs, is it?” She snatched the half-buttered slice from my hand, taking a meaningful bite. “And to think I played a role in ensuring your eternal happiness.”

I applied myself to coating another slice with jam, not able to smother a smile.

“As it happens,” she continued, brushing crumbs from the corner of her mouth, “I’ve come to relieve you of the morning shift.”

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