Page 43 of Fragile

Gabriel started to pace aggressively in front of me, those dark eyes never leaving my face as he pointed a finger. “You must be ashamed of where you work or you would have levelled with me earlier?” He had a point.

Feeling frustrated, I went to move around him but he sidestepped and blocked my way. I took another step back. I couldn’t focus when his body was so close to mine. “The way you fired me with questions left me flustered, you’re so untrusting and cynical,” I explained.

He snickered. “I’m a recently qualified criminal lawyer, it comes with the fucking territory.”

My voice raised automatically, “You don’t have to swear at me.”

Gabriel watched me with a head tilt. “It’s called letting off steam, Leonie. It’s either that or I put my fist through the wall.”

His mood swings were off the chart as was his misplaced fury towards me. “Well, you stay here and let off steam. I need to go to bed,” I bit back, once again, moving to push my body past his.

“We’re not done,” Gabriel growled, stepping back into my path, his hands sliding to grip my shoulders. He set me back slightly and glared down into my face. The blood raced in my veins at the contact but I didn’t pull away, his touch felt so good, even though he was fuming.

“What do you want from me, Gabriel?” I said, staring up into his fathomless eyes.

His gaze dipped to my lips as he said, “I’m fucked if I know.” His words were partly whispered to himself as his expression switched, softening somehow. His thumbs started to stroke the bare skin of my shoulders.

Raising my chin, I suddenly grew a backbone and stated in a firm voice, “Look, you don’t have to worry. I can take care of myself.”

I then twisted my body which forced his hands to fall and pushed past him, walking away towards my room. I had a vague idea that he was following me and my pace increased. I had almost passed the door to Gabriel’s bedroom when his hand caught me by my upper arm and he spun me to face him.

“So, you can take care of yourself?” His voice was thick and his face half shadowed. A thrill shot through me as he took my other arm and started to walk me backwards.

“Yes,” I panted, my chest rising and falling. I was all types of confused, emotions I didn’t identify with were rushing through my body.

My words must have enraged him further as his grip tightened, causing me to flinch. Gabriel must have seen it, as he released me. My relief was short-lived as he dropped his arms to his sides and moved a step forward into my space, forcing my back against the wall, his hands then caging me against it on either side of my head. His scent penetrated my senses and I felt a wave of dizziness.

Gabriel stared down at me with a dark look, his expression half-shadowed. I had no alternative but to raise my eyes to his.

“So tough all of a sudden?” he drawled, his voice low and husky.

I cleared my throat to speak but no words left my mouth, I was so shocked by his behaviour and had no idea what he was about to do. Was he going to kiss me? My blood raced in my veins at the thought of his mouth touching mine, even in anger. At that moment I didn’t care, I begged him with my eyes to do it.

Not wanting to appear feeble, I raised my hands to place them against his chest, feeling his pectoral muscles flex under my touch.

My heart was beating so hard I was surprised he couldn’t hear it.

Gabriel then glanced down at my hands on his chest, I could feel his heart beating against the palm of my hand and all that maleness beneath my fingers gave me goosebumps.

“So go on then?” he husked.

“What?” I breathed back.

“Show me how you look after yourself?”

My brow crinkled as I searched the wide set of his shoulders before dragging my gaze back to his face. “But you’re not a threat?”

“But I could be, kitten,” Gabriel said the words as if he meant them.

“I can’t. You’re huge,” I whisper-panted and shoved against his chest, trying to get some space between us, my body burning up. The man didn’t move a muscle.

He drew his eyes back to mine, shaking his head. “Exactly. You’re an athlete and you may be strong for a woman, but I’m stronger Leonie and much—much meaner,” Gabriel grated down his arrogant nose at me.

My mouth opened with a gasp as his fingers then encircled my wrists and yanked my arms above my head in one sudden movement. It pushed my breasts into his chest and almost pulled me onto my tiptoes. Gabriel’s biceps were positioned on either side of my head; his frame easily overpowering my tiny frame.

Transferring my wrists into one large fist, he pinned my hands to the wall above me, I was helpless but still not afraid. If anything, I was turned on by being held by him; being at his mercy. Our noses were so close together, almost touching.

“To say you only see me as a solid seven, you’ve got quite the frantic heartbeat,” he whispered and he was right, my heart was pounding and it wasn’t due to fear. I was turned on, massively so. I could feel his thumb where it rested on the pulse point of one wrist.

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