Page 46 of Fragile

I pulled the covers further up my body as if trying to protect myself from his wrath. He was pissed off and I hated that I was the one to cause that and smash away his early softness. Something I had never seen from him.

He paced for a second and I opened my mouth to speak but bit my lip as he turned back to face me; glaring down with a cross expression.

“Here’s what we're going to do. You’re going to stay put and I am going to make you breakfast. I’ll then serve it in here, and you will eat every single bite. Are we clear?”

His instructions split me in two, half of me was annoyed that he thought he could dictate to me and the other turned on that he did.

“If you don’t, you won’t like what happens,” Gabriel threatened, looking down his superior nose.

I leaned back against the pillows, the fabric smelling of him. “Fine,” I replied in a huff of defeat. “But then I need to get up and get showered. I’m already late for class.”

I watched as Gabriel loomed over me, folding his arms across his chest, and casting me an unimpressed look. “You’re going nowhere. I’ve called the school and told them that you are sick today.”

I surged forward, “What? Gabriel, you had no right,” I panted. He moved like lightning, uncrossing his arms and taking a step towards the bed, half leaning over me.

He placed a hand against my chest and gently pushed me back against the pillows. “I had every right Leonie. You passed out in my fucking arms.” The guy had a point of course. As he straightened, his comment brought my thoughts back to the kiss and it was suddenly like the elephant in the room.

Pursing my lips, I watched as Gabriel rubbed the back of his neck with his fingers. Oh dear, he was probably sore all over from sleeping sitting up and it was all my fault.

Smoothing my hair back, I tilted my chin and whispered, “You kissed me, Gabriel, maybe that’s why I fainted?” Those words just spilt from my lips before I could snatch my breath back. Why the hell had I brought that up?

His lip curled, “As much as I like to think that I steal the breath away from women, it had nothing to do with that. You’re clearly starving yourself. You need to keep your strength up and follow a proper diet. Not some stupid fad, diet shit. Fuck me, you’re so slender, I could probably bench press your entire body weight.”

There was a moment of silence and our gazes remained locked. I knew he was right. I’d been foolishly neglecting myself and all for a showcase that I wasn’t even being paid for.

I pursed my lips, forcing some sense into my head.

“You’re right and I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble.”

“Don’t apologise, just relax and let me fix you something to eat.”

“OK, and thank you.”

Gabriel nodded his head in acceptance of my words but he didn’t smile; at that point, I couldn’t read that expression but something had shifted between us. We had been strangers before and now that gap had closed slightly.

I watched him, my eyes roaming over his broad shoulders in the tank top and how the joggers fit so snuggly against his mouth-watering backside.

Gabriel paused with his hand on the door before turning to face me.

“I should apologise, for the kiss I mean,” he husked, his eyes like two pools.

I gave him a soft, half-dreamy smile. “It’s fine, let’s just chalk it up to a moment of madness. One that we won’t be repeating.”

He leaned against the door frame. “OK. You’re probably right. We don’t want to complicate things.”

I felt a whoosh of sadness but managed to hide it as the silence stretched between us.

“Why don’t you go and get showered and change and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

I nodded my thanks. Pushing off the doorframe, Gabriel left me alone, which gave me time to collect my thoughts. The kiss had been so thoroughly devastating and yet had been so easy to dismiss. For him anyway, I was still reeling from the feel of his mouth against mine.

My main question was, what would have happened if I hadn’t fainted?

After showering and changing into fresh jeans and a black hoodie, I joined Gabriel in the kitchen. He had directed me to one of the stools and served me croissants and orange juice.

Gabriel said he wanted to take me to lunch, but I guessed he had an ulterior motive. After we’d eaten, he explained that he had to shower and then had some work to do and that he wanted me to meet him outside the building at one. No excuses.

Later that morning, after speaking with my foster parents for around an hour, I got ready. Even though I knew it wasn’t a date, I brushed my hair and left it loose. Slipping on ballet flats, I headed out of my room and took the lift to join Gabriel just before one. I’d also spent some of the morning stretching and still felt stiff but I pushed on.

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