Page 45 of Fragile

The Present

My eyes shot open and all I could make out was a ceiling; one that wasn’t totally unfamiliar. Blinking; my senses slowly started to return, that disorientation fading as I realised—I was in bed, but the sheets were not mine.

The masculine scent enveloping me filtered into my thoughts before his words did. “Good morning,” a voice I recognised as Gabriel’s began. Swallowing nervously, my fists clenched the covers as I struggled to push myself up against the pillows.

My throat was scratchy as I scanned the uber-masculine bedroom and noted the large bed in which I was lying. A wave of panic shot through me and I glanced around for the owner of that deep, throaty sound. It vibrated through my entire body and reminded me of what had happened between us; the kiss.

My mouth dropped open in surprise as our eyes locked, a twinge of nervousness trickling into my conscience.

“Don’t worry. You’re safe,” Gabriel said in a soft reassuring tone. My eyes focused on his large frame as he uncurled it from its position on the large chair by the window. The same place I had seen him sleeping during the night. So, it hadn’t been part of my dreams. I felt a surge of appreciation but it was smashed away by the truth that I had slept in Gabriel’s room last night. Under his very nose. OMG thank goodness I didn’t snore, at least, I didn’t think I did.

He moved towards the bed and lowered his big, solid body onto the mattress. It dipped, making my stretched-out legs roll toward him under the covers. My heart rate accelerated as he leaned further into my personal space.

I noticed Gabriel’s hair was mussed from sleep but he looked glorious, even though he was dressed in last night's clothes.

He raised a hand and pushed a lock of hair behind my ear as I shuffled back slightly, pulling the sheet and glancing down at my body.

“Relax. I didn’t touch you,” he stated at the same moment that I realised that I was still fully dressed. Well in the tiny top and shorts anyway.

I shook my head, “Sorry, I mean, I didn’t think that.”

“Whatever. You may be good and I may be bad, but I have a feeling that we have the same moral code. I may be downright impossible and immoral, but I’m no rapist.”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just trying to get my bearings.”

A ghost of a smile passed across his face, “No offence taken. You have reason to have been worried. But I prefer my women conscious.”

Gabriel certainly didn’t tap dance around his words. “Indeed,” I replied, starting to relax.

He cleared his throat, his eyes watching me like he wanted to see inside my head and find out what I was thinking; his gaze blazing across at me was so intense.

“Well, I think that’s the first time I’ve caused a woman to faint.”

My nose scrunched up. The gravity of the situation sat heavily on my shoulders. So, I had fainted or if you want an even more embarrassing description; swooned. Mortification flooded my insides before I realised that he was blaming himself for it.

Processing those words I said, “No, it wasn’t you.” Why did my voice sound so weak and small? My stomach grumbled my reply and Gabriel’s eyes flickered towards that area.

“It was a joke. I know it wasn’t me and under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t complain about a beautiful woman falling at my feet. However, this is not one of those times. When did you last eat?” His question held an edge to it like he was annoyed and I suppose he had every right to be, being the one who had to catch me and carry my undernourished arse to bed. I was surprised he had taken me to his room though and not my own.

“Why did you bring me in here and not put me in my bed?”

“Stop avoiding the question and answer me?” He was so direct and bossy, borderline rude but he got away with it. The man could probably get anything out of me, he had one of those faces that could melt any poker face. Did they teach him that in Law School or Bad Boy School? Who knew?

I thought back to the last time I had eaten as I turned away, my gaze glancing around his bedroom. How I suddenly wished I was in there under different circumstances.

The room was large, with a wall of mirrors which I assumed would be wardrobes, there was a door open which was ajar and led into the bathroom. There were a couple of leather wingback chairs under the window, including the one he had fallen asleep in, a large TV mounted on the wall and shelving which contained loads of serious-looking books. A table and office chair sat in the far corner and then there was the bed, definitely a king-sized one, it dwarfed me and I’d only taken up one side. The other side was still neatly made and so Gabriel hadn’t joined me. I was taken aback by his gentleman-like and caring behaviour. The décor was silver, black, and grey.

I inhaled before turning back to face him and he shifted, placing his muscled arms onto the bed, one hand planted on either side of my duvet-covered legs, caging me in.

“I’m not a patient man. Stop sulking and answer the question,” he stated arrogantly with an arched eyebrow.

“I get you’re not a patient man but if you were a good man, you’d see I’m embarrassed and change the subject.”

“Who said I was a good man?” Gabriel taunted with a lip curl. And of course, he had a point.

My shoulders slumped back as I accepted defeat. “Yesterday lunchtime, but it’s fine. I’m used to going without food as I never dance on a full stomach and I’ve never fainted before.”

“Yesterday lunchtime? And you worked a full shift into the early house?” His temper crackled and he shoved off the bed and onto his feet, turning away, dashing his hands down his face. The way he rolled his shoulders and bent his back slightly as if trying to stretch his muscles suggested he’d had an awkward sleep. That didn’t surprise me taking in his size against the average-sized armchair.

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