Page 89 of Fragile

Taking a step back, I stared at him, attempting to see beneath his tough exterior but it wasn’t easy. “Shouldn’t I be the one to decide that?”

“It’s not the right time and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

Did he mean getting my feelings hurt or physically? I was slowly falling into a pit of doom. “But that’s all you’ve done since I got here. Hurt me.”

“For a reason. To push you away. Maybe to make you hate me.”

“Considering you’re a lawyer; your logic is severely lacking in the way a woman’s mind works.”

“How so?”

“Ever heard of treat them mean, keep them keen?”

“Please don’t make this harder. We just need to cool it.”

“As you keep saying, but I think you’re wrong. It isn’t for the best, not for either of us. How is denying yourself something you want so much, good for you?”

“Think about alcohol for instance or fast food, we all crave those things, but they aren’t good for you.” His comparison was weak.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes to make light of things. “I can’t believe you’re comparing this connection between us with booze and burgers. And I have never craved either.”

He rolled his eyes, “Of course not. You’re perfect.”

My face dropped and I adopted a serious approach. “I’m not perfect Gabriel.”

“To me you are. That’s why I need to walk away, for now.”

“No. I won’t allow you to run away and hide. You’re supposed to be the big bad guy. I am not that fragile and I don’t break so easily. If you want to take it slow and we go back to the beginning as friends, I will. But I am not allowing you to cut me out of your life.”

My words caused his shoulders to droop in defeat. Had I won? He then raised his head and his eyes drilled it mine as Gabriel tugged me back between his legs again. I placed my arms on his shoulders as he searched my face.

“When we first met, you were like a ray of sunshine in the dark, so clean and unaffected by the poison of the city. You had the light to chase away anyone’s darkness. But your face was so expressive; I could even feel your thoughts. Even now, you give everything away with just one look. But being so open is a weakness, Leonie and you need to be careful,” Gabriel whispered against my face.

“Careful of what?” I knew he was about to have another go of warning me away but I would have none of it.

His hands stroked my hair back from my face as he said, “Of someone who will take advantage of that.”

I tilted my head, “I see, and do you consider yourself to be that someone?”

His expression twisted slightly, and I saw a flash of the darkness he kept at bay. “Maybe. I’ve already told you I’m not one of the good guys.”

“You say that, yet you let me live here. Found me work, saved me from Simon and then some?”

“That’s not all there is with me. I come with baggage Leonie,” his face was now tortured. But he had lost.

“I’m here for all your ugly Knight,” I whispered. Gabriel’s face softened and I pushed up onto my tiptoes, placed my lips against his and kissed him. His mouth parted and I swept my tongue inside, taking control. He allowed me to do it with a deep groan as his hands tightened in my hair.

Once I had well and truly made my point with the kiss, I pulled back. I could see Gabriel was hard against his jeans and I grinned up at him.

“Well. You’ll have to do something about that yourself. From now on, we’re friends. Yes. Just friends. You’re lucky I’m a patient person.”

Gabriel exhaled and there was a beat of silence.

“You’ll be the death of me, woman,” he drawled, watching me affectionately.

“Friends?” I repeated and held out my hand. “Want to shake on it?”

He pushed himself off the stool and adjusted himself in his jeans. “No, I do not want to shake on it. Go and get dressed, and stop wearing my T-shirts.”

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