Page 4 of Gabe's Obsession

"You're wrong, Angel. There is one other person and she is standing right here."

His insistence that she could remember scraped against her pride. "You think I haven't tried? No matter how many times I go back over that time in my life, it's blank. No, we have to get the truth from Tucker's mother. There's just no other way."

"It's all about trust, Nina. If you can let go of your stubborn pride and allow someone else to take control, your memories could come back. If you want them to, that is."

She bristled against his suggestion. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm doing this on purpose?" She'd about had it with this conversation. She needed to escape.

He sighed. "That's not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is that I believe you're at an impasse. You can't do this on your own. Now, you could go the therapist route or maybe hypnosis."

She wrinkled her nose at his suggestions. "I can't do that. Are you crazy?"

He nodded. "Agreed. We both know the situation is far too tenuous and explosive to be discussed with strangers. That's why I have another proposal."

Nina bit her lip. She had an idea where this was going and it was making her nervous.

"Maybe we should talk about this later," she said, looking wistfully at the door over his shoulder.

"Look at me, Nina. This is serious and it's effecting your life. This big plan of yours to bury your head in the sand isn't working. Tucker, Mason, and Levi aren't going away. They are concerned about you. They are going to keep pushing."

"They think I killed our father. How do you think that makes me feel? What is it about me that makes everyone think I'm capable of such a thing? I'm notthataggressive."

Gabe chuckled, the soft sound sliding against her skin. "Babe, you can be. But you're right, that doesn't make you a killer. But bad things happen to good people and it makes them do things they normally wouldn't do."

The way he said that and the look in his eyes as he did made her think he spoke from experience. What did that mean? Did he have secrets, too? Her big idea to get out of the house and try to talk to Savannah was beginning to deflate. The more he pushed at her, the more she wanted to avoid the truth.

"Okay, I'll bite. What exactly is it that you want me to do? How do you propose I get my memories back without Savannah’s help?”

He drew his lips into a thin, serious line. He also took another step closer, putting him well into her personal space.

"Submit to me. And by submit, I am not talking about sex. Although that could happen, too."

She started to protest and he held up his hand to stop her.

"No, let me finish. What I'm asking for is not simple and it is most definitely not easy. You've blocked old memories that are obviously traumatic. If you truly submit to me and learn to trust me, I believe we can unlock them."

"If you aren't talking about sex, then what are you talking about? I thought that's what the whole thing meant to you. I assumed taking control gave you pleasure." Her last sentence came out a little too breathless, but it was impossible to stay neutral with this man anytime the topic of sex hit the table.

Sex with Gabe... While out of the question, the idea fueled her fantasies and had for years.

A small smile curved his lips. "I do enjoy being in control, but the real pleasure comes from the submissive and her desire to give me that control. For you, Nina, it can still be about pleasure, because that's normal when someone gets so deep inside your head that you temporarily let go. But make no mistake, the goal will be to help you break down the walls that are holding you back. Which leads us back to the only question left. Are you willing and ready to do whatever it takes to get to the truth?"

Chapter Two

Gabe studiedher reactions looking for the little signs that would give him the answers he sought. To his surprise, she stayed calm, giving away no subtle signs of emotional turmoil hiding just below the surface. With her body elegantly held straight, but her arms loose at her side and her lips closed, but not firmly pressed together she'd made it impossible for him to read her.

"Can I go now?" she asked.

He narrowed his eyes. Her constant need to avoid conflict concerned him. Every time someone asked her a hard question or one she didn't know the answer to, she deflected. Or worse, ran.

"Will you at least think about my proposal?"

"With baited breath," she said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable.

He shook his head. Her insolent attitude didn't help matters and he was beginning to lose patience, something he normally never did. It didn't help that his hand itched to spank her until he got his point across. A little time in subspace might finally allow her to see the truth.

He sighed. Those thoughts weren't going to get him anywhere. Which left him with only one course of action for now.

Facing the fact he wasn't going to make any headway with her at the moment, he stepped aside and motioned for her to go. Maybe some fresh air would do her good.

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