Page 8 of Forbidden Passions

The feel of those hands on my breasts, my hips, my thighs. My love life had been non-existent for a while, so I was trying to put all these feelings into a neat little box labeled forced proximity. But I knew myself better than that. This… whatever this emotion I was feeling about this man was something else

“Dogs are good judges of character,” Gabriel said, his voice slightly softer when addressing Max.

“You admit you have character? That’s progress.”

His head snapped up, eyes meeting mine, and for a second, I thought I’d pushed too far. Then something shifted in his expression—not quite a smile, but a reluctant acknowledgment of my teasing.

“You always this much of a smartass?” he asked.

“Only when trapped with grumpy mountain men during storms.” I grinned. “Consider it your punishment for being antisocial.”

Thunder boomed directly overhead, making me jump. Max whined and pressed against Gabriel’s leg.

“It’s okay, buddy,” I called, patting my leg. “Come back over here.”

Max looked at me, looked at Gabriel, and stayed put.

“Seriously?” I raised an eyebrow at Gabriel. “You’ve turned my dog against me in just a few hours?”

Gabriel’s mouth quirked. “Like I said. Good judge of character.”

I rolled my eyes, but internally, my heart gave a little squeeze. The man might be determined to maintain his broody façade, but the gentle way he treated Max told me everything I needed to know.

“So,” I said, pulling my knees up to my chest, “the sleeping arrangements.”

Gabriel’s expression immediately shuttered. “I already told you. I’m taking the floor.”

“And I already told you that’s ridiculous.” I stood up, wincing as my sore muscles protested. Hours of searching for Max in the rain had left me aching everywhere. “Your bed has to be big enough for both of us, and I promise I don’t snore.”

His jaw tightened, eyes darkening as they flicked over me standing there in his clothes. “No.”

“Give me one good reason.”

“I don’t know you.”

“I’m Callie, I’m a photographer, I’m here on vacation, and I rescued Max from the shelter three weeks ago. Now you know me.” I crossed my arms, which only served to push up my breasts under the baggy t-shirt. Gabriel’s eyes dropped for a millisecond before locking firmly back on my face.

There. A flicker. That crack in his restraint. It made something inside me tighten. I wanted to push again. Wanted to see how far he could bend before he broke.

“That’s not what I meant,” he growled.

“Then what did you mean?” I challenged, taking a step closer. “Afraid I’ll take advantage of you in your sleep? Or is it the other way around?”

His nostrils flared slightly. “I’m trying to be a gentleman.”

“And I’m trying to be practical. It’s your cabin, your bed, and we’re both adults.” I shrugged. “Besides, Max will be between us. He takes up half a bed by himself.”

As if to demonstrate, Max chose that moment to flop dramatically onto the floor, sprawling across nearly three feet of space.

Gabriel looked from Max to me, irritation and something else—something hotter—flickering in his eyes. “Fine,” he finally bit out. “But if you’re uncomfortable at any point—”

“I’ll let you know,” I finished for him. “I’m a big girl, Gabriel. I can handle sleeping next to a man without swooning.”

That was a lie. I was already swooning, and we hadn’t even touched.

The look he gave me clearly said he wasn’t so sure he could handle sleeping next to me, which sent a little thrill of satisfaction through my body.

I’d barely brushed against him earlier, and my body had lit up like a matchstick. If he so much as sighed in his sleep, I was in trouble.

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