Page 44 of The Kat Bunglar

“That sounds lovely, Mrs. Heeley. I’ll take you up on that when I return.”

Laila wheeled her suitcase through the front lobby and called the Hyatt Regency. Her firm usually put up clients there, and she could secure a room for the night. So intent on looking up their address while dialing, she collided with someone.

“Easy there, Penthouse.” His voice made her knees buckle. She hesitated to look up. “It is you, isn’t it? I’ve been wrong before,” he added with a halfhearted chuckle.

When she finally met his gaze, the smile vanished from his face.

“Whoa, what happened to you?” Gabriel asked, concern etching his features.

Tears escaped despite her effort to hold them back. “I’ve been worried about you. Are you okay?” she managed.

“I’m fine. Let’s get you some coffee. Or something stronger, if you prefer?” He placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward the elevator. She sniffled and nodded. As they headed to his apartment, she discreetly wiped her nose with her sleeve. Just once, she wished she could look glamorous in front of him, instead of this bedraggled, sopping mess.

In his kitchen, he started the coffee maker as she studied him. “How are you feeling?” she asked softly.

He winced, touching the back of his head. “Still tender, but I’ll live. Doctors said it was a mild concussion. Could’ve been worse if you hadn’t shown up when you did. You saved my life, Laila.” His lopsided smile made her insides flutter.

“None of this would have happened if you hadn’t come to see me. I’m so sorry,” Laila said as he added cream and two sugar cubes to her coffee. Taking the mug, her fingers brushed his, and the cold void inside her began to thaw. “Why did you come to see me?” Her voice was husky from the tears she couldn’t contain.

“The police didn’t tell you?” he asked.

“Jay has been handling everything with them. He compiled the list of stolen items and he’s fighting with the insurance company. The whole thing’s a mess.”

“Ah, the husband. I’m sorry we weren’t formally introduced,” Gabriel remarked casually, studying his nails.

“Soon to be ex-husband,” Laila corrected quietly.

The energy in the room shifted instantly. Gabriel’s eyes searched hers as he rounded the island. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” His expression suggested otherwise.

“I came that day to apologize,” he continued, his voice low and deliberate. “You came to LA, and I blew you off because Isabella got me excited about a business deal. I felt like an absolute jackass afterward. I’m so sorry,preciosa.”

Gabriel stood before her, placing his hands on either side of her, enveloping her in his warmth.

“Don’t do that,” Laila muttered.

“Do what?”

“Call me preciosa and all those endearments. I know it’s your thing—that it comes naturally because Latin men are born sensual, and your DNA does the salsa in its sleep—”

“You think I’m sensual?” he interrupted. He leaned in further as she scooched back, but was stopped by the cold marble of the kitchen island, which had her entrapped.

Laila rolled her eyes. “You’re very...” she gestured vaguely.

“Very what? I’m a slow learner. Please explain in detail.”

Laila set down her coffee and jabbed his chest, pushing him back slightly. “Fine! You’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. And it’s not just your looks. It’s how you move. How you hum. Every inch of you radiates sex in ways I didn’t think possible. Then there’s your art, which stirs feelings I’ve suppressed for decades. You bring everything to the surface—every urge, every desire, every raw emotion possible.” Her chest heaved as she finished, and she noticed his gaze fixed on her lips. She unconsciously licked them.

His eyes darkened. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

He captured her mouth with his. As their lips met, she cradled his face, opening to his heated breath. He groaned, “I’ve wanted this since I first saw you.”

“Me too,” she gasped as he traced her jawline, kissing down her neck. His fingers unbuttoned her trench coat and impatiently lifted her shirt. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer, feeling his hardness pressing against her leggings.

“Oh my God,” she moaned as his fingers grazed the underside of her breasts.

Her phone rang from the counter, startling them both.

“Ignore it, preciosa,” he murmured, hands tangling in her hair as he kissed her neck, her temples. “Stay with me.”

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