Page 38 of Always Been Mine

Beatrice was crying silently.

“I can’t,” she whispered brokenly.

Two words. She shattered him with two words.

They avoidedeach other’s eyes after having had mind-blowing sex. What did she expect? That they could simply pick up where they left off three years ago? She wasn’t ready and she let lust control her actions. She could blame Gabe for taking advantage of her moment of weakness, but she knew that wasn’t his intention. He wanted to comfort her the best way he could. Things got out of hand and they both gave in.

So, they were adults, right? It was just sex. Big freaking deal.

But it was a big deal.

She and Gabe hadn’t discussed the present Colombianproblem. They let their personal issues come between them. They couldn’t work together like this.

The doorbell chimed. Beatrice sighed in relief. She had called Doug to bring over a change of clothes and be her ride home. Gabe gave the command for Rhino to settle down and opened the door to her assistant who promptly glared at Gabe. Not bothering with any greeting, he headed straight for Beatrice and hugged her. Fortunately, she didn’t cry. She’d had enough of that. It wasn’t funny because she rarely cried. Doug handed her her clothes and she disappeared into the guest room.

She could hear harsh whispered words being exchanged in the other room. She quickly donned her clothes because Doug’s voice was getting louder. Gabe’s was still a steady baritone cadence, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t come to blows.

“Doug, can you wait for me outside, please?” Beatrice gave her friend a nudge when she returned to the living room.

“No, Bee. Enough is enough; you don’t need to say anything more to this asshole.”

“Wait for me outside,” Beatrice repeated in exasperation. When her assistant still hesitated, she added, “Please? I’ll be fine, truly.”

Casting one more dirty look at Gabe, Doug said, “I’ll be right outside the door.”

When they were alone once more, their eyes finally met.

“I don’t want to see you for a while,” Beatrice said.

Gabe’s eyes flashed in anger. “Is that your answer? Avoiding me?”

“I need to process what you told me, Gabe. I can’t just turn off three years of hurt. I understand more of your reasons now, but it doesn’t mean I want us back together.”

Frustrated, guttural sounds worked in his throat. “Bullshit.”

“Excuse me?” This time her temper flared.

He prowled toward her. She held her ground as they both stared challengingly at each other.

“You heard me. I call bullshit,” Gabe repeated. “Fireworks. You deny we just burned those sheets between us.”

“A relationship is not simply about sex.”

“I agree. But the most honest reaction I’ve ever gotten from you is when I watch you come when I’m buried deep inside you. I want you back. I’m not about to let you push me away because of some fear that I’m walking out on you again because I won’t. I swear. I’m all in, babe. All yours.” His hand came up to cup her face. “So tell me, what’s the problem?”

“I . . . I just need some time.”

“I’ll give you a day.”

“What the hell kind of time is that?”

“I give you a day. I need to get some shit done anyway, and you’re not leaving your condo tomorrow.”

“I have a meeting with BSI.”

At Gabe’s unbending stare, Beatrice sighed. “I can have Nate pick me up.”

“What is Nate to you?”

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