Page 45 of A Duke's Lustful Riddle
With thoughts of Gemma plaguing his mind, Gabriel continued to wander the hushed corridors of the estate. He took turn after turn, just walking around as visions of Gemma played in his mind.
Deep down he knew why he was hesitant to commit to courting Gemma. He was fearful in the depths of his soul that he might not make her happy. She was young and full of promise. What if he were to be with her and somehow fail to be an appropriate husband? Isn’t that why Lily left? He couldn’t make her happy? She did not see him as a making a proper husband who could care for her the way she wanted to be cared for?
Maybe his travels and desire for adventure made her hesitant. What kind of husband could one truly be if he were gallivanting all over the world in search of adventure? A woman needs to feel that she is enough.
What if I can’t be that for Gemma?
He wanted nothing more than for Gemma to be in his arms right now. He needed her to tell him that he had nothing to worry about with Alastair, but Gabriel feared the worst.
What if Gemma wanted Alastair to court her? He felt like a foolish schoolboy. Did he truly not trust himself to be a good suitor and a wonderful husband? Gabriel thought maybe that being away from Gemma for so long to do his studies that he simply did not know her well enough.
When he and Lily met, it was a whirlwind romance. They did know each other well before moving in together. Lily was also a common woman, nothing like Gemma. Gemma would never tease and betray someone the way Lily did. Still, shouldn’t he get to know her a bit better before courting her?
After all, women could be confusing at times, could they not?
A tiny voice chastised him. He had not exactly been an open book.
Gabriel and Gemma may have kissed, but he made it clear he only wanted friendship from her. If he changed his mind again, he may truly ruin any chance he had with Gemma and shove her right into Alastair's waiting and greedy arms.
Gabriel shook his head as he walked, feeling like an utter fool. How did he come by such a talent to complicate his own love life. Life was complicated enough; love should be easy.
No woman has made him feel so low and high all at once before. He wanted to kiss her, but he also wanted to shelter her from any other man. Gabriel wanted his words to be the only words she heard, his smile to be the only one she desired, his lips to be the only lips she kissed.
The image of Gemma laughing with Alastair kept popping up at unwanted junctions in his thoughts. It was enough to send Gabriel spiraling. Alastair was a conman, and he could not let him court Gemma. Even if he was to blame Gabriel for introducing them in the first place. He simply could not allow a gambling man like him to have access to Gemma’s heart. He would break it eventually and he could not bear the thought of that.
As Gabriel roamed the halls, he saw a faint light spilling from under the library door.
Who would be up at this hour?
Gabriel strutted towards the library door and thrust it open.
A loud gasp escaped the lone figure in the room.
Gemma Whitmore, the object of all of Gabriel’s desires, stood in the center of the library holding a candle. Her figure was bathed in the soft luminescence and her night dress revealed a tantalizing silhouette.
It felt as if time stood still as Gabriel stared at the beauty in front of him. Gemma was a vision of innocence and desire. Everything that he wanted was wrapped up in a white and sheer nightgown.
Instinct took over as he strode toward her. Taking one step at a time firmly. Not letting Gemma have the chance to escape him.
Once by her side, their breath was caught in the charged air.
Gabriel noticed her taut chest and sucked in a breath. Gemma was gorgeous. It was not as if he had not known this all along.
“What are you doing, Your Grace?” Gemma’s voice held a slight tremor.
“Do you trust me?” Gabriel spoke in a deep tone of voice, possessed by his need for her.
Gemma nodded eagerly, and he could only hope she trusted him more than anything.
He reached out toward her, drawing her closer.
Gemma obliged and leaned into his waiting arms as she turned her face up to meet his eyes. He was mesmerized by her.
As Gemma’s eyes widened with surprise, they also held a deep passion within them.
Gabriel had no idea what Gemma was thinking, but from her eyes, he knew that she felt their proximity as much as he did. The heat was too much to ignore.
He pulled Gemma into his arms more tightly, and she willingly allowed him to do so.
