Page 45 of Desperate
Turninghis back to her, he stepped away, her heart went completely still for a momentuntil she heard the cabinet door open and close. Pulling up his jeans a littleGabriel squatted deeply until he rested gracefully on his haunches. For amoment there she feared that he was just going to walk away.
"Here,let me," the cold, wet swipe of the hygienic towelette against hersensitive heat made her jump.
Salenewas highly embarrassed by the intimate act but too tired to fight back. Liftingher hips as he slid the damp underwear back in place Salene looked at his eyessearchingly.
Finally,he spoke. "I won't lie to you and tell you I didn't mean this. Because Iknew exactly what was doing when I requested the fitting room."
"Howdid you even know about this?" Salene wanted to add 'sex parlor' butrefrained, she was a little apprehensive to even know how he knew.
Smilingrakishly he handed her one of the bras to try on. "There is a coworker ofmine who used to date one of the attendants here that told me."
"Oh,"nodding her head numbly Salene couldn't help but inwardly sigh in relief. Therewas just no way she was strong enough to hear that he "used" thisplace before.
"Salene,"he paused as if looking for the right words while letting his thumbs caressback and forth on the inner part of each thigh. "I'm trying to scrapetogether my control I lost a moment ago." Letting both hands glide upfurther Gabriel's eyes hardened at whatever thought crosses mind. "When Isaw you talking to that piece of shit kid down there that was one thing butwhen I realize you still had so little respect for me even…"
"Gabrielstop please," Salene couldn't take it anymore. Clasping his face with bothhands, she leaned his face upwards until they were eye to eye. "Please,stop I said I was sorry I was just speaking out of anger. I didn't meanit."
Grabbingeach wrist he swiftly stood straight up bringing her with him, holding herclose he spoke. "I know baby and that why when we get home we are going totalk."
"Talk?"She asked dubiously.
Smilingand her skepticism he kissed her on the lips. "Yes, talk. Talk and startover. There are too many things we don't know about each other or lies thatbitch told. We need to clear the air. I want to know more about you."
Buryingher face into his soft T-shirt, Salene smiled. "Yes, I want to know moreabout you as well."
Bendingdown he kissed her as his hands rubbed up and down her bare back, reminding hershe was still topless.
"Mmm,"he groaned deeply. "Come on before they kick us out. I have a feeling I'mgoing to need to buy some more lingerie for the extra time spent."
Chapter 24
Gabrielrolled his neck slowly popping the tense muscles in his neck. Leaning back inthe large black leather office chair he swiveled around towards the massivefloor-to-ceiling window behind him. Looking over the city Gabriel was able tosee the greater part of Dallas from his thirty-second floor office and theedges of neighboring Fort Worth too. Dallas was a beautiful flat city making iteasy to see just about anything from the right height and angle. Staring out atthe expanse of the blue-and-white sky his thoughts drifted to where they alwaysseem to go—Salene.
Leaninghis chin on one fist, he thought of the past week with a smile. Things couldn'tbe more fucking perfect if he tried. That night after the mall Gabriel eventuallypulled himself from her tired, spent body and collapsed next to hers in bed.She asked some questions about his childhood, his dad, his interests, and evenhesitantly asked him about his mom. It was spellbinding to watch her laugh andlisten intently to his childhood stories. To watch her sadness and anger overthe facts about his mom taking off at a young age made him only want possessher more.
Thatincident in the mall they both realized quite thoroughly his possessiveness forher ran deep. When he heard her laughter float delicately around him in thestore, Gabriel could still practically feel the trickle of fury that iced hisheart. Watching her laugh and smile as that punk tried to work his way up toasking her out made him see red. Salene was his in every sense of the word, andit was apparent he needed the remind her of that fact. When she did relent tohis anger and begged him, Gabriel could feel his soul ignite. Closing his eyes,he could still easily imagine her soaking wet heat stretching around him as hetook her from behind. That night he resumed his lesson on her body practicallyonce they set foot inside. Gabriel made her repeat over and over again that shebelonged only to him.
Forthe first time in his life, Gabriel could completely see why some men could goto the lengths to kill for their women. Gabriel had no trouble seeing himselfbeat another man to death for that shapely little woman. Salene sweet smile,her soft moans, her sharp tongue, the way she held onto him as he drove intoher tight body—everything gave meaning to his day.
Hell,even his father was entranced by her. During Thanksgiving dinner, a small butdelicious feast Salene prepared, Gabriel watched his father and Salene bickerlike two old men—full of good-natured snappish jibes. The old man hardly wantedto leave and made no secret he planned on taking every scrap of leftovers withhim on the way out.
"Mr.Breslin, there is a visitor downstairs to see you." The voice of his ditzysecretary that he shared with two other coworkers came through his phonebreaking his thoughts. "A Salene Agnew Sir."
Punchingthe response button he responded. "Send her up."
Salenefelt a little nervous as she walked through the quiet maze of corridors behindthe young blonde assistant. The building Gabriel worked in was even moreelegant than she had imagined. The entrance lobby was gilded in gold andmarble, giving off a very high-class feel to match the well-dressed occupantscoming and going. Thankfully she was still dressed from her meeting earlier,wearing a form-fitting olive colored pencil skirt and a gauzy mustard tank top,Salene felt that she could successfully pass as the one percent clientelesurrounding her.
QuietlySalene followed the cheerful blonde through the winding corridors. It waseerily quiet in the hallways as she passed by numerous wooden doors. Each doorhad a panel of fogged aqua blue glass to the left of each door with a goldplaque stating the office's occupant.
Stoppingin front of Gabriel's door the young woman knocked once before a brief pauseand ushering her inside. The office was much bigger than she was expecting.Gabriel's desk sat directly ahead backed by a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows.To the far left of the door was a nice sitting area and a glass coffee table.
"Thankyou, Abigail," Gabriel came around his desk, inquisitive green gaze neverleaving Salene's as he spoke. "Hold all calls and put my status asout-of-the-office until I say otherwise."
Abigailresponded to the brusque order with a cheery acknowledgment before shutting thedoor behind her as she left.
"Wowyour office is so big," Salene was still staring around in wonder."It reminds me of Draper's office on that show Mad Men," she saidsmiling as she pointed to the bar cart in the corner.
Smilinghe reached out a hand for hers, pulling her the rest of the distance until shewas flush against him. The soft fine fabric of his suit glided underneath herhands as she gave him a tempting smile.
