Page 47 of Desperate
Chapter 25
Sittingat the built-in vanity in the master bedroom Salene leaned forwards towards themirror swiping on some mascara. Tonight she was getting ready for a gala atGabriel's work was throwing. For the past week, Salene had been so lookingforward to this night. Shopping for the perfect dress, matching shoes, jewelry,and everything and anything one could think of to make the night perfect. Itfelt like it had been ages since she had gone anywhere that required eveningwear. The thought of knowing she was going to spend the evening dancing inGabriel's arms made her feel like she was floating with excitement.
Unfortunately,what goes up must come down.
Realityalways had a way of getting at her dreams. Everything was going so perfectlybetween them. Sex between them was phenomenal, it was without question the bestshe's ever had. With Gabriel, she was entirely comfortable relinquishingcontrol knowing that with him she was more than safe to open herself upcompletely. But there was more than just great sex, Salene could talk toGabriel about anything. Talking to him and meeting his father, Salene was ableto understand him so much better. All the misogynistic old school thinking wasa direct result from Breslin Senior. Through a long back-and-forth duringThanksgiving dinner Salene surmised that both men might be a little antiquatedwhen he came to the fairer sex but they genuinely meant well.
Latelyhowever with each kiss, she could feel her heart ache a little more. It feltlike something was missing. So far they were both living in the moment, nodiscussion of future plans have been broached. Night after night he brought herto shattering climaxes in his arms and each time she felt her soul pull her towhisper those three words. Three words of such significance, she has neveruttered them to any man. So badly did she want to tell Gabriel, but each timeshe stopped short. What if he didn't feel the same? There were no declarationsof love coming from his end. Maybe this is what one of those "casual"relationships felt like, something that was never meant to be too serious.
Salenefelt as if all of a sudden she was standing on such an important juncture inthe relationship. A turning point only she was aware of, because if sheproclaimed her love for that beautiful green eyed man and didn't receive thesame in return Salene would have no choice but to leave. She could and wouldnot play the fool, there would be no point to give herself entirely to a manthat wouldn't do the same.
DearGod, it hurt though to think of that possible outcome. Dabbing on some perfumeSalene stood up and looked at herself in the full-length mirror. With her hairpressed straight, it fell to the middle of her back in a glossy sheen. Thefull-length black dress fit snugly around her bodice and hips flaring outelegantly at the knees creating a gentle sway of movement when she walked. Theblack five-inch heels were nearly hidden underneath the folds. The matte blackoff the shoulder dress gave her the perfect opportunity to pair the large goldnecklace she owned for years. Adding some earrings and a large statement piecebracelet, Salene felt confident she would mingle well in tonight's crowd ofaffluence.
Withthe sharp click of her heels against the wood floors, Salene stepped into theliving room. Standing next the kitchen bar with one foot on the bar rung,Gabriel stood in his expensive black suit. The man looked so good in formalwear Salene could feel her body tingling in response. The tailor-made suit fithis wide shoulders like nothing ever could. His rough Viking features clashedbeautifully like a model in a photo shoot.
Hearingher come in Gabriel gave her an unrelenting heated look as his eyes slowlyscanned her body.
"JesusChrist you look good," he whispered as he stopped in front of her.Hesitantly he put his hands up framing her waist as if he didn't want to messanything up by touching her. "I mean you almost look too good baby, youdon't have a more homely dress or something?"
Smilingshe pressed his hovering hands to her hips and leaned forward. His lips coveredhers hungrily stealing her breath away as he held her tight his body.
Breakingaway from the consuming kiss his green eyes turned into hers," controlyourself Salene," he accused her playfully. "I would hate to have toblow off this party and rip this pretty dress off of you."
Usingthe red BMW Gabriel zipped through the city's bustling streets with expertprecision. Lost in her thoughts, Salene stared out the window at the night'slights that whirled around them. Pulling up to one of the city's recognizablelandmark buildings Gabriel pulled into the valet queue.
"Youhave been awfully quiet tonight," Gabriel inquired carefully."Actually, you were a little distant last night as well. Is everythingokay?" Still with one hand on the wheel occasionally glancing at the lineahead of him, Gabriel turned to her with a searching gaze.
"It'snothing I just have a lot on my mind." She lied giving him a gentle smile.
Hedidn't look convinced. "You would tell me if there's something wrong,right?"
Saleneopened her mouth to reply, she wanted to honestly ask him what he felt abouther or where this relationship was going. The knock on the driver side window pulledboth of their attention from the moment. Getting out Gabriel came around andtook her hand guiding her into the sparkling marble entrance.
Themoment they walked in they were swept up in introductions and pleasantries. Itwas probably just as well Salene thought as they rode the elevator up to thesixty-second floor, she didn't want to beg for his love.
Thegala was hosted on the top floor of the iconic Dallas building that hosted therenowned sky garden. The large gilded ballroom opened out onto a terrace thatconnected from one side of the building to the other. Guests mingled and dancedin the ballroom and could walk across the beautifully landscaped garden thatseemed to be floating on top the world to the other side where the food andtables were hosted.
Alot of people came up to greet Salene remembering her from the picnic, thoughshe really didn't have to worry about mixing up a name or any other socialhiccup because Gabriel was never too far off. It was easy to see that he wasstill thinking of their interrupted conversation in the car. Not wanting tospoil the night with her worries she gave him and everyone she spoke to herbrightest smile.
Thistime, when she spoke to people, Salene felt a lot more confidence now that shehad a real career to talk about. The position at the magazine was everythingshe could have hoped for and more. The staff that worked there were young andsuper creative, and even though she worked in the marketing department Salenewas included in all the meetings. Finally, she felt back to her old self again,on equal footing with her employees and the people around her now.
Glancingaround the crowd of mingling people Salene spotted her Norse God like lovertalking to two other men. Inwardly she sighed as she secretly examined hisprofile. Lord, he was such a good-looking man, even from this distance shecould see the powerful strength of his frame heavily pressing against the finesuit fabric. Before he could sense her staring Salene averted her gaze, itwouldn't do at all if he caught her with that heated green gaze. Gabriel couldnever comprehend the effect he had on her, the way her body responded just bythe sight of him.
Takingher chance when his back was turned Salene stole out onto the beautiful skygarden. Salene just needed a moment away from the crowd and away from Gabriel.The garden was much bigger than she anticipated, from what little detail sheread online about the building the garden sounded like a fancy bridge withpotted plants. Seeing and actually being on the amazing piece of architecturecompletely put her previous assumptions to shame. Despite the garden being usedas a thoroughfare between the ballroom and the other ballroom, there wereplenty of areas to stand off to oneself.
Linedon either side with tall full topiaries Salene was able to discreetly cornerherself in a secluded grotto-like alcove. Sitting on the offered metal bench,Salene looked up at the night sky. Since the garden was practically in thestratosphere, there were large retaining walls on either side making it nearlyimpossible to see below, only the sky.
Theearly December air had a chill to it as it cut across her bare shoulders.Staring at the twinkling stars, Salene could hardly notice the chillytemperature. All she could think about was Gabriel. What would she do if hedecided he couldn't return her affection? Salene knew she was what her momwould say "borrowing worries," it was just so painful though to thinkof walking away. Feeling herself tear up Salene blinked away the moisturepraying her waterproof mascara did its job.
"Salene?"Turning quickly Salene was almost relieved to see Derek Cipriani standing theregiving her a worried look, instead of Gabriel. "What are you doing hidingin this corner?"
Thebiting wind chose that time to cut across the garden. Salene considered puttingon the long sleeve black gloves she had rolled in her gold clutch.
"ComeSalene, it's far too cold out for you to be sitting out here." Like a truegentleman, Derek extended his hand for hers.
Knowinghe was right Salene placed her hand in his immediately feeling his gentlestrength pulled her up without exerting much of her. Placing her arm on hisDerek promptly guided her the rest of the way through the other side.
"Ijust happened to spot the flash of gold through the bushes, if I had not beenlooking, I would've missed you entirely," Derek commented good-naturedlyas if they had been conversing all evening.
