Page 49 of Desperate
"Ouch,"Derek pouted before shrugging. "I made a call to a friend for you to getan interview at the magazine, technically we own the magazine, so it waseasy."
Salenewas utterly shocked, there were so many thoughts going through her head shewasn't sure which to settle on.
"Areyou mad?"
"Yes…No, I don't know Derek," she confessed. "I've never been in asituation like this before."
"I'msorry Salene," his normally cool gaze passed over her with a heated look."I just wanted to make you happy."
Sheshould be grateful, this job was absolutely perfect but to know that she got theinterview and maybe even the job because of Derek, it felt terrible.
Asif reading her mind Derek added helpfully. "Know that I just got you theinterview Salene. You still got the job on your own merits." Smilingbroadly he added. "I might have some connections by I don't have that kindof power."
Thatwas a relief she thought, her heart lightning a bit. A tiny bit.
"Wellthank you, Derek I really appreciate it," Salene notice they had reachedthe edge of the dance floor. Now was her chance. "If you'll excuseme."
Stoppingat a clear spot, Derek looked as if he was going to say something else but hiseyes moved beyond her, stiffening immediately at the sight.
"It'sbeen a pleasure Salene," kissing her hand Derek gave her a dazzling smilebefore walking away.
Knowingthere was no other that could cause another man to blanch like that Saleneturned to see Gabriel standing there. Taking note of his brooding face, Salenereached for his hand with a little tug.
"Dancewith me." With the grace of a large cat Gabriel answered by pulling herinto his arms onto the dance floor.
Alongwith the other slow dancing couples, they became lost on the floor. In his armsunlike Derek's, she felt as if they were the only ones. Not able to see pasthis broad frame she simply rested her cheek against his chest letting Gabrieltake the lead.
"Areyou mad?" She asked as she listened to the heavy, steady thumping in hischest.
Withthe deep intake of breath, Salene felt his chest rise and fall. "I'mtrying not to be."
"Weonly did it for Trish really."
Thegrip on her waist tightened, pressing her closer to his frame. Looking up shemet his serious gaze.
"Tosee the woman you would happily kill for dancing happily in the arms of anotherman—is challenging, to say the least."
Saleneopened her mouth for rebuttal, but Gabriel continued.
"Especiallyconsidering that woman has felt like she is distancing herself from you for thepast two days." His voice was a harsh whisper while his eyes only searchedhers pleadingly for answers.
Inthat moment Salene knew she wasn't being fair. Their relationship was only afew months old. The man had just come out of a disastrous marriage. Andconsidering how he grew up Salene wasn't sure if this beast of a man trulyunderstood love. From the moment he set his sights on her Salene never feltmore cherished and protected, he loved her she knew it deep down she just hadto make him see it. It wasn't to fair foist her worries off on him like this.
Wrappingher arms around his neck, she brought her lips to his. Sensing the silentsurrender of her nameless frustration Gabriel answered her kiss hungrily.Smiling against his lips Salene could feel the iron restraint coursing throughhim as his hand stopped just above her ass.
"Godmy sweet Salene you have been driving me out of my mind all night," hegrowled in her neck, letting his teeth scrape against the tender flesh."First, you look so fucking good in this skin tight dress, I have had tophysically stop myself from punching a few dudes for staring. Then I find youhave run off with that bastard Derek. Woman, you have tried my patience in theworst way tonight." Even now she could feel the frustrated fury pulsingthrough his taut muscles. "But then I thought you might have been mad orsomething, frankly sweetheart I am exhausted."
Fora reason, she could never explain her body grew so hot watching and listeningto the torment she caused. To know that she could put this man, a man that atone point fought with her like cats and dogs, through so much turmoil turnedher on immensely.
Seeingthe obvious heat in her eyes, Gabriel stopped the dance near the edge of thedance floor giving her a bewildered look.
Pullinghis face down with both hands she whispered in his ear. "Take me home so Ican ride you and show you that you're the only one."
Theydidn't say any goodbyes that evening.
Chapter 26
Theairplane was eerily quiet, all the main lights in the cabin were shut offleaving only a low blue ambient glow just enough for sight around the plane.Looking around at the sleeping passengers Gabriel felt like he was the only oneawake. The trip was sprung on him last week, though a free trip to Bora Boracould never really be an inconvenience. Since his company bought one of theresorts, he and a few other colleagues were assigned to go out and"experience it" firsthand.
