Page 51 of Desperate
Sheneeded to know if she was just overreacting or was there really any cause foralarm.
Narrowinghis gaze, he looked at her suspiciously, slowing down to a halt in the middlethe long pier. "Why?"
Bitingher lip at the crisp tone, she hesitated telling him about Derek. The pressurefrom his unrelenting gaze, however, would not let up until she told him whatshe saw.
"Promiseyou won't get mad?" Salene clutched one of his large hands for addedinsurance.
"No,"he growled impatiently. "Tell me Salene."
Lettingout a deep breath her shoulders sagged. "I don't know why but I saw Derekalong with the coworkers you said before that were coming."
Thereaction was exactly what she feared.
"Thatson of a bitch," Gabriel's violent roar seemed to echo over the quietbungalows and the serene waves. Turning around he began to stalk back towardsthe resort.
"NoGabriel don't." Salene tried to pull at his hand but easily snatched itout of her grasp.
"Fuckthat, I have given that bastard one too many chances," he snarled."I'm going to end this shit tonight."
Thiswas not at all what she wanted. Frustrated with tears threatening to spill shestood on the pier.
"PleaseGabriel," Salene could hear her voice crack.
Sodid Gabriel.
Stoppingin his tracks, she could visibly see him weigh his options. Turning around hestared at her for a long moment with an unreadable expression on his face.Cautiously she stepped forward as if he was some great temperamental beast.
"Please,I didn't want to mention it to make you upset, I just…" Her voice trailedoff, not sure he was listening. The low ambient lighting on the pier was reallyonly enough to get to and from your bungalow and not much else.
Silentlyhis shadowy figure walked back towards her closing the gap.
"Youjust what?" He questioned hoarsely. It was evident he was still very muchangry about Derek's unexpected presence.
"It'sjust that he is starting to creep me out a little," she explainedcautiously. "It seems he is always just popping up. Before I thought itwas a little flattering but now it's just… Weird
Fora moment Salene even wondered if he heard her, his hard angry face seemed to bechiseled from stone. Slowly as second, that felt like minutes, ticked by hisface softened and he gave her a considering looked as one eyebrow arched.
"Iwill take care of Cipriani in the morning." Pulling her by the shoulders,he pressed her close, very close. "Let's clarify the part where you saidyou are "flattered" by Cipriani's attention."
Salene'sheart skipped a beat as the grip on her shoulders tightened.
Gabrielmade a "Tsk tsk" sound with his tongue. "I guess I'll have toteach you again from scratch sweetheart who exactly you belong to." Thedark threat made her feel a tad faint.
Sheopened her mouth to defend herself, but he continued.
"Haveyou ever been spanked?"
Despitethe slashing grin slowly spreading across his lips, his eyes were deadlyserious.
***
Sittingin the closed out breakfast area they were using as a meeting space, Gabrielignored the speech his colleague was giving. Lazily he let his gaze travel overthe packet they were all given from the start, discussing how this hotel wouldbe the first of many in the new brand they were launching. Gabriel was notinterested right now he was only concerned with one thing—making sure Ciprianiknew that he was done playing games.
Whenhe left Salene this morning, he made a firm decision he was going to end thislittle obsession Cipriani was playing it. Pulling back the covers to inspectthe damage he caused last night, Gabriel's whole body tightened when he stillsaw traces of his hand print on her bare ass. It took the power of God not toclimb on top of the soft sweet woman and mount her from behind.
Unfortunately,Gabriel underestimated just how much of a pussy Cipriani was, not once did thatpiece of shit step out of his uncle, the vice president's shadow. Smilingruefully Gabriel nearly laughed, like that would stop him. Since he couldn'tdraw his prey out Gabriel decided to walk directly into its den. Requesting a privateword with the vice president, Gabriel told the older man in no minced wordsthat he had every intention of beating the shit out of his nephew, and thiswould be Gabriel's last formality.
"Iam glad you came to me about this Gabriel," the older man had an air ofquiet distinguished authority about him, it was hard to believe he was evenrelated to Cipriani. "I apologize I think I might have been negligentabout Derek as of late. I've heard some rumors about his indiscretions, and Iam ashamed to say I turned a blind eye. I should've considered it odd when heinsisted on coming on this trip." Giving him a fraternal squeeze to theshoulder the man gave Gabriel a firm look. "Don't worry we value you toomuch Gabriel to let you deal with this nonsense, Derek will not be a problemanymore take my word for it."
