Page 33 of Blood Lust

A pleased smile curved her lips.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name,” I apologized.

“I’m Lucia, Charlie’s aunt and Gabriel’s housekeeper, sometimes cook when his chef is unavailable. Not that I’m great in the kitchen, though.” She shrugged. Relief hit me that she wasn’t Gabriel’s wife. Then what she said sunk in.

She saidCharlie’s aunt, notGabriel’s sister, so she must be Charlie’s mom’s sister. After my misconception about Gabe and Pietro the first day I met them, I didn’t want to assume anything. Gabriel and she may not be married. “Will she be home soon?” I asked.

Her brilliant smile faded. “No. Viviana… she died a few years ago.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.” Closing my eyes, I pinched my nose. Once again, I’d made a fool of myself. Lordy, it was becoming a habit with me. “I need to just quit talking.”

“It’s okay, you didn’t know.”

“So Gabriel is a single parent,” I murmured, mostly to myself.

“Um, no. But it’s probably best he explain that to you.”

“You’re not setting my mind at ease,” I deadpanned.

At that she laughed. Her gaze narrowed a bit as she studied me. Coming to some sort of decision, she crossed her arms. “What I will tell you is that you are the first woman he’s ever had stay here. Other than his mother, that is. In case you were wondering,” she told me as she winked. “Oh, and this room is his sanctuary, and he’s sharing it with you. I’ll leave you to explore, if you’d like. I still need to finish the living room. Gabriel is generous enough that he lets me bring Charlie here with me. It’s been a godsend.”

I was still confused, but I gave her a polite smile and waved to tell her it was okay to go. She left, and I sighed, hanging my head. Trying to navigate my new existence was exhausting.

Glancing at the romances reminded me that I still had deadlines. “Shit,” I muttered. Pietro had taken my computer andmy phone when we got here days ago. He told me Gabriel would give them back to me, but each night he’d gotten home so late.

Then there was the kiss. The one I’d tried and failed to avoid thinking about—for almost five days.

Without conscious thought, I pressed my fingertips to my lips at the memory. I shook it off.

Until Gabriel got home, my hands were tied. After making the decision to let things go that I couldn’t change, I tried to decide what to read. No matter how many things seemed interesting, I gravitated to the romances. I read the backs and decided on one, but made note of several others I’d like to read next.

As the pages turned, I lost track of time. My stomach growling made me realize I hadn’t eaten all day, and I was starving. Lucia had popped her head in earlier to tell me they were leaving and that my food was still in the fridge. At the time, I was engrossed in my book and had thanked her but stayed snuggled up on the couch.

“Holy shit,” I muttered to myself when I glanced at the massive clock above the fireplace. It was almost five thirty. Chewing on my lip, I wondered if I should make something, or if he had already arranged for dinner, or if he wasn’t going to be home. I should’ve asked Lucia. I considered taking the elevator down to his office, but I didn’t know if he was there or if he was meeting with someone, and I sure as hell wasn’t popping in while wearing my PJs if he had a bunch of mafia dudes in there.

While I could eat what Lucia made, a quick peek told me it wouldn’t be enough for two if he hadn’t eaten. Not to mention, it would be nice to have something else to keep me busy. Finally, I decided fuck it, I’d cook something. If nothing else, I’d have Lucia’s leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

The pantry, freezer, and fridge were well stocked. Gathering what I needed, I began making my mom’s chicken tortellinisoup. It was one of the things she’d taught me before she passed away that I’d never forgotten.

I was leaning over the stove, checking it for taste when I heard, “Now that’s a fantastic view.”

Jumping, the spoon flew through the air, soup splattered, and the spoon clattered to the floor. Hand over my heart, I stared at the handsomest man I’d ever seen. Damn him.

“You scared the shit out of me!”

The corner of his mouth lifted, and he shook his head. “I didn’t mean to startled you. I thought you heard me come in. It smells good.”

Thankful for something to keep my shaking hands busy, I quickly cleaned up the mess. Trying to buy myself some time, I scrubbed a little more vigorously than I needed to and for a bit longer than necessary.

Gabriel crouched in front of me, and his hand stilled mine.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze to his and immediately lost myself in the rich coffee-colored depths of his irises.

Not breaking eye contact, he lifted my hand and removed the rag from my grip. He tossed it into the sink, and taking my hand in his warm one, he tugged me to standing. Though our bodies didn’t touch, mine recognized his, and it awoke something inside me that I wish I could’ve buried.

“I shouldn’t still be attracted to you,” I whispered.

“Yet I’m so glad you are,” he murmured as he leaned into me.

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