Page 56 of Touched By Destiny

“She’s in no rush. They’re dating now and are exclusive; she’s going to ease her into everything.”

“Yeah, that’s probably smart. I’m kinda glad you understood the soulmate thing and I didn’t have to explain it.”

“I don’t know,” Gabriel said, frowning. “Maybe it would’ve been better than me telling you the only thing I felt afterward was regret.”

Eric laid his fingers over Gabriel’s lips to hush him and to appreciate the softness of the mouth that routinely drove him out of his mind whether it was locked with his or wrapped around his cock. “I refuse to think about that. Our relationship started after we had sex the second time and agreed to try being together.”

Gabriel lifted Eric’s hand away and laid a kiss on his palm. “Okay, I get why you don’t include the first night we had sex, but why not the second?”

“Because the entire time I was trying to stay focused on just getting off and not appreciating you,” Eric confided. “It didn’t work very well, but I didn’t want to feel anything but the physical shit. Yeah, it was hot, and I fucking enjoyed it. But it’sbetter now. I’m not conflicted. I can appreciate your bodyandlet my feelings go wherever they want.”

“I’m not sure I should say this, but you’re also my friend, so I’ll admit that…well, the feelings scare me.”

“Because they’re good or because they’re bad?”

“When I’m with you, they’re not bad.” Gabriel blew out an unsteady breath, then quietly said, “I like the way you make me feel.”

Eric cupped his cheek in his hands and loved the slightly scratchy feel of his evening whiskers. As tenderly as he knew how, Eric kissed him. Their tongues met, and Eric lingered long enough to enjoy his taste before he pulled away to stare into that impossibly green gaze.

“I like the way you make me feel too,” Eric said, barely resisting the urge to jump up and do a happy dance at Gabriel’s confession.

In the weeks since their relationship started, Eric’s adoration for Gabriel had grown by leaps and bounds. It was thrilling, humbling, and fantastic to know he wasn’t fooling himself and that their relationship was full of promise.

“Unfortunately, I have to ruin this by reminding you it’s nearly ten.”

The last thing Eric wanted to do was peel himself off the sofa and leave Gabriel, but to maintain their secrecy, he had no choice. “I guess I better head back to the house.”

“Do I need to keep inviting you every night? Because I’d prefer if you knew it was an open invitation and that I want you here.”

Eric pressed his mouth to Gabriel’s one last time before untangling their limbs and getting up. Although Eric had a crystal there, he still waited for Gabriel to ask him to come over. Gabriel encouraging him to show up more often was wonderful,and Eric internally glowed at his words. “Invitation is always implied. Got it.”

After Eric shoved his feet into his sneakers, Gabriel snaked an arm around his waist and kissed him until he was positive his walk back would be on shaky legs. “Goodnight, Eric.”

“Night,” Eric said and left the house. He didn’t need to look back to know Gabriel was watching from his doorway. No matter what they were becoming as a couple, Gabriel remained his bodyguard. But Eric also fantasized that Gabriel hated to see him go.

Contemplating whether he wanted to grab a snack or head upstairs to jerk off since he and Gabriel hadn’t had sex that night, Eric was lost in thought as he unlocked the side door to the house and slipped inside. Which left him completely unprepared for the shriek and the bright lights slapped on a second later.

“Fuck,” Eric whispered, squinting. “I’m so sorry, David. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

David’s dark eyes were wide as he laid a hand on his chest. “Oh, you startled me. I didn’t mean to scream like that.”

Eric’s heart hammered in his chest, but he was more concerned about calming David. “I should’ve used the backdoor. I didn’t think anyone would be on this side of the house.”

“It’s okay,” David assured him softly. “I went to bed, but I couldn’t remember if we needed a couple of things. We’re going to the store in the morning, I wanted to check the pantry. It’s ten, I thought Gabriel would’ve already turned the alarm on.”

Lifting his head, Eric saw the light above the door go from green to red as Gabriel alarmed the system. “I…um. I, uh, texted him. Asked him to, um, wait a few minutes? I wanted to take a walk. There’s a new spirit in my head. Yeah, and she’s restless. So, it made me that way too.”

“Okay,” David said. “Can I get you anything before you go to bed?”

“What do you say we finish up those brownies you and my mom made today?”

David grinned. “There’s raspberry hot chocolate in the pantry.”

“Perfect,” Eric replied and swung his arm through David’s. “Let’s grab it. We can talk about that series I’m addicted to thanks to you.”

First thing in the morning, Eric would text Gabriel to tell him about his late-night chat with David so they would have their stories straight. Clearly, Eric wasn’t cut out for clandestine assignations or deception.

Chapter 24

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