Page 37 of Touched By Destiny

Gabriel’s brows flew up. “Oh, really?”

“Yep, and Richard suggested we buy sex toys together.”

“And here I was, worried your brother wouldn’t approve.”

“Both Richard and Mari have encouraged me to do what I thought was best. To go with my gut. Or I guess, in this case, it’d be more accurate to say with my soul,” Eric said, his eyes glowing with that dreamy quality Gabriel loved.

It shouldn’t have mattered what anyone but Eric thought, but it soothed Gabriel to know two of the people closest to the necromancer hadn’t tried to talk him out of building a relationship.

“However this works out, I want you to know my goal is to keep you from regretting giving me this chance. I don’t know what the future will bring, and I’m not sure I can be the man you want or need, but you’re important to me. Please never doubt that. We haven’t started off well, and I’m scared.”

“I’m scared too,” Eric confided. “But as long as we communicate and are mindful of each other’s feelings, I think we can make this work.”

Despite the growing heat, Gabriel tucked his hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t have offered to try if I was convinced we were headed for disaster. I’d give anything to see the future and know for sure I’m not going to hurt you or myself again.”

“Do you think knowing the future would be a valuable skill? Or would it drive you nuts knowing things you couldn’t stop?”

“I don’t know.”

“Me either. I’m not expecting you to be confident we’ll wind up something like my parents. Sorry for the comparison, they’re the only soulmates I know. I just want to be your friend and lover and see where that takes us.”

It was terrifying to admit what was in his heart since he remained full of misgivings about whether he deserved a shot with Eric, but he had to be honest.

“I want that too,” Gabriel replied huskily. “Is Connor back yet, listening to this private conversation?”

“No, I can’t sense him at all. I wonder how that works. Like, he legit vanished. He doesn’t think he’s a ghost. How does he think he can just dematerialize? Didn’t he notice that his body is transparent? Like, what the fuck?”

Gabriel chuckled. “Come on, let’s go sit in the air conditioning. We can wander a little down the road while you write down everything that happened between you and Connor. Maybe he’ll pop back in and you can ask him how he rationalizes that shit.”

“What time should I come over?”

“Excuse yourself an hour after dinner. You’ll need to be back by ten when I normally engage the locks on the house during the week.”

“Okay. David made more cookies yesterday. If there are any left, I’ll steal some and bring them with me.”

“I’ll find time today to buy some milk.”

Eric scowled. “You know I hate milk.”

“I know, but you look cute all peeved.”

“I’m going to the car now,” Eric replied as he turned on his heel.

Behind him, Gabriel scanned the area for any potential threats and grinned. As daunting as moving forward as Eric’s partner was, Gabriel grabbed whatever optimistic part of him had made the plunge in the first place and clung to it. If they had any chance of building something worthwhile, he had to trust that soulmates could persevere, given the right circumstances. They’d find out if they were one of the lucky couples or destined for failure.

Chapter 17

Since Eric’s plan included teleporting from one location to another, he didn’t bother with socks and shoes. Precisely one hour after Gabriel left following dinner, Eric texted him to let him know he was popping over. Gabriel didn’t keep him waiting, and a few seconds later, he was told not to forget the cookies.

Sweets didn’t last long in the Marwood house, so Eric had asked David to whip up a new batch of cookies that afternoon. He’d aided the shy inspirit by fetching ingredients and doing whatever he was told. Thirty minutes later, they were both smiling as they filled the cookie jar.

Thankfully, his mother had been in the home office she pretended not to share with his father the entire time they were baking. It was rare for Eric to spend time in the kitchen, and she would’ve grilled him mercilessly about his sudden desire to bake. David wasn’t the type to probe, and Eric had gotten caught up on the recent shows and books the inspirit was enjoying.

Eager to be with Gabriel, Eric snatched the cookies he’d shoved in a plastic bag and closed his eyes. His hand tingled as he called to his magic and focused his energy on the silver crystalhe’d given Gabriel. Sorcery flowed through him, along with the floaty feeling that accompanied teleportation.

Moments later, his naked toes were no longer on plush carpet. Cool tiles replaced the soft threads. Eric grinned as his gaze landed on a blond inspirit dressed casually in jeans and a white T-shirt stretched deliciously over his thick muscles. Although Eric was pleased to be with Gabriel, he wondered what to do.

Should he run up and grab a kiss? Or keep it cool with a wave or a cheery hello? His smile fell as he tensed with indecision.

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