Page 80 of Touched By Destiny

“I don’t believe you. I’m sure I don’t snore.”

“We’ll just have to ask everyone when we go downstairs for breakfast.”

“I’d really rather get fucked than eat pancakes,” Eric said. Just the thought of being taken by Gabriel had his blood warming and heading south.

Gabriel lifted Eric’s chin with his fingers and kissed him softly, darting his tongue out to taste him thoroughly. “Too bad, I’m hungry. And I have a phone call to make.”

“Who?”

“Arwynn still hasn’t returned my call. I thought I’d try again.”

“How is that more important than dick?”

With a chuckle, Gabriel squeezed Eric’s ass. “It’s not, but I’m not explaining to your mother why we missed breakfast, so sex will have to wait.”

“I should’ve woken you up earlier,” Eric groused.

“If you hurry, I’ll jerk you off in the shower.”

Eric threw the covers aside and catapulted over Gabriel. The minute his feet hit the area rug, he took off running to the bathroom as Gabriel laughed. Stopping at the threshold, Eric turned and smiled at the gorgeous man sliding out of bed.

“Hurry up,” Eric demanded, then charged to the shower and turned on the water.

Seconds later, strong hands landed on his waist, and Eric eagerly swung around to face Gabriel. Their lips met, and Eric slid his fingers into Gabriel’s messy blond locks. A single announcement had forever changed his life, and being Gabriel’s soulmate in truth was far richer than he’d ever imagined.

???

In a light sweater and trousers, Gabriel waited in the living room for Rhonda and her soulmate. Eric was at the piano, filling the room with beautiful music. It was a melodic piece by Chopin and one of Gabriel’s favorites. With his brow creased and his eyes closed, Eric was completely focused on hitting the keys in perfect harmony.

Gabriel loved it when Eric lost himself in his playing. It meant nothing else was bothering Eric at that moment. No spirit was haunting him. There was no trouble in his mind or dwellingin his heart. He was relaxed for at least as long as the song lasted. And those around him were gifted by his extraordinary talent and the gorgeous notes in the air.

With a soft smile, Gabriel listened and went through his mental checklist. That morning he’d called Arwynn again. Gabriel had lost count of how many messages he’d left for the head of that necromancer family. It proved Gabriel’s theory was correct. If Arwynn was the man responsible for the car that had followed them weeks ago, his interest wasn’t in Gabriel. That was hardly any comfort.

Although Gabriel had been convinced Arwynn wasn’t about to invite him to work for his family to either aid the destiny-touched or exterminate them, he wished that were the case—given that the alternative was the necromancer pursuing Eric. Whoever had sat outside the house and crept near them as Eric communicated with his ghosts was likely targeting the man Gabriel loved.

And just because the car hadn’t been seen recently didn’t mean they’d given up their surveillance. Gabriel wondered where they were and how much they’d learned right under his nose. Thankfully, the doorbell rang before Gabriel’s mind could go too far down that horrid track of worry. It was Gabriel’s job to ensure Eric remained unscathed, and he’d damn well do anything to keep his soulmate from harm.

Eric’s fingers hit the keys discordantly, and he grinned. “They’re here.”

“Yep, I’ll grab the door,” Gabriel said, heading out of the living area after giving Eric a little wink.

“I’m so excited,” Richard enthused as Gabriel made it to the foyer. He pulled open the black door and smiled. Next to Rhonda was a curvy woman with tawny skin and a gorgeous halo of pink-and-purple curls. Those springy locks matched hereyeshadow and the floral dress she’d paired with high boots and a leather jacket.

Her mouth—painted a pretty deep brown—curved, and she thrust out a hand. “Gabe, right? Rhonda described you perfectly. I’m Tasha.”

Gabriel shook her hand and glanced at Rhonda. “It’s wonderful to meet you, and I’m dying to know how Rhonda described me.”

Tasha threw her head back with a laugh and the big gold hoops in her ears hit her shoulders. “Let’s see. Big buff dude. Green eyes. Blond hair. Mostly wears a stern expression.”

“Wow, that makes me sound really friendly. Thanks, Rhonda.”

“Hey, truth hurts,” Rhonda replied. “Let us in so we can meet your better half.”

“Come into the living room and meet the Marwoods,” Gabriel encouraged as they stepped inside. Rhonda captured Tasha’s hand in hers as her soulmate fussed with her jacket.

“Don’t be nervous, they’re nice,” Rhonda said softly. “I promise.”

“Yeah, Richard’s the worst of the lot,” Gabriel remarked with a smirk for the eldest Marwood son as they entered the living room.

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