Chapter 15
fifteen
Olivia
A fter cleaning up in Gabe’s private bathroom, he leaves the glass frosted but opens the door. Brenda peeks in when she returns from lunch and even though we’re sitting in the club chairs sharing a sandwich, she gives him a knowing glance. I have the feeling not much happens in this office that gets past the woman. “Matisse is getting set up for the Santa shoots, you both better get going.”
“Thanks, Brenda.”
I wrap up the remains of my lunch and stand. “If Matisse is back, my dressers will be frantic if I don’t show up soon.”
Gabe grabs my hand and tugs until I bend close so he can kiss me. “I’ll be down shortly.”
“I know you really don’t want to be my Santa?—”
“Baby, I do want to be your Santa. Just not in front of a camera or on the pages of a catalog.”
“But you’ll do what you need to for the company.” I press a kiss to the tip of his nose and straighten. “Don’t take too long. You know Matisse will call Brenda if you don’t show up.”
“I don’t need both of them on my case. I’ll be down in fifteen.”
I’m actually glad to have a few minutes alone with my thoughts. That desk sex was wild and I loved every second. I won’t say no to a repeat. Gabe has expanded my sexual horizons. I never imagined I could be so open to try new positions, experience new delights. Of course, no man ever cared to even make sure I had a single orgasm.
My mind circles back to the words he’d said. I love you. Was the declaration just in the heat of the moment? A verbal reaction to the intensity of our shared orgasm? They couldn’t be true. We haven’t even known each other a week. That’s too fast. Isn’t it?
I sigh. Not for me. I think I fell for Gabriel Winter when I saw him standing outside the Abbot Agency waiting for me. If not then, it must have been when he stood up to my creepy ex-landlord. I didn’t want to admit my feelings to myself. Then when sex entered the picture, when he showed me the difference between sex and making love, I was lost.
Today when he was deep in my body, he said ‘mine’. In the romances I enjoy reading that declaration always makes my heart flutter just a little bit. Just like the ‘I love you’, how do I know it’s real?
I don’t have time to think as I’m assisted into a glorious red silk and lace teddy and high waisted, corseted panties. It’s an interesting combination that actually works. Matisse wants my hair loose for this shoot, with a silk ribbon holding it off my face. My makeup is almost done when Gabe rushes through the door.
Oh. My. God. This Santa can come down my chimney any time. The fur edged vest is tailored so it frames his pecks and abs. The pants are slung low enough to show off almost the full curved ‘v’ of his adonis belt. Once the catalog is done, I’m going to suggest he keep the outfit for some holiday role playing. Well, maybe he doesn’t need the silly hat.
I force my gaze from the tempting sight. There’s far too little material in these panties to prevent me leaving a wet spot in the chair.
Once we get started, there isn’t much time to admire my Santa. I’m rushed through a rapid series of outfits and we move from backdrop to backdrop, circling the room many times until Matisse is satisfied with the afternoon’s shoot.
Gabe holds my hand while he speaks to Matisse as everyone else cleans up and leaves. She keeps giving me sideways glances and tiny grins. Something’s up.
Finally she says, “You two spent a lot of time with that damned mistletoe this afternoon, but never kissed. There must be some universal law that says you need to kiss at least once. And I’d rather like a picture of that.”
“Matisse.” There’s a hint of warning in Gabe’s tone.
“Oh, humor an old lady. Now, over there where the light’s still on.”
She moves around Gabe and gives him a not so subtle shove. “Get going. We won’t be leaving this room until I get what I want.” She winks at me. “He learned that lesson a long time ago. Didn’t you, Gabriel.”
He sighs. “Yes, ma’am. Come on, Livi.”
We pose as she directs and kiss under the huge mistletoe ball. “Gabriel, you can do better than that. Kiss her.”
His lips twitch into a grin. “I’ve got my orders.” Capturing my face between his palms, his mouth covers mine with a soft caress. The tip of his tongue barely traces the parting of my lips.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Matisse says.
Too soon Gabe eases back and lets his hands glide down my arms until his fingers tangle with mine. He eases to one knee.
Confused, I glance at Matisse, but all I see is her smile partially hidden behind her camera.
“Gabe?” He’s smiling up at me, his expression a mix of tenderness and fear.
“Olivia, I know we haven’t known each other long. And yet I feel as though I have known you forever. Loved you forever. You’re a part of me. Of my soul. My heart. My dreams. My desires. I didn’t know I needed you, until you were here. I never imagined I would find someone to love. Someone like you. Ah, hell, Livi. I’m a rambling mess.”
He stares at the floor for a long moment. When he lifts his head, his eyes sparkle in the light. “Olivia. I love you. I want to marry you. I’m asking to marry you. I fell hard. Fast. I hope someday you’ll say yes and love me in return. I can wait, baby girl. Forever if needed. There will never be another I’ll call mine.”
“Yes,” I surprise myself by saying and know instantly there is no other answer in my heart. “Yes. I love you, too, Gabriel Winter. I will marry you. Now, stand up and kiss me.”
Long moments later Matisse clears her throat. I’d forgotten she was there.
“Sorry,” Gabe said. “Guess I got carried away.”
Matisse chuckles. “I don’t blame you. I’m so happy for you, Gabriel. Your mother would love Olivia as much as I do. Now, go celebrate. I’ll share photos with you tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says with a jaunty salute before he pulls me toward the elevator.
“And take that Santa suit off before you ruin it. We might need more pictures,” Matisse called after us.
Once we’re in the apartment, he starts babbling. “I don’t have a ring for you. We’ll go tomorrow and start looking. It’s got to be exactly what you?—”
I stop his words by pressing my fingers over his mouth. “All that can wait. Tonight I just want to be with you. Focus only on you. On us. I want to make love with you. On the rooftop under the stars. But first—un-Santa yourself.”
“You stay just like you are,” he says and I nod. After he disappears into his—our—bedroom I look down at the long, midnight blue satin nightgown. It’s cut low in the front with a crisscross tie that makes my boobs look great. Perfect for tonight.
I pull a bottle of white wine from the cooler and gather a pair of stemless glasses. A box of cheese crackers will do to help keep the wine from rushing to my head.
Gabe returns wearing lounge pants that ride even lower on his hips than the Santa pants had. The bulge of his erection might be the only thing holding them up. He gives me a deep, lingering kiss then grabs the wine.
“Baby girl, remember what I told you about why women wear sexy lingerie?”
“Yes. For themselves. I do feel good. In my body. And in this nightgown.”
“Good, because what I said isn’t true tonight. Tonight you’re wearing this for me. And I sure as hell am gonna rip it right off your beautiful body.”