Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Monica
What the hell was that?
He saw me? He knew I was watching?
I am completely humiliated. Mortified. Beyond embarrassed.
I need to find a new job. I need to move out of state. Out of the country.
I’ve never been a prude. I wasn’t a virgin when I left my family in Texas. Far from it. If only my father knew the trouble I got into with the other mafia kids, he’d probably have killed a lot more people. I’m sure that nasty Joseph Angelino wouldn’t have wanted me if he knew I wasn’t a virgin. Maybe I should have told my parents. Perhaps it would have changed things.
No. I’m glad I got out of there. Life has been a lovely little shitshow from time to time, but I have so many things I’m thankful for once Nana and I escaped from La Famiglia .
But right now, in this moment, damn . I’ve never felt like more of a prude. Knowing Gabriel watched me touch myself and saw me come? Dying of embarrassment here.
I whip out my phone in the elevator and pull up the rideshare app. I’m getting the hell out of this hotel for an hour. I need to put distance between us. I can’t think when I know he’s near me.
Oh, thank fuck. There’s a car one minute away. I find the nearest McDonald’s and request the ride. As soon as I’m in the car, I dial Emily.
“Uh oh,” she answers.
“Em, he saw me, and he knew what was going on, and I’m so embarrassed. Can I live with you now?” I blubber.
“I think I need a little more information, Mon.”
“Fuck,” I whisper. “Let me get to the Mcdonald’s, and then I’ll tell you everything.” Even in this supreme mortifying state, I don’t want to subject the poor Uber driver to this ridiculous story. He drops me off, and I sit on the curb outside the Mcdonald’s. “So, Gabriel may have left the door open while he showered, and he jacked himself off, and I was so turned on that I touched myself, and we both came at the same time. But it turns out he knew I was watching, and he saw me come, and now I can’t go back there, and I need to quit my job and move to Mars or something.”
Dead silence on the phone.
“Wait. What?”
“Oh, I really don’t want to repeat all of that.”
Emily begins cackling. Laughing so hard she can’t breathe.
“You did not!” she shouts. “Monica, oh my God! Oh, only you. For the love, girlie. You are such a hot mess.”
I hear murmuring in the background.
“Don’t you dare tell Nathan about this!” I plead.
“It’s Nate and Liam. ”
“Fucking hell. Don’t tell them. Please. Do me a solid, Em. I’m humiliated enough.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “You owe me. This is too good of a story to not share.”
“I’ll bring you queso when I get back.”
“You know me too well, my friend. Deal.” We chat for a few minutes without discussing my humiliation further. I feel better after just unloading the information on Em. She’s my bestie for a reason. We end the call with us both laughing. Queso saves the day. Again.
My phone dings with a text, and I see it’s from Gabriel.
Gabriel: You aren’t here.
Me: Oh no! I’m not?
Gabriel: Funny. Really taking avoiding me to a new level,querida.
Oh shit. Seeing his nickname for me in text form gives me butterflies.
Me: Had a hankering for a specific breakfast and called an Uber. I’ll be back later.
Gabriel: We’re not done talking.
Me: About that? Yes, we are done talking. In fact, I might never talk to you again.
Gabriel: Why?
Me: Because I am completely humiliated!
Gabriel: You have no reason to be,querida. Hottest fucking moment of my life. I didn’t mean to leave the door open, but I’m not sorry I did. I’m not sorry that I watched you take your pleasure. You’re fucking iridescent when you come.
Holy shit. This man has a way with words. I’m quivering with need at a text.
Me: Gabriel, is this appropriate for us? We work together.
Gabriel: And?
Me: It’s complicated.
Gabriel: What relationship isn’tquerida? It’s up to you to decide if you want me. Because I’ve made it perfectly clear that I want you.
Me: One quick bang is just going to make things even more awkward.
Gabriel: First of all, I never said only once. And secondly, it wouldn’t be quick.
I turn my screen off before I can respond. I’m shaking as I rise and carefully walk into the McDonald’s. I’m suddenly famished, but not for food.
I manage to avoid Gabriel for the entire day. I may have memorized his itinerary and chosen different breakout sessions to ensure we weren’t in the same rooms. I took another Uber out to lunch to avoid him and then faked a headache before climbing into bed early. Honestly, the headache wasn’t too far from the truth. I’m overwhelmed and overstimulated. And typically, when I get to feeling like this, I make bad decisions.
It’s close to midnight when Gabriel returns to the room. I can tell he’s pretty drunk based on the ridiculous amount of noise he makes and that he shushed himself at one point and then giggle-snorted in response. I carefully peel one eyelid open slightly to see Gabriel standing at the foot of the bed and staring at me as he slowly unbuttons his shirt. I can feel the heat emanating from him.
“One day, querida , you will be mine. I can feel it,” he whispers seductively as he pulls his shirttails from his pants and begins to undo his belt. I struggle to maintain steady breathing as he palms himself over his pants and grunts quietly. “Gonna own you,Monica.”
Gabriel takes one last look at me before going into the bathroom and quietly closing the door. I hear him start the shower and wonder if he’s getting himself off again. My hand is in my panties before I can even think about the consequences. I bring myself to orgasm almost immediately. It only took the edge off, but it relaxed me enough to fall asleep.
My sleep is plagued with dreams of Gabriel, and when I wake up plastered to his side again, I almost want to take advantage of him. My head is on his chest, his right arm securely underneath my back, with his hand cupping my ass. The sheets have been pushed off the end of the bed, and Gabriel’s imposing morning wood is beckoning me beneath his boxer briefs. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a massive cock before. It’s not necessarily incredibly long, but it is the thickest cock I’ve ever seen. If we were to ever have sex, I’m afraid he might break me.
Gabriel sighs in his sleep, and I slip out of his grasp before grabbing my clothes and heading into the bathroom. I’ve survived half of the conference without climbing him like a tree. Well, at least consciously I haven’t. My body has a mind of its own while I’m sleeping.
I take a quick shower and get dressed, then sneak out to find Gabriel still asleep. He’s on his stomach now, his arm thrown over my side of the bed as if he reached for me. I unabashedly stare at his ass. It’s not an enormous bubble butt, but it has an excellent shape. I know he’s got a thing for my ass. Both mornings I’ve woken up with his hand on my ass. I’ve never liked guys touching me there, but with Gabriel, it’s different. His hand feels perfect on me, like it was always meant to cup my ass. It fits perfectly in his hand.
I slip out the door and head downstairs to grab breakfast. Since he’s asleep, I know I can eat here. I don’t want to waste more money on Uber and fast food; thankfully, the conference fee includes breakfast. Almost fifteen years of penny-pinching has taught me to budget every last cent, regardless of how much money I’m pulling in with closings.
I love a breakfast buffet. I’m not sure why scrambled eggs taste better when someone else cooks them, but they do. I suspect they use a shit-ton of butter. I overflow my plate with all the breakfast options, then grab a table in the corner to eat quietly. Opening my phone, I find a handful of emails from current clients asking for listing information and a few other work-related emails. I spend the breakfast answering emails and texting back and forth with Harper. She and I have grown close over the past few months. She’s finally not pregnant and swears it Ashton was an accident. Harper and Owen are disgustingly cute together, and their sons are adorable. As an outsider looking in, I could see the connection between Harper and Owen from the first time I met them years ago. It took them quite a while to admit their feelings for one another, but they’re finally married and a family. It’s really lovely to see her so happy.
Harper: Fuck the hot boss yet?
Me: No.
Harper: Get on that, woman. Literally. GET. ON. THAT.
Me: I’m trying not to. It muddies the waters.
Harper: How so?
Me: We work together! It can only end badly.
Harper: That’s what I said about Owen.
Me: Please. Everyone could see you two were destined to be together except for you guys.
Harper: That’s sweet. Almost sounds like you have a heart, Mon.
Me: Don’t tell anyone.
Harper: Your secret is safe with me. But seriously, why aren’t you sleeping with your boss? Em told me he blatantly told you he wants you.
Me: He did. But I honestly think I could fall for him, and that scares the shit out of me.
Harper: You still messing around with Marcus?
Me: I told him this week that I’m done with him, but he’s been texting me nonstop.
Harper: You should block his number.
Me: I know. I need to get my apartment key back from him and ask the super to change the locks.
Harper: You gave him a key?
Me: No, he made a copy without telling me.
Harper: That’s fucked up, Mon. I’m glad you decided the dick ain’t worth it.
Me: Not from him it’s not. He was really pushing for a committed relationship, and I had this gut feeling that I shouldn’t do it.
Harper: None of us like him.
Me: I know. Y’all aren’t subtle.
Harper: (wink emoji) Yet you still put up with us.
Me: And sometimes I don’t know why.
I put my phone down as I take the last gulp of my orange juice and grab my bag. The morning session is a full group session, and I’ve already decided I will hide out in the restroom until after it starts, then slip in to find a seat. I chuckle to myself when I think about how I’m trying all these evasive maneuvers to avoid my hot boss. Never in a million years would I think this is how I’d be trying to avoid a good dicking. Because I know, with Gabriel, it would be amazing. Life changing. Best of my life. And that scares the shit out of me.
By the end of the day, I’m exhausted. Gabriel texted that he was going out to eat with a couple of people he knew from his time in the Army, so I’m taking the opportunity to order room service and watch some Netflix. I really need some time to relax. We have one more full day of sessions and then a morning breakfast before heading home.
I’m glad I came to this conference. Well, I’m glad Chase was sick. I’ve learned a lot of strategies and techniques I can apply, as well as new real estate laws for the state that I need to understand. But I’m tired. Not only are constant sessions and networking mentally exhausting, but the emotional turmoil I’m going through because of the proximity to Gabriel has just about done me in.
When the hotel says my dinner will take about an hour to complete, I jump in the shower. I brought a conditioning mask from home and want to allow that some time to soak in. I use up all the hot water before I prune and wash out the mask, then wrap myself in multiple towels. Putting on my pajamas, I’m just getting ready to open Netflix when the room door opens. Gabriel struts in and comes to a complete stop as he stares at me. He makes no effort to mask the lust in his eyes as he takes in my tank and booty shorts.
“I thought you’d be gone all evening,” I stammer.
“I changed my mind. I didn’t think you’d be here,” he replies huskily.
We stare at each other momentarily before Gabriel takes a step toward me .
“What are you doing?” I whisper.
“I-“he begins to reply, but there’s a knock at the door. “Expecting someone?”
“Room service.”
I slide past him and catch a whiff of his cologne, making my eyes close in bliss. I find my hands shaking when I open the door to accept the room service. As the attendant moves the tray into the room, I’m acutely aware of the tension between Gabriel and me. I try to avert my eyes from him, but as soon as his eyes catch mine, I’m captivated by the emotion I see swirling in the depths. Passion. Lust. Comfort. It’s all there. Gabriel is slowly, day by day, pulling me in. And I don’t know how much longer I can avoid it.
After the attendant leaves, neither of us moves.
“I want you so fucking bad, querida ,” Gabriel says quietly.
“It’s not a good idea,” I murmur.
“Why?”
“Because we work together. You’re my boss.”
“So?”
“When this ends, everything will be awkward. I don’t want that.”
“Who says it has to end?” he asks.
“What do you mean?” I’m honestly confused.
“ Querida , I’m not asking for a quickie. This isn’t a one-time thing for me.”
I stare at him in shock.
“I don’t understand,” I tell him. He takes two steps forward and reaches up to cup my cheek.
“Are you done with the boyfriend?” he asks softly, and I nod. “Then there’s no reason we can’t be together.”
“What?” I shout. “Together? Together together? Like, together?”
“Yeah, querida . No matter how you say the word, yeah. I want us to be together. ”
“This is too much. I don’t understand … I just told Marcus I didn’t want to date him, and now you’re telling me you want me, and he’s still texting me. I’m just really confused, and I don’t know how to process this,” I tell him, refusing to make eye contact.
“ Querida , look at me,” he demands. He’s still holding my cheek, and my eyes slowly rise to his. “I’m not him. I don’t sleep around. I’m not interested in one-night stands. I’m forty-five years old. I know what I want. I may not be a lot of things, but one thing I am is patient. I’m not going anywhere. You need time to process what I’ve told you? Fine. I’ll wait. I think you’re worth the wait, querida .”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. Can I stay and watch tv with you, or would you feel more comfortable if I left you alone?” Gabriel asks quietly. I’m not even sure if he realizes his hand has slowly slid down to cup the side of my neck. The pressure he applies is soft yet demanding. His hand holds me with dominance and care. I’m turned on by the simplicity of his hand against my neck.
“You can stay,” I whisper. Gabriel leans forward and kisses my lips softly but quickly. I gasp as the zing of sensation ricochets through my body.
“Eat your dinner, querida . We can find something to watch,” Gabriel says as he lets go of my neck and sits to take off his shoes. Gabriel is dressed in nice jeans, a button-down shirt, and a sports coat. His casual loafers complete the outfit. He appears professional but approachable, powerful, and confident. It’s such a fucking turn-on. He heads into the bathroom as I take my food and get situated on the bed.
I’m unprepared for him to walk out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants. I’ve seen his chest. Hell, I’ve woken up with my face plastered to it. But watching as his muscles flex across his pecs and onto his back? Holy hell. I can’t take my eyes off him. He roots around in his suitcase for a shirt but takes his time putting it on. Gabriel is putting on one hell of a performance for me, and I’m unabashedly enjoying the show.
We settle on an old episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Grey’s is one of my favorite shows, even though I’m scared of needles, and the thought of cleaning up any sort of bodily excrement makes me feel nauseated. I have a good chunk of the series memorized, so at this moment, I’m much more focused on Gabriel. His proximity on the bed. His scent. The way his breathing calms me. I keep looking at his hands and imagining them trailing across my skin. I find myself sinking into the mattress toward him and don’t object when his arm comes around me and pulls me toward him. My head falls to his shoulder as I breathe him in. I close my eyes and surrender to my dreams.