Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
GAbrIEL
I leave the apartment and try not to think about what is going on in Leah’s bedroom. How she’ll insert my cum into her body. The thought alone had me erupting into the sterile container, my teeth clenched tight to stifle any cries. Who knew abstaining for a week and a half would have this kind of effect?
Instead, I go to see Caleb.
“Is it true?” he asks as soon as he opens the door.
“Depends on what? There are many things that are true. There are an equal number of false.”
“Don’t be smart with me,” he grumbles. He steps back and lets me enter his apartment. Jet lag visibly taking its toll. He’s been in America for the past month, working with an old friend of Elijah’s. An architect renowned for his work in sustainable, eco-friendly buildings.
“If you’re talking about Leah, I take it our mother has been gossiping?” I say, as I follow him into his kitchen.
Caleb moves to his wine cooler and grabs a bottle of beer for us both .
“It is true then?” Caleb stares at me as if trying to read my soul. “I always wondered,” he adds cryptically.
Directing us back into his main living space.
“Wondered what?”
“About your feelings for her.”
I drop onto his sofa, drawing down a large swallow of beer.
Feelings? I catch the word before I say it out loud. Caleb is too perceptive, not only as a person but also as my twin.
“What changed? I’ve only been gone a month,” he asks.
I sit back and stare at the bottle of beer in my hand. “That night, after Tristan’s,” I say, realising it isn’t a lie. That night changed everything between Leah and me, or at least started us on our current path. I saw Leah as more than someone who works for me. I saw her as a person. It also made me realise how distant I am from those working for me. Something I need to rectify.
Caleb stares, and I lock my muscles to prevent myself from fidgeting under the scrutiny of his gaze. He takes a swig of his beer before leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
“I’m going to say this, and I know you will not like it.”
I lock gazes with my brother. I know what’s coming. He’s always been protective, even when I’ve not wanted him to be.
“I like Leah. You know I do, but are you sure this isn’t too soon? She and Vince were together a long time.”
It’s my turn to lean forward. “Most people will think it is too soon.” I think back to Leah’s conversation with her mother. “We’ve discussed it. Leah’s relationship with Vince was over a long time ago.”
Caleb looks sceptical, and I can’t blame him. “She was pretty upset the night of Tristan’s opening for someone whose relationship was over. ”
“She was, but then Vince’s girlfriend announced she was pregnant.”
Caleb’s eyes widen, and his head draws back. “I was not expecting that.”
“No, nor was Leah,” I say drily. “Vince had been putting off starting a family for years. That’s why Leah was so upset. It was the ultimate betrayal,” I add, hoping Leah forgives me for sharing this information with Caleb.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get Vince,” Caleb says, shaking his head, making me wonder whether my brother has, in fact, developed feelings for Leah over the years.
“After Leah moved into the apartment, we started spending time together, and our relationship changed,” I explain.
“I’m not surprised,” my brother says, smiling over at me. “It was always going to take someone like Leah to break down your walls. You were always going to need to get to know someone without any stigma or pressure.”
I stare open-mouthed at my brother.
“You forget how well I know you, Gabe,” he says.
Something I can’t deny, even if I want to. Caleb has always had an innate way of knowing what I need or how I’m feeling.
I close my mouth, pursing my lips. “Leah wants to keep it out of the office, at least for the moment,” I tell him.
“I’m not surprised. She’s never been big on gossip.” Caleb leans forward and taps the top of his bottle to mine. “I really am happy for you both.” I take that as his agreement not to come in, shouting his mouth off the next time he pops in.
It shouldn’t, but it always surprises me when the romantic side of my brother rears its head. For the ultimate playboy, he certainly has a romantic heart.
“Enough about me. How was America? How’s Jaxson? ”
“America was good. We made a lot of progress on the plans for the new development,” Caleb says.
We move on to talk about the plans for his new project. By the time I leave him, I’ve pushed aside all thoughts of Leah and what she is doing with my cum. I message her, telling her I won’t need dinner. Instead, I head into the office. I spend the rest of the day reviewing the latest market news, drawing up potential lists of new investments before finally tiptoeing back into the apartment.
Two and a half weeks later, Leah walks into my office, her brows drawn and her face pale.
I stand and walk towards her.
“I’m not feeling great,” she says, her eyes not quite meeting mine. “Is it okay if I work from home this afternoon?”
“Of course,” I say.
I frown at her. Something is off, but she doesn’t want to tell me. It’s not appropriate for me to pry, even if I want to.
“Do you want Amanda to order you a taxi?” I ask.
“No, it’s fine. I think some fresh air will do me good, plus the tube will be empty at this time of day.” I’m annoyed when she gives me a weak smile. What isn’t she telling me? “I’ll see you later,” she says before she turns and heads for the door.
“Don’t worry about cooking tonight. I’ll get us a takeout from the Healthy Food Company.”
Leah pauses but doesn’t turn around. She nods once before leaving.
I leave the office early. The need to get home and check on Leah increases throughout the day. Something is wrong.
Maybe she’s picked up a bug.
I enter the silent apartment. The main living area is empty. No sign of Leah anywhere. I head upstairs and listen. I hear the television coming from her bedroom.
I knock. “Leah?” I call through the door.
“Come in, Gabriel,” she says.
I enter, walking through her closet area and into the main bedroom. Leah is sat up in bed, her nose and eyes red. A wad of tissue screwed up in her hand.
“Can I get you anything?” I ask. She looks ill. “Is everything all right?”
She gives me a watery smile, and I watch as a tear trickles down her cheek. She shakes her head. “I’m fine. It’s just my period has come. I forgot how painful they were before I went on the pill.”
She flinches as she moves.
Having grown up with two sisters, periods are nothing out of the ordinary. It takes my brain a moment to catch up... period also equals no baby.
Before I can think, I step forward and sit down on the bed. I pull her into my arms.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbles into my chest.
My brow wrinkles, and an icy chill settles over me. “Sorry for what?” I ask.
“I failed.”
She sniffles, my shirt getting damp under her cheek.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. So it didn’t work this time. You’ve just come off the pill. That can have an enormous effect on a woman’s fertility. Do you think we’re going to give up after one attempt?”
“I should have known you’d have read up on everything possible,” she says, trying to make light of the situation, although her voice catches.
I take her head in my hands and make her look at me.
“Talk to me?”
She swipes at her eyes. “Probably not a good idea. I’m a hormonal and emotional wreck. Sorry.” She gives me a watery smile. “My period is the only time I get like this... well, that and around unfaithful fiancés.” Her breath hitches, but I think it’s supposed to be a laugh. She covers one of my hands with hers. “You’re a wonderful man, Gabriel Frazer. How did I get so lucky to have you want to father my child?”
The look in her eyes floors me. So much so I want to do a double-take.
“Remember, we’re in this together now. You’re stuck with me. Come on. Get showered and come downstairs. I brought dinner with me,” I say.
I stand up. Leah nods and climbs out of the bed.
“I’ll be down in a moment,” she says, not looking at me.
I catch her hand as she makes her way past me. “I meant what I said.”
She nods. Her gaze is on the floor.
“I know. I don’t know what I was hoping.” Her eyes finally rise to mine. “That it would just magically happen. I know that’s highly unlikely, but you just hope. My biggest fear is I’ve left it too long.”
“Stop torturing yourself. You need to relax. If you want a bath, you’re free to use mine,” I add, surprising myself once more.
“No, it’s fine, but I may take you up on that at another point in the future. If that’s okay.”
It’s my turn to nod. At this moment, I would give her anything.
“I’ll see you downstairs.” I make my way to the door before stopping and turning around. “If this doesn’t work, there are many options we can try.”
Leah’s lip catches between her teeth, and I watch her throat bob. I leave her with my words, knowing I will do everything in my power to give Leah the child she wants.
I lay out our dinner. The Healthy Food Company is a take-away service Leah introduced me to. Unlike restaurants, it provides home-cooked meals minus the salt and cream. The healthy option. I feared it would not be as tasty as the meals I got from the restaurant around the corner, but it pleasantly surprised me.
“I’m here,” Leah says, looking washed and refreshed. Her eyes are still a little bloodshot, but she has more colour in her cheeks.
I move to the microwave and remove the beanie bag I’ve heated for her. “Something my sisters always swear by when it’s their time of the month,” I say.
Leah takes it, the look of shock on her face, a picture.
“I ordered your usual,” I say, pointing to the food I’ve laid out. Not that we have ordered many times, but there have been a few occasions when we’ve worked late and not taken anything out of the freezer.
Leah takes a seat, resting the bag against her stomach.
I realise I meant every word I said. I want her to grow big with my child.
“Gabriel?”
Leah’s voice pulls me back into the present.
“Sorry, I was miles away,” I say.
“Are you okay? You look a little flushed. You’re not coming down with something?”
I cough. “No, I’m fine,” I lie, trying hard not to fidget in my seat. My semi-hard dick becoming a pain. “What were you saying?”
Leah chuckles. “You were miles away. I wondered if you were going into your man cave this evening, or if you wanted to do something?” She pauses, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth again. “Sorry, that’s not any of my business. I shouldn’t have asked. Forget I said anything.”
“Leah, we need to set some ground rules. Tiptoeing around me doesn’t work. Say what you want. I don’t do subtle. Going forward, especially if we have a child, I need you to promise you will be straight with me. Tell me what you need. Ask me for what you want.”
Leah gives me an incredulous look. I smile.
“Social cues are not my strong point.” I sigh. “I need you to promise me.”
“I promise,” she whispers.
“As for my man cave , come on, I’ll show you.” I stand up and hold out my hand.
“I hope you’re not leading me to your red room ,” she says, laughing.
I turn and scowl at her. “Red room?”
Leah laughs and rolls her eyes. “Fifty Shades of Grey,” she says, as if that explains everything. I then remember seeing the movie advertised.
“BDSM? Is that something you’re into?” I ask, captivated.
Is my little Leah into kink?
“Er, not the whips and chains,” she says before shocking me by adding, “But the idea of a little restraint play... well...”
Her cheeks blaze under her words as if she’s just remembered who she’s talking to.
“Duly noted,” I say, laughing. Especially as that does happen to be one kink, I can very much get behind.
I open the door to my room and step inside, drawing Leah in behind me.
“On.” The monitors in front of us come alive at my word.
“Wow,” Leah says, moving around me, staring at the setup in front of her. She spins to face me. “You’re a gamer? ”
“I am, but few people know. Not even my family. It’s a part of me I keep quiet. Gaming allows me...” I struggle to find the right words.
“Gaming allows you to be you, not Gabriel Frazer. That I get.”
I’m surprised at her excitement.
She steps further into the room. “What do you play?” she asks.
I list off a group of games.
“But I prefer Call to Freedom. ”
“You’re kidding me?” she says, spinning around to face me. “What’s your gaming name?”
I stare at her. “Why?”
She throws back her head and laughs. “Because I want to know if I’ve ever whipped your ass,” she says.
I raise an eyebrow in her direction. “Unlikely,” I say with a dry tone, enjoying how the look of sadness has been replaced by mischief.
“I don’t know, I’m pretty good,” she says, grinning. This is the Leah I want to see. One who laughs and jokes, pulls my leg. I step towards her and stop.
What am I doing?
The urge to kiss her is overwhelming.
“No one is that good,” I say. Knowing I am that good.
“Really?” she says, her eyes twinkling. “Come on, big boy , put your gamer name where your mouth is.”
“Look,” I say, pointing to my top-of-the-range gaming chair and console.
“Really?” she squeaks, jumping in the air, clearly not needing a second invite.
My friend Pen is the only other person I’ve met who is this excited about gaming, but looking at Leah right now, she is a close second. But then, I’ve not discussed my hobby with many people, especially not those I date. This is my private space.
Leah jumps into my chair, and brings up the server where I speak to others on the platform.
Her head spins towards mine.
“No way, you’re ExchangeAce69?” she asks. The incredulity in her voice makes me smile.
“That would be me,” I say.
I step up next to her, take the controller, and show her my setup.
“Gabriel, this is amazing.” Her eyes widen as the main sixty-five-inch screen comes alive with the game while the smaller monitors display the various chatrooms I’m a member of.
“I built it with a friend.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I’ve known them for years. An old friend of my elder brother, Elijah. She introduced me to gaming. Helped me build my first computer when I was thirteen.”
My body warms under the scrutiny of Leah’s gaze.
“You dark horse.” Leah chuckles. “Who would have thought the successful Gabriel Frazer is a secret gamer capable of building his own computer?”
“Pen was at uni with Elijah. She helped him set up Frazer Cyber Security. She is still a shareholder, but life took her in a different direction.”
Leah stares at me. “Pen?”
“Penelope Dawson.”
Leah’s eyes widen. “As in the Penelope Dawson. The software developer, whose company branched out into all the fancy hardware. I think I was reading about the new accessibility hardware and software they’re developing. The woman is a genius in all things tech. She’s made millions. A woman from very humble beginnings who’s made it huge in a man’s world.”
I turn away, amused at Leah’s fangirling over one of my closest friends.
“I can’t believe you know Penelope Dawson, ” Leah says, grinning and shaking her head.
“I have done for many years, but enough talk about Pen. So, you game?”
“I do.” She grins at me. “Well, I used to. I got tired of watching movies when Vince went out.”
My spine stiffens at the mention of her ex.
“So, I bought a Dawson gaming console. It was incredibly addictive. I started with simple games like Spiderman, and then moved onto the online platforms when I realised I didn’t have to play alone. I enjoy the competitive nature and teamwork.”
I got hooked for the same reasons. Something about talking to people online is entirely different from speaking to them face-to-face. Less small talk and a common goal. No one knows my net worth, and gets hung up on it.
“Are you going to tell me who you are?” I ask, wondering who she is. Have I played her?
“I’m AuburnShadow2006,” she says, giving me a smug look.
I’m surprised. Pen and I have discussed her. She’s a great problem solver, not that I can tell her that.
“I’m impressed,” I say. “We will have to set your console up.”
Her face drops. “It got fried in the flood,” she says.
“Why didn’t you mention it? I’d have replaced it along with everything else.”
She shrugs, not quite able to meet my gaze. “Gaming was an escape. When I moved into your apartment, I decided it was time to grow up and stop hiding in the gaming world. ”
“And you can’t do both?”
Her eyes lock with mine, and a smile spreads over her face. Her eyes move to the monitors in front of her. “Maybe I can.”
I hold out my hand and help her detangle herself from my gaming chair. She laughs as she falls into me. “So comfortable, but grace…”
She laughs again, righting herself as she steps back. Her eyes sparkle up at mine. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Leah look as stunning.
I stop myself from pulling her against me. “Come on,” I say. “Let’s watch a movie. It’s been a long day.”
She grins and heads for the door.
“It has,” her voice wistful.
“Off,” I say as we leave the room, the equipment going into automatic sleep mode.