Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
LEAH
I stare at the package in front of me. The concierge gave it to me when I arrived home. Apparently, someone has delivered it with my name on it. The vibrant green of the bag lets me know where it has come from. St Clare’s is one of the most exclusive brands, alongside Gucci and Chanel. The question is, who and why?
Caleb better not be the culprit, as that would create problems, especially given Gabriel’s intrusive entrance into my office when he visited earlier. My stomach knots. What was Gabriel playing at? It’s not like Caleb doesn’t know about us. Then again, what was Caleb thinking?
To prevent any misunderstandings, I left Caleb’s flowers at work in a vase, not feeling it appropriate to bring them home. My office smelled lovely. The gesture showed kindness and thoughtfulness. I stare at the bag and bite my lip.
I busy myself making dinner, my eyes drifting to the little green bag. It’s addressed to me. The gift card is very clear. Well, I’ll not get any answers staring at the bag. If it is Caleb, I’ll put it in my drawer and wait until he visits the office next. I’ll thank him, but tell him I can’t accept it .
It’s been somewhat awkward between Gabriel and me since our sexual encounter a few days ago. We’ve both walked around on eggshells, not sure how we’re supposed to act, or at least I have. He’s been Gabriel and disappeared into his man cave.
The whole thing is a little embarrassing, and I’m not sure how to broach it with him. It was as far removed from the disconnected, clinical act we discussed. Who knew the man I worked with all these years has such impressive moves and a physique reminiscent of a Greek god. Mythology tells us that Greek gods possessed irresistible charm and were rumoured to have numerous offspring. I can only hope and pray.
I finish dinner, a vegetable bake, placing it in the oven. Gabriel will be home soon. Otherwise, he can have it when he gets in. He told me he had work to finish up, and then he’d be going for a swim.
Avoidance? Probably.
I drop onto one of the island stools and pull the parcel towards me. I’ve missed my jewellery, but it seems wrong to wear something Vince bought me, especially after everything. The memory of them has forever been tarnished.
I breathe a sigh of relief as I open the gift card.
Leah
Caleb mentioned your bracelet. I took the liberty of buying you a replacement.
Gabriel .
I stare at the note, reading it repeatedly, unable to keep the smile from my lips. Only Gabriel, so matter of fact. Giving Caleb the credit, when I saw his eyes wandering to the elastic bands I’ve been wearing around my wrist, I half expected him to say something, but he never has. I reach into the bag and pull out the vibrant box, sliding the lid off. I gasp at the beautiful bracelet with its intricate links, I run my finger over it. Who would have thought Gabriel would have such exquisite taste in jewellery, or did Caleb help to choose? I don’t care. It comes from Gabriel.
I slip the bracelet onto my wrist, twisting it around.
The oven dings.
I serve myself a plate as Gabriel is still not home. This is the first time we haven’t eaten together in over a week, and I find I miss him.
Gabriel wanders in, just as I’m finishing up.
“Hey,” I say. “Are you ready for dinner?”
His hair is still wet from the swimming pool, messy where he’s run his fingers through it.
“I’ll just grab a shower,” he says. I know Gabriel prefers to shower when he gets home, even though there are showers by the pool. He’ll usually rinse but then come upstairs.
He disappears without looking at me, and my heart sinks. Is he still annoyed about Caleb? I don’t have any control over his brother’s actions, but then again, he bought me this beautiful bracelet. Does he regret what we did? Is he now finding it awkward? Was his mention of green lentils his way of telling me he was finding it strange? I sigh. There’s no closing the gate now the horse has bolted. We will just have to find our new norm. He’s the one who told me professionalism is a mindset.
Gabriel returns in record time and picks up the plate I’ve dished out.
“Thanks,” he says, making his way to the table .
“You’re welcome, and thank you for the bracelet.”
Gabriel pauses for a split second before lowering his plate to the table.
“No problem. I hope you like it,” he says, still not looking at me.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, the fingers of my opposite hand touching it. “You have great taste.”
Gabriel says nothing. He just continues to eat his food.
“Okay then,” I say after a while. “I’ll finish clearing up and disappear,” I say the last part, almost to myself.
There’s a clatter as Gabriel drops his cutlery onto his plate.
“Leah.”
I stop and turn to face him.
“I’m sorry. It’s just today...”
I see the confusion and angst on his face and make my way towards him, pulling out a chair and sitting in my usual spot.
“Talk to me,” I say. “Do you regret it?” The words catch in my throat.
I jump when Gabriel’s hand clasps mine, and he squeezes. “Hell no,” he says, and my shoulders sag in relief. “Quite the opposite.”
“Then what?”
He lets out a dry laugh and pats my hand, adding to my confusion.
“You told me why you were afraid to let yourself go.” His eyes lock with mine. “All I can think about is you.”
My cheeks flare at his words, my body clenching in anticipation.
“When Caleb turned up. I didn’t react very well. I realised it should have been me buying you flowers, not my bloody twin.”
I flip my hand, and interlink our fingers, as relief floods my system. A small moan escapes my lips when his thumb rubs circles on my palm.
I look up to find Gabriel staring at me, his pupils dilated. There’s no question about his lack of regret. My body grows hot and feverish under his gaze until I’m squirming in my seat.
Gabriel rises, coaxing me to my feet, kicking my chair out of the way. He manoeuvres me backwards until my ass hits the side of the glass table.
“It says you should have sex several times during your ovulation period.” Gabriel’s voice is huskier than I’ve ever heard it, his body looming over mine.
“I know.” My voice is breathless. I stare at his shoulder as a rush of warmth floods my core. Oh yes, please, my mind screams, but I bite my lip.
Gabriel uses his thumb to pull it from between my teeth.
“What do you think?” Gabriel asks.
Unable to find the correct words, I nod, which appears to be all the encouragement he needs. Gabriel scoops me up and deposits me on the table. The chill of the glass is like dynamite against my heated pussy.
He lifts my skirt and pulls down my panties, exposing me to the air and his gaze. A flush spreads over his cheeks as he looks at me with dark eyes.
“Beautiful,” he says.
I’m at a loss whether he’s talking about me or my neatly presented pussy.
His thumb sinks into my body, before drawing my desire up to my clit. He teases and torments me before moving it around and circling the lips of my sex. I shudder at the sensation, biting down once again on my bottom lip to stop myself from crying out. I let my head rest against the table, the soles of my feet perch on the edge, my knees wide as Gabriel sets to work preparing my body .
My back arches off the table when he inserts first one, then a second finger, twisting and curling, stretching my opening. When he adds a third, I almost rocket off the table, the sensation of fullness almost too much.
I let loose a moan. “Gabriel, please.” I pant.
His eyes gleam. He’s enjoying the control he has over my body.
“I must make sure you’re completely ready,” he says, curling his fingers up against my G-spot. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m ready... I’m ready. I promise,” I hear myself pant.
“I’ll be the judge of that,” he says, continuing his torment.
An orgasm wracks through me, my body shudders as it clenches hard around his fingers. Gabriel grunts, a small smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth. I know I’ve made a mess of the glass beneath me.
“Now,” I hear Gabriel’s zipper as he steps between my thighs. My body is tight from my orgasm as he eases the tip of his cock in. I clench around him.
“That’s it, let me in,” he says as I squirm restlessly, his fingers curling into my hips as he holds me in place.
“Ahhh,” is all I manage as he breaches my entrance, my greedy body stretching, swallowing him whole.
“Amazing,” he mutters before sliding back out. I whimper as he withdraws his cock, rubbing it over my swollen mound, teasing and moistening my clit with my juices and his pre-cum.
Who would have thought?
All rational thought disappears as he slams back into me. My legs wrap around his waist, and I give myself over to the pleasure of him filling my body. I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on. I clutch his forearms, the forbidden is more than a little enticing.
Gabriel’s dark eyes hold mine as he continues to move in and out, his body going deeper and deeper with every thrust. His cock hardens, filling me more. He pulls out slowly before pushing back in hard and fast. I scream, coming hard, my muscles convulsing, bearing down on him. He thrusts home one more time, letting out a roar. His cock jerks, and his body shudders. A flood of warmth, fills my pussy, letting me know he’s once again filled me with his sperm. He drops his head onto my chest, breathing hard. I sink my fingers into his hair, massaging his scalp as we lie still joined.
As he softens, he pulls out and steps back.
“Oh dear,” he says, running a finger over my still throbbing slit. I moan as he pushes his finger and the escaping liquid back into my body. “We don’t want to waste any,” he says.
“Oh, my.” Is all I manage. My body is almost too sensitive after riding two consecutive orgasms.
“Relax,” Gabriel says, slowing his pace, and resting a warm hand over my lower stomach. “One more. Draw all those little swimmers up into your womb.”
His words act as an aphrodisiac, and I know he’s about to do what no man has ever done before.
“Gabriel,” my words are breathless. “I can’t.” I all but whimper.
“You can. That’s it, relax and enjoy. Give your body what it wants,” he whispers.
His gaze locks on my pussy as his fingers slide slowly in and out, his thumb working my clit.
I gasp in surprise as the pressure builds once more. This man is going to ruin me for all others at this rate. Professional, clinical. Clinical be damned. I give myself over to him, as my pussy clamps once more around his fingers.
“Perfect,” he says, grunting in satisfaction. “Lie still.” He pulls my skirt down over my exposed body, moving the chair to rest my feet on the arms before leaving the room. I lie staring at the ceiling, my brain incapable of rational thought, only the fact my boss of eight years has just had me screaming his apartment down, spread out on his dining room table. This time, I don’t think green lentils and tins of tomato are going to cut it.
Gabriel returns with another clean facecloth. I reach out to take it from him, but he taps my hand before stepping up to the table and flipping my skirt up. The air of the apartment is cool against my hot, damp core.
“Let me clean up the mess I made,” Gabriel says, his attention set on wiping me down gently. My swollen flesh is overstimulated and sensitive. When he’s finished, he throws the cloth to one side before picking up my panties and sliding them back up my legs, making me lift my bottom so he can slide them into place. Before I can sit up, he scoops me up in his arms, carrying me over to the sofa, where he lies me down.
“Movie?” he asks, when I remain silent, my brain unable to form a sentence.
“Great,” I croak out.
“I’ll make some popcorn.”
I watch Gabriel disappear and hear him moving around in the kitchen. I realise he’s clearing up dinner. The microwave pings, the smell of buttered popcorn invades my senses. He returns to the sofa, taking a seat at the other end, switching on a movie before pulling my feet into his lap. I lie back as he expertly massages my feet. I bite down on the moan that wants to escape. This man needs to package his hands. My eyes catch on the bracelet he gave me, realising that my ovulation period ends tomorrow. Why does my heart feel heavy at the prospect?