Chapter Seventeen
G abriel turned over and regarded the sleeping Delia next to him.
His body glowed with a heavy, golden warmth.
He could get used to waking up beside her.
After last night’s concert, she’d invited him to stay over.
A wonderful evening had segued into an incredible night.
He stretched slowly, savoring the memory.
She stirred beside him.
“Good morning.” She rubbed her eyes, laughed softly and dropped a kiss on his shoulder. And just like that, she sent him floating into molten joy.
“Thanks so much for taking me to the concert. I needed cheering up.” She rested her head on his chest and drew tender circles on his skin with her fingers.
“Glad it helped.” He stroked her silky hair.
She inhaled deeply before expelling the air in one long gust. “I should be patient and relaxed, but every time I get my period, I’m gutted.”
With a hum, he drew her closer. “You’ll fall pregnant when we least expect it. That’s the way things always are.” His parents had given up all hope of having a child, then his mother had conceived him at forty-five. “We haven’t been trying all that long. It’s one of these things we can’t control.”
“True.” She looked up at him with a smile. “But serenity isn’t my strong suit.”
He chuckled. “I’m not all serenity either. My cousin Jem is about to become a father, and I have to admit, I’m jealous the odd time. We have to stop focusing on the outcome and just enjoy the journey. Sounds cliché, but...”
“I am enjoying the journey.” She smirked. “So much so that I haven’t been dating anyone since we hatched our baby making plans.” ?
“Me neither,” he murmured.
“What?” Her head shot up, and she studied his face with what looked like concern.
“I haven’t dated anyone either since you and I...” His mouth hitched.
She propped her elbow on the mattress and supported her head with her hand. “But Gabriel, you don’t have to limit yourself as long as you use protection. We talked about this.”
He gazed at the ceiling. “But I don’t want to date. You keep me busy enough as it is.” She had no idea of the effect she had on him. How could such an intelligent person be so oblivious?
Her lips stretched into a mischievous grin, and she placed a palm on his chest. “Do I now?”
“Yes, and let’s keep it that way.”
They luxuriated between the sheets for another half an hour, then their lazy morning was over. She vaulted out of bed and swept toward the bathroom, allowing him a glimpse of her full figure in glorious nakedness. Maybe she’d let him paint a nude of her sometime, now that she knew him better.
After a while, a door opened and closed.
He traipsed to the bathroom and hopped into the shower.
Dry and dressed, he entered the kitchen.
The air was redolent with the aroma of coffee, and the cozy domestic atmosphere filled his chest with warmth.
They had breakfast in companionable silence, but the clock was ticking and soon she’d turf him out.
“How would you feel about going to a party with me?” Delia pushed her chair away from the kitchen table. “My friend is going back to Germany, and she’s having her leaving do next Friday. “I haven’t fully reconciled myself to the fact that she’ll be gone within the week.”
“You don’t mind your work crowd seeing us together?” He took one last gulp of his coffee and placed the empty cup in the sink.
“That ship sailed ages ago. Did I tell you the day you first met me for lunch I found a sign saying, ‘Her Ladyship’ stuck to my office door?”
He chuckled. “No, you didn’t tell me. It’s funny though.”
“I’m pretty sure Professor Winter put it there. He’s the man for stupid jokes,” she huffed. “You should’ve heard him harp on about how I would be the perfect new Countess of Renwood because of my red hair.”
“Another Red Countess,” Gabriel said under his breath.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“Oh, just, my great-grandmother was known as the Red Countess because, well, because of her hair.”
“Not because of her socialist leanings, I take it.” She laughed. “Now, are you coming with me, or aren’t you?”
He lifted his hand and cradled her cheek. “I’ll come with you. What time will I swing by to collect you?”
She leaned into his touch. “Nine thirty, would that suit?”
He kissed her. “It would.”
~ * ~
G abriel followed Delia through the dimly lit corridor to her friend Sandra’s living room. Music pumped from the speakers, and the room was already packed to the rafters with people. He knew nobody but her.
Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to come, since he couldn’t stay glued to her side all evening.
There’d be no choice but to mingle and make conversation.
He sighed. Dance music wasn’t his thing.
His throat itched. The air was already pale with cigarette smoke. Who knew scientists smoked that much?
Delia looked at him. “Everything okay?” she shouted over the din.
“Yes.” He gave her a tight smile, unsure how she wanted him to behave or how much his posture and gestures were allowed to give away.
A petite, blonde woman made a beeline for them and hugged Delia tightly. “You’re here, finally.”
“Hi, Sandra, this is for you.” She held a gift bag aloft.
The other woman took it, gave Delia another hug, then focused her attention on him. “I see you brought your earl with you.” She released Delia. “Hi there, I’m Sandra, and you must be Gabriel.” She offered her hand, and he shook it.
“Ah, yes, lovely to meet you, but I hear you’ll be leaving us soon,” he said.
“Yes.” She clapped her hands. “And I’m glad you’re around so I don’t have to worry about Delia.”
He was momentarily stunned. How much does Sandra know?
She said something to Delia and tugged her away from him. “We’ll get the drinks. What would you like?” she called over her shoulder.
Gabriel cleared his throat. “Ah, a beer.”
“Excuse me, Lord Renwood.” Sandra put a hand on her hip. “You’ll have to be more specific: Kristallweizen, Dunkles Weizen, Pilsener, Alt, Kolsch, what’s it going to be?”
He raised both eyebrows and shot Delia a look.
“I’ll get you something,” she promised.
The muscles of his forehead loosened. “Thanks.”
When the two women were out of sight, a bearded, dark-haired man with a passing resemblance to the actor from Game of Thrones approached him. “Hi, I’m Johnny Snow, the nephew of Sandra’s boss. And you must be the Earl of Renwood.” He took a swig from a beer bottle.
Gabriel tilted his head. “I am, but I don’t think we’ve met before.”
“I know this sounds creepy, but my uncle has a picture of your ancestor in his office and you’re the spit of him.” Johnny shot him a lopsided grin. “Sorry, by the way, about my uncle’s obsession with your family’s genes.”
“Ah well, you know...” Gabriel gave a dismissive wave.
“You’re lucky Delia put an end to all further DNA requests, otherwise my uncle would have you digging up skeletons left, right, and center.” Johnny laughed.
Warmth spread through Gabriel’s chest. Delia had cared enough for him to rein in her boss. It must have cost her.
“How do you know Sandra?” Johnny asked.
“I don’t.” Gabriel shifted his weight to his other foot. “I’m here with Delia.”
“You’re together or something?”
The shock of having been asked a personal question by someone he barely knew, slowed Gabriel’s reaction. “No, we’re friends.” It felt like a lie. But that’s all they were—at least publicly.
Johnny took another gulp from the bottle he carried. “German beer is great stuff, mate, you should try it.”
“Delia is getting one for me.”
“You’re sure she’s not into you?” Johnny pointed the neck of the bottle at him. “Delia never brings guys along to parties.”
Gabriel opened his mouth, but no words came out.
“Ah well, then, enjoy the party.” Johnny shrugged and wandered off.
Someone opened the balcony door, and Gabriel welcomed the fresh air even though the cold draft made him shiver. Delia weaved her way to him with a beer in each hand.
“I got you a lager. I hope that’s all right.” She handed him one of the opened bottles.
“Perfect, thank you.” He took a sip, and the cool, hoppy liquid eased down his throat. “Mm, not bad.”
“You should see the drinks selection in the kitchen, the number of different lagers alone.” She smiled. “I picked the one with the nicest label.”
“Well chosen. I like the taste.”
“So do I.” She touched his elbow in passing, and his body hummed.
Bottles in hand, they did a tour of the room as she introduced him to some of her colleagues. Small talk was mainly conducted by shouting over the loud music. A few people studied him with scarcely concealed interest.
Some brave souls were dancing between the sofa and the TV. The whole flat was quite bare. Sandra had made serious progress in packing up her stuff for the great move.
After a while, Delia excused herself and headed to the loo, and Gabriel rested against the wall, waiting. Being in limbo was getting to him. He’d imagined he’d be able to keep it casual, the way she insisted. But lately he’d realized, he wasn’t made that way.
When she returned, they drank the rest of their beers in silence.
She put her empty bottle on the nearest table. “Let’s get out of here.”
“You’re sure you don’t want to stay a little longer? Don’t feel you have to leave on my account.”
“You know me, I’m not a raging extrovert, and I see most of these people daily anyway.” The corners of her mouth quirked up. “Sandra won’t miss us; she’s in the kitchen snogging the face off some hot guy. Also, this music is doing my head in.”
Gabriel laughed and took her hand. “Allow me to escort you to my chariot.”
In the car, he stole the occasional glance at Delia.
Heat kindled in his chest. Already half-asleep, she snuggled against the window of the Rover, the picture of contentment.
He needed to stop lying to himself. There was nothing casual about their relationship.
It was as real as any he’d ever been in.
He dragged a hand over his face. This was mind bending. Could she really be impervious to their emotional connection? He halted the car, then checked his watch. It was late, and he needed to get home. But first, he’d see her to her flat.
“Oh, blessed silence.” She dropped her handbag to the floor in the hallway and shook off her coat, while he hovered in the doorway. She looked at him. “You’re welcome to stay if you want.”
“I’m a bit tired. I was going to go straight to bed.” He couldn’t have sex with her tonight when his feelings were in such turmoil.
“Ah, no, I meant just to sleep. I’m way too wrecked for anything else. We can tackle another attempt at procreation in the morning.” She held out her hand. He took it and stepped over the threshold.