Chapter 11
Elle
“Because a smart, independent man like you shouldn’t be single and I can’t imagine the women who you know being so stupid as to not snatch you up,” I said.
It seemed the safest way to answer Gabe’s question.
Why did I care if he was single or not? The only reason I would ask him that was if I was interested in him.
He had asked me; it was only natural that I would reciprocate, right?
Except, I knew he hadn’t asked me just to be nice.
He had asked because he wanted to know, and I did too.
I had thought about him more in the last week than any man in the last year.
He intrigued me, excited me, challenged me, and turned me on.
I had learned to not let opportunities pass me up no matter where they came from.
I felt life had given me an opportunity to spend time with Gabe, not once but twice, and I wasn’t going to let it go.
It would probably lead to nothing. I was lonely; he was too.
We liked to talk; we liked to flirt with each other.
What harm would there be in having a little fun together?
It had been months since I had an enjoyable meal with a man, much less had a challenging conversation.
I had gotten both with Gabe earlier in the week and I longed to have it again.
If I had to flirt with him to spend time with him, I would. He was easy to flirt with. I liked doing it and by how he smiled at me at my comment. He did too.
“Fair enough. I guess I deserve that,” he said.
He walked over and filled up my wine glass and did the same to his.
“Thank you for letting me crash your party,” I said as I lifted my wine glass.
“Having left overs and a bottle of wine while watching a documentary is not really a party,” he said.
“It actually sounds lovely,” I admitted.
“Really?” Gabe clearly didn’t believe me and I didn’t blame him. But I enjoyed watching documentaries and sitting with him while having some wine sounded like the perfect way to end the week.
“Yes. Yes, it does. Especially if I can have some of this wonderful wine. Can I join you?” I asked.
“Yeah. Sure. Mi casa, es su casa, and all that. Have you eaten?” He asked.
“Yes.” I realized what he was really getting at and sat up. “I’m sorry. I interrupted your meal. Please eat,” I said.
“No, actually I had a late lunch and am not hungry. I was looking for something more out of boredom. You are a much needed respite. I was enjoying the conversation and we could continue it but if you want, or we can watch the documentary. It’s about a serial killer in California from the 80’s.”
“Do you remember it?” I asked before I could help myself.
“I was a little young but vaguely. It was hard to not hear about it, even as a kid. I’m curious to see what happened. Would you want to watch that or we can find something else? Maybe a romantic comedy or action flick.”
“The documentary sounds interesting. I’ve always been into true crime stories and I haven’t even heard about this one,” I said.
“Okay. We can watch that then. Don’t feel like you have to stay with me,” Gabe said.
“How else am I going to have more of this lovely wine and I want to. It sounds interesting. As you said, I know my own mind. You aren’t going to get me to do something I don’t want to do.”
“Good to know,” Gabe said. He walked out of the kitchen, taking his glass and the bottle of wine with him.
I followed him but could feel my cheeks were hot from our conversation. I didn’t mean to, but I felt like I was telling him I was spending time with him because I wanted to. I was flirting with him because I wanted to. And if anything more happened between us, it was because I wanted it to.
When I got to the living room, Gabe was standing in front of the television, finding the show.
I sat down on the couch and watched him work.
My eyes fell to his ass and stayed there, then drifted up to his back and around his arms. He certainly kept in shape and I could tell even with him wearing a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“That should do it,” Gabe said as he sat down next to me on the couch.
I looked over at him but didn’t say anything.
The living room was spacious and had a love seat and a large chair on either side of the couch.
He could have sat on them but he didn’t.
I didn’t think too much about him wanting to sit so close to me but instead concentrated on the show we were watching.
At least I tried to.
It was next to impossible to concentrate on anything when all I could think about was that Gabe was sitting next to me.
He was a tall and well-built man but he seemed even taller and stronger when he was right next to me.
I had never been so aware of a man since I sat next to Chris Hall when we went to the movies when I was thirteen.
I did my best to concentrate on the show but I couldn’t. We were both leaning back on the couch and I found that my hand was near his. I wanted to reach over and take it. I wanted to feel his skin next to mine. I wanted to feel his thumb rub along the inside of my hand and then move higher.
He wasn’t going to do that and it only made me nervous thinking and hoping that he would. I needed to do something with my hands, to occupy myself. The logical conclusion was to drink more wine.
I sat next to Gabe, constantly aware of his body next to mine. I could feel the heat and it slowly drove me crazy. The wine helped and I could feel myself relaxing but it didn’t help me concentrate on the show.
When I sat up after the documentary was done to put my glass down my head spun slightly.
I wasn’t sure how much I drank but I didn’t think I was drunk.
Gabe reached over and turned off the television.
The room grew dark without the light of the screen.
The kitchen light was still on, giving us some illumination but it was only enough to make out Gabe’s silhouette, not enough to really see him.
“What did you think?” He asked.
“About?” I asked and looked at him.
“The show? Did you like it?”
I was glad for the darkness of the room so Gabe couldn’t see me blushing. “Yeah. Yeah. It was interesting. They did a good job of bringing out the suspense and drawing out the details of what happened.”
“True. I thought they could have done a better job showing how they found the guy. It seemed a bit rushed.”
I really wasn’t sure what he was talking about but I didn’t want him to know that. “I thought they did a good job with the information they had. Everyone does a slightly different take on things. That was theirs.”
“True. Well, thanks for watching that with me,” Gabe said.
He didn’t move but I could tell that he wanted to go to bed, or at least he wanted me to leave. I wasn’t sure what time it was but I didn’t think it was that late. I wasn’t tired. I wouldn’t have minded staying up later and talking to him some more but I could tell he didn’t.
“Thanks for letting me watch it with you. I should probably head to bed,” I said.
“Oh, okay,” Gabe said. He sounded like he was surprised by my comment.
He stood up. I did the same but as soon as I stood up, I got dizzy. I stumbled but didn’t get more than a half a step before Gabe’s arm came out to hold me.
“Careful,” he said as he held me up.
I rotated and turned so that I was leaning into him.
His other arm came around me and I looked up at him.
My free hand went to his forearm and squeezed it.
I could feel his muscles flexing when I did.
My eyes shot to his and even in the glow from the kitchen light I could see his green eyes were dark with desire.
“Thanks. I didn’t realize I was that unsteady,” I said.
I should have moved away, I should have said good night and went to my room, but I didn’t want to. I was perfectly content to stay in his arms and by how he was looking at me I could tell he was too.
“Sure. Glad to help,” he intoned.
I licked my lips and tried to think of something to say, but I couldn’t think at all.
I moved towards him, almost as if I couldn’t control myself.
My body wanted something and it didn’t care what my mind was saying or thinking.
Not that I was thinking anything. All I could concentrate on was how good it felt to be in Gabe’s arms and how I wanted to be closer to him.
I wanted to be as close to him as I could.
Gabe’s arm tightened around me and I slid my hand up to his biceps and gave it a squeeze.
I moved between his legs and he tightened his hold on me.
I watched as his mouth moved closer to mine and I cracked it.
When he was a half a breath away from me, I closed my eyes, knowing he was going to kiss me.