Chapter 19
Elle
I woke to the feeling of Gabe’s arms around me and it had to be the best feeling in the world.
I smiled as I pressed my face into his chest and he tightened his hold on me.
I had fallen into an exhausted slumber after he had made love to me again.
I had slept wonderfully and woke up more rested than I had in weeks.
I wasn’t sure if it was because I got to sleep next to Gabe, or he had just worn me out with his love making.
“Good morning, my love,” Gabe said as he kissed my head.
“Good morning,” I said.
My heart jumped at his endearment. It was the first time he had ever used such words. I liked that he did, but I wasn’t sure if I could or should say them back, so I didn’t.
“What time is it?” I asked and rolled away from him.
Gabe held me fast and said, “Don’t ask that.”
I laughed into his chest. “That tells me it’s later than I want it to be.”
“Unfortunately, you’re right.”
“I don’t want to get up, but I know I should,” I said and moved away from Gabe and sat on the edge of the bed. He let me but I almost wished he hadn’t.
“Last night was wonderful, but we both have obligations. As much as I want to stay in bed with you here all day. I can’t.
Nor do I want to be the reason you don’t do well in school.
” Gabe sat up and moved behind me. I leaned into him as he put his arms around me. “But I want to see you tonight. Can I?’
I turned to look at him. He lifted his head and gave me an expectant look. It was so odd and endearing to see him worried about me wanting to be with him. He always looked so confident, so sure of himself, so in control of everything. It did something to me, to see him so vulnerable with me.
“Yes. I want that very much. As far as I’m concerned, all my evenings belong to you.”
Gabe tightened his hold on me and moved his hands to cup my breasts. “Well, that is convenient, as I was thinking the same thing. What is your schedule for today?” He asked and kissed my shoulder.
“I have class most of the day and need to study,” I said.
“Not with that guy from yesterday.” The words came out as a statement, not a question.
“No. With Sarah.”
Gabe tensed up next to me and I put my hand on his to reassure him. “It’s going to be fine. She will never know, I promise.”
He let out a sigh and dropped his head onto my shoulder. “I hate lying to her, but I don’t know how else to handle this.”
“Neither do I. This is how it must be for now. We can work on her. I can talk to her and kind of prepare her for this,” I said.
“How do you plan on doing that?”
“I have no idea but I’ll figure it out. You both are too important to me; I’m not going to lose either of you.”
“Okay,” Gabe squeezed my breasts one more time and then moved away from me. “So, I’ll see you tonight?” He asked.
“Yes. I should be home around sixish. Does that work for you?” I asked.
“It has to. But if I know when I’m going to see you, I’m okay with that.”
“Me too. Have a good day,” I said.
“I will, but it’s going to be an even better evening,” Gabe said and got out of bed.
We didn’t say anything more as I walked out of the bedroom and went to get ready for my day.
I was glad he hadn’t tried to kiss me, if he had, I wasn’t sure I would have been able to leave the room or him.
I liked that he knew there was a time and a place for everything.
We had an incredible evening; we had plans to do it again later.
Until then, we both had things to do and it wouldn’t help to linger.
I felt rejuvenated and happier when I left the apartment and headed to school.
I hadn’t seen Gabe but had heard him moving around.
It made me feel closer to him to know that he was there.
I was looking forward to having that from now on.
Things had changed and progressed with us, there was going to be no more hiding or avoiding each other.
It was going to be a whole new situation. One I couldn’t wait to explore.
Classes and lectures went better than they had in weeks.
I found I could concentrate on what the professors were saying and even added to the discussion.
It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
The stress of Gabe and what I was thinking and wanted had been lifted.
Though I was sure having some incredible sex added to it, too.
While I could concentrate better in class, I still thought about Gabe. I wondered what he was doing, if he was thinking about me, and what we would do when I got home. I didn’t want to disturb him. He was a busy man and I didn’t know what his schedule was like.
I was pleasantly surprised when right before lunch as I was leaving a lecture that I got a message from him.
Can’t wait to kiss you tonight.
I blushed and sent a quick text back. Really? What else do you want to do?
His response was immediate. I want to taste all of you. I want you underneath me, over me, next to me, as I make you scream out my name.
I looked around me, worried that someone had seen his messages but luckily no one was around. I leaned against a wall and texted him back. What do I get to do to you?
Anything you want.
Anything?
Anything. Care to tell me what that is?
I wanted to but I was going to be late to class. So, I sent him a quick message. I could but it will be more fun to show you.
Can’t wait. Have a great day.
It was like Gabe knew I wanted to message more but I couldn’t. I loved that he understood how important school and my career were for me. He got me better than any man I had been with. I respected him and what he did, and he seemed to do the same with me. It only made me like him more.
I looked down at my phone again and smiled. I was about to send one more message to Gabe when Sarah walked up to me.
“Who are you texting?” Sarah asked with a sing-song voice.
“No one,” I said quickly and put my phone in my back pocket and walked down the hallway.
“I saw you blushing from across the room. You got that little smile you get when you’re thinking about a guy. Who is it?” Sarah asked.
Sarah knew me too well. I should have known she would figure out something was going on with me. Too bad I couldn’t tell her about it.
“Just some guy.” I hoped that would be enough for her.
“Really? Some guy? He has to be more than some guy for you to be smiling like that. Who is he? How did you meet? What is he like?” Sarah asked.
“It’s new and I really don’t want to talk about it. You know how it is.”
“Oh, you must really like him if you don’t want to jinx it. I get it. Totally. Pretend I never said anything.” Sarah made the motion like she was locking her lips closed.
“Thanks. I know it’s silly but I appreciate you.”
“Oh, no I totally get it. I’m just happy you’re seeing someone. Whoever they are. When you’re ready, you’ll tell me who they are, and I’ll be excited to meet them,” Sarah said.
“When the time is right, I would love for you to know who they are. It’s new but I’m really excited about this, about him. He’s wonderful and I hope when you see them you will be happy for me,” I said.
Sarah gripped my arm and squeezed it. “Of course, I’ll be happy for you. I want you to be happy. All I want for you is to find a man who loves you and sees the wonderful and amazing person I know you are.”
“I want that for you too,” I said and smiled at her.
We didn’t say anything more as we walked into our next class.
Sarah had always been so supportive of me and did want me as happy as Steve made her.
But I couldn’t keep the dread away as I worried just how Sarah would be when she found out who exactly I was sleeping with and what it would do to our friendship.