Six
Gabe
I had vaguely suspected Leonie had a job, but I’d assumed she worked in a shop or a café; somewhere mundane. When I’d caught her about to leave the apartment out of usual working hours, it had troubled me. During the day, London thrived with opportunity and promise, but at night time, its offer could be very different, especially to an attractive female travelling on her own. Luckily, we lived on the right side of the city, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t a bad guy around every corner.
In plain terms, it was better to be safe than sorry. If you must go out at night, don’t do it alone. I was a firm believer in safety in numbers.
AndLeonie worked in a pub; the very place people went to unwind. Sure, not everyone who fancies a drink is going to get smashed off their tits; but for every socially adjusted customer, there is one that isn’t.
Leonie’s demeanour was so sweet and pure, I just couldn’t imagine her behind a bar serving cockney pissheads. The thought wound me up like a motherfucker and I was annoyed with myself for not knowing where she worked. I had been so self-involved in celebrating my victorious results, that I hadn’t paid enough attention to what she did with her evenings. I’d asked Asher but he said he couldn’t remember the name of the bar, the lying little prick.
I allowed that protective feeling to roll through me. Yes, the aim was to keep her at arm”s length and not act upon the attraction I felt toward her, but I still needed her to be safe.
The news was on the TV in the background and I grabbed a couple of plates. Glancing across, the story of the attack on the Tube was on again. Using the remote, I turned up the volume; guilt entwined with worry flooding my insides.
Ash came to stand beside me. “Messed up, isn’t it? Heard she’s OK though,” he said with a mouth full of food. I’d be surprised if there would be anything to serve with the number of times Ash had carried out his usual test taste.
“Do you think she’ll be OK?” I questioned.
“Who? Leonie?” Ash said with a puzzled expression.
As usual, my brother didn’t give me a straight answer and I longed to punch him in the balls. “Yes. What time does she usually get in?”
“Late, but not late late.” My brother”s stupid code started to piss me off.
I scrubbed a hand of frustration down my jaw. “What time is late late shithead?”
He huffed, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know why you’re getting so bent out of shape. It’s not like you’ve shown much interest before.”
Ash had turned to face me and I silenced the TV and leaned a hip against the cornerstone of the counter.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My tone came out harsher than I intended. What could I say, the girl was a sore point.
Ash released a half-hearted snort. “Leonie. You treat her like she’s infectious. I was surprised you offered her Marco.”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I powered on. “It’s called concern, dipshit. The Tube attack; they still haven’t caught the fucker. I’d worry about anyone stupid enough to travel the subway at night. How come you suddenly don’t appear to give a shit? I thought you were besties?”
“She doesn’t take the Tube,” he pointed out with a bland look.
I dropped my hand and rolled my eyes as I grabbed the plates. I hated that he knew more about her movements than me.
I had taken my finger off the pulse, something I never did. My obsession with not getting involved had led me to become sloppy. Not something that happened when I took care of mine, and Leonie was very much in that category now. Albeit not romantically, I told myself for the hundredth time.
“You appear to have left all your shit on the table,” Asher suddenly said. “Where do you want to eat?”
I glanced toward where he’d motioned. I sorted some stuff out but had left one of the archive boxes I’d brought back from Uni with me. “Just shove it all into the box and chuck it in my room, would you?” Ash nodded and did as instructed. Most of that shit could be shredded now. It was mainly envelopes with old application forms, nothing exciting.
Leonie’s face suddenly flooded my thoughts again. As I plated up, I recalled that stubborn tilt to her chin before she’d left. I’d felt a sick little kick as Leonie had attempted to stand up to me, but it also made me think I was losing my touch. I took shit from no one, especially a female barely-reaching-my-shoulder-in-height blonde. Leonie usually skittered around me like a mouse, and I suppose I only had myself to blame for that for not playing nice. But for my sanity, I had to keep doing that. I could still keep her safe, without getting too close; true feelings would never be involved. I couldn’t afford to let them.
In the end, we didn’t bother with the table. Ash and I ate dinner on our laps, I switched to a compilation of fails on YouTube, but all I could think about was Leonie. Fuck me, the woman was getting to me. I’d started to dream about seeing that pale hair splayed across my pillow and imagined how it would feel to taste her perfect mouth. Hear her calling my name; wanting me, needing me. The whole thing had complicated written all over it.
The urges I felt when in her company were borderline indecent and I knew I couldn’t act upon them. Wouldn’t. I was usually a master of control, but I knew the girl could quite easily get under my skin and fuck with my head if I let her. I couldn’t allow a woman to impede the life I was slowly carving out for myself, one that didn’t include a relationship. Not when there was the risk of it going somewhere deep. I was a mutual no-strings type of guy who had sex purely to grant myself and my partner at the time that well-needed physical release. Feelings could do one, especially considering the profession I would be entering into. My father’s enemies would soon be mine and anyone attached to me would be at risk. I already had Asher’s sorry ass to worry about, I couldn’t cope with someone else.
As my brother and I sat eating the pasta we had made, thoughts of my results were at the back of my mind. I now felt a twinge of guilt for how I had spoken to Leonie as she’d left. Being a dick to her seemed to be fine in the beginning, but it was getting harder as every week went by.
She’d also made good on her offer to clean. Everything in the apartment was always so fucking neat. It felt like my mother had tidied my bedroom without my permission. Not that Leonie had set foot in there, just the rest of the house. The thought of her in my bedroom made my dick twitch.
The sexual chemistry between us was strong and I knew she felt it too. The way she eye-fucked me was a clear signal, and that wasn’t a good thing. I had caught her many times, secretly watching me, but it would only end badly for her and I didn’t want that, not really. As I said, being a prick pushed her away, and kept the craving I had at bay. The fact that she was such a genuine friend to my brother also stirred up other feelings that supported my lust; respect and trust. Two additional complications I could do without.
After Ash and I had eaten, we piled the plates in the sink and my brother went to find a movie to watch. Attempting to keep the concern over Leonie and her job from my mind, I glanced out at the dark London skyline. I should have demanded she rode with Marco, instead of dismissing her like a dickhead. It was still pouring down.
My eyes narrowed as rain continued to pelt the glass and I ground my teeth, recalling Leonie’s wide eyes as I grabbed her arm. Being so close to her did things to me. The shabby thinness of that cheap raincoat she wore had only increased my annoyance.
I remembered her bunched, defensive-set shoulders as she walked away. That monster in me had roared to life and I struggled to stop myself from hauling her back into the apartment, wrapping her hair around my fist and bending her head to mine. But no, I’d let her leave.
After watching part of the shittest Jason Statham movie I’d ever seen, Ash bailed and said he was going to bed.
I checked my watch; I could see that it was now almost midnight and Leonie still wasn’t home. My eyes flickered towards the lift. Where the fuck was she? Surely, last orders would have been called by now.
Genuine concern for her knotted in my stomach. Leonie was so fucking delicate, the concrete jungle that was London could easily swallow her up whole. What if something happened to her?
I turned in my seat and muted the TV, toying with waking Ash the fuck up. I needed answers. Did she always get back so late on a weeknight? I wondered fleetingly how that would affect her classes.
My pocket vibrated and I grabbed my phone and swiped the screen, it was Max. “Sup?” I said, rubbing the back of my neck, talk about tension.
From the background noise, he was clearly in a club somewhere.
“Guess where I am?” he chirped, his voice loud considering the music and laughter attempting to swallow him.
“How the fuck should I know,” I replied, feeling annoyed that he’d interrupted my thoughts about Leonie’s whereabouts.
“Strip club,” Max stated in a dry tone. It didn’t surprise me, none of us were a stranger to the strip joints that London proudly boasted. I was just surprised he was there on a weeknight.
My mood now well and truly ruined, I played along. “And what? You’re calling me because you feel guilty?”
Pushing the phone into my neck, I trapped it with my shoulder and dragged my laptop from the coffee table. I started to google pubs that had lock-in after-hours in the area.
He ignored my jibe. “Guess who’s here?”
“You tell me.” Fuck knew why he was being so cryptic. “You’re mother?” I added for effect.
“Ha ha, funny,” he deadpanned.
“Spill it, Max, I’m not in the mood,” I growled as I pounded the keys. I wondered if he’d say one of the Kinlan’s was there.
“Alright counselor, calm the fuck down. Your tasty little house guest is here.”
WHAT? The phone dropped from its resting place in the nook of my neck and rattled against my keyboard. What the fuck? His big reveal was like a punch in the face.
My anger sparked. “What are you on about,” I bit back, pushing the device to my ear again, all thoughts of Google forgotten.
Moving my computer, I shoved to my feet and started to pace, feeling like a caged tiger whilst I waited for him to explain himself.
“Leonie’s here,” Max said, now stating the obvious.
I could hear the blood rushing through my head and the room suddenly felt smaller. Making my way over to the kitchen counter, I leaned against it. “In a strip club? You’re shitting me?”
“Does a rocking horse have a wooden dick?”
I reined in my temper, not appreciating Max’s warped sense of humour at that particular moment.
“Are you sure it’s her?”
“Yep, It’s her alright. I’d recognise that arse anywhere.” I banged my fist on the surface so hard that everything on it shook.
“What the fuck man!” Max belted, clearly holding the phone away from his ear and my deafening vent. I felt a jet of fury enter my body like a hypodermic. The thought of Max checking out Leonie’s arse made me see red. If he’d have been in front of me, I’d have lamped him one.
“Is she stripping?” I questioned, now desperate for answers, even if I didn’t like them.
He paused for a moment, and then I heard him talking to a waitress, something about a rum and coke. Yep, Max was a fucker with a shit attention span. How could he be ordering his next fucking beverage whilst I was in bits at the other end of the phone? Because he was a dick, that’s why. We both were. At the end of the day, Max didn’t give a shit unless something affected him directly.
“Max!” I shouted in frustration. Bromance be damned, I so wanted to throat punch the dick.
“What?” he asked, that dumbass tone he adopted to wind me up firing out from the phone.
I took a deep breath, I needed to cool my shit if I was going to get the facts without him ending the call. Something Max would do if he even sniffed, I was being off with him.
I managed to tamper down my next rude retort, I needed answers. “Is she one of the strippers?”
“Not sure.” He so wasn’t listening.
“She said she works in a bar, not a club. Maybe she’s just there with friends for after-work drinks?” I put in hopefully.
“No, she definitely works here.” I gritted my teeth as I heard Max talking to someone else. He had the attention span of a fucking goldfish.
My throat tightened. “Has she seen you?”
“Nah, I’m in a booth at the back, better view,” the smug git replied.
I fought off the psycho in me. “Good, keep it that way.”
“And what a view it is. Fuck me, teeny tiny shorts, and a tight top. You can almost see her tits.”
“I get the idea, tosser. Keep your eyes and your hands to yourself.”
There was a moment”s pause as Max said something else to whoever the fuck he was with.
“Max, for fucks sake. Did you hear what I said?” the rein on my temper was rapidly dissolving.
“Yeah, yeah cool your jets, your majesty. So, what do you want me to do? Shall I put her on the phone?”
I weighed up that option. “No. I’ll see her when she gets in. Can you make sure she gets in a taxi OK?”
“Trevor always walks her to the rank if it’s late,” Max informed me. I took that information like a bullet.
“Who the fuck is Trevor,” jealousy came back for an afterburn. I’d always thought Trevor was a dumbass name; I’d known of a Trevor at High School and he had the intelligence of a turnip.
Max snorted down the phone, “Fucking cool it psycho. Trevor, he’s the head bouncer here, he’s OK. Old enough to be her dad. I know his daughter.” I didn’t ask how.
“Right. Fine.” Relief pooled in my stomach.
“I take it you didn’t know she works here?” Yeah, state the fucking obvious dickweed. Max had the most power when it came to getting a rise out of me. The others were amateurs and rarely witnessed me losing my shit.
“Of course I didn’t know where she fucking works,” I fired back, wishing I could reach down the phone and throttle him.
“Why are you so pissed? It’s not like she’s your girlfriend. You’re not together in any capacity. Or are you?” he said with an amused, provoking tone. Alright dickhead.
“Are we what?”
“Screwing?”
“It’s not about that Max, she isn’t a city girl and hasn’t a clue how to look out for herself. She’s way too vulnerable and easy to manipulate.”
There was a pregnant pause.
“Now I get it,” he chuckled, pausing for a split second before adding, “You’re fucking goose is cooked mate,” Max bellowed down the phone, sounding extremely pleased with himself. Like he’d solved the unsolvable.
“My what?” I snarled back, my temper on a hair trigger.
“You care. Fuck me, the mighty Knight has feelings for a woman.” From his pitch and delivery, it sounded like he was also explaining his piecing together of the puzzle to those around him. That pissed me off even more, I was a private person.
“Are you wasted?” I snorted, attempting to deflect. Max drank booze like a whale took on water.
A muscle ticked in my jaw as he stated, “I’m as sober as a judge sunshine. The beer here tastes like warm piss.”
Nice.
There was an awkward three-beat silence apart from the thump of the shit music the club was playing. Tacky as fuck. My annoyance throbbed as I heard a woman laughing; clearly Max’s piece of arse for the night.
“Max!” I whisper-shouted down the phone to regain his attention.
“What!? You’re a needy fucker suddenly.”
“Just promise me you’ll keep an eye on her,” I said, feeling thoroughly frustrated that I wasn’t there and had little control over the situation. Part of me wished he hadn’t called me; what you don’t know can’t hurt and all that.
“Well?”
“I’ve said I’ll handle it.” His tone was now much firmer and I realised I’d pissed him off. That never boded well.
“I just want to know she’s safe. I can only imagine the amount of attention she’ll be getting in that shit hole.”
“Well, I don’t need to imagine it mate, that shit is right in front of me.”
And I snapped. “What are you saying? Are there guys hitting on her? What about security, shouldn’t they be looking out for the staff? If anyone touches her, you have my permission to get involved and knock them the fuck out.”
“Chill your beans. I must say, you do sound like a jealous boyfriend.”
“As I said, it isn’t about that. I’m responsible for her,” I knew my words were pathetic, Max knew me like a brother. The cat was officially out of the bag.
“So, if you’re not together and she isn’t your girlfriend and truly is just an independent person living in your apartment; one might ask why you feel so strongly about this,” Max said firmly, the sincerity and sense in his words sending me over the edge.
“And one might ask you to mind your own fucking business,” I growled, now thoroughly pissed off.
Max also lost it, his voice suddenly so much louder. “So, I’m to mind my own business, when you’re the one who asked me to watch out for her? Why don’t you get off your arse and come down here yourself?”
I was so angry now; it was almost painful. I took a deep breath before my cunt meter went from extreme to unbearable. “Why have a dog and bark yourself?” I snarled, relishing how much my words would piss him off. No one treated Max Hunter like a lackey.
And just like that, the wanker hung up on me.
Leonie
I could hardly keep my eyes open as I got back to the apartment at around two-thirty in the morning. It would have been the latest shift I had done since working there. The journey home was fine. Trevor was a true friend and always walked me to the taxi rank, I rarely caught the Tube anyway.
After paying the fare, I pulled my coat further around my body and made my way into the building.
I was so tired that I almost didn’t remember the code to the penthouse. Had I not, I would have been forced to walk up several flights of stairs and my feet were already killing me.
As the doors slid slowly open, I exited the lift and walked into the apartment. The lights were still on which was odd, considering the lateness of the hour. Maybe Asher had left them on for me?
As the lift doors closed, I saw Gabriel leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms folded over his chest, looking anything but pleased. Why on earth was he still up at this hour?
He was wearing jogging bottoms and a tank top, the muscles of his arms bulging; his stance suggesting he was tense; like a predator about to pounce. As my eyes roamed over his face, he took the air from my lungs. He looked stunningly handsome and I felt a twinge of excitement at the thought that he may have waited up for me.
Offering him a shy smile, I walked further into the apartment and dropped my bag by the sofas.
“You’re still up?” I said, not managing to keep the surprise from my voice.
That usual seriousness about him was overlaid with something else and the muscle which ticked in his jaw betrayed his mood. His body was poised like a lethal weapon and I felt a twinge of uncertainty.
Shoving off the counter, Gabriel dropped his arms and prowled towards me, every move carried out with fierce precision. My smile dropped and was replaced by confusion and worry. There was a definite atmosphere and I knew I was about to get an earful. Why? I had no idea.
A pang of disappointment drummed through me.
“So, it would seem,” he replied in a frosty voice, coming to stand before me.
My nose wrinkled as I took in his tired features. “I assume you weren’t waiting for me?”
A dark look flashed across his face. “They you’d assume wrong. Why are you back so late?” Gabriel’s dark eyes suddenly contained a sizable helping of psycho.
A million thoughts flooded my head. Was it something to do with the apartment, had I left the door open or too much girly shit in the bathroom again? Or had he been worried about me? I so hoped it was the latter.
“I was working, you know that.” The words blurted out of my mouth like I was guilty of something, which was ridiculous as I’d told him I was working earlier.
He shot me a faint smirk. “Which brings me to my next question. Where?
“Where?”
“Yes, where do you work and stop repeating my words, it’s fucking annoying.” His tone made me flinch. An urgent sense of anxiety bled into me, chaos racing through my chest.
“I work in a bar, I told you that as I left,” I pointed out.
“Which bar?” His questioning was like a line of attack, I could so see him in a courtroom.
“One on the other side of Soho,”
He shook his head. “So, you said before. Not good enough. What’s it called?”
“Aquarius,” I muttered, swallowing thickly.
He dashed a hand down his face. “That’s not a bar, that’s a strip club.”
Shaking my head, I started to move away, his nearness was way too intense. “It’s a gentleman’s club,” I corrected.
“Same thing,” he said, following my retreat. “It’s a seedy dive; the type of place that makes you want to wipe your feet on the way out, Leonie.”
I held out a hand, feeling slightly stalked as he closed the distance between us. “The dancers don’t get naked or anything,” I reassured him.
My motion brought him to a stop, and he peered down his perfect condescending nose. The scar on his eyebrow seemed to stand out. “They do in the back for the private performances.”
Standing firm, I licked my lips which were suddenly quite dry. “Well, I wouldn’t know anything about that. I work serving drinks, that’s it.”
He drilled. “In your underwear?”
“No, of course not. I wear a uniform,” I defended.
He motioned towards my body with a flick of his hand. “Let’s see it,” he stated, adding a nod of his head.
My mouth dropped open in shock and a surge of resentment shot through me. “What?”
Gabriel had successfully pushed me into a corner. Drat, I usually got changed back into my jeans after my shift but I’d been in such a rush to leave that I’d kept my uniform on under my coat.
He raised his eyebrows, delivering a ‘you heard me’ look. “Unbutton your coat, I want to see this uniform.” Gabriel folded his arms, his stance suggesting he was going nowhere until I did as he asked.
My shoulders drooped. “I think you’re unhinged,” I sighed, feeling slightly deflated. It didn’t last long.
A cruel smile curled his lips. “You have no idea, kitten. Do it Leonie or I’ll do it for you.” That tone was now threatening but I didn’t feel afraid, if anything a strange shiver of excitement snaked up my backbone.
Taking a deep breath, I undid the belt of my raincoat and slid it off, letting it fall to the floor in a puddle. Although I itched to tug the hem of my shorts down, I refrained.
His eyes roamed over my body causing my nipples to pebble against my top. “Uniform?” he barked with a laugh. “You may as well be naked.”
“I’ve worn less on stage, Gabriel, this isn’t that bad. It’s shorts and a top,” I replied, attempting to downplay it.
“You look like a slut. It’s cheap and beneath you.”
His words hurt. “And now you’re just being rude.”
He wrinkled his nose with distaste as he drank in my clothing. “Doesn’t it bother you, prancing around in front of dirty old drunks looking like a sex worker?”
“Now you’re just being offensive.” A bit of temper rose to the surface and I was thankful for that as I needed all the help I could get. That earlier flare of excitement was still there but so was that feeling of injustice. How dare this man judge me; a boy that was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
I hated how he was now looking at me. “Anyway, it’s none of your business what I wear or where I work.”
He didn’t like that and a dark look flitted across his face. “Considering your choice of venue, I think I should make it my business. I wonder what your fancy dance school would think if they found out you were working in a strip joint.”
“I don’t intend to tell them and it’s none of their business anyway, or yours,” I said, purposefully repeating myself.
Gabriel wasn’t listening. “Don’t you have any self-respect?” He was being downright nasty now and I felt tears prick the back of my eyes as he was right. Working there did make me feel lower than low.
I felt it necessary to point out, “Self-respect is great when you can afford it.”
His entire face twisted in confusion. “What? You surely can’t be that desperate for money. What about your student funding?”
“It’s isn’t enough. Not to survive in London anyway,” I stated with a wobble in my voice.
Gabriel started to pace aggressively in front of me, those dark eyes never leaving my face as he pointed a finger. “You must be ashamed of where you work or you would have levelled with me earlier?” He had a point.
Feeling frustrated, I went to move around him but he sidestepped and blocked my way. I took another step back. I couldn’t focus when his body was so close to mine. “The way you fired me with questions left me flustered, you’re so untrusting and cynical,” I explained.
He snickered. “I’m a recently qualified criminal lawyer, it comes with the fucking territory.”
My voice raised automatically, “You don’t have to swear at me.”
Gabriel watched me with a head tilt. “It’s called letting off steam, Leonie. It’s either that or I put my fist through the wall.”
His mood swings were off the chart as was his misplaced fury towards me. “Well, you stay here and let off steam. I need to go to bed,” I bit back, once again, moving to push my body past his.
“We’re not done,” Gabriel growled, stepping back into my path, his hands sliding to grip my shoulders. He set me back slightly and glared down into my face. The blood raced in my veins at the contact but I didn’t pull away, his touch felt so good, even though he was fuming.
“What do you want from me, Gabriel?” I said, staring up into his fathomless eyes.
His gaze dipped to my lips as he said, “I’m fucked if I know.” His words were partly whispered to himself as his expression switched, softening somehow. His thumbs started to stroke the bare skin of my shoulders.
Raising my chin, I suddenly grew a backbone and stated in a firm voice, “Look, you don’t have to worry. I can take care of myself.”
I then twisted my body which forced his hands to fall and pushed past him, walking away towards my room. I had a vague idea that he was following me and my pace increased. I had almost passed the door to Gabriel’s bedroom when his hand caught me by my upper arm and he spun me to face him.
“So, you can take care of yourself?” His voice was thick and his face half shadowed. A thrill shot through me as he took my other arm and started to walk me backwards.
“Yes,” I panted, my chest rising and falling. I was all types of confused, emotions I didn’t identify with were rushing through my body.
My words must have enraged him further as his grip tightened, causing me to flinch. Gabriel must have seen it, as he released me. My relief was short-lived as he dropped his arms to his sides and moved a step forward into my space, forcing my back against the wall, his hands then caging me against it on either side of my head. His scent penetrated my senses and I felt a wave of dizziness.
Gabriel stared down at me with a dark look, his expression half-shadowed. I had no alternative but to raise my eyes to his.
“So tough all of a sudden?” he drawled, his voice low and husky.
I cleared my throat to speak but no words left my mouth, I was so shocked by his behaviour and had no idea what he was about to do. Was he going to kiss me? My blood raced in my veins at the thought of his mouth touching mine, even in anger. At that moment I didn’t care, I begged him with my eyes to do it.
Not wanting to appear feeble, I raised my hands to place them against his chest, feeling his pectoral muscles flex under my touch.
My heart was beating so hard I was surprised he couldn’t hear it.
Gabriel then glanced down at my hands on his chest, I could feel his heart beating against the palm of my hand and all that maleness beneath my fingers gave me goosebumps.
“So go on then?” he husked.
“What?” I breathed back.
“Show me how you look after yourself?”
My brow crinkled as I searched the wide set of his shoulders before dragging my gaze back to his face. “But you’re not a threat?”
“But I could be, kitten,” Gabriel said the words as if he meant them.
“I can’t. You’re huge,” I whisper-panted and shoved against his chest, trying to get some space between us, my body burning up. The man didn’t move a muscle.
He drew his eyes back to mine, shaking his head. “Exactly. You’re an athlete and you may be strong for a woman, but I’m stronger Leonie and much—much meaner,” Gabriel grated down his arrogant nose at me.
My mouth opened with a gasp as his fingers then encircled my wrists and yanked my arms above my head in one sudden movement. It pushed my breasts into his chest and almost pulled me onto my tiptoes. Gabriel’s biceps were positioned on either side of my head; his frame easily overpowering my tiny frame.
Transferring my wrists into one large fist, he pinned my hands to the wall above me, I was helpless but still not afraid. If anything, I was turned on by being held by him; being at his mercy. Our noses were so close together, almost touching.
“To say you only see me as a solid seven, you’ve got quite the frantic heartbeat,” he whispered and he was right, my heart was pounding and it wasn’t due to fear. I was turned on, massively so. I could feel his thumb where it rested on the pulse point of one wrist.
My tongue shot out to wet my lips as desire swept through my midriff, his nearness generating waves of heat throughout my entire frame.
“Well, do something, get yourself free,” he ordered, pushing his face down into mine; his stare penetrating. His legs were slightly open and I was anchored between his strong thighs.
“I can’t and—maybe, maybe I don’t—want to,” I replied with more confidence than I was feeling.
At my words, a look of confusion flashed over his features. He was struggling with himself, clearly affected by the closeness of our bodies. I almost held my breath as Gabriel’s eyes dropped to my lips and they opened as if on command.
I felt a shift as the fingers of his free hand skimmed over my defined collarbone. My tummy fluttered with nerves. “Gabriel,” I whispered in an uncertain, semi-shocked tone, my body trembling.
As he now only held me with one hand, I tugged my wrists again which pushed my lower body against his, but he still didn’t release me. The way his fingertips felt, so close to my throat, was working its own cruel magic. It was then that I felt how hard he had become against my stomach and lust raced through me.
Having recovered himself he mocked my pitiful attempt to get free, “Is that the best you can do?” There was a glint of daring in his eyes.
A thick silence then fell between us and I stared, fixated on his Adam’s apple as he swallowed.
He was holding me against my will but the closeness felt so right, like we were suddenly tied by an irresistible force. Need continued to rocket through my pelvis as my pulse quickened.
And then he lowered his head and devoured me.
FUCK YES!
Sparks flamed from the pit of my stomach as he gripped my jaw between his finger and thumb. I couldn’t turn my head; not that I wanted to as his mouth crashed down against mine.
I whimpered as Gabriel’s thick tongue speared through my lips and my mouth opened like a flower for the sun; allowing him inside in complete abandonment.
His kiss was so powerful and hungry and hard; almost punishing, but there was an eroticism about it. I could feel heat and moisture between my legs, forcing me to push my thighs together. There was no doubt in my mind who was in charge.
I tried twisting my wrists in his grip, wanting my hands free so I could push my fingers into his hair, and feel its silky softness, but his hold remained firm. He wanted to prove to me that he was in control; as if there could ever be any doubt of that. He was a tower of strength, and I was like a wilted flower being brought back to life.
The kiss was overpowering but also soft at the same time, the slide of his tongue as it replicated the motions of sex was a sensual attack. I moaned into his mouth, losing my mind, my nipples so hard they hurt and I felt him smile against my lips. He consumed me as he realised that I had submitted to him and ground himself against my body. I wanted him to touch me, everywhere. Feel his hands all over my skin, his fingers pressing where I ached the most.
I was undone as Gabriel nibbled my lips and then ran his tongue across them to soothe the area and I felt that throb inside me continue to grow. I released an excited little breath into his mouth, he tasted delicious, the whisky on his tongue adding to my sinful thoughts.
Releasing my hands, Gabriel then moved his hands to cup my jaw, continuing the kiss to the point where it became frenzied, his tongue stroking so deep that I met it with my own. He directed my head exactly where he wanted it to go, the change in angle allowing him to deepen the kiss and I raised my hands and held onto his biceps.
I was plastered against him and couldn’t get enough of the sensations he was creating when he suddenly stepped back. A wave of frustration crashed through me as that building excitement started to subside. Gabriel then pushed his forehead against mine and a heavy silence fell between us.
We were both breathing heavily and I kept my eyes on the floor. Shame at the way I had behaved rushed through my chest. Had Gabriel Knight almost brought me to orgasm from a kiss? I was soaking, you could probably see the damp patch through my shorts and I knew I just needed to escape.
As I went to push around him, he caught my arm again and tugged me close, his lips grazing the cuff of my ear as he husked, “Can you fuck look after yourself? I could do anything I want to you right now and there would be nothing you could do to stop me.”
Yanking my arm away, I took a step back and that was when it hit me; a wave of dizziness so strong that I wobbled forward. The room was spinning, like all the air had been sucked out. I placed a hand on my chest, attempting to overcome that uncontrollable sensation.
I then heard Gabriel call my name as the darkness overcame me and I had the sensation of strong arms catching me before I collapsed. I dropped to the floor and into nothingness.
Gabriel’s anxious face was the last thing I saw.