Chapter Seven #2
Breaking our kiss for a moment, I speak the most honest words I’ve ever said. “I only want your touch.”
Lifting off the couch with me in his arms, he stalks towards the bedroom. He spends the next two hours imprinting his touch on every inch of my body and soul.
I’ve spent most of the day editing a new manuscript.
Gabe’s called to check on me a few times, and we’ve texted in between. His concern is not only sweet, but genuine, which makes me fall even harder for him.
I’m still upset about the altercation with Brian this morning. Seeing him opens a floodgate of emotions I don’t want to feel, and too many memories I don’t want to relive. Memories of our darkest times together re-emerge, and I push them away.
I won’t let him have control over me again.
I’ve moved past the misery he imprisoned me in for years, but I can’t shake the sadness I feel when I think of my family.
Would they be disappointed in me?
Aunt Helen raised me to be strong and independent, but after she passed away, he slithered into my life while I was at rock bottom. When it comes down to it, I’m ashamed of how I let him treat me.
A knock on the door draws my attention from the unwanted thoughts. Closing my laptop, I go to the door, a smile lighting my face when I see the gorgeous man on the other side.
Gabe saunters in, closing the door behind him. He envelops me with his body, and I breathe in his spicy, masculine scent. Melting further into his embrace, my mind clears, and my body relaxes for the first time since he went to work.
“I missed you.” He kisses my forehead, and I bury my face in his chest.
“I missed you, too.” His strong presence brings me solace, but a pang of sadness will always live in the corner of my heart.
Gripping my shoulders, he gently pushes me back, searching my face. “What’s wrong?” He lifts my arm, his gaze tracking the dark bruises on my wrist. His jaw clenches, anger flashing in his eyes. “Is the pain worse?”
“No, it’s just tender.” Glancing over his shoulder, the glint of a silver metal frame on my desk catches my eye. “I’ve been stuck in the past this afternoon.”
He turns, following my gaze, his arms falling from my shoulders. Taking the few steps to the desk, he picks up the shiny frame holding a picture of me and Aunt Helen. His eyes soften as he stares at the photo, a grin tugging at his lips.
Coming up beside him, I lean my head against his bicep, gripping his free hand with both of mine.
He sets the photo back on my desk, leading me to the couch. He sits down, pulling me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. “Tell me about her.”
A lump forms in my throat and my eyes burn with unshed tears. “Aunt Helen saved me. She stepped in after my parents died, giving me the love and care of a mother. She never married or had children of her own, so in a way, I believe she needed me as much as I did her.”
He glides his hands up and down my spine with soothing strokes, his eyes locked on mine. “Tell me what haunts you, angel. What chains you to the past?”
A single tear slides down my cheek. He catches it with his thumb, bringing it to his lips. Something stirs inside me that I don’t want to think about right now. My emotions are all over the place today, and I’m a fucking mess.
“I began to notice things. In the middle of a conversation, her speech would begin to slur. She was having trouble remembering things. She was plagued with terrible migraines that left her in bed, unable to function for days at a time. She was a stubborn woman, but I put my foot down and dragged her to the doctor. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, she started getting her affairs in order.” The tears flow freely now, and the pain is heavy in my chest.
He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine. “Give me your pain, baby.”
Sighing heavily, my body trembles as painful memories flash through my mind.
“Watching her suffer every day shattered me. She was beautiful with a heart of gold, and she didn’t deserve her fate.
I made sure to spend every free moment with her, trying to hold onto her as long as I could.
My heart was broken, knowing I was going to lose her.
Six months later, she was gone, and I was alone. It was the lowest point in my life.”
He kisses me again, his large hands trailing up and down my arms. “Tell me what triggered these memories today.”
Disgust fills me and I roll my eyes, sniffling as my tears fade at the thought of the bastard. “Brian.”
His eyebrows furrow in confusion. “How?”
My gaze finds the buttons on his shirt, my fingers smoothing the fabric around them.
“We met shortly after she passed away. He was the real estate agent that sold our house. I couldn’t bring myself to live there without her, so I decided to sell.
He was persistent and I was vulnerable. Eventually we became a couple.
Things were good until we got married. It was like a switch flipped. ”
He lifts my chin with his finger and his gaze penetrates my soul. “What happened after you were married?”
I don’t want to talk about this, but I can’t hide from Gabe.
He won’t allow it. “We were together for six years, but it felt like a lifetime. He’s a pathological liar.
He’s cold, disrespectful, and manipulative.
He made me feel unattractive. He made me feel like everything I said and did was a disappointment.
He’d tell me over and over how stupid I was and how I’d never be good enough.
If he felt me distancing myself, he’d remind me that no one else would want me. ”
A low growl vibrates his chest. “Why did you stay with him?” There’s no judgement, he’s curious.
I’ve thought about it many times, but I always come up empty.
“I don’t know why I stayed with him. I thought marriage was forever and I did everything I could to make it work.
After realizing I’d be happier alone, I left him.
Reconciliation was never in the cards, but after he hit me, I cut off all contact.
If he had something to relay, it went through my lawyer.
I didn’t press charges. I regret that now, after what happened this morning.
” I sigh. “He made sure to wait almost a year before signing the papers. We didn’t have children together, and I left everything behind except for my personal belongings.
Once the divorce was finalized, I was finally free.
The past two years have been an emotional rollercoaster, but I’ve found myself again after being lost for so long. ”
His grip tightens around my waist, and he leans closer.
“You’re fucking incredible, Brooke Monroe.
He never deserved you. No man ever will.
You should be proud of who you are. I know I am, and Helen would be, too.
I’m glad you found yourself because the woman you are today is the woman I’m obsessed with.
” He grins wickedly before crashing his lips to mine.
My body feels light, and my mind is clear. Relief fills my chest as though I’ve had a much-needed therapy session.
Gabe is right.
I can’t change my past, but I do believe Aunt Helen and my parents would be proud of the woman I am today.
Lost in his kiss, I whimper when he pulls away, eyeing me curiously. “You didn’t have children together. Is it because you didn’t want kids with him, or you don’t want them at all?”
Sliding my fingers through his hair, I smile. “When the time is right, I’d love to have children.”
Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses each knuckle softly. “Me too.”
“Let me shutdown my laptop and I’ll cook us dinner.” I try to shift off his lap, but he grips my hips, holding me in place.
“We’ve both had a long day. I’ll order food. What are you in the mood for?” He places a wet kiss on my neck, and I shiver.
Helpless against his touch, my hips rock against him. “Order whatever you want. I’m not picky.”
I lost count of how many orgasms he gave me this morning, but I can’t get enough of him. He lifts his hips, grinding his hard length against my throbbing pussy. He fists my hair, pulling my lips to his. We both groan as he plunges his tongue inside my mouth, tasting my desire.
As I unbutton his shirt, he pulls away, leaving me panting. “Go do what you need to do while I order food. I want everything out of the way so I can keep you in bed all night.”
Swallowing thickly, I nod. Lifting myself off his lap, I head towards my desk, glancing out the window. A black SUV sits across the street and my skin prickles. It was there this morning when I arrived home, and a few hours later when I ate lunch, but I didn’t give it a second thought.
Until now.
The house across the street is on the market, so I see vehicles there from time to time. It’s odd the SUV has been there all day, and even though the windows are tinted, I can faintly see the silhouette of someone inside.
“What are you looking at, baby?” Gabe steps behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“That SUV has been there since I got home this morning. The house is for sale, and cars come and go from time to time, but I have a bad feeling for some reason. I think someone’s sitting in it.”
His body stiffens and he moves me to the side of the window. He peers outside, squinting his eyes to assess the vehicle. “Give me a pen and paper. Do it slowly.”
Reaching over my desk, I grab a pen and a stationary pad, handing it to him under the windowsill.
He begins writing a series of letters and numbers on the pad. As he writes the last digit, tires squeal outside. It startles me, and I move in front of the window, watching as the SUV fades from view.
“What’s going on, Gabe?”
Is someone watching my house?
“Nothing to worry about, baby.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Is that their tag number?” I ask, nodding at the pad.
“Yes, but don’t worry. I’ll have Eric run it just to put my mind at ease.
” He grips my hand, pulling me to my desk.
“Go ahead and finish what you were doing. I’ve ordered us dinner and I’m going to grab a shower before it gets here.
” He kisses my cheek, checking to make sure the front door is locked before he disappears down the hall.
An uneasy feeling settles in my stomach, but Gabe doesn’t seem too concerned, so I try to push the worry away.
No harm in keeping an eye out though.