Chapter 15
Kimberley
When Gabriel touched the back of my neck earlier, warmth rushed through me so strongly I could hardly follow the story he was reading.
Honestly, I can’t even say what it was about — he didn’t finish anyway, since Rosie was already asleep.
But even if it had been just a single line, I wouldn’t have been able to focus.
Feeling his fingertips — sometimes his whole hand — resting there, I could only think about him.
About his strong warm hand, against my neck.
That gentle touch from this man who drives me crazy in two completely different ways.
On one hand, he’s mischievous — I’m always bracing for the next prank behind his kindness. On the other, he has this tender, unexpected side that knocks me off balance every time. Add to that the butterflies in my stomach, the way my heart races whenever he looks at me. Or touches me.
By the time we reach the kitchen, it all bursts out of me: "I didn’t know what to say." My body feels hot, my heart pounding, tears threatening. I look to Gabriel, desperate. He looks back at me, surprised.
"You didn’t say anything wrong," he says softly, with a sweet smile. He steps closer, lays a hand on my back, and strokes gently while I fidget, overwhelmed. And just like that, warmth spreads through me.
I look up at him — only him — into his dark green eyes that remind me of moss growing on an old stone near a ravine. I blink at him as my pulse gradually calms down.
"I wanted so badly to tell her she’d never have to go back to her mother, but that would’ve been a lie."
My nose stings, tears threatening again. "Why does she say such cruel things to her? Doesn’t Catherine see what an incredible daughter she has? She’s so sweet, so affectionate. So smart. Oh God..."
Before I know it, both his hands are on my back. I step closer and he pulls me gently against his chest. His solid, good-smelling chest.
I stand there, wide-eyed, my hands resting on his sides. He’s still in the white shirt from the office. I swallow as my fingers trace lightly across his back, and finally, I give in to the embrace.
My eyelids suddenly feel so heavy. I'm getting tired. No, I think I'm misinterpreting the situation. I'm not getting tired, I'm calming down. Yep, I'm calming down completely. My heartbeat slows down, and my breathing helps too.
I close my eyes and smile into the intimate embrace, letting myself feel how safe I am in his strong arms. It’s unfamiliar, and yet it feels so good.
He lets me breathe. Recover. All the stress from that conversation is still in my bones, but with every deep sigh I take, I feel a little better. Gabriel’s hand keeps stroking my back. He’s giving me so much support, so much protection in this moment, that I don’t want to let it go.
This—this is exactly what I’ve been searching for my whole life.
It’s not just wild sex, hot abs, and a voice that makes me horny.
It’s moments like this too. Or maybe I should say: this is what separates a real man, a true gentleman, from just another guy who only wants one thing.
Gabriel is different. Gabriel is a real man.
An absolute gentleman. And—even though Rosie isn’t his daughter but only his niece—he’s a true father and a real hero.
And that’s exactly what fascinates me about him. That mix. Gabriel is bold, smart, charming, and full of secrets I want to uncover.
I want more of this man…
My desire for him grows day by day, second by second, every moment he holds me.
“My sister has always been like that. I don’t think she’s going to change for the better in this lifetime. But as soon as I have custody of Rosie, she’ll have to change.” His words come right against my ear—calm but also angry. I can feel how much the situation eats at him.
Maybe I can give him some of the warmth he’s giving me.
“I’ll help you, Gabriel. And I’ll stay with you. Even though the trial week isn’t over yet, I want a permanent contract. That is, if the offer still stands?”
Gabriel hesitates. I feel him slowly pulling back from me, so I take half a step back too.
“Of course. I’ll have it updated for you right away and you can sign it tomorrow morning.
” He looks a little surprised, but only for a moment.
Then he smiles and adds, “That’s exactly what I was hoping for.
I know we didn’t get off to a great start, but I’m really glad things are going so well between us now. ”
“Yes, me too,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat and my heartbeat pick up again. I run my hands over his chest and ask, “Tea? We didn’t get a chance last night.”
“I’d like that.”
I nod and finally let go of him. How cold it feels without his closeness. I hate it. I want to go back to that embrace—that was exactly what I needed, and now it’s gone.
I put water on to boil while he sits at the table and sets out two cups, two spoons, and a jar of honey.
The water boils quickly. I pour it into the cups and the rest into the teapot, which I place on a warmer.
The little flicker of the tealight is calming in the dim kitchen.
Only a few LED lights glow on the ceiling, giving the room a cozy feel.
I sit down beside him and watch his hands cradling the cup. For a split second, I imagine being in that cup’s place, and my mind flashes back to the limo.
I know how he smells.
I know how he tastes.
I know how he sounds when he’s aroused.
I know how he feels.
I know how he looks at me when he wants me.
All of that is sitting in my head, building a picture—no, an entire scene I can daydream about endlessly. But that’s not what I want. I want something real. With him.
And that’s tricky. He’s offering me a job. I’m supposed to care for Rosie. I can’t start a fling with my future boss.
I press my lips together, close my eyes, and force myself to focus on what matters: money. Yes. Good ol’ money. With it, I can help my parents and build a retirement fund. Money matters more than desire.
Because what I feel for Gabriel is desire. Not love. No, I’m not in love. Maybe I have a crush—he’s unbelievably attractive and hot. But that will pass. And I won’t throw away my career for a crush.
No way!
And then suddenly, he touches me. His hand rests on mine. Warmth from his skin rushes up through me. I open my eyes and look at him, and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me. But he just sits there, worried, watching me.
“What’s on your mind?” Gabriel asks.
So, is he actually concerned about me?
I glance at his hand, at the way his thumb brushes gently over my skin. I swallow, clear my throat, and try to gather my thoughts.
“My parents run an inn back in Scotland. The Green Beauty.”
“Yes, I remember you mentioned it,” he says.
“Two years ago, a terrible storm hit Scotland. Whole towns were flooded, landslides wiped out roads. Power lines down… Pastures, playgrounds, a whole grocery store, office buildings, and the school in town were completely destroyed.
My parents' inn was located a little outside of town, but they were far enough away from the river that their inn only suffered minor damage.
Only..." I snort angrily. "They had insurance for everything back then.
Really everything. Burglary. Fire. Hail damage.
Everything imaginable. What they didn't know, however, was that they were missing one type of insurance.
They took out many insurance policies against water damage, but none that covered damage caused by floodwater from a river.
They thought they were well covered with their general insurance, but the insurance company refused to pay.
That’s what happened to a lot of people in town.
They were caught off guard and left with nothing.
There were so many donations. Most rebuilt their houses, the community pitched in, so today the town looks almost like it used to.
But my parents still have huge debts because of it.
I send them everything I can every month to help with the bills and payments.
” I look gratefully at Gabriel and say, “With the job you’re offering me, I can make sure they’ll soon be debt-free.
There’s still a lot of money outstanding, but in two or three years everything will be paid off. Then they can really start over.”
“But why did you hesitate?” he asks in surprise, pulling his hand back. “If you need the money so badly… I mean, it…” Gabriel starts thinking aloud.
“We almost ended up in bed together. It’s not that simple.” I hope he understands.
“Because of that? Only because of that?” he asks.
“It’s complicated.”
“It doesn’t have to be.”
“I wasn’t sure I could be around you after we… in the limo…” I stop myself. “You know.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to hire you at first. But then I told myself it didn’t matter. I won’t find another woman like you.”
“So, you’re okay with it? After I sat on your lap? After we kissed?” I ask.
Gabriel smiles, glances to the side, and says, “That’s a nice memory, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” I’m surprised at what he said.
“I mean, the evening started wonderfully, then you fell asleep, and the next day was chaotic. That’s why I didn’t want to hire you.
I thought you’d only bring problems into my life, and I don’t have time for more drama.
But then you enriched my life. And you still do.
That’s why I filed that evening away as a valuable memory.
As a nice experience. Something I…” He stops.
“Something you what?” That he’d like to repeat? I look at him and see the smirk. His dark green eyes sparkle in the tealight glow.
“I don’t think much of starting a fling with my PA. Especially not when we have history and you’re supposed to take care of Rosie.”
But he’s interested?
For a moment, hope rises in me, but his words are actually a clear no.
“No matter how strong the attraction may be.”
Is that so? He’s attracted to me?
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agree, even though my heart says otherwise.
Gabriel sips his tea and then checks his gold watch. “I have another appointment. I’ll be back in about two hours. I can leave you here with Rosie, right?”
He’s leaving now?
“There’s nothing in your calendar,” I say, standing up. Gabriel grabs my wrist, so I stay in front of the table, looking at him curiously.
“The appointment is personal. That’s why you won’t find it.”
I get it. No need to check the tablet to see if I made a mistake.
Personal? A date?
The thought stabs me in the heart.
“Visiting your mother?” I ask and sit down again. Gabriel lets go of me and nods.
“Yes. She asked me to stop by.”
I see. I’m relieved, smile, nod, and take my teacup. Gabriel finishes his, then stands.
“Have a quiet evening. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Do you want a sweet or savory breakfast?” I ask.
“Surprise me,” he says with a sweet smile that melts me like butter on a pancake. I sigh softly, nod, and already start thinking about tomorrow morning.
“Drive safe,” I add as he leaves.
“I will. See you tomorrow morning.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow.”
I stay at the table, listening as he puts on his coat and leaves. The driveway light doesn’t turn on until his car pulls up to the gate.
I go to the window and watch. The gate closes again, and I’m alone in the house with Rosie. I quickly clean the kitchen and make a list of all the food so I can plan tomorrow’s breakfast. I should probably go shopping during the day. There’s not much left, and I’ll have to improvise.
But necessity is the mother of invention. I’ll manage.
Upstairs, I peek into Rosie’s room. She’s asleep, the night-light glowing warm blue.
Passing Gabriel’s room, I pause. Feeling like a thief, I slip inside and look around. Nothing’s out of place. His bedroom is so neat you could eat off the floor.
I step into his bathroom. It smells of his shampoo and cologne. Only faintly, but I can clearly detect the scent.
As I’m about to leave—guilt creeping in—I notice the full laundry basket with a sweater peeking out.
I pick it up and smell it. It has his scent…
faint, but unmistakable. I glance at the shelf where his cologne sits.
With the sweater in hand, I spray a few spritzes on the fabric. Yes, that’s better.
He won’t notice, right?
This isn’t weird, is it?
I’ll never be able to have this man.
But tonight, maybe he’ll visit me in my dreams.
I just take the sweater with me, put on my pajamas, and cuddle up in bed with it.
I’d rather have him.
But that’s how it is.
I have to accept it.
Whether I want to or not.