She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent — Aramis and peppermint and blessed Gabriel.
He chuckled. “I think you’re telling me that you enjoy my cologne.”
He leaned down so that her nose was able to skim his neck. The scent of Aramis was stronger there.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m building desire, Julianne. Now tell me what you want. You’re flushed, your heart is beating rapidly, and I can hear your breathing acceler-ate. What do you desire?” He cupped her face in his hands again and brought his mouth close to hers. Close, but still not touching.
“I want to kiss,” she breathed.
He smiled. “I want to kiss too.”
She waited. And still he would not move.
“Julianne,” he blew across her lips.
She opened her eyes.
“Take what you want.”
She inhaled sharply.
“If you don’t initiate on occasion, I’ll conclude that you don’t want me. That I’m being demanding. After a night like tonight, the only person doing the demanding should be you.” Gabriel’s eyes were wide and dark, and they pierced her.
She didn’t need another invitation. Surprising both of them, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him forward. When their lips met, his hands trailed down to her lower back, and he imagined caressing her naked flesh. She teased his bottom lip and drew it into her mouth, copying an act he’d performed with her before. She was less skilled, but he was no less pleased.
Her unhurried ardor enticed him, and within a moment, he felt his skin heat and his heart race. For as his tongue expertly explored her mouth, he wished nothing more than to part her modest knees with one of his own and press himself against her. And sweep her into his bedroom to fraternize…
He pulled away, placing his hands on her bare forearms. “I have to stop.” He leaned his forehead against hers and exhaled deeply.
“I’m sorry.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead. “Never apologize for acting on your desires. You’re beautiful and sensual. And very, very arousing. I can enjoy you without becoming more intimate, but I can’t kiss you again. Not right now.”
They stood frozen, holding each other for several minutes, until Gabriel opened his eyes and stroked her cheek.
“Whatever you want, Julianne. Tonight, I’m yours. Do you want me to take you home? Do you want to stay?”
She nuzzled his jaw with her nose. “I’d like to stay.”
“Then I think it’s time for bed.” He extended his hand and helped her to her feet.
“Doesn’t it seem strange to you? Sharing a bed with me?”
“I want you in my arms and in my bed every night.”
Julia was quiet for a moment as she picked up her messenger bag.
“Does that bother you?” He frowned.
“No. Maybe it should.”
“I’ve missed you this week.”
“I missed you too.”
“I sleep better when you’re in my arms.” He smiled at her warmly. “But it’s your choice where you sleep tonight.”
“I’d like to share your bed,” said Julia shyly. “If you’d let me.”
“I’d never deny you that.” He led her down the hallway to his bedroom.
She sat on the bed, and he picked up the framed photograph from on top of the dresser.
“You have a picture of me under your pillow. I thought I should return the favor.” Gabriel smirked as he handed her the photograph.
Julia racked her brain to try to remember when he could have found the old photo she had of him.
“How did you get this?”
“I should be asking you where you obtained a picture of me from my days on Princeton’s rowing team.” Gabriel untucked and unbuttoned his dress shirt, exposing the tight t-shirt that clung to his chest.
Julia grew embarrassed and looked away, silently ruing the day men decided to wear undershirts. Watching him undress was even sexier than watching him in a purple towel that was far too small.
“Um, Rachel had it on her bulletin board. And the first time I saw it, I took it.”
He leaned down to lift her face up so that he could examine her expression. “You took it? You mean, you stole it.”
“I know I shouldn’t have. But you had this wonderful smile. I was seventeen and stupid, Gabriel.”
“Stupid or smitten?”
Julia rested her eyes on the floor. “I think you know.”
“Rachel took pictures with her phone while she was visiting. This one is my favorite, which is why I framed it.” He examined her closely. “Don’t you like it?”
She seemed flustered. “You look nice.”
He took the photo out of her hand and carefully placed it on top of the dresser. “What are you thinking? Tell me.”
“The way you looked at me while we were dancing…I don’t understand.”
“You’re a beautiful woman. Why wouldn’t I look at you?”
“It’s the way you looked at me.”
“I look at you like that all the time.” He kissed her softly. “I’m looking at you like that right now.” He brushed her hair back from her face. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
After changing into what would serve as her pajamas, she stood in the doorway of the bathroom, backlit in white light.
“Stop,” said Gabriel. He had returned to the room during her absence and was lying in bed, staring at her.
Julia looked down at her clothes and fidgeted. She hadn’t known what to wear. Most of her pajamas were too juvenile to wear in front of him, and she didn’t own any lingerie for sleeping. Not that she would have been brave enough to wear lingerie to bed with him. So at this moment, she was clad in a dark blue t-shirt, which was large enough to hide her chest, and a pair of athletic shorts that had Saint Joseph’s University’s logo on the front.
“You’re exquisite.”
She made a face and reached over to switch off the light.
“Wait. Standing there, in the light, you look like an angel.”
She nodded to indicate that she’d heard him before silently joining him.
Gabriel immediately pulled her into a warm embrace, and as he did so, she realized he was wearing a t-shirt and shorts too.
They were quite a pair. But now their naked legs could tangle together blissfully under the sheets. He kissed her tenderly and leaned back on the pillow, sighing in pleasure as she rested her head on his chest, wrapping her arm around his waist.
“I’m sorry you’re lonely, Julianne.”
She appeared puzzled by his non sequitur.
“Earlier this week when we were talking on the phone, you mentioned that you feel isolated, that you don’t have any friends.”
She winced in remembrance.
“What if I were to buy you a kitten or a rabbit? Someone to keep you company at your apartment.”
“Gabriel, I appreciate the thought, but you can’t just throw money at my problems.”
“I know that. But I can spend money to try to make you smile.” He kissed her again.
“Kindness is worth more than all the money in the world.”
“You shall have that. And much, much more.”
“That’s all I want.”
“Stay for the weekend. Here. With me.”
She hesitated only for an instant. “Okay,” she whispered.
He seemed relieved. “How about a fish? They’re the new companion animal.”
She laughed. “I don’t think so. I can barely look after myself, let alone another poor creature.”
He lifted her chin so that they could see one another. “Then let me look after you,” he whispered, eyes intense and unblinking.
“You could have any woman you want, Gabriel.”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “I only want you.”
She rested her head against his chest and smiled.
“Being without you, Julianne, is like enduring an endless night without stars.”
Chapter 22
Two almost lovers were tangled around each other, their naked legs entwined in a large bed under an ice-blue silk duvet and white Frette sheets.
The woman mumbled in her sleep, moving fitfully, while the man remained still, enjoying the pleasure of her company.
He could have lost her. Lying next to her, he was conscious of the fact that their evening could have ended very differently. She didn’t have to forgive him. She didn’t have to accept him. But she did. Perhaps he could dare to hope…
“Gabriel?”
He didn’t answer, for he thought she was still asleep. It was three o’clock in the morning, and the bedroom was shrouded in darkness, a darkness made visible by the lights of the city’s skyline diffused through the blinds.
She rolled over so that she could see his face. “Gabriel?” she whispered.
“Are you awake?”
“Yes. It’s all right, darling, go back to sleep.” He kissed her lightly and stroked her hair.
She propped herself up on one elbow. “I’m wide awake now.”
“So am I.”
“Can I — talk to you?”
He quickly mimicked her position. “Of course. Is something wrong?”
“Are you happier now than you were before?”