Chapter 18
Itwas nighttime when Salene waved off the last guest, shutting the door sheleaned against it in a sigh of relief.
Tossingsome paper plates, he gathered into the trash Gabriel let out a deep groan."Dear God I'm never doing that shit ever again."
Smilingtiredly, she nodded in agreement as she went to the kitchen to put away theleftovers. Hiding a yawn behind her hand Salene wasn't surprised to realize howexhausted she was, it was surprisingly energy draining to mingle for hoursunder the hot sun. Putting up the last of the food she thought of Kevin andTobias's disappearance midway through the party. Salene couldn't wait to hearthe details.
"Whatare you smiling about?" Gabriel leaned against the counter across from herlooking just as tired.
"Nothingreally, I was just thinking of Kevin and Tobias."
Helaughed, finishing the rest of her sentence. "And their disappearance act?"He guessed correctly.
"Yes,"she smiled guiltily, embarrassed by her next words. "I'm a little worriedabout…about which… Which one would be…" Salene's cheeks felt hot as shestumbled over the words, unconsciously fiddling with the paper towel holder onthe counter.
Witha wide smile, Gabriel leaned further against the counter and crossed hisforearms. "You mean which one will be the most dominant?"
Mortifiedat his brazen approach regarding their friends' sex life she nodded, coveringher smile with one hand.
Gabriellet out a deep laugh. "I have no clue, and since Tobias and I will mostlikely never speak on it, I will leave that to you to procure."
Shakingher head, she laughed as she walked around the counter towards the hallway toher room. The sudden hold on her hand caught her mid-stride, turning Salenelooked down to see Gabriel's hand covering hers on top of the cool granitecounter. The arch of his eyebrow told her he wasn't finished yet.
"Youand I still have much to discuss." Lifting her hand softly from thecounter he held her arm out tugging softly for her to come closer.
Bitingher lip nervously Salene relaxed into his pull letting Gabriel gently tug herout of the kitchen patio door. The large backyard was eerily dark and deserted,only the soft greenish blue lights of the pool offered any illumination whilethe remainder of the yard was draped in darkness. Salene was focusing on thewell-defined lines of muscles around his shoulder blades when they stopped.Looking down she noticed he had led her to the in-ground hot tub. The teal bluewater bubbled invitingly next to a tray containing a bottle of wine and twoglasses.
"Ithought the hot tub was out of order," she whispered, afraid her voicemight crack as her nervousness rose. During the party the hot tub was coveredthe entire time, Salene just assumed it was not working.
"Nope,it works just fine." Gabriel stepped into the deep round tub as proof.Turning around, Gabriel stood in the middle of the churning water looking up ather expectantly. "Will you join me?"
Nervousdidn't quite sum up her feelings, Salene felt shaky and dizzy all it once underGabriel's expectant gaze. Never in her life had she been pursued like this,with such single-minded intensity. Compared to Gabriel, men in her past seemeddarn near cavalier about it, and for some reason, Salene felt that even thislevel of Gabriel's pursuit might just be the tip of the iceberg.
Secretlytaking a deep breath, Salene turned to the side as she slipped off the red lacycover up. Feeling exposed in just her bikini, Salene fought the urge to crossher arms over her breast. Turning her head to peek back at Gabriel, her breathcaught in her throat when she caught his gaze. Gabriel made no effort to hidethe severity of his desire from his gaze, causing something deep andinstinctive within her to want to step back and run. Clamping down on her quixoticemotions Salene walked towards the water's edge. Besides, knowing Gabrielrunning might be exactly what he wanted and Salene wasn't totally confident inherself to think logically when he caught her.
"Here,"holding out his hand for her Gabriel guided her down the submerged stairs.
Reluctantly,Gabriel let the other hand he used to guide her on her hips slide away once shewas seated on the underwater seat. Relieved that the bubbling water at leastcovered a portion of her breast Salene relaxed into the warm water.
"Tonightwe're going to celebrate two important things," Gabriel handed her apre-filled wineglass. "The first being that this damn picnic isover."
Salenelaughed careful not to spill the gold liquid into the churning water."Well I am glad all our hard work paid off, everyone really look like theywere having fun."
"Yeah,it did go well except for one minor annoyance."
Knowinghe was referring to her moment with Derek earlier Salene avoided Gabriel's gazefocusing on the water below. Course hair rubbed against her calf sendingripples of awareness through her body. Under the water's distortion, shewatched as Gabriel locked her legs in between his, making it difficult to moveaway if she wanted to. Doing her best to ignore the jolting feeling of nervousdesire he was causing she tried to press on.
"Whatwas the other a cause of celebration?" She prayed her voice did not soundas strained to him as it did to her.
Smilingwidely as if he was waiting for her to ask he lifted his glass. "I'mofficially divorced."
"Oh,"the information stunned her for a moment. "I mean congratulations."Lifting her glass to meet his, the fragile glass tinked lightly as they met.
Takinga sip of the sweet liquid, Salene thought of something.
"Ummmactually," Salene cleared her throat as she carefully set the glass on theconcrete. "I have some news too."
Theexcitement in his eyes immediately vanished, warily Gabriel set his glass downas well. The air around them practically vibrated as he sat stone still waitingfor her to speak.
