He plants a kiss on my cheek. “Well, in that case,” he says, voice low and sincere. “I look forward to all of themuch, muchworse times… along with the good ones too.” Then, more quietly, “I’m almost ready. Just wanted to say goodbye to the girls.”
Gabriel snaps his fingers. “Grab your bags, girls. We’ll pick up something to eat on the way back to school.”
And of course, just before he disappears, he throws one last line over his shoulder. “Alex, love… keep your eye on Elijah. He tends to forget his age when he’s out on the dance floor.”
I diveinto the couch cushions, frantically hunting for my screeching cell. Pillows fly like shrapnel until the damn thing goes airborne, smacking the floor with a loudcrack.
“Hello!” I bark, breathless, and now officially pissed because I’m pretty sure I just cracked the screen.
“Elijah, someone must have tipped off the media,” Fernando says, calm as ever. I tuck my wallet into my back pocket and head for the kitchen. “Gravity is swarming with paparazzi. But don’t worry, I’ve got the place under tight surveillance. Just wanted to give you a heads-up before you arrive.”
Gravity prides itself on discretion and exceptional service. Anonymity is everything to their elite clientele. And tonight, our presence definitely qualifies asan event.
“Gracias, amigo.” I glance at my watch. “Alex and I should be arriving around 10:30.”
“Perfecto. I’ll personally make sure the area is cleared for your arrival. See you soon.”
I hang up, shove the phone in my shirt pocket, and exhale sharply.
Gabriel’s off to Spain for the next six weeks, which means Alex and I will finally have the penthouse to ourselves without any interruptions. I’m definitely looking forward to that.
That said, I’m also counting down the days until Gabriel’s return. Because, honestly, I’m dying to meet his boyfriend.
“Elijah.”
I turn around at the sound of Alex’s voice and nearly lose my breath. A gorgeous smile lights up his face like the damn sun. He’s dressed in beige tailored slacks and a fitted black pullover that hugs every curve of his lean, sculpted body. The outline of his eagle tattoo is just barely visible beneath the thin fabric, and it sends a low burn straight through me.
“Come here,” I murmur, reaching out for him. I wrap him up in my arms and bury my nose beneath his ear. “You smell delicious.”
“It’s your cologne,” he says proudly, grinning against my neck.
I’m not about to tell him it’s actually Gabriel’s. Not when everything is going so perfectly. I kiss him softly on the lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
He laughs, pressing a hand to his chest. “Good god, I almost thought you were going to sayskedaddle.”
I step back, squinting at him like he’s lost his damn mind. “I can guarantee you’ll never hear that word come out of my mouth.”
Still grinning, he grabs my hand and tugs me toward the elevator, giving the print pad an overly dramatic punch before suddenly spinning around.
“Oh my god! I almost forgot to tell you—Gabriel has a boyfriend!”
I chuckle as we step into the lift. “Sorry to disappoint, but Ana already spilled the beans.”
“Should’ve known.” He smirks.
“However,” I say, pulling him close against my body. “I’ve invited them over to our place for dinner when Gabriel gets back from Spain.”
“Is that right?Ourplace, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.” I reach for his hand, just as the elevator starts to descend. His fingers curl securely around mine, and it hits me again how much I love that he’s no longer shy about holding my hand—especiallyin public.
“Sounds good,” he says. “So, I assume, now that it’sourplace… Gabriel won’t be joining us in the hot tub again, right? I mean, now that he has a boyfriend and all.”
The elevator doors slide open, and we’re immediately met by a wall of security.
“Well,” I reply smoothly. “He’s going to be disappointed. I got the sense he really enjoyed strutting around in that tiny red swimsuit.”
“I bet he did.” Alex laughs, flashing that moneymaking smile. And damn if it doesn’t make my heart race every single time.
