When the car pulled up, Gabriel put an arm around her shoulders and I placed myself between her and the camera as we hustled her over to the curb.
“Let us know when you get home.” I opened the door, but instead of getting in, she hugged me.
“Don’t let what they say hurt you. I can see you’ve got a good heart.”
Gabriel kissed her, and she whispered something in his ear before sliding inside. He slammed the door shut, and we watched the taillights grow smaller as the car drove away. The last thing I wanted was to face the camera again, but unless I was planning to stand outside all night, I had no choice.
Surprising me, Gabriel kissed my neck. I leaned into his chest and let his warmth soak into me. His lips moved slow and teasing across my jaw. “They left. You’re safe.”
“I wasn’t worried. Not while you’re here.”
Hand in hand, we returned to my apartment, where we finished cleaning up. Each taking a glass of wine, we kicked off our shoes and settled on the couch. Gabriel seemed distracted, and I sat watching him, wondering what was going on in his head. After several minutes, I couldn’t stand it anymore and blurted out, “What’s wrong? Something’s going on.”
Gabriel drained his glass. “Do you think I should try and push it with my father?”
I froze. This was so not what I’d expected to hear. A tiny part of me had thought—hoped, maybe—that he’d want to talk about us and where we might be headed. But there was desperation in his eyes, and the fact that he wanted my opinion on something so important and potentially life-changing revealed that Gabriel was hurting badly.
“Do you?” I asked, unsure whether he had his mind made up and was only curious what I’d say, or truly wanted my take. “You’ve never indicated you wanted to. The exact opposite, in fact.”
“I know.” Gabriel studied his hands. “But maybe it’s time. It’s been over thirty years. I grew up fine without him, and he should know what he’s missed out on. It bothers me that my mother still thinks she’s failed me somehow when it’s him.”
I hated seeing the indecision and hesitancy in his eyes and shifted closer to him. I set my hands on his shoulders and forced him to meet my gaze. “You want to know who you are? You’re hard-working and great at your job—not just great, the best, top of your field. You’re also a wonderful son and friend.” I leaned in and pressed my lips to his. “You are so much more than fine, Gabriel. You’re the most perfect lover I’ve ever had.”
Pink washed over his cheeks. “I wasn’t looking for compliments.”
“You never do, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve them. And I meant every single one of them.”
“I feel like it’s holding me back from giving you my all. And that’s not fair.”
“I haven’t noticed. And if that’s not your all, I can’t wait to discover what the whole package is, because I can’t imagine anything more incredible than what we’ve already shared.” I kissed him again, harder, leaving us both breathless. “But if you really want to call your father, I think you should.”
A firestorm of indecision played in his eyes before he said, “Will you stay here with me when I do? I-I don’t think I can do this alone.”
Oh, shit. That got me in the chest, and a ridiculously stupid smile spread across my face. “Yeah. Of course.” We smiled at each other, and I couldn’t stop. I wanted to hug him tight, hold him close and tell him that as long as I was around, no one would ever get a chance to hurt him again.
Oh, my God. I think I’m in love with him.
Maybe it showed on my face, because Gabriel tilted his head to the side and studied me. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”
“I’m not. Nothing.” My voice sounded loud and unconvincing, and Gabriel, wrapped up in his own conflict, thankfully didn’t push me.
“I know my mother has always wanted me to settle things between us, but I was still so angry with him leaving not only me, but her. She suffered too.”
“I’m sure, but it seems like she’s recovered. You told me she has a boyfriend?”
“Yeah.” His hard features smoothed. “Ira’s a great guy. Really into my mom, treats her like a queen.”
“She deserves it.” I took his cold hand in mine and played with his fingers. “I’m glad you like him, ’cause that could’ve gone bad. You could’ve resented any man, thinking he’d be like your father and treat her like shit.”
“I did feel like that in the beginning. I don’t trust easily, if at all, simply because I’ve been proved right too often. People hurt you.”
I used my leverage of holding his hand to pull him close, and I kissed him until I felt his lips soften. Gabriel needed cherishing, and I intended to give him all that and more.
“You know I won’t, right? That’s not what I want.” I moved from his mouth to his neck, smiling when I felt the quick jump of his pulse against my mouth.
“What do you want?”
“You.” I kissed him softly, loving that we didn’t need to rush.
