He tugged my shirt up. “Lucky for you, I’m the only choice on the menu.”
“My favorite meal. Appetizer, main course, and dessert. Mmm…” I hummed with pleasure when he pushed me onto the couch. “I can’t believe you’re hungry again.”
“Insatiable.” Laughing, Gabriel kissed me.
***
We napped for close to an hour and woke to the sound of Gabriel’s phone buzzing. Squinting, he smacked around for it, and I reluctantly peeled myself off him. We were both sticky and grimy, but I slid into the crook of Gabriel’s arm. God, I must’ve been loopy in love with him because I had no desire to wash away his smell. Not yet. Who did that unless they were crazy about the other person?
“Oh, good. You’re home.”
Erica’s voice sounded loud and clear as she said, “Yes. Please thank Ronan again for the car.”
“You’re welcome, Erica,” I called out, and she laughed.
“I should’ve known you’d be close by. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“We intend to.” I snickered, and Gabriel shot me a death glare.
“Bye, Mom.” He ended the call and rolled on top of me. “You think you’re pretty funny, huh?” His eyes blazed golden sparks.
I reached up to touch the uninjured side of his face. The other cheek had sustained some redness, but luckily, it wouldn’t leave any lasting mark. “Nothing’s funny about the way you make me feel.”
He rubbed his cheek to my palm, kissed the center. “How is that?”
“Like I’m real, and like what we’re feeling between us is possible.” I didn’t know if he understood what I wasn’t saying. “Possibilities…that’s not something I thought much about the past six years.”
“This is now. And anything’s possible if you want it bad enough. Or anyone.”
I laced my fingers with his. “Then I guess I win, because I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you.”
“You got me.”
Gabriel crushed our lips together, and I clung to him. Was this love? This joyful sensation where the pieces of yourself that had spun in endless movement suddenly clicked into place and everything made sense?
“Let’s take a shower.” Gabriel hopped off the couch.
We gathered our strewn-about clothing, but before heading into the bathroom, I had to tell Gabriel. If he could be brave enough and confront his greatest fear, I could as well.
“Hey.” I pulled on his hand. “Can we talk first?”
His brows pulled together. “Sure.”
I led him to my room, and we sat on the edge of the bed. “You’ve mentioned more than once that you weren’t sure I needed you as a bodyguard, that I had you more for company.”
He bit his lip. “I shouldn’t have said it. After what happened with the coffee, I realize I was wrong.”
“Maybe not totally. Because even if everything in my life miraculously becomes perfect and people love me or forget about me, I wouldn’t let you go. I couldn’t.”
The rise and fall of Gabriel’s chest quickened. “I wouldn’t want to either. I don’t want to leave.”
“Then don’t. Ever. Stay with me. I need you, Gabriel.” I clutched the curling hairs at his nape and pulled him to me, tasting his lips and tongue. “I-I love you.”
A shy smile brightened his face for a moment before uncertainty darkened his beautiful eyes. “Are you sure you’re not just saying this to make me feel better because I’m going to call my father?”
I shook him. “I’m not that nice a person. If you were merely a friend, I’d sit and give you a pep talk, not tell you I love you and want to be with you.”
Gabriel cupped my face and stroked his thumb down my cheek. I hadn’t been this close to any lover, because no matter how many times I’d shared my body, I’d never given my heart.
