Chapter 13
Lexie
As soon as I step inside my building, I move as fast as I can up the four flights of stairs to my floor. I don’t know why I feel the need to run. I think it’s because I’m not sure I got a clean getaway from Mr. Gabriel Parker. I was so close to just launching myself at him. I mean, the man is like a sex magnet.
Sure, I was irritated with him for being insensitive and a little callus. Certainly, I was shocked and alarmed that I’d kissed him instead of Archie in the storage closet. How could I have gotten the two men confused? Yeah, it was dark. Sure, I’d had a little bit to drink by then but could the two men be any different? Let’s compare.
Gabriel is very tall, while Archie is sort of tall. Gabriel has a body created by the Gods, while Archie is sort of tall. Gabriel wears a scent that’s earthy and musky, while Archie wears Old Spice cologne (sorry dad). Gabriel has full, soft lips that know exactly what to do with a woman’s mouth. And, well, Archie has thin lips that I’m not sure how they kiss because instead of meeting him that night, I met my boss. Ugh, so cliché. Poor Archie, he was probably in one of the other closets waiting for me. No wonder he ignored me for the rest of the night. He probably assumed I stood him up.
As soon as I get to my door, I quickly unlock the door and step inside. My sweet little-feathered buddy chirps the minute he hears me. “I’m home, Cy. Did you miss me?” I kick off my heels and moan at the relief. I make my way to Cyclops. “Hello, little bird. How was your night?”
As I wait for a response, I hear a knock at my door. “Oh, no, Cy! Who could that be?” It could be my neighbor, Gladys. I told her about my hot date tonight. She probably wants the deets. Walking down the short hallway to my door, I step over my shoes. “Who is it?” I always ask before I open the door. Safety first.
“It’s me.”
“Gabriel? What, uh, why are you here?”
“You left your coat in the car.”
“Oh.” Crap! I need that. I unclick the deadbolt and slide off the chain lock and open the door slowly. I reach my hand out to take the coat when I feel his big, warm hand envelop mine. He tugs me gently until I’m in front of him looking up into his beautiful green eyes.
“I was also hoping for a goodnight kiss.”
“We already kissed; for the cameras, remember?”
“I remember.”
“There aren’t any cameras so…”
“So, let this be a kiss goodnight after our first official date.”
“I don’t…”
I don’t get to finish the sentence because Gabriel’s mouth is on mine in a hot second. His kiss is searing me, but I’m shivering. It makes no sense. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull myself up until my breasts are against his chest.
Gabriel’s big, warm hand slides down my back starting at my shoulder and ends on my rump. When his palm squeezes a handful of my bottom, I pull away. “That’s, uh, I think that’s enough for tonight, Mr. Parker.”
“Jesus, Lex. I’ve got my hand on your ass. I think you need to call me Gabriel.”
“Fine. Gabriel. I think you should go.”
“I will. But, I need to say something to you.”
I nod. This ought to be interesting.
“My driver will pick you up in the morning.”
“No. I…”
“Lexie. I insist.”
“I don’t need a driver. I can get to work on my own.”
Gabriel places a hand on each of my shoulders and looks down at me. Yeah, it feels a little condescending. “Now, Lexie, how’s that going to look?”
“Look? To whom? Do you always give your lady-friends rides to work in your fancy cars?”
“No.” he blinks at me. “But, this is different.”
