As she replaced the receiver, she chuckled. “My son will be here in about five seconds.”
“Oh no. Is he worried about being late? It’s no big deal. Really.”
Gabriella grinned. “No, darling. He’s afraid of my talking to you.” As Gabriella sat down, she chuckled and shook her head. Apparently she wasn’t going to explain anything further. She just took a sip of her coffee and looked pleased with herself.
Misty couldn’t imagine why Gabe would be afraid of his mother having a conversation with her. Was there something he didn’t want her to know?
It took more than five seconds, but not much. Gabe strode through the front door and entered the kitchen. He was covered in soot.
“Hello, darling.” Gabriella rose and strolled to her son. He towered over her, but she grasped his broad shoulders and pulled him toward her for a kiss on his cheek.
“Mom, I’m filthy.”
“No kidding. I thought you’d take a shower at the station, but I guess you didn’t want to let Misty wait any longer than necessary. That was sweet. Why don’t you run upstairs and shower? I can find an old pair of your jeans and a sweater or something to change into…unless you need a suit. I don’t know what your plans were.”
Gabe focused on Misty for a moment. “I, uh… We were just going to get Chinese food and go back to your place to watch a movie, right?”
“Yeah. We never did decide what movie we wanted to see.”
Gabriella set her hands on her hips. “Is that the best you can do, Gabriel? Takeout food and a movie at her house?”
“Butt out, Mom.”
Misty had never heard him speak to his mother that way. It would have bothered her except that Gabriella was smirking. It was as if the older woman was in on some kind of private joke neither Misty nor Gabe understood.
“I really didn’t want anything fancy. Takeout food and a movie sounds perfect.”
Gabriella shrugged. “Well, if that’s what you really want…”
“It is. I never do anything much for my birthday.”
“I see. If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ll go get some fresh towels and set those out for you, Gabe.”
“I’d rather shower at my place. I have something for her birthday there, and I’d feel more comfortable in jeans that fit. Not something I wore in high school.”
“Okay, honey. I’ll just get Misty’s coat then.”
When Gabriella had left the room, Gabe looked over and gave Misty a smile. “I’m sorry I’m late. It couldn’t be helped.”
“Oh, I know. The dispatcher told me about the fire. Saving lives is a little more important than one person’s birthday.”
“Well, I’m glad you feel that way. Because about a dozen people are going to be able to celebrate another birthday because of us.”
Misty rose and strode over to him. She placed her hands on his dirty coat, looked up at him, and said, “My hero.”
Gabe leaned down and gave Misty a quick peck on the lips.
Gabriella cleared her throat, then breezed into the kitchen, carrying Misty’s coat, grinning from ear to ear.
* * *
Gabe had set Misty up in his living room with a movie to preview and then went to take his shower. He was just soaped up when Misty walked into his bathroom, stark naked. Her womanly body was on full display—and she was breathtaking. He stood there in the glass enclosure, not quite sure what to do, but he didn’t object. How could he? He could barely speak.
“What are you doing?” he asked when he got ahold of himself.
“Modeling my birthday suit.” She smiled. “Oh, I think you missed a spot. Let me get that for you.” She opened the shower door.
Suddenly, her foot caught on the lip, and she toppled off-balance. He lunged forward and caught her, his hands grasping her under her arms. Instantly, every nerve in his body was alive with sexual energy. The satiny texture of her skin, smooth and flawless, resulted in the overwhelming urge to caress the rest of her.
