Gabriel's body shook in relief as he exhaled deeply.
"Good," he whispered seemingly to himself. "Now," the flame in his eyes renewed brighter as his gaze settled over hers. "I've had a long and trying day today sweetheart." Running his hands down her flanks, he let them follow the curve of her ass gripping the soft plump flesh. "You have no idea how much control I expended today watching my coworkers leer at you all damn day. So now I'm in need of a taste." Emphasizing his words by pressing her core against the hard bulge in his lap.
Giving her no chance to confirm or deny his wants Gabriel captured her lips with his own. Salene gasped at the sudden connection, giving Gabriel complete access. Delving deeper his tongue sought dominion over hers while one hand wrapped itself in her hair pulling her to his desired angle. With no choice but to surrender her body softened against his, she realized just how hard and urgent his own need was. Never in her life has a kiss tasted so good, Salene felt as if she could disappear within it.
Pulling back, he gave her an opportunity to catch her breath while the hand wrapped within her curls massaged the base of her scalp.
Grinning darkly, he bit her lip teasingly. "I'm looking forward to tasting even more of you."
Chapter 19
Laying on the gurney in the cold, empty surgical waiting area Salene stared at the dripping IV as her mind wandered.
Things between her and Gabriel didn't go as expected. The following day after their evening in the hot tub Gabriel was called to work for some emergency client contract negotiation, despite it being a Sunday. The next day was the same situation and each time he called her late that night from his office sounding highly annoyed but very apologetic. It was by Tuesday when he had to fly out of town with a handful of other coworkers to go "save" the contract, that the seed of doubt settled deep within her heart.
Salene was starting to feel like a fool.
Maybe she read far more into that night then she should have. Everything seemed so genuine though, the look of need in his beautiful eyes to the possessive strength in his arms. Could he have just been telling her what she wanted to hear? Turning her head in frustration Salene idly toyed with a strap connected to the gurney. That reasoning didn't make sense. Besides a kiss, nothing else happened he told her he meant what he said about taking it slow when they parted ways that night. All she could think of was that everything he said was a big joke or even worse that he came to his senses and realized he wanted nothing to do with her in that way.
Salene couldn't just sit by and idly wait for the man to come back and explain, she wouldn't! Gabriel said that the trip could take up to a week at most when he called her that night he flew out. No, Salene had never been the type of woman to worry or chase after a man. Maybe he really was swamped with work or her fears were true and he was distancing himself, either way, she was going to take action. The following day she scheduled her surgery for the end of the week. Hopefully, by the time Gabriel came back, she would be well on the road to recovery and on the road to a new self.
Focusing on the excitement and nervousness of the surgery Salene organized everything for the big day. Everything from taking off of work, getting a sitter for Bishop, and buying supplies for her recovery.
No, no matter how bad it hurt when she thought about Gabriel's abrupt departure she was not going to let it hold her back.
"We are almost ready Miss Agnew." Denise the really sweet nurse that was helping her told her as she checked Salene's chart.
Lethargic from the medicine Salene just nodded her head knowing once she opened her eyes again she would have a whole new self-image.
Chapter 20
Tapping his knuckles impatiently against the steering wheel Gabriel stared anxiously at the seemingly long red light, waiting for it to turn green. Gabriel needed to get home as soon as possible, something was wrong.
Last night at about three in the morning him and his coworkers wrapped up negotiations with the client. It was too late to call so Gabriel figured he would surprise Salene and come home earlier than they expected.
He should have just fucking called.
From the moment he left Gabriel could sense something was wrong. There weren't any obvious signs just an underlining thread of unease in her voice when he called. The unease grew with each passing day. In the past, there was never a reason to talk to Salene over the phone for a length of time to know if he was just imagining something or not. Gabriel was used to talking directly with her pretty round face, easily watching her emotions convey through. A call offered him no clues whatsoever.
The nail in the coffin that confirmed his suspicions was a call from his dad early this morning telling him not to expect Bishop back until Monday. When Gabriel carefully asked his dad what the hell he was talking about, he said that Salene called and asked him if he could watch Bishop for a couple of days, and she even paid him in a blackberry cobbler for his troubles.
Three hours later Gabriel was finally in Dallas and gunning home. The feeling of something being wrong wouldn't leave him since that call. Pulling up to the garage Gabriel didn't bother straightening the large truck and pulling it in, he just parked it at an angle in the driveway. Ducking under the slow opening garage door, Gabriel immediately sighed in relief when he saw the red Beamer still parked in the second spot.
Entering the house, he called out for her. "Salene."
Nothing.
The little relief he did feel a moment ago immediately vanished. The house felt empty. With long powerful strides, he made his way down the guest bedroom hallway. Stopping in her open doorway, he froze, a mixture of anger and fear threatened to wash over him as he stared at the empty room.
No Goddammit, he wasn't going to let himself go there. Salene was nothing like that whore Amber, she wouldn't just leave him without saying something. Gabriel just needed to take a deep breath and think. Besides all of her things were still here, so that ruled out her just leaving. Unfortunately, that didn't explain her absence and her car's presence.
Preparing to turn and leave the empty room something caught Gabriel's eye. The room looked different from the last time he was in it. The bed seemed to be pulled away from the wall, and there were far more pillows on the bed than one woman could ever use. It was the mini fridge however that really threw him for a loop. The mini fridge had been in the garage since he moved in with the intention of being placed in the den. Walking over to the fridge Gabriel frowned as he inspected the contents. It was full of smoothies and waters. Closing the fridge Gabriel stepped back into the center of the room as his mind raced. Following a hunch, he sat down at the vanity she used for a desk and opened up her laptop.
Everything was still pulled up from the last use, location, date and more. Grinding his teeth, he snapped the laptop shut.
He was going to kill her.
Chapter 21
Voices above her pulled Salene from the nothingness. Opening her eyes the bright fluorescent lights above her pierced her eyes. Salene felt heavy and numb at the same time as she tried to focus on the blurry figures and voices.
It was the doctor, she was telling Salene how well the procedure went. The doctor's light voice was hard to focus on as she began telling Salene about the post-op instructions. Closing her eyes, Salene must have fell asleep because the doctor was gone when she opened her eyes again leaving only nurse Denise in the room. Salene wanted to say something, but her mouth felt so dry.
"Okay sweetie let's get you ready," Denise's chipper voice sounded much closer than before. Salene felt her hair being gently pulled and the sound of a brush running through it.
Confused Salene tried to hold up her hand to stop her, she wanted to remind the nurse that she was going to stay an extra day to recover.
"Yep I was so happy to hear that your boyfriend came back into town, he looked so worried when I first saw him. Actually, I think he looked rather angry." Denise was unhooking her IV and other various equipment as she spoke, but Salene's groggy mind was focusing desperately a
t her words.
Boyfriend? Dear God don't let it be…
"So don't worry if you missed any of the details for your post-op care instructions he has taken all the paperwork and spoke to the doctor directly. Here make sure you use this." Denise gave her a minty mouth scrub to rub over her teeth.
Wiping the minty cloth over her teeth, Salene sat up disoriented with Denise's help. Slowly and with hardly any effort from her own part they were able to get her up and changed into the loose black wrap dress Salene brought in her overnight bag. Taking a hesitant step forward in her black flats that Denise put on for her, Salene caught her reflection in the closet mirror. With her hair brushed out and the sleek outline of the black wrap dress, Salene was surprised she looked halfway presentable—she certainly didn't feel like it. Naturally, her eyes settled on her breast. A surge of fear barreled through her exhausted muddled mind, they didn't look any different!
"Don't worry sweetie, they will go down," Denise said soothingly as she rubbed her back comfortingly. "That's mostly just padding and swelling."
Nodding, Salene turned away from her tired reflection, she was curious to know who this "boyfriend" was. Salene could only pray it was Kevin, even though that didn't make any sense since she told no one about the surgery.
Walking towards the door, Salene paused when she heard Denise's obvious throat clearing sound.
"Excuse me Missy but where are you going?" Denise looked pointedly down at the wheelchair she was standing behind.
"But, I figured I would…" Salene began weakly, not wanting to be carted around.
"Sit." Denise cut her off.
Sighing Salene used the last bit of her strength to lower herself into the black leather seat. Rolling down the sterile white hallway, Salene gripped the chair's arm padding weakly as her nerves twisted in her gut. Going through the waiting room door Salene’s stomach dropped as her fears were confirmed by the sight of Gabriel standing like a great obelisk in the middle of the empty waiting room. Wearing a pair of dark jeans and a T-shirt as per usual Gabriel looked great, that only made her feel worse, she was positive she looked downright haggard in comparison.
"Sweetheart," his deep voice cut through the empty air directly at her. "I am sorry I wasn't here sooner I must have misunderstood the date of your appointment."
It was obvious by his tone he was being sarcastic, the snickers of the nurses at the desk confirmed that. Embarrassed by the whole situation Salene just looked down at her lap. Rolling her out to the front pull around drive-up Salene sat quietly as Denise handed her bags to Gabriel to load into the truck.
"Okay Miss Agnew I will see you on the nineteenth for your follow-up appointment." Denise waved goodbye before going through the sliding glass doors.
Too nervous to look up Salene braced herself to try and stand.
"Do not move Salene." Now his voice sounded even angrier now that they were alone outside. "Stay very still."
Salene wanted to explain, but her mind felt so foggy making her feel like she was underwater. Squatting next to her on the balls of his feet Gabriel came eye to eye with her, his green gaze was harsh and unforgiving. Unlatching the side armrest to the wheelchair, he slid one arm around her waist and the other under her knees.
"Wait, I can…" Her protest made no difference, she was already being lifted effortlessly into the air.
"Shut up Salene," Gabriel growled as he sat her in the passenger seat with the gentleness his voice lacked. "Since I can't beat you until you have recovered, it doesn't mean I'm not entertaining the idea of strangling you."
Carefully snapping the seatbelt around her, Gabriel shut the passenger door before letting her have a chance to reply.
The gentle sway of the vehicle on the ride back along with the permeating silence only aided her lethargy. Salene couldn't remember falling asleep but the next thing she knew she was being carried down a hallway. The mortification of being carried like a child quickly dissipated when she realized they were in Gabriel's room.
"Wait," her voice was hoarse. "My room…has things…" A sudden wave of dizziness stopped her explanation.
She needed to be in her bedroom, that was where all of her recovery supplies were located. Gently she felt her back hit the soft mound of pillows on the bed.
"All of the supplies you secretly transported to your room have been placed in here." Gabriel pointed to what she initially thought was a nightstand next to the bed. The mini fridge she struggled with days earlier was next to the bed.
"Okay," she replied in a small voice, Salene didn't mean for this to turn out this way. The whole goal was not to inconvenience or depend on anyone. Exhausted she leaned back against the cool pillows, shivering slightly. "Thank you."
"Are you cold?" The gruff question seemingly didn't need an answer since he turned away walking to the walk-in closet. Stepping out of the closet with something in his hand he stood back in front of her. "Here wear this."
Squatting down onto his haunches he reached for the tie of her dress.
Fear lanced through her muddled mind. "No, I'll be…"
"Goddammit Salene," like a dam bursting at the last drop of water being added, Gabriel's held in anger roared forth. "I don't know what the fuck happened between the time I left and now, but I told myself while I waited for you in surgery I would help you recover and after that," Salene's heart seemed to pause in silent fear as she waited for his words. Grinding his teeth, the muscles underneath the trimmed gold beard flexed in anger. "After that, you can decide once and for all what the hell you want to do. But right now," he whispered deadly soft. “You will stop fighting me."
Pushing her arm to the side, he grabbed the knot to the wrap dress and tugged it loose. So many emotions ran through her as she stared down at her lap avoiding his angry gaze. Shame for her actions, embarrassment as he slipped each arm through the thick long sleeve shirt like a child, and hurt. Gabriel's anger hurt far more than she could have of ever imagined.
Buttoning the last button on the oversize shirt Gabriel abruptly stood up. "I will go get your food, don't move." He was already turning to leave when he gave the terse command.
Salene didn't have to wait long before Gabriel came back holding a wooden tray. Setting the tray of her lap Gabriel pointed to the yellowish white pills in the corner.
"Take those only after you eat, oh and you can thank Tobias and Kevin for the food." He stated matter-of-factly.
Looking up from the delicious looking soup Salene watched Gabriel give her an evil smirk reading her thoughts perfectly. Oh God, just thinking of Kevin finding out this way hurt her all over again. This was not at all what she had planned.
"Everything you need should be on the fridge next to you." Gesturing towards her phone, the TV remote, and other things next to her. "If you need me call my phone instead of straining yourself to yell." Turning towards the door, he paused not even looking back he added. "If I catch you out of bed I will happily tie you to the bed."
Sitting on the bed in silence Salene slowly ate the steaming soup. The flavorful soup tasted really good, but she could barely enjoy it. Things did not go as planned, she wanted to be back home recovering when he came back. Now everything was messed up, the stress made her stomach knot. Not able to eat anymore Salene took the pills, which left a nasty aftertaste in her mouth. Too weak to move the heavy tray Salene just left it over her lap relaxing into the pillows.
Even in her sleep her anxiety plagued her, images of Gabriel's and Kevin's angry faces repeated themselves through her dreams, the disappointment from both men was suffocating. Salene tried to explain, to defend her actions but they would not listen to them, turning away from her both men walked away. Holding out her arm she tried to get them the stop and come back, but no sounds would come out of her mouth. The stinging pain of abandonment rippled through her as she realized she was all alone.
"What are you crying for?" The deep familiar voice seemed to drift around her like a fog. "I'm the one who got hurt today, you left me." The war
m, soft brush of lips against her face made her tremble.
Struggling to find her voice Salene whispered hoarsely." I wouldn't leave… I thought…please don't leave me."
This time, she felt the softness of the kiss against her lips, gently working her mouth open she felt his tongue dance softly against hers coaxing a low moan out of her. Was this real or dream?
"Don't worry sweetheart," the depth of his voice rumbled against her lips. "I have no intentions of letting you go."
Chapter 22
The familiar urge to use the bathroom pulled Salene from the last hazy grips of sleep. Tiredly she focused on the unfamiliar surroundings until she recalled that she was sleeping in Gabriel's bed. Movement out of the corner of her eye focused her attention on the large lump next to her—a moving lump. Pushing one of her many pillows out of the way to see clearly, Salene's heart skipped a little when she realized the lump was Gabriel sleeping next to her.
Desperate (A Contemporary Romance) Page 14
