Guarding Gabriel
Page 15
I felt his need. He felt my hesitation.
He pulled away.
“Is it him? Is that why you won’t let me have you?”
I nodded, my body on fire.
“Do you love him?”
I pondered the question. Although I knew the answer. As did Gabriel. I saw the shadow cross his face.
“Gabriel,” I stepped towards him as he retreated. My body tensed, I felt like I had to pry my jaw apart to speak. “Why can you not be content? I have given you Mia, she is everything you could want. She worships you. She lets you do all your dirty little things to her, she plays all your games and follows all your rules. So why can’t you just be fucking happy Gabriel?”
His nostrils flared and his chest pushed up. “Because, she is not you.” His beautiful jaw clenched and his eyes flashed.
Unrequited love. Except I did love him, but not in the same way I could love Leon. A flicker of an idea for my book set deep in my head and I pushed it away for later. I felt cold, bad, mean. But I couldn’t control these impulses to write, to punish Gabriel in every way I could, just to have him crawl back and beg to worship me. It gave me a thrill.
“Gabriel.” I reached for his hand, this time he let me take it as I placed it on my heart. “I will always love you.”
“But not in the same way I love you.” He stepped back letting my hand fall away, then disappeared down the hall.
I would have followed him but my phone rang. I saw Leon’s name flash across the screen.
“Miss me already?”
“Like you won’t believe.” His husky undertone sent a shiver to my core. “But I can’t make it back to yours tonight. I need to sort things out here.”
“OK.” I pouted.
“See you tomorrow sweet Jane.”
“Bye.”
I hung up disappointed. Throughout dinner, Leon teased me with a practised finger buried beneath the folds of my skirt. He enjoyed how my skin prickled with sweat and goosebumps. How my heart rate accelerated and my flesh turned pink, how I stumbled across words and swallowed hard. He would tease and pull away, tease and pull away. An evil delight, a devastating joy that left me hungry after food for satisfaction only he could provide.
Coming home to Gabriel’s pulsing hips did nothing to relieve the throbbing that needed sating.
“Fuck it,” I said to no one in particular and marched to my room. I found the red lingerie Leon bought for my birthday and pulled it on. I found a knee-high skirt that hugged my thighs and a low black singlet that revealed enough flesh in all the right places.
I could feel the driver’s eyes on me while he wound around dark streets. It was almost closing time when I arrived at The Hot Bird.
Lefty sat on his high stool by the door, a quiet empty gateway. Noise spilt from inside. Dave must have been busy elsewhere.
Lefty stood up, a knowing grin spread across his face when he saw me.
“Hi.” I could feel the flush creep across my face. Why did I come here? If I stepped inside, everyone would know why I was going upstairs. My courage left me.
“Evening Miss Miller, you look lovely.”
“Thanks Lefty, but I think I’m going to go. I don’t want to –”
“No need to worry Jane.” Lefty cut me off and winked. “Right this way.”
He stood up, his towering form casting a square shadow over me. He turned to the alley behind him and went to a door I had not noticed before. It was covered in graffiti and well camouflaged into the wall. Unless inspected from close up it seemed to be just part of the brickwork.
Lefty pulled out a bunch of heavy keys and flipped them around, sticking one into the hole and unlocking the door. It swung open easily and opened up to a staircase.
“His emergency exit,” Lefty winked at me. “Third floor.”
“Thank you,” I beamed at the big man and turned to tackle the stairs in my high-heeled boots. They echoed as I climbed up to the third floor and pushed the door open. I was right by the elevator bay and again found myself surprised at never noticing the door. it sat in an identical frame to the panel on the other side. Without a handle or any marking, it looked like just another wall.
I didn’t come to The Hot Bird to dissect the wonder of hidden doors and staircases and so I marched down the corridor to Leon’s office. I could hear voices.
His voice.
“I don’t give a shit how long it takes or what it costs Marco, fix it.”
Why was he talking to Marco?
Marco. The big Italian man always surrounded by ten other men and the smell of spicy aftershave, that is meant to be expensive but smelled cheap. Marco that poured a pitcher of water on me and stood snivelling the next day asking for my forgiveness. Marco that pulled out a wad of cash the size that normal people don’t carry around and tipped me $500 ‘for my trouble.’ There was so much more I needed to know about Leon.
His back was turned to his door, but he saw my reflection in the large black windows. He whipped around his eyes falling on me, flashing with dark intention.
“I’ll have to call you back.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just hung up and flung his phone on his desk.
“Sweet Jane.” He pinned me with a savage glare, biting his lower lip. “What are you doing here?”
He hadn’t moved. “I felt bad thinking of you working late all alone. I came to see if I could make your night better.”
“Shit Jane, with you, dressed like that, I will never get any work done.”
“I promise not to distract you.” I bypassed him and went to sit on the single chair facing his desk crossing my legs, my hands folded across my knees.
Leon sucked in breath and crossed the room rounding his desk. He fell into his chair his eyes glued on me.
I let my hands fall from my knees and uncrossed them, spreading them casually allowing the skirt to hike up my thigh.
Leon dragged his eyes to his computer, tapping furiously on the keys. His eyes flickered over to me.
“Fuck Jane, I can’t work like this, go sit somewhere else please.” He took a galvanising breath and returned to his screen.
I stood up and walked to the drinks cart, making sure to swing my hips as I walked. These boots were not cheap and not comfortable and he was going to appreciate my efforts whether he liked it or not.
I threw a few ice cubes in a tumbler and poured some whiskey over them, they crackled gently against the glass. I walked over to Leon who was still pretending he wasn’t watching my every move.
I sat on the corner of his desk pushing myself high enough so my thighs rested on the cold polished wood. I crossed my legs and placed the drink by my side.
Leon shot me a hungry look. “What are you doing Jane?”
“Just made you a drink. You seem stressed, thought it might help you relax.”
He studied my face waiting for a twitch of my lips, for a glimpse of amusement. I held my face firm, I was going to give him nothing. I shifted, my skirt scaling higher on my thigh. Leon’s eyes fell on the exposed flesh, taut and smooth.
Almost as if on autopilot, his hand began to stroke my exposed skin, warm and tingling.
He downed the drink in his tumbler and set it down, his eyes dancing with menace.
“Spread your legs Jane.”
At last.
I let my legs fell apart for him. His fingers trailed the outside of my thighs and stroked my leg reaching for the elastic of my underwear. He yanked the delicate fabric and it tore away from my skin. He laced my booted legs through the red lingerie and tucked it into the breast pocket of his suit.
Air rushed between my legs, a delicate kiss of air on exposed skin that sent a thrill through me. I shivered with delight.
Excitement.
Trepidation.
I could sense Leon was not himself his brown eyes turbulent, dark.
He manoeuvred his chair, the wheels spinning, rounding my legs, his face came to rest between my knees. I could see his eyes focus on the apex of my legs. His eyes
widened a fraction and he blew a long, measured breath. I shivered. He grinned and grabbed my thighs parting them wider. I gasped.
Leon opened his top drawer and pulled out the coil of lace that he used to wrap up my birthday presents.
He bit his lip and gave me a long, considered look.
“You are a distraction sweet Jane.” He stood up. “But not an unwelcome one.” He sucked in a long breath and pushed away items on his desk creating an empty space. His voice was strained and heavy. I remained silent.
“Lie back Jane.”
My body settled back against the cold hardness of his white desk. The cold settled on my skin like an invisible blanket. It tickled and licked at my flesh, my nipples hardened from the seeping heat, and yet I was burning with anticipation.
“Hands over your head Jane.”
Leon rounded the desk and took my wrists in his hands tugging them lightly. “Do you trust me Jane?”
“Yes.” I shivered beneath his touch. How could I not? He had waited for two years. He had kept all his promises. Of course, I trusted him.
He tugged at my wrists again, stretching my body against his table. The lace felt soft against my skin as he weaved it around my wrists, binding them together then pulling the lace through. Leon’s fingers worked quickly as he tied the other end to the leg of his desk the rest of the coil falling away, rolling to the floor. He tugged at the lace extending me, restraining me.
Leon stood up, his eyes gleamed with wickedness as they trailed my body. “You look fucking amazing Jane.” I quivered, his face bent over mine. His lips capturing mine, devouring me.
He rounded the table once more and grabbed my knees prying them further apart. Exposing me, his eyes burning into me. My body tingled with anticipation.
The first kiss sent a shiver up my spine, his hot fingers brushed my cold thighs lifting my hips off the chilly table, warming me with their touch.
Leon leisurely kissed the inside of my legs, edging his way toward my inner thighs, revering every inch of skin, with his thick, full lips and hot, wet tongue. His whiskers scratching my skin. His mouth hovered around the apex of my legs, his breath the calm before the storm.
His tongue found my slit and he licked me languidly, slowly. I struggled against his restraints and he pulled away eliciting a moan from me. I craned my neck trying to lift myself off the table, to see his face.
He met my gaze and readjusted my skirt. “You look so pretty when you squirm, my sweet, sweet Jane.” He licked his lips and smiled wickedly at me.
“Do you trust me Jane?”
“Yes.” I whimpered, I needed his touch.
He stalked around the table and pulled on the hem of my shirt lifting it over my face, letting it come to rest over my eyes.
The world went dark.
I swallowed hard.
“Don’t move.” His voice a warm whisper by my ear, my stomach coiled, a bag of snakes slithering on my inside.
For a moment there was silence. I could hear my heart hammering in my chest, my ragged breaths, the soft thud of his shoes on carpet.
I squealed at his hands as they traced my waist, trailing to my bra where he pushed each breast out of its cup, my nipples pinching at the cold air.
The silence engulfed me as I lay exposed, vulnerable and totally, completely drenched.
“Fuck Jane,” he murmured from somewhere above me.
I took a galvanising breath. I could smell his aftershave and the mild hint of peppermint that followed him around like his shadow. I felt his body heat as he bent over my body seconds before his hot mouth closed around a nipple, his tongue whirled around me, as I writhed under his touch.
The heat disappeared. The silence broken by the jingle of ice. The thump of the tumbler reset on the table, and his heat was back. His mouth at my nipple, freezing and wet. The ice cube danced around in his mouth my nipple pinching against his assault. The ice trail ended at my belly button where the cube felt heavy and foreign. Leon traced the cold path he had just carved with his tongue, returning warmth, eliciting moan after moan with delicious torture.
Leon left the ice cube in my belly button. I could feel the weight of it was almost gone. He pulled away for a second, then his hands were at my skirt, pulling up the fabric, exposing me. And there he was again between my legs, his tongue whirling and sucking, fracturing my sanity. I quivered beneath him as he brought me closer to the edge, the dark forcing me to feel everything. I struggled against the restraints wanting to brush my fingers through his hair, wanting to push his head against me, grind against him.
His fingers dug into my thighs forcing me down, forcing me open. Leaving me completely at his mercy. But he showed none. Aching bliss set in, as exquisite pleasure built, craving release. He freed my hips allowing me to move. His fingers found their way inside me eliciting a wave of ecstasy. With a shuddering, clenching spasm it took me, a frenzied explosion of exquisite sensation. Leon remained, milking from me wave after wave of glorious splendour allowing my body to crash against great, shuddering, clenching spasms.
He pulled away. I could hear the soft thud of his feet as he rounded me.
“Exquisite,” he murmured in my ear, his mouth found my lips and kissed me soft and gentle. The kiss was long and deep. When he pulled away my hands were free of the table though my wrists were still bound. Leon peeled the shirt from my eyes so that I could see him.
His naked form was beautiful. Carved by the gods themselves, every curve and crevice magnificent in its own right. Almost noble. His strong arms lifted me from the table and winged around me, flooding me with warmth. He turned me around.
“Bend over for me Jane.” His voice was smooth and reassuring at my ear.
I gripped the lip of his desk, my feet planted on the carpet. He sucked in an appreciative breath.
“Fuck Jane,” he purred as he lifted my skirt over my ass.
His body folded against mine as he thrust himself inside me. Gripping onto my hips he pounded into me, his breathing heavy. He did not need long. His body jerked and bucked as he moaned and shuddered. His heavy body blanketing mine as he caught his breath.
When he had regained himself, he kissed my shoulder and reached for my wrists releasing me from my binds.
“Thank you,” Leon whispered in my ear pulling away from me.
“For what?”
“For trusting me.” He lay another kiss on my shoulder and pulled away disappearing into his bathroom.
I pushed away from the desk and stretched my hands, my shoulders sore and strained. I heard the taps come to life in the bathroom and followed him in.
He stood halfway in the shower testing the water, two towels already out waiting for us to finish what we hadn’t even started.
We stood under the water knowing what would come next. Leon closed the distance between us and kissed me. Needy and desperate, somehow forlorn. I threw my arms around him, comforting whatever demon he was fighting.
“I love you sweet Jane.”
“I love you too Leon.”
He made love to me then, soft and gentle like a man starved. Filling me up and breaking me open. “I love you Jane,” he whispered again and again before release found us both.
When we had towelled and dressed, he handed me my trench coat. “What are you doing?”
“I’ll have Lefty take you home. He’s been waiting.”
A flood of heat trickled to my face. “What? Why?”
He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me. “Tonight has been magnificent Jane, but I still have to work. I need to sort out this mess before tomorrow.”
“What mess?”
“I’ll tell you in the morning, I promise, but please go now.”
I shot him a look of dissatisfaction, but he held his hands up in surrender, his mouth curled into a pout and his eyebrows creased in a soft V.
I sighed and crossed my arms. “Fine, but I’m not happy about it.”
“Really? I couldn’t tell.” His lip curled up into a grin,
I huffed in retort. Brilliant I know.
He picked up the phone from his desk and dialled. “You can come up now.” He hung up unceremoniously.
I heard the elevator ping and clenched my jaw. I really didn’t want to go. Leon kissed me once more. Tender, intoxicating.
“I love you,” he whispered in my ear releasing me, leaving behind a hint of peppermint and a gaping hole.
The car ride was silent. I could barely look at the man, he knew I had come to throw myself at Leon, and that Leon had given me exactly what I asked for. I looked out of the window and relived the last few hours in my head.
“We’re here miss Jane.”
“Thanks Lefty, I appreciate the ride.”
He saluted with a single finger. The car remained idle until I closed the door of the building behind me. Waiting for the elevator I heard the whine of his engine pulling away.
I crawled into bed, exhaustion pulling me into its sweet caress.
“Where have you been?” Gabriel’s scowl was beautiful and frightening.
“You know where I was.”
“Why didn’t you stay? He said he loved you Jane then threw you away.”
“No, he didn’t, he had to work.”
“Sure he did. If you call him now would he pick up?”
“He’s busy, Gabriel, just drop it.”
“I would never throw you away Jane.”
In life much like in books, you should never really get comfortable, never complacent for you never know what’s going to happen next. You think your character has found their ideal job, partner, friend, pet and then BAM out of left field the carpet gets pulled right from under them, and everything that was so perfect a moment ago lays shattered in a million pieces by their feet.
Now if you think I am being overly dramatic, you may be right, but life can be brutal and cruel and I felt that she was taking out her anger on me.
I was sitting with Gabriel going over pages. Despite waking late, I felt tired. Like I hadn’t slept at all. My body still bore the marks of my night with Leon, my shoulders ached and stung with movement, my legs felt heavy. My hands strained and my fingernails stained. But the rest of me felt giddy and excited for something new.