by Claire Adams
“Why?” I searched his eyes, which narrowed at my challenging tone.
“I would think it’s obvious.” He sat down beside me and stroked my hair, but that wasn’t going to do. I needed a solid response.
I shifted to face him. “Not good enough. I want to know why. Why should I stay here?”
“I guess if you have to ask, then perhaps you shouldn’t – but I hoped you’d want to and I still think it’s the safest bet.”
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Even though I agreed that it was best and I didn’t really want to leave him, I wanted him to tell me his feelings were strengthening as much as mine were. I wanted him to feel something for me. Something that would solidify our relationship so it would last.
After a quiet moment, he met my eyes. “What are you going to do?”
I wished I had it in me to hurt him and tell him that I was leaving. He could take my job and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to hurt him enough to actually do it.
I only wished that it had all meant more, but that wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t make himself feel, and we were two adults feeding each other’s needs the best way we could under the circumstances.
I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.” With that vow, I stood and crossed the room on my way to the shower.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Gabriel
Hours after Luna’s promise to stay, I found myself regretting all the sleep I’d missed as I sat in my office going over the reports from my supervisors. The morning romp with Luna was a nice boost of energy, but as I sat signing papers, it faded. Mason calling had been another drain, but at least it wasn’t terrible news.
Joe entered my office and closed the door behind him. “Got something interesting to report, but I’m not sure if it’s anything to be alarmed about.”
He had spent his morning joining us for breakfast. He, Kim, and Luna monopolized the chatter while I loaded up on coffee to assist me in managing my day. I wasn’t sure if it was love, but he sure had a big smile for the woman. Maybe it was her purple hair? I wondered.
“Must be good since you shut the door,” I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms wide. I needed a break, but not for what could be bad news.
“The security cameras suffered a glitch last night. It only lasted a couple of minutes, but it was total failure. The boys didn’t think it was necessary to wake us at that hour, but with all the commotion, they thought it best to mention it.”
“Has anyone checked out the winery to make sure it remained secure?” If someone shut down the camera system, they could have went in and out of the place without being detected.
“I went there as soon as I heard. They assured me it was no more than two minutes, which is why they chalked it up to a power surge, but I wanted to let you know. Everything seems secure.”
“Well, I appreciate it, but tell them from now on, I’d like to know the minute it happens – I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night or not.” I had Luna’s safety to think about.
That last bit I kept to myself, but the strong desire to keep her safe wasn’t lost on anyone. Joe had come to love her as much as I had, so I had a feeling he could read me.
“I’m on it.” He turned to walk away, but stopped when Luna came in.
“Did Kim leave already?” he asked.
“Yeah, she tried to find you, but you were gone and she had to get back to the city and meet her parents.” Luna’s apologetic eyes were masked by the smile she tried so hard to hide, as if she thought the two were in love.
“Oh, I’m sorry I missed her.” He stepped around Luna and headed outside.
“Well, if it isn’t the merry matchmaker,” I teased as she approached my desk. “Your purple-haired bestie has a way with the strong silent type.”
Her grin widened. “Aren’t they adorable together? She gave him her number” I nodded, but before I could speak, she placed her hand on my desk and narrowed her eyes, as if to scold me as she lowered herself into the closest chair. “That’s not why I came.” I wondered what idea she’d throw at me this time. Perhaps she’d changed her mind about leaving.
“Do I want to know?” The dismal day had peaked early morning when I’d rocked my hips against her. The memory shot blood to my cock and urged me around my desk where I leaned against it in front of her. Her eyes stayed on mine and I had the notion to pick her up and sweep her across my desk and get inside her.
“You need to come out with me and enjoy the day. Being holed up in here is a bad idea, especially on so little sleep.” She reached out and took my hand and stood.
“Afraid I’ll fall asleep in here and forget to come to bed tonight?” I hoped she’d be playful with me, but instead, she shook her head.
“Let’s go outside and do something. I’m bored. Besides, if you stay cooped up in here all day, you’ll be an impossible grump by bedtime.” I frowned at her accusation and the fact that she knew me so well.
But she had a point. I needed to get out of the office more, and even though I tried to use it as a distraction from all the drama, it wasn’t working. “What do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know, but it’s Sunday, which is another reason you shouldn’t be holed up at work. Even Judy took the morning off.” She drove her point home.
I held up my hands in surrender. “I hear you, and I’m in agreement.” I never thought I’d be the cause of someone’s boredom, but there we were. “What about a picnic in the vineyard?” I liked the sound of it and imagined the two of us making love in the sea of vines.
Her eyes lit and she dragged me to the door. “Go put on something comfortable, and I’ll do the same. I’ll meet you in the kitchen in ten minutes.” She turned and before she could get too far, I stopped her.
“You look beautiful; why are you changing?” I pulled her toward me but she wiggled away.
“Because I want to dress for a picnic.” She turned and ran up the stairs.
Harbor came down the hall, glancing up toward her. “I’m taking Mom to the house to get some clothes and then I’m driving her to rehab.”
I did a double take and blinked, wondering if I had dozed off in the seconds since she’d been gone. But no, I still stood in the hallway outside my office and Harbor was standing in front of me. “Rehab?” My eyes widened and I hoped he wasn’t pulling my leg. I’d tried to get Sandra to go countless times before but failed.
“Yeah, she said she wants to go, and I’m not waiting around for her to change her mind.” His mouth was drawn in a tight line. I could only imagine the emotions that were battling inside him.
“You want security to follow?” I hated to think of them out there without any.
“She said if you insisted, she’d prefer Uncle Joe, but she doesn’t want any fuss or goodbyes.”
I couldn’t blame her and would respect her wishes and give her exactly what she wanted. I had a feeling if I tried to put my two cents in, she’d back out, and she needed care immediately.
“You go ahead and call him. We’ll be fine here. Make any arrangements you need and let me know. You’re in charge.” It was about time the son started taking care of his mother, and while I’d pay for her rehab and give her a lump sum to get her on her feet, I was done with the handouts.
“Thanks.” Harbor walked back down the hall from which he came and disappeared around the corner.
I looked down at my slacks and button-down and headed upstairs to trade them for a pair of jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Luna was in the bathroom, and I finished and headed downstairs before she did.
Minutes later, she opened the door to the kitchen and peeked inside. She walked in wearing a loose sundress that hung at her ankles. “You look hot in jeans,” she told me as she went to the fridge. My eyes followed her every move, and I imagined myself bending her over the island and pushing up that long dress.
“Gabriel?” Her hand waved in front of her. “Did you he
ar me?”
I wanted to finish my fantasy, but what was the use when she stood right before me in the flesh. “Sorry.”
“Your lack of sleep is getting the best of you, isn’t it?” She smiled and unloaded a few things from the fridge onto the counter: meats, cheeses, and fresh strawberries.
“Yeah, I’m a little distracted, sorry. Sandra and Harbor are leaving. Joe is going with them. She’s checking into rehab.” I couldn’t tell her about my dirty thoughts.
Her mouth hung open a moment, and she glanced to the counter. “We can put this off if you need to-”
“No, no. I’m not getting involved. She didn’t want anyone making a fuss, and I didn’t want to make her skittish. She’s liable to bail, and she needs to go in. I’m hoping things will turn around for her.” Luna didn’t seem convinced. “I promise, it’s fine – and there’s nowhere else I’d want to be and nothing else I’d rather be doing.”
The smile returned to her face as she got busy searching the kitchen until she found the bread. “Is this home baked?” She smelled the loaf and then placed it on the cutting board. “I hope you want sandwiches. I can’t make them as good as Judy, I’m sure, but they’ll do.”
I stepped closer and leaned in toward her ear, “If they are anything like their maker, they’ll be delicious.”
Her cheeks flamed red as she carefully finished the sandwiches while I went and found a blanket. Wnce we were packed, we headed down into the valley to the back of the vineyard.
We found a private place a mile out into the field where I parked the cart and got out to spread the blanket on the ground.
She carried the lunch basket and placed it on the blanket. Then she pulled her sunglasses down off her forehead and peered out into the distance. “I can see why you bought this place. It’s breathtaking. And when I think I’ve seen all of its beauty, it surprises me again.”
The remark reminded me of the way I felt about her. “I can say the same thing about you.” I sat down on the blanket and she joined me, opening the basket.
“I bought this place for my grandparents.” I told her as I stared out across the rolling hills and smiled.
She placed my sandwich in front of me and I wasted no time taking a bite.
She fidgeted with hers, removing its wrapper. “Did they live here?”
“No, they died when I was young, but they’d drive me and Robert out here and let us look around. My grandmother, Emma, had always wanted to own one; she always said if either of us ever got rich, she wanted a vineyard.”
“That’s who the winery is named for? Emma’s Taste of Heaven?”
I nodded. My grandmother had always hated her name, but I’d thought it was beautiful, like her.
“You’re such a family man. I can’t believe you didn’t settle down years ago.” She looked up and bit her sandwich with much more grace than I had mine.
“I never found anyone I wanted to settle down with.” Until now. But I kept that to myself. I wouldn’t ruin a perfectly good picnic with her telling me she didn’t feel the same.
“Do you think you ever will?” She lowered her chin keeping her eyes on me.
I already have. “I think so.”
The shimmer in her eyes dulled and she averted her gaze to the vineyard in the distance. I contemplated telling her how I felt, but instead I decided showing her was much better.
I leaned across our impromptu lunch and captured her chin between my fingers to draw her attention back to me. Her eyes searched mine as I closed the distance and kissed her. She sat back and regarded the sandwich in her hand. She tossed it to the plate between us, pushing it out of the way as I laid her back against the soft cotton of the quilt beneath us.
I had indeed found the person I wanted to settle down with, and in my heart, I wondered if we were on our way already.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Luna
It had been two days since Gabriel and I had had our picnic and my feelings had only grown stronger. I couldn’t wait for him to come to bed at night, and not only because we’d made love every night since, but because I loved being near him.
The excitement in the house had died down with Sandra gone and Harbor had called Gabriel earlier in the day to tell him he wasn’t coming back anytime soon. Gabriel couldn’t argue with the young man and told him to inform the police, which Harbor agreed to do.
I’d been in the pool most of the afternoon, floating on a raft as I read my book at the shaded end of the pool. The only soul I’d seen was Carl walking from the house to the back car port, where he took off toward the winery.
Once I got out, I’d headed up to the shower where I rinsed off the pool water and sunscreen and washed my hair. My mind kept thinking of life before and how I’d been happy, but not fulfilled. Not like I was when I was with Gabriel.
I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, so I knew it was now or never. I had to speak my mind. I had to tell him that I was falling for him and that I didn’t want the annulment.
After drying off and dressing for bed, I went downstairs to see Gabriel. I had so much on my mind, and I didn’t know where I’d start to explain the way I felt and what I wanted. I didn’t want to come across as needy or desperate, especially if he didn’t feel the same, but I was sick of waiting for him to admit any of his thoughts or feelings.
There was something about the way we had sex, it was more than that, more than motions and meaningless gratification. When I was with him, it was love making: heartfelt and true. I needed to know where his head was at. When he lay atop me, kissing me tenderly and with care, I would never be convinced he didn’t care greatly for me, maybe even to a degree of love. And if it weren’t love, then perhaps it could grow into it.
I hoped and prayed that the chance of it would be enough for him to keep the marriage and give it a shot.
I found him in his office with his head buried in his work, the screen of his laptop reflecting off his face. He didn’t look up as I entered, and I thought there had to be something interesting there to keep his attention. I walked in and sat down across from him. When he glanced up, I realized he had his phone to his ear.
“I’m on it. I wish they’d told us sooner.” He finished his call and dropped the phone to his desk.
“When are you coming to bed?” The past few nights he’d gone with me, and though it was a tad early, I hoped I could convince him to follow.
He raked his hand through his hair and frowned. “I had a call from Mason; the police are suspicious of a man who they claim used to work for me. Mason got a tip-off from someone inside the department, and I think I know who this guy is. I want to go over the recordings again to see if I can find him.”
“You’ve been over those several times now. I doubt you’ll see anything you haven’t already. Besides, if you knew the man, don’t you think you’d have noticed him by now?”
“Not necessarily. He could have been wearing a hat or a disguise. As a matter of fact, it’s a hat I’m looking for.” He stared intently at the screen and I gave up my hopes of a romantic evening.
“I was headed to bed. I hoped you’d join me.” I had such hope only minutes before, but as he shook his head, I knew I’d be going up alone.
He glanced up and met my eyes and frowned. “I’m sorry. I wish I could join you, but this is important.”
What I had to say was important, too, but I wouldn’t burden him with it now. “Would you like some help?”
“Could you make a pot of coffee? I’ve got to stay alert so I don’t doze off.” He stopped for a moment to stare at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” I started for the door, but he wasn’t buying it.
“I have it on good authority that when a woman says she’s fine, that means she’s not.” He waited, as if I was supposed to spill my guts, but I continued out.
“Luna!” I heard him call behind me, but I didn’t stop. I headed to the kitchen, where I threw the door open and nearly scared Carl to death.
> “Excuse me, Carl.” My face warmed as it reddened with embarrassment, and I headed straight for the coffee pot.
“No problem, Miss, but isn’t it a bit late for coffee?” He lowered himself at the breakfast nook and scratched his head.
“It’s for Gabriel. He’s working late again.” My tone was mocking, and I wondered if Carl caught on to my aggravation.
“It’s not easy being married to a busy man.” I nodded in agreement as I waited for the machine to brew the pot. Carl returned his attention to his paper. Every now and then, he’d dunk a cookie into his large glass of milk and take a bite. I grabbed a mug and the pot and bid Carl farewell. I hurried back to the office where I placed the pot on the warmer by the bar and poured Gabe a cup.
Making his coffee was something I’d done a few times at work, so I knew exactly how he liked it: black as the night.
I walked around his desk and placed the cup within reach before leaning against his chair. After an hour, I moved to a chair and sat quietly, hoping he would be done soon so we could go to bed.
“Luna, why don’t you go to bed? I’m going to be here a bit. I’ve got a few more files to look through from the G2 office.”
“More files? What are you looking for?”
“The guy – the one I told you about.” Gabriel was aggravated, and I couldn’t blame him, but he didn’t have to take it out on me.
“Is this something that could wait? I’d hoped you and I could talk.” I understood the importance of clearing his name and solving the crimes, but it seemed a bit unnecessary to do the investigator’s work for them.
“We can talk while I do this. You won’t bother me.” He cracked his knuckles and then got back to work.
“It can wait. I’d like your attention for the conversation I’d like to have.” I rose from the chair and stalked across the room to the door.
“Hey, don’t walk out of here like that again. What’s going on?”
“I had hoped we could discuss us and the annulment.” I took a deep breath prepared to explain further when he threw up his hands and slapped them down on his desk.
