Hidden Gabriel

by Pinder, Victoria

  After her hands shook from the frigid air, she proceeded through the drafty lobby, and noticed a huge grand staircase and a rotted baby grand piano. The darkness of the place sent a chill down her spine. No service. She peered up the stairs.

  Her ears picked up strange noises that whooshed in the air. Her feet rattled and legs wobbled. Her pace stopped short, and her breath caught in her throat.

  No. She refused to be stupid. She’d get used to the noise.

  Besides, she needed her phone.

  She gulped. Then she continued and made her way to the front door. Before she opened it, she crossed her fingers, and hoped she was wrong. She flung open the door, only to see the snow piled all the way to the top of the door.

  No escape. The snow cracked from the top, and she flung the door closed before the avalanche buried her. With all her strength, she pushed up against the closed door, though she shrieked as she heard the bang of snow behind her.

  When nothing moved, she jumped away and ran to the huge bay windows. The snow reached the panel there.

  What if she never escaped from here?

  Erica turned around. She swore someone stared at her from the darkness. “Gabriel?”

  But no one answered.

  With her elbows pressed to her side, she made it to the lobby again. The front desk would be where guests checked in. Her chest tightened while she went behind the counter.

  Still no signal.

  A clink, then a clatter buzzed in her ears. What was that sound?

  She gripped the counter. Soon her fingers ached and she let go.

  She spotted an older computer and hit the “On” button. Nothing powered on, but then, this part of the place had no lights. Her leg muscles tightened, though she decided to explore the stairwell.

  She peered up and heard more of that clamor. The hair on the nape of her neck lifted, and she covered her mouth to stifle another scream. Erica Mira was not this wimpy, and never this scared all the time.

  The second step creaked, and she stepped back.

  No.

  A flashlight would make this easier. She bit the side of her mouth and stepped back. She’d try again later.

  Then she ran back into the library. Inside, she leaned on the door to get her heart to stop its fast pace. She had to stop these imaginary and crazy thoughts in her head.

  “I’ve never been alone before, not like this. Calm down.”

  She tried to call despite the lack of service. She stood still and hoped to get a connection.

  Nothing greeted her, and she finally ended the call.

  Perhaps after she ate, she’d have more strength. Then she’d search with more clarity.

  Her plans helped soothe her hard stomach, but her hands stayed jumpy with adrenaline. Before she went dizzy, her fingers ached for activity. She’d cook up a meal for tonight. Food calmed the spirit. If dinner was yummy and warm, she’d get Gabriel to talk to her for more than a minute.

  He said she’d be fine, and she hoped to believe him. Conversation would wipe away her crazy fears.

  And her mother always told her that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach. For the first time in her life, Erica hoped that to be true.

  5

  Erica diced the tomatoes for the sauce. The knife cut fast, and suddenly, she nicked herself. The straight line was a bleeder, and Erica ran her hand under the sink to clean up the blood. Then her skin prickled and her muscles tightened. Every nerve ending stood up, but she refused to flinch. Kitchen accidents were rare for her, and she shook off the sensation that someone watched her again. She straightened her clothes, but she tugged at illusive strings a little longer than necessary before she went back to work.

  Maybe if she befriended Gabriel, her nerves would go back to normal without the electricity that coursed through her. Lust didn’t fit in the plans right now anyhow.

  Her mind wandered. The man’s height and muscle mass would protect her in any fight. In bed, his power would be more attractive than any other man she ever dated. In bed? She shook her head. That thought sounded like it belonged to someone else, and she laughed at herself. This was silly. Usually she scared off the big, strong hero types when she didn’t play demure and shy. And lies never worked out well for her.

  She closed her eyes and envisioned his lips brushing against hers. She sighed. Without a doubt, he knew how to kiss.

  She giggled to herself, and then she opened her eyes and finished dicing. Lust was easier to handle than paranoia at the walls. She scratched her neck. She hoped too much for Gabriel to notice her. She smiled. Then maybe he’d forget his reservations. She shook her head. Her message to him was they should be friends. At least she could admit it. The tang of his mouth on her sent a tingle throughout her body. She smiled to herself and stirred the vegetables in the pan. His kiss had burned into her soul, and she couldn’t forget how he tasted.

  The vegetables wouldn’t take long on the stove, and peace came back to her. She stared at the kitchen. The stove, refrigerator, and work area were perfect for a small family. Food sustained every man and woman, especially if served with dessert. She nodded. Her cupcakes would help her cause.

  And her too. What if she could never make that call?

  She washed her hands and went to work. The dough of her creation soothed her as she mixed the ingredients together. With every stir, she became more like her old self.

  Soon, the appetizing smell of her baked creations went up her nostrils and fueled her hunger. She stroked her throat, then changed the pan and placed the chicken in the oven.

  She inhaled the succulent scent of the cupcakes. She whipped together the buttercream frosting and would add it once the cupcakes cooled. She hoped he’d eat them. She would later. Either way, food was always a good way to offer friendship, and her heart would not continue its pitter-patter.

  When done, she set dessert aside and moved down the counter to stir the sauce. With more confidence, she thrust out her chest higher and smiled. Heavenly tastes fixed a lot of issues in her life, and with food preparation, she had that one moment of bliss where she gave back something bigger than herself. If she could, she’d feed the world.

  She gazed out the window. An animal, probably a wolf, cried out in the forest. Erica sucked in her breath, but stared out. Gray skies darkened the horizon. Then the lights flickered. She flinched and ducked for cover.

  Her heart raced again, and the hair on her head stood. The lights blinked again. She scanned around her to find someone, but no one was here with her.

  Were generators as steady as electricity? The last time a hurricane hit the house, they used the generators only for the airconditioning. The Sunshine State tended to always have light, but perhaps the generator needed gas or something. With a sigh, she reached for plates, and the room went completely black.

  A hand went to her back, which caused her to shake, and she dropped the plate.

  The crash sent a tremor up her entire body.

  “You keep breaking the dishes and we’ll be eating off the floor. Relax. I’ll be right back to start the generator.”

  “No.” She reached to stop Gabriel, but his touch blocked out the coldness on her spine. The unnatural panic fought with her internal logic. She fixed her hair back and tried not to shake. “Will the generator have enough power until the power company restarts?”

  “Don’t worry, Erica.” His hand went on top of hers. “The line might be broken down the mountain. It could be all we have for months.”

  No power and no phone? To stop the panic, she bit her lip, then nodded. At the same time, she never looked away from the fire in his eyes. “Then we need to conserve for cooking and the essentials.”

  His tentative smile warmed her, but she swore someone hated her nearby. She ignored the sense and stepped closer to him. He gently massaged her neck. “Ma’am, I have enough for a few months before we get to that. Not my first winter up here. I won’t let you get cold.”

  Heat went through her now, and her
mouth dropped open. Gabriel was her knight in shining armor. She continued to stare into his dark chocolate eyes. The succulence of his stare was more palatable than food. Her mouth trembled a bit. “Hurry, then. I made us a wholesome dinner.”

  “Don’t fall over.” His hand reached for hers. “Relax and stay calm. I’ll be right back.”

  He let her hand go, and she ached to have him back. He stepped back into the darkness. She stroked her arm. Her skin had stayed warm where he had touched her. Her eyes stayed on his back until he disappeared into the hallway. Now, her heartbeat raced.

  The wind howled outside, and she clenched her fists. There had to be a solution. Then she closed her eyes and remembered that she had seen a candle somewhere on the table, and matches in the drawer with the silverware. She opened her eyes, took two steps to her right, and opened the drawer. Success. Her grin grew. And she fumbled to pick up the matches unseen. After her fingers clutched the paper container, she held the package until she ripped one out to light. The match didn’t stay for long, but she refused to walk in blackness. Even at home, safe in her bed, night never went well for her. The wind rattled the window behind her. The moment she neared the table, she shook her hands to rid herself of her nerves.

  Her skin crawled like someone stood near her, and it wasn’t Gabriel. His body near hers never chilled her. She’d swear it was a hateful child and not a large man.

  She thrust out her chest and took the last few steps to the table. Then she latched her hand on the table and chairs that brushed her hip. With a sigh, she stuck out with her hands and almost knocked over the candle. Before it fell, she caught the stem, righted it, and lit the match. Finally, the wick burned.

  Candlelight went further to brighten a room than she had imagined. She glanced around and relaxed her shoulders. No one was here.

  She set the table. The food was ready.

  When she placed the candle back into its holder, the lights flickered on. Her shoulders relaxed. He took care of her, and no one else was here. She stared at the wall and her heart raced a bit. Then she shook her head at her imagination. With her head cocked, she stared at the liquor cabinet. Wine would help them relax.

  Today she’d make friends with him.

  His big footsteps echoed from the halls. She rolled her shoulders back and smiled at the door as the noise grew closer.

  He stepped inside, and she stared into his smoldering eyes. He leaned against the door. “We should be good for a few hours. I put it on, hoping the power comes back on. Be sure to bundle up before bed, Erica.”

  “Do we have flashlights in this place?”

  “I’ll put one in the library for you in the morning. Keep it wherever you want.”

  She pushed the seat back, and her heart hammered in her chest. “Sit. I cooked us dinner.”

  He stared into her eyes, and she stilled. His gaze drifted toward the chair. “I shouldn’t stay.”

  “Gabriel, pour me a glass of wine and sit.” She raised her eyebrows. Then she swallowed and stood up a bit. “That’s an order, Marine.”

  A smile grew on his face. “Captain.”

  Her eyebrows lifted and her pulse grew with electricity. “Excuse me?”

  He walked into the room. “If you are going to order me around, ma’am, use the title I retired with.”

  With a smile, she nodded. Fire grew in her belly, but she ignored her temperature. “Captain, the wine. Two glasses. I’ve been looking forward to talking about nothing important.”

  He stepped toward the cabinets, pulled down the glasses, and opened the bottle. As he poured, his gaze met hers again. “What topic are we discussing?”

  Erica weighed her options. “No phones” would be whiny. And he’d not be ready to discuss his dead wife. Besides, she’d ignore the wet-blanket topics if he smiled at her every second of the day. She bit her lower lip, then decided fast. “Book recommendations.” She leaned in her chair and whispered into his ear, “Is that safe enough for you?”

  “Okay.” He tentatively sat, and she held her legs down, else she might kick into a jig. At least he hadn’t run off. The smell of pine and deep wood that was in his cells washed through her, and she licked her lips. Then she sat opposite him at the table.

  With a smile, she picked up her fork and took a bite. He gazed at her mouth, and her lips tingled from excitement. She chewed her food and swallowed. “What do you think of the dinner?”

  He picked up his fork, took a bite, and then shrugged. “It’s okay.”

  What? She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Just okay? I was on my way meet an investor who was going to help me buy the closed-down cupcake factory on the coast and reopen it under my own brand. Most people think my cooking is divine.”

  He smirked, then smelled his food. “It’s okay.”

  She smiled, but kept her hands wrapped around her chest. “Try another bite, unless that’s a hint for the cupcakes.”

  Finally, he smiled at her and ate a little slower. She stared as his big, sensuous lips chewed. Then he swallowed and nodded at her. “Ma’am—”

  Without a thought, she uncrossed her arms and reached out to put her hand on his arm. “Erica. My name is Erica, and we’re not strangers, Gabriel.”

  Without one muscle that moved, he lowered his gaze. “Why are you doing this, Erica?”

  “I’m trying to get you to talk to me, Gabriel. Now eat.” She pushed a spoonful of chicken in his mouth.

  His eyes sparkled at her. He stuck out his chin. “What if I don’t want to?”

  With a schooled smile, she dragged her chair closer to him, as she met his gaze. She lifted her chin. “Then I’ll order you, Captain.”

  He shook his head and grinned at her. “You play with fire.”

  She met his grin, and the sparks inside her every cell fired. “Did you doubt that?”

  He patted her knee that was close to his leg. Her skin burned from his closeness, but she stayed still. He leaned closer. “It’s dangerous.”

  The fire inside her would consume her soon. Without missing a beat, she shrugged. “So is being buried alive in an abandoned chateau without an avenue of escape. I figure we have to learn to get along, and you do have some good qualities.”

  “Untrue.” He shook his head, leaned back, and told her, “We don’t have to get along. I don’t have a future goal, not like you. I’ll get you back to your life when possible, then we’ll never see each other again. It’s best if I leave you alone.”

  The chill in the space between them pricked at her skin, so she scooted closer to him. She preferred the blaze.

  “Best for you, maybe.” Whatever haunted him might be what scared her about this house. She tapped his thigh and kept his rapt attention on her eyes. She wasn’t the only one who burned. “You’ll miss me.”

  His features darkened, and his breath hitched. “I don’t care about anything.”

  “I don’t have that luxury.” She watched him eat his dinner. And right now she fanned a flame that would consume them both. She knew it and refused to stop. On a hunch, she whispered, “For what it’s worth, I like how you look out for me, care for me, and make me feel. It doesn’t normally happen out there, in the big, wide world. And besides, you are far too young to lock yourself away.”

  Instead of an answer, he stared at his plate of food. She swallowed hard, but kept silent.

  Something snapped in him, because he stared into her eyes and she glimpsed his internal conflict. Her heart beat for him, and she hoped to hold him. He took a breath. “I fought in more battles than you can count, refusing to leave a man behind. I am tired of war and battles.”

  She brushed her hair behind her ear. Was it the military experiences that held him back? Then she reached out and stroked the back of his hand. “If you need to talk, I have ears.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

  His words built a fire inside of her. She gazed into his haunted eyes. She could help him. Something inside her had to try. She wink
ed. “We’re stuck together. What do you want to do with me, then?”

  His dark eyes lightened with intensity. Her skin flushed, then he reached over to help her out of her chair and onto his lap. His fingers brushed against her arm, and she sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. She gazed on his full lips. He leaned closer, millimeters from her mouth. A thrill raced through her. He whispered, “I might have been wrong saying nothing can happen between us.”

  Yes. She suppressed a moan. “What do you think—”

  But he stopped her question with a mind-numbing kiss. She sighed into him and hugged him closer. She didn’t want to stop.

  Her body moistened. Slowly his hands slid down her jeans, and he picked her up. She lifted her chin and kissed his neck and the bottom of his chin as he carried her to her bedroom.

  She heard the crackle of firewood that burned in her fireplace the moment he opened the door. “Did you do that?”

  “I promised to keep you warm.” He laughed and kissed her forehead. With a shy smile toward him, she gazed at her bed.

  His appeal ripped through her heart, but she held back. She tilted her chin up for a kiss and blinked.

  They had to stop. Her mind raced. His dead wife’s diary was under her covers. Erica bit her lower lip. She had to get rid of it somehow. She’d throw it under the bed.

  Involuntarily, her passions took over, and she ran her hand up his arms to his shoulders as she held him closer. She needed him.

  Then he kissed her proffered neck, and she thrust her chest up and squirmed to let him brush against her hardening nipples through her lacy top.

  Slowly, her hands went above her head, and she lifted off her shirt to give him all of her.

  As he suckled, a soft sigh escaped her lips. She unzipped her pants and wiggled them free. He did the same.

  He knew what he was doing, and her skin craved more. No man had ever caused her to lose control this fast.

  Before she became adrift without her ability to think, she pushed the diary from under her covers to behind the bedpost. She stifled a moan of pleasure and adjusted the pillow higher. A small cry came out of her mouth and covered the small thump that ensued.