by Ivory Quinn
When the end of school arrived, she found him leaned up against the car looking all feline and dangerous. It was snowing and the flakes were settling gently on his eye lashes. It was a ridiculously cute look, but he wasn’t happy.
“You hung up on me!” He protested when she approached.
“My day was great, thanks honey.” She replied sarcastically. “How was yours?”
“It was fine until my woman cut me off at the knees.” He pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly. “I’ll take it out of your hide later.”
“I know.” She said resignedly. “You always do.”
“Come on. The sooner we go home, the sooner we can get warm.” He settled her in the passenger side and then walked round to the driver’s side.
“Excuse me!” A young mother was coming at them from across the car park. Gabriel glanced up and frowned.
“Yes?”
“It’s you isn’t it?” She gushed, her eyes wide. “Gabriel Hallow? You wrote The Hanging Tree?” She squealed. “My husband is a big fan. We attended a seminar you presented last year. What are you doing here?”
Caught on the hop, he told the truth. “I came to pick my girlfriend up from work.”
Girlfriend? She mouthed wondrously, ducking down to look in the car. “Miss Winters?”
“Hi Lena.” Noelle smiled awkwardly, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
“Oh my god! Wait ‘til I tell Jeff our son’s teacher is dating a prestigious music producer! Can I send in some things to get signed tomorrow?”
“Sure.” Gabriel smiled pleasantly. “I’m sure Noelle won’t mind bringing them home with her.”
“Not at all.” Noelle’s smile was so forced it was almost a rictus. “Sorry to be rude Lena, but we have plans this evening.”
“Gosh I’m sorry, I’ll let you get away.” She gave Gabriel one last beaming smile. “So wonderful to meet you personally Mr Hallow.” She practically danced away and Gabriel slumped into his seat.
“Does that happen often?” Noelle asked uncomfortably and he shook his head.
“No. Most of the people that recognise me are in the music industry, not your average Joe Bloggs on the street. Is this going to cause you any trouble at work?”
“Oh I get it!” She mocked, trying to lighten the mood. “You think by telling a mother her kid’s teacher is dating a bad boy rock star I might lose my job and stay at home with you all day! Well I got news for you Mr Falls, no-one knows who you are!”
“Mr Falls? Really?” He was trying not to laugh.
“Well...it seemed better than calling you Darkness.”
“I don’t know....” He bared his teeth in a fierce grin. “I’d say we’ve been through enough together to be on first name terms.”
“You’d like to be called Darkness?” She shook her head and chuckled. “You are one messed up cookie, Gabriel Hallow. Or Darkness. Or Master. Whichever you prefer.”
“Master Darkness.” He whispered, leaning across and capturing her mouth for a kiss. “Definitely Master Darkness. You can scream it later when I have you in my play room.”
“And they say romance is dead...” Giggling, she pushed him back into his own seat. “Drive on. People are starting to look.”
“Anyone would think you were in a hurry to get back.” Shaking his head, he started up the car and drove them home.
The next day, Noelle drove home to find the band sprawled over the sofas, idly strumming their guitars as they laughed and joked. There were half empty bottles of beer on the table and she’d never seen Gabriel looking so relaxed.
“Hey guys!” She hung her coat up and smiled at them all. “How did the recording go?”
“Pretty good.” Gabriel got up to kiss her welcome. “We’ve got a lot to work with.”
“Can I hear it?” She asked hopefully, dropping her satchel somewhere nobody would fall over it and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I burned a CD for you.” Strong hands scooped her up and curved her legs around his waist. “Please give up work.” He pressed her back against the wall as his lips ravished her neck. “I fucking missed you.”
She’d missed him too, but she wasn’t giving up her job. “Put me down!” She giggled. “We have guests.”
“Hey, you go right ahead.” Jax grinned at them. “Don’t mind us. We’ll just sit here quietly and drink our beer...”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m not an exhibitionist.” She tried to lever herself away from the wall, but all it did was grind her hips into his and she winced.
“You sore kitten?” He whispered and she nodded.
“A bit.”
“Okay.” He rested his forehead against her chest for a moment, trying to control himself, and then reluctantly released her. “How was work?”
“Good. Apparently I am, hands down, the coolest teacher on earth.” She smiled ruefully. “Never mind all those years of studying and training and patiently putting up with all the tantrums and attitude...all I had to do to get respect was shack up with a music producer and drive a fancy car to work.”
“I’ll take you out for coffee sometime.” Jax joked. “Everyone knows my face. Your street cred would skyrocket.”
“Which would be pointless when I lose my job for hanging out with public enemy number two.” She winked at him. “Not that I wouldn’t go out for coffee. Just be prepared for a beanie and sunglasses.” She stepped around Gabriel and headed for the kitchen. “Are you guys hungry yet? Do you want me to start dinner?” There was a chorus of ‘hell yeah’s and she chuckled. “I won’t be long.”
She shooed Gabriel gently in the direction of his band mates and went to start cooking.
They sat down to dinner, laughing and bantering easily. In the time it had taken Noelle to cook, they’d had several more beers and both the drummer and bass guitarist were making bawdy jokes at Gabriel’s expense. He took it with grace, smiling unashamedly at Noelle as she set out plates of steaming food.
“God this smells amazing!” Jax leaned into his plate. “What is it?”
“Lime and ginger crusted sea trout.” Noelle said drily, knowing he’d probably never eaten anything like it before. “I made crushed saffron potatoes and creamed greens too. You’d better eat all your vegetables, or I’ll have to withhold dessert.”
“Noelle, will you promise me something?” He said slowly and she shrugged.
“Depends what it is.”
“If things don’t work out between you and angel boy here, you’ll marry me?”
Noelle burst out laughing. “That’s very sweet Jaxon, but I really don’t think I’m your type.”
“Baby, I didn’t have a type until I met you.” He winked. “Now I’m all about the sexy red-heads that are good with food.”
She blushed, but laughed. “You don’t have to marry me to get me to cook for you.” She pointed out. “You’re welcome to eat at mine any time, whether Gabriel and I are together or not. More than once a week, though, and I’ll expect you to contribute towards food bills.”
“But what if some other guy comes along and doesn’t want me eating there three times a week? No way.” He shook his head. “I’ll marry you.”
“You’ll never get the chance.” Gabriel tried to sound light, but he couldn’t hide the possessive undertones in his voice. “She’s mine.”
“Are you sure about that?” Jax forked up another mouthful of fish. “I can be pretty persuasive when I want to be.”
“Shut the fuck up or get out of my house.” Gabriel’s hands had fisted on the table as they stared at each other.
“If you boys are going to start peeing up the table legs, I’m going to disown both of you.” Noelle said mildly. “Anyone for more potatoes?” There was a moment of silence and then everyone started roaring with laughter. Gabriel gave Noelle a dark but amused look and she shook her head. No doubt she’d pay for it later.
After dinner the guys washed up while she went to do her lesson plans for the followin
g day. She didn’t think it would take them long and she wasn’t really surprised when she heard a crashing sound and a burst of raucous laughter less than half an hour later. They were like big kids. Someone started strumming a guitar and before she knew it she was humming along as she checked through her text books.
When she was done, she headed back through to the living room. The whole band were looking a little worse for wear and she hoped none of them had plans for the morning. They’d moved onto spirits and even Gabriel had a glass of whisky in front of him.
“Can I get you anything?” She asked, trying not to laugh as they peered myopically up at her.
“No. You can sit down and listen to our music.” Gabriel announced.
“I can hear it tomorrow, it’s okay.” She didn’t want to intrude on guy time, but they all started protesting and eventually she relented. Stepping down into the recessed seating area was like descending into the lion pit. She suddenly became aware that there were five very fit, very masculine, very drunk men watching her every move. This could only end badly. Gingerly, she picked her way across to where Gabriel had been sitting, while he went to find the CD that they had burned for her.
“This is because of you.” Gabriel announced when he came back. “You made me write this.”
“But that’s good, right?” She said uncertainly.
“Yes.” He scooped her up to straddle his lap. “It’s good.” The music sounded raw and unpolished, but as he kissed her she could hear the beginnings of what was going to be incredible. Powerful melodies rolled around the room and his voice sang about broken hopes and damaged souls. Lost in his voice and his kiss, she moved against him as he plundered her mouth with his tongue. He was hard and she moaned slightly as the ridge in his pants grazed the seam of her jeans.
“Holy shit!” There was a twanging sound as Jaxon dropped his guitar. Noelle sprang back from Gabriel, her face scarlet. She’d totally forgotten there was anyone else in the room.
“Yes, well.” She cleared her throat. “I think it sounds great. Goodnight guys, visit again soon!” She leapt from Gabriel’s lap and fled the room, leaving them laughing behind her.
Despite being hungover, Gabriel still insisted on getting up to make her coffee the next day. He couldn’t stretch to pancakes though, and went back to bed while she was eating cereal. Before she left, she placed two aspirin and a pint glass of water on the bedside table for him and ruffled his hair. “I’ll see you at lunchtime.” She kissed his forehead. “Get something to drink and you’ll be fine in no time.”
“Why aren’t you mad at me?” He groaned, wincing up at her.
“For the drinking? Why would I be mad?” She shook her head, smiling. “I’m just glad you had a good time. I’d better go or I’ll be late.” She dropped one last kiss on his forehead and headed for the car. She had kids to teach.
Chapter fourteen
When Noelle returned to the house after work on Friday afternoon, Gabriel was in a dark mood. He didn’t give her the usual warm greeting, just kissed her perfunctorily and headed for the gym. He was in there for almost two hours. By the time he emerged, she’d showered, changed and cooked the dinner.
“I was about to come and get you.” She smiled warily at him, wondering what was wrong. “Dinner’s ready in five minutes.”
“I’ll go clean up.” He nodded and headed for the shower. Perturbed, Noelle laid the table carefully and waited for him to come back.
“Are you okay?” She asked quietly when he sat at the table, hair still damp from the shower. “You don’t seem very happy.”
“Do you love me?” He blurted out and she recoiled, stunned.
“Where the hell did that come from?”
“You’ve never told me. How do I know that you’re mine? You won’t even say you live with me.”
“How can you ask me that?” Her throat seemed to close with a blend of fury and fear. “Do you think I’d let you take me into the play room if I wasn’t wholeheartedly yours? What the fuck, Gabriel?”
“If you had a better offer, someone less intense, would you leave me?”
“Is that really the kind of woman you think I am?” Appetite forgotten, she pushed away her plate. “You think I’d just up and walk away for someone else, after all we’ve been through?” He just stared at her mutely and she shook her head. “If this is some kind of messed up insecurity thing relating to your past, then let’s work through it, but I’m hurt that you don’t trust me or know me well enough that you have to ask.”
“I do trust you, it’s just...” He dry scrubbed his face. “Jax was here today.”
“And?” That wasn’t anything unusual. Jax visited often.
“The way he talks...he wants you Noelle.”
“So? You think if Jax makes a move I’ll drop you for him? Like I’m some sort of faithless, gold-digging whore? Screw you, Gabriel.” Her eyes prickling with tears of rage, she got up and left the table.
“Please don’t be mad at me.” He stood at the bathroom door an hour later, watching as she tried to soak away her anger in the tub. “I was scared. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“What do you have to be scared of?” She asked dully and he shrugged.
“That you’d see someone less damaged, less interested in controlling you. That maybe after all the times I’ve pushed you in the play room, you’d want some gentleness. For all I want to break his neck right now, Jax is a good guy.” He moved to sit on the stool by the bath so he could look at her face. “I was scared because I don’t know where I stand with you. You always say it’s too soon, that I’m too overwhelming. Don’t be mad at me for being scared.”
“Is that what this is about? You need some sort of commitment from me?” She rose out of the water to sit upright. “Look at it from my point of view, Gabriel. I’m like Cinderella, swept off her feet by the charming prince. This all seems like a dream. I’m half expecting it to come crashing down around my ears at any moment because it’s all so surreal. You need to let me feel secure before you can ask me to love you. I don’t want to get hurt either.”
“So what...we’re both scared the other is going to leave us?” He shook his head. “This is crazy. What if I asked you to marry me?”
“Marry you?” She squeaked. “No! It’s too soon!”
“Kitten, I can’t imagine my life without you in it right now. It’s the only way to make both of us feel secure.”
“We’re still in the honeymoon period.” She argued. “It’ll wear off. You don’t want to marry me.”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to.” He ruffled his hair. “Noelle, I’ve never met anyone like you before. I need you to love me in the way that I love you. I’ve given you space, I’ve given you all I can give you. I don’t know how else to make you love me.”
“You can’t make someone love you.” She said gently, taking his hand. “It’s something that happens on its own. I can’t deny that I’m falling for you Gabriel, falling hard. Just give me some more time.”
“What difference does time make?” He didn’t pull his hand back, but he didn’t squeeze hers either. “I’m not going to change. I can’t love you any more than I do now. What difference does it make if you tell me you love me now, or a month down the line? And don’t tell me you don’t, because I know you, Kitten. I know you feel the way I do. I can read your body like a book. I’ve seen the way you look at me when we’re together. Don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not-...” She began to protest and then her mouth snapped shut. He was right. She was lying to him. He’d swept her off her feet, given her a twisted fairytale and changed her world forever. They were never going to work if she couldn’t commit to him out of some fear he’d given her no cause to have. She’d been pushing him away from the moment they got together and, if she carried on, it would be her fault they broke up. The thought filled her with a deep sense of horror. She’d never felt about anyone the way she felt about Gabriel. “You’re right.” She shook her head.
“You’re absolutely right. I just didn’t see it until now.”
“See what?” He asked guardedly, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“That I love you. I think I have for weeks, I just didn’t know how to admit it. To you or to myself.”
“So marry me.”
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s too soon. Please don’t ask me again.”
“Then when?” This time he did pull his hand back.
“It’s not like I can put a time scale on it, Gabriel.” Her shoulders slumped. “This is all so new to me. However I feel, I’m still confused and overwhelmed by the things that happen here. Give me a chance to accept it, to be comfortable with it, before you ask me to commit to it. I only intend to get married once. I won’t be pushed into making that decision without a great deal of time and thought.”
“I’m not going to stop asking.” He said stubbornly and she chuckled softly, the water rippling around her.
“I know. Giving up isn’t in your nature. Just don’t make me resent you for it.”
“I’ll try.” He stretched as though a burden had been lifted from him. “Are you hungry? I thought we could order takeaway.”
“Sure.” She relaxed back against the bath. “That sounds wonderful.”
***
The rest of the week rushed by in a blur. By the time Noelle got back to the house the following Friday, she was exhausted.
“How was your day?” Gabriel called from the kitchen when he heard the door, and she sighed, hanging her coat up.
“Long. Full of loud children and stressed teachers. I’m so glad it’s the weekend.”
“That’s a shame.” He appeared with a glass of chilled white wine and handed it to her. “I had hoped we might go to the playroom later.”
“Maybe I’ll perk up a bit when I’ve had a chance to unwind?” She offered and he shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter.” He kissed her forehead and headed back towards the kitchen. “I cooked!” He called back over his shoulder and her jaw dropped.
