by Vivica James
I didn’t speak. I handed the phone to Rafe. His brow furrowed as he read her words, then he handed back the phone.
“What did you do?” he asked
“Moi? Nothing, I thought things were perfect.” I really couldn’t comprehend why she would not want to see me again.
“You thought wrong and you better fix it. Quick.”
I was no longer listening to him. I was reviewing the events of yesterday and last night in my mind. It didn’t make sense. I had been so certain she had enjoyed herself. I had tried to be a gentleman. Had I overstepped somewhere, said the wrong thing? There was a brief moment when I had acted on my need for her, but I had stopped it almost immediately, and I knew she had been as interested as I.
All I could picture was that beautiful smile of hers. It had shone all evening and had lit me up inside. Why had she sent such a message?
It didn’t make sense and I wasn’t having any of it. Maisie was mine. I was hers. She knew it and I knew it. Whatever was happening was unacceptable. I had never back down from what I wanted before and I wasn’t starting now. Especially when it came to the most important thing in my life.
Did that bastard bring back her dog? Beg her to take him back. It would have been a smart move on his part but not one I was willing to accept. Maisie deserved more that some con artist, who would never understand how amazing she truly was. She needed someone who could love her and protect her and keep that incredible smile on her face, forever. That someone was me. Not some scumbag coming back to take advantage of her sweet nature again.
What had taken place between us was real, and the only thing in this damn world that mattered. She was the only thing that mattered. We had made a connection. I knew in my heart that she felt it too. I wasn’t alone in these feelings. I’d never been more clear about anything in my life. Maisie was the one. The only one.
If she wasn’t going to answer her phone, then she was damn well going to answer in person. I glanced over at Rafe, who shrugged, then said, “Let’s go.”
We arrived at the hospital after what felt like the longest ride of my life. There was another car waiting to pick up Rafe when we arrived. He knew I needed to speak with Maisie on my own. If she was having second thoughts, she didn’t need to have both Rafe and I bearing down on her.
When I got to her unit, I could feel she wasn’t there. I knew it in my bones. Maisie was my woman. We were connected on a level that few will ever be lucky enough to understand.
As I approached the desk, I could see the nurses nudging each other and looking pointedly in my direction. What had Maisie said to them?
I didn’t have a chance to speak before an attractive brunette spoke. “You must be Gabriel.”
She wasn’t asking.
“Yes, I’m looking for Maisie.”
“I know who you are looking for. She’s not here. She left early. In a bit of a rush. You’re too late.” The brunette looked sharply at me.
My gut clenched. I couldn’t bear it if the reason she left was to reunite with that fool who had already broken her heart once.
“Did she say where she was going?”
The woman narrowed her eyes. “No.”
“Dammit”
The force of my words had her scowling now. “Should I be concerned?”
I realized the force of my words had made me seem like a demanding brute. My panic at losing Maisie had overshadowed any decorum.
“No. Not at all. I’m sorry, I will let you get back to work.” Alienating her co-workers wouldn’t help me.
Another nurse, a blonde, slid a piece of paper across the desk at me. “You can always try this number.”
I glanced at the note. It wasn’t Maisie’s cell. “This her landline?” I asked.
“No.” She winked as she spoke.
I bit my tongue to hold back my irritation. I pushed the paper firmly back in her direction. “Then I have absolutely no need for this.”
I didn’t acknowledge her offended glare. I didn’t have time for games. I needed to find Maisie and let her know how much I needed her.
The look on the brunette’s face had changed from suspicion to something less aggressive. I still wouldn’t call it friendly, so I nodded and took my leave. I was almost to the elevator when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was the brunette.
“I’m Anna. I’m a good friend of Maisie’s. I don’t know what might have happened or if it has anything to do with you, but Maisie was definitely off when she left here.”
“I don’t—"
“Listen. It’s none of my business, but if you’re playing games, find a new mark. Maisie deserves better.” Anna held up a hand to stem any protest. “If you’re serious, prove it to her. Let her know you care about the things that are important to her, and that you will to any lengths to see her happy. She deserves that.”
I didn’t argue. I liked this Anna, and I was glad that Maisie had a friend that had her back.
“Let me assure you that I have never been more serious in my life.”
“Let her know.” Anna nodded her approval and placed the piece of paper she’d been holding in my hand. “This is the coffee shop he hangs out in.” Then she walked away.
I knew exactly what I had to do.
6
CHAPTER SIX
MAISIE
I’m sure that Anna could tell something was bothering me, but she didn’t confront me at work. She let me go saying she would give me a call tonight. I wasn’t sure I was going to speak with her as I was too afraid to turn my phone back on. Afraid that Gabriel had called, and yet even more that he hadn’t.
I really needed to get it together. I couldn’t keep taking time off work because of a broken heart. Not if I wanted to be able to pay my bills.
Sitting in my apartment had never felt lonelier. I needed to call Brenna and see if she wanted to move back in. Thankfully we had still remained friends. At least I hadn’t burned that bridge. Brenna was an amazing girl.
It pained me to see the signs of Mugg still everywhere. Blaine had taken my dog, but not Mugg’s things. He had even left Mugg’s favourite little stuffed monkey. Poor pup would be so sad without Chimpy. I hardly needed more proof that the theft was more about hurting me than his love of my dog. God, I was such an idiot.
Looking around I decided it was time to clean up. I needed to set my life back to rights. That started with this place. I kept Mugg’s things out. I didn’t have the heart to put them away yet. It also made the place feel a little homier, with his bed and toys still here. The rest didn’t take long, but by the time that I was done, I was happy to jump in the shower and wash the dust and the heartache away. I was only successful with one of the two. In the shower I imagined Gabriel there with me, his hands running over my body, touching me in the most intimate of places. Perhaps a shower had been a bad idea. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do to keep him off my mind. He was in my every thought.
I had just put on my robe and poured myself a well-deserved glass of wine when there was a loud knock at the door.
Demanding and urgent.
I tightened my belt. I wasn’t expecting anyone. It was only a few steps more to the door and the peephole, when I froze.
It was Gabriel.
He didn’t need to call my name. I felt him there on the other side. Even if it had been made of solid oak, I would have known. Instead there was only a cheap door between me and heartbreak.
The pounding continued.
“Open up, Maisie. I know you’re in there.” There was a pause. “Please”
One word filled with so much hurt and anguish. Had I done that? Or was I only reflecting my own feelings. Was he really feeling what I was? Like a half without its whole? I gently touched my hand to the door, as if doing so, I could somehow feel his intentions. I still didn’t speak.
“I got your message. I don’t know what scared you, but whatever it is we can face it together.”
He wasn’t going away. And I wasn’t sure I wanted him to. Not anymore. My hand ho
vered over the doorknob.
“I don’t want to break down this door, Maisie, so please let us in.”
Us? What was he talking about? Had he arrived with his brothers for back up?
I knew when I turned the handle that it wasn’t curiosity that made me do it. Deep down inside I knew that I wanted whatever Gabriel St. Laurent had to offer. Any heartache I might have when it ended couldn’t possibly be worse than knowing he was on the other side of this door and then letting him walk away.
I closed my eyes and pulled it open. Ready for whatever may be.
At least I thought I was.
Gabriel stood there. Tall,strong and gorgeous, with only a few rogue hairs out of place that let me know exactly how torn up he must be. I would have brushed them from his forehead if I hadn’t been frozen to the spot.
Nestled there in his thick arms was Mugg. Comfortable and safe in the arms of the one man who had made me feel the exact same way.
I didn’t know who to hug first. I could barely believe my eyes.
“Mugg!”
When Mugg heard my voice, he leapt from Gabriel’s arms to mine. If Gabriel hadn’t been so quick, there would have been a tangle of tails, arms and legs all over the entryway. I don’t think I would have cared at that point.
I was so overjoyed that I began to cry.
Gabriel closed the door behind him and rushed over to comfort me.
“I never wanted to make you cry, Maisie.”
“You haven’t. Not really. These are happy tears.” I looked up from Mugg to Gabriel’s kind eyes. “I can’t believe you brought him back to me.”
“There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you. You need to understand that. I would go to the ends of the earth to make you smile.”
“But, how? Where did you find him?”
I couldn’t imagine Blaine giving up without a fight. He lived to hurt people.
“A little help from your friend Anna. The rest was easy. You don’t need to think about him anymore.” he said.
Gabriel was acting like this was no big deal. As if he hadn’t granted my greatest wish. That getting Mugg back from Blaine really was simple, for him.
It was then that I started to realize what a powerful man Gabriel was. It wasn’t some act or a show to impress others. He was exactly who he wanted to be and knew exactly what he wanted.
Gabriel had no reason to lie. No reason to play games. He wasn’t the type to waste his time. Had I been so hurt in my past that I couldn’t see the truth? That when the real thing was standing before me, I didn’t dare embrace it? Why was I letting the words of others influence my heart?
GABRIEL
I had thought I might die if Maisie hadn’t opened the door. Thank God she had. I knew I would not have been able to control my instinct to kick down the door.
Once I had known she wasn’t being taken in by that creep, I couldn’t understand what had made her try and leave. To throw away what I knew we had both felt.
Her joy at having Mugg back brought a lightness back into my body. To know I had contributed to that happiness was addicting. Did Maisie even realize how much I meant my words? I truly would do anything for my girl.
I wanted to question her about what had happened, but I wasn’t going to interrupt this reunion.
Maisie tussled and played with Mugg until the terrier started to nose around his old bed and brought his stuffed monkey in with him.
I looked over at Maisie, “He looks pretty happy,”
“He looks home.” She spun to face me. “How can I ever thank you enough?”
Standing there in her robe, that was now slightly loosened from her fun with Mugg, I swear Maisie had never looked more beautiful. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, drying in golden waves.
I resisted the urge to wrap my fingers in them, because first, I needed answers.
“What happened, Maisie. I need an explanation?”
“I know, you deserve that much.” Her cheeks flamed. “I’m almost embarrassed to tell you.”
“You never have to be ashamed of anything with me. There is nothing we can’t fix.”
She gave a heavy sigh and then she spoke. “I was at work, when I overheard some of the girls talking. They said that you were out of my league and that I was a fool to think that you could want me.”
I could feel the anger rising within me as she explained. I hated that she had heard such things and worse that she had believed them. Why did these women not see they were tearing each other down? My mother and my brothers mothers had always lifted each other up.
“The thing is, it’s true. You and I come from different worlds. And I haven’t made many good decisions in the matters of the heart.”
I wanted to wrap her in my arms and wipe every hurt she had ever felt from her memory and where it had scarred her soul.
Instead I reached out my hand. Maisie took it and I pulled her in. Her head next to my heart.
“Do you hear that? That is my heart and it beats only for you. Those women are the fools. The question isn’t ‘Are you good enough,’ it’s whether or not I am worthy of you.”
I felt her relax into my arms. “Do you hear me, Maisie? I’m asking you to trust that sweet, open heart of yours one more time. Even if you don’t quite believe in yourself, believe in me. Believe that I will spend the rest of my days working to be the man you deserve.”
She drew back enough to look up into my eyes. “I do believe you. I will never doubt you again.”
All the emotion that I had been holding in, panic, hope, joy and desire could no longer be contained.
I pulled back her hair, forced her face up and took her mouth with mine. Her lips tasted like wine. I couldn’t get enough, I wanted to devour her. It wasn’t just her lips I wanted to taste. I wanted my tongue to explore every inch of her soft, delicious body.
Maisie began to moan, as I slipped my free hand into her robe that was now coming undone. The heat of her soft flesh almost had me undone. Sliding my hand around into the back of her robe, I squeezed the luscious curve of her bottom and pulled her forward against my thickening member. I needed to be free of these clothes. I couldn’t take any more barriers between Maisie’s flesh and mine.
7
CHAPTER SEVEN
MAISIE
The desire in his kiss nearly robbed me of breath. I knew that I was ready for Gabriel and I wanted him now. I could feel his length against me and knew that he wanted me too.
His hands were all over my body and his touch was stoking a fire deep in my core. I had never wanted anyone, anything so badly as I did Gabriel.
His mouth never leaving mine, he suddenly scooped me up into his arms and carried me over to my bed. Gently, he placed me down and then moaned as he pulled away.
With my robe splayed open, I was completely bare to his eyes. And they shone his approval. I had never felt so sexy, so desired.
I tried to sit up, but Gabriel pushed me back onto the bed. He removed his suit jacket and shirt, but his pants remained on.
He looked like a God, every inch, hard perfection. Even my imagination hadn’t been able create a sight this magnificent. I wanted to see all of him. I wanted feel all of him. Especially that bulge that was barely contained. His size was evident, and I thought he must burst out. I didn’t want to wait.
I tried to remove his slacks, but this time instead of pushing me to the bed, he pulled me to my feet. He kissed me, then spun me around. The desire in his pants was now wedged between my bottom cheeks.
Gabriel brushed the hair from the back of my neck and then slowly started to kiss its soft exposed flesh. His lips started down a trail that his fingers followed. As his hands worked their way toward my breasts, I shivered at their touch and my nipples hardened in response. He gently squeezed them, eliciting a moan from deep inside me. I pushed myself against his length, and I heard the intake of his breath.
I rocked my hips again, harder this time, hoping to speed things up. Gabriel wasn’t having it.
I wanted to rip his pants of and pull him into me. Feel him deep within. But Gabriel had other plans, and he was not to be thwarted.
He worked his way around to the front of my body. His lips winding a trail south, while his tongue traced its path. I could feel the heat of his mouth against my mound. A hot quivery thrill raced through my body. One hand cupped my bottom and the other slid into the furrow between my legs. At the touch, my hips bucked in response. I grabbed the thick waves of his hair, so I didn’t collapse.
Gabriel’s thumb swirled across my nub and then he dipped a finger into my willing centre, and murmured, “Oh, Maisie, you are so ready,” He was right, I was so ready, ready for him to fill me.
I threw myself onto the bed. Hoping he would follow.
Gabriel removed his pants and was soon completely naked, in all his glory before me. When I felt his stiff cock through his clothes, I knew that it would be impressive, but it was even more glorious in person.
He stood before me, his rod jutting out, ready to plunge into me. I could see the glistening of pre cum on the tip and wanted to take his length into my mouth. I wanted to taste him.
He climbed onto the bed, but instead of taking me, he spread apart my thighs and once again, his fingers found me. First one, then two. They worked in unison, extracting every ounce of pleasure they could. I started to writh under his ministrations. I thought I knew what ecstasy was until he dipped his mouth down and started to twirl his tongue on my nub. With his fingers pumping and his tongue and mouth massaging I felt a great eruptive pulse gathering within me.
“Cum for me”
I was powerless to do anything else. I started to climax, hips thrusting my mound hard against his mouth. Waves of rapture crashed over me. My body arched as I called out his name.
It was in that moment, as my streaming cleft still trembled, that I saw the change in Gabriel’s eyes. He moved up my body like a panther and then positioned himself between my legs. His cock almost impossibly long and hard hovered just outside my core.
