Nothing that happened was her fault.
“When did I do that?” She tugs on my arm to face her and when I do, that small hand goes to her hip. Gabriella cocks it, watching me through a mock glare, and this time my lips twitch. The woman is refreshing. So adorable. “Is there a question hidden within that pose?”
“At the supply store...”
“What of it?” I know what she’s insinuating, but it’s much more fun to annoy her a bit. And it’s because of the rough night that I push a little more, to keep her from going back to the awful memory. “All I did was hear you go on and on while not interrupting. Temperamental artists hate that.”
“You jerk!” But then her brows furrow, lips thinning into a line. “I can’t believe she said that during a meeting, and that sadly, I still considered her a friend up until recently. I’m beyond embarrassed by Elise’s behavior.”
“That reflected on her, not you.” Walking us deeper into my home, I take her into the kitchen while keeping my opinions on the woman to myself. Not now. She’ll see for herself soon enough. Know everything. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Thank you for saying that, and no. I’m just tired and should probably...” Gabriella trails off, her eyes wide while slapping her forehead. The sound is loud, and I bite back my disapproval. “I can’t believe I just—”
Taking the few steps between us, I cage her face in my hands and lift it up. She shivers a bit but also pulls in closer, which I more than approve of. “What’s wrong? Is this about your dog?”
“Please take me home.” The unshed tears in her eyes hit me in the gut. I don’t like to see her like this, even if at times unpreventable. “I’ll be fine, and I need to take care of him.”
“No,” I say the word low, softly. “You need to rest, and he is safe.” Gabriella tries to interrupt me, but stops at the shake of my head. “Tero has him and will bring him in the morning.”
“He has him?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t tell me this earlier because?” And fuck me if her huff and annoyance aren’t cute to me. “Also, why are you so hell-bent on me staying here? I’m okay, I swear, and—”
“I want you here because I’m worried for you. I want you here because I care and can’t get you out of my head, Gabriella.” Those luscious lips part, and a small gasp escapes them. “And I want you here because this unexplainable pull won’t allow it to be any other way.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” I chuckle, earning a roll of her eyes. “That easy?”
“I’m too tired to argue over who is right and who’s gone insane.” At her response, I rub my thumb across her cheeks. I love how soft she is and the way she reacts with another small shiver. “Besides, I’m just as curious about you as you are me and this weird attraction that I won’t deny. That, and the detective and Elise...” the annoyance in her tone as she mentions the ex-friend nearly makes me laugh “...know where I am. You try something funny, and it will be you they look for.”
“Is that a threat?”
A small shrug. “More like an honest observation.”
“A very smart one,” I agree and then drop my hands from her face. “Which is why I insist you eat and then get some rest. It’s late, and you’ve had a long day.”
“Not really hungry,” she says through a sudden small yawn.
“But can I tempt you with anything?” At once, her skin flushes and it takes every ounce of self-control in my body not to nip her bottom lip. To taste her. “Tell me, and I’ll make it happen.”
“I’m fine.”
“Fine is the code word for ‘I’m not really okay’ so speak up.”
Her eyes flicker away from mine and toward the clock on my left, and the only reason I don’t complain is how quickly they shift back. I’m always so unlike myself around her. “What I’d like is nearly impossible to get at this time. No use in arguing, but can I FaceTime my dog instead?”
“Tell me.”
“No.”
“Try me.”
“Has anyone told you before just how pushy you are?” My response is a non-caring shrug. “Ughh, fine. Pie.”
“Pie?”
“Yes, pie.” My mouth waters at the response, my mind going straight for the sweet little slice of heaven between her thighs that I’ve yet to devour. Because I will. Not today, but I will, and it’s hard to pull myself from those dangerous thoughts when I’m hard and hungry. Her saving grace is the rough day she’s had and the hospital visit. “I want a piece of the PB&J masterpiece from the Pie Bar.”
There’s this wistfulness in her eyes as she tells me, almost as if tasting the treat, and I jerk hard behind the confines of my zipper. Such an unknowing tease. So sweet.
“Anything else?” It comes out a bit gruff, but Gabriella doesn’t pay any mind, too lost in her thoughts of dessert. “Can I get you to eat something heartier first?”
“No. Just pie.”
“Done.”
17
Theodore
Gabriella’s taking a shower when I step out of the penthouse and head down to the garage, the low moan as the water meets her skin becoming almost too much to bear. She was unaware of my presence inside the guest room while I dropped off a pair of sweatpants and a soft cotton shirt for her to wear.
I also left a note atop the bed telling her I’d be right back. That my house is hers to use as she pleases while ignoring how close she was.
Naked.
Wet.
Motherfucking mine.
I’d wanted to give her something that would make her comfortable, and instead, I received the gift of her sighing in contentment. That blissful sound made my already-hard cock throb, pulsing in pain for the release I denied it once again.
Soon, I whisper into the empty cab of my car while driving toward the Pie Bar like the easily manipulated man she’s made me; something the beautiful woman is unaware of. Ignorant of the many ways I admire her and have for longer than she knows—I’ve wanted her since seeing the first stroke of her brush on a blank canvas.
Each new color moved something within me. I saw the world through her eyes.
Turning right onto the street where the restaurant is located, I hit the number two on the vehicle’s screen and then wait. It rings once, and then there’s a click followed by heavy breathing. “Tero.”
“Evening, sir.” There’s a small yip from his end, and the owner doesn’t sound amused. “As you can hear, I don’t have a fan as a guest but an enemy waiting to pounce.”
“He can pounce all he wants.”
“I’m already aware of being his personal chew toy.”
A bark of laughter escapes me as I pull into a parking space, putting the car in park. “She’ll want to video call him in a bit to make sure he’s okay. I’ll need you to stay awake as long as it’s necessary, my friend.”
Even though I can’t see him, I can almost imagine Tero nodding his head. “Will I be taking him into the office with me or—”