Page 82 of Gabriel & Skye

“Sensual?”

“And the most beautiful.” He turns to look at me.

I bite my lip. “And what naughty thing did Taurus do to end up in the sky, according to Greek mythology?”

He laughs. “Funny you should mention it. Taurus’s head faces toward Orion. It’s said that Taurus is the God Zeus disguised in order to seduce the maiden Europa. The Greek Gods didn’t know how to keep it in their pants, if you ask me.”

I think he’s right about that. “Wasn’t Hera enough for him?”

“Apparently not. He got around, as most Greek Gods probably did back then.”

I laugh at the idea. I’ve been smiling so much my jaw aches. “That was really cool, Gabe. Thank you for enlightening me.”

“Anytime.”

“I think you should really get that telescope.”

“Yeah?”

“I could come out with you and be your scribe.” I have no idea why I say that.

He moves slightly, sitting up onto his elbows. As he does, our hands brush slightly, and he turns to look down at them.

I swallow hard.

“I can just imagine you camping out, with the headlights on, peering into the distance as you look out for cougars and black bears while you’re meant to be taking notes.” He doesn’t move his hand from mine; our pinkie fingers touching.

“Hey! I’d make a better scribe than I would a barista.”

“I think we can both agree on that.”

We both look at one another and burst out laughing. It’s such a nice sound. It makes my insides all gooey.

“Thanks, Gabe. I really mean it. That took my mind off Gramps, and I learned some new things.”

“Happy to help, and I love coming up here. So any excuse is a good one.” He palms the back of his neck as he sits up. “But I should take you home. Travis will call a search party if he’s back at your grandparents’ already and you’re not there.”

I nod, sitting up as I hug my knees, his jacket still draped around me. It hits me that this is a really special place for him. And he took me here.

The way he looks at me; I’ve never had a man look at me like that before. I can’t explain it. It’s like he’s genuinely interested when I speak. He wants to know what I think. He might possibly be the sweetest man I’ve ever met, yet he hides it under the facade of a CEO. It’s such a crying shame, but I understand he’s guarding his heart. I wonder what would happen if he let his walls down; if he gave love a chance again. Not that I’m such a genius at it.

He climbs down first, then holds his hands out for mine. I take them, reveling in his warm touch as our eyes meet. I slide off the truck bed and just as I land, I kick a rock and stumble. He catches me easily as I fall into his arms, cursing as I grip onto his biceps. Holy mother of God, this man is built. It’s deceiving when he’s in a suit. He’s tall, obviously, and he looks lean. Now I’m up close and personal, I see that he’s buff as all can be; his chest is wide set, framing a perfectly sculpted body. I feel my core throbbing. And his blue eyes are staring at me.

“I’m a klutz,” I explain.

“Did you hurt yourself?”

I shake my head.

His voice is hoarse when he says, “We should…” I’m still holding onto him when I lean up, out of nowhere, and plant a kiss on his cheek.

I could be wrong, but I’m sure I hear a low growl in his chest and I don’t know about him, but I’m panting like a woman possessed. I want his mouth. No, I need his mouth.

“You are a sweet man, Gabriel Bassett. Thank you for bringing me up here.” I let go of him and hobble around to the passenger side. I stumped my toe when I tripped, but I don’t want to admit it. It seems these boots are for aesthetics only. He follows me — being the southern gentleman that he is — and helps me into the truck.

His gaze is on me the whole time as I look anywhere but at him.

I just kissed my boss on the cheek! What was I thinking?

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