Page 83 of Gabriel & Skye

When I’m strapped in, he shuts the door, secures the tray, and then he climbs into the driver’s seat. He runs his hands through his hair before starting the truck and I think I might have a little something to do with his frustration.

Should I apologize?

Is he mad?

I’ve no idea, but I know how I feel. And my body and soul are on fire for him. I want this man to ruin me. To take me to his bed and tell me about Taurus all over again. I’m still reeling over all the information he just gave me about the constellations and what a sweet idea it was. The man has no idea how freaking sexy that is, or how turned on I am by him just being himself. I know that he’s a serious guy, but I have to say that I really like this side of him. He’s playful. Carefree. Relaxed. Every time I see him, he either has a scowl or that crease between his eyes is forming. I imagine he has a lot of stress in his job, and in his life. But I love it when Gabriel Bassett takes time to smell the roses. It makes me feel happy that I got to make him smile and laugh as much as I did.

That’s a real accomplishment.

The trouble is; I want more of it.

I want more of all things Gabriel.

21

Gabriel

I can’t get this maddening woman out of my head. She’s not only quickly weaving her way under my skin, but she’s also knocking walls down left, right, and center. I’ve no clue as to what I did to deserve her kiss. Not only did it rock my world and make my dick even harder than it was before, but feeling her soft lips on my skin — it made me want more. And not just sex, though obviously I’d love nothing more than to take her back to my home — a place I’ve never taken a woman before, aside from Tiffany. But it’s so much more than just physical. She’s attentive and endearing. She listens and asks questions.

Women in my past have only ever been after me for one thing; and while that’s all dandy, I long for a woman with substance. Someone who wants to hear about the goddamn constellations and what I have to say.

And I’m realizing all of this now. At this very moment. While I lie in bed with my hand around my cock, pleasing myself imagining such things.

It’s indulgent.

It’s wrong.

But it feels oh, so right.

Skye Hendry may just be the sweetest human I’ve ever encountered.

I’ve been with quite a few women, but nothing compared to how I felt lying next to Skye with all our clothes on.

I want to know all about her. What her hopes and dreams are. What she wants to accomplish in life, and where she sees herself. I always look at everything objectively, and I know we can’t be anything, but it may just be the one true regret I have if I don’t pursue her. I’m chicken, that’s for sure, but I also have an obligation to my daughter. If me and Skye end up in the sack, or more, where does that fit with my daughter if things don’t work out? Trinity would get close to her, and then when I fuck up — as apparently, I do well — she’d be gone. And my child and I would be left to pick up the pieces, alone again.

The idea that someone could ruin us, just like Tiffany did, makes me stop in my tracks. Halting my hand on my dick. I can’t do this… then I remember her sweet mouth on my skin. Her gorgeous scent, and how klutzy she is. It’s all adorable as much as it is sexy.

Just when I thought I was done for any woman, that I couldn’t possibly love again like I loved Tiffany — or be loved, for that matter — Skye came along, and now she’s all I can picture. This has nothing to do with her being new in town, or that she’s as cute as she is sweet natured. It’s to do with the feeling.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve had goosebumps rise on my skin just listening to a woman speak. Or the fact my heart skips a beat whenever she enters a room. And when she touches me? I’m done. And I shouldn’t be done. I should be a fucking professional and keep my hands off the goddamn nanny.

I know one little taste, one tiny touch, is all it would take. Like her kiss; I wanted so much to turn my head, capture her mouth and return the favor, tenfold. I wanted to make her feel as good as she made me feel. I wanted to be better than any guy that has come before me, and — while that might sound cliche — I mean every damn word.

This woman is dangerous.

Dangerous with a capital D.

To think she’ll be leaving soon and starting a new life in North Carolina makes me groan in frustration. Then there’s the idea that she’d eventually start dating; plenty of men would be lining up to be her suitor.

I can’t stand the thought of her with another man. It makes me jealous; another trait that I’ve only just realized about myself. It’s been so long since I’ve cared for a woman in that way that I’ve momentarily forgotten. But with Skye? She makes me feel things I thought were long and buried. Like she can see straight into my soul.

Get ahead of yourself.

Every time I try to do just that, I remember her kiss and our gazes locked right beforehand.

We had a moment. I know that she knows; that’s why she kissed me. But she wasn’t quite brave enough to plant one on my lips; where I really wanted her. And like the goodie-two-shoes I am — always trying to be the good guy — I didn’t reciprocate.

I stood there like a fucking idiot until she pushed off me and got back into the truck. And if I’m honest with myself; it’s not just the fact that she’s my nanny — it’s also because I’m too chicken shit to try. Because I know deep down to love a woman like Skye would ruin me all over again. If I had her and then lost her, I don’t know how I would ever recover.

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