Page 30 of Michael's Awakening
Chapter Twelve
Michael
I was at a crossroads. With the way I behaved toward Gabriel, he should have already been stomping his sexy ass up the stairs and slamming his front door without another word to me. Instead, he was still sitting in the passenger seat and had just asked me to go up to his apartment with him.
When I pushed him away from me earlier, my heart stopped and I experienced a self-loathing like never before. I reallywasa beast. He deserved so much better than me. When he touched my chest, all of the memories I tried to forget came rushing back to me.
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea,” I finally responded.
His face fell at my words and I had to bite my tongue from giving in to him.
“Not a good idea for me… or for you?” His tone was biting and he narrowed his eyes.
“For both of us.” I tried to make my voice as neutral as possible, even though the idea of leaving him sent a pain through my chest.
“You’re a bad liar.”
My eyes flashed to his. He had his brows raised and was giving me a sassy look.
“I’m not good for you, Princess.” I shook my head. “The sooner you realize that, the sooner we can go our separate ways.”
“Let me be the judge of that.” All of the sass was gone from him, and in its place was a strong sense of determination.
I was astonished. He really wanted to give me a chance, even after what I’d done.
“Gabriel…” I hesitated as I searched for the right words. “I wasn’t lying when I said I was fucked up. I have never been in a relationship because there are things about me that most people wouldn’t understand. Or accept.” I moved my gaze from him and stared at my clutched hands on the steering wheel. “Once you get to know the real me, you may not like what you find.”
Soft hands reached out and turned my head to look into the most haunting pair of eyes I’d ever beheld. Gabriel caressed my cheek then moved his hand down and stopped at my mouth, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. His beautiful eyes were focused on me with such intensity that I felt a hollowing in my chest at thought of never seeing him again.
“Show me the real you, Michael.”
“I can’t. Not right now, at least. It will take some time.” I kissed his thumb before grabbing his hand. My decision was made. All sense of willpower disappeared when I was around him and I couldn’t stay away. But I would have left and never returned, if he’d asked it of me. “Do you still want me to come in?”
“Yes,” he answered automatically.
We walked up to his apartment in silence. He flicked on the light when we entered, and I stood by the door, not really knowing what to do.
Being a lawyer, every move I usually made was carefully calculated and I was always sure of myself. But all of that went out the window as I stood in Gabriel’s apartment with my hands in my pockets, looking like a lost puppy.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Gabriel opened up the refrigerator and stuck his head inside to look. “I have a few beers, tea, or water.”
His ass looked amazing in those tight, skinny jeans as he bent over, making me want to pounce on him. He stood up and looked back at me with a questioning look.
“Water is good. Thanks.” I moved from the door and walked the small distance to his living room. There were cheetah print pillows decorating the light brown couch, with one purple pillow in the center.
What was it with him and purple? It was everywhere.
“Here you go.” Gabriel walked in and set a glass of water down on a purple coaster on the coffee table in front of me. He took a seat on the couch and crossed his legs as he sipped on his own glass of water.
“Thanks.” I gave a small smile and took a seat beside him. “So, have you always lived here in Fort Smith?”
I made an attempt for small-talk. I really wanted to know more about him, and that was one question I hadn’t asked at dinner.
“No, I’m from a smaller town that’s about an hour away from here called Mulberry. After I graduated high school there, I moved here for college and got my Cosmetology license.” He took a sip of his water, and then set it down on the table. “I never want to go back there. That entire town is just filled with intolerant assholes. Not much different than this one. But it was worse, if you can believe it. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.”
I had a sudden urge to go to that town and track down anyone who had ever hurt him. By the look in his eyes when he spoke of it, I could tell he’d been treated badly and it pissed me off. Did those people not see how special he was?
“What about your family? Do they still live there?” I asked, having to stop myself from reaching out and grabbing him.
