Page 25 of Michael's Awakening
Chapter Ten
Michael
Any uncertainty about what the hell I was doing there disappeared when I turned around and saw Gabriel descend the stairs. He looked magnificent.
His long legs were concealed under purple skinny jeans and– oh damn– he was wearing those come-fuck-me shoes again. He wore a white crop top that showed off his sexy as sin stomach, and he had a black, fitted jacket pulled on over it.
I grew hard as a rock just looking at him.
I was almost tempted to grab his sexy ass and drag him back up the stairs so I could fuck his brains out, but I fought the urge. After my session with Dr. Chase that morning, I did a lot of thinking for the rest of the day. The psychologist’s advice bounced around in my head until I had no choice but to contemplate my decision.
Like a good attorney, I argued both sides of the case: try for more with Gabriel or don’t try and leave him alone. I weighed the pros and cons of each argument. It seemed like the main reason for my hesitance was the fear of Gabriel turning away once he realized the truth about me.
Sure, there were other issues as well, aside from my visible scars. The mental scars were a big concern, too. I was fucked up in the head from all the years of abuse I suffered and Gabriel deserved better than that. He deserved someone who wouldn’t bring their baggage and drama into his life.
Nightmares continuously plagued me and there were certain things I’d really have to work on changing and overcoming. Like being touched. My scars ran deep and were repulsive, too hideous for someone as beautiful as him.
But, I finally came to the conclusion that I’d let him make the decision for himself of whether he wanted to be with me or not.
I craved him like no other. Since first laying eyes on him, he hadn’t left my mind and occupied my every thought. I was a strong man, I had to be. However, I knew I wasn’t strong enough to stay away from Gabriel, no matter how hard I tried.
Until the moment he turned me away, I would do everything in my power to keep him. To see where this could go.
“You hungry, Princess?” I reached out to take his hand and help him off the last step.
“Starving!” He grabbed my hand and stepped down, a bright smile on his face.
“Good.” I led him to my car and helped him inside.
It already felt natural being with him, as if I had known him my whole life. That wasn’t true, of course. If Ihadknown a star like him my entire life, maybe I wouldn’t be the fucked up mess that I was now.
Gabriel had his hands clutched in his lap as I drove us to the restaurant. Was he nervous? What was he thinking?
“Have you ever been toAmbrosiabefore?” I asked to break the silence.
“That’s where we’re going?” Gabriel sounded shocked. “That place is way too expensive. No, I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard about it.” He turned in his seat to look at me.
“Believe me. You’re worth every penny.” I glanced at him from my peripherals, but kept my eyes fixed on the road.
Since it was a Monday night, the restaurant wasn’t overly busy, but it still held a decent crowd for the dinner time rush.Ambrosiawas a new, fancy Greek themed restaurant that I had read about, but never had reason to attend. Until now. When reading about it online, I knew it was the perfect place to take Gabriel. It was the perfect place for a Princess. Plus, the food was said to be spectacular.
As we approached the entrance, I placed my arm on Gabriel’s lower back and guided him inside.
Greek columns were positioned throughout the place, with statues of angels and gods placed on top of them in various poses. Green ivy snaked along the walls, and plants in decorative vases aligned the walkway to the seating area. Classical music played overhead and the smell of fresh baked bread and spices drifted throughout the room, giving off an intoxicating aroma. A large fountain with the statue of the god Poseidon in its center, holding his notorious trident, was located near the hostess, who greeted us with a bright, fake smile.
“Welcome toAmbrosia!” Her overly enthusiastic plastered smile faltered a little when she saw my arm around Gabriel.
I disliked her already. I tightened my hold on Gabriel and pulled him closer against me, with a smug smile on my face.
“Reservation for Kingston,” I informed the hostess. Even though we probably could have been seated without a reservation, I hadn’t wanted to risk the chance of having to wait on a table.
Also, I might have been somewhat of a control freak and liked when things fell into place in a predictable manner.
She searched through the names on her list and then nodded. “Here we go. Table for two. Right this way, Mr. Kingston.”
She grabbed two menus and started guiding us to our table.
“Kingston is your last name?” Gabriel looked amused, but I wasn’t sure of the reason.
