Page 16 of Six of Hearts
"Perfect." He pulled out a chair at the kitchen table, but instead of sitting, he leaned against the counter near the stove, watching me. "You're good with him, Caleb."
"He's a great kid." I cracked eggs into a bowl, hyperaware of Gabriel's proximity. "He told me today that you're the strongest person in the world."
Gabriel's expression softened. "He says that?"
"Mmhmm. Right after he tried to arm wrestle me and I let him win." I whisked the eggs, then poured them into the heated pan. "You're his hero, you know."
"I'm just trying not to screw him up."
The vulnerability in his voice made me look over at him. His jaw was tight again, eyes distant. Without thinking, I reached out and touched his arm. "You're doing an amazing job. He's happy, he's loved, he's thriving. That's all because of you."
Gabriel's gaze dropped to where my hand rested on his forearm, then slowly travelled up to meet my eyes. The air between us shifted, charged with something electric.
"You make it sound easy," he said quietly.
"I know it's not." I should have moved my hand. I didn't. "But you're not alone anymore. You have the guys. You have me."
"You." He said it like he was testing the word. His hand came up to cover mine, warm and rough. "You know you're making this really hard, right?"
My breath caught. "Making what hard?"
"Keeping my distance." His thumb stroked across my knuckles. "Following the rules."
"What rules?" My voice came out breathier than I intended.
"The ones that say I shouldn't be thinking about you the way I am right now."
The eggs were going to burn. I should turn around, flip them, finish cooking. Instead, I stood frozen, drowning in the intensity of his gaze.
"And how are you thinking about me?" I whispered.
Gabriel moved closer, his free hand coming up to cup my jaw. "Like I want to kiss you until you forget every other man you've ever met. Like I want to hear you say my name when you come. Like I want to—" He stopped himself, jaw clenching. "Fuck. I shouldn't be saying this."
"The eggs," I breathed.
He reached behind me and turned off the burner, never breaking eye contact. We were inches apart now, his body radiating heat. "Tell me to stop."
I should. This was too fast, too intense. But I'd been feeling this pull toward him—toward all of them—since the moment we met. "I don't want you to stop."
That was all the permission he needed. His mouth crashed into mine, hungry and demanding, and I melted into him. His hands gripped my waist, lifting me onto the counter in onesmooth motion. I gasped against his lips, and he took advantage, deepening the kiss until I was dizzy with it.
"Fuck, you taste good," he growled against my mouth, his hands sliding up my sides. "Been thinking about this for weeks."
"Me too," I admitted, threading my fingers through his hair. It was softer than I expected. Everything about this moment was overwhelming in the best way—his taste, his touch, the way he kissed like he was starving for it.
His lips moved to my neck, and I tilted my head back, giving him access. One of his hands slid higher, thumb brushing the underside of my breast through my shirt, and I couldn't stop the moan that escaped.
"That's it," he murmured against my skin. "Let me hear you."
His phone rang, shrill and insistent in his pocket.
We both froze. Gabriel dropped his forehead to my shoulder with a muttered curse. "You've got to be fucking kidding me."
The phone kept ringing. He pulled back, jaw tight with frustration, and checked the screen. "It's the station. I have to—"
"Answer it," I said, trying to catch my breath. "It's okay."
He answered with a clipped "Stone," his eyes never leaving mine. I watched his expression shift from frustrated to focused. "Yeah. Yeah, I can come in. Give me twenty minutes."
