Page 122 of The Photograph

He kisses me. “Stay, baby.”

Shivering at his expression, I curl my arms around his neck. “All right.”

I open my mouth under his.

****

Later, I eventually get showered and dressed while Gabe is seeing about breakfast. Or brunch. Definitely food. After a quick text to Cara and Emma, I follow the smell of coffee. Barefoot, I pad toward the kitchen and stop dead in my tracks in the living room.

The painting I gave Gabe hangs over the fireplace framed in a burnished silver that enhances it perfectly.

The warmth of Gabe’s body envelops me as he hugs me from behind, and I lean into him.

“So, you like it.”

“I love it.” He peppers moan inducing kisses along my neck. “Hungry, baby?”

“Yes.” I loop my arms around his waist.

Gabe pecks the tip of my nose.God, I love when he does that.“Michelle’s ready for us.”

“Who’s Michelle?”

Soft kiss on my mouth. “My chef.”

We settle at the smaller table by the pool, and I sigh as I curl my legs under me on the plump cushion of the armchair across from his. I swallow the last of Michelle’s cheese omelet—which is almost as good as Cara’s—while Gabe eats scrambled eggs, waffles, muesli, and berries.

My mug of tea in hand, rocked by the soft lapping of the swimming pool, I nestle back in my armchair and peruse Gabe’s naked chest. The early sun caresses his wide shoulders and casts enticing shadows on his arms and well-defined abs. His grey sweatpants shorts sit low on his hips uncovering the thin trail of hairs leading to… A shivery all-over warmth courses my skin and pools low in my belly. As he pops something in his mouth, I squeeze my thighs together.

He sets his frowning gaze on me. “Am I chewing too loud?”

When I shake my head and bite my lip, Gabe’s lips stretch slowly. “What is it, baby?”

My heart races and I sigh.

He extends his open palm. “Come here.”

My mug hits the table before I get on my feet. I swing my leg to sit across his lap facing him and graze my fingers over his mouth.

“I want you.”

He pulls me flush against his erection and plants a sizzling kiss on my lips while his hands slide under my short dress.

When he kisses my neck, I fist my hands in his hair to get his eyes. “I want you in my mouth.”

Gabe wraps his hand around my nape and his voice gets all growly. “Baby.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gabe

In the early evening, lying back against the thick cushions of the daybed of the library, I tighten my arm around Aelin who’s tucked between my raised knees with the back of her head resting on my bare chest. I stroke her hair while she reads theElle Décorarticle and shut my eyes.

After the spectacular blowjob by the pool, I took her on a chaise lounge and again in the living room before she fell asleep in my arms.

When she closes the magazine and shifts to nuzzle my neck, I move her to drape her legs over my lap and peck her delectable mouth.

“What did you think of the article?”

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