Page 129 of The Photograph

He nods and I follow him to the car. Once settled in the comfortable cabin, I text Gabe.

Went to visit my friend Gertie. See you tonight. AX

An hour later, I release a breath as Gertie opens her door. After a quick scan, I breathe out, relieved at no apparent bruise on her arms or face.

She clutches my hand in hers. “Sweet dove, did you rush here? There was no need—”

I kiss her cheek as I enter her home. “There is, Gertie. Let’s get you comfortable.”

She hooks her trembling hand in the crook of my elbow as we make our way inside her welcoming home.

Once she rests in her bedroom, I go home and call Gabe who picks up on the first ring.

“Baby, what’s wrong?”

I plop down on my bed. “My friend had a fall and I’m taking care of her.”

After a short silence, Gabe says, “So, you’re not coming back here tonight?”

Pushing the cell against my ear, I let out a sigh. “No, she has no one here, and she took care of me after I lost—”

“It’s all right, baby. Take care of your friend. I’m leaving for Dubai tomorrow and will be back on Wednesday.”

A knot tightens my chest, but I smother the pinch of hurt and curl my legs under me.I guess we won’t talk about the baby.I’m less sad at losing it because the surgery gave me back what Dick Lockwoods took from me, but Gabe acts like I was never carrying a bit of both of us inside me.

“Okay. I’ll see you then.”

“Next time, I’ll tie you up to my bed until I come back home.”

His low grumble makes me shiver. I loved being tied up. Love it, so I lean into my cell and whisper, “Promise?”

When he swears low, I giggle before we disconnect.

****

A few days later, I’ve come to a decision but like everything important in my life, I need to speak to my sister and selfishly, I’m happy she’s not at Mitch’s today.

Following the symphony of pots and pans, I walk in her test kitchen just as she closes one of the ovens’ door.

I push my shoulder against the doorjamb. “My Cara, do you have a minute?”

She slides a dish into the second oven. “Of course, angel.”

As she bends over the counter next to the sink to write something on her cooking journal and drinks a mouthful from her mug, I step to the white island and speak to her back.

“Did you fall in love with the first guy you had an orgasms with?”

She coughs out her coffee. I run to her while she wipes her mouth off with the back of her hand.

“Cara! Are you okay?” I rub the middle of her back while she rips a sheet of paper towel.

After blinking the water off her eyes, she nods with a smile and clears her throat. “Yes … yes. I am. So, what was your question?”

So many emotions race through me. I talk fast. “I have so many orgasms with Gabe, and I read somewhere that it could lead me to feel like I’m in love with him when really, I’m in love with the orgasms.”

Cara chuckles. “What do you think?”

“I think my orgasms come from my feelings for him.” I sigh. “But it’s confusing.”

---