Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance 1(117)

She watched him intently as he expertly plated the food, garnishing it with such finesse that when he was finished it looked as though it would be something served straight from The View.

"You really know your way around a kitchen," Beth commented as he added the finishing touches and carried their plates over to the small kitchen table.

Gabriel grinned at her and gave her a wink, before opening up the wine cabinet to select a wine for the evening. "Let's just say cooking is a passion of mine. One I don't have the luxury to indulge in."

"So again, why me? Why not someone who doesn't need to be trained?" she asked, slipping into one of the kitchen chairs.

Selecting a bottle of white wine he grabbed a corkscrew from the counter and made his way over to her and the table. "I could," he started, screwing in the corkscrew, "but I seriously doubt I'd enjoy their company nearly as much as I do yours." His eyes caught hers as he gave the cork a jerk, opening the bottle.

He guessed her mind went rushing back to their little encounter because she diverted her gaze and ran a nervous hand through her long locks. Fuck! And double fuck! He growled at himself as his jaw clenched. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable being around him and that was exactly what he'd done. We'll talk and get this straightened out after dinner, he told himself as he grabbed her wine glass and poured some out to her.





Chapter 6

As Beth made her way to the outdoor swimming pool where she was supposed to meet Gabriel, she still felt uneasy and the black bikini she was wearing was only a small part of the reason. A combination of embarrassment over her wanton behaviour with him earlier and the feelings that were beginning to form within her for him were clouding her judgment. Was she a fling? Was she an employee who things just got out of hand with? Did he usually participate in sexual activities with the women who worked for him?

Her face blanched. Oh my god! What if he hired me with the sole thought in mind of having me here for a quick fuck whenever he had the urge for it? The thought was like having a knife jabbed into her stomach.

I have to discuss this with him. I have to make sure.

Her mouth fell agape when she opened the back patio door and stepped out into the warm night air. A soft seductive melody played from hidden speakers and the pool area was lit by tiki torches along the perimeter. Combined with a cloudless, starry night sky, it was beautiful in its simplicity. The shimmers of light as the full moon bounced off of the water only added to the romantic atmosphere. She groaned inwardly; could this get any more uncomfortable?

Slowly making her way with towel in hand to the pool, she watched Gabriel swim laps, his strokes long and powerful. His body appeared to glide over the water. As she stepped down the final step she leaned a shoulder against the porch railing and watched him.

Sensing her arrival, Gabriel finished his final lap and then pulled himself out of the water, in one swift, powerful motion. The water glistened like small diamonds over his body as it ran down his muscular torso to disappear into his forest green swim trunks that rode dangerously low on his hips.

My God, he's gorgeous! She immediately felt a stirring between her legs. Did it really matter why he wanted her there? He wanted her, wasn't that enough? No! No, it's not, a voice in the back of her head screamed out to her, shaking her loose of the trance she'd been in while watching him.

He looked up and his dark eyes caught her. "Come on over, the water is perfect tonight," he motioned for her to join him as he sat by the edge, his feet dangling into the pool.

With hesitation she made her way over to him, aware that his eyes were examining every inch of her body as she walked. With this knowledge she squared her shoulders and tried to appear more confident than she really was. Placing her towel on the cool cement, she sat down beside him, letting her feet dangle into the water. He wasn't kidding: it was just warm enough to take the cool edge off, but cool enough to be refreshing.

"That suit looks... amazing on you Beth." The tone of his voice was low and silky smooth to her ears.

The flutters in her stomach joined the growing ache between her legs. She groaned inwardly. Why did he have to be so damned sexy and charming and... Ugh!

"What's the matter?" Gabriel frowned as he looked over at her.

"I..." she looked over at him and sighed.

"Oh. This is about earlier?"

"Yeah." Taking a deep breath in Beth decided to simply get it out in the open and be done with it. "Why did you hire me?"

Gabriel's frown deepened and as he opened his mouth to speak she held a finger up to his lips. "Don't lie to me."

Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of her hand lightly. "I like you Beth."