“Gabriel, don’t go.” It came out shaky, desperate. “Please don’t go.”
He blew out a breath, dropped everything on the table. “Shit.” Thrusting both hands through his hair, he held out an arm. “Come here.”
She went, curling up against his chest, a tremor rocking her frame. “I didn’t mean to do it.”
Gabriel wanted to kick his own ass. His only excuse for his behavior was that he’d been so fucking happy to be here, with her—her fear had scraped him raw. When he’d risen to his feet, all he’d intended to do was kiss her impertinent mouth. “I know you didn’t.” He rubbed his jaw against her temple, conscious this situation would come up again and he had to get a handle on it.
Because Charlotte was his. “I would’ve driven back,” he told her. “Next time, just tell me to go calm the fuck down.”
“In exactly those words?” Charlotte’s response was quiet, but it held her usual spark.
Relieved he hadn’t done any permanent damage, he rubbed his jaw against her temple again, fine blond hair catching on the bristles of his five-o’clock shadow. “That’s my Ms. Baird.”
AFTER THE MESS SHE’D almost made of what had been a wonderful evening to that point, Charlotte tried to be extra careful over dinner… until Gabriel growled.
“Charlotte, you’re acting like the chickens,” he said from where he sat just to her right. “You know what I think of the chickens. That they should be plucked and eaten.”
Mouth falling open, she said, “You are a horrible man!”
“Yes, I am.” He lifted a forkful of food to her mouth.
When she snapped her lips shut, he grinned. “Oh, this is wonderful. Now I know how to keep you quiet while I tell you all the deliciously bad things I’m going to do to you. I don’t think I’ve told you how much I like your breasts. I’d like to squeeze them as I kiss your neck, then suck—”
“You—” The rest of her words were lost in a mumble around the forkful he’d fed her.
Chewing as fast as possible, she swallowed. “I was trying to be nice,” she pointed out. “Trying to make it up to you.” He’d taken the blame, but she knew it wasn’t his fault. She’d hurt him. She hadn’t meant to, but she had, and the knowledge stabbed at her deep inside.
“Charlotte,” he said, “if you ever want to make up with me, just get naked.” A glint in his eye. “If you feel like doing some sucking too, I won’t say no. Otherwise, be yourself.”
Her cheeks went red. Ducking her head, she squeezed her thighs against the impact of the images suddenly popping into her mind. Along with them came a whispered reminder that he was a physical man—she could repair things between them in a way he’d not only accept but enjoy. So, she thought, her teeth sinking into her lower lip, would she.
All she had to do was gather up the courage to try.
Gabriel tapped her foot with his under the table. “That’s a very guilty look I see. What exactly are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” She pretended to be very interested in her meal.
“Charlotte.” A coaxing murmur that reached all sorts of places it shouldn’t reach. “Tell me.”
“Eat your dinn—umph.” Chewing on the mouthful he’d fed her, she glared at him. “Stop doing that.”
“You barely ate anything you were so worried about being nice to me.” He leaned back in his chair. “I know how much is normal for you, so don’t tell me otherwise.”
Eyes narrowed, she put some more rice and stir-fry on her plate. Not because of his words, but because she was hungry now that the knot in her stomach had been replaced by butterflies drunk on the sinful ideas circling her mind. Gabriel didn’t say anything until after she was done, and the two of them were nibbling on the berries and grapes she’d put out for dessert.
“What made you blush?” He ran the back of his index finger down her cheek.
Charlotte immediately blushed again.
“Oh, now I have to know.” His shirt stretching across his shoulders, he braced one arm over his chair back, turning to angle his body toward hers. “What makes my Ms. Baird go that sweet pink shade that makes me think about the tips of her nipples? Specifically, if they’re the same color.”
Those nipples throbbed as if he were tugging at them with his fingers and not his words. Rising on a hot flush, she went to clear the table, but he put his hand on the back of her chair in a gentle restraint. It didn’t make her afraid, not when he had that hungry T-Rex smile on his face.