Dangerous for You (6 page)

“No. We’re landing and staying for the weekend.” Gabriel shrugged, looking a little bashful. “I remembered that you said you always wanted to go.”

“When?”

Twin stripes appeared on his high cheekbones. Gabriel pursed his lips. “During lunch. Senior Year. Second week of my failed courtship.”

My mouth dropped open. Gabriel never seemed to run out of ways to surprise me. “You remember that?”

“I remember everything about you, Emma. Everything.”

“Wow. I hope you don’t remember anything I said that might be too embarrassing.”

“Of course I do. You’ve been my obsession for a long time, don’t you know?” Gabriel coughed and then said, “If you think this is too lame or you don’t want to do it I can have us fly somewhere else more conventionally romantic—”

I cupped his cheeks with both my hands and kissed him squarely on the lips. “Don’t you dare, Gabriel! I love it!”

“You’re not just saying that so you can spare my feelings or have your way with my body, are you?”

“Nope. I mean it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Are you kidding me? I’ve always wanted to go to the Smithsonian and all the other monuments. Seriously.”

Gabriel traced a line down the middle of my chest. “I seriously started second-guessing myself as soon as we took off. I mean, D.C.? Who takes their girlfriend to D.C. for a first trip?”

“You do because you know me and know what I’d like. And I can’t wait to see this city with you. Honest.”

“So did I do well?”

“A+”

“A+, huh? And we haven’t even stepped off the plane yet.”

“Where do you think the plus came from, Mr. Gordon?”

“Hmm, in that case maybe I can try to get some extra credit,” he whispered suggestively.

I tapped him on the tip of his perfect nose. “Do you think you have time for your naughty imagination before it’s time for us to go?”

“For all I want to do to you? Not even close. But I can work on one little extra credit point.” Gabriel’s hand slid up my thigh. His fingers brushed against my damp core, instantly igniting my hunger back to life.

“I thought you didn’t want poor Patrick to know what we were doing back in here?”

Gabriel gave me a rich look full of pity. “My poor innocent Emma. The walls aren’t that thick, you know. Why else do you think I gagged you?”

FIVE

We made it off the plane, perfectly clothed and not a hair out of place. I was grateful that I wore slacks and not a skirt or I would’ve felt self-conscious making my way down the stairs.

Patrick nodded and smiled as we passed him, no leer or waggle of his brows to indicate he knew what we’d been doing behind closed doors. Of course, he wouldn’t be that unprofessional so I wasn’t sure why my imagination was looking for something. Most likely because I couldn’t help but feel a little depraved in making love with Gabriel only a few feet away from his staff.

I probably need to get over that. I’m sure it won’t be the last time I can’t keep my hands off him. Especially since it helps my fear of flying.

Gabriel held my hand securely in his, squeezing it once as if he knew the directions of my thoughts. He ushered me into an awaiting limo, eager to be off. Still it felt strange to see someone other than Waylon holding open the door. “Do you always travel in style?”

“First class all the way, baby, is how I do it. Especially when I have you.” He wound his arm around my waist and pulled me tight. “I also had a drink.”

“When? You mean on the plane?”

“Yep.”

Seeing the confusion on my brow, Gabriel said, “I seem to remember a certain young lady who once lectured me quite loudly about drinking and driving. Do you remember that young lady, Emma?”

I did remember. Prom night. Gabriel’s hand up my dress and his wickedly soft lips traveling across my neck. His offer to drive even though he’d emptied a flask in a short period of time.

“Well, I’m happy to know something I’ve said stuck with you.”

“It
was
good advice. I shouldn’t be surprised considering the source.”

Gabriel’s praise always had me feeling equal parts pleasure and shyness. Usually I hid it. I didn’t want to do that anymore but it was hard going to break ingrained habits. So I bit my lip and looked down at my lap, seemingly very interested in my hands.

“You really don’t forget anything, do you?”

“Nothing that concerns you, Emma. You are the center of my world, after all.”

“I really haven’t earned the right to be the center of your world, Gabriel.”

Gabriel curled his fingers beneath my chin. He tipped it up until my gaze met his. “Surely you really don’t believe that, do you?”

I remained silent, helpless beneath the weight of his sincerity. I knew he loved me, but I still didn’t understand why.

As if he heard my thoughts, Gabriel whispered, “Emma, one day you’ll understand how much I really love you and why. Until then, please just know that I do love you more than anything in the world. You are my center and you always will be.”

My cheeks flushed with pleasure. “You’re spoiling me.”

Gabriel smiled, his beautiful gaze sparkling with an enigmatic mix of emotions. He brushed his lips against mine in a sweet brief kiss. “That is the point, my dear. Besides, how can it be spoiling when I’m simply telling you the truth?”

“Don’t put me on too high of a pedestal. It’s going to hurt worse when I fall.”

He sighed. “Pessimist.” Gabriel rubbed the tip of his nose against mine. “One day your glass will be half full just like mine.”

I didn’t have the heart to point out that his glass was much, much bigger than mine. “Maybe.”

“Come here, baby,” he ordered while directing my head to rest against his chest. “You must still be a little groggy from your nap, yes? You’ll feel better soon. Promise.”

“I’m not groggy—”

“
Rest
, Emma.”

We soon left the airport behind. And Gabriel was right. I did feel better the longer I heard his heart beat beneath my ear. Soon the limo wound its way towards a town with narrow streets and long sidewalks.

“I’m done resting, don’t you think?”

“Hmm, I guess. Come on, pop up. My kitten is curious and won’t be satisfied unless she sees the world.”

“I’m a kitten now?”

“For the moment. I’m sure the bunny will make a return soon enough.”

I grinned before sitting up to study the life surrounding us. Pedestrians streamed along both sides. Couples walked hand-in-hand while mothers pushed their babies in colorful strollers. I smiled as I watched a Great Dane decide he’d walked enough, despite his owner’s pleas to move from the middle of the sidewalk.

“There’s a lot of people out today,” Gabriel remarked blandly.

“It
is
the weekend.” I looked over my shoulder back at him with a sly smile. “Too bad you can’t empty out the streets.”

“Is that a challenge?”

I didn’t care for the glint in his eye. I couldn’t put anything past Gabriel, including finding a way to block access wherever we went. “Absolutely not.” He nodded, smirk that of a man whose immense power had been sufficiently acknowledged.

Despite the heavy traffic, our oversized vehicle managed to pull up curbside. I looked up as we exited, interested to know where we were going to be staying. Hotel Monaco. Gabriel met my questioning smile with another smirk. He held my hand firmly in his own and strode confidently towards the glass doors.

The friendly doorman ushered us into a dark lobby. I studied our surroundings avidly as we walked towards the front desk. While smallish, the lobby was a bold mix of deep turquoise walls, scarlet accents, exotic prints, and lots of mirrors. I liked it a lot. It made me wish I could paint my apartment in similar fashion.

Hmm…maybe I can check with the office and see if it’s okay as long as I repaint the place before I move out.

Check-in was a breeze. Our luggage was soon loaded and we were off to the bank of elevators. Once we arrived at our room, Gabriel opened the door with a flourish.

“After you, my sweet.”

I walked in, instantly charmed. The decor was as eclectic as the lobby five floors down. Behind me, Gabriel tipped the bellboy handsomely, thanking him for saving our collective backs. I looked to see the man was charmed by Gabriel, his smile less formal and more genuine.

I knew long ago that people couldn’t help but love Gabriel, despite his belief to the contrary. It made me proud of him and a bit uncomfortable to know that I was rarely at ease with strangers.

Probably because I spent my time having to fend off insult after insult. Boy, can the chip on my shoulder get any larger?

My maudlin thoughts didn’t have time to take root and flourish. Once the door closed behind the bellboy my lover picked me up and spun me around. Our shared laughter melted into a lengthy kiss. It was homecoming like always. No matter what happened to me in life, as long as I could kiss Gabriel and be with him like this, everything would be okay.

When Gabriel finally let me down I linked my arms around his neck. “What are we going to do next, Mr. Gordon?”

“What would you like to do next, Ms. Adams?” He answered with an impish grin.

“Well…can I ask for anything?”

“Please do so.”

I bit my lip again, finding it to be a natural and new reaction when I spent an extended period of time with Gabriel. “Can we go exploring?”

“Naked exploring?”

“More like exploring the town and then going to see the sights?”

He looked up at the loft where our bed presumably was with longing and groaned. He then looked back at me and smiled angelically. “Of course we can.”

I clapped my hands and kissed him as thanks. “You’re the best!”

“Keep doing that and I won’t let you out of the room.” He squeezed my ass hard, lifting me up high on my toes.

“You keep doing that and I won’t want to be let out of the room.”

His lips curled into a sexy grin. “What do to? What to do?”

I stood there, ridiculously in love with my playful man. Gabriel eyed me for a speculative moment and then sighed. “Make sure you bring your coat, Emma. It’s really windy out there.”

“You packed one for me?”

“But of course. Oh, and anything I forgot we can just buy. I’m sure there’s a clothing shop or two around here. I’ll get changed into something more comfortable and then we can go, okay?”

After I freshened up, I came out of the bathroom to see Gabriel had changed into a black sweater, dark wash jeans, and boots. He looked positively edible. I almost wished I hadn’t suggested exploring the town. It was my turn to look up at the loft and sigh.

Gabriel missed nothing. “It’s too late now, Emma!” he crowed while slipping on his overcoat. “You had your chance with my body and now you must suffer its loss.”

I sighed louder and muttered, “Karma, you really are a bitch.”

Defying temptation, we left our room and were outside in another quick minute. Looking around at the old buildings mixed with new, I still didn’t know where we were exactly.

“Is this part of D.C.?”

“No. We’re in Old Town Alexandria.”

“Really? I’ve never heard of it.”

“Lovely. I managed to pull off a geographical surprise as well. Come on, Emma. Let’s go towards the river and see what we find.”

I made a mental note to research the town history when I got a chance. I loved what I saw of it already. We explored numerous shops along the way. When we passed a lingerie store, Gabriel stopped and walked back. “This looks to be a good place to stop, don’t you think?”

I laughed, absurdly tickled by his innocent expression as he pointed at the window displaying a mannequin clad coyly in a black lace set with garters and stockings. “Maybe later.”

He frowned adorably. “I don’t know if I like your ‘maybe.’ It usually means no.”

I tugged on his arm until he leaned down. “I’m not into lingerie,” I admitted softly in his ear.

“You’re not?”

“No. I prefer to just be naked.”

Gabriel shot up straight. “Your preference is mine. Definitely can’t argue with you there. Naked is good. It’s the natural order of things, after all?”

We continued our walk down one side of what I learned was King Street, following the crowd until we reached the bustling waterfront. We stopped by the Torpedo Factory, looking at the artisan works with a curious eye. Eager to explore the rest of the street before we headed into D.C. proper, we both agreed to come back the next day if there was still time.

Walking hand-in-hand along the riverfront, we dodged several groups of families until we reached the edge of the walkway. I couldn’t help but notice how quick on his feet Gabriel was and how adept he was at finding pockets of free space, as if he didn’t want us to be cornered without an escape route. I wouldn’t have been surprised to find out if it was part of Gabriel’s training to protect himself. This in turn made me give thought to our perspective security teams. “Are they on duty?”