Gabriel (34 page)

Gabriel lifted her. She said
good night to Robert, Maree, and Michael, and then he took her to the guest
room.

“
Will you stay with me?” Calla asked.

“
I will never leave you.”

“
Good.”

He opened the door with one
hand. Calla had fallen asleep in his arms. He placed her down on the bed, and
covered her. He kissed her forehead.

“
Sleep well, my love.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

 
Calla had
fallen asleep on the couch. Gabriel didn’t want to wake her, so he carried her
to bed. He bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. The urge to cradle her
in his arms and never let go was overwhelming. He moved away and grabbed a
chair from the corner and moved it so he could maintain some contact with her
as his fingers danced across her arm.

She tossed and turned from
time to time, but she had remained asleep for four days.

The door creaked open, and
Robert stuck his head in. “Gabriel.”

Gabriel glanced at the door.
Robert motioned for him to come outside. Gabriel’s stomach twisted into knots
as his hand lost contact with Calla’s skin. The desire to sit back down so he
could touch her almost won. The walk to the door was a few feet away, but as he
looked back, it felt like miles.

He remained in the room,
cracking open the door. “She still sleeps.”

“
Has there been any change?” Robert asked.

“
No.”

“
Well, she’s been through a lot. I think the rest will do her some
good.”

“
We shall see.”

“
Tre’s waiting on us to bring him some supplies. I wanted to wait
until Calla woke up before we left, but he called again this morning.”

“
Take Tre the antidote, and I will call when she awakens.” Gabriel
glanced back.

“
I don’t feel comfortable leaving her.” Robert leaned against the
wall and crossed his arms.

“
I understand. She may sleep for a few more days. Can Tre wait that
long?”

“
No. I suggested he come here to get them, but it appears he’s
assembled a small army and doesn’t want them to know our location. So meeting
him is the best solution.”

“
I agree. Take your phone, and I will call you if there are any
changes.”

Robert uncrossed his arms and
rubbed his head. “All right, we’ll go. I need to pick up Sam and then meet a
friend to pick up more supplies. We’ll be back.”

“
Sam?”

“
Yeah, I told him everything. He got in touch with Tre and has
joined his team. Tre assured me that he’ll keep a close eye on him. I wish he
didn’t want to be involved, but he’s damn stubborn and noble. I think I’ll kick
his ass for old time’s sake for volunteering to do something so stupid.” Robert
laughed, but Gabriel could see worry that etched his face.

“
You have good friends. Be careful.” Gabriel stepped out of the
room and clasped Robert’s arms. “If she wakes to the news that something
happened to you…”

Robert patted his arms. “I
know, I know. I’ll have Maree with me, so I won’t be taking any unnecessary
chances.” Robert turned, heading downstairs for the door.

Gabriel went back over to the
chair and grabbed Calla’s hand, rubbing small circles with his thumb. She
rolled toward him, her eyes still closed. Gabriel heard the engine start and
the car pull out of the driveway. He placed his head on the edge of the bed and
closed his eyes and fell asleep.

****

Fingers caressed his neck and
played with his hair. He lifted his head and sparkling blue eyes met his. “You
are awake.”

Calla laughed. “Yeah, I woke
up and you were sleeping, so I took a shower, got something to eat, and came
back up. I should have let you sleep, but I couldn’t stop touching you.”

Gabriel sat up and stretched.
Calla’s damp hair clung to her arms. He raised a hand and swept it away. The
tips of his fingers tingled as they traced the path. She shivered, and he
raised his eyes to see the most beautiful smile covering her angelic face. He
wanted to say something, anything, but he had trouble translating his feelings
into words.

“
Calla, I…” He lowered his head.

This was his second chance.
He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, that his life was unbearable when
she was gone. He needed her to understand the depth of emotion he was drowning
in. He opened his mouth to try again. Nothing came out. He raised his head, and
Calla had tear-streaked cheeks. He kissed her hand and placed it against his
cheek.

“
We are connected; I feel everything you can’t say.” She moved in
and wrapped her arms around him.

He pulled her onto his lap,
lowered his head, and kissed her with all the passion and love he felt. He
started off slow, their lips barely brushing each other’s. His tongue licked
her lower lip, then the top. He pulled her closer, and she parted her mouth,
and his tongue swept hers. The kiss deepened, each exploring the other’s mouth.
Gabriel moaned, while Calla let out a soft whimper. She pulled away, lips
swollen and eyes sparkling. Calla placed her fingers against her lips as he
stared into her eyes. “I need to tell you.”

Calla nodded.

“
My heart never ached until I lost you. I couldn’t get enough air
to fill my lungs or blood to make my heart beat, and the emptiness swallowed me.
You fill me with so much joy and love, that at times I feel overwhelmed with
these emotions. The sound of your laughter is the most beautiful music I have
heard. Your smile is brighter and more perfect then any sunrise I have seen.
The touch of your hands sets me ablaze. Without you, Calla, I am only a shell.
You are my other half, my soul-mate.” Gabriel lifted Calla’s hand to his mouth
and brushed his lips across it. He reached to wipe the tears that flowed down
her cheeks.

In between sobs Calla said, “That
was so beautiful.” She lifted herself up and wrapped her arms around him. “I
love you.”

He squeezed her tighter, “I
love you, too. I love you with everything I am.”

Calla leaned back, and her
lips met his. She covered his face with kisses that felt like feathers brushing
across his skin.

“
Make love to me, Gabriel.”

Gabriel rose to his feet in
one easy motion, Calla light in his arms and gently laid her upon the bed. He
looked down at her unable to move. The woman of his dreams lay before him,
offering herself in the most intimate of ways, and he could not move.

“
Please.” She smiled at him.

That one little word ripped
right through him. He wanted to lunge forward—but the door. He crossed the room
in two quick paces, locked the door and was back beside her, his heart
pounding. Her t-shirt had ridden up her body, exposing white lace panties. One
leg was bent, and the other stretched across the covers.
 
Her tongue darted out, moistening her bottom
lip, and she lifted her hand and motioned for him to join her.

His body shuddered as he took
a hesitant step forward. His blood turned to lava and burned a path to his
groin. He wanted to go to her. But then what? He had no idea what was expected
from him, and the last person he wanted to disappoint was the angel before him.

“
Gabriel, I need you.” Love called to him like a siren as she
shifted her hips.

Gabriel rested one knee on
the edge of the bed, and then stopped. His heart pounded so hard in his chest
that it ached. His palms were slick with sweat. “Maybe we should wait.”

Calla rolled up onto her
knees. She sat back on her heels, met Gabriel’s eyes, and ran her hands down
her body.
 
The tips of her fingers
plucked the bottom of her t-shirt, sliding her hands underneath. Slowly, never taking
her eyes off Gabriel, she lifted the t-shirt, peeling it off her body and
lifting it over her head. Gabriel’s eyes gazed at her round breasts. His tongue
brushed his lower lip. He slid his hands in his pockets to hide the trembling.
She tossed the t-shirt aside. He looked back up, his eyes meeting hers,
swimming in the orbs of her soul. She bit her bottom lip playfully, the motion
itself beckoning to every fiber in his body, mind, and soul. She rose up to her
knees, just shy of her mouth touching his. She flicked her tongue across his
lips, promises of forbidden pleasures needing to be unleashed, desires captive
now begging for freedom.

He groaned.

“
No thinking, Gabriel. This will be perfect.” She sat back on her
heels and lifted her hands to her breasts.

He watched, hypnotized as she
traced her fingers around the dark areola of each breast. Her nipples began to
form stiff peaks. He reached out and brushed the nipples with his thumbs. His
jeans were no longer comfortable. The blood he needed to think had surged into
the bulge of his pants.

Her eyes were partially
closed as she moved her hands from her breasts to the bottom of his shirt. She
slipped her hands underneath and ran them across his chest and abdomen. He let
out another groan. The last of his reserve shattered.

He tore off the shirt and
tossed it on the ground. He undid the button of his jeans, and his manhood was
released. He watched Calla wrap her palm around it, her fingers not long enough
to meet her palm. She rubbed her hand from the base of his dick to the top. Moisture
began to drip from the tip. She ran her finger across it, brought it to her
mouth, and closed her eyes as she stuck the glistening finger into her mouth. A
small moan escaped her.

Gabriel yanked the jeans the
rest of the way off. He stood before her bare. He watched Calla open her eyes.
Her gaze started at his face and trailed down the rest of his body.

“
I want you, now.” She lay back on the bed, smiling invitingly.

He climbed onto the bed and
placed a hand on each side of her head. He lowered himself close enough that he
could kiss her, but not so close their bodies did not touch. He kissed her
neck, and inhaled her sweet scent. She smelled of strawberries, fresh and
thick, plucked directly from the fields. Her taste, like chocolate, ramped his
craving, his need, higher. He moved down to her collar bone, alternating kisses
and small nips.

He reached her belly and
swirled his tongue around her navel, and she let out a small squeal. He lifted
his head, and their eyes met. She was leaning on her arms watching his every
move. He moved lower and tucked his fingers under each side of the tiny scrap
of lace and pulled them down, running his fingers along the length of her legs
until they were off.

Gabriel moved between her
legs and gave a small nudge to the insides of her thighs, urging her to open
for him. She opened herself to him. Perfect pink lips were on either side of a
swollen nub, and moisture dripped from the center.

He wanted to taste her. He
lowered his head and gave the nub a quick flit with his tongue. She let out a
soft moan. This time he sucked it, savoring the taste that could only be Calla.
Her arms came out from beneath her, and she collapsed panting. He continued
exploring every crease, alternating between licking and sucking. He followed her
reactions to find the places she liked to be touched the most.

She cried out, and her body
trembled. He lifted his head, brows creased.

“
Did I hurt you?”

Calla giggled. “No, that was
amazing.”

Gabriel’s face relaxed. He
was still uncertain as to what happened, but Calla was smiling; and he was the
one who caused that smile. He remained leaning over her for another moment.

“
I think I can move now,” she said as she sat up. “I want you to
lie down next to me.”

Gabriel watched her get back
on her knees. He did as she asked although he didn’t know what she planned on
doing.

Calla straddled him. She
lowered herself over his cock and began to slide down. He felt the warmth and
tightness of her womanhood as he raised his hips dazed with pleasure. She moved
down some more. Gabriel worried that he was hurting her and tried to sit up.

Calla placed her hands on his
shoulders. “I’m just giving myself some time to adjust. I’m fine. Let’s just
say you’re a lot bigger than average.”

“
We should stop before I hurt you.”

“
I’m fine and definitely not hurt. I’m going to ride you. Just give
me a moment.”

“
Where?”

“
What do you mean, where?”

“
Where are you going to ride me?”

Calla laughed. “Right here.”
She slid down, taking him as far as she could and winced.