Beauty and the Feast (32 page)

“Quincy McIntyre, Gabe’s little brother,” said Quincy.

“Wow. Since when do you have a brother?” Jason asked Gabe.

Gabe ignored the boys. He held Eva tighter. He felt a tremor run through her. He leaned his head against hers. “Are you all right?” he asked in her ear.

“Put me down, Gabe,” came Eva’s muffled voice.

“Hell no. Not until you tell me what happened.”

“You’re not the boss of me, Gabriel Abbott.”

“Watch it, Mr. Abbott,” laughed Jason. “She might put you in a guillotine.

“Quincy, hit the stop button.”

Quincy did as Gabe ordered. Gabe lowered Eva to the floor. He backed her into a corner, using his body to control her movements. He looked her over from head to toe, caressing the reddened cheek, running a gentle thumb along her bleeding lip.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me, Eva Raines? Do you have any clue how terrified I was when I couldn’t reach you? How frantic?”

Eva shook her head. Her wide brown eyes stared into Gabe’s own.

“Do you know how fucking much I love you, woman?”

Gabe lowered his head and he took Eva with his lips, careful not to hurt her. Eva reached up and threaded her hands through his thick hair. She moaned against his mouth, her lips parted, Gabe tasted blood, and then he was lost in the warmth of her.

“Go big bro,” whispered Quincy.

“I can’t watch this,” said Jason, and he turned his back to the couple.

The elevator alarm sounded and Gabe lifted his head. Eva appeared dazed, her pupils dilated, eyes unfocused.

“Can you walk?” asked Gabe.

She shook her head
yes
. “Can you?” she laughed.

“Probably not,” he replied with a grin.

“
TMI
,” called Jason, sticking his fingers in his ears.

“You want me to pull the stop button?” asked Quincy.

“Yeah, let’s go,” said Gabe. He stuck a finger beneath Eva’s chin and lifted her head, studying her face. The corner of his mouth twitched. “You really put her in a choke hold?”

“Not exactly. I used a leg lock and then, well, I merely restrained her torso so she couldn’t elbow me.”

Gabe laughed out loud. He looked at Eva with a newfound respect. “How the hell…how do you know how to wrestle?”

“Uh, four big brothers? Iowa? Wrestling? Dan Gable? Ringing any bells?”

The elevator doors opened. Eva walked out in front, followed by Gabe and Quincy. Jason, pushing the dolly, brought up the rear. The four stepped outside onto the street.

“Did you drive, Jason?” Gabe asked.

“No, Eva drove, but I was going to take her to SFO and then return this dolly and drop off the check at ATAP.”

Gabe turned and held Eva by the shoulders. “SFO?”

“Yes. I was going to try to get on standby back to Iowa.”

“Why?”

Eva lifted her hands in a mute gesture. “I quit my job.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I figured there was a good chance I’d end up in jail for assault. I’d not only embarrass my bosses, I’d damage the reputation of their company. Ow.”

Eva brought her fingers up to feel the side of her mouth.

“Your lip hurt?”

She nodded.

“C’mon, let’s get you home. Hey Jason, you think you can drive Eva’s car back to Napa?”

“Yeah, sure. She already gave me her keys and money for the toll.”

“You mind taking my brother with you? I think Eva and I could use a little time alone.”

“Yeah, why not.”

“Sorry, Quincy, you don’t mind, do you?” asked Gabe. “You got your cell?”

Quincy nodded.

“Call me as soon as you get to Eva’s house and I’ll pick you both up.”

“You can wait inside if you like,” added Eva. “Jason has the key to the front door. By the way, Quincy,” Eva grinned, “it’s really nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand.

Quincy’s grip was firm. “Nice to meet you too, Sis.” He winked at her then he followed Jason down the block.

“Sis?” asked Eva, casting a suspicious glance at Gabe.

“Later,” replied Gabe. “We have some catching up to do. My apartment’s only a couple blocks away.”

Eva shrieked as Gabe swung her back up into his arms. “Put me down. I can walk,” she protested.

“Fuck no,” said Gabe. “You’re wounded and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to play doctor again ever since your bike accident. All you have to do is lay back, relax, and enjoy the ride.”

“A long, hard ride? Eva asked.

“A very long, very hard ride,” Gabe replied, with a wink.

“I like the way your mind works, Gabriel Abbott.”

“I like the way you look in these shorts, Eva Raines,” said Gabe.

“By the way, how did you know where I was?”

“Ruth. I called the office and she told me about the receipt you left on the desk. I figured Stephanie’s was the first place I should look.”

“You’re a smart man, Gabriel Abbott.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Is the blindfold really necessary?”

“Of course. Otherwise you might cheat.”

“Me? Cheat? I would never cheat, Gabe.”

“Just controlling all the variables. If this study is going to be scientific, it’s important to control all the variables.”

“You gonna tie me up too?” Eva asked, her grin wicked.

“Hmmm,” said Gabe, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, his green eyes lazily perusing her naked body. “It’s worth considering. Maybe after we complete the taste test.”

Three weeks had passed. Tom and Marcus had returned from their camping trip and immediately shredded Eva’s letter of resignation. Stephanie Lindstrom had sent Eva a formal note of apology, along with an orchid. Quincy had decided he liked the small town atmosphere in Napa and he and Jason both got jobs with ATAP. They were helping with the summer wedding season. Quincy turned out to be quite the cook and Eva put his skills to good use. He’d stayed in her extra bedroom while Gabe finished up with his interviews. Gabe had finally returned to the Bay Area, and he would be staying for the time being, at least until he and Eva headed to her parents’ farm for the Fourth of July.

“How much time do we have before Quincy gets home?” asked Eva.

“Hours and hours,” replied Gabe. “He’s out with Jason and his friends. We have the entire evening to complete our study.” He stroked the side of her breast. “God, you are a beauty. I may have to fuck you first.” His voice had deepened with desire.

Eva watched his cock rise to the occasion. She teased him with her fingertips. “Blindfold. Taste test. Now. Let’s get this over with while I can still concentrate.”

“Mmmm…if you say so, lover.”

Gabe folded a silk scarf and used it to cover Eva’s eyes. He tied it at the back of her head. “Too tight?” he asked.

“No, it’s all right.” She felt his mouth on her nipple. “Hey,” she protested, her voice shaking. “Taste test.”

“I am tasting,” mumbled Gabe against her breast. “And you’re so fucking sweet.”

Eva shoved his head away. “Now,” she insisted. “If you keep touching me, I won’t be able to do this.”

“All right, all right,” agreed Gabe. He sat up.

Eva heard a small, tearing sound.

“Okay, first one. Open your mouth.”

Eva complied and Gabe dropped a small, round, hard candy onto her tongue. She sucked it briefly. “Easy. Dark brown,” she said.

“Correct,” came Gabe’s voice. “But that was too easy. Try this.” He waited for Eva to swallow, then he dropped another one.

Again, Eva sucked. “Yuck,” she said, “blue.”

“Right again,” said Gabe. “You know, you look very cute with that blindfold on. I think I should take advantage of you.”

“Oh?”

“Definitely. Spread your legs, Eva.”

She laughed. “Yes, master.”

“Lean back.”

Eva leaned against the headboard of Gabe’s bed.

“Give me your hand.”

“Which one?”

“Right,” said Gabe.

Gabe took her hand and spread her fingers. He laid her hand between her legs, running her own index finger through her very wet, very swollen folds.

“Touch yourself while I watch. Touch yourself.”

“Gabe… I…”

“Yes, sweetheart, you can do it. God, you’re so gorgeous. So red and ripe. Like a strawberry.”

Eva began to move her finger across her clit, in small, slow circles.

“Mmmm…like that. God, just like that. Open.”

Gabe popped another candy in Eva’s mouth. She stuck it against the roof of her mouth and sucked, trying to concentrate on the taste of the candy and the sensation of her own finger at the same time.

“Y…y…yellow,” she stuttered, a catch in her throat. She gasped as Gabe slipped his own finger inside her.

“That’s right,” he said. “Keep up the good work. Here comes another one.”

Eva opened her mouth and tried to remember to suck, as Gabe’s finger worked its way in and out of her, and his mouth descended on her nipple. He bit her.

“Huh…another…another yellow,” Eva breathed. She could feel herself begin to flush as her skin warmed. Her toes flexed and pointed and she felt herself moving toward orgasm.

“Right again.” Gabe removed his finger and wrapped his hand around hers. He pressed his index finger against hers and slid them both into her.

“Oh God, Gabe…”

“That’s right, just like that. C’mon Eva, open for me.”

Eva parted her lips and Gabe dropped a candy on her tongue. His mouth followed and he flicked his tongue across her teeth. His fingers swirled hers around her clit.

“What color is this one? Hmm? What color?”

“R…r…red…”

“That’s right. Red. Red like you. That’s one hundred percent so far. Keep it up, lover, keep it up.”

“Oh fuck Gabe… I can’t…”

“Yes, you can. You can do it. Here’s another one.”

Eva could feel Gabe’s erection press against her thigh. Jesus, he felt hard as steel. She sucked on the candy, trying to keep just a small portion of her brain functioning. She was close, so close to orgasm.

“What color is it? What color?”

His finger was inside her again. She heard herself moan as she said, “Orange. It’s… it’s orange. Oh fuck… Gabe…please…”

“Please what?”

“Please make me come.”

“Uh-uh. You have to do that all by yourself. While I watch. You’re right, by the way. It’s orange. Very impressive.”

Eva’s body grew so tense she felt like screaming.

“One more, get one more right and I’ll help you come.”

“Oh yes…yes…”

“Open.”

Eva quickly opened her mouth. She started. The object Gabe dropped into her mouth wasn’t a piece of candy. She felt it carefully with her tongue for a moment. It was a ring, most definitely a ring with a rather large stone. Eva stopped moving. She reached her left hand up to her mouth. As she popped the ring out, Gabe grabbed it from her and quickly slipped it onto her ring finger.

“Gabe…”

“Did I say you could stop?” was all he said.

“Gabe…”

Eva felt him move over her. He spread her thighs farther apart and he buried his face between them. His mouth replaced her fingers and he began to lick her.

“Damn, woman, you are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted,” he murmured, his mouth against the inside of her thigh. He shoved Eva onto her back and his hands found her breasts as his lips closed around her nub. He began to suck.

Eva did scream then, and she came, hard and fast. Gabe lapped up her tremors greedily, like she was a caramel flan. Before her orgasm ended, Gabe lifted himself. He rubbed the head of his swollen cock through her moisture and he entered her in one motion, impaling himself to the hilt. Eva arched toward him.

“You fit me so perfectly, Eva,” he murmured in her ear, thrusting deep. “Like a tight, wet, hot glove made for me and me alone. Marry me,” he whispered. “Marry me and stay with me forever.”

Eva ripped the scarf off and met his gaze.

“Yes, Gabe. Yes.”

Gabe reached for something out of Eva’s line of vision. “Close your eyes,” he demanded.

Eva did so. He dropped another candy into her mouth. She sucked briefly. Her eyes flew open.

“Where did you… how did you…?”

“I have connections,” Gabe said, with a grin, moving inside her, filling her. “I have very deep…” he thrust, “very big…” he thrust, “very high connections.”

Light brown. Gabe’s mouth descended upon hers and she sucked the candy and his tongue together. He lifted his mouth from hers for a moment.

“You’re right,” he said, his voice husky. “The light brown are the best. Just like you.”