Dangerous for You (9 page)

“
Why are you worth so much to him? You don’t even know who Gabriel really is and you’re too blind to ever see it!”

I always thought it was just about Gabriel’s sexual subtleties I had to navigate. I damned near driven myself crazy just a short week ago, thinking I had to turn myself inside out or I’d never be able to be with my lover. Just when I thought I had it…

“Why the frown, buttercup?”

I smiled, hurriedly throwing my doubts over a railing. “What frown? See—I’m all grins for you.”

Gabriel enfolded my hand in his. “Don’t be nervous, baby. My mother is one of the sweetest women in the world. And I’m not just saying that because I’m her son either. Family doesn’t get an automatic pass with me, just so you know.”

I kissed his cheek. “How can I be nervous when you’re right here with me?”

Surprised that I’d initiated the PDA between us during office hours, Gabriel considered me with a thoughtful frown. “Hmm.”

“Don’t ‘hmm’ me, Gabriel. Not when I broke my own rules and kissed you in front of my office.”

“Well in that case…I think I’m in need of another kiss, baby. How about right here this time?” He tapped his mouth for good measure.

I leaned forward and pecked him quickly. “How was that?”

“Stingy, but I’ll take it.”

And with that we took the elevator to the garage so that Gabriel could drive us to the restaurant. Traffic was heavier than usually but we still managed to get there within ten minutes. Hopefully we’d be served quickly because I really didn’t want to have to run out on my very first meeting with Mrs. Gordon.

“You sure you’re not nervous?” he asked once again before we entered the restaurant.

“Of course I am. But this is important to you both so it’s important to me.”

“You don’t think we’re moving too fast? I mean, I
am
introducing you to my mother.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never met anyone’s parents.” I wished I’d bitten my tongue instead of sharing that particular tidbit. I really wasn’t ready for Gabriel to know I’d never had a boyfriend until now.

“Really? How rude of your past lovers.” Although he said it lightly, I could hear the thread of irritation in his voice.

I smiled the mysterious smile of my gender, saying everything and nothing all at once.

Gabriel gave me a sharp glance before letting his expression melt. I suddenly wished I hadn’t kept my lackluster love life a secret—all for two seconds.

He’d never let me live it down. He’d swear I was pining for him for seven years. Which might have been the truth, but this is one thing he doesn’t need to know. Really.

I squeezed his hand once. “Ready, Mr. Gordon?”

“Absolutely, Ms. Adams.”

We were shown to our table, only to see Mrs. Gordon was already there. Still stunningly attractive and dressed in a figure-forming white dress with a fitted black jacket, she looked as if she could be Gabriel’s sister and not his mother. Her eyes were the same light shade as Gabriel’s and I suspected he also got his smile from her.

His mother looks like a little doll. She’s so, so pretty.

She stood up with a genuine smile, confirming my suspicion of where my lover’s devastating grin came from, and reached out to hug her only child, leaving the faint imprint of a kiss on his cheek. “Gabriel! I’m so glad you could fit me into your busy schedule.”

“I’m never too busy for you, Mama.”

I was surprised to hear the sweet title for his mother because I called mine “Mom” for as long as I remembered. It just went to show how obviously close they were with one another.

Gabriel’s petite mother turned to me with a wide smile. She reached out and held my hands in hers. “Emma, I’m so happy to meet you. Truly.”

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Gordon.”

“Please call me Marie.”

When the name rolled off my tongue a little hesitantly, Marie’s eyes glittered merrily. Nervous, I tried again. “Thank you so much for inviting me to your lunch with Gabriel, Marie.”

“It’s my pleasure, Emma. After all, my son has been madly in love with you since he was in high school. I can’t even count how many times I heard your name. It’s only about time that I finally get to meet you.”

“Mama! Please wait to embarrass me until we’ve all at least sat down!” Gabriel groaned comically.

“Then I suppose we should take our seats then?” she answered all sugar and spice.

Gabriel gracefully pulled back our chairs at the same time, obviously wanting to give both of us respect but not at the loss of the other. Admittedly, I felt the flutters in my stomach grow at this point. Gabriel obviously loved his mother to bits and while he loved me as well, if Marie and I didn’t get along—where would that leave him?

Ah, now I emotionally understand a bit more of why meeting someone’s parents is such a big deal. Everything can fall apart once family gets involved.

Thankfully, it didn’t seem to be a bridge he’d have to cross anytime soon. Marie, with her smooth unlined face and pale shoulder-length hair, was as lovely towards me as she was beautiful. She had an easy way about her, seemingly putting me at ease without my being aware of it.

Perhaps this is where my golden boy also got his charm?

I looked over at Gabriel and my heart nearly clenched with a sweet pang. He seemed so happy and younger than usual. Relaxed. Gabriel caught my gaze and winked.

I’d watched enough T.V. to expect a polite interrogation starting with “So, Emma, tell me a bit about yourself.” So I was more than pleasantly surprised to find Marie didn’t ask me the typical questions of background, employment, and hobbies.

Instead, we all chatted about inconsequential subjects that slowly put me at ease. She shared her love of books with me, suggesting all sorts of titles for me to add to my library.

I cut a sly glance over at Gabriel, sure he was mentally taking notes. I wouldn’t have been surprised if I received a basket of books from him tonight. In fact, I’d be delighted if I did.

Am I already getting spoiled? I’m afraid that I am.

My secret smile disputed that fear. I took little steps towards being okay with Gabriel’s over-the-top affections, but steps nonetheless.

“Emma, do you like the ballet?”

I froze for a moment, instinctively gearing myself to be on the defense. My fingers curled in my lap before I smoothed them across my skirt. I had to trust Gabriel would not have brought me here to be insulted. I
knew
he didn’t and I
knew
his mother wasn’t like that.

Not if she was anything like her son.

It was challenging to overcome my habitual defensiveness, but I answered honestly, “I’ve never been except for once in 5
^th
grade.”

Gabriel’s mother didn’t bat an eye. Instead she asked warmly, “Do you remember what you saw?”

“The Nutcracker.”

Marie nodded. “I go to see that every year. Say, would you be interested in going to the ballet with Gabriel and me this Wednesday?”

Before I could answer, Gabriel drolly explained, “Emma, not that I’m trying to sway you, but let me stress that my mother has
never
invited anyone on our yearly ballet date. Ever.”

“Really?”

“Really, really.”

“In that case, I’d love to go.” Gabriel and Marie smiled identically and blinded me with their combined beauty. I could already barely resist Gabriel. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to resist Marie as well. I felt like putty in their hands, waiting to be shaped.

“Wonderful! I absolutely look forward to seeing you then.”

I ducked my head slightly, feeling a touch awkward but extremely happy with how nice she was being to me. It was a novel feeling coming from someone of her monetary and social standing. I wondered if Gabriel’s mother knew everything about my past with her son or how Gabriel and Embry ended.

I hoped she did and didn’t all at once.

Lunch was delicious and I was actually wistful once we had to take our leave. Marie reached out and touched me on the shoulder. “Gabriel’s told me how hard you work, Emma. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to have lunch with me.”

“It was my pleasure. Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome.” She tilted her head and shared, “Gabriel also told me how much you enjoyed Lanita Taylor’s designs for the benefit you two went to. Perhaps he can take you back for another one of her creations and you can show me what you chose at the ballet?”

There seemed to be only one way to answer that. “Of course.”

“Good. Gabriel, why don’t you put the bill on my account?”

“Sorry, Mama. I love dressing Emma and want to be the only one buying her clothes.”

“You know, I could always pay the bill too.”

They both turned to me, identical frowns on their faces to match their identical words. “Absolutely not!”

“All right then.” My capitulation wasn’t enough and they more than let me know.

“Emma, I invited you as my guest. You shouldn’t have to incur a cost to go!”

“Emma, you are my girlfriend. I’d never be able to hold my head up if I couldn’t buy you a dress! Say what you will, but never say that again.”

I held my hands up in peace. “Okay, okay. I accept as your guest, Marie, and don’t worry about holding your head up, Gabriel.”

The cats got the cream judging the smugness of their matching smiles.

“And on that note…” Gabriel leaned down and kissed his mother on the cheek. “I wish we could stay longer, Mama, but you know how it goes.”

“That I do, Gabriel,” she answered a bit dryly.

Remembering how Gabriel’s father died of a heart attack barely into his forties, I wondered if the comment was more about her deceased husband’s lengthy work hours than her son’s schedule.

“I’ll call you later on this afternoon when I get a minute.”

“All right.” She included me in her smile. “See you on Wednesday, Emma.”

“Goodbye, Marie.”

Gabriel neatly plucked the bill and took care of it on our way out—despite his mother’s protests.

“You both are rather a bit bossy, aren’t you?”

“Absolute tyrants. And now you have the both of us to contend with. Poor, poor Emma.”

On the way back to the office, I had the chance to ask in my roundabout way about what he’d already shared about us. I kept my posture relaxed even though I felt tense. I wasn’t sure why I even felt a little anxious but I did.

“Gabriel?”

“Yes, my love?”

“Your mother was very nice.”

He grinned happily. I’m sure if his gaze wasn’t hidden by his sleek sunglasses, I’d fall into its brilliantly blue depths and never find myself again. “She’s a very nice lady.”

“Yes, she is. Why was she so nice to me?”

Gabriel glanced at me, frown tugging at his lips. “Why wouldn’t she be nice to you?”

“Because she doesn’t know me.”

“Oh, baby. To know you is to love you.” Gabriel lifted my hand to his lips and gave it a quick kiss. “My mother knows what you mean to me. That’s why she likes you.”

I bit my lip. “So I mean a lot to you.”

“As if you didn’t know!”

“Well, I suspected but I wasn’t quite sure…”

“Emma Adams, I should pull over right now and take you across my lap for saying such a thing!”

“You wouldn’t.” Was that coy and seductive voice mine? My body ratcheted up in an odd mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

Gabriel didn’t spare me a glance. He simply pulled over to the side of the busy road and put the car in park. Gabriel then turned to me, posture careful and precise. “You were saying?”

I laughed, notes high and tinged with excitement. “Gabriel.”

“Emma.”

“We’re in broad daylight.”

“Yes.”

“There are tons of people passing by us on the sidewalk.”

“Correct.”

“Not to mention all the cars.”

“Correct again. You
are
my most clever girl.”

My heartbeat quickened. His stillness aroused me because I didn’t know exactly what he would do next. And I knew Gabriel was capable of anything—including pulling me over his lap.

I had to admit I’d be disappointed if he didn’t.

“Oh, Emma. You don’t know how to hide your thoughts very well anymore. I’ll consider this your just desserts, baby.”

I opened my mouth and then promptly closed it when he turned over the engine and smoothly re-entered traffic.

I can’t believe he just did that!

“You’re a tease, did you know that?”

“Am I?” Gabriel purred. “Sounds to me someone’s upset because she didn’t get her bottom warmed up. Does that sound about right?”