Dazzled by Silver (12 page)

Relaxing, I found relief. I watched my friend run her hands along her curves, and wished the shower door were clear so I could see her spread the soap over her caramel skin.

Finished, I should have left, but the tingling I’d felt in my tummy didn’t let me. Besides, if I was about to get it on with Gabe, I couldn’t let him smell the sweat that covered my body from my jog. Yes, a shower was exactly what I needed.

Kendra bent forward, her ass pressed against the shower door. The memory of its round warmth under my fingers returned. “Are you going to shower?” she asked.

“I will, after you,” I said.

“Actually, I could use your help washing my back.”

Without hesitating, I lowered the straps of my dress and unfastened the buttons. With each breath I took, lust flowed through my body like a drug. Memories of our night together consumed me. I imagined Kendra’s wet body gliding against mine in the shower, her hands exploring every nook and fold of my skin. Was this just my hormones talking? Had I really been that deprived for all these years?

“One minute,” I said.

My dress slid down to the floor, and I stared at the faint reflection of my powdery white body and nude colored panties. Part of me wanted to jump into the shower because I knew exactly what would happen as soon as Kendra touched me, but something deep inside held me back. At first, I thought it was guilt. But I hadn’t done anything yet. Then, I realized the only hands I truly wanted on me were Gabe’s.

“Are you coming?” Kendra asked.

“I...I can’t.” I drew my hand away from the shower.

Kendra peeked over the top and my hands flew to my chest, covering my breasts.

The rims of her eyes were no longer red and she appeared more sober than I’d seen her in the last two weeks. “What’s the matter? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked.”

“It’s different now. You know what will happen if I come in there.”

“Yes.” She bit her lower lip, and then grinned. “And I’m really looking forward to it.”

“You’re still high and it feels like I’m cheating.” I picked a fresh towel out of a basket and wrapped it around my body.

“You two are that serious?” Kendra asked.

“I’m not sure what we are.”

“I thought you were just playing around.”

“So did I, but—”

“You look like you’ve caught the bug.”

“What bug?”

“The love bug.” Kendra rolled her eyes and resumed her shower.

“Kendra, please don’t say anything. I really don’t think I could stomach a serious relationship. It’s too soon.”

“I won’t, but Sam, I don’t think Gabe’s ready either. He’s not interested in anyone, at least not that way. As open as he’d probably be to a threesome, he can’t love you. He won’t love anyone for a long time.”

“How do you know?” I lowered my head and sat on the closed toilet seat.

“Because of his wife.”

C
HAPTER
11

I gripped my towel around me and fled the bathroom. Was Gabe married? Had he led me on all this time? I shook my head, rushing toward the back of the plane to Gabe’s bedroom. The queen-sized bed swallowed me in its sheets as I made an attempt to hide.

Within two weeks of meeting Gabe, I was on his plane, flying to New Zealand, half-naked and sweaty. We had a fling, and he was married! In the back of my mind, an alarm sounded as the logical part of my brain began to work. Gabe had never worn a wedding ring or mentioned a wife. The dedication to his work and protecting people almost crossed the line of obsessive compulsive, but not quite. Was he just protecting me? Was I just a part of his job? My heart thumped in protest.

The door hinges squeaked. “Are you here?” Gabe whispered.

I tightened my grip on the sheets and shut my eyes. All the keenness to have him inside me was gone.

The bed moved slightly as Gabe crawled under the sheets.

I squeezed my eyes closed as hard as I could and held my breath. My pulse kept running wild.

Gabe curled around me from behind, spooning me. His soothing body against mine eased the tension in my muscles. The smell of his musk flowed into my lungs. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Gabe was the best remedy for any ailment, any time; even a possible broken heart.

“I know you’re awake.”

I felt his breath on my ear. Gabe traced his finger along the top of my palm in smooth circles, sending pleasurable trickles down my body. I let go of the sheets and Gabe weaved his fingers with mine.

“I’m not married, Samantha. As much as I want you now, you should sleep. I won’t leave your side. I promise.” He pulled my body closer to his.

I didn`t doubt him.

The long breath I’d held escaped as I relaxed the tight squeeze of my eyelids. Casey would have me down on my knees by now, apologizing to his dick with my mouth for making a simple mistake. How had I been lucky enough to find someone like Gabe who not only knew my thoughts, but wouldn’t scowl at me every time my mind wandered off? He erased all my anxiety with a single touch. How did he know what I was thinking?
He’s not married.
I smiled and finally dozed off.

* * *

When I woke, Gabe was pressed against me. His ample erection poked my behind.

Desire sparked inside me, and I wanted to hold Gabe’s shaft in my hand. It had been too long since I’d stroked a man. I should have taken my chance last night, but the onslaught of Gabe’s orgasms left my body exhausted. An itch on my neck drew my attention away from him. I gently lifted my arm to scratch. If we were going to do anything together, I needed a shower.

“You’re awake.” Gabe kissed the back of my head, then my shoulder.

“Hi.” I relished the comfort of his body.

“You were talking in your sleep.”

“I was?” I had never talked in my sleep before.

“Something about showers.”

“I feel like I haven’t bathed in days.” I moved my ass against him ever so slightly.

A gentle flex behind me signaled Gabe’s desire. Where did he find the strength to restrain himself? I wanted to tilt my behind and let him in, showered or not, but Gabe uncoiled his body from mine and escaped the covers.

“The bathroom is free. We’re landing in forty minutes, so better make it quick,” he said.

He pulled a shirt over his head. Its bottom barely covered his briefs and its scrumptious bulge. He caught my stare. “Enjoying the view?”

“I’d enjoy it much better if you were here.” I patted the bed.

Gabe hopped up and crouched on the sheets over me.

For a moment, I thought he’d melt me with his gaze; the flames in his silver eyes sparked.

“Believe me, Samantha, there’s nothing I want more than you, but I need to make some arrangements before we land.” His lips vibrated against mine.

“I figured you weren’t a spontaneous kind of guy.”

Before I could smile, Gabe crushed me from above. His tender lips firmed on contact, forcing my mouth to open. His tongue took control.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him on top of me. The duvet cover separating us was too much. His body molded to mine as his tempting mouth teased me with offers that could only be fulfilled below my belt.

He lingered before letting go. Hunger beamed from his eyes. “Was that spontaneous enough for you?”

“Yes.” I leaned in for another kiss, but Gabe held back.

“I’m sorry, Sam, but if I don’t go now you’re going to experience a different kind of touch down.”

“But that’s the kind I want.” I quickly stole another sweet kiss.

“I need to get organized before we land. But I promise you, if spontaneity is what you want, that’s what you’ll get.”

“Promises, promises.”

“I never break a promise, Samantha.”

Gabe kissed me once more and left.

I fell back on the bed and truly felt like I was in heaven, floating on cloud nine. Everything would be perfect if my libido could calm down when Gabe was around—otherwise I would combust in front of him.

After we landed, Gabe helped the men pack a Hummer limo. He was serious while leaving final instructions for his crew, but each time he looked at me, the fire in his silver eyes glowed, sparkling a new flame of desire inside me.

Kendra sat in the car, her hands folded across her chest. It seemed in turmoil. One minute, her mouth would curve up into a smile then she would frown.

I stretched my legs. The fresh pair of pink sweats I had stuffed into my duffel bag still smelled of lavender.

When Gabe joined us, it took all my strength not to straddle him again. I distracted myself with the luscious green countryside as we drove. Curious thoughts rushed through me as I thought about Kendra, our proposal of a threesome, and Gabe. I wondered what would happen on this island. I’d just met Gabe two weeks ago, and what I’d wanted then was changing with each minute I’d spent with him. To top it off, Martinez wanted us dead.

Gabe’s heated stare hadn’t left me for a moment. And, as much as Kendra’s naked body paralyzed me each time I thought about it, I could no longer see myself with her. At least, not without Gabe’s approval.

By the time we arrived at the house, the morning sun was an orange glow in the sky. We’d already lost twenty-four hours on our trip.

The limo slowed before entering a security gate. Beyond, a swirling path paved the way. Trees lined both sides of the driveway, leading into a black forest. The property seemed to extend for miles.

I peeked through the windshield as the driver circled around a fountain and pulled in front of the house. When Gabe said we’d be staying at a country home, I had expected a small getaway bungalow. Instead, I stared at a mansion made of glass.

Tall metal columns supported the roof of the porch. Glass walls covered most of the front of the house, the interior exposed to anyone outside.

“This is our private residence.” Gabe opened the trunk and began unloading.

Gabe must have meant secluded residence because there was nothing private about the floor to ceiling windows in place of exterior walls. From the front door, a hallway stretched to the back of the house and a lush, green yard. Beyond was a blue mirror of still water.

Charlie stepped out of the limo to help him. “I got it, sir.”

“Thank you, Charles.”

“You own this place?” I asked.

“The business does. Cross Enterprises. Kendra, you can have Tristan’s quarters. Sam is staying with me.” He placed his arm around my shoulder.

“How convenient for you.” She threw him a dirty look. “How long will you keep me imprisoned here?”

“That’s up to you. Share what you know about the drugs and we can go back home. And, I need to be sure you won’t use again.”

“But I don’t know anything.” She fluttered her lashes innocently.

“Right, then I hope you enjoy your vacation. Carla’s in the guest room beside yours. Listen to her and we’ll get along just fine.”

She stomped toward the door like a little kid, frowning and pouting.

I chuckled watching her go inside and up the glass staircase. Kendra didn’t seem to care that we could see the under curve of her behind as she walked. In fact, I was sure it was her goal to be exposed.

“She doesn’t like this, does she?”

“No.” Gabe shook his head. “But we had no choice, and trust me, Kendra will come around after Carla cleanses her system. She loves this house too much. Let’s go inside.” Gabe held open the double glass door.

As soon as he stepped in, he removed his flip-flops. It only took one glance at his bare feet and my mind went into over drive how I could brace myself against them while he hovered above me. What was it about his feet that made me tingle all over every time I saw them? I removed my shoes as well, but wished I had socks on. My limbs, for some reason, were cold in this heat.

“Exactly how big is this place?” I asked, looking around.

“Over six thousand square feet. This is our smaller vacation home.”

“You have a bigger one?”

“Four, to be exact. We need places to get away from work once in a while.”

“But we
are
working. On Kendra. Aren’t we?”

He smiled. “That depends on how you want to work her.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Even if Gabe had told me he only wanted his hands on me and mine on him, I could imagine him living out the dream of any male to have a threesome. Did Gabe expect me to continue what I’d started at the club? Was the offer we discussed genuine after all, or simply play? The thought of a game excited me.

Gabe lead me into the kitchen where a gray marble counter glistened, reflecting its polished surface in the mirror above. I’d never seen a mirror in a kitchen and pitied whoever had to clean it. It almost looked infinite and blended in with the glass walls. A table was set with bowls of fruit, pastries, croissants and muffins. The smell of coffee hit me like a brick wall, and my gaze darted to the kitchen corner where last drops brewed.

He took his phone out of his pocket and quickly typed something before tucking it away.

“Carla also prepared some food. If you need anything she’ll be staying in the guest bedroom beside Kendra’s. Otherwise, we have the whole house to ourselves.” Gabe strolled to the coffee maker and poured a cup while adding milk at the same time. If there was anything Gabe was good at, it was multi-tasking. He poured a black cup for himself. “Here.”

“How did you know what I like in my coffee?” I asked.

“I own a P.I. agency, Sam. Give me some credit. And, I had what you had at the coffee shop in New York.” He winked.

I took the mug out of his hands. The warmth reminded me how cold my hands had been. I needed another hot shower to warm up.

Gabe set his cup of coffee aside. He stepped behind me and rubbed my shoulders. “I’m glad you didn’t shower with Kendra.”

“How did you know?”

His hand glided to my neck and over the swell of my breasts. He touched the first button on my shirt, and I remembered the transmitter on my dress in the bathroom.

“Did you hear everything?” I asked, aware of every curve of his body behind me.

“Yes, I’m sorry for eavesdropping. I thought Kendra would open up to you.”