Dazzled by Silver (20 page)

“Oh God!” he screamed out, stilling, then falling to my side, still shaking.

I placed my head on his chest, and his heart pounded against my ear.

“You make me feel alive,” he said.

“Because you are.” I shut my eyes, listening to the slowing rhythm of his heart, happy to have pleased him as much as he always pleased me.

“I mean it, Sam. I can’t imagine my life without you. You are amazing.” He kissed the top of my head.

My heart stilled. The words he said held promises I wasn’t sure either of us was ready for. Yet, I had to agree with Gabe. I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life. If I’d lost him now, the way I had lost Kevin, I’d turn myself in to an asylum for the insane.

“Me neither.” I squeezed my arm around his waist. “Now what do you say we check out that yacht of yours?”

I couldn’t deny I was still curious how the yacht would move us up and down while I held him in my mouth. Gabe helped me up off the blanket and straightened my dress for me. I followed him along the dock toward the speedboat we’d used earlier in the day.

“Next time, I’ll order sex on the beach with a twist.” I said.

“What’s the twist?”

“I want to stay here all night.”

“And I shall serve you all night too, but we have an appointment out there.”

Watching Gabe from behind as he manoeuvred the boat reminded me of a scene from a James Bond movie. His 007 back was lit by the faint light emanating off the dashboard. The man had a way of making me feel as if I lived in a different reality, where I could forget about Martinez.

On board, lights had been hung on every corner of the ship, running along its sleek edges and curves, decorating it like a white Christmas tree. Another click of Gabe’s mysterious button and soft music began to play.

Gabe stood behind me and his heated breath warmed the back of my neck. A chill of excitement ran through my body, concentrating itself between my legs.

With the tip of his finger, he traced the line along my spine through the peaks and valleys of my vertebra. “I can smell your arousal, Samantha.”

“There’s only one thing I want to do tonight.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

Grinning, I turned and lowered my hand to Gabe’s groin. “You know very well what it is.”

“Aha, and I want to dance with you.” He took my hand into his, placed his other one on the small of my back, and began swaying to the slow music.

Leaning my head on Gabe’s shoulder, I remembered our first night together at the club. It seemed so long ago. “I do trust you, Gabe.”

“Fully. I need you to trust me fully, Sam. I want you to feel comfortable enough to tell me anything. Even if someone else tries to convince you otherwise. It’s the only way I know how to keep you safe.”

I never felt safer than at that moment in Gabe’s arms. The wind had settled to a light breeze. We danced for a while, the music and the gentle waves lulling our bodies in a slow tempo.

Once we parted, I looked into Gabe's dazzling eyes. “I don't deserve all this. You should be upset with me.” Was I worthy of this caring man who, instead of scolding me, had brought me to a beautiful yacht?

“You deserve to have anything you want. And I never said I’m not upset.”

“You have a funny way of showing it. I should have been honest with you. I'm sorry, Gabe.”

I lowered my hands and took hold of his zipper. It made an enticing sound as I drew it down.

Gabe stopped dancing. “You don’t have to do this to make up to me, Sam.” He brought my hands up to his lips.

“But, I want to.” I was certain the flame transferred from Gabe’s eyes to mine.

“I don’t want you to feel obliged to make me happy because you’ve done something wrong.”

Was that what I did? I did want to make up with Gabe. I owed him. I would never keep anything from him again. He had to know that. And showing him how much he meant to me in the most intimate way was the only way I knew how. Having him in my mouth made me feel he accepted my apologies.

“I want you to please me because you want to, not because you feel like you owe me.”

“I just want you to be happy, not upset,” I said.

“I know. My way of dealing with your escape may not be what you expected. The only way I know how to fix it is to keep you safe. I hope after tonight, you will trust me completely, and understand why I need to know where you are. Turn around, Samantha.” His eyes flamed as if someone had fueled them with gasoline.

I turned my back to him.

A soft tickle ran along my neck as he pulled my scarf off my shoulders. He moved my hair to the side and kissed my neck along the hairline. The strap of my dress slid lower as Gabe guided it down with his teeth. A soft breeze cooled the faint trail of saliva he left.

My nipples hardened.

Moving to the other side, Gabe lowered the second strap and my dress slid to the deck. His quick inhale behind me made me grin.

“You’re beautiful, Samantha.” Gabe made love to each letter of my name with his tongue. “Face me.”

Naked, wearing only white heels and charm bracelet, I swiveled on my toes. Gabe brought his hands up to undo his tie. He unfastened the fabric and flung it into the ocean.

“What are you doing? All this dress up for nothing?”

“Change of plans, Samantha. The sharks will have more use for my clothing tonight than I will.” He grabbed the neckline of his shirt and pulled it apart. Buttons flew off, bouncing on the deck, their echo quickly silenced by the hum of the ocean.

My mouth dropped open. His perfect chest rose and fell, and I moved in to kiss it. I ran my lips along Gabe’s pecs.

His hands took hold of my hips, thumbs circling around my hip bones.

I lowered the shirt off his shoulders and tossed it overboard.

“Now, now. What will I wear back home?”

“Me.” I stepped up on my toes and grazed Gabe’s earlobe with my teeth. The short stubble on his cheek scraped the side of my face.

A mysterious flame sparked in Gabe’s eyes. I knew he wanted me, but something kept him distant. “Ah, that mouth of yours looks lonely.”

“It feels lonely.” I lowered my gaze and finished unzipping Gabe’s pants.

He let me pull them off his hips and was left standing in his briefs.

Another kiss and I was certain the tip of his cock would peek out of his underwear, but before I got a chance to lower my mouth to taste the delicious cap, Gabe took my face into his hands and pecked my lips with the gentlest of kisses.

He teased my lips so softly I thought I was lost in a dream.

I didn’t notice when we made our way to the side of the yacht.

“You look sinful, Samantha.”

“Then sin away.” I smiled, intrigued at what Gabe had planned.

“Now, stay here and wait.”

The yacht swayed just a little. The ocean’s hum soothed my senses.

Gabe backed up and stepped over the rail out onto the ledge of the yacht.

“What are you doing?” I rushed toward him, but before I reached him, he spread his arms out to the sides and fell backward into the black ocean.

I leaned over the ledge. White ripples stretched outward. “Gabe!”

His head finally popped out of the water, and the two sparks in his eyes beamed upward at me.

Chills of old memories flooded me. Clear water stained with my father’s blood, the smell of salt and iron, fish and flesh at the same time. It was too much. Why would Gabe do this to me? I couldn’t lose him. I couldn’t go through this again.

“Gabriel Silver, get back up here now!” I searched the ocean for an oncoming fin, but in the darkness I doubted I would see a shark until it had half-devoured my P.I.

“Join me.” He laughed.

“Are you kidding? I can’t. Not after...please come out,” I begged, feeling helpless.

“Trust me, Sam.”

Trust? Was he serious? After what I told him had happened to my father? “Are there sharks in the ocean?” I asked.

“Yes.”

My throat tightened. “Then please come out, Gabe.”

“I promise you’re safe with me, Sam. Jump in.”

I searched the water, remembering my vow never to set a foot in the ocean. But, if I was certain of one thing, it was Gabe’s promise. He’d never ask me to jump in unless he knew I was safe.

Our first official dinner together better not be one where we’re the main course.

I took a deep breath, removed my heels and stepped over the edge. The warmth of the water surprised me. Strong arms pulled me to the surface as my legs circled. Saltiness covered my mouth.

“Can we get out now?” I asked.

“Sam, look at me. You’re safe here.”

“But the sharks.”

“Don’t worry about the sharks. Look into my eyes, Sam. Would I let you jump in if you were in danger?”

“No.” I shook my head, feeling Gabe’s warmth slowly transfer to me.

The adoration in Gabe’s eyes overwhelmed me.

“Do you trust me?” His silver eyes soothed my nerves.

“I do.”

“You jumped into shark-infested waters after me. Why?”

“Because you asked me to.”

He pressed his lips to mine and wrapped his arms around me. I let go of the last thread that tied the tension to my body, and let the gentle waves carry us. When we pulled away, the clouds had passed and the moon shined on the water’s surface.

“And I hope you’ll do anything I ask of you from now on. That means not trusting Kendra. At least not yet.”

“I understand. How are you not afraid of sharks?” I asked. “Did you have them all lured somewhere else so they wouldn’t swim here?”

“No.” He laughed. “You can’t see it, but there’s a cage around us.”

I exhaled and looked to the sides and behind me, but Gabe was right. I couldn’t see a cage.“This is what you had planned?”

“Yes, followed by dinner and dessert.” He smirked, kissing the tip of my nose.

“What’s for dessert?”

“You.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” I pressed my body against his, wishing we were already on the deck so I could enjoy his entire nakedness.

“Mr. Silver?” Charlie called down from the yacht.

Gabe swam in front of me, covering my body.

“I asked you to be invisible.” The tension in Gabe’s tone had me clinging to his arms from behind. He sounded ready to jump out of the ocean and wring the man’s neck for interrupting us. Had he been on the boat the entire time? It was the first time I’d seen any of Gabe’s security. Had he seen me naked, flaunting my body at his boss?

“Sir, protocol has been broken. You are needed back at the house.”

Without another word, the man disappeared.

Whatever ‘protocol’ meant, it brought worry to Gabe’s face. “Looks like dessert will have to wait.”

“Has he been here the whole time?” I asked.

“Charlie is my right-hand man. He’s always close by, but he’s not supposed to be seen when I don’t want him to be seen.” He frowned. “I’m sorry if it made you feel uncomfortable.” Gabe took my hand and began swimming toward the stern of the boat.

“It’s all right.”

“Come. I promise I’ll make this up to you.” He helped me up the aluminum ladder. “There’s a robe waiting for you on the deck.”

Onboard, I covered myself with the fluffy robe. Gabe took off his drenched boxers and wrapped a towel around his waist.

“Wait for me here. I won’t be long.”

I sat on the cushioned seats and gripped the front of my robe.

Gabe went into the main cabin. A conversation from inside was muffled by gusts of wind. The words I overheard about breached security and safety had me clinging to the sides of the seat. On the horizon to my left, out in the middle of the ocean, a new light shined.

As soon as Gabe stepped out of the doorway he looked to the right. “Now!” he yelled, rushing to my side. He wore a pair of sweatpants, but no shirt.

The engines roared, and Gabe grabbed me just before Charlie spun the yacht around and headed for shore.

“Is it Martinez?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” Gabe held his arm around me.

The wind whipped my wet hair around, splashing salty water onto our faces. Gabe looked back, and I followed his gaze. The light behind us was closer than before.

“Are we in danger?” I asked over the blowing wind. By now the robe I wore wasn’t enough to keep me warm.

Gabe pulled me closer. “We should be fine.” He squeezed the side of my arm.

I leaned against his chest. “Should?”

“The team to divert them has been dispatched. We’ll be home soon.”

Once Charlie docked, Gabe helped me off the boat. The lights in the house were all turned off.

Charlie spun the yacht again, shut off the lights and sped away into the darkness. I wondered how in the world he knew where he was going.

“Come on.” Gabe pulled on my hand. “I’ll make you some tea.”

Without path lights to guide us, I followed Gabe’s lead. “What happened back there? Why are all the lights off?” I asked.

Even the pool appeared black. If not for the shining moon and Gabe’s guiding arm, I would have fallen in.

“Someone got closer than we wanted.” He pushed on the glass door in the back of the house and went in first.

“Gabe? Sam? Is that you?” Kendra’s shaky voice sounded from behind the kitchen counter.

“Yes, are you all right, K?”

“The lights went off. What the hell is happening?”

“It’s just a precaution, K. I don’t want anyone seeing the house now.” He locked the door behind him and pressed a button on his phone. A double beep echoed through the room, and I jumped up.

“What’s that?”

“The alarm system runs on backup power.” He pulled me toward the kitchen counter and opened a drawer. “We’ll use the emergency lights until security checks the premises. Take this to the guest room beside mine and stay there. Try not to light it unless you need to.” He handed her a flashlight at the same time he gave one to me.

“You think he’s here?” she asked.

“I don’t know, and I can’t take the chance. Let’s go.”

Kendra took my hand on one side, and Gabe’s on the other. We hurried upstairs, and Kendra turned into the bedroom beside ours.

“Lock it behind you,” Gabe instructed. “Do not come out unless I ask you, do you understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered.