Gabriel

 

“Now, about tonight. I’m a douche, but I’ll work on that.” She starts to say something, but I cut her off. “You have to understand that it’s just how things have always been, Cady. Everyone lets loose and has a good time. I’ve had fun. For the most part, it’s been carefree as fuck, and I’ve loved it. But I haven’t had to think about anyone other than myself for a long while… ever, actually. I’ve never cared about a woman as much as I do you to even try to change things. I ain’t perfect, but nobody is. And yes, I have a past that harbors all sorts of messed-up shit, but all I’m thinking about right now is you and how I can make this work.”

She swallows, and I drop my hand from her face and slide it down to her neck, lightly cupping her throat, the smooth beat of her pulse rhythmic beneath my fingers.

“I’m gonna fuck up. I’ll probably do something that pisses you off. I might even accidentally hurt your feelings in some way or another, but I would never, fucking ever, do that intentionally. And I promise you I will never touch another woman while we’re together.”

“Okay.” She agrees immediately.

Yeah, that was too fast. After her being upset enough to leave, there’s no way that she’s just suddenly okay. She’s full of shit. “Cady.”

“What?”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not, I swear. I’m tired.”

“Cady. Talk to me, sweetheart. Don’t pretend and hold shit in.” Instead of doing what I ask, she presses her lips together, so I lay it out for her even more. “Ya know, this is new to me, too. Everything with you is new. And since I’ve known you, I’ve been a type of calm I’ve never felt before. I’ve said more romantic shit to you in one week than I have in my entire life, and it’s not because I’m trying to lay shit on thick. It just comes naturally. Everyone knows me as a man-whore with a short temper, but I don’t want to be that to you, and I’m trying really damn hard to show you that.”

I truly have. I don’t know what else I can do or what I can say. I feel like an ass right now, but I need to get it through her head that she’s honestly the only thing that matters to me. And yeah, I guess I’m asking her to give me a chance to prove myself because it’s a learning curve for me… to be a part of a couple.

Her lids close slowly for a moment, and I wait. I’m fully anticipating her to tell me I’ve ruined it already, though even if she does, I won’t accept it. When she lifts her lashes and her eyes pierce the uncertainty between us, the shift in them rocks me to my core, and I swallow down the lump of fear that was clogging my throat.

“You could never be that to me.” Her soft words reassure me what I was praying she’d say. “You’re not that to me.”

My shoulders sag in relief, and my hand drifts down between her breasts, back up, then down again. Her nipples harden beneath her hideous T-shirt, and I feel my lips kick up on the side to no fault of my own. “What are you wearing?”

“Shut up,” she squeaks. “I didn’t think you were going to follow me.”

“I’ll always follow you, Cady. All you’ve gotta do is tell me where I’m goin’, and I’ll be right behind you.” Her eyes get wet, and as much as I love that she’s getting what I’m saying to her, I don’t want her to cry. So I drop my chin. “I mean, you’ve got the nicest ass I’ve ever seen, so it’s not a hardship to—”

Her palms slap against my chest, and when she tries to shove me back, I let her. Because that means she’s falling on top of me.

“If you didn’t just tell me you were falling for me, I’d smack you right now.”

I can think of a few responses to that, but the truth of the matter is, I am falling for her. And I’ve told her with words, but now it’s time to show her exactly what I mean.

So I do something else with her I’ve never done; I make love to a woman. Slow. Sweet. Deep. Every time I slide inside, I feel it all the way up my chest. Her legs are wrapped around me. I have her hands above her head, our fingers together. Her glistening eyes stare into mine the entire time. Not only are our bodies connected but our souls are too, and I never knew how amazing it could feel to have that with someone.

I’m going to have a lot of firsts with her, and I’m looking forward to each and every one of them. I love watching her passion heat up and the bliss of an impending orgasm as it rolls through her. It’s the absolute most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. And when her lips part on a wordless gasp, and her neck arches, watching it wash over her, she makes me come harder than I ever have in my life.

 

 

“You got plans for Christmas?” I ask her, watching my finger circle her navel. We’re still in her bed, and until I’m forced, I’m never leaving it.

“No. For Christmas Eve tomorrow, I’m going to have dinner with Rosie and Sebastian. He’s taking her to his family on Christmas.”

I pause, sensing a little hurt in her voice. “Did he invite you, too?”

“Yeah.”

“And you said no?”

“Yeah.”

I reach up and run my fingers through her hair. “You sound upset by that.”

“I’m not… And I know it seems stupid, but I feel like it’s just a pity invite.”

“You’re pretty important to both of them, so I doubt that’s the case.”

“I know. But being around family reminds me I don’t have one, and to be honest with you, I kind of hate Christmas. I mean, I like those stupid cheesy movies because they’re so corny and predictable, and they make me happy, and I like the spirit of it all, but the actual day sucks unless you have a family to celebrate with.”

I can understand that. “Did you used to?”

“What?”

“Have good Christmases?”

She looks over my shoulder, something I’ve noticed she does when she’s talking about things that are upsetting to her. “Yes. Everything with my dad was good. All of my memories of holidays and birthdays and all that boring school stuff; the choir concerts and art shows and science fairs, they were all fun because of him. He made it that way.”

“You really miss him, don’t you?”

Her eyes well with tears, but she blinks, and they go away. “Yes. Every single day.”

“You’re lucky you have that, at least, the memories and the good times. I’m so sorry that he died, so, so sorry, but at least you have that to cherish.”

“You don’t?”

I shake my head. “My dad is an asshole. I hate him. Every memory that involves him is bad. I had some good times with my mom and my sister, but it seems like he found a way to ruin every good thing that happened.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It is what it is.”

“So what are you doing for Christmas then?”

“Probably going to see my mom.” But not my dad. I know he’ll be there, but I can’t disappoint my mom on Christmas so I’ll show up and it’ll be full of tension, but she’ll be happy, so it’ll be worth it in the end.

“Cool.” She yawns, and I chuckle.

“Tired?”

Her head turns, and her sleepy eyes find mine. “Yeah. It’s been a long night.”

“It has, but it’s been a good one, don’t ya think?”

“No, Gabriel. It’s been a great night.”

I lean forward and press my lips gently to hers. “Sleep, sugar. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”