Falling into Surrender (Falling #3)
A. Zavarelli
Chapter One
Victoria
The morning sunlight filters through Gabriel’s curtains, bathing my cheek in warmth as I sprawl out across his bed. It’s a warm June morning, and all of New York is coming alive on the streets below. I’m still wrapped up in his blankets and going on very little sleep, but there’s a smile on my face as I rub my swollen eyes.
Last night, I dared to crack myself wide open. To unleash all of my demons and tell Gabriel the raw and unfiltered truth about Victoria Colletti. It feels like a piano has been lifted off my chest, and even if it doesn’t make anything better, I’m glad I told my story.
Before I can go seek him out, the man himself appears in the doorway, holding a phone to his ear. He’s wearing nothing but his black briefs, and when my gaze travels south, he cracks a smile and shakes his head.
“Hang on a minute,” he says into the speaker.
He saunters over to the bed and gives me an all too brief kiss before pulling away again.
“I didn’t expect you to be up,” he says. “It’s still early.”
“I know it’s still early.” I roll my eyes and throw my head back on the pillow dramatically. “So what are YOU doing up?”
“I’m just making a couple calls, and then I promise you’ll have my utmost attention.”
“Okay.” I shoo him off with a pouty face. “Go do whatever you need to do.”
He smirks and goes back to his phone conversation while I shuffle into the master bathroom. I’ve never been inside of it before, and I’m more than a little curious to see what it looks like. One of the perks of being upgraded to girlfriend status, I suppose. I get to sleep in Gabriel’s king size bed and use his bathroom.
I’m not surprised to find more gray tiles and décor, but the open stone shower adds a nice touch to the place. It has double shower heads and one of those sweet water proof stereos built into the wall. After flipping through the stations, I decide on one aptly called Girl Power.
Stepping beneath the hot spray, I let the water sluice over my body and wash away any remaining tension in my muscles. Wannabe by The Spice Girls comes on over the speakers and I do a little victory dance, belting it out like it’s 1996.
A moment later I’m wrapped in Gabriel’s arms, his chest vibrating with laughter. “Didn’t know you were a fan.”
“Are you kidding?” I say seriously. “This is my jam.”
He chuckles and pulls me in for a kiss, which I return enthusiastically by gripping his ass and pulling him against me. His erection is digging into my belly, and he’s making those sexy little groaning noises that I like so much. So I’m surprised when he pulls away and holds me at arm’s length.
“Not this morning baby,” he says apologetically. “We have a busy day planned.”
I look up at him curiously. “Doing what?”
“Just wash up quickly and we’ll go.”
“Really?” I frown.
“Believe me it’s taking every ounce of strength I have not to take you right now,” he says. “I promise this has nothing to do with what you told me last night.”
Just as my nagging insecurities rear their ugly heads, he squashes them down with those words. I relax into his touch and allow him to wash me, repeating the same process on him once he’s through.
After our shower, he tosses me another one of his tee shirts and a pair of sweatpants. The tee shirt isn’t a problem, but after I’ve slipped into the pants, I realize I can’t walk without holding them up around my waist like Urkel. Gabriel laughs at my dilemma and helps me roll them down, tying one of my spare rubber bands around the excess.
“It’s just till we get to your apartment,” he says.
“We’re going to my apartment?”
“Yes.” He nods, his expression turning serious. “You should check in with Alanna after last night, and I have something important to tell you both.”
***
When we get to my apartment, I’m relieved to find Alanna in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee.
“Sorry I didn’t check in with you last night,” I say sheepishly.
“It’s okay.” She smiles. “I figured you were probably otherwise preoccupied.”
Gabriel stands back with an odd expression on his face, and I shoot him a questioning glance. He clears his throat, his gaze swinging between Alanna and I.
“Uh, I need to talk to both of you. You might want to sit down for this.”
I take a seat at the kitchen table and drum my fingers across the wood as I wait for him to start. He’s never looked so nervous before and it’s making me a little anxious in response. Especially since he’s been acting strange all morning.
“First of all,” he begins, “Alanna, you should know that Victoria and I had a very long talk last night. She told me everything about her past.”
Alanna’s hand tightens around her mug as she looks at me for assurance.
“Victoria?”