Chapter Eighteen
Eva stopped into the ATAP office first thing in the morning.
“I need help,” she announced to Tom and Marcus.
Tom rose to his feet and came around the black table he used for a desk. He pulled a chair over and sat her down.
“What is it, darling? You look worried.”
“I’m invited to a dinner in the city on Friday night. With Gabriel Abbott. It’s a little black dress kind of dinner. You have to help me, guys. I don’t even know where to look. I don’t know what to do with my hair, with my toes, with my fingernails. Look at them.” Eva thrust her hands forward. “They’re so short. Help me. Please. Help me.”
“Oh,” said Marcus. “Honey, you have come to the right place. Pygmalion redux.” He walked around her, appraising her from all sides.
“You mean My Fair Lady? You’re going to transform me from Eliza Doolittle into a Hungarian princess?”
Tom laughed. “More like you’re Cinderella and we’re your fairy godfathers.” He lifted her long hair off her neck and twisted it up onto top of her head. He considered his handiwork. “You just leave it to your uncle Tom and your uncle Marcus. We’ll have you looking fabulous.”
“He’s sending a car for me on Friday. It’s supposed to be at my house around six. Do you think I can beg off from the White’s? Miriam could clean the house for me and I can make their dinner the day before, on Thursday. I’ve already started on Jason’s graduation party.”
“We can arrange that. It’s the least we can do. After all,” said Tom with a knowing smile, “We did bring the two of you together.”
“Maybe we should branch out, start a match-making service,” suggested Marcus. “You know, Rent-a-Yenta.”
Eva burst out laughing.
Tom pointed a long finger at Marcus. “You know,” he said with a grin, “That’s not a bad idea. Not bad at all. I like it. I can see the shirts… pink and blue… R.A.Y. across the chest. It fits right in with our theme, All Things to All People.”
“We’ll brainstorm over the weekend,” said Marcus.
Eva started to rise from her chair.
“Sit your little self back down, darling,” Tom directed Eva. “We have some calls to make.”
* * * *
Gabe waited at the curb. He stood, chatting with his wine maker, Adam, when the man suddenly stopped in mid-sentence and stared over Gabe’s right shoulder. Gabe turned just in time to watch a shapely pair of bare legs in stilettos emerge from a limousine. He heard his companion whistle under his breath. The woman bent her head down, appearing demure, and leaned against the side of the vehicle, discreetly flexing one of her long legs to the side as she adjusted the strap of a high heel. She wore a body hugging short black dress, which showcased her high, pert breasts and her rounded bottom to perfection. Her deep auburn hair was piled on top of her head, her neck and shoulders bare, except for a long scarf draped around her naked, slender arms. It slid down her back as she leaned over. Her skin gleamed, pearlescent in the evening sun.
“Who is that stunning creature?” Gabe heard his companion ask in a low voice, “And can I have her?”
Gabe turned back to the man. “No, you can’t,” he said, “She’s mine.” He strode toward the limo.
“Hello, lover.”
Eva straightened up at the sound of Gabe’ voice. She colored nicely, her cheeks and neck flushing a tender pink.
“Hello.” She looked directly into his eyes and smiled a small, self-conscious smile.
Eyes on her taut breasts, Gabe’s mind was busy pulling off the dress. He wondered if she wore anything at all beneath that tight black getup. He leaned close to her hair and inhaled. “God, you smell good,” his voice pitched low. “You smell good enough to f*ck. Right here. You’re dressed like the most delectable little morsel on a buffet table. I could eat you in one bite.”
“Gabe!” The blush deepened.
Gabe laughed as he kissed her on the cheek. He offered his arm. Eva took it gratefully.
“Stilettos aren’t my strong suit,” she admitted.
“You’ll do fine,” Gabe reassured her. “You’ll do better than fine. You’ll have everyone eating out of the palm of your hand.” Gabe nodded at his gaping acquaintance as they passed. “Just watch out for Adam over there. He’s already in lust with you.”
Ignoring Adam’s open-mouthed stare, Eva grinned up at Gabe as she said, “It’s good to see you. I’m beginning to think that five days without you is five days too long.”
“Well,” replied Gabe, his mouth against her ear, “Try to look at it this way, absence makes the cock grow harder.”
Eva burst into laughter, attracting the attention of several couples standing nearby.
“I don’t know about that,” she winked at him, keeping her voice equally soft, “If last weekend is any indication, I don’t think you can possibly get any harder.”
“You do know how to make a man feel good,” Gabe teased. “But I’m serious when I say that you look absolutely stunning. Remember, this dinner is just for fun. No pressure. You can stay with me all night or you can mingle. Whatever you feel most comfortable with.”
They strolled into the reception hall. Discreet eyes glanced in their direction. Gabe knew that his newest escort would quickly become a topic of discussion. He intended to find a way to let those who mattered know that Eva wasn’t a fling.
“When I first attended these events, I had no idea what to say. Marsha tutored me. I’ll admit I’m not entirely comfortable with this crowd, but you will meet some very nice people here. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”
“Did you check out my toes?” Eva interrupted him.
Gabe glanced down. He studied the gold polish on her long toes as she displayed her feet for him. She’d obviously splurged on a pedicure for the occasion.
“I have to say,” he admitted, “That your toes weren’t high on my list of body parts to attend to, but I think I may have to reconsider. I might be tempted to pop one in my mouth later.”
Gabe watched as a smile lit up her entire face.
“That wasn’t my intention,” she said. “I just think they look pretty. I’m not a girlie-girl, Gabe. This is all new for me.”
“One would never know,” he replied, smiling in return.
“By the way,” Eva added, “you fill out that tux extremely well.” Her bright eyes wove their way up and down his body and he felt himself grow even harder beneath her gaze. Time to get moving.
“C’mon, sweetheart,” he said, stepping forward into the room. He forced himself to swallow the urge to back her into a corner and rub himself all over that luscious little body. “There are some people I’d like you to meet.”
An attractive pair of cold blue eyes followed Eva’s every movement as she wove her way through the room. A blond head of exquisitely coiffed hair turned whenever Eva turned. Bare, white, shoulders shifted as Eva shifted. Stephanie Lindstrom squeezed a lime into her third gin and tonic, feeling her anger grow exponentially each time Eva Raines smiled. The woman had big, straight, white teeth. They annoyed Stephanie no end. Gabriel was just as bad, his stance proud and possessive. He kept a protective hand moving between the woman’s back, her neck and her arm, as he introduced her to the people who really counted. God, it seemed as if he couldn’t stop touching the woman. It was enough to make Stephanie gag.
Her own escort, Paul Rupnik, shifted at her side, restless. He was a bright, young lawyer from her firm. He had hopes of making partner within five years. Right now, he was eye candy, pure and simple. Stephanie shot a glance at him. Her eye candy was eyeing Eva Raines.
“Why don’t you go get another glass of wine,” Stephanie commented, her voice dry, suppressing the urge to smack the back of his head.
He nodded, grateful, as he ambled off toward the bar, detouring a little too close to Gabriel and Eva for Stephanie’s liking. As she watched, Gabriel worked his way near her, heading toward a group of winery owners, a hand on Eva’s lower back. Stephanie moved out of his line of sight and headed to the far corner of the room. She smiled and nodded absently to her acquaintances, business and otherwise, as she passed. She’d known Gabriel had been invited to the dinner. She assumed he’d make an appearance, but to bring his housekeeper? And make her play dress up, no less? It was like putting lipstick on a pig. Stephanie wondered if he’d personally taken Miss Raines shopping and to a salon and told them exactly how to make her over. She snorted. He’d probably given the assignment to Marsha, his miniature pit bull.
She’d met with Eddie Jamison over breakfast and he’d filled her in on Miss Eva Raines. Eddie was no dummy. Despite her more general instructions, he didn’t waste time investigating anyone else. He knew exactly who she was interested in, although he was able to provide her with a juicy tidbit about Gabriel. She learned Gabriel had just discovered a half-brother, apparently the abandoned child of his deadbeat father. Although he was still a juvenile, the kid had a rap sheet and he’d been placed by the state in a school for troubled teens. Gabriel hadn’t publicly acknowledged the boy yet. Stephanie wondered if he intended to. Perhaps a rumor dropped in the right ears could cause him a little embarrassment. It was worth considering.
As far as Eva Raine’s background was concerned, unfortunately there was no such drama. She was merely an uneducated housekeeper. She worked for an agency in Napa, idiotically named ATAP, All Things to All People. The woman cleaned houses for a living, for God’s sake. She cooked bland meals for old people. Eddie mentioned that she’d graduated from the California Culinary Academy, but as far as Stephanie was concerned, the woman obviously hadn’t been able to cut it in any of the Bay area restaurants she’d worked in. Gabriel, or more likely, Marsha, had hired her to cater the dinner he’d planned for her. Stephanie suspected that was how the two met and she was willing to bet good money that the woman saw dollar signs and had hopped into bed with Gabriel at the first opportunity. Maybe she even wore a maid costume. Considering the dress and the shoes and the hair, so far, her gamble appeared to have paid off. Stephanie wondered if Eva made a habit of this kind of thing. Who knew? Maybe she was a working girl who really worked it. Cleaning woman slash whore. Maybe she was good with a blowjob. Men liked that, didn’t they? Someone who could perform like a pro? How else could a farm girl make it in the big city?
Stephanie took a sip of her gin and tonic. She grimaced, annoyed to find that her ice had melted and the drink tasted like water. A server walked by with an empty tray and Stephanie set her glass aside, seeking out the closest bar and ordering another. Where had her date gone to? Stephanie scanned the room, looking for his dark gray suit. She didn’t spot him, but her eyes lit on Gabriel. She watched him laugh out loud, probably at some stupid Napa Valley inside joke. She noted with interest that Eva had left his side. She appeared to be wandering the room in the company of a doctor’s wife, checking out the hors d’oeuvres. More likely cruising for potential customers. Stephanie chuckled as she watched the woman pop a wild mushroom turnover into her mouth. Eva wouldn’t fit into that dress for long. Poor Gabriel. What a sap. Stephanie decided that this was an opportune moment to say hello. She patted her hair and smoothed down her already smooth skirt, grabbed her drink and sauntered in his direction.
Gabriel Abbott felt an arm slip beneath his as a voice purred in his ear, “I’m delighted to see you, Gabriel.”
Stephanie Lindstrom. F*ck.
He released his arm from her grip and turned to greet her politely. Gabe kept his voice neutral. “How are you, Stephanie? You look beautiful, as always.”
“Aren’t you the charmer,” she said with a seductive smile. “I’m absolutely fine.” She gave him an appraising look, starting with his toes and working her way slowly up to his head. “I must say, you’re looking well. Apparently that little girl you came in with agrees with you.”
Gabe struggled to think of a reply that wouldn’t embarrass Stephanie in front of the couple he’d just been speaking with. He stared at Stephanie for a moment, as if daring her to say more, and then he excused himself to find Eva.
“I always say,” came Stephanie’s voice from behind him, “There’s nothing like a good housekeeper. Reliable help is so hard to find these days, don’t you think, Gabriel? Especially someone who provides full service. I understand Miss Raines does… provide full service, that is.”
Gabe felt the blood rush to his head, but he didn’t want to confront Stephanie at a social event. If she’d been a man, he would have decked her. He stood frozen for an instant and he heard another voice behind him, Eva’s.
“Did I hear you mention my name?”
Gabe was afraid to turn around. While he would never hurt a woman, a riled Eva was perfectly capable of tossing the taller Stephanie Lindstrom on her ass. He backed up and faced the two women, wondering if he’d have to intervene.
“Why, yes,” Stephanie purred again. She offered her hand. “I’m Stephanie Lindstrom. I was Gabriel’s date the night you were hired to cook for us.”
Eva stared at the extended hand like it was leprous. Gabe watched as she looked directly into Stephanie’s eyes. “Too bad you didn’t get to stick around and enjoy it,” she countered.
Gabe stood, fascinated, as a blush crept up the back of Stephanie’s neck.
“Yes,” Stephanie replied, her voice sticky with venom. “What a shame Gabriel was called away.”
“What a shame for whom?” asked Eva.
“Oh, well, for you, of course. All that hard work, gone to waste.”
“I wouldn’t say it went to waste,” said Eva. “I believe Gabe found my tasting menu to be quite pleasurable.”
Gabe nearly choked at that one. He noticed that a young man in a dark gray suit stood nearby, listening to the exchange.
“I’m sure he did.” The chill in Stephanie’s voice couldn’t be any more obvious.
Adam suddenly appeared at Gabe’s back. “Are we about to witness a girl fight?” he asked. “Because my money’s on your date. The woman’s got cojones.”
Gabe leaned back and deliberately stepped on his friend’s toes.
“Shit, man,” Adam hissed in his ear. “It’s a compliment.”
“Excuse me, Miss Lindstrom.” Gabe watched Eva pass Stephanie and head in his direction.
“Gabriel Abbott must have a lot to offer a girl like you, more than I imagine you ever dreamed of having,” Stephanie called after her.
Eva froze. She turned and faced the woman. “Oh, yes,” she said, her voice equally frosty. “He certainly does. In fact, I think I’ll let you imagine exactly how much a man like Gabriel Abbott has to offer a woman like me.”
Stephanie’s face turned beet red and she stared over Eva’s head, directly at Gabe. He stared back. The corner of his mouth twitched, despite his best efforts to keep a straight face.
“Perhaps a better question would be,” said Stephanie, “What can a housekeeper from Hick Town, U.S.A., possibly offer a man like Gabriel Abbott? I mean, other than a temporary diversion.”
Gabe bristled at her words and was about to interrupt when Eva straightened her shoulders.
“You know, Miss Lindstrom, I may have grown up on a farm, but I’m not the one standing here with a corncob stuck up her ass. Excuse me.”
Gabe had to turn his back to hide his laughter while Adam began to cough. The man sounded as if he was about to choke to death. When Eva reached the two men, her smile was strained.
“Don’t you dare say a single word. Just kiss me,” she demanded, taking his hand. “Kiss me right now like you mean it.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Gabe took Eva in his arms. He leaned down and slanted his mouth over hers. She opened for him and his tongue quickly found hers. Her mouth felt warm and silky and she tasted like his Pinot Noir and wild thyme. By the time he lifted his head, he was hard as a rock and aching to bury himself inside her, reception or no reception. He gazed at her lovely face. Her lips were red and moist. Her eyes closed. She appeared as aroused as he’d ever seen her.
“Hey,” interrupted Adam’s voice, quietly. “Maybe you two should get a room. You’re attracting quite a bit of attention. She’s gone, by the way.”
Gabe and Eva glanced at him.
“Stomped off with her boy toy in the gray suit. What did you do to piss her off like that?”
“Long story,” groaned Gabe. “Adam, do you mind? I need to stand here for a moment.” He continued to hold Eva close.
“No problem.” Adam winked at Eva. “I’m Adam Grossman, by the way.” He stuck a friendly hand in her direction. “Nice to meet you.”
“Eva Raines,” answered Eva, sounding breathless. She shook his hand. “You’re the wine maker.”
“That would be me. Look, you two need me to run interference for you, or something? You need to step outside for a moment to cool off?”
“Might not be a bad idea,” replied Gabe. “Do you mind if we go outside for a few minutes?” he asked Eva.
“No, I think we should,” she said. “Besides, we need to talk about what just happened.”
“C’mon, then,” answered Gabe, with another groan, “Let’s get it over with.”
Gabe ushered Eva out the door and around the corner into a dark alcove surrounded by thick shrubs. The evening light was soft and muted, the air chilled. Eva realized the sun must have just set. San Francisco was not known for warm summers. She shivered. Gabe opened his suit coat and wrapped it around her, drawing her back against his broad chest. Eva had to admit that the man gave off a lot of heat. She assumed he must still be uncomfortably erect because he tried to keep that particular portion of his anatomy away from her bottom.
“Is she right?” she asked, her voice soft. “Is there any truth to what she says? Am I merely a diversion? Are you slumming, Gabe?”
Eva felt Gabe jerk, as if she’d given him a jolt of electricity.
“Slumming?” Gabe turned her around and stared into her eyes. “I can’t believe you listened to a word that came out of Stephanie’s mouth. Surely you can see that she’s pissed off and she wants to get to me by hurting you. Slumming… I can’t believe you just said that. You know my background. You know how I grew up.”
“But Gabe,” Eva fought back tears, “Some of what she says is true. You’re, well, you’re experienced. I have to assume that you’ve been with many other women, beautiful women, sophisticated women, educated, professional women. Women any man would be proud to be seen with. Why me? I don’t have what they have. I can’t offer you what they can. Gabe, you’re the first man…” Eva’s throat closed on a sob. She struggled to get herself under control and she managed to continue, her bottom lip quivering, “You’re the first man to spend the night at my house. The only man…the only man I’ve ever let into my bed.”
Gabe gathered Eva into his arms. He held her close. She tried hard not to cry, but the tears flowed nonetheless.
“Do I mean anything to you, Gabe? Do I?” she mumbled, her mouth pressed against his jacket.
“Eva, do you remember when I telephoned you the night before the dinner party? The dinner party I’d hired you to cater for Stephanie?”
“Um-hm.”
“I didn’t want to click off that night. I kept trying to think of things to say so that I could keep talking to you. I wanted to cancel with Stephanie as soon as I’d hung up with you, but I couldn’t come up with any legitimate excuse. I tried not to hurt her feelings. I thought, maybe I’ll just have dinner with her and then take her home. But when I got her to my house, when she walked in the door, I knew I couldn’t go through with it. She didn’t belong there. I knew I didn’t want to be with her. Not in any way, shape or form. Within five minutes, I hustled Stephanie out the door and had her on the road back to the city. I didn’t want her, Eva. I’ve never truly wanted to spend more than a few nights with any woman I’ve been with, until now. Until I met you. It’s the honest to God truth.”
Eva looked up at him. She’d listened to his words, but she needed to see his eyes. Gabe didn’t turn away. His gaze remained steady. His face, sincere.
Her voice still quivering, Eva asked, “Cross your heart and hope to die?”
“Yes,” answered Gabe with a grin.
“Stick a needle in your eye?”
“Yes,” he chuckled.
“Eat a cow manure pie?”
“Yes.” Gabe burst into laughter.
“Good,” said Eva, “I believe you. But I don’t think I can handle it if I run into any more of your former or would-be lovers.”
“I don’t know about that,” Gabe said as he began pulling the pins out of her hair one by one. “You got in some pretty good jabs. Adam had already bet on you to win.”
Eva smiled. She closed her eyes and dropped her head onto Gabe’s chest, allowing him to undo the updo that had taken the stylist two hours to complete. He continued to remove hairpins, running his fingers through her long tresses to free them, draping her hair across her shoulders, curling it about her neck and ears. Eva sighed with pleasure as she discovered that there was no sensation quite as relaxing as Gabriel Abbott’s fingers playing in her hair.
“Gabe,” she murmured.
“Yes?”
“Those wild mushroom turnovers were amazing.”
“I’m glad you liked them,” he said, his mouth against her ear. She felt him nibble his way down her neck.
“They were seasoned with fresh marjoram and thyme and Grains of Paradise.”
His lips traced the line of her collarbone. “What are grains of paradise?” he asked, his voice vibrating against her skin.
“It’s an…” His mouth slid lower, onto the slope of her breast. “It’s an ancient…ancient spice used…” He carefully lowered the top of her dress, exposing a nipple. It contracted sharply in the cool air. Eva whimpered.
“Used for what?” Gabe asked, and his tongue began to circle the erect rosebud. He nipped her.
Eva gasped.
“Used for what?” he asked again.
Eva struggled to organize her thoughts, to concentrate on what Gabe was doing to her body while he tried to distract her mind. “Used for…” He sucked her. “Used as a…as a substitute for…” He sucked harder, tugging on her nipple with his teeth while his hand pulled the bodice of her dress down further, exposing her other breast. “Oh God!” His mouth moved to her other breast while his fingers toyed with the hem of her dress. Her body had already betrayed her. She was wet and ready for him, on the brink of orgasm.
Gabe lifted his head for a moment. “As a substitute for what?” His fingers slid beneath the tight sheath.
“A s-s-s-substitute for…”
“You’re not wearing any panties, Eva.”
“Gabe,” she cried. “Oh, Gabe…”
“Tell me.” He thrust a finger inside her. “I want to know.” Two fingers. “A substitute for what?” His mouth descended to her breast again while his fingers plunged in and out of her creamy center. Eva thought she might faint.
“Black…black…pep…pep… Oh my God…” Eva’s head arched back as she came, writhing wildly against him. Only Gabe’s arm around her waist, his two fingers inside her, and his mouth on her nipple kept her upright.
Gabe’s mouth was once again against her ear. “Black pepper,” he whispered. “Eva, pull up your dress.”
“Yes, Gabe.” Her voice quivered. She heard the sound of a zipper being unzipped. She slid her dress up her hips and Gabe lifted her onto his hard, thick shaft. He reached for her thigh and drew one of her legs around his waist. Eva had to stretch onto the very tips of the other toes in order to accommodate him. Gabe pressed her against the stone wall, his arms behind her back, cushioning her. He plunged into her swiftly, thrusting again and again, driving deep inside. Eva felt as if she had been transported outside her body, where she watched through lowered lashes as Gabe roughly took possession of her. Deliberately. Definitively. Eva could hear their heavy breathing, but otherwise, neither of them made a sound.
“Eva,” Gabe growled low in his throat, “Eva, come with me.”
Eva could tell that he’d gritted his teeth. His mouth was buried in her hair. God, she was close.
“F*ck…lover…come with me,” he ordered her. “F*ck… Now…”
Eva bit his neck, hard, to stifle her scream. Her hands clutched desperately at his shoulders. She shattered. Gabe held her body still as he thrust into her, growing impossibly harder and thicker, as he came. Eva felt his heat deep inside. She heard him make a deep, guttural sound, perhaps he said something, but Eva was beyond understanding. She leaned her head against Gabe’s chest, panting, spent.
“I didn’t know that,” Gabe whispered, his voice hoarse, “About Grains of Paradise.”
Eva began to giggle. Within seconds, she was helplessly whooping with laughter while Gabe struggled to straighten out their clothing and untangle her hair from the buttons of his tux.
Even in the dim light, Eva could see Gabe’s smile as he whispered, “Help. I can’t get you off me.”
Eva took a deep breath and tried to stop laughing long enough to untangle her hair from Gabe’s jacket. She finally succeeded, but a few long strands had pulled out and were caught in his buttons. She carefully removed them and brushed his jacket with her hands. “I smell like you,” she said with a grin.
“That’s the whole idea. I’m marking you so everyone will know to whom you belong and nobody will mess with you.”
“Oh really?” commented Eva. “To whom I belong, eh?”
“Yes,” said Gabe, looking wicked. “I wanted to rub my scent all over you the moment I saw you in that dress.”
“Why didn’t you just lift your leg and pee on me?”
Gabe grinned at her. “I’m more of a cat than a dog, don’t you think? Cats rub themselves on their people.”
Eva looked him up and down. Gabe did indeed look dark, sleek and trim. A bit like a jaguar. “Well, if you’re a cat, what am I?”
“Prey,” he replied immediately, “Delicious, delectable, utterly irresistible prey,” he replied. He pulled his cell phone out of the pocket of his jacket.
“Who are you calling?” Eva asked.
“The car, unless you’d like to go back in with me dripping down your bare legs. Not that I mind.”
Eva was more than a bit sticky. “No, calling the car is a good idea.”
Gabe gallantly removed his jacket and wrapped it around Eva. They walked to the curb to wait. Adam joined them briefly.
“You two all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” they answered in unison, laughter in their voices.
“Do you need a ride to Napa?” Gabe asked. “We’re going to my apartment, but I can send the car back for you.”
“No, no thanks. I drove tonight. Did you forget, Gabe? We have a tasting tomorrow morning.”
“Shit, yes. I completely forgot.”
“I’m not surprised,” replied Adam, with a glance at Eva.
“We’ll go back to Napa then,” Gabe said, “and I’ll meet you in the cellars tomorrow.”
“You’re welcome to come with Gabe, Eva,” offered Adam.
“I wish I could,” replied Eva, “I really do. But I’ll be spending the entire day prepping for a catering job. Sorry. I would so love to taste your young wines. I got to taste your very first release, your cab, when I was working here in the city. It was damn good.”
“I’ll make sure Gabe brings you a bottle then. You’ll like it even better now. It’s grown very smooth with age. Like this one.” He nodded at Gabe.
The black limousine pulled up to the curb and the driver got out. He opened the rear passenger door. Adam took Eva’s hand.
“Eva,” he said, “I’m hoping you make an honest man out of my old friend.”
Eva’s blushed. “By the way, I need to thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“For betting on me.” Eva smiled warmly at the man as Gabe helped her into the car.
“See you tomorrow, Gabe,” said Adam.
Gabe shook his friend’s hand. “Night, Adam.”
* * * *
Eva sat silently beside Gabe until they’d crossed the Bay Bridge. He held her hand folded in his own.
“Could you please ask the driver to raise the window between the front and the back?” Her voice was quiet.
Gabe called up to his driver and the man quickly complied. Gabe made sure to flip off the intercom.
“Gabe… I’ve been… I haven’t been completely up front with you.”
Gabe looked at her lovely face. He couldn’t imagine Eva lying about anything. He raised one eyebrow in response.
“This is hard for me, so try to be understanding.”
“All right,” Gabe said.
“As I pointed out, you’ve been with other women…” Gabe began to interrupt. Eva held up a hand, “No, let me finish,” she said. “And I admitted that you are the first man I’ve ever let into my bed… the first man who has ever spent an entire night at my house.”
“I can’t say that I’m unhappy about that,” Gabe spoke up. “On the contrary, I’m flattered.”
“Gabe, I’m not experienced. I grew up with four overprotective big brothers who wouldn’t let a guy within ten feet of me. It’s not that I’m, well, it’s not that I haven’t been interested since I moved away from home. I have been interested and I’ve acted on that interest on more than one occasion. But I’m… I’m picky. Maybe selective is a better word. I’m selective. It’s like food. I won’t waste my calories on crap. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“That I’m not crap?” Gabe stifled a laugh.
“Well, that,” she grinned, “and, well, Gabe, I’ve noticed that you haven’t worn a condom and I’ve noticed that I haven’t asked you to and… I’m not on the pill,” she said in a rush. She continued, just as hastily, “Until now, I didn’t have a reason to be. I know it’s irresponsible of me on so many levels and I don’t want you to think that I’d trap you or force you to be responsible for my mistake in any way, shape or form. It’s just that when you touch me, I lose all perspective and everything flies out of my head and…”
Gabe leaned over and pressed his lips against hers. “Shut up, Eva,” he murmured. “It will be okay.”
“A man should never tell a woman to shut up,” Eva murmured against his mouth.
Gabe lifted his head. “I think in this case it’s warranted. If a mistake has been made, we are both responsible and I have no intention of walking away from you or from any mistake. Not now, not ever. Are we clear?”
Eva searched his eyes, her gaze penetrating. Gabe could tell she was trying to read him. “No, we’re not clear.”
“Then let me further clarify the matter. I love you, Eva Raines. I want to be with you for the rest of your life, if you’ll have me. Clear enough for you?”
“But, Gabe, you…you barely know me.”
“I know enough to know that you are what I want. You and only you. If you need more time, it’s all right, take as much time as you want, but I’m not going away.”
“Gabe… I don’t… I don’t know what to say.”
Gabe smiled. “Don’t say a word. Just kiss me. Kiss me right now like you mean it.”
Gabe watched Eva’s face break into a dimpled grin. She laughed at hearing her own words tossed back at her. Beneath his hopeful gaze, she undid her seatbelt and climbed onto his lap. Her thighs pressed against his. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of her slender fingers in his thick, dark hair. She mussed it playfully. Finally, when he thought he couldn’t stand anymore, she lowered her lips to his and kissed him, a kiss filled with promise, with warmth, tenderness and ferocity, a kiss tasting of desire and sweet dreams.
She pulled her mouth away from his long enough to utter the words, “I love you, Gabriel Abbott.”