Embrace the Night

Page 112



"I'm not," she said quickly, but she was lying, and they both knew it. "You have nothing to fear from me, cara. I would never hurt you."
"And Maurice?"

"No harm will come to the boy, but he is delving into things which do not concern him. If he persists, he will live to regret it."

Sara nodded, her mouth suddenly dry.

He felt her confusion, her fear, and it sickened him to know he was the cause. Now he truly hated what he was, hated it because it was keeping him from the one thing he wanted more than his next breath.

"Sara…" Whispering her name, he leaned across the table and reached for her hand. "I wish there was no need for secrets between us. I wish, with all my heart, that we could go on as before, but I fear that is impossible now."

"What are you saying?" "I'm leaving Paris tomorrow."

"Leaving? Why? Where are you going?"

"It's for the best. I've kept you at my side long enough. I want you to live your own life. Marry. Have children."

"No…"

"You have so much ahead of you, cara. I want you to live your life to the fullest, to experience all that life has to offer."

"Why are you doing this?" She was weeping now. "I said I was sorry."

Gabriel glanced around the cafe, aware of the curious looks coming their way. He tossed a few coins on the table to pay for Sara's meal and the wine, draped her cape over her shoulders, and led her from the cafe.

She sobbed quietly on the short walk to her apartment. "Gabriel…"

He silenced her words with a kiss, then drew her into his arms and held her close until her tears subsided. He removed her cape and gloves, and then, with a gentleness that bordered on awe, he undressed her and carried her to bed. He quickly shed his own garments, then slid in beside her and gathered her into his arms.

"Please don't leave," she murmured.

"Don't think of it now," he chided softly, and claimed her lips in a kiss that was filled with a bittersweet