Embrace the Night

Page 201



Her hands felt clammy, her mouth dry. She could feel her heart beating wildly in her breast, feel the blood pounding in her ears. She stared into his eyes, eyes as gray as a winter day, as hot as the summer sun. His gaze held hers for a long while, then moved down to her lips, to the pulse beating rapidly in her throat.

"Why are you here?" His voice was dark and smooth and soft, like rich black silk.

"I'll see that you get the robe back, too." she replied, wishing she could make herself look away from his eyes.

"Keep it."

"I couldn't. It must have cost a great deal."

"It's yours," he said, sounding angry now. "I bought it for you."
"Like you decorated that room?"

"Yes."

Black, she thought. He was wearing black again. Not jeans and a T-shirt this time, but a heavy black sweater that emphasized the width of his shoulders. Black sweat pants hugged his long, muscular legs. Looking at him, she had the uncomfortable feeling that his constant wearing of black was not merely a fashion statement, but the color of his soul.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "You didn't answer my question."

How could she tell Gabriel why she was here? How could she confess that she had gone to the park hoping to see him there, and when he hadn't shown up, she had come looking for him, needing to see him because he knew why she sought the darkness, because he understood her grief. Because his arms were strong and invincible and his voice was low and soft.

Sarah licked her lips nervously. "I thought you could read my mind."
"I'd rather hear it from you."

"It's like I said, I brought your car back. Thanks for letting me take it." "Liar." His quiet tone took the sting out of the word.

She glared at him, resenting him because he knew the truth, because he made her feel alive again. "Why, Sarah?"

"All right, I missed you!" She practically screamed the words at him. "I'm lonely, and I missed you. Is that what you wanted to hear? Does it stroke your male vanity?"

Muttering an oath, he took a step toward her, but she took a hasty step in retreat. "Thanks for the use of the Jag," she said, and lifting her arm, she threw the car keys at him, then turned