Embrace the Night

Page 56



Gabriel nodded. He should have known she'd want to primp before a looking glass, but it was the one thing he could not provide for her.

"I didn't find one, though." She stared at her hand, so small compared to his. "I… do you… ?" "Go on."

"Do you really live in the abbey? I mean, there doesn't seem to be anything of you in any of the rooms." She shrugged. "I mean, for a wealthy man, you don't seem to own very much."

"I have a castle in Spain," he remarked. "If you're looking for wealth, I'll take you there one day."
"No, I didn't mean that!"

"I know."

"Where do those stairs go? The ones in the rear of the monastery?"

"To the catacombs. Don't go down there again, cara. There's nothing in those dark vaults but those who sleep the endless sleep of death."

A shiver ran down Sara's spine. "I know. I could feel it. Oh, Gabriel, it was awful."

Wordlessly, he gazed into her eyes. Never had the abyss between them seemed wider or deeper or more impossible to cross. It was a chasm with no bridge save death. Her death.

She watched him rise to his feet in a single fluid movement. "Is something wrong?"
"It grows late. We should be getting back."

She offered him her hand, felt the strength of his fingers close over hers as he helped her to her feet. "I had a lovely time, Gabriel. Thank you."

He inclined his head in acknowledgment, then pressed his lips to her hand. "My pleasure, cara."

Unexpectedly, she wound her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He gasped at her touch, at the warmth of her body against his own. She was like a shadow in his arms, fragile, elusive, yet loving and warm. So warm. So full of the energy of life. His heart thudded in time to the pulse fluttering in her throat, exciting his hunger, tormenting, tantalizing.

His body hardened at her nearness, and he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer, basking in her nearness, her youth, her innocence. Ah, but she felt good in his arms.

She moaned softly, grinding her hips against his as his tongue scorched her mouth. Her scent rose all around him, female, musky, desirable.

With a low groan, he lifted her arms from his neck and took a step backward. "We'd better go," he said hoarsely.

Tucking her hand in his, they walked back to the restaurant. He lifted her into the carriage, his hands