Embrace the Night

Page 82



"Sara…"

Gabriel fixed Maurice with a hard stare. "The lady said good night."

Maurice took a step backward, repelled by the coldness in the other man's eyes, by the sudden, unexpected sense of evil. With a last glance at Sara, he left the restaurant.

Sara smiled apologetically at Gabriel as they walked home a short time later. "I'm sorry he made a scene."

"He's smitten with you," Gabriel replied. "Anyone can see that."

Sara tilted her head back so she could see Gabriel's face. "And I'm smitten with you." "Are you, cara?"

" I'vetold you so often enough. Don't you believe me?"
"I believe you."

They reached her apartment a short time later. Inside, he helped her off with her cloak, then shed his own as she lit the lamp, then turned to face him.

"Will you stay the night?" she asked.

"A bold question for a maiden," Gabriel mused with a wry grin. "Are you asking me to spend the night, or to make love to you?"

"Both," she answered, and knew she was blushing furiously. "And if I refuse?"

The light went out of her eyes. Her shoulders sagged dispiritedly. "Are you going to refuse me again?"
"Sara…"

"Is it me?"
"No!"

"Then, is there something wrong with you? Some reason that you can't, or won't…" Her voice trailed off. She had no idea how to phrase her question delicately, and lacked the courage to ask it outright.

"There is noting wrong with me in the way you mean. It's only that you're so young."

"Are you going to bring that up again? Would you like me better if I were old and wrinkled? Shall I lock myself in a tower somewhere until you think I'm of the proper age?"

He laughed then, a deep masculine laugh filled with humor. She had never heard him laugh like that before, had rarely seen him smile. It transformed him, making him seem younger, more approachable.