“The prodigal son,” Gabriel muttered.
He slid his hands to her hips and changed the subject. “I want you to feel comfortable here. I emptied one of my dresser drawers and made room in the closet for your clothes. I’d like you to leave some things with me so you can come and go as you please. And I’ll give you my spare key.”
“You want me to leave my clothes here?”
“Well, I’d rather you left yourself here, but I’ll settle for your clothes,” he grumbled, half-smiling.
Julia reached up to plant a penitent kiss on his pouting lips. “I’ll leave some of your gifts here and the next time I’m over, they’ll be waiting for me.”
He smiled, and his smile morphed into a smirk. “Since we’re talking about leaving things here, perhaps you’ll leave some pictures.”
“You want to take my picture…like this?”
“Why not? You’re beautiful, Julianne.”
Her skin flamed.”I don’t think I’m ready to have you take erotic pictures of me.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I was thinking more along the lines of some black-and-white photos of your profile, your neck, your face…” He began tracing curved patterns on her back, a gentle gesture designed to reassure her of his affection.
“Why?”
“Because I would like to be able to look at you when you aren’t here. My apartment is very empty without you.”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
“Does that trouble you?” He caressed her jaw line slowly.
“No. You can take my picture. But I’d prefer to be fully dressed.”
“I don’t think my heart could take the sight of you undressed.”
She smiled at him, and he laughed.
“Can I ask you something, Gabriel?”
“Of course.”
“When you go home for Thanksgiving, will you stay at Richard’s or at a hotel?”
“I’ll stay at the house with everyone else. Why?”
“Rachel said that you used to stay in a hotel whenever you visited.”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Because I was the black sheep of the family and Scott never let me forget it. It was a relief to have the option of leaving if things became uncomfortable.”
“Did you ever bring a girl home?”
“Never.”
“Did you ever want to bring someone home?”
“Not before you.” He leaned forward to kiss her again. “And if I had my way, you’d be the first girl to share my bed in my parents’ house. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen unless I sneak you in after dark.”
Julia giggled slightly but was secretly very, very pleased.
“Richard reminded me that I need to book our airline tickets. Why don’t you let me make the arrangements and we can work out the money later?”
“I could book my own ticket.”
“Of course you could. But I want us to be seated together. We’ll have to leave for the airport after my seminar, which means we’ll have to take the last flight out of Toronto, around nine o’clock.”
“That’s late.”
“I was going to reserve a hotel room in Philadelphia for Wednesday night, since we’ll be arriving close to eleven. Unless you want to drive to Selinsgrove right away.”
Julia shook her head. “Why don’t we just fly to Harrisburg?”
“The last flight to Harrisburg leaves in the middle of my seminar. Of course, we could leave the day after, if you’d prefer. Then we wouldn’t have to stay at a hotel.” Gabriel’s eyes fixated on hers, measuring her.
“I don’t want to lose another day. And it would be nice to stay at a hotel with you.” She smiled.
“Good. I’ll make the reservations and rent a car.”
“What about Rachel and Aaron? Shouldn’t we drive with them?”
“They’re driving up Wednesday after work. Rachel instructed me that it was my responsibility to see that you arrived home safely. She expects me to be your chauffeur and your bell boy.” He winked at her and grinned.
“She knows, doesn’t she?”
“Rachel thinks she knows everything.” His grin tightened. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle her.”
“It isn’t Rachel I’m worried about.”
“You don’t need to worry about anything. We’re just two family friends who met in a city far from home. It will be harder on me than it will be on you.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I will be in the same room with you without being able to touch you.”
She looked down at her bare feet and smiled shyly.
Gabriel took her hand in his and began to stroke it. “When is your birthday?”
“I don’t celebrate it.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t.” Now her voice was defensive.
“Well, I’d like to celebrate it with you. Don’t deprive me, Julianne.” Gabriel’s blue eyes communicated more frustration than annoyance.
Julia thought back to their argument about the clothes and decided that she didn’t want to have another fight with him so soon.
“It was September first. You missed it.”
“No, I haven’t.” He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his cheek against hers.