He waved a hand. “Don’t ask. But it’s not happening to me again. Besides, they’ll at least provide us with drinks and something more substantial than pretzels.” He kissed her softly, and she smiled.
The flight to Philadelphia was largely uneventful. After disengaging the phone utility, Gabriel continued his tutoring sessions on iPhone 101, showing Julia various applications on his phone and asking her if she wanted the same ones. As she perused his programs, she found the iPod function and scrolled through his music files—Mozart, Chopin, Berlioz, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Matthew Barber, Sting, Diana Krall, Loreena McKennitt, Coldplay, U2, Miles Davis, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails…
Julia hit a button by mistake and found herself looking at Gabriel’s university e-mail account. She glanced at it quickly as she tried to switch to the photo album application, and was stunned to discover that both Professor Singer and a Paulina Grushcheva had e-mailed him in the past week. She resisted the urge to read his e-mails and closed the application. Gabriel was peering through his glasses at a journal article, oblivious to what had just occurred.
Why are they e-mailing him? The answer was obvious, but it didn’t prevent her from asking herself the question. She nibbled on one of her fingernails distractedly.
Gabriel had uploaded several of the black-and-white photos of her, including some she hadn’t seen before. As she scrolled through them, he somehow became aware of what she was doing. Embarrassed, he tried to wrest his phone out of her hand, but she held it fast and began to laugh. Not wanting to give their fellow passengers a show, he moved closer and threatened in a whisper to kiss her senseless.
She gave him back his phone.
Julia snuggled up at Gabriel’s side while he put his research away and pulled out a hard-covered volume from his briefcase.
“What’s that?” Her soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
He showed her the cover. The End of the Affair by Graham Greene.
“Is it good?”
“I just started it. He’s considered to be a very good writer. He wrote the script for The Third Man, which is one of my favorite films.”
“The title is depressing.”
“It’s not what you think.” He shifted in his seat. “Well, it is, but it isn’t. It’s about faith and God and lust…I’ll lend it to you when I’m finished.” He smirked at her and leaned closer so that he could brush his lips against her ear. “Perhaps I’ll read it aloud to you when we’re in bed together.”
Julia’s cheeks pinked up at that remark, but she smiled. “I’d like that.”
He pressed a light kiss to her forehead. She snuggled into his side and relaxed. He found himself peering down at her from time to time over the rims of his glasses.
He found it difficult to put into words how he felt when she was near him. How content he felt whenever she touched him, or when they were enjoying the simple pleasures of music or literature or food and wine. She inspired the strangest emotions and desires, such as wanting to read to her, to chastely share a bed with her, to lavish her with gifts both decadent and plain, to protect her from harm, and to ensure that she smiled daily.
Perhaps this is happiness, he thought. Perhaps this is almost what Richard and Grace had. The thought intrigued him.
You love her.
Gabriel started suddenly. Where had that voice come from? Had someone said it aloud? He looked around quickly, but the other first class passengers were either napping or otherwise engaged. No one was paying any attention to the nervous professor or the beauty who dozed next to him.
It’s too soon. It’s just not possible. I can’t love her. Gabriel shook his head at the voice, wherever it came from, and returned to his book more than a little disquieted.
After arriving in Philadelphia, Gabriel pulled his rented Jeep Grand Cherokee out of the airport’s parking garage.
“Which hotel did you choose?” Julia asked, staring out of the window into the darkness.
“The Four Seasons. Do you know it?”
“I know where it is, but I’ve never stayed there.”
“It’s very nice. You’ll like it.”
What Gabriel failed to mention was that he had booked a suite that had a panoramic view of Logan Circle. He also neglected to tell Julia that their room had a beautiful marble bathroom with an exquisite bathtub. Julia noticed the bathtub before she noticed the view. Not to mention the complimentary fruit basket the manager always provided for his most important guests.
“Gabriel,” she breathed. “It’s beautiful. I’d love to take a bubble bath but…”
He smiled at her and gently took her elbow, leading her inside the bathroom.
“You will have complete privacy, and your companion will behave like a gentleman.” He paused and a wicked gleam came into his eyes. “Unless you need me to wash your back. In which case, you’ll have to blindfold me first.”
Julia grinned. “We could use one of your bow ties,” she whispered.