Jacob's Ladder: Gabe (Jacob's Ladder #1)

Although I normally wasn’t one to shy away from sex in public places, I didn’t think I could possibly have sex on the Eiffel Tower. I mean, what if we got arrested? How would I ever explain to Linc why I was being detained in a Parisian jail? I quickly shook my head back and forth. “No. I’m good.”

Gabe bent over to place his palm on my bare thigh. As his hand started underneath my skirt, he asked, “Maybe a finger bang in a corner?”

With a shriek, I jerked away from him. “Once again, I’m going to have to say no.”

“I’m really digging you in this dress. It’s very accessible.”

I jabbed my index finger into his chest. “That’s it—no more horny sex-talk. I don’t want to hear anything else come out of your lips that isn’t romantic.”

“Exactly how would you define ‘romantic’?”

Rolling my eyes at him, I replied, “Um, hello, you’re the songwriter. Figure it out.”

Gabe chuckled. “Fine. You win.”

I cupped my hand over my ear. “And what sweet nothings would you like to say to me?”

“That even though you’re a pain in my ass, I love you very much.”

“You’re impossible,” I huffed.

Tilting his head at me, Gabe smiled. “There isn’t another woman on earth I’d rather talk dirty to than you. You are my ultimate fantasy, live and in the flesh. I dream of your mouth against mine, your lips on my skin, the feel of your soft curves beneath my body. There is no greater heaven on earth than being buried deep inside you, our bodies joined together as one.”

His words sent a shudder through me. I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had found a way to mix in sex with the romance. He was a songwriter for goodness’ sake. Pressing myself against him, I murmured, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He dipped his head to bring his mouth to mine, his lips soft and tender against my own. Each and every time he kissed me, I fell just a little more in love with him. There was something about the way he exuded such emotion through his kisses. Even though he could pen such words of love in his songs, sometimes he still had a difficult time vocalizing them.

When he finally pulled away, I was breathless, and damn him if I didn’t have a slow ache burning between my legs. I became utterly and completely wanton when it came to Gabe, an insatiable sex fiend who craved more and more.

At what must’ve been the lust burning in my eyes, he grinned at me. “Ready to go to dinner?”

“Yes, asshole,” I grumbled.

With a hearty laugh, Gabe replied, “We can always go back to the hotel room.”

I shook my head furiously from side to side. “Oh no, mister. There’s no way I’m missing out on my VIP dinner at Jules Verne.”

Gabe held up his hands. “It was just a suggestion.”

Pointing at the elevators, I commanded, “Let’s go—now.”

“Yes ma’am.”



*

After emitting a moan of pure ecstasy, I lay my napkin down on my now empty plate. “Oh my God, I don’t think I’ve ever been so stuffed.”

“What about dessert?” Gabe asked.

I widened my eyes. “Are you kidding me? I’m not sure I’ll eat the rest of the trip, least of all try to eat anything else tonight.”

He chuckled. “Then how about we go up for drink at the champagne bar and take in the views?”

“As long as it’s okay that I’m waddling slightly, then I would love to.”

After Gabe paid the check, he held out his hand to me. “Come on, my little Oompa Loompa,” he teased.

I playfully smacked his arm. “While I might feel like an Oompa Loompa, I most certainly don’t look like one.”

“You are wearing a purple dress,” he remarked as he we headed to the coat check.

“Keep it up, Mr. Renard, and you’ll be able to tell Trip Advisor how well that couch in the suite’s living room sleeps.”

Gabe smirked. “Like you would really toss me out of bed.”

“You should know me well enough not to tempt me,” I countered.

Dipping his head, Gabe whispered in my ear, “But who would be there to give you orgasms if I wasn’t in bed with you?”

I flashed him a wicked grin. “Considering this is Paris, I’m pretty sure I could find many devices to satisfy me.”

“None of those devices are as good as my tongue or my dick.”

“While I might disagree, there’s nothing like you spooning me or waking up beside you.”

With a smile, Gabe said, “That’s more like it.”

After Gabe helped me into my coat, he slid his on as well, and we then took the elevator up to the champagne bar. After weaving our way through the crowd, we got in line for a glass of bubbly.

When we reached the front, a man in a crisp black suit asked, “Good evening. The rose or the white?”

After glancing over at me, I said, “The rose.”

Gabe nodded. “We’ll take two.”

Once we had our glasses, Gabe and I moved to one of the less crowded corners of the observation deck. My hair and clothes rippled in the gentle breeze, and when I shivered in the cold, Gabe wrapped an arm around me. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern vibrating in his voice.

“I’m fine.” Gazing out into the glittering night sky, I murmured, “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?”

“Yes.”

I smiled up at him. “After traveling so much, I’m sure you have.”

“Actually, I have the pleasure seeing my most beautiful every day.”

When I got his meaning, my heartbeat thrummed wildly. “Aw, thank you, babe. I’d have to say you’re pretty impressive to look at every day, too.”

Gabe grinned. “But do I compare to this view?”

“You far outrival it.” Bolstered by both the champagne I’d been sipping along with the slight headiness the altitude brought, I leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I’d say your cock alone is far more magnificent.”

A shudder rippled through Gabe, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my flirty words or because of the cold.

“I like your way of thinking,” he said with a smirk.

I giggled. “I thought you would.”

Pulling back from him a bit, I leaned in to get a closer look through the crisscrossing wire. “It’s amazing how many buildings are squashed into such a small area. It’s so much different than home,” I mused while taking another sip of champagne.

Suddenly Gabe wasn’t beside me anymore. When I glanced over my shoulder to see where he had gone, a screech erupted from my lips and my hands flew to cover my mouth. “Oh my God,” I murmured as I spun around to face Gabe. The man I loved with all my heart and soul was down on one knee with a turquoise box in his hands. Although I might not have been out of Georgia much, I knew that box could only be from one place—Tiffany’s. Once again, the only words I could muster were, “Oh my God!”

Gabe smiled up at me. “Reagan Margaret Hart, my muse and my love, I want to spend the rest of my life making music with you. Two months ago, I asked Linc if I could have your hand in marriage. Today, I’m asking you.” When tears pooled in Gabe’s eyes, it was my undoing. “Rae, will you marry me?”