Josie turns to me with sympathy in her eyes. “Yes. Gabe protected me at a time in my life when I was really vulnerable. But he’s not the one…” She glances over her shoulder.
I follow her line of sight to where Zack stands. He’s talking to Gabe and the man I assume is their customer. He’s cleaned up for the event and is wearing a black suit, white shirt and a blue tie. He slicked up the front of his hair instead of doing his usual row of spikes.
His eyes drift over Gabe’s shoulder and when he notices Josie looking, he stiffens. An intense look passes over his features before he turns his back. I look over at Josie. She looks tortured.
“Oh. I think I understand.”
“Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you understood. I know most people don’t. But I’ve never seen Gabe like this with a girl before. Don’t give up on him when he gets weird. There are times when he gets really remote. Really distant. It can be work to get him to open up. But he’s worth it.”
When her gaze goes back to Zack, I actually feel a little sorry for her. I’m not sure what the deal is between them but she’s obviously hurting. The picture of the woman watching the couple with tears in her eyes is starting to make a lot of sense.
I turn to Josie. “Would you mind showing me around? I’ve looked at the other collections but I’d love to see the ones you think are the best.”
The night started with me thinking Josie was the enemy but we actually have more in common than I thought. We’re both in love with men we’re not sure how to reach.
As she leads me away, I hope that I can distract us both.
* * * * *
Josie shows me some of her favorite photos in the show and even introduces me to the owner of the gallery. He’s the flirtatious type and I can’t help giggling a little as he compliments my dress. He has a manner that reminds me of Gabe, playful and charming. He’s an older man, tall and distinguished looking, who clearly thinks that Josie walks on water.
I leave them discussing the possibility of another show and wander some more.
Gabe appears by my side while I’m examining one of the more raunchy photos. He raises an eyebrow. Despite my determination to be worldly and sophisticated, heat climbs my neck.
“Interesting. I didn’t even know the human spine could bend that way.” He takes my arm in his. I follow his lead and allow him to guide me in between the exhibits.
“Where are we going?” I don’t see Zack anywhere and the crowd has started to thin. We’re able to move through the room easily now.
“I want to show you something.” Gabe’s tone is clipped.
I glance over at him in trepidation. Is he angry with me for not mingling? For a brief moment I wonder if Josie told him what I asked about them being just friends, then I dismiss that idea. I saw the way she looked at Zack. She’s definitely not after anyone else.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly. Gabe doesn’t answer but suddenly turns right and pushes me through a door. The door shuts behind me and we’re plunged into darkness. Then I feel his hands skim up my arms and into my hair.
“Gabe, where—“
My words are swallowed by the vehemence of his kiss. His hands grip my face so hard it almost hurts and I can barely breathe. When he pulls back, I suck in a few desperate breaths before he takes my mouth again, gentler this time. Desire sparks and I wrap one leg around his waist, using it as leverage to climb his body until I’m in his arms.
He grips my ass, supporting my weight. It feels like I’m caught in some kind of tornado as I run my hands all over him, trying to touch, taste and feel all at once.
“He was smiling at you,” Gabe rasps. His mouth is on my ear and I shudder violently as he places hot, suctioning kisses all the way down my neck.
“Who? What?” I stammer as he angles me against the wall, using it to support some of my weight so he can get his hands free.
“Mr. Hartwell. The owner of the gallery.”
I’m mindless at this point, not able to concentrate on anything other than his hands working my dress up around my waist.
“We were just talking. Josie introduced us.”
His fingers finally reach their destination. He shoves my panties to the side and plunges two fingers deep. My pussy immediately clamps down and the invasion feels so good that I cry out. He covers my mouth with his, swallowing the rest of the sound.
“He was smiling at you. Looking at you. And I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted this. He wanted what’s mine.”
His fingers haven’t slowed down this entire time, plunging, retreating and then plunging again. Tears gather at the corners of my eyes. The pleasure is so intense, more so because it’s so sudden. Gabe is always so careful with me, spending time to slowly stoke my desire so that I’m desperate for it. But this is so raw, motivated by some dark emotion that’s driving him to conquer and claim. He’s claiming me and I love it.
“Shouldn’t be doing this here,” he mumbles. “But I need you to come. Need to feel it.”