“Can I ask ye a question,” he said as he pulled back the blanket and slipped into the bed. “Why?”
“What?” she asked as she glanced over her shoulder.
“Why are ye allowin’ me to sleep here tonight?”
“Tis what ye want is it nae?” she asked, pulling the blanket to her chest.
“Aye, I’d be lyin’ if I said no. But I daenae think that is the reason.”
“I ken ye’d hold it over me if I let ye sleep there. Come mornin’ when yer neck is sore and yer back aches, ye’d blame me for the pain.”
“So ye asked me to come out of pity and to quell yer guilt?”
“Maybe,” Elena said with a huff.
“Elena,” her name rolled off his tongue like water over stones, so smooth and direct. “I promised ye I would nae do anythin’ to ye tonight. Nae until yer ready for me. I’ll nae take ye the way yer family expects me to.”
The tension rising from the other half of the bed seemed to dissipate. It was clear by the way Elena cleared her throat and clung to the blankets she was worried he would be brutish toward her.
Gabriel stared at Elena’s back, watching her snuggle into the pillow. The scent of whiskey and lavender rose off her skin intoxicating him more than any drink he had consumed. Every fiber of his being wished to reach out and touch her. He wanted to cradle her in his arms and feel her beside him. Even if he couldn’t give in to his cardinal needs and desires, just holding her would be enough.
Elena shifted as she inched closer to the edge. The space between them seemed like a gulch. Gabriel sighed as he tucked his arm under his head and stared at the ceiling listening to her breath.
His mind drifted with the possibilities of having her. Gabriel allowed his mind to wander. He envisioned Elena rolling over to face him, reaching out to him and running her fingers down his chest. The mere thought of such an intimate moment caused him to catch his breath.
The fantasy was one he had thought of many times over the years. But the dream always ended the same. Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned on his side and focused on the shadows dancing across the walls.
“Good night, Elena,” Gabriel whispered. “Sleep well.”
Gabriel’s eyes fluttered closed as he focused on the mattress sinking on the other end of the bed. He knew she was right beside him. The distance practically killed him. But he had made a vow not to touch her.
I’ll nae be the man she thinks I am. If she wants me, she’ll have to come to me. She’s always been stubborn. But so am I.
A wicked smile played on his lips as he allowed the darkness to take him.
The sound of birds chirping and singing their cheerful tune caused him to stir. His eyes fluttered open. He glanced around the small portion of the room allowing the dresser and table to come into focus. His heart skipped as he felt something highly unsuspecting around his waist.
Looking down, he noticed the pale arm draped over him, holding him close. A smile curled over his lips and he wanted nothing more than to pull the hand to his chest, but resisted the urge.
As carefully as he could, Gabriel lifted the hand by the wrist and set it gently on Elena’s side. Inching to the edge, he slipped off the bed and turned to face her. Elena moaned as she reached for the pillow and drew it to her.
There was no telling how much she had to drink yesterday, but it was clear that nothing would be able to pull her from her slumber. Gabriel grabbed his shirt from off the floor. Slipping his arms into the sleeves, he stole one last glimpse of Elena sleeping.
She is so peaceful.
Her hair was twisted into knots around her face and sprawled out over the pillow. Her milky skin looked even paler against the dark blanket that molded around her slender body. Something deep inside of him stirred. A part of him wished he could stay with her, but he assumed last night’s events may have been wiped from her memory.
Sleep, my love. I shall see ye soon enough.
Gabriel tiptoed to the bedroom door and carefully opened it. He paused the moment the door moaned. His heart stopped and he looked over his shoulder to the bed. Elena remained resting peacefully unaware of his attempt to escape.
Slipping through the crack in the door, Gabriel closed it behind him and exhaled. He pressed his hand to the wood and dropped his head a moment. The tension he had felt mingled with the love and passion that raged on inside him.
“Well look who finally decided to join us.”
Gabriel lifted his head and turned. “Jacob. I thought ye were Darragh there for a moment.”
“So, how did every thin’ go last night? Ye tame the shrew?” Jacob asked with a playful punch to Gabriel’s shoulder. Arching an eyebrow, Gabriel shrugged.