Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard Page 0,156

this isn’t a proper dinner. I wish you’d let me cook for you.”

“My dad always eats a slice of cheese with his apple pie. I’d have some cheese if you have it.”

Gabriel appeared puzzled by her request but immediately rummaged in the refrigerator and soon presented her with a substantial piece of aged Vermont white cheddar.

“Perfect,” she murmured.

After she’d finished her pie, she sat quietly, wondering if she should go home. She really didn’t want to, but perhaps after so many tears and so much drama he wouldn’t want her to stay.

“You didn’t respond to my note,” he said after a protracted silence. “The note I sent with the gardenias.”

“I wrote an e-mail.”

“But you left something out.”

Julia paused. “I didn’t know what to say about the taming part.”

“You told me the dialogue with the fox was your favorite. I thought it would be clear.”

“I know what the fox meant. But you…” She shook her head.

“Then I’ll tell you. I don’t expect you to trust me, but I would like to earn your trust. Maybe once you trust me with your mind, you’ll begin to trust me with your body. That’s the sort of taming I have in mind. I want to pay close attention to you…to your wants, needs, and desires…and take my time attending to them.”

“How will you tame me?”

“By showing you with my actions that I am worthy of trust. And by doing this.”

Gabriel stood in front of her and clasped her face in his hands, bringing his mouth inches from hers. She closed her eyes and held her breath, waiting for their lips to meet.

But they didn’t.

Warm air from between Gabriel’s curled and parted lips floated across her mouth. Her tongue peeked out, slowly wetting her lower lip in anticipation. The feel of his breath across the wetness caused a shiver to shoot down her spine.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered, pushing more warm breath across her mouth.

Julia felt herself blush against his hands, the warmth traveling across her face and down her neck.

“I can feel you flushing, your skin blossoming in heat and color.”

He stroked her eyebrows, and she opened her eyes, staring into large, dark-blue pools.

“Your pupils are dilated.” He smiled against her mouth, barely grazing her lips. “And I can hear your breathing speed. You know what that means.”

Julia searched his eyes. “He said I was frigid.” She sounded ashamed. “Cold like snow. It made him angry.”

“Only a boy who knew nothing about women could be so blind and so ridiculous. Never think that about yourself, Julianne. I know for a fact that it’s far from true.” His lips curved into a seductive smile. “I can tell when you’re aroused, like now. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it on your skin. I can—sense it.”

Gabriel traced a single finger across her eyebrows to relax them. “Please don’t be embarrassed. I’m not. It’s tantalizing and very erotic.”

She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent—Aramis and peppermint and blessed Gabriel.

He chuckled. “I think you’re telling me that you enjoy my cologne.” He leaned down so that her nose was able to skim his neck. The scent of Aramis was stronger there.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m building desire, Julianne. Now tell me what you want. You’re flushed, your heart is beating rapidly, and I can hear your breathing accelerate. What do you desire?” He cupped her face in his hands again and brought his mouth close to hers. Close, but still not touching.

“I want to kiss,” she breathed.

He smiled. “I want to kiss too.”

She waited. And still he would not move.

“Julianne,” he blew across her lips.

She opened her eyes.

“Take what you want.”

She inhaled sharply.

“If you don’t initiate on occasion, I’ll conclude that you don’t want me. That I’m being demanding. After a night like tonight, the only person doing the demanding should be you.” Gabriel’s eyes were wide and dark, and they pierced her.

She didn’t need another invitation. Surprising both of them, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tugged him forward. When their lips met, his hands trailed down to her lower back, and he imagined caressing her naked flesh. She teased his bottom lip and drew it into her mouth, copying an act he’d performed with her before. She was less skilled, but he was no less pleased.

Her unhurried ardor enticed him, and within a moment, he felt his skin heat and his heart race. For as his tongue expertly explored her mouth, he wished nothing more than to part her modest knees