Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard Page 0,179

eyes. He looked thinner and older.

“I’m really glad to be back, Richard. I’m sorry I wasn’t here in September.” She gave him a guilty look, and he patted her hand. “My courses are good. I like them.”

Julia tried hard not to fidget, especially when she felt a pair of intense blue eyes latch onto her.

“Gabriel tells me you’re in his class.”

“Yeah, how’s that going?” asked Scott. “Can you understand a word he says? Or do you need a translator?”

Scott was only joking, and Julia knew that, but she saw Gabriel flinch out of the corner of her eye.

“It’s my favorite class,” she said softly. “Professor Emerson’s graduate seminar is considered the best of its kind at the university. He gave a lecture in October that had over a hundred people in attendance. They put his picture in the university newspaper.”

Rachel’s brows went up, and her eyes narrowed as they traveled from Julia to Gabriel and back again.

“Professor Emerson? That must be quite a turn on, Gabe. Do your women call you that too? Must be really hot in the bedroom.” Scott laughed uproariously.

“In the first place, Scott, I do not have women. And no, the extraordinary lady I am seeing does not call me that.” Gabriel’s voice was cold and unfriendly as he swept out of the room.

“Scott, I asked you to behave yourself.” Richard’s voice was low but reproving.

“Dad, I was only kidding. He takes himself so seriously—somebody needs to loosen him up. And he’s always been a player. So what’s the big deal?”

“It sounds like Gabriel has a girlfriend. Let him be happy.” Aaron’s voice was quiet and surprisingly compassionate.

Richard’s face wore a peculiar expression.

“Look you all, this holiday is hard enough without the passive-aggressive bullshit.” Rachel’s voice was raised over the rest as she stood, hands on hips, scowling at Scott. “Sorry about the language, Dad.”

“Why does everything have to revolve around him? Last time I checked, he was only one out of four.” Scott was no longer joking.

“Because he’s trying! Which is more than I can say about you. Now come over here and drain these goddamned potatoes, so you can start mashing them. Aaron will take the turkey out of the oven, and Julia, would you go and get Gabriel? I’d like him to look through the wine cellar and choose a couple of bottles.”

“I can do that,” Richard protested. “Maybe we should give him a minute.”

“He’s had his minute. As long as Scott agrees to behave.” She glared at him until he nodded. “Besides, Dad, you need to carve the turkey. Julia.”

Rachel angled her head toward the upstairs, and Julia nodded, slipping out of the kitchen. She quickly ascended the staircase and walked down the hall, pausing in front of the half-opened door to Gabriel’s old bedroom. She knocked softly.

“Come in.” He sounded cross.

Gabriel’s room had not been redecorated since his seventeenth birthday, with the exception of the removal of his old band posters and pictures of scantily clad women. A double bed stood in the center of the room, underneath the large picture window that faced the woods. A large antique armoire stood against one of the walls, and three massive bookshelves and an old stereo covered the opposite wall. Almost all the decor was a masculine shade of dark blue, including the area rug.

Julia watched as Gabriel unpacked his suitcase, methodically placing the folded clothes on top of the bed. When he saw her, he straightened up and smiled.

“Now do you see why I prefer to stay at a hotel?”

“I’m sorry, Gabriel. I should have done something. Said something.”

“You need to do what I normally do—just keep quiet and take it.” He dropped what he was holding and was at her side in a moment. “It’s a good thing we agreed to keep our relationship secret. Scott doesn’t think very highly of me, and your reputation would be tarnished by association.”

“I don’t mind. Let him tarnish me.”

He smiled and caressed her cheek. “I mind. I mind a great deal.” He cleared his throat. “Tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, I’d like to take you for a walk.”

“I’d love to.”

“At least that will give me something to look forward to.” Gabriel pulled her into a heated embrace. His tongue entered her mouth immediately, his hands resting on her backside, squeezing it without shame.

Julia allowed herself to forget she was in his father’s house for a minute before she struggled to back away. “We—can’t.”

Gabriel had a wild look in his eye. “But I