Gabriel’s Inferno Trilogy by Sylvain Reynard Page 0,209

of hair out of her eyes. “There’s something I would like to say to you.”

Her brow furrowed.

He traced a single finger across her eyebrows, smoothing out the worry lines. “Don’t frown. It’s something nice. I think.”

She looked up at him expectantly.

His eyes were large and dark and serious. “I love you.”

She blinked twice and a smile slowly crept across her face. “I love you too. I thought I was hearing things when you said it last night.”

He kissed her tenderly. “I wasn’t sure you heard me, either.”

“You know, you said it to me before.”

“When?”

“The night I rescued you from Christa. I put you to bed, and you called me Beatrice. You said that you loved me.”

He swallowed noisily. “Julianne, I’m sorry it took me so long to say it properly.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead against the stubble on his chin. “Thank you.”

“No, darling. I should be thanking you. I’ve—never felt this way before. It makes me realize how much time I’ve wasted.” Gabriel’s eyes grew sad.

Julia kissed him softly. “We both had a lot of growing up to do. It’s better this way.”

“I regret the way I treated those other women. And that I wasted my time with them. You know that, don’t you?”

“I regret being with him. But there’s nothing either of us can do about it now except be happy that we found each other.”

“I wish we could spend the day in bed.” His voice was suddenly wistful.

She laughed. “I think that would shock and scandalize your relations.”

“Most likely. Damn them.”

They both laughed until their laughter morphed into passionate kisses.

She was the first to retreat. “Can I ask you something?”

Gabriel’s jaw set. “Of course.” Don’t be too inquisitive this morning, Julianne. I can’t tell you everything in Richard’s house.

“What kind of lingerie do you like on a woman?”

Gabriel’s jaw immediately relaxed and his lips curled into a wicked smile. “You’re asking this because—you’re doing a survey?” He chuckled, taking her hand in his and pressing his lips against her knuckles.

She looked down at their conjoined hands. “I would like to go shopping before our trip. I was wondering what you—liked.”

He gave her a heated look, heavy with desire. “Julianne, I am a man. If I were to tell you what lingerie I prefer, it would be no lingerie.” He lifted her chin so that he could see her eyes. “You’re very beautiful. When I think of being with you, I think of taking my time to admire your beauty—your face, your shoulders, your breasts, every part of you. Cream and pink and soft curves for my body to worship.”

He pushed her gently so that she was on her back and he was kneeling on either side of her hips. “I want you to wear something that would make you feel comfortable and beautiful, because that’s how I want you to feel when we’re together.” He captured her mouth and kissed her intently.

When he pulled back she eyed him impishly. “As comfortable as a Lululemon yoga outfit?”

He seemed puzzled. “I don’t know what lou lemons are, but provided they make you comfortable, I’m sure I wouldn’t object.”

She arched her neck so that she could rub the tips of their noses together. “You’re lovely, you know that? But I was serious when I asked you. I want to choose something you’ll like.”

“I’ll like anything provided you are the one wearing it.”

He kissed her again, and this time he allowed himself the luxury of lowering his naked chest so that it was close to but not touching hers. Heat and electricity jumped between their skin, and soon Julia was breathless.

“Color?” She gasped. “Style preference?”

Now he was chuckling, and stroking her cheek as it flushed beneath his fingers. “Well, not black or red.”

“I thought those were the standard colors. They’re supposed to be seductive.”

He moved to the side so he could whisper in her ear. “You have already seduced me. I am enticed and tantalized and very, very excited.”

Now the room grew warm, and she forgot what her next question was supposed to be. Finally, she remembered. “So no black or red. Any favorite colors?”

“You’re stubborn, aren’t you? I think you would look nice in light colors—white, pink, blue. I suppose I could say I envisioned you in something classic, with your hair cascading down your shoulders. But this isn’t about me, this is about you. And I think you should choose.” He grinned. “Of course, I might decide to purchase an item or two for