Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,58

to keep from disturbing him.

God. What had happened to me in only a few days?

There was no indication that he stood behind me, but I knew, even though his scent was masked by the fragrance of the water. When he eased a glass of wine over my shoulder, allowing our fingers to touch, I was nearly shattered by the jolts of electricity flowing between us.

I heard the slight growl, could feel his body tensing from his own arousal. There was far too much dark passion between us, an almost desperate need, the electricity now crackling in the middle of a raging thunderstorm. He took a step away as if on purpose.

I had no idea what to say, loathing the way my body responded, hating the lurid thoughts in my mind. I pulled the glass in front of me, staring at the dark red contents, trying to control my breathing.

The darkness between us was overpowering, a kind of sick need that continued to pull me into the quicksand.

Gabriel remained quiet, sighing when I didn’t immediately take a sip. “I assure you, Alessandra, there is no poison in the glass, merely a selection from my wine cabinet. Merlot to be exact. If you would prefer a white, I will be happy to pour a different glass.”

“No. This is fine. Thank you,” I whispered, bringing the crystal to my lips. I darted my tongue inside, gathering a few beads and marveling instantly at the delicious flavor. Only when I finally took a sip did he do the same. I couldn’t stand the quietness between us or the tension.

We weren’t lovers and we certainly weren’t friends. There was no common ground, other than my father, a subject that would remain closed until I was ready to force a discussion.

My terms.

My way.

He stood staring at the water, unmoving.

“This is gorgeous.” Even my words sounded stilted, echoing in my ears.

“I have paid little attention.”

“But you pay people well to maintain it for you.” Every word he said was so practiced, even painful.

He laughed halfheartedly. “Yes. Very well.”

“Why?” I asked, finally finding the courage to turn toward him. “This is your home. Why don’t you come outside and enjoy the fruits of all your hard work, even if it’s only in the darkness?”

I was surprised when he opened his mouth then shook his head instead of speaking.

“I will leave you alone for a few minutes,” he said in such a hushed tone I almost didn’t hear him. “However, we will have dinner.”

If by instinct, I reached out, wrapping my fingers around his wrist. He was just as startled as I was, his eyes glistening over as he looked down at me.

“Don’t go. Please.”

“Why, Alessandra? I’m nothing but a monster to you.”

He seemed more like an impetuous little boy needing attention than a dominating man in charge of everything. “I don’t know, Gabriel. I honestly don’t.”

When he smiled, giving me a single nod, I knew I’d passed yet another test. “I’ve had no reason to come outside. Maybe that will change, but my work is my life. There is nothing else for me.”

“That’s not true, but life is what you make of it.”

Gabriel inhaled, darting his gaze toward the pool. “Perhaps you’re right but often life presents issues that alter the course of what you believed would occur. Only the strongest usually survive.”

“That’s your world, not mine.” While I said the words with clear defiance, especially hearing his dark chuckle, I realized I was trying to fool myself.

“You still believe that good will conquer all.”

I glanced at him, studying hard clench of his jaw. “I can only hope so.”

We stood in silence.

“Masters Enterprises. What do you do? Am I even allowed to ask?”

“You may ask questions. What I answer will be my choice. You really know nothing about me, do you?” He seemed amused.

“No. I spent my time studying or working two different jobs and my father never talked about his work. I didn’t watch television and I certainly didn’t involve myself in my father’s business activities. What should I know?”

The daring question was one I didn’t anticipate he would answer. When he started talking, I was mesmerized by the blandness in tone, the lack of inflection to any degree. It was as if he was speaking about something he knew intimately, but had no place in.

Even though it was obvious almost immediately that the empire he’d built while in the states was significant.

“My family is in Dublin, a beautiful city in a gorgeous country where the green