intensely at her as he waited for an answer.
“It’s silly, nothing to worry about.” Rachel replied.
“Please?” Gabe continued to push.
“Fine, I’m a reader.” Rachel said as if Gabe should understand somehow what that meant.
“Okay, and is that supposed to mean something?”
“I love to read —” Rachel continued. “You know, books. I used to read anything I could get my hands on.”
Gabe furrowed his brow; he wondered if Rachel were speaking in a cryptic code he was not aware of. Somehow the fact that she liked to read books was making her sad. “I’m sorry, I’m still not getting it.”
Rachel looked up at Gabe; she could see in his eyes that his concern was sincere. She smiled softly, doing her best to explain her dilemma. “You like to create stuff, right? Like drawing or sculpting.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Gabe replied.
“Imagine all the tools you needed to create your masterpieces with were unavailable to you. The thing you love to do, the thing that helps you relax, it’s suddenly gone. There isn’t exactly a corner library around here if you catch my drift. I guess I’m just missing it.”
Gabe said nothing, just stared ahead of him.
“See, I knew it sounded silly.” Rachel added.
“No, that’s not it.” Gabe scoffed.
“Then what?”
“I’m just wondering if I have some strange attraction to women who love books, Sophie was a book worm too.” Gabe said, remembering Sophie’s love of the library at Rampart Manor.
“You have an attraction to me?” Rachel smiled as the question slipped past her lips.
“What? Oh— Yeah sure, whatever helps you sleep at night.” Gabe tried to lessen the blow of his statement with his callous response, unable to stop the involuntary blushing that was happening to his cheeks.
“Oh, Gabe, really?”
“What?” Gabe yelped.
“I’m a girl; it’s not that hard to tell when a guy likes you. It’s no big deal.” Rachel’s response surprised him.
“Seriously? You’re a bit over confident, aren’t you?” Gabe asked looking at Rachel, careful not to allow his gaze to linger too long though.
Rachel leaned in close on the hand that rested between them, her face hovering only inches away from his. He could smell the Jasmine she used in the water that she washed her hair with. Her tongue slipped briefly from her mouth, moistening her full lips. Though he tried not to stare, he couldn’t look away, breathless he was consumed by her beauty.
“Am I confident, or am I right?” Rachel whispered, not budging.
Gabe’s stomach dipped with the sensation that he were on a roller coaster. Rachel’s face was now bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon sun. Their hearts beat heavily and with each passing second, quickened in pace. Rachel’s confident stare quickly turned to one of helpless desire. As he drew closer her eyes closed, lips parting slightly. Each second that passed before their lips touched felt like an eternity.
At last his warmth brushed up against her. Placing a hand on the small of her back, Gabe pulled her in tight, pressing passionately against her. As he did so, Rachel lost all composure and began to tremble in delight. She moaned softly. Gabe’s muscular physique had not gone unnoticed by her since she had arrived. The time when he had been that cold and icy mystery to her was long gone.
She had not given much consideration to his flirtations up until that point, assuming they were just that, simply flirtations. Ever since the night Uri had returned and Gabe asked her to stay with him rather than go to Iron Gate, he had behaved differently towards her, more tenderly. In the moment, there by the water, contemplating the idea that her end may be near; realizing she would likely never experience the simple pleasures life had to offer, such as a good book, she wanted to feel something. Feel just one of those pleasures slipping away from her, not caring what it might mean for their friendship.
She felt his wet tongue slip past her lips, intertwining with hers until there was no distinguishing which belonged to whom. Rachel arched her back, pushing herself deeper into his grasp. If she could have melted into him and become one, she would have.
Feeling the thirst for her lips somewhat quenched, Gabe pulled back. He stared at Rachel who said nothing in response. He cupped her chin, stroked her hair gently, and pulled her close to plant a kiss on top of her head. Rachel turned and pressed her body into Gabe’s shoulder. They laid back on the ground to