Rachel stared at him puzzled. “Oh no, please, you were doing such a good job, you finish.” Gabe instructed, a huge grin across his face now.
Rachel couldn’t help but also smile, realizing how silly her frustration was. Eagerly, she slid down the zipper of his pants, allowing them to drop to the floor. Much to Rachel’s delight, there was nothing else beneath the thin layer of cloth, his naked body greeting her with clear delight.
Standing there, confident in his skin, Rachel suddenly began to doubt herself again. Gabe sensed her withdraw and quickly combatted the back step by reaching out and pulling her close once again. He pressed his warm lips to her, kissing her deep and long. Slipping his hand between one of the slits in her gown, he gently caressed the inside of her thigh before allowing his fingertips to explore inward.
Rachel cried out, her legs quivering from the pleasure. Pulling his hand away, all he could think about was seeing her glorious body. Yanking on the gown, he lifted it up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor. Gabe smiled, staring at her full breasts. Cupping one, he slipped her nipple into his open mouth. Rachel flung her head back, closing her eyes and enjoying every second.
Rachel looked away, not able to take the intenseness of his eyes. Pulling her chin towards him, he forced her gaze back into his eyes. I—Love—You, pulling his lips away, he mouthed the words, not uttering a sound except his heavy breathing.
“I love you, too,” Rachel whispered, her fears and anxieties lifting.
Gabe pushed against her, the warmth of his chest pressing up against her breasts. Leaning down, Gabe swept Rachel’s hair aside, kissing the part of her body where her neck and shoulder joined. His lips trailed slow, wet kisses down her shoulder, stopping just short of her left breast. She shook with anticipation.
Rachel’s knees suddenly buckled from the sheer desire overwhelming her. Realizing she was unsteady, he led her onto the bed, both on their knees. The exploration of bodies continued for hours; kissing, and touch, the two melting into one. When Gabe actually entered her, it was hard to distinguish where one body ended and the other began. By the morning both had had their thirsts quenched multiple times, but more than that, it was a completeness they felt. When it was finally time to pull away from each other and get ready for the day, a sadness rushed over them as if they were losing a part of themselves not being connected physically anymore.
Gabe looked forward to a lifetime of exploring her body, no matter how long or short that might be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The light seeped in through a thin opening between the drawn curtains. Gabe watched as it climbed up Rachel’s naked backside. Gently, he traced the path with his fingertips, flashes of the previous night’s passion running through his mind.
He marveled at the fullness of her bottom that peeked out from beneath the blankets. Sweeping her hair from her back and off to the side, Gabe began to unconsciously trace the letters of Rachel’s name on her skin with the lightest of touch.
Gabe closed his eyes, continuing to trace the lines of her body as he did. As he replayed the night, the touches, kisses, and climaxes, Gabe sighed. He had never taken the time with a partner like he had Rachel. He had listened to her moans as he explored her body, changes in pitch and intensity. He learned what drove her crazy, and delighted in delivering all her desires. Rachel had been so eager to please in return, Gabe couldn’t believe that he was going to be able to spend the rest of his life with her. The idea of such happiness was almost too much for him to fathom.
In the back of his mind, though, there was always the thought that he could lose it all, that the prophecy would forever linger over him until it robbed him of this happiness. The safest thing for them to do as husband and wife would be never to have children. He couldn’t see Rachel not being a mother, however, it was more than he could ask of her. He didn’t want Rachel to worry, but he had already decided the best chance they had at a happy life would be if Baal were vanquished. If it meant putting his life on the line, then that was simply something he would have to do.
In