But he also made me feel guilty for lying. I don’t like liars and here I am, playing at one. It sucks.
Bad.
Gabe rolls his eyes. “I’m not trying anything shady, I just want out on that balcony. It’s directly off the master, right?”
Oh. The balcony. Even I haven’t been up there because…I don’t know, I don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable in this house considering it’s not mine. “It is,” I admit, feeling foolish for doubting him. He’s a charming flirt but he’s never pushed me or made me feel uncomfortable. I should give him a break. “Last door on the left.”
He takes my hand once more and leads me down the quiet hall, opening the last door on the left and pulling me inside. The room is huge and I reach out to the wall switch and flick on the lights. Six recessed canned lights come on, bathing us in a flattering golden glow and Gabe flashes me a grin.
“Nice. Mood lighting.” He raises his eyebrows in an exaggerated gesture and I laugh weakly.
My palms are literally sweating. I hope he doesn’t notice.
The double doors that take up nearly the entire wall are uncovered, offering us a perfect view of the private docks that are part of the perks of being in this gated community and the ocean lies just beyond like a shimmering, moving blanket of blue. I’m an inner city girl. I may live in Southern California but I rarely have time to go to the beach. Having this view spread out before me on a daily basis is still mind blowing.
But I forget all about the view when I realize a certain someone is watching me, waiting for some sort of response. When I don’t give it, Gabe lets go of my hand and goes to the double doors, turning the lock and opening them both up while standing in the middle of them. He turns to smile at me, indicating with his arm that I should go outside. “Join me?”
I walk toward him, nerves bouncing inside of my stomach and making me jittery. He doesn’t tear his gaze away from mine, continues watching me as I approach and when I reach him, he gently takes my arm and leads me out onto the balcony.
The cool breeze brings with it the scent of the ocean and I breathe deep the salty smell, a little shiver moving through me. The view is spectacular. I can see the city lights to the south of us and the half full moon shines its silvery light on the water.
“Let’s go sit,” Gabe says, his seductive voice sending another shiver down my spine. I go to the overstuffed couch and settle in, gasping in shock when Gabe sits right next to me, our thighs pressed together as he slips his arm around my shoulders.
“Beautiful view,” he murmurs, his nose nuzzling my cheek for the briefest, sweetest second.
I lean into him despite my earlier worry. When it comes to him, it’s like I can’t help the way I react. That’s incredibly scary. “It is.”
“Sit up here much?”
I shake my head, trying to ignore the way he draws circles on my bare shoulder with his finger. Wow, that feels good. “Not really.”
“You’ve never brought any of your other boyfriends up here?” He raises his brows, waiting for my answer.
“No.” I turn to look at him, surprised to find him already staring at me. “Truth? I haven’t had a lot of boyfriends.”
He frowns, reaching out to trace his index finger down the side of my face, stopping at my earlobe so he can toy with my earring. His simple touch makes me tingle everywhere and I breathe out slowly, trying to control my reaction. “Are you serious?” he asks.
Slowly I nod, sucking in a sharp breath when he traces the line of my jaw. “I don’t have time to date. I’m always too busy with school.”
“Well, you’re not in school now, so I’m guessing you have a lot of free time.” He shifts closer and I drop my gaze to his full, perfect mouth. Remembering how he kissed me last night sends a warm, languid sensation shooting through my veins and I want to experience that again.
Despite all the warnings going off in my brain, the caution my mother has instilled in me ever since I was a young teen, I still want it. Want Gabe’s kiss, his touch. Just for a little while.
Just for tonight.
“You’re right. I do,” I say with a nod.
“You know, that old saying is true. All work and no play makes Lucy a dull girl.” He grabs hold of a strand of hair and twirls it around his finger, letting it go and then doing it all over again.
I huff out a laugh. “I didn’t realize it makes specifically Lucy a dull girl.”
“Well, lucky for you it hasn’t yet. Because there is absolutely nothing dull about you.” His hand moves higher and he tugs the band from my bun so my hair falls in wild waves around my face, tickling my skin. “I love your hair.”
His words, his reverent tone silences me. I don’t know what to say, how to react. Having him so close is unnerving. His body warmth seeps into mine, all those hard muscles pressed up against me, the way he touches me so easily. I close my eyes when he slips his fingers beneath my chin and tilts my face up and his mouth whispers over mine in the lightest of kisses.
He hesitates and I hold my breath until he finally says something in that sexy, low rumbling voice of his.
“Do you want this? Or are you still mad at me over what happened last night?”
The last thing I’m feeling right now is anger. “I’m not mad.”
“But do you want this?” He touches my lips again with his, so soft, a tease really and I lean into him when he pulls away. “Open your eyes, Lucy.”