“Fuck yourself for me,” I whispered.
I watched as she slid her hand down her stomach. She placed her feet outside my legs, parting her own. I shuffled up a little so I could watch. I palmed one of her nipples, rubbing in time with her. She wasn’t embarrassed as she pleasured herself; she fell into her zone, inserting two fingers into herself. Water gently sloshed from side to side, becoming more rapid as her desire grew. I cupped both breasts and kneaded, rolling the flesh between my hands. She raised her hips, forced her head back into my chest, and parted her lips. Her breath was rapid, and her cheeks flushed as she made herself come.
She rested back down in the water and chuckled. “What are you doing to me, Alex?” she asked, quietly.
“I think I should be asking you the same question,” I replied.
She took a deep breath in and released it slowly. “We’re both holding back a little, aren’t we?” she said. I nodded, not that she would have known that. She added, “Why?”
“I don’t know. This relationship is different for me, Gabriella. It’s…real, I guess. I want to hold on to you so tightly, but I’m aware I might suffocate you at the same time.”
She tilted her head back enough so she could kiss my chin. “I think I’ve fallen in love with you, Alex,” she whispered.
My heart raced at her words. “You think, or you know?” I asked.
“I know.”
I didn’t repeat the words. I wanted to; but they were stuck in the back of my throat. I was desperate for them to spring free, but something blocked them. Something blocked me.
As if she read my mind she whispered, “It’s okay, Alex. The words will come when you’re ready, or they won’t.”
I wrapped my arms around her and held on. I wanted to shed tears. I wanted to open up to her, to love her, and tell her that. I knew I would, one day, I just hoped I wouldn’t say the words too late.
Chapter Thirteen
I awoke before Gabriella. I slid from the bed and headed to the kitchen to make coffee. I’d slept well; it was comfortable having Gabriella in my arms all night. It felt totally normal. I made two cups and took them back to the bedroom. I placed one beside her and took mine into the bathroom. I showered, and then stood in front of the sink to shave.
Gabriella walked, naked, into the bathroom and sat on the loo to pee. Then she smiled as she passed me to step into the shower. Humming a tune, she washed her hair, then her body while I watched her reflection in the mirror. I was so distracted that I nicked my skin. She laughed as she wrapped a towel around herself and pulled a tissue from a box. She licked a corner, tore it off, and stuck it to my face.
There was no awkwardness. We both walked around naked, finding clothes, and dressing for work. I was leaving earlier than Gabriella. I kissed her cheek and before I left, I handed her a pair of keys. One for the apartment door and one for the main building. The fact she took them confirmed she was serious about what she’d said.
I smiled all the way into work.
“Why are you so happy?” Mackenzie asked, walking into my office.
“I wasn’t aware there was a non-happy policy in this building,” I replied, smirking.
He laughed. “Did you have a chance to look through those businesses yet?”
“I haven’t, sorry. I intend to use this evening to catch up.”
“That’s okay. I’m thinking of consolidating, I want your opinion on that.”
“Consolidating?” I was under the impression that he loved to travel back and forth but maybe not.
“Yeah. I’m thinking of not travelling so much.”
“Have you decided where you’d like to stay?” I asked.
“Here, I think.”
“I can’t imagine anyone choosing London over the States,” I replied.
I’d travelled a lot for work, and I always enjoyed coming home, of course, but if I’d had the choice, I think I might have enjoyed a stint abroad. That was before Gabriella, though.
Mackenzie left and I watched him walk to the lift. He didn’t seem his normal self and I wondered why. I should have asked. We were friends enough to do so, I believed, but he didn’t appearopenthat morning. Maybe I’d have a chat with Gabriella. She might have picked up on something from their evening out. I got my head down to work.
A sandwich and coffee were placed on my desk. I was so engrossed I hadn’t heard anyone come in. I looked up to see a smiling Gabriella.
