All I Want Is You (28 page)

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Authors: Kayla Perrin

BOOK: All I Want Is You
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“I think we should take Trey to dinner for some quality family time,” she said, moving to change the subject.
Gabriel sighed. “I'm sure you do, Delores, but please know, it will be a cold day in hell before you and I share anything else ever again. Call your son if you want. If he answers and wants to speak with you, then that's between the two of you. He's old enough to make his own decisions about the relationship you two share. I'm not going to encourage him or push him to spend time with you, to speak with you, nothing. If it works out between the two of you, it will do so because you and Trey put forth the effort. I have had enough.”
“I don't see why you—” Delores started before Gabriel disconnected the call.
Powering off his computer, he rushed into the bathroom, needing to take a quick shower. He needed to get to Malisa.
Chapter 16
Malisa hadn't realized how angry she was until the third customer asked her about all the hate sites that had sprung up with her name on them. A pot of confection had begun to burn on the stovetop as Malisa stood staring off into the distance. She was reflecting on the sheer magnitude of what had been done to her.
It had taken some serious maneuvering for Delores to initiate the dozen or more Web sites all purporting to reveal details about Malisa and her personal life. The writings had been ridiculous ramblings about her sexual predilections, assumptions about her previous relationships, and horrific reviews about her skills as a bakery chef.
One site implied that she had interfered in other people's marriages and had engaged in questionable activity with teen boys, and that her educational and cooking degrees were fraudulent. Her image had been Photoshopped onto other people's bodies, some of the images sexually graphic and deeply disturbing.
Under normal circumstances, Malisa might have been able to ignore the loathsome rantings, but somehow Delores had managed to ensure every search engine imaginable found those sites about her before all others. To add insult to injury, the creator of each site had registered them in her name, making it look as if Malisa had done this to herself.
She fought back tears, her head waving from side to side. This was not supposed to be her life, she thought, wrapping her arms tightly around her torso. She had worked much too hard for her success to have her reputation trashed so callously.
Gabriel calling her name tore her from her reflections. She shook the unhappy cloud from her head, rushing to the stove and the sugar paste that had begun to char in the bottom of the pot.
Grabbing the pot with a dishrag, she tossed it and its contents into the sink, then ran cold water over it. Staring at yet another mess had her on the brink of breaking down completely.
Sensing her distress, Gabriel stepped into the room, moving to where she stood. Stepping behind her, he wrapped his arms around her torso and hugged her tightly.
Leaning her back against his chest, Malisa allowed herself to fall into his strength, grateful for the support that she hadn't even known she needed until he'd reached out to hold her up. She started to cry, her tears coming despite her efforts to stall them. Gabriel allowed her to cry until she was all cried out, holding tight to her.
Minutes later, she sniffed back the last tear, gasping for breath. Gabriel kissed the top of her head, rubbing her shoulders.
“I'm a mess,” Malisa said, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. “And I have three cakes to finish by tomorrow.” She turned to face him.
“You'll get them done.”
He cupped her chin and lifted her gaze to his. He gently kissed her mouth, savoring the sweetness.
“I keep asking myself why?” Malisa said, pulling away from him. “Why me? Why would she do this to me?”
Gabriel took a deep breath. “I am so sorry,” he said, apologizing for the umpteenth time since he'd called her that morning, discovering that she'd gotten wind of the news well before he had.
Malisa looked up at him. “I don't deserve this, Gabriel. I do not deserve this.”
He nodded his agreement. She didn't deserve the mistreatment that had befallen her, and he felt responsible in a way that he would never be able to explain to her. He slid his hand against the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her to him. He kissed her again, wishing that he could turn back the clock to a point where all of it could have been prevented. But he couldn't. What he could do was make sure nothing like this ever happened to Malisa again.
“Your mother gave me the contact information for your publicist, and I put him in touch with my legal staff. Every one of those sites should have been inactivated by now. My team is also researching what legal recourse you may have against Delores, and I will ensure that every avenue is pursued. She won't get away with this.”
Malisa leaned her forehead into his chest. She took a big inhale of air before lifting her eyes back to his.
“Just help me get them down and then let it go. Please.”
“But we can—”
She shook her head, stalling his words. “No. If we don't try to put an end to it, then it may never stop. I can't let Trey go through that. It's his mother and their relationship is challenged enough without him being torn between his mom and his dad's new girlfriend. And I don't want the relationship between him and I to get started with his mother and me in litigation over foolishness.”
Gabriel stood staring at her, reflecting on her words. Malisa showed more concern for his son than did the woman who'd given birth to the child.
After a few minutes of thoughtful reflection, he clasped both of her hands between his own. “I love you,” he said, staring deep into her eyes, every ounce of emotion spilling out of the dark orbs. “I love you, Malisa Ivey. I love you like I have never loved anyone else in my life.”
Malisa took a deep breath, Gabriel's words dropping like a blanket of comfort around her shoulders. She stepped back into his arms and nestled close against him. The hurt that had been in her heart was suddenly feeling less painful.
“I really have to get some baking done,” Malisa said after standing in his arms for a few minutes. “And I can't get a thing done with you distracting me.”
Gabriel laughed, the warmth of it making Malisa smile. He nodded, leaning to kiss her cheek. He winked in her direction as he headed for the door.
Malisa called out after him. “Gabriel?”
“Yeah?” He turned back to stare at her.
“I love you too.”
 
 
Miss Etta poked her head into the kitchen, calling for her daughter's attention.
“Malisa, do you have a minute?” she questioned, gesturing in Malisa's direction.
Malisa nodded, her gaze locked on the cake that she had just draped with fondant icing, the sweet confection lying perfectly in place. She looked up and smiled at her mother. “For you, I have two minutes.” She moved to where her mother was waiting patiently.
Miss Etta pointed to a table in the front of the restaurant and the woman who was sitting alone, pretending to be interested in a menu. “Do you know that woman sitting there?”
Malisa stared momentarily. “Yes. I do,” she said. She took a deep breath and then a second.
Miss Etta noted her rising anxiety. “Is that Gabriel's ex-wife?”
Malisa nodded.
Her mother dropped both hands to her hips, huffing harshly. “Well, she's got some nerve. I have a few words for that heifer!” Miss Etta proclaimed.
Malisa dropped a hand on her mother's arm. “Watch the bakery counter, please. I'll take care of this,” she said as she brushed her palms down the front of her apron. She untied the garment and tossed it over a hook on the wall. With another deep breath, Malisa moved through the swinging doors and headed to where Delores Winn sat in wait.
Sliding onto the cushioned seat opposite the woman, Malisa greeted her sweetly, her sugary tone belying the thoughts running through her head.
“Delores, good morning!”
Delores was momentarily stunned. “Malisa.”
“How are you this morning?”
She smiled. “I'm sure I'm doing better than you are.”
Malisa smiled back. “Actually, I'm doing very well. You just missed Gabriel,” she said smugly.
Delores pursed her lips as if she'd bitten down against something sour. Her eyes narrowed, her expression hostile. “You know this thing with Gabriel isn't going to last, don't you?”
Malisa shrugged, her smug smile starting to rattle Delores's last nerve. “I'm actually thinking that it will probably last a lifetime.”
Delores snorted, her eyes rolling skyward. “Not if I have anything to do with it. I'm not done. I will make your life miserable.”
“No, you really won't,” Malisa said, her head waving from side to side. “You might try, but you'll never succeed.”
Malisa leaned forward, her elbows on the table, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. “See, what you don't seem to understand is that you are only helping Gabriel and me discover that we can get through anything as long as we support and love each other. And we
love
each other. I'm not going anywhere. You don't scare me. I have no intention of running and hiding from your foolishness. I can give as good as I get. So if you want to play games, bring 'em. I'll play and I won't lose.”
Delores rolled her eyes skyward. “You talk a lot of trash.”
Malisa smiled. “Not really. I just know that all of this is sheer madness. It is anger and frustration coming from this deep, dark, ugly place of total unhappiness. It is jealous rage masked behind righteous indignation. You're determined to prove a point where none exists. It is bad behavior at its worst, and although you want to pretend that you're doing all of this to protect your family, it is your family that you are hurting most. Not me.
“I don't harbor any ill will toward you, Delores. My heart actually breaks with sadness because your bad behavior will inevitably leave you all alone and much unloved, while on the other side of town, I will have Gabriel. Gabriel loving me and me loving him back.
“So, can I get you a piece of cake?”
Chapter 17
Malisa stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. The perfect little black dress she wore fit each and every one of her curves like a glove. The Manolo Blahnik pumps had been a gift from Gabriel, the high-heeled adornment complementing her toned calves and thighs.
The week had been a whirlwind, nothing at all happening the way one would have expected. And it had all begun with the massive cake sitting on the stage in the grand ballroom of the Biltmore House. Malisa chuckled at the memory as she ensured her makeup and hair were perfection.
Gabriel and Trey were waiting patiently in the other room of the massive suite. Malisa knew that it was taking her twice as long to get ready, but she wanted to ensure that when Baby New Year kicked Father Time to the curb, gleaning the possibilities the next three hundred and sixty-five days had to offer, everything went off without a single hitch.
She took a deep breath, finally satisfied with the woman staring back at her. Crossing the room, she threw open the door. Gabriel and Trey stood at the windows, looking out over the snow-covered gardens below. Father and son turned around at the same time.
“Wow!” Trey exclaimed. “You look hot!”
Malisa laughed. “Thank you!”
Gabriel nodded his agreement. He strode to Malisa's side and kissed her cheek. “Trey's right. You look incredible!”
Malisa grinned, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “I like you boys.” She gave them each a thumbs-up.
“And we need to hurry,” she said, grabbing her beaded purse from the end table. “We need to make sure the cake is ready for your presentation.” She gestured for Gabriel and Trey to hurry behind her.
Minutes later, the trio stood stage center in the meticulously decorated ballroom. The room was aglow with sparkling white lights, crystal tableware, and massive floral arrangements.
The cake was a spectacular work of art. The massive structure was comprised of three separate units, only two of which were edible. The center structure was the housing unit that Gabriel was supposed to jump out of. Each compartment was an elaborate design of white icing swirls, silver candy dots, and hundreds of sparklers. Just before midnight, Malisa's staff would light the sparklers, open the plush velvet curtains to showcase the structure, and Gabriel would make his appearance.
Gabriel nodded his approval. “Nice job. It's gorgeous!”
“It also tastes good,” Malisa said. “One of my best. This side is a raspberry cake with a chocolate ganache filling, and the other side is lemon cake with a mixed berry filling, all of it encased in sweet buttercream icing.”
“I want a piece,” Trey exclaimed excitedly.
“You can have two pieces.” Malisa smiled.
“So what time does this party start?” the boy asked anxiously.
Gabriel shook his head. “In a few minutes. Malisa just wanted to make sure everything was working properly.”
“That's right,” Malisa said, moving to the back of her design. “Gabriel, I need you to get inside to make sure everything is working okay.”
Gabriel cut his eye toward Trey, who was grinning broadly. “Now you're sure it's going to work this time, right?” he asked, his expression teasing.
Malisa tossed him a look of annoyance. “I'm a professional, Mr. Whitman. I take my business seriously.”
Gabriel and Trey both laughed.
“Go ahead, Dad! Get inside! I'm sure if Malisa says it's safe, then it's safe.”
Following Malisa's directions, Gabriel stepped carefully into the box, kneeling down until he found a comfortable position.
“How long do I have to be in here?” he asked, popping back up to see Malisa's face.
She chuckled softly. “Just a few minutes. Stop being a baby! Get in, let me get the top closed, and then you need to make sure it opens easily. Okay?”
Gabriel nodded. Dropping back down, he positioned himself accordingly as Malisa secured the top.
“Okay!” she said, indicating that he should open the top and pop from the inside.
As instructed, Gabriel pushed at the latch, the top popped open with ease, and he stood tall. He nodded with satisfaction.
“Good job!”
“It's a great job,” Malisa said, smiling. “I need you to do that one more time, please. I just need to make sure we won't lose the trim around the edge here.”
“Okay,” Gabriel said, dropping back down again. “But make it quick. I'm ready for a glass of champagne.”
Malisa looked down into the unit and grinned. “I love you, baby,” she said sweetly.
Gabriel smiled back, his gaze meeting hers. “I love you too.”
Winking, Malisa closed the top one last time. When it was secure, she pressed her index finger to her lips, gesturing for Trey to shush. She grinned widely as she secured the box from the outside. Trey pulled his fist into his mouth, fighting not to laugh out loud. Slipping her arm through the teenager's, Malisa and Trey tiptoed across the stage and down the stairs.
Minutes later, Gabriel called out to them. “Malisa? Trey? Hey, where are you two?”
He listened intently, silence the only response. “Malisa? Hey! Someone? Anyone?” And then Gabriel laughed, understanding that he was the punch line to one of his family's jokes. He laughed, realizing that his holiday gifts couldn't have been any better and the New Year was starting off with one heck of a bang.

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