Closer_To_You (5 page)

Always the responsible one, she could count on one hand the number of times when she had been the one her friends had needed to talk off the ledge. And what had that gotten her? Not a damn thing. She was a single woman over thirty and had no one to call her own. Sure, her job was nice and she was independent and able to do things on her own, without the help of anyone. But sometimes, the regrets plagued her.

There was that time she backed out on going on that weeklong trip to Cancun with her friends after graduation from high school. Oh yeah, and the Caribbean cruise she had declined to go on for no other reason than feeling that she had not wanted to be seen as a party girl. The handsome lawyer that had asked her out at the coffee shop a few years ago, and she refused because he had the gall to ask her out in a coffee shop.

Long story short, she was tired of acting like a prude. And it was about time she shed that moniker. Penelope was done being the boring friend who never took risks. Turning slightly to look at the table where Gabriel lounged, she allowed her gaze to linger on his face for a few seconds. She took a few deeper, fortifying breaths. Maybe her sanity would return any moment and she would walk the hell away from this man who made her want to do things so outside of her nature. Why him? Why now? Was it just his looks, his voice, his undeniable confidence and swagger? Whatever it was, she wanted more of it.

“This is it ladies. I’m going to do something just for me tonight.”

“Girl, he could be a damn serial killer.” Rosalind was trying to look out for her, she knew that, but this was something she needed to do. Just for her. Glancing over at her friend Crystal for help, she continued to listen to Rosalind as she gave her all the warnings she had already given herself. “I know this place is known for its politicians and businessmen, but this is crazy!” Rosalind was clearly agitated, but there was no changing her mind.

Turning back to Crystal, Penelope knew that if anyone would understand, it would be her. “Crystal, you get this right? I need to see where this night goes. Hell, it may turn out to be nothing and this was all for naught, but I want to take that leap and see what happens.”

Shaking her head, Crystal pulled her close, giving her a hug, “Have fun girl. What did you say his name was again?”

“Gabriel Turner. He’s in town for business and doesn’t live here.”

Wrinkling her brow, Crystal glanced at Gabriel and gave him a thoughtful look, “That name sounds familiar. Hmmm. Okay, hon, go have fun. But we stick to the rules of engagement.”

Rosalind chimed in, “Yes, exactly. I want you to call us whenever you get where you’re going and I want a call or text when you get home.” Typing something into her phone, probably Gabriel’s name, Rosalind put the device back in her purse and smiled, “You may be an old maid past your prime, but getting the cobwebs knocked off is not worth foregoing our safety rules.”

Guffawing loudly at her friends’ words, Penelope shook her head and took a sip of Crystal’s drink. Grabbing her small bag, she straightened her dress and prepared herself to walk toward whatever the night brought.

“Wish me luck, ladies.”

Arriving back at the table where Gabriel sat, she was about to sit down when he adjusted his legs and placed his hands on his thighs, as if motioning to stand, “Are we ready to go?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Her voice had a slight tremble. Was she really brave enough to do this? Yes, dammit. Yes, she was.

Standing from the table, he buttoned one button of his suit jacket and motioned to their waitress that they were done. Reaching down, he closed the billfold that held their check. Apparently, he had already settled the check for their drinks. “Let’s go.”

Standing slightly behind her, he laid his warm hand on her lower back as they walked out. Several eyes turned their way. Some filled with envy, others filled with awe, and still others held a look of admiration. Not for her, but for him.

Stepping into the elevator that would take them down to the main floor of the hotel, she could not contain her questions any longer.

“Where are we going?”

“Trust me. You’ll enjoy it. It’s the perfect place for us to have peace and quiet, and continue our conversation.”

“But that’s not what I asked.” When making her statement, she had to tilt her head to look up at him. Even though she was standing in four-inch heels, he was still at least six inches taller than she was. By the clenching of his jaw and the intenseness of his gaze, she wondered if he simply did not like to be questioned.

“Yes, I know, but I think some things should still be a surprise.” Adjusting his hand along her back, she realized that he had never removed it from her body. He slowly began to rub his thumb up and down, the pressure slight, but full of meaning. “Are you hungry?”

Surprised by the change in topics, she hesitated before answering, “Maybe.”

Stupid answer. Maybe? By the look on his face, Gabriel thought it was as well. What was she, twelve? Ugh! The elevator dinged, signaling their arrival at the main level and they exited. Although she was expecting them to walk out of the hotel, he walked them to another set of elevators and pushed the button that would take them to another part of the hotel. Oh, damn. This was it, the moment of truth. Deciding to force him to come clean with his intentions, she posed a question, “Is there a restaurant on another floor?”

“No, there isn’t.

“Then where are we going, Gabriel? I have to tell you, these cryptic answers of yours are not making this any easier.”

He sighed as he looked at her, but it didn’t seem to be out of annoyance, more like gathering his words. Yes, he definitely was not used to being questioned. “I thought we might order room service. I’m staying here while I’m visiting the city. My suite will be much more comfortable and quiet. We can actually talk and get to know each other without yelling. Does that make you feel better?”

With a Cheshire cat grin on her face, she turned back to the elevator, “Yes, it does.” Penelope was no dummy, she knew where they were headed when he pushed the elevator button. But she also was not going to give him the impression that she would simply go where he led her. Excitement was all fine and good, but she was an equal partner in her own seduction. She would make sure that he treated her as such.

“This place is amazing.” Penelope could not help but admire the spacious suite she had just stepped into. Looking around at the opulence surrounding her, she now had confirmation that Gabriel was so much more than what he claimed to be. The neutral toned colors of the furniture gave the room a sort of calmness, but it was also somewhat sterile. Splashes of color to brighten things up would be nice, just to give the place some personality, but it was still very nice just the way it was.

“Thank you.” Looking around the room as if for the first time, Gabriel shrugged his shoulders as if accustomed to such elegance on a daily basis. She wondered again, who was this man really?

“Although, I cannot take credit for it. This is only a temporary space while I’m in town for the next few weeks.”

Walking toward a cabinet situated in one corner, he loosened the tie around his neck and removed his suit jacket, placing it on one of the chairs he passed. Every movement he made called to her inner woman. After she had left her friends and walked back to him, she noticed that his gaze never left her. Whether it was lust or simply an appreciation of the woman in front of him, she wasn’t sure. What she did know was that he made her feel special and very much desired.

The feeling was not foreign to her, other men in the past had made attempts to do the same. But something about Gabriel Turner was different. More powerful. More primitive. While that may have seemed like the exact opposite of the man standing across the room from her, she knew it was the right words to describe him.

He pulled out some glasses and a crystal decanter of alcohol. “Scotch?”

“Sure, I’ll have some.” Remembering that she needed to let her friends know where she was, she pulled out her phone and sent a quick text, letting them know where they had ended up. Safety first and all that jazz. Once that task was complete, she turned back to Gabriel and watched his movements.

After pouring some of the amber liquid into both glasses and putting the decanter away, he walked over to where she was standing. “You know, you could have sat down.”

“I know.” Okay, now she was acting like a scared virgin. Get it together, Penelope. Her inner Diva was completely disappointed in her behavior. Taking a calming breath, she sat her purse down on table closest to her. “I was just waiting for you. Where would you like to sit?”

Placing the glasses on the heavy glass coffee table in front of them, Gabriel sat down on the plush couch and stretched his legs out in front of him. “How about right here? Feel free to take your shoes off. You should relax.”

Pausing for a moment, she eventually reached down and pulled one heel off, and then the other. Her toes immediately curled into soft carpet. The fibers almost tickling her toes as she stood there, as if waiting for her next order.

Patting the seat next to him, Gabriel gave her a patient smile. “Come on, beautiful. Sit down. I won’t bite.”

Giving herself an internal nudge, she sat down on the couch next to him and reached out for her drink. This was not her first time at the party, so she needed to stop acting as if she did not know what was going on. The man was interested in her and she was interested in him. For tonight that was all she cared about. It was the only thing that mattered. Taking a fortifying sip of her drink, she turned to her host and smiled. Tonight was all for her and she was going to enjoy every single minute.

 

Laughing at another story Gabriel had just shared about his childhood in Brooklyn, Penelope was almost in tears at his serious look. “You have to be kidding me. You? Mr. I’m in control at all times is afraid of small, creepy, crawly bugs?” Sitting her empty glass down on the table in front of them, she went to wipe her eyes when the look on Gabriel’s face stopped her cold.

The look was intense, but not scary. His gaze was filled with heat, the kind that makes you want to jump on someone and rip their clothing off. “Gabriel? Are you okay?”

Voice tight and husky, he went to lift a hand to her cheek, but paused, “My God, you are beautiful.” Continuing the path of his hand, he grazed his fingers down her cheek, stopping at her lips. The flat tip of his thumb caressed her lower lip, his remaining four fingers holding her tight around the face as his breathing became ragged. “Stay.”

“Gabriel…” Not sure what she was going to say, the only word she could get out of her mouth was his name.

“Just one night. I know this is not your normal thing, but I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. Sitting here with you, just being me for these couple of hours has made me feel normal. Better than I have in years. I haven’t wanted anyone like this in a long time. But tonight, all I want is you.”

The feeling of his hands on her, grasping her tightly, was her undoing. He was right, this wasn’t usually her, but tonight—it would be. She needed this. Even if she never saw him again after tonight, she would relive these moments in her dreams for many weeks and months to come. This experience with him would be hers and hers alone, and she would savor every exciting moment. Being a good girl for all these years should count for something and this man, this moment...was her reward. When she left this lavish hotel room and went back to her normal life, the memory of tonight would keep her warm on the cold nights when she was all alone.

People always say that actions speak louder than words. She let her next actions speak for her. The words left unspoken, she answered the question that still lingered in the air. Would she stay? Hell yes, she would.

Moving slowly, she leaned her head in toward him, her gaze never leaving his as she breached the gap between them. After what seemed like minutes, but had only been a few seconds, her soft lips met his. A sigh escaped from his mouth at the same time that her body melted into his. The firmness of his lips was the perfect complement to her softer lips. His hands gripped her upper arms tightly, pulling her body flush with his, her soft breasts pressing against his hard chest. Their kiss turned more demanding. His tongue pressed against her mouth, seeking entrance so that he could deepen the kiss even further.

His whispered words, full of desire and passion, reached her ears, “Damn, Penelope. You feel so good in my arms.”

“Yeah, so do you.” She craved more of his heat. Pressing closer to him, it was as if she was trying to crawl inside of him. Damn, she wasn’t close enough. It dawned on her that her skirt prohibited her from getting as close to him as she wanted. Breaking the kiss for a moment, she scrambled to adjust her position, “Wait. Give me a second.” She pulled her skirt up to her hips, just high enough to allow her legs free movement and climbed back on top of him, her hot channel snugly situated directly over the hard ridge in his pants. “Now, that’s better.”