Falling into Exposure (4 page)

“Wow, Gabriel, that’s really amazing,” I say. He seems so passionate about this of course I want to support him.

“Really?” he pulls away to study my expression intently. “Do you really think that?”

“Of course I do.” I smile. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. I’m sure that no matter what you choose to do in your life, you will succeed. But, the most important thing is that you’re happy.”

He relaxes back and pulls me against his chest. “I’m happy right now,” he whispers.

My heart nearly melts.

“Me too.”

Chapter Six

Gabriel

Feeling completely useless, I watch the people milling around the city below me while I allow my mind to wander. I should be catching up on work, but I can’t stop thinking about last night.

I’ve never told anyone the truth about my brother. It’s a huge risk. If this gets out to the media, it will destroy my mother. As much as I’ve imagined that scenario a thousand times with pleasure- the world seeing my mother for what she truly is- I could never really want that.

Somewhere deep down, I do love her, and I don’t want to see her hurt. I took a gamble last night trusting Victoria with this information. I put myself out there, wanting to believe she’d never betray me. But I’ve believed that about a lot of people in the past and have been proven wrong time and again. It isn’t as if I’m a cold, unfeeling monster. Yes, I love to dominate women, having that kind of control over someone… that kind of trust, it turns me on. But more than anything, I want someone to
want
to please me.

When I was younger and much more naïve, I developed feelings for some of the women I dated. But it didn’t take long to realize what women saw me as. And when I told them I had no plans on taking over Maddox Corp, they always got off the train. One by one, I would watch them go. It became my way of ending relationships when I was no longer interested or felt myself developing emotions towards one of them. I knew I could always count on that tried and true method. But last night, when I used it as another test with Victoria, she didn’t blink twice.

In only a matter of a few weeks, the dynamic between us has changed considerably. With my guidance, I’ve watched her submissive desires bloom before me. She doesn’t just enjoy it, she loves every minute of it. And I’m truly taken with her. What she did for me last night was beyond words.

I had every intention of fucking her when I showed up there unannounced. I just wanted to take my mind off of everything. But when she knelt in front of me, fulfilling my desires without even asking, I was enrapt. She made me laugh all night during the movie and fed me the most unhealthy concoction I’ve ever eaten. Then she listened patiently as I poured my heart out.

I know what I’ve told her is risky, but it’s the only way I can know her true intentions for sure. And only time will tell.

***

Victoria

I’ve just finished up my morning deliveries when I get the text.

My office.

Noon.

Wear whatever you’d like. And don’t be late.

Gabriel

I can’t wipe the stupid grin from my face. I walk back to my apartment bearing coffee and scones for Alanna and I. But when I walk in the door, she’s hot and heavy in a make out session on the couch with the financier. Nathan something or other, the one she’s been talking about lately. I slip into the bathroom and have a quick shower before sneaking into my room.

After thirty minutes of trying to piece together an outfit, I think I’ve finally nailed it. It’s so much easier when Gabriel picks out what he wants me to wear. I have no idea if I’m supposed to dress sexy or not, but I want to. We didn’t have nearly enough time this morning before he left for work, and I’m craving his touch desperately.

I end up choosing something bold, not quite sure if his office will be conducive to what’s going through my mind. But there’s only one way to find out. Shimmying into my black silk stockings, I connect them to the garter belt around my waist.

I pull on a tight gray pencil skirt and tuck in my crisp white blouse, leaving it unbuttoned just enough to show off my cleavage with the bustier underneath. I wrap a thick black belt around my waist and slip into my new black stilettos. A blazer and some tousled hair add the finishing touches. Gabriel likes my hair wild, I think. With a dab of my red lipstick and some face powder, I’m out the door before Alanna and her male friend even notice.

I arrive at Maddox Corp fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, and I laugh at the irony. Before I would have intentionally been late, now I can’t wait to get to him. By the time the elevator arrives to the top floor, it’s two minutes till noon. I step off the lift and approach the secretary’s desk.

“Miss Kelly!” the receptionist greets me. “Mr. Maddox is expecting you, he said you can go right in.”

I saunter down the hall, ready to pounce. There will be no dominating me today, Mr. Gabriel Maddox. No, today I have other plans for you.

I don’t bother to knock, stepping inside his office to find him hard at work on his computer. He looks tired, and I’m sure it’s from all the emotional unburdening he did last night. The thought of him sharing that with me only makes me want to please him more. To show him exactly how appreciative I am.

He glances up at me, his eyes soft and gray today. I watch those gray eyes travel the length of my body in slow appraisal before they land back on my face.

“Weren’t you working today?” he asks in a husky voice. “I didn’t expect to see you looking so…”

He stops short when I walk across the room and pull up my skirt, spinning his chair around to face me. His eyes darken with lust as I straddle him and start to unbutton my blazer.

He helps me slide it off my shoulders, and then his hands are everywhere. Sliding up my thighs, fingering the silky material of my stockings. Inside of my already soaked panties, his fingers moving around my clit.

“Fuck, Victoria,” he whispers harshly. “You’re wet already. How is that even possible?”

“Thinking about you, of course,” I murmur, leaning forward to nip his ear.

Gabriel groans and I grind my hips down onto his hard cock, coating his trousers in my arousal. He grins when he sees it, and I blush.

“Marking me, are you?”

“So what if I am?” I challenge.

“Then I would say that’s the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.” He grips my ass in both hands, squeezing as he pulls me tighter against him.

My lips move to his throat, kissing trails up and down the soft skin. He smells so good I want to stay here forever, just like this. I can feel his pulse beating hard beneath the skin, and I know it’s because of me.

Gabriel opens my blouse just enough to free my breasts, pulling the lace material of the bra down. His mouth latches onto my nipple and I cup his head, rocking against his hand as he continues to finger me.

I catch sight of our reflection in the glass mirror, and for a moment I almost can’t believe this wanton woman is me. Writhing against this God of a man right here in the middle of his office. We look wild together, untamed.

He starts kissing the swells of my breasts, punctuating his next words as he pants against me. “Need to be inside you… now.”

I reach down and unzip him enough to get his cock out. I’m too impatient to wait for anything else, but there’s something so erotic about seeing just that part of him protruding from his fancy suit. I rise up using his shoulders and mount myself on him as I sigh in relief.

Yes. This is exactly where I belong.

Gabriel tries to take control by gripping my hips and setting the rhythm, but I don’t let him. I find my own rhythm, rocking up and down as I use his shoulders for leverage. I’m using his cock for my own personal needs, and he’s loving every minute of it.

He leans back in the chair and just watches in awe as I fuck him wildly. My hair is flying everywhere, my breasts bouncing up and down, but I don’t care. It feels too good to care what I look like.

I free-fall into oblivion, coating Gabriel’s cock in my arousal as I shatter around him.

And not two seconds later, he’s got me flat on my back against his desk, rolling his hips into me with long, deep thrusts.

“So fucking hot,” he grunts. “So wet. Can you hear how wet you are my greedy little pet?”

I mumble incoherently in response, gripping the edge of the wood as he rides me hard.

He leans forward and clasps my face in his hands, staring into my eyes as he lets out a long slow groan with his release. His cock jerks inside of me, filling me with warmth.

“Now I’ve marked you,” he murmurs, pulling out and watching his semen drip down my thigh. “I want you to go home just like that. Remember who that pussy belongs to, Victoria.”

I smile and sit up, pressing my lips to his. Always so bossy.

Gabriel puts himself back together in record time, although he does actually look a little flushed, which pleases me immensely.

I, of course, am a mess as I try to smooth out my skirt and button my blouse.

“I want to see you tonight,” he states unexpectedly.

“Sure thing, sexy.” I zip up my black blazer, effectively hiding the evidence of our vicious romp.

“Not like that.” He laughs. “Well actually, maybe. But first I want to take you to dinner.”

“Really?” I smile, unable to hide the surprise in my voice.

“Yes, really.”

“Sounds like you’ve got yourself a date. Can I pick where we go?”

I try to play it off casually, but I know if he goes to one of his usual restaurants, there will likely be paparazzi lurking nearby. And I need to stay away from all of that.

“Sure,” he says. “I’ll pick you up at six.”

I blow him a kiss and sashay out the door. As I walk down the hallway, I realize he got his wish. I feel his come dripping down my leg the entire way home.

Chapter Seven

Victoria

When I arrive back at my apartment, Alanna is sitting on the couch looking a little too satisfied. She hasn’t even bothered to brush her just-fucked hair.
Then again, neither have I, so who am I to talk?

I plop down on the couch beside her. “So, I’m guessing that would be Nathan.”

“You’d be right.” She winks.

“Things are getting pretty hot and heavy for you two, huh?”

It isn’t Alanna’s usual MO to get so wrapped up with a guy. She usually ditches them after a couple dates, always careful to protect herself from getting too attached.

“You could say that.” She smiles softly. “He is just so… God, Victoria, he is so amazing.”

I want to be happy for us because in reality I feel the same. But at the same time I can’t help the nagging voice of reason in the back of my head. What will happen when we have to leave? The inevitable heartbreak that will follow?

It hits me then, the painful realization. I’ve been so busy having fun with Gabriel, I haven’t even thought about saying goodbye yet. We’ve already been in New York for nearly two months. If we’re to stick to our schedule, that means we’ll have to leave a month from now. I can’t even bear the thought of saying goodbye when things are finally going so well.

“I don’t know what to say,” I begin hesitantly. “This is just so… unexpected. I’m happy for you, Alanna, really I am. And I’m the last person who wants to rain on your parade but have you thought about what’s going to happen when we leave?”

Her bright smile dims quickly, and I hate that I’m doing this to her. Why can’t I just let her have it, this happiness, even for five minutes?

“I don’t know, Toto. I’m happy right now, and I just want to see where it takes me. I don’t want to think about saying goodbye right now. I’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

I try to put on my best brave smile. Because to me it sounds like she’s actually thinking about staying. And I feel empty inside even thinking about it.
Would she actually stay behind, without me?

“What about you and Gabriel?” she asks.

I sigh, deciding that while we’re being honest, I may as well put myself out there.

“He’s amazing. I thought he was such an asshole when I first met him, but I was wrong, Alanna. He can be so gentle and sweet, and I like that. But I like it when he’s rough too. I guess I like everything about him, really. But our arrangement was just for fun, nothing permanent….” My voice cracks as I speak. “I don’t know. We can’t be anything permanent anyway, because of me and my stupid life.” I sink into the couch beside her, suddenly feeling sorry for myself.

“I know that’s what he said at first…” Alanna smiles. “But you can tell he’s crazy about you. There’s no denying that.”

I want him to be crazy about me because I’m crazy about him.

“Have you ever…” Alanna hesitates for a moment, picking at an imaginary piece of lint on her shirt. “I don’t know, have you ever thought about staying?”

My eyes widen in shock as I take in her expression because I know she isn’t joking.

“Of course I have. Are you kidding me? I think about it every minute of every day.”

“Well, what if we could?” she asks.

“What do you mean? That’s not even possible.”

“I mean what if we worked something out,” she says. “Just figured out a way. I mean we can’t run forever, right? If things keep going well with you and Gabriel, would you consider it?”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. From the woman who’s always been so strong, so steadfast. I glance across the couch at the same woman in front of me, weak in the knees and lovesick. I want so badly to reach over and grab her hands, and tell her yes, that we can figure something out.
But I know that’s a lie.

“I… I don’t even know what to say, Alanna. I’m floored. Coming from you, the woman with a heart of steel. I’m just in shock, I think. Of course I want to stay, God I can’t even imagine leaving Gabriel now. But I don’t see how I have a choice. If I were to stay and Eleanore found me, it could put all of us in danger. And I could never live with myself if that happened.”

“I’m not as strong as you give me credit for, you know,” she says, blinking back tears.

“What do you mean, Alanna?”

“I mean, I’m not really a cold hearted bitch. I do have feelings. I have felt things for the men I’ve dated before. Sometimes, it’s completely gutted me having to say goodbye, to at least a few of them. I just never let myself break down in front of you. I’ve always wanted to show you that I was strong and I could be there for you.”

I lurch forward, hugging her with everything I’ve got.

“God, Alanna, I had no idea. Why would you think you couldn’t tell me that? I don’t need you to be strong for me, I just need you to be yourself. My best friend. You should be able to tell me anything.”

My own tears begin to fall and we hold each other tightly for several moments, allowing ourselves to cry.

“I just want us to have a chance at happiness too,” she whispers.

***

After all the emotional ups and downs of the day, I’m exhausted when I relax under the stream of hot water in the shower. But I’m still looking forward to my date with Gabriel tonight. We haven’t really gone anywhere in public together, and I’m nervous.

I don’t know if it’s because of him or the situation with Alanna. I feel like I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I can’t leave without her, and I don’t want to. She’s always been strong for me, and maybe now it’s my turn to repay the favor.

I step out of the shower and dry myself quickly. I don’t feel the need to go overboard with picking out an outfit tonight, so I just throw on a simple black asymmetrical dress. It will get cool out this time of day, but I feel a small thrill at the prospect of Gabriel keeping me warm.

By the time I step out of the apartment, Alanna has already left to meet Nathan. Gabriel is waiting for me downstairs, ten minutes early no less.

“I need to give Paul the directions to wherever we’re going,” he says briskly.

“Well, actually, it’s just around the corner. We could walk if you want to.”

He furrows his brow for a moment while he contemplates my suggestion. Then he turns to Paul and directs him to take the rest of the evening off. He saunters up and pulls me into a soft kiss, taking my hand in his.

“You’ll freeze,” he says disapprovingly. “But you look beautiful.”

“Well, lucky for me, I have you to keep me warm,” I say.

Five minutes later we arrive at our destination. It’s an Italian restaurant in the basement of an old brick building. I’ve come here several times with Alanna and loved it. Plus the privacy it will give us is an added bonus.

Once inside, we sit down and Gabriel orders our drinks. I stare dreamily at him as he speaks in his deep, rich voice to the waiter. He’s wearing a light blue dress shirt with his gray vest, which takes me by surprise. I didn’t realize until now that I’ve only ever seen him in white and black. I watch the shirt stretch across his broad chest as he sits back in the booth, chuckling at my dopey eyed grin.

“What are you thinking about over there?”

“Just how unbelievably sexy you look in that shirt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in that color before.”

“You’re right, it’s new. I saw it, and it just felt right. I needed to mix up my wardrobe a bit I think.”

“Well, I love it.” I grin.

The waiter reappears with our drinks and retrieves a writing pad from his apron. Gabriel orders first and then watches me attentively as I order the same dish.
Gnocchi alla Rosetta
.

He smiles as the waiter leaves the table. “Once again, Victoria, you are full of surprises.”

“What do you mean?”

“Picking this place. It’s not what I would have expected, at all. But I like it. And I love the fact that you can actually sit down with me and enjoy a meal without counting the carbs out loud as you eat.”

“I love food.” I laugh. “Can’t deny that. And I like it here too. Alanna and I stumbled upon it one night by accident. It reminds me of my mom.”

His eyes grow sympathetic in response to my words. “What about your mom? Where is she?”

“She passed away when I was young,” I mumble, feeling stupid for even bringing it up.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, reaching for my hand across the table.

The simple gesture makes me emotional again, and the words spill from my mouth before I can stop them.

“She was Italian, and she made some kick ass food. My Dad loved it. He used to talk about her food for years, right up until the day he died.”

“Both your parents are gone?” he frowns.

“Yes.” I choke out a smile. “But it all seems like so long ago now.”

“Still, I can’t imagine being so young and not having your parents around.”

“I was young when my mom died,” I say. “I don’t remember her very well, but I remember how much she loved me. I knew she would have done anything for me.”

“What about your Dad?” he asks softly.

“My relationship with my father was complicated,” I say. “He loved me, but my mom’s passing was very hard on him. He slipped into a depression after she died and everything changed. He started drinking a lot, and it went on for years.”

I don’t know why I’m telling him all of this, but it feels good to get it off my chest. The conversation Alanna and I had today is weighing heavily on my mind. The possibility of staying is a fantasy I can entertain, at least for tonight.

“And then he stopped drinking?” Gabriel prods me on.

“One day he did,” I say, recalling it clearly in my memory. “Everything changed, just like that. Dad came home, and he was so happy. He was smiling. I hadn’t seen him smile in so long. And he kept smiling after that, for a couple months. Then he introduced me to Eleanore.”

“Eleanore?” 

“Yes, Dad brought home Eleanore. She was my step mom.”

“Oh,” Gabriel says, surprised. “Did you get along with her? Is she still alive?”

“No,” I say flatly. “She hated me. And yes, she is still alive.”

“I see.” He takes in my weary expression, deciding not to pursue that line of questioning.

“So no brothers or sisters then?”

“No, just me. Although, I do consider Alanna to be like a sister.”

“Ah yes.” He nods. “I can tell you two are close. How did you meet?”

I freeze for a moment, considering whether or not I should tell him this. Alanna doesn’t mind people knowing her story, but it isn’t her I’m embarrassed for. But then I remember him opening up to me about his brother living at the homeless shelter, and I realize he could probably understand more than I give him credit for.

“You can tell me,” he urges.

“I met her at a homeless shelter in Texas,” I say nervously.

Gabriel’s face pales, and I can tell I’ve shocked him. “You were staying in a homeless shelter?”

“Yes,” I reply lightly, trying to inject some humor into the situation. “At the time I was. Before that, it was tents down by the river. But I’ve moved onto seedy apartments now, so I’m good.”

“Jesus, Victoria.” He shakes his head. “I had no idea. Is it an issue of money?”

“No,” I say firmly. “I have money, Gabriel. Even back then, I had money. But I was young and stupid, and couldn’t even find someone who would take it without an ID. So, I started staying in shelters. And that was when I found Alanna. She was beaten pretty badly when she came in, by her husband… the cop.”

The waiter appears with two piping hot plates of Gnocchi Alla Rosetta, setting them in front of us. I dig in gratefully, thankful for the interruption.

“I know what you’re doing.” Gabriel smiles slyly as he watches me eat.

“Eating?” I laugh, my mouth half full of food.

“No, you’re shutting me out again. But someday I want to hear the rest okay?”

I nod in annoyance. It seems nothing gets past Gabriel Maddox. But I manage to steer the conversation back to his prospective business, and he lights up as he talks about it.

By the time we leave the restaurant, it’s dark outside. I can’t believe we just talked for two whole hours. It feels nice and comforting to share a small part of me with him. As we walk back to the apartment, he puts his arm around my shoulders, warming me just like I imagined.

We walk slowly as we continue our conversation, too caught up to notice anything else around us. I’m laughing at something Gabriel said when I see a flash of sudden movement from behind. Before I even realize what’s happening, I hear a large thud and Gabriel falls to the ground. Fear seizes me as two men tower over him, screaming at him to hand over his valuables.

He seems to be barely coherent, but somehow in the chaos, I hear him telling me to run. I can’t move, and I don’t want to. I refuse to leave him. I’m frantic trying to figure out what to do when they begin kicking him in the sides. Adrenaline surges through my body as I pounce, punching and kicking as I scream at them to leave him alone. I get in a couple of good punches before one of the men turns, revealing a switchblade in his hand. He grabs me by the hair and pushes me up against the wall behind me.