First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (11 page)

“There’s always a but.” He chuckled.

“It’s scary getting intimate with someone new.” Isabella sat up and shrugged. “And once we start, there’s no going back. I’m afraid of going too fast, not savoring, missing out on all those glorious stages before the big show.”

Gabriel tugged at his goatee. “Impressive analogy. We’ll take our time, my Bella. I want to savor every moment with you. Does that help?”

“It does. It’s just that…it’s different for me. When we do this, I’m not simply sharing my body, I’m sharing my heart.” Then she bolted from the bed before he could say anything.

When she finally returned after showering, Gabriel didn’t even bring up their previous discussion. “What if we go for a drive after breakfast so I can show you the island?”

“I think that’s a great idea.”

“Don’t forget your camera. I can’t wait to see what you capture.” Then he took his turn in the bathroom.

Soon they were in the Jeep, driving along the coast. Isabella was in heaven, snapping photos here and there. She even had Gabriel stop a few times so she could walk around and capture the feel of the area. When he wasn’t looking, she even snuck in a few candid shots of him gazing at the water. By the time they returned to the vehicle to continue their drive, he laid a hand on her bare thigh, causing her stomach to swirl in excitement.

“I love driving around and enjoying the scenery. I’m so glad you do too.” His smile stretched across his face.

“If you like scenery, we should drive the Adirondacks,” she commented. “Maybe this fall, when the foliage is stunning?”

“I’d love to,” Gabriel nodded seriously.

Then Isabella, bit her lip and stared off into the distance. She’d done something completely unexpected. For some reason, she had started believing Gabriel would be a relatively permanent fixture in her life, that he wasn’t someone just passing through. Struck by fear, and yet at the same time pleased, Isabella hid behind her camera and starting snapping pictures of the beauty surrounding her.

That night, he took her out on a dinner cruise. They ate an exquisite meal under the stars, and then danced until they were ready to drop from exhaustion. Still, it didn’t stop them from walking along the beach before settling in for bed.

When Isabella exited the bathroom wearing a robe over her bedclothes, carrying a bottle of lotion, she could see Gabriel was intrigued.

“Aren’t you going to be too warm tonight?” He yanked on her bathrobe tie. “What do you have on under there anyway?” He jokingly tried to peek under the bathrobe.

Feeling daring and sexy, Isabella flashed him, exposing for the briefest of moments her camisole top and matching French cut bikini. “The bathrobe is just until bed,” she explained, wandering over to sit at his side.

“I think I need a longer look,” he murmured lazily against her neck. “I could help you lotion your back.” He slid the bathrobe down until it exposed her shoulder, then he kissed her there, lingering long enough for her to feel his warm breath against her skin. Her stomach fluttered in response.

Isabella’s head tilted to give him further access. Her eyes closed as she savored his kisses and his gentle touch. She barely noticed as he took the lotion bottle from her hands and began to pour some into his hands. Gradually, he pulled the robe further until it had pooled around her bottom on the lounger.

“Wow,” he whispered, as if afraid to break the spell. The warm breath upon her neck made Isabella shiver. “I’m going to lift your top so I can lotion your back.” Slowly, he pulled it up with one hand.

As she listened to Gabriel rub his hands together, she tried to relax. Never before had she ever craved a man’s touch like she did his. Never before had she been so afraid to give in to her desires. Finally, his hands were on her skin, smoothing the lotion into her back. He rubbed up to her shoulders and down her arms. Somehow along the way, he managed to remove her camisole altogether. For some reason, she didn’t object. Every bit of her body ached with need. How would she ever maintain her resolve to wait?  Not forever, but a little bit longer.
Remember,
she reminded herself,
he lost interest in all the others once they gave in. I’m not ready to let him go.

Still, Isabella sat on the lounger feeling mostly uninhibited as he ran his hands over her naked back, shoulders, and arms. Without saying a word, he picked up the lotion and lifted her into his arms like she weighed no more than a rag doll, all while handling her like a porcelain doll. He hesitated for a moment, then he carried her to the bed, while she looked up at him timidly.

“Roll over, my Bella.” His voice was low and hoarse, as though he too struggled with need.

One glance at his shorts before she did as he requested confirmed her belief. Gabriel wanted her too. She smiled as she moved to her stomach, wearing only her panties.

The sound of the lotion being squirted onto his hands broke the silence. Then he began to rub her legs, running his fingers under the edge of her panties and cupping her ass firmly. Isabella knew if she but spread her legs slightly, gave him any encouragement, they’d be consummating their relationship.

“On your back, please.” His voice sounded even more strained.

Slowly, she rolled once more and now faced him. “Are we good?” She gazed up at him through her lashes, afraid to let him read the desire in her eyes.

Lowering himself until he covered her, Gabriel responded with a kiss. His lips pressed against hers, his eyes tightly closed. One hand came up and cupped the back of her head. She followed his lead, allowing him access to her mouth. Soon their tongues were dancing passionately, until he had to break off the kiss and pressed his forehead to her lips.

“Does this answer your question?” Gabriel glanced at her, his face flushed. Then one hand moved up her side and finally rubbed her breast. His palm moved back and forth lightly over her hardened nipple while he watched in fascination, his head on her chest. When she thought she could stand it no more, he moved his hand over her abdomen and laid it low on her pelvis.

Isabella was certain he could feel the heat rising from her womb. It was too much. This…between them…was too much. His hand gradually moved lower still and she could swear it had become a game of chicken, with him waiting for her to make him stop. Only, the aching between her legs wouldn’t allow it.

His fingers moved carefully beneath her panties, two fingers parting her labia, until they had found her clitoris. From his movements, she could tell he knew his way around, never touching it directly, only circling ever so enticingly until she could feel her orgasm building.

A whimper escaped her lips. She wanted this, needed it, but not like this. She should be pleasuring him too. Her hand moved low on his stomach, determined to sneak under his shorts and find their mark. Instead, he pulled her hand away.

Kissing her knuckles, he murmured, “For you. Only you.”

Her head rocked from side to side. “No.”

He smiled at her. “Yes.” Then his lips found her nipple and he slowly drew it into his mouth. One hand kneaded her breast while the other worked on her clitoris. Occasionally, his hand would dip lower, his finger finding the necessary lubricant within in before continuing. Soon her hips were moving in rhythm with him.

Isabella normally would’ve been too shy for this, but it had been too long since she’d felt this good. Jack had always been a selfish lover. She could feel the pressure building, knew any moment she’d come apart with a wild rippling inside. Sure enough, Gabriel grazed her nipple with his teeth, as he slid a finger deep inside her with that come hither motion. Inside her, all resolve shattered. She knew he felt it, her muscles tightening around his digit. She knew he heard it, the way she gasped and her breathing grew ragged. She knew she was falling. He’d made himself too easy to love.

When she stopped moving and finally opened her eyes, she found Gabriel propped on one elbow staring down at her. There was a soft smile on his face. Isabella reached up to cup the side of his face and pulled him closer for a kiss. As he drew back, he whispered against her lips.

“I’ve never done that before.” He seemed shy and insecure, which made no sense given her response.

Nuzzling his neck, she responded. “I’ll be happy to give you as much practice as you’d like.”

A laugh escaped his lips. “I bet.”

“You didn’t let me finish,” she admonished. “Only if you let me reciprocate.” Her hand moved low on his shorts. Already she could feel his erection subsiding.

“Soon.” Gabriel gathered her in his arms and pressed her against his chest. “For now, let’s rest.”

She needed no convincing. Already she was sated and half asleep.

***

“So what shall we do today?” Isabella joined Gabriel on the balcony for breakfast.

“Well, we still need to pick up souvenirs for Rebecca and Konnor, right?” He waited while Isabella, mouth full of croissant, nodded. “Today we shop.”

Gabriel gave Isabella two main options, Royal Plaza, which they decided to simply drive by so Isabella could see the unique architecture of the mall, and Oranjestad’s Main Street. Isabella looked around enthusiastically, intrigued by all of the interesting wares offered here. At last she settled on a traditional colorful mask for Konnor and some amber jewelry for Rebecca, who only recently had begun wearing anklets. Pleased with their choices, they drove home for lunch on the verandah.

“I’m in the middle of closing a new deal,” Gabriel warned as they ate. “I’ll be on the phone a bit for the next two days as we iron out the details. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I understand completely. I’ll wander around the house and the property taking some shots if it’s okay with you.” She smiled at him, barely able to hide her excitement. “See, we’ll both be working. It’ll be wonderful.”

He leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “You’re amazing.” For a moment he picked at his salad, then he set his fork down. “You know, you’re the easiest and most complex person to be with. I don’t know how to explain it.”

Isabella giggled. “Oh, no. I think you nailed it. I understand completely. Please know, I feel the same way about you.” She smiled.

An hour later, the call he’d been expecting came in and Gabriel excused himself and hid in the office. Isabella went upstairs to grab her camera and record every bit of the house, the balcony, and the view before he returned. She was sitting on the bed, scrolling through her pictures when Gabriel entered the room.

“Shall we get ready?” He had a playful look on his face.

“For what?” Her brow furrowed as she tried to decide if she’d forgotten some plans they’d made.

“Well, I have a surprise. Pick something comfortable. We have to do a little walking on sand and pebbles.” He had an air of mystery about him.

Opting for a white flowing eyelet sundress and flat sandals, Isabella found Gabriel waiting for her on their balcony. He smiled in approval after she greeted him, then twirled her in his arms and planted a kiss on her throat before they wandered lazily to the Jeep. She looked at him quizzically as he drove her toward the northwest shore. That’s when she spotted the California Dunes and lighthouse. Luckily, she had her camera at the ready.

After he parked, Gabriel lifted a blanket and a basket from the back seat and winked at her. “So, Bella, let’s enjoy one of Aruba’s hidden treasures together.” He led her through the dunes on a sandy path, and then spread out the blanket near the water. The secluded location exuded an amazing peacefulness, as though they were the only two in the universe.

He beckoned her to have a seat, then joined her as he laid out the contents of the basket for her inspection.

“What made you think to do this?” Isabella asked as she sipped the wine he’d poured her.

“Honestly, I don’t know. I love surprising you. I love seeing your face light up. Somehow, this translated to…take Bella for a picnic at the lighthouse.” He ran his hand through her hair. “I’m so glad we’re here together.”

Isabella could feel her cheeks go pink. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Not exactly.”

They dined on fruit, wine, cheese cubes, and a variety of other finger foods and pastries. Every item in the basket seemed designed precisely for seduction and she couldn’t help but think of the night before.

“Open,” he urged as he held a strawberry near her mouth. It was dripping with whipped cream.

“Okay.” She hesitated. Sure enough, a dribble of cream was left around the side of her mouth. Before she could clean it, Gabriel had leaned in and was kissing it and lapping it up.

They took turns teasing and feeding each other maraschino cherries, or strawberries, but their personal favorites were the miniature Bavarian cream puffs.

Gabriel held one more out for her, but she turned it down. “I’m so full. I can’t even. No appetite left.”

“That’s too bad. I seem to have this hunger…” He ended his thought with some kisses on her neck that had her lying back on the blanket.

They stared at each other a moment before Isabella made a suggestion. “What if we go for a walk?”

“Excellent idea.” He held out a hand and helped her up. Together, they walked the beach as the sun set and the moon rose. Soon stars shone brightly in the blue velvet sky. Reluctantly, they packed up and drove back to their temporary home.