“Gabe, wait!”
He paused at the end of the long hall. “This is the only time you get a choice,” he said, his voice gruff.
My answer depended on which door he carried me through, but I couldn’t give voice to the question, which would only reveal a need for more than sex, one that, though I’d alluded to it, I didn’t want him to see so blatantly on display.
“Time’s up,” he said and kicked open his bedroom door.
* * *
Isabelle: Behind the Chosen Door
Gabe slid me down the length of his body, and I responded with liquid heat to every hard inch I touched.
A soft moan reverberated around us, and I was shocked to realize it had come from me.
“Clothes off,” Gabe said, sounding like a man very much in control.
My eyes opened wide at the command.
I was curvier than the women he dated, had compared myself more than once at the country club, yet I followed his instruction to the letter, pulling on the drawstring, releasing the sweatpants so they pooled at my feet. I shook them off. Tee shirt came next, up, over my head, and onto the floor.
His stormy gaze never wavered, merely darkened as I stood before him in that tiny thong and my one and only bra. At least it was lace, I thought, trying hard not to duck my head in mortification, my hands itching to cover myself. Somehow I knew he wouldn’t allow it, and I kept my arms at my sides.
“Everything, Iz.” He folded his arms across his broad chest.
I noted he was still dressed, yet again, I did as he commanded, never once thinking not to listen. Warning bells sounded in the back of my brain, a place that should have been front and center but was somehow very far away.
The panties, I slipped off quickly. The bra, that wasn’t so easy. I’d always been self-conscious of my br**sts, too big for the rest of my body, except my generous hips and ass, another sore subject for me. Over time, Lance hadn’t been complimentary, and it was only now that I understood why. By making me feel like nobody else would want me, he’d kept me with him far longer than I should have been.
Braver now, my hands went for the back hook on my bra, releasing the clasp and letting the garment fall to the floor.
“Eyes open.” His voice sounded like a clap of thunder, sharp and booming.
I hadn’t realized I’d closed them and forced myself to meet his gaze. Approval and heat—so much heat—lit up his handsome face. There was no doubt that this man wanted me. Every rounded, curvy inch. Liquid trickled from my thighs, and I had no doubt he noticed. He had to, and I wanted to die of embarrassment that his orders were making me this hot. Wet. So needy I wanted to rub myself against him like the kitten he called me.
“Good girl.”
The compliment rippled through me, cultivating a deeper yearning, more moisture.
He walked over, and the powerful scent of his cologne enveloped me like a safety net. I desperately longed for his touch but didn’t know how to ask.
He reached out and cupped my shoulder in a firm grip, and just like that, I settled. My muscles relaxed, and my head felt less heavy. A pleased smile curved his lips, telling me somehow he’d known what I needed and was happy I’d responded.
Confused and so very aroused, I blew out a long stream of air … and waited. For what, I didn’t know, but he seemed to be moving at his own pace, and I was content to allow him the privilege.
“You’re perfect,” he said, tipping his head down for a sweet kiss on my lips.
Sweet?
Yes, I thought, contradictorily sweet, and I arched up on my tiptoes for more.
He abruptly broke contact. “On the bed.”
I forced my heavy eyelids open and scrambled to do as he said. Never even questioned it.
“Back against the pillows, legs open, hands on the headboard.”
I narrowed my eyes.
A muscle ticked on one side of his jaw. “Trust me to give you what you need.”
I should’ve hesitated.
I told myself to take back some control.
Instead, I complied.
I scooted my butt backward and leaned against the pillows. Spreading my legs wide? Not so easy. I parted my thighs, feeling open and exposed. Silly. I focused on my other task, raising my hands to the slats on the headboard—until I realized the effect it had of thrusting my br**sts out for his view. Well, that took my mind off my lower half, and I dropped my elbows to lessen the feeling of being so exposed.
The loud clap of Gabe’s hands startled me. “Eyes,” he ordered, pointing to his own. “On me always. Legs wider.”
I managed a deep breath and exposed my wet self to his hot stare.
“And relax those arms, kitten, or you’ll be sore for no reason,” he said, his tone gentling as he stepped closer to the bed and eased himself beside me.
He clasped one hand at the top of my thigh. “So f**king perfect,” he murmured, and my heart swelled at the words.
Leaning in, he eased his lips over mine in a way I sensed meant he wouldn’t be parting from me anytime soon. He slid that beautiful mouth back and forth over mine, moisture we created together causing a delicious slip and glide between us. His hand slid higher up my leg, inch by inch, until his thumb began a steady sweep over my bare mound, a place so long denied a gentle, caring touch.
I moaned again. This time I didn’t care, arching my hips, seeking harder contact, more pressure. A light slap on my bare pu**y startled me.
“One, eyes on me,” Gabe said. “And two, I’ll give you what you need. You only need to trust me to know what … and when.”
“But—”
Another slap, this one slightly harder, the sting deeper. “Oh!” I gasped in outraged surprise only to be startled when the sting wore off and a pulsating warmth took its place. “Oohh,” I whispered in sudden understanding as arousal replaced confusion.
My hips twisted against his hand, and I immediately caught myself, stopping the movement, no matter how badly I wanted the contact and pressure his palm could provide.
“Now you’re getting the point,” he said, pleased. Leaning close, he settled his stubbled face against my cheek, and I breathed him in, taking the scent that was Gabe into my bones.
“Let me make you feel good.”
“Yes.” The word came without thought.
He was still dressed, and I didn’t care, my only thought centered on relief from the ache he’d caused and continued to stoke.
He lay between my legs and dipped his head, his warm breath flowing over the apex of my thighs. I wanted to arch up but didn’t dare.