A quick search in the cabinets and pantry turned up cleaning supplies, but before I lugged everything into the spare room, the door to which had been closed yesterday, I figured I’d peek and see just what it needed.
I walked down the hallway, turned the knob, and let myself in. The bed was unmade, the sheets rumpled, pillows dented and haphazardly strewn around. Who had slept in here? I stepped farther into the room, noting the furnishing was starker than Lucy’s room, less warm and welcoming, the only furniture a king-sized four-poster bed, nightstands, and an armoire. No television. No clock or iPod holder. No pictures on the walls. I eased past the bed, which boasted black satin sheets and comforter, taking it all in.
I inhaled, and Gabe’s cologne surrounded me. I looked into the bathroom, finding it, too, needed cleaning. There were towels on the floor, a toothbrush and open toothpaste on the vanity.
A glance down showed me everything I needed to know and wished I hadn’t seen. Plastic condom wrappers in the garbage can.
My stomach heaved, and my heart stupidly squeezed in my chest. I didn’t know how long I stood there staring, trying to make sense of this man I didn’t know.
He’d made sure to keep me out of this room, and now I knew why. He’d had sex in this room. Recently. The evidence forced me to confront the ugly truth. No sooner had he rescued me from the police station than he’d decided to let Naomi go.
I’d known, of course, but I’d been too thrown by the events of the night to process the cold, methodical reality. He’d had no problem dumping the woman he’d currently been involved with, the decision made in an instant. What did it say about his heart, or lack of one?
Having been on the receiving end of being cheated on, I didn’t like knowing Gabe was essentially capable of the same thing. Or, if not cheating, so easily walking away from a relationship he was in.
I eased out of the room and headed for the other side of the apartment and paused in front of the master bedroom where Gabe slept. Yet he obviously f**ked in the other room clear across the way. That was brutal.
I want to f**k you, kitten. But when I do, it won’t be about gratitude. And it will be on my terms. I shivered, my knees nearly buckling at the memory of his seductive voice, the scent of his masculine, woodsy cologne, and his touch that ripped every one of my defenses to shreds. How easily I’d nearly succumbed.
Thank God that room had brought me back to reality, I thought, as panic set in. I needed air. Needed to breathe and think, clear of this apartment, where everything reminded me of the Gabe he’d shown me so far. How long before I saw the other side? The way I’d finally seen Lance’s other side?
I patted my pockets, making sure I had my money on me before hitting Lucy’s room to grab my flip-flops, slide them onto my feet, and make my way out the door. As it slammed shut behind me, I realized I was now locked out of the apartment. I had no key to get back in until Gabe returned.
But did I want to go back? To the Gabe who I’d just learned was capable of cutting off his feelings so easily? Because for all that I told myself I didn’t want another relationship, I knew better than to think I could stay here and eventually not surrender to Gabriel Dare.
Chapter Five
Isabelle: Lost in Time
I spent the day at the public library. Between the Internet and access to the New York Times, I began a job search. Although it had been awhile since I’d been employed, I did have a degree from Parsons and a previous employer who’d appreciated my work.
Although I’d definitely call Lisa, my old boss, on Monday, for now, the best I could do was make a list of impressive interior designers. I culled names I’d seen in magazines or had met through people in Lance’s crowd, moving on to magazines and listings there. Finally, there was nothing more I could do until the workweek began.
I bought hotdogs from a street vendor for lunch, picked up a paperback at a nearby bookstore, and settled under a tree to read. Yeah, I know I was supposed to take some time and think, but I didn’t like the way my thoughts were leading me, the yearning to go back to Gabe. How could I be so drawn to a man I didn’t know? And why, oh why did I want to learn more? Getting lost in a book made more sense than racking my brain for answers I just didn’t have.
By four p.m., my stomach was grumbling, I was tired and cranky, and after a day with a book, I’d come to the realization that there was no shame in not having figured out my life’s plan after a mere twenty-four hours. It’s not like I knew ahead of time I would be leaving my home for the unknown. At least now I was in a better position than if I’d woken up at a cheap motel with even less money in my pocket. And I decided I was through running away from my problems. Which meant I’d better head back and deal with the man who was causing the hodgepodge of feelings swirling in my gut.
I walked back to the sprawling apartment building and stopped by the doorman, who was not the same man who’d been on duty last night.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Is Mr. Dare in?”
“You must be Ms. Masters. He’s been calling down every few minutes asking if you’d returned yet.”
My eyes opened wide. It never dawned on me that Gabe would be concerned. It should have, but I was too thrown by … well, everything. I bit down on my lip. “Please call up and tell him I’m on my way?”
He smiled, treating me to a kindly look that made me think he was a father or a grandfather. Someone who also cared about people. Someone unlike my own parents. And on that unpleasant thought, I headed for the elevator, holding my breath, suddenly nervous.
The elevator doors opened, and I was stunned to find him waiting in the darkened, moody hallway, arm braced on the doorframe. He wore dark jeans and a long-sleeved, collared shirt, white, unbuttoned enough to tempt yet still give him that in-control, dangerously sexy air. His dark brown hair was tousled, as if he’d run his fingers through it in frustration more than a few times.
His eyes lit on me, and in that instant, longing caught in my throat, along with a healthy dose of wariness. Because no matter what I felt when I laid eyes on him, this morning’s hard truths hadn’t changed. And though I’d returned, I needed to understand what was going on between us before I could stay.
I stepped out and paused in front of him.
“You’re okay.” The words came out a mix of anger and relief.
I swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“And how should I have known? You’ve been gone since early this morning.” He stepped forward then stopped himself, visibly holding himself back from me.