"Fuck," he muttered softly, as he straightened back up, saying exactly that she was feeling. "We'll talk in a bit okay?" He loosened his grip on her and she immediately missed his warm, hard body against hers.
Beth nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Come in," Gabriel called out, stepping away from her completely and leading her back to the table with his hand planted firming at the small of her back.
The door opened to reveal a number of servers holding platters of delicious looking and smelling foods.
Oh-my-God! I'm going to have to cook dishes like that! She was going to need more than Peter to cook like that; she was going to need a miracle.
****
"The food was amazing Gabriel. I have no idea how I could even compare to the food they serve there. Even with tutoring from Peter." Beth looked up hesitantly at him as he opened the front door of his home - correction, their home - and ushered her in before him.
Gabriel sighed in exasperation. "I've already told you Beth, if I wanted a gourmet chef I would have hired one. As we have discussed in the contract, you're duties include-"
"Wife without being the wife, maybe minus the sex. I got that," she teased.
Gabriel shook his head, but a smile touched his lips.
"But those dishes were intimidating."
Closing the door and locking it behind them, Gabriel turned to face her. He'd wanted to kiss her all evening. If the waiter hadn't had such fucking bad timing he would have. But would that have been the best of ideas? He raked his fingers through his short dark hair, feelings of indecision rushing through him as he considered it.
After a minute he shook his head. "You'll do fine. You were amazing at coffee shop." With a hand at the small of her back, he urged her towards the winding staircase.
Her sapphire blue eyes peered up at him and she flipped her golden hair over her shoulder as they ascended the stairs. "I served you coffee at the coffee shop. Hardly a testament to my cooking abilities."
He grinned. "I suppose not."
At the top of the staircase both paused and turned to face each other. Gabriel's room was to the left, while Beth's was to the right. The air between them thickened. She had been right; it felt like a date. But if it had been a real date, he'd be pulling her into his arms and ushering her to his bedroom, instead of standing before her as the air between them simmered.
She captured her lower lip between her teeth and his eyes were automatically drawn to her frosted pink painted lips. They were lush and inviting. His cock stirred in his pants and he groaned inwardly.
Not being able to control himself he reached out and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. Her skin felt like satin to the touch and he stepped closer, closing the gap between them. He needed to feel more of her and he was powerless to stop himself. Her breath became ragged as their eyes locked and he saw the fire burning in hers that reflected his body's reaction.
He had to have her, at least one kiss. One. Technically she didn't start work for him until tomorrow. Technically.
As if waiting for the inevitable kiss, she inhaled sharply as he slowly lowered his mouth to hers, giving her a chance to back away. His hand slipped from her cheek to the back of her head and he fisted her long satiny locks, tilting her face up a fraction more and then capturing her lips with his own.
Beth slipped her palms up his chest and to his shoulders. She moaned as his lips touched hers, her body melting against him. Her touch and her moan set off fireworks within him. His cock hardened almost instantaneously as he slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her tight to him, his erection pressing hard against her stomach.
Her lips parted and Gabriel took full advantage of the opportunity, slipping his tongue between her soft lips and exploring her mouth fully tasting the sweetness of the wine on her tongue. His tongue caressed hers, as his hand slid to her backside and he pulled her groin tighter against him.
Fuck he wanted her. Needed her. He didn't think he'd ever wanted a woman so much. What was it about this woman that set him aflame? He had no idea, but she was special. She was a classic beauty that didn't even know it. She was genuine and in the span of a few minutes a day for several months she'd managed to enchant him.
He groaned against her lips and the temptation to lift her up onto his hips and carry her to his bedroom so he could ravage her became too great to withstand. So he released her, stepping back so quickly he nearly stumbled in his haste.
"I'm sorry," he muttered.
He wasn't.
Disappointment flashed in her eyes and she gave him a shy smile. "Don't be."
They stood several feet from each other, both reeling from the kiss and the feelings that came with it. "I'll see you in the morning Beth. Thank you for a great evening."
A soft rose colour touched her cheeks. "Good night Gabriel." Without another word she turned and slowly made her way to her room as he watched.
He even loved the way she said his name, Gabriel, it seemed to roll off her tongue sounding seductive and enticing. What is that saying? If she turns she wants you? He pondered it as he watched her round bottom sway under the fine black material covering it. Damn, what he would love to do to that ass...
As she reached for the door handle of her bedroom she paused and looked over her shoulder at him. Their eyes locked again and he suddenly felt like a school boy with a crush. Get it together, you've dated super models, actresses and heiress' for fucks sakes! But none of them were like or compared to the sweet blonde from the coffee shop. Giving her a half wave he turned and marched off to his own room with the intention of taking care of the throbbing problem in his pants.
****
Beth groaned as her alarm clock began buzzing and attempted to cover her head with her pillow to block out the offending sounds. It was no use. This was her first day at her new job of being Gabriel's personal chef, housekeeper and whatever else that struck his fancy. Giving up on blocking out the alarm clock she pulled herself out of bed and turned it off.
Her head was throbbing. God, how much wine did I drink last night? Judging by the scale of her hangover - too much. Flashes of the previous night came to her. Gabriel had been so handsome and charming and her fear was becoming a reality, she was falling for him. And that kiss! Oh-My-God! If he hadn't stepped back from her and ended the kiss she would have been more than eager to spend the night serving her new boss in whatever way he wanted.
Trying to clear her head of the thoughts of him - he was her boss now, nothing more - she made her way to the shower stripping off her t-shirt and panties as she walked.