They ate and cleaned up the kitchen, by which time it was getting late and Noelle was clearly exhausted. “Come, I’ll show you the bedroom.” Taking her hand, Gabriel led her up a staircase that curved around the back wall. At the top, most of the upper floor was one huge open plan bedroom
, with a glass wall that looked out across the city.
“My God, Gabriel!”
Noelle gaped at the view. “This is incredible!” A sea of lights twinkled in the distance and the sight was mesmerising.
“It is a pretty special view.” He conceded. “Can I run you a bath?”
“Please.” Smiling, she turned back to the view as she heard taps starting up in the en-suite. A few moments later he wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head.
“You think you could get used to this?” He asked quietly. “Is it too much?”
“It’s just a house Gabriel.” She replied, equally as quietly, after a few moments thought. “It’s beautiful and huge and probably worth more than I’ll ever earn in my lifetime, but in the end it’s still just a building. The fact that you own it doesn’t define who you are.”
“How did you get so wise?” He asked, amusement evident in his tone, and she finally reluctantly tore her eyes from the view.
“It’s the kids.” She turned in his arms to rest her head against his chest. “You spend enough time with them and eventually you learn that the world is actually pretty simple. It’s us grown-ups that like to make it complicated.”
“Still, takes a wise person to see it that way. Go get in the bath. I’ll put some music on for you.”
“Thanks.” She moved through to the bathroom and had to resist the impulse to gape. It was gorgeous. The walls shimmered with pearlescent mosaic tiles and there was a huge roll top tub, filling with the most heavenly scent. It was the kind of bathroom she could happily spend an hour or two in with a good book, a cup of tea and one toe on the hot tap.
Self-consciously, she stripped off and settled into the bubbles with a happy sigh. Moments later, hidden speakers started quietly pouring soothing piano music into the room. Startled, Noelle turned to the door as Gabriel came in.
“I wasn’t sure what you liked so I went for classical.” He said, settling on a small footstool by the bath.
“It’s beautiful. I’ve never really listened to
classical music before. What is it?”
“It’s a collection of nocturnes.” He smiled, beginning to roll his sleeves up. “Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov...very soothing.
Night time music.”
“Well the name does sort of give it away!” She giggled. “I’m ashamed to say I feel quite ignorant.
Classical music is not my forte.”
“It’s what I was raised with.” He shrugged. “I was a
classically trained musician. And, before you ask, I’m not telling you what instruments I play.”
“Fine.
Then tell me your favourite composer and why.”
“Grieg.” He didn’t hesitate. “His music is dramatic
and technically challenging to play. Stylistically, to me anyway, it’s evocative of early 1900s silent movie glamour.”
“One day you’ll have to play me some.” She smiled, resting her cheek against the cool side of the tub. “I must confess
, I find it amusing that you went for something challenging to play. Most people prefer the easy path.”
“I have never claimed to be normal.” His lips quirked and he sank his arm into the tub, scooping a strong hand under her calf to
massage the muscles. “I play Christmas music all year round. The carols by Tavener and Berlioz are some of my favourite easy listening pieces.”
“Never heard of them.”
She sighed as his hand moved down to her foot. “I’ve never been treated as much like a princess as I have since I met you either.”
“It pleases me to make you happy.” He said simply.
“I’d like to return the pleasure some time.” She winked at him and he burst out laughing.
“Kitten, don’t tease me, I beg you. If I get in the tub with you
, we’ll be up all night. You have to work in the morning and I’m not going to rush our first time. When you’re all clean and relaxed, I’m going to lie you down, tuck you in and hold you while you go to sleep. That’s it.”
And he was as good as his word. She drifted in between the hot water and the soothing music and the feel of strong hands on her tired muscles
, until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. She stepped out of the water into the fluffiest towel she’d ever experienced and before she knew it she was falling into a bed so soft it was like being in a cloud.
“I’m just going for a shower.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back in five minutes.” When he returned
, she barely noticed him sliding in behind her, scooping her up into his chest. “Sleep well kitten.” He murmured. And she did.
Noelle
awoke to a cup of freshly pressed coffee on the bedside table and the most remarkable view she’d ever opened her eyes to. Gabriel wasn’t in the room and she spent a good five minutes drinking her coffee and just gazing out across the snow-blanketed city. The heavens had opened again overnight and it had whited out all the imperfections, making everything icily beautiful.
“Are you awake?” Gabriel called from the bottom of the stairs and she grinned.
“Yes, I was just admiring the view.”
“Well come on and admire it from down here. Breakfast is ready. There’s a dressing gown on the back of the door.”
“I’m coming.” Reluctantly she tore herself away from the window and tried the dressing gown on, stifling a giggle. It trailed on the floor and the sleeves were almost a foot too long. She’d never make it down the stairs. Hanging it back up, she spied Gabriel’s sweater from the previous day hanging over the back of a chair. That would do. She pulled it on over her head, breathing in his scent and smiling. Money might not buy you happiness, but it certainly buys very soft sweaters.
He grinned at her appearance when she came down the stairs. “That comes almost to your knees.” He scooped her up into a kiss. “I take it the dressing gown was too big?”
“It was about two foot too long.” She laughed, kissing him back. “Did you really make breakfast?”
“Sort of.”
He led her through to the kitchen where a feast was spread out on the table. “My housekeeper was warned you might be staying for breakfast, so she made French pancakes and maple sauce and told me how to reheat them. I sliced up the fruit.” He seemed so proud of himself for that tiny achievement that she struggled to keep a straight face. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a log.” She sighed happily. “That bed is amazing. Well...that and the bath and the music and everything else. Best night’s sleep I’ve had in ages. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes I did.” He set a plate piled high with pancakes in front of her and handed over the sauce. “I’ll get a dressing gown for you before the next sleepover.”
“That’s not necessary.” She protested cheerfully. “I’ve got one at home.”
“Yes, but then you’ll have to cart it back and forth all the time.” He pointed out. “Better to have one that you can just leave here.” It was hard to argue with that without sounding ungrateful, so she just shrugged.
“Fine.
Will I be kidnapped again this evening or are you busy?”
“I’m busy.” His face fell. “I have a music event to go to and it’s going to go on ‘til late. Still on for Wednesday lunch at the cafe though.”
“Probably just as well.” She grinned. “These pancakes are amazing. If I stay here all the time I’m going to be the size of a house!”
“I’m sure we could find some way to burn it off.” He waggled his eyebrows and she burst out laughing.
“Yes Gabriel, I’m sure we could...”
He dropped her off at the school gates with a searing kiss that made her bones feel like they were full of molten chocolate and she floated into her classes on a high that no-one could bring her down from. They met for lunch on Wednesday and spoke every night, but by the time Friday came around she was anxious to meet him.
When the bell rang for the school holidays, she cleared all her students out, packed up her books, grabbed her overnight bag and then flew out of the school gates straight into his arms. He caught her with a deep rumbling laugh. “It’s good to see you too!” He chuckled, kissing her breathlessly. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes!” Grinning broadly she kissed him again and then disentangled herself, suddenly conscious of the astonished students and parents standing around them. “Sorry.” She murmured, blushing. “I was pleased to see you.”
“I gathered that.” He responded drily, taking her bags and putting them in the back of the car. “Don’t worry, they’ll all have forgotten by the time the holidays are over.” He closed her door behind her as she got in and then moved around to the driver’s seat. “Let’s just go home.”
They drove out to his house in the hills and she was struck all over again by how spectacularly beautiful it was. As he poured her a
glass of wine and searched for some music, she gazed out at the snow-laden city below her. It was breathtaking.
“Will you spend Christmas with me?” Gabriel asked quietly when he returned. “I usually spend it on my own.”
“Me too.” She was always invited round by students and friends, but since her parents had died she seemed to spend it grieving. Maybe this year would be different. “I think I’d like that.”
“Excellent. Can you cook roast?” She could see in his reflection that he was giving her a cheeky grin and she burst out laughing.
“Yes I can cook roast for us.” She accepted the glass of red he handed over. “What am I cooking for us tonight?”
“Whatever you want kitten. The kitchen is yours.” He said expansively. Then he frowned. “Before we cook though, there’s something I need to show you.”
“Sounds serious.” She smiled to hide the unease stirring slowly in her chest.
“Depends.
Come with me.” He took her hand and led her to a door off the hall she hadn’t noticed before. It was painted to match the walls and was opened by a press and release system. Slightly confused, Noelle allowed him to lead her through a short corridor into a cosy room that had obviously been dug into the side of the hill. There was a piano to one side and guitars on stands lying around. A complicated looking sound board took up one whole wall and there were microphones all around one section of the room that was glassed off from the rest.
“Is this where you play?” She asked curiously, running a finger across the glossy surface of the piano.
“Mostly. I record in here. It’s totally soundproofed.” He was watching her carefully like she might fall apart at any moment and she frowned at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked eventually and he winced. Without saying anything, he pointed to some framed objects on the wall. There was a concert poster and a platinum record display. Noelle recognised the poster. She didn’t know anyone who wouldn’t. The image showed the elaborately tattooed back of a man vilified by most of the nation, but adored by teenagers the world over. “Gabriel, I don’t...” She turned to look at him and the words trailed off as her jaw dropped. He had his back to her and he had removed his sweater. Intricate angel wings were tattooed the length of his torso. “No.” She whispered, everything crashing into place with crystal clarity. “Tell me you’re not him.”
She backed up. “Gabriel? Tell me you’re not him, you’re not Darkness Falls.”
His head fell. “It’s me.” He said hoarsely. “If you want I can take you home now. I couldn’t keep it a secret any more. I needed you to know the whole of me.”
“I don’t...I can’t...It’s...” Her knees wobbled and she sat down abruptly on the floor, her head in her hands. How could this wonderful, intelligent, funny and caring guy be the current public enemy number one? It just didn’t make sense. Darkness Falls had crashed into the charts and then into the news with a debut album of dark and twisted melodies that were ridiculously good, but had a bitter and subversive message. The lead singer had refused to be identified, performing only one sell-out concert, to which he wore a mask. The media storm had been unleashed when his message about taking control had triggered a spate of teen suicides. He had refused to comment, fuelling speculation that he applauded their choice to end it. Churches and parents the world over had protested, but teenagers and many older rockers were buying his album voraciously. “Why now?” She whispered. “Why did you tell me now?”
“Because I want you so much it hurts.” The naked honesty in his voice was both raw and searing. “You need to know that I have control issues.
I can’t give myself to you completely. I can’t give you that control over me. I couldn’t take the risk that we might finally start to go all the way tonight or tomorrow and you would get freaked out by something I did.” Utterly bewildered, she tried to take it in. “Noelle, please say something.” He begged, falling to his knees in front of her. Dazedly, she realised his body was beautiful. Sculpted muscles rippled smoothly beneath golden skin. “I’m the same man I was an hour ago, and last night, and last week.” He said softly. “I’m the same guy that made you laugh, took you to dinner, held you while you slept. Knowing this, it doesn’t change me.”