Second Chances (58 page)

Gabriel, not having been given a thorough look remained intrigued and distracted by her attire.  He ran a hand up and down her exposed thigh, each arc rising higher expectantly until he reached what would pass for pajamas this evening.  He could tell from the thin cotton strip on her hip that she wore one of the
two piece sets he found for her at Victoria’s Secret while planning their getaway.  He slowly pulled the robe back, just enough to see a hint of the white camisole with a bralette and matching bikini panties.

“Wow,” he exclaimed genuinely, pulling her body towards his.  Gabriel slipped the robe off her shoulder, just enough to expose bare flesh.  He bent to smell her, then moved inward to nuzzle her neck.  The warm breath upon her neck made Isabella shiver.  Ever so gently, as though he were handling a porcelain doll, he pulled her onto his lap.  He hesitated for a moment when he felt her tense up involuntarily, but after cradling her close, he carried her to the bed, while she looked up at him timidly. 

The only light in the room came from the lit candles on the nightstands.  He laid her gently on the bed, then climbed on next to her.  With one flick of his wrist, her bathrobe fell open, exposing her scantily clad body.  Her body shook ever so slightly as he ran a hand down her side and pulled her dangerously close to him.  He couldn’t help himself.  He had to caress her warm silky skin.  He had to inhale her intoxicating scent of vanilla and flowers that she always smelled of and he had grown so used to.  In his mind, those aromas would forever be linked with memories of her.  And he knew it was right.

For a moment, she sensed that he couldn’t get her close enough to him, that he wanted to devour her.  She didn’t want to upset him, but felt the need to speak well up within her.  “Gabriel,” she whispered hesitantly as his hand roamed freely over her skin lighting little fires wherever he touched.

He put a finger over her lips, scorching her mouth, and buried his head in her hair.  Moving his mouth near to her ear he responded quietly, “I know.   I just want you close.” 

Isabella shivered and her eyelids shut as she savored the experience.  Rolling to her side, and pushing one leg between his, Isabella decided to relax, and let him wrap himself around her.  He didn’t push her to allow him more liberties.  He didn’t maul her.  If she considered it, she knew that he didn’t scare her in any way.  He just enveloped her all night long.

The next morning, Gabriel woke remembering the events of the previous night and felt extremely embarrassed.  He watched her sleeping tucked against him.  And he was all but wrapped around her.  Moving ever so slowly so as not to disturb her, he withdrew his arm from under her head and leaned back on the pillows to stare up at the ceiling through the gauzy canopy.  How could he lose control like that with Bella?  He knew she wasn’t like those other
women from his past.  He knew she hadn’t been with anyone but her husband for many years, and probably hadn’t even been with him for the last year of her marriage, judging from allusions made in conversation.  Her happiness and comfort were his first priority and he had probably scared the hell out of her last night.  He saw the look in her eyes and simply decided that he could soothe it away.  His need to have her as close as their clothed bodies would allow somehow took over and he forgot how she should be treated.  He scowled and chastised himself.

Some time later, Isabella stretched and gradually woke up.  She was immediately struck by Gabriel’s absence.  She had quickly grown accustomed to his body snuggled against hers first thing in the morning, had essentially determined that was the best way to commence her day, and now she felt around for him.  Alarmed, she rolled over and opened her eyes. 

“I’m sorry,” he began slowly when she finally found him on the other side of the bed.  “I don’t know why...I sometimes lose control.  Here you are showing me that you are beginning to trust me and I attack you.”  He rolled onto his side a safe distance away and gazed at her sadly.  “Forgive me,” he asked weakly.

Without hesitation Isabella reached out to pull his face to her, and whispered, “There is nothing to forgive,” into his ear.  Then she planted a lingering kiss on his lips.  He looked at her, visibly relieved.   She smiled at him ever so briefly then sprinted to the bathroom.  Flooded by relief and awe that once again she had impacted him with so little effort, Gabriel smiled shyly and stared after her.

“So what shall we do today?”  Isabella queried ritualistically upon joining Gabriel on the balcony for breakfast.

“Well, we still need to pick up souvenirs for Rebecca and Kyle, 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 Kyle and some amber jewelry for Rebecca, who only recently had begun wearing anklets.  Pleased with their choices, they headed home for lunch on the verandah.

After lounging on the beach and playing in the ocean all of the afternoon, Gabriel announced that the time had come to get ready.  “For what?” Isabella asked curiously.

“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.

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, 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.  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.  They took turns teasing and feeding each other maraschino cherries, or chocolate covered strawberries, but their personal favorites were the miniature Bavarian cream puffs.  Always the petite pastries would explode, leaving bits of cream for the feeder to lick and kiss off. 

All too quickly their stomachs were satisfied, while their appetite for each other seemed only to grow.  Together, they watched as the sun set and the moon rose, tonight but a mere crescent.  Stars shone brightly in the blue velvet sky.  Reluctantly, they packed up and headed back to their temporary home.

The entire ride back, Isabella was consumed with conflicting emotions.  On the one hand, she was overwhelmed by the desire she felt for this man.  She longed to be with him, see if the man was anything like the myth she had created.  At the same time, she worried over the impermanent relationship, the very real matrimonial ties she still had, and the children waiting for her at home, dependent on her to do what was right.  It was far too soon to risk her heart.  Now with her mind made up, she slumped disappointedly in the seat.

On the eighth day, Gabriel took her out in the boat.  The wind flew through her bedraggled hair, water splashed up at her, and Gabriel appeared truly at home behind the wheel.  At last they returned to enjoy lunch at the beach house.   Gabriel reached out as if to run his fingers through her hair. 

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Isabella warned, laughing.  “It is a tangled mess.  This place has been great for my soul, but it has wreaked havoc on my skin, hair, and nails.”  She ran his hand over her arms to demonstrate.  “I thought I was supposed to come back from vacation looking better that when I left.”  She pretended to be upset, but her smile gave her away.

Gabriel smiled, shrugged, and announced, “That can be arranged.”

“Oh, and what does that mean?”  Isabella challenged.

“Oh, Bella, give me some time.  I will have a splendid surprise for you tomorrow afternoon.”  Then he bowed out to make some phone calls, but promised to meet her on the beach as soon as possible.

Coming down the stairs, Isabella glanced into the study and saw him talking on the phone with his back to her.  He whirled around in the chair, smiling, and jokingly shooed her outside.  She
laid down for a few minutes, then when he still hadn’t joined her, decided to return to the bedroom to collect her book.

As she passed the study, she found him on the phone with his father.  He had the speaker phone on as she rushed up the stairs.  She dashed past the room so she wouldn’t be accused of spying, but a snippet of conversation caught her ear and she paused just beyond the doorway.

“So, Gabriel, how are things going between you two?”  His father asked suggestively.

Gabriel laughed, “Father, I have never gone without sex for so long, nor have I ever been so happy.”

“You take her to Aruba and still nothing?”  His father queried in shock.  “Aruba is one of the most romantic places I know!”

“No, Father,” Gabriel interjected.  “I don’t want her body.”  Isabella’s heart sunk.  “I want her heart and soul as well.  I don’t want to rush her.  She is worth any wait.  And by the time we consummate our relationship, it won’t be sex that I’m having.  For the first time, I’ll be making love.”  She could hear him sink down in the leather chair and spin around.

“I just hope you know what you’re doing,” his father countered, “I just hope she’s not using you.”  The words stung Isabella to the core.  Was that it?  If she didn’t put out she was using him.  Was this trip supposed to seal the deal?  Forgetting about her book, she darted out the door to her waiting blanket.  She had to think.

No
, she reasoned,
Gabriel wouldn’t think she was using him
. 
His father simply puts ideas into his head
.  She smiled to herself.  And Gabriel shot those ideas down.  He really truly cared about her.