“So they were expensive.” Julia frowned and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“You are my guest. The rules of hospitality require that I satisfy all your needs.” He sounded husky, his tongue peeking out to swipe across his lower lip.
Through a great force of effort, Julia ignored his mouth. “It feels…illicit if you are buying me clothes.”
“What are you talking about?” Now he sounded cross.
“Like I’m some—”
“Stop it.” He released her immediately, and his eyes darkened.
She stared back at him, bracing for the deluge to come.
“Julianne, why do you have this aversion to generosity?”
“I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. Do you think I’m trying to bribe you into having sex with me?”
Her face reddened. “Of course not.”
“Do you think I’m buying you things because I expect you to pay for them in sexual trade?”
“No.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t want to owe you.”
“Owe me? So now I’m a medieval moneylender who charges interest, and if you don’t pay on time, I’ll take a pound of your flesh.”
“I don’t think that,” she whispered.
“Then what do you think?”
“I think that I want to stand on my own two feet. You’re a professor, and I’m a student and—”
“We discussed that last night. A present from a friend does nothing to inhibit your free will or your personal autonomy,” he fumed. “I didn’t want you to have to go home. Our time together is short enough as it is. I walked across the street to the store and had my personal shopper assist me in picking out a few things. I was trying to be nice. But since you don’t want them, I’ll see that they are returned.”
He stood up and deposited his coffee cup in the kitchen. Then he walked right past her without saying a word and disappeared into his study.
That could have gone better, thought Julia.
She nibbled at her nails with her teeth, not knowing what to do. On the one hand, she wanted to be independent and not play the part of the poor helpless bird with the broken wing. On the other hand, she had a kind heart and did not like to cause other creatures pain. She had seen Gabriel’s eyes. Behind his sudden show of temper, he was hurt. Deeply.
I didn’t mean to hurt him…
Gabriel was so forceful, so strong, she hadn’t realized that he could be so sensitive. And over something that seemed as inconsequential as a few gifts. Perhaps she was the only one who ever saw his sensitivity. That made the fact that she’d hurt him all the more painful.
She poured herself a glass of water and drank it slowly, trying to give him some space and herself a few minutes to think. As she approached his study, the telephone rang. She stuck her head through the doorway and peered over at him.
Gabriel was sitting behind his desk, shuffling papers while he spoke on the phone. He glanced over at her, pointed at the telephone, and mouthed the name Richard.
She nodded and walked over to his desk, picked up a pen that did not look expensive, and wrote on a piece of paper: Forgive me. She showed him the paper and his eyes met hers. He nodded stiffly.
I’m going to take a shower.
Can we talk afterward?
He read her note and nodded again.
Thank you for being so thoughtful.
I’m sorry.
Now Gabriel reached out his hand to grasp Julia’s wrist. He pressed his lips to the center of her palm before releasing her with a squeeze.
She returned to the bedroom, closing the door behind her. Immediately, she placed the shopping bags on the bed and reluctantly began to unpack them.
In the first bag, she found women’s clothes, all in her size. Gabriel had purchased a classic black pencil skirt, black flat front Theory pants, a white cotton dress shirt with a shirttail and French cuffs, and a Santorini blue silk blouse. A pair of argyle patterned stockings, trouser socks, and black pointed-toe ankle boots completed the ensemble. It was like a small, essential collection from a single designer. Not to be ungrateful, but she would have been happy with a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and sneakers.
In the second bag she was shocked to find lingerie. Gabriel had purchased an elegant and obviously expensive purple silk bathrobe and matching nightgown, which was ankle length and had a ruffled V-neckline. Julia was simultaneously surprised and pleased at the modesty and sophistication of the gown, for truly it was an item that she would feel comfortable wearing to bed with him even at this stage in their relationship. At the bottom of the bag she found a pair of purple satin mules with kitten heels. Julia surmised that they were a health hazard masquerading as sexy bedroom slippers.
Clearly, Gabriel has a thing for heels…in all kinds of women’s footwear.
The third and final bag contained underwear. Julia’s cheeks flushed red as she unwrapped three lace demi-bras, each with matching panties, all by a French designer. One set was champagne-colored, one was ice blue, and the other was pale pink. The panties were all boy shorts made of lace. Julia blushed even more deeply when she imagined Gabriel combing through racks of racy and expensive underwear, settling on items that were attractive and elegant, purchasing exactly the right sizes.
Oh gods of all really generous (boyfriends? friends?), thank you for steering him away from the really provocative items…for now.
She was overwhelmed. She was slightly embarrassed. But everything was so beautiful, so delicate, so perfect. He might not love me, but he cares about making me happy, she thought.
Clutching the champagne-colored underwear, white shirt, and black pants, she entered Gabriel’s washroom and took a shower. Not only was her lavender poof waiting for her, but miraculously her own brand of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were also present. Gabriel, in his own obsessive way, had thought of everything.
She was proudly wearing her new robe and towel drying her hair when she heard a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Gabriel peeked his head around the door. “Are you sure?” He eyed her wet hair, and then his eyes wandered down her flowing purple robe to her bare feet and returned to rest on the naked flesh at her neck.
“I’m decent. It’s all right.”
Gabriel strode toward her, his eyes dark and hungry. “You may be decent, but I’m not.”
Julia smiled at him appreciatively, and he smiled in return, his hunger checked somewhat.
He leaned against the countertop of the vanity and placed his hands in his pockets. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
“I overreacted.”
“So did I.”
“Let’s make up.”
“Please,” she said.
“That was easy.” Gabriel chuckled and took the towel out of her hands, tossing it aside. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Do you like your robe?” He fingered the silk hesitantly.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’ll send the rest back.”
“No. I like everything. And I like them even more because you picked them. Thank you.”
Gabriel’s kisses could be light and sweet, like the kisses given by a boy to his first love. But not at this moment. Now he pressed his lips to hers until her lips parted and gave her a long, heated kiss before retreating. He ran the back of his hand up and down the curve of her cheek.
“I would have chosen jeans, but Hilary, my personal shopper, persuaded me that it’s very difficult to buy jeans for another person. If you’d rather wear something more casual, I’ll take you to buy something else.”
“I don’t need another pair of jeans.”
“You should know that I chose everything except the underwear. Hilary picked them.” He saw surprise on her face and hastened to explain. “I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“Too late,” she mumbled, somewhat disappointed at his revelation.
 
; “Julianne, I need to explain something.” His eyes grew serious, and she felt a chill of some kind travel across the surface of his skin. He shifted his weight once or twice as he seemed to search for the right words.
“My father was a married man with a family when he became involved with my mother. He seduced her, used her like a whore, and abandoned her. It grieves me that you could think I’m treating you the same way. Of course, given my track record, your reaction is not surprising but—”
“Gabriel, I don’t think that. It’s just that I don’t like feeling as if I need to be looked after.”
He stared at her closely. “I want to look after you but not because you need it. Of course you can look after yourself. You’ve been doing a damn good job of it since you were a little girl. But you don’t have to be alone anymore. You have me now.
“I want to spoil you and make extravagant gestures because I care for you.” He moved uncomfortably. “I can’t say everything I feel. All I can do is show you. So when you won’t let me…” He shrugged, a pained look on his face.
“I never thought of it like that,” she said quietly.
“Every time I do something for you, I’m trying to demonstrate the words I cannot say.” He traced his thumbs across the curve of her cheekbones. “Don’t deprive me of this. Please.”
Julia answered him by raising herself up on tiptoe and pressing herself tightly against his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck and plundering his mouth with her own. It was all hunger and promise and giving and need.
Gabriel gave to her, the tension of his jaw fully palpable as he concentrated his entire being on this one, perfect mouth. When they broke apart, they were both panting.
He rested his chin on her shoulder. “Thank you,” he whispered.
“It’s hard for me to depend on someone else.”
“I know.”
“It would be easier if you included me in your plans, rather than making decisions for me. I’d feel more like your—partner. Not that that’s what we are.” Her cheeks pinked up.
He kissed her again. “I want us to be partners, Julianne. What you ask for is fair. I just get carried away sometimes, especially with you.”
She nodded against his chest, and when he cleared his throat, she pulled back so that she could see his eyes.
“About a year before he died, my father had an attack of conscience and added me to his will. He must have thought that by giving me the same share in his estate as his legitimate children, he could expiate his sins. You’re looking at a living, breathing indulgence.”
“I’m so sorry, Gabriel.”
“I didn’t want the money. But because of the investments he left me, I have more money now than I had when he died. No matter how fast I spend it, I will never be rid of it. I will never be rid of him. So you mustn’t think about how much things cost. The cost is inconsequential.”
“Why did you accept the inheritance?”
He released her so that he could rub his eyes behind his glasses. “Richard and Grace mortgaged their house to pay for my mistakes. I owed money for drugs, which meant that I was in danger, and there were other things…”
“I didn’t know.”
“Your father knew.”
“Dad? How?”
“Richard was determined to save me. When I confessed how much trouble I was in, he decided to go to all of the people I owed money to and pay them off. Fortunately, he called your father first.”
“Why would he do that?”
“Because your father knew a private investigator who had connections in Boston.”
Julia’s eyes widened in recognition. “My uncle Jack.”
Gabriel frowned. “I didn’t know he was your uncle. Richard was so naïve. He didn’t realize that I owed money to some very shady characters who could have taken the money and killed him. Tom arranged for your uncle and some of his friends to pay my debts, safely, with Richard’s money. When I got out of rehab, I called my father’s lawyer in New York and said I’d take my inheritance. I paid off the mortgage, but I never lost the shame. Richard could have been killed because of me.”
Julia pressed her cheek to his chest. “You are his son. Of course he wanted to save you. He loves you.”
“The prodigal son,” Gabriel muttered.
He slid his hands to her hips and changed the subject. “I want you to feel comfortable here. I emptied one of my dresser drawers and made room in the closet for your clothes. I’d like you to leave some things with me so you can come and go as you please. And I’ll give you my spare key.”
“You want me to leave my clothes here?”
“Well, I’d rather you left yourself here, but I’ll settle for your clothes,” he grumbled, half-smiling.
Julia reached up to plant a penitent kiss on his pouting lips. “I’ll leave some of your gifts here and the next time I’m over, they’ll be waiting for me.”
He smiled, and his smile morphed into a smirk. “Since we’re talking about leaving things here, perhaps you’ll leave some pictures.”
“You want to take my picture…like this?”
“Why not? You’re beautiful, Julianne.”
Her skin flamed.”I don’t think I’m ready to have you take erotic pictures of me.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I was thinking more along the lines of some black-and-white photos of your profile, your neck, your face…” He began tracing curved patterns on her back, a gentle gesture designed to reassure her of his affection.
“Why?”
“Because I would like to be able to look at you when you aren’t here. My apartment is very empty without you.”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
“Does that trouble you?” He caressed her jaw line slowly.
“No. You can take my picture. But I’d prefer to be fully dressed.”
“I don’t think my heart could take the sight of you undressed.”
She smiled at him, and he laughed.
“Can I ask you something, Gabriel?”
“Of course.”
“When you go home for Thanksgiving, will you stay at Richard’s or at a hotel?”
“I’ll stay at the house with everyone else. Why?”
“Rachel said that you used to stay in a hotel whenever you visited.”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “Because I was the black sheep of the family and Scott never let me forget it. It was a relief to have the option of leaving if things became uncomfortable.”
“Did you ever bring a girl home?”
“Never.”
“Did you ever want to bring someone home?”
“Not before you.” He leaned forward to kiss her again. “And if I had my way, you’d be the first girl to share my bed in my parents’ house. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to happen unless I sneak you in after dark.”
Julia giggled slightly but was secretly very, very pleased.
“Richard reminded me that I need to book our airline tickets. Why don’t you let me make the arrangements and we can work out the money later?”
“I could book my own ticket.”
“Of course you could. But I want us to be seated together. We’ll have to leave for the airport after my seminar, which means we’ll have to take the last flight out of Toronto, around nine o’clock.”
“That’s late.”
“I was going to reserve a hotel room in Philadelphia for Wednesday night, since we’ll be arriving close to eleven. Unless you want to drive to Selinsgrove right away.”
Julia shook her head. “Why don’t we just fly to Harrisburg?”
“The last flight to Harrisburg leaves in the middle of my seminar. Of course, we could leave the day after, if you’d prefer. Then we wouldn’t have to stay at a hotel.” Gabriel’s eyes fixated on hers, measuring her.
“I don’t want to lose another day. And it would be nice to stay at a hotel with you.” She smiled.
“Good.
I’ll make the reservations and rent a car.”
“What about Rachel and Aaron? Shouldn’t we drive with them?”
“They’re driving up Wednesday after work. Rachel instructed me that it was my responsibility to see that you arrived home safely. She expects me to be your chauffeur and your bell boy.” He winked at her and grinned.
“She knows, doesn’t she?”
“Rachel thinks she knows everything.” His grin tightened. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle her.”
“It isn’t Rachel I’m worried about.”
“You don’t need to worry about anything. We’re just two family friends who met in a city far from home. It will be harder on me than it will be on you.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I will be in the same room with you without being able to touch you.”
She looked down at her bare feet and smiled shyly.
Gabriel took her hand in his and began to stroke it. “When is your birthday?”
“I don’t celebrate it.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t.” Now her voice was defensive.
“Well, I’d like to celebrate it with you. Don’t deprive me, Julianne.” Gabriel’s blue eyes communicated more frustration than annoyance.
Julia thought back to their argument about the clothes and decided that she didn’t want to have another fight with him so soon.
“It was September first. You missed it.”
“No, I haven’t.” He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his cheek against hers.
“Are you free next Saturday? We can celebrate it then.”
“What will we be doing?”
“I’ll need to make some arrangements, but we’ll be going out.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to go out together—in public.”
He frowned. “Let me worry about that. Now, are you accepting my invitation or not?” He slid his hand down to one of the ticklish spots on her side.
“I am accepting with gratitude. Please don’t tickle me.” She began giggling in anticipation.
Gabriel ignored her plea and began tickling her lightly until she shrieked with laughter. He loved to hear her laugh. And she loved the rare moments when he was playful.
When she finally caught her breath, she began apologizing. “I’m sorry for hurting your feelings earlier. It’s no excuse, but yesterday was a rough day, and on top of that, I’m hormonal.”