Chapter 6
1013 Words
Gabriel
I rode away from Leon’s home as fast as I could. The butler offered to send for a carriage but I declined, telling him I needed a horse and there was an emergency. Which was true.
As I had left the house Cecilia had run after me. Her green eyes were shining with curiosity and her chocolate hair hanging in a loose bun causing long strands to frame her face.
“Gabriel please don’t go!” She begged. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to upset you.”
The minute she said that I stopped dead in my tracks. Upset me? Why would she think that? I looked back at her, wanting to reassure her that she did no such thing but I couldn’t. I couldn’t say anything to her without risking losing my self control.
I had been so close to telling Cecilia everything. I had been a second away from taking her into my arms, kissing her, having her in the dining table and telling her how much I loved her. Seeing her so sad in front of me when she spoke of surviving around Leon made me want to hurt him and hold her. She deserved nothing but love, respect and happiness. And I imagined a life where I could give that to her. But then, looking at her chocolate brown waves frame her round face, her green eyes shining with strength and her fiery spirit, and her creamy skin under her sage green dress had me imagining different things. I wanted to touch her, to feel her warmth, to smell and taste her. I wanted her more than I wanted anything else and I was sure she saw that. She was still young and innocent to fully understand what I felt for her, especially because I knew Leon was not a good lover or partner to her.
He had bragged a hundred times that he had her when he wanted and that he was able to find joy in at least the physical aspect of their marriage. But he never bragged about bringing her pleasure or how she felt with him. He shouldn’t be sharing anything of course, but it was telling that he didn’t satisfy her. And I knew I could. I had been with a handful of women in my life but none in the past year, not since I had laid my eyes on Cecilia. Now, no other woman’s eyes, lips, skin, voice or body could catch my attention. Every other woman was empty and plain to me.
I had to get away from Cecilia. I needed to put distance between us. Not only because I had been close to admitting my feelings and having kissed her in Leon’s home, but I couldn’t bear the thought of her rejecting me or feeling harmed and disrespected by me. I never wanted to hurt her, not even by accident. I would have to accept that I could only love her from afar.
***
Cecilia
“Here you go my lady!” Sophie said when she ran outside and handed me a jacket. “Would you like me to accompany you on your walk?”
“No Sophie that’s alright, you go and rest. I’ll be just fine,” I told her. She smiled and walked away.
The truth was that I needed to be alone. I needed time to think and try to understand what had happened with Gabriel. No man had ever looked at me that way before, and I had never felt so warm and excited. I always knew that Gabriel was kind and patient and I had always seen him as a protector and a dear friend. But when he looked at me with so much intensity today, the feelings I felt were just as ravenous as the look he was giving me.
I thought back to the first time I met him at my wedding, he was wide eyed and quiet. He had bowed and smiled as Leon introduced us, and I immediately knew he was great. I recognized he was handsome and charming but that was all. When Leon left he stayed with me and asked about my family, my favorite books, my fears and dreams. As he did I noticed that every woman we passed smiled at him or attempted an introduction but he only had eyes for me.
Did Gabriel have feelings for me?
I laughed out loud and shook my head. “Of course he doesn’t Cecilia.”
Gabriel was one of Leon’s oldest friends, they knew eachother since they were kids. Gabriel was loyal and honest, he’d never overstep a boundary like that with someone he cared about. Gabriel was also a Duke. As the Duke of Dupont he was responsible for marrying a young woman of high status and would and could not get involved in any scandal. There was absolutely no way Gabriel had feelings for me so I put that that thought at the back of my mind.
But one thing was for sure-when he looked at me with such hunger and intensity, it awoke something in me. I desired to be taken into his arms, to be kissed passionately and feel his hands all over me. I sat down on the edge of the grand fountain outside and took deep breaths. I thought of all the things I wanted to experience and as I did, Gabriel’s face faded and all I saw was a man making me his. Because of Gabriel I was dreaming of a faceless man touching me and kissing me in places I had never thought of. I yearned for the passion and heat Leon never showed or gave me. I clutched my chest, my heart beating so fast I could hear it loudly in my own ears.
Was this need? Was this desire? Why did I feel so overwhelmed and warm just with the mere thought of a man’s hands on me?
I let out a shaky breath and laughed. “Oh Gabriel, what have you done to me?”
- Writer
