Gabriel grew impatient.
“Let me,” he said gruffly. He brushed her hands aside and drew long, searching fingers through her waves of chestnut hair.
She closed her eyes.
It was an intimate thing, she thought, to have Gabriel touch her hair. She sighed contently.
“Were all these items really necessary?” Gabriel grumbled, holding up what he thought was the last pin.
“Yes.” Julia patted her hair, finding a few stray pins he had missed. “They were.”
“The effect was stunning.” He combed her hair with his hands so it cascaded about her face. He touched her neck again. “The door is locked.”
His eyes met hers as his hand dropped to the zipper of her dress. He eased it down her back, never breaking eye contact.
The green material gathered at her hips and she leaned forward, exposing her full cleavage, as she tugged the dress off.
“Allow me.” Gabriel knelt, bringing her hand to his shoulder for balance. He helped her step out of the dress and placed it carefully on the edge of the large, heavy desk.
“You’ll ruin your suit,” Julia murmured, her hand still on his shoulder.
“Fuck the suit.” Gabriel sat back on his heels and stared.
Julia wore an elegant black satin-and-lace basque, paired with gossamer underwear. Garters and black silk stockings encased her legs. On her feet she wore the high Christian Louboutin heels Gabriel almost worshipped.
A low oath escaped his lips. “I was not expecting this.”
“Surprise.” Julia felt conspicuous, although Gabriel’s reaction was more than she had hoped. She withdrew her hand and placed it at her hip. “I was thinking we’d celebrate back at the hotel.”
“I’m not waiting. Hang the interviews.” Gabriel broke eye contact so his gaze could roam her body. Julia’s breasts were very full and almost overflowing the top of the basque. But the garment flattened her stomach and accentuated her small waist. In high heels, her legs lengthened and she was a great deal taller.
Gabriel’s hungry perusal made her feel powerful.
She preened, pushing her hair back from her face.
“I’m speechless.” He touched the curve of her hip, stroking the skin just above her stocking. “You’re a siren. Will you pose for me? So I can photograph you?”
“Not now.” She leaned forward and grabbed his tie, pulling him toward her. Her lips hovered over his. “You know, it’s been six weeks since Clare was born, and I was cleared by Dr. Rubio before we left. So . . .” She arched her eyebrows.
Immediately, Gabriel was on his feet and divesting himself of his suit jacket and tie, casting them aside. He crushed her to his chest, his mouth fused to hers, as his hands rested on her barely covered backside.
Gabriel brought his hips to hers and she moaned at the sensation, feeling him rise beneath his trousers.
r /> “Someone is going to hear us.” She traced her tongue across his lower lip before slipping inside.
“Then you’ll have to be quiet.” Gabriel kissed her deeply and lifted her onto the desk.
“I can’t be quiet, not with you touching me like this.”
Gabriel smirked and spread her legs, stepping in between them and pressing himself up against her.
Julia hugged his hips with her knees, her high heels grazing the backs of his thighs. “I’ll stab you. Maybe I should take them off.”
“No fucking way.” Gabriel’s voice was hoarse as he lifted his hands to cup her breasts. He touched and stroked, passing his thumbs over her nipples until they grew taut. He peeled back the covering from her left breast and bent his head, kissing and tasting the round, full flesh.
Julia ground herself against him, her heels spearing his trousers. She bit the inside of her mouth, in order to stay silent.
His mouth closed on her nipple, gently, but he did not draw.