He rests his head against mine, his lips pressing on my forehead. "I think about that sometimes but the thoughts that it provokes terrify me. I'd go to the ends of the earth to protect you."
I know that he would. I saw it tonight, in the way he looked at me. I heard it when he told me he loved me.
"I need you to know that when you left the club that night, I did as well." His voice is deep and gruff. "I went home. I thought about you the entire night."
My heart stutters for a beat. "Have you been back there since?"
I know the answer isn't my business. I shouldn't care if he went back the next night or any night after that. I should only care that he wants to be with me now, yet, I can't help it.
"I don't have any intention of ever going back to the club or that hotel room."
That's an extra assurance I never would have expected. "I'm scared to be too hopeful. I don't want to feel things and then have it taken away."
He tugs me into his lap, just as he did the first night he kissed me here. He cradles my face in his palms, his dark eyes pulling me in. "If this ends, I will break into two pieces. I will fight for this. I will do whatever I need to in order to help you understand that I cherish you, Isla. You tell me what you need, and I will do that for you."
I run my finger along his brows, first the left and then the right. His face is so strong, so masculine. It's beautiful, if a man can be that. "How is it possible that you love me?"
His body shudders as he swallows. "It's impossible for me not to."
"Gabriel." I lean forward to rest my lips over his. "Don't ever stop."
***
"I should have been the one spanking you," I say breathlessly into his chest. "I didn't deserve that."
"You did." His voice is deep, husky and still filled with want. "Tonight it was a reward. I saw how wet it made you, Isla. Don't try and argue that point with me or I'll take you back over my knee."
He never technically had me over his knee in the first place.
After we got back to his penthouse, we'd sat in a chair in the living room, kissing and talking for hours. I'd asked more questions about the club and he'd answered each honestly. He helped me understand his drive to go there and the hole it had been filling within him.
I never belonged there. The scope of my experience didn't measure anywhere near his, but that night, when he saw me trying desperately to find a man to help tame my desires, he'd felt an unexplainable pull towards me.
He told me that he tried to fight it for weeks after that, but then on my birthday, when he tasted me for the first time, he lost all sight and memory of anyone else.
I believe him. I trust him. I know it's true because it's what I feel too.
He carried me to his bed after that, undressing me then. He'd licked me, and touched me, and when I tried to control his fingers on my flesh, he'd slapped my ass, over and over, all while he said my name woven into declaration of his love.
I reach down, stroking my hand over his cock. It's so long, thick. It's as beautiful and striking as he is.
"Fuck me, Gabriel," I whisper as I slide my body over his. "I want you to fuck me."
"Jesus, Isla," he hisses, his eyes closing with the words. His hands roam down my back, to my ass.
I move slightly, skimming my breasts over his chest before I kiss him, deeply, passionately.
"There are condoms in the nightstand." His arm circles my waist as he moves to the left.
I fight him, pulling him back, quieting him. "Please, just don't move."
His breathing slows as I inch back to glide my pussy over the entire length of his erection before I reach down to grab the thick root of his cock in my hand.
"Like this." I curve my body back. "Just like this. Just us."
He moans loudly as the first inch of his cock enters me, skin-on-skin, no barriers.
"You're sure." He halts my movements with both of his hands on my hips. "Isla, tell me. Tell me you're sure."