Page 28

Annabelle’s shoulders dropped, and the fight seemed to go out of her. In four quick steps, he was behind her, gently stroking her shoulders.

She leaned back into him, and he nuzzled the top of her head. “It’s late. It’s been a hectic and traumatic few days. Why don’t we all get some sleep and talk about this again in the morning?”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m going.” Isobella took Annabelle’s hand. “You know this is the best option. I can do this, Annabelle.”

Determination flashed in Isobella’s eyes, and for a moment, Gabriel saw the woman who would not only survive in the tenth century, but would thrive.

“But I am tired.” Isobella dropped Annabelle’s hand, picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder.

“Stef, would you mind taking me home? And, uh, I’m guessing Annabelle’s bed will be free tonight if you want to crash at our place.

” She jerked her head toward him and Annabelle.

“I imagine these two have a bit of catching up to do.”

“Of course, Isobella,” said Stef. “And yes, the offer of a bed is much appreciated. These two are likely to be noisy, and my poor ears and refined sensibilities aren’t up for listening to that.”

With her parting shot and a wink, Stef followed Isobella, leaving them alone in the penthouse.

Annabelle turned in his arms and leaned her head against his chest.

“Is she really going to be okay, Gabriel?”

“ Oui. I promise.” He dropped a kiss on her head. “I couldn’t say anything more in front of Isobella, but I don’t want to keep anything from you. Not anymore. You deserve to know the truth. If Isobella is half as smart as you, she’ll have a good idea of what’s going to happen.”

Annabelle jerked her head back to look at him. “Someone’s going to turn her? A werewolf in the tenth century?”

Gabriel grinned. “ Oui.”

“And you know who it is, don’t you?”

Gabriel nodded. “Neither I, nor my brothers, would exist if it were not for Isobella. She’s my many times great-great-grandmother.”

Annabelle gaped at him, her mouth working like a fish out of water. “Isobella is your ancestor? ”

“Isobella is going to survive, Annabelle. I’m here, aren’t I? I’m living proof she’s going to be more than okay.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled deeper. It was so good to have her in his arms again. Right where she belonged.

“Trust me, Annabelle . It will all work out exactly as it’s meant to.”

“I hope so.”

He held her close, the events of today still fresh in his mind. If he never time traveled again, it would be too soon.

“So, what happens now?” She gazed up at him, wariness in her blue eyes. “With us, I mean? Do you bite me and…” She gave him a nervous smile. “I’m not sure how this is supposed to work.”

Gabriel chuckled. “Ever the impatient one.” He cupped her face.

“All in good time, bebe. Let’s not rush things.

” He pressed a finger to her lips. “Now, before you start fretting, I am going to turn you, that I promise. And soon. But a turning is not something you want to rush. We’ll need medical supplies and time. ”

“Medical supplies?” she squeaked around his finger.

“The turning is painful. I’ll keep you sedated for the three days you’ll need, then—”

“ Three days?”

“Three days,” he affirmed. “Then you’ll need perhaps three months, maybe more, of training. Three months where we’ll need space and privacy so you don’t accidentally shift and reveal yourself in the middle of downtown San Francisco.”

“Oh.”

Her disappointment was a balm to his chaotic emotions.

She wanted the turning as much as he did.

But it would not be tonight, no matter how much his wolf called for it.

Or how much his canines threatened to punch through his gums at the thought of sinking into the soft curve of her neck.

He needed to rest and to be in prime condition before she began her turning.

Annabelle as a witch was a handful. As a wolf witch, she would test all his reserves. Reserves he did not have right now.

“Tonight, I need a nice hot shower and then to sleep in a soft bed with the woman I love in my arms.”

At his declaration of his feelings, her pretty mouth parted on a gasp, and his cock surged. Okay, maybe not only a shower and sleep.

A slow smile spread across Annabelle’s lips, and he caught the mischievous glint in her eyes.

She took his hand and led him up the floating staircase and into the master suite bathroom.

She turned and slipped off her jacket, dropped it to the floor and toed off her shoes.

With a tug on her blouse, she pulled it out from the waistband of her jeans and unbuttoned it, one slow button at a time.

Gabriel swallowed. Moonlight bathed the room, giving everything—the lava stone tiles, the soaking tub, the large shower, the double vanities, Annabelle—a bluish cast, like a black and white film effect.

With his enhanced vision, the subtle shadows of her collarbones, the curve of her breasts, the dampness of her lower lip after she’d run her tongue across it were clear to him.

Did he scoop her up now and rip the rest of her clothes off?

Or did he wait, watch and enjoy the slow reveal of her creamy breasts cupped in white lace?

Her blouse joined her jacket, then she popped the button on her jeans.

Gabriel was torn. The slow slide of her zipper echoed loud in his ears with the promise of sex.

Annabelle’s jeans joined her blouse, leaving her in two pieces of white lace.

The sweet and tantalizing scent of her arousal bloomed and hit him harder than the Mack truck from their crash.

Putain , she was beautiful. For a moment, he was too stunned to move. Then a slow smile spread across his lips. Quid pro quo, bebe.

Gabriel ditched his jacket, grasped the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it aside.

He snapped the button on his jeans. Her gaze blazed a trail across his abdomen, and her breathing hitched.

He slid his zipper down with slow deliberation.

Her heart beat a staccato rhythm, louder than a bass drum to his sensitive ears.

Then he kicked off his boots, peeled off his socks and shucked his jeans.

He stood naked before her, legs spread and his cock granite hard and already leaking pre-cum.

“You’re not naked yet, Annabelle.” His words were barely more than a growl.

Her trembling hands reached behind her back, undid the clasp and her soutien-gorge slid to the floor, revealing rosy nipples peaked and ready for his touch.

Her white lace panties, she slid down over her hips, the hint of dampness glistening on the fabric and on the fine blonde hair at the crutch of her thighs.

Gabriel breathed her in, and a throaty rumble reverberated through his chest. There was no finer perfume in all of this world than the scent of his mate aroused. He would never tire of it.

She backed away from him and slipped into the large, glass-walled shower, the San Francisco night skyline visible behind her.

Gabriel stepped in after her as she turned on the taps and adjusted the water.

He slid his hands around her waist as the water sluiced over them both.

With soap in hand, she turned in his arms, swiveled them around until he was under the spray and began a slow, sensuous, slippery exploration of his body, lathering his skin and washing him down as she went.

His arms, his shoulders, his pecs, sliding her petite hands across his stomach.

Annabelle ducked behind him, washing his back, caressing his spine, cupping his ass cheeks and rubbing down his legs setting every nerve ending on fire.

Never had he experienced such devotion, such tenderness.

His heart swelled, and so did his cock. He didn’t think he’d ever been this hard for a woman, not even Annabelle, in his entire life.

She stepped in front of him, her hands reaching for his groin and gently soaping up his balls. He threw his head back, letting the water wash over him. Then she took his cock in hand, sliding her hands along his length. Another growl rumbled up in his chest and her hand faltered.

“Keep going like that and this will be all over in a matter of seconds.”

She kept going.

No. He was not some pimply youth, thinking only of his own pleasure. He gently eased her hands away and grabbed the soap. His turn.

Gabriel started at the curve of her throat, gentling massaging the tension from her shoulders, down her arms to her fingertips.

More soap suds frothed as he cupped her breasts, teasing her pert nipples until a low moan slipped from her lips.

His hands roamed, rediscovering her body—the curves and shallows, the mole on the inside of her hip, the tender spot on her inner thigh, the way her legs shook when he rubbed at the back of her knees, the plumpness of her ass and the heat of her slippery folds.

A fierceness washed over him. He’d nearly lost her.

For good. Who knew what would’ve become of her had Dutton’s plan succeeded.

He never wanted to let her out of his sight again, though Annabelle would chafe at such restrictions.

They’d argue about it, and she would rightly claim she could take care of herself, like she had with Dutton, but the beast in him would always be protective of her.

Three long years without her had been pure hell.

Three long years without being able to cup her pussy, slide his fingers inside her and feel her clench around him.

To live without her sweet body pressed against him.

Without hearing her little noises of pleasure—her moans and gasps as he hit her sweet spot.

Or the fluttering of her hands about his neck, urging him on.

“Gabriel,” she breathed, a plea and exhortation for more.

He took her mouth in his, delving deep with his tongue, as he eased two fingers inside her. A leisurely seduction, unlike the savage need of their fucking a few nights previous. Putain , he’d missed this.

She protested when he slid his fingers out, but her complaints faded into a moan as he lifted her, wrapped her legs around his hips and slowly, inexorably seated her down the length of his cock.

Planting his feet wide for stability on the wet floor, he pressed her back against the tiles and began a slide and grind with his hips, setting up a measured pace as if he had all the time in the world.

Wanting to prolong this for as long as he could.

L’enfer , he did. The slippery slide of the wet bodies, the warm water on their heated skin, her soft whimpers and the silken grip of her pussy around his cock were all the heaven he needed.

Like all his Christmases had come at once.

Three years of hell, washed away with the water swirling the drain.

Her head dropped into the crook of his neck, and her thighs squeezed around his hips. “Yes, yes, yes. Don’t stop, Gabriel,” she huffed out. “Whatever you do, don’t stop.”

“I’ve got you, Belle . ” He would never stop.

Fucking her. Loving her. Not for the rest of his long life.

He plunged deep, bottoming out, and she let out a hoarse cry, clamping her blunt teeth on his shoulder.

Pleasure ripped up his spine, tightened his balls and his whole body stiffened.

He thrust in one last time, then roared his release as she milked his seed and sucked him dry.

He slumped against her, his chest heaving. “Mine,” he growled into her wet hair.

She unlatched her teeth from his shoulder. “Yours,” she whispered against his skin. “I love you. I don’t think…I ever stopped,” she said, between breaths. “When you left…I looked for you. In Paris.”

Gabriel held her tight, the warm water from the shower no match for the warmth in his chest as her words washed over him.

“I looked for you too, Belle , but you were gone.”

She snuggled into his chest. “I stayed for a month. Hoping you’d return.

But you never called, or texted. Nothing.

I didn’t think you were coming back. I couldn’t stay in Paris any longer.

It wasn’t the same without you.” Her voice warbled a little.

“We might never have reconnected had your pack not sent you to our coven.”

“Ah, bebe , I was still looking for you. I was always going to come for you one day.”

She raised her gaze, water plastering her hair to her head. “You were?”

Then the water turned cold and she squealed. Laughing, he flicked it off and carried her into the bedroom.

“I’m all wet!” she shrieked as he tossed her onto the bed.

“I hope so,” he said, grinning, as he followed her down onto the sheets. They had a lot of years to make up for. She was in his arms again, finally, and Gabriel was not planning on wasting a single moment.