Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4)(81)

“Yes,” Julia conceded. “That is a problem.”

“Since we’re on the subject . . .” Gabriel toyed with the ruby-and-diamond trinity ring he’d given her after Clare’s birth. “Beatrice uses the allusion if smoke is proof of fire to argue that Dante’s forgetfulness is evidence of a fault in his will.”

“Smoke isn’t proof of fire.”

“Exactly. Smart girl.” Gabriel touched her ring again. “There’s a puzzle there—a puzzle inside a puzzle. Someone reading quickly would pass over Beatrice’s remarks, finding nothing wrong with them. But if you stop to think about it, smoke isn’t proof of fire; it’s evidence of fire, perhaps, but not proof. Smoke could be caused by other things.”

“Rarely, but yes.”

“I think Dante wants us to dig a little deeper to excavate the allusion to forgetfulness and Lethe. And that’s what I’m working on as part of the lectures.”

“I hope you figure it out.” Julia smiled. “I have no clue.”

“Sure, you do.” He admired her manicured fingers, evidence of her trip to the hotel spa. “You’re my muse. You help me see things I can’t see. And you propel me to be a better man as well as a better scholar.”

“It’s funny to hear that since I’m still a student.”

“Wise people are always students. It’s when you think you’re beyond learning that you’re really in trouble.” He leaned forward and brushed his lips across hers.

“Happy anniversary, darling.”

“Happy anniversary.”

Clare threw her bunny over the side of the stroller and stared in dismay as it dangled out of reach. She hadn’t figured out yet that she could pull on the tether to retrieve it. She pointed to the bunny and made an indignant noise.

“Princess Clare commands me.” Gabriel mock sighed. He retrieved the bunny and had it kiss Clare on the cheek.

“Lunch?” he asked. “I suppose we should have Italian, given the theme of our conversation.”

“I was thinking of sushi, since Dr. Rubio banned me from eating it for so long.”

“We need to go through her list of banishments and indulge in all of them. There’s one in particular I have a craving for.” He paused, and hurried to clarify, “Next week, of course.”

“Yes, please.” Julia’s stomach flipped in anticipation.





Chapter Fifty-Nine


January 28, 2013

Now is our chance.” Gabriel took Julia’s hand after sunset, fairly dragging her through the living room of their suite and out to the balcony.

On this occasion, he’d switched off the lights inside the pool as well as those on the balcony. Candles were positioned around the pool and the Jacuzzi, offering a low, warm illumination.

He’d chosen Latin guitar music again but kept the volume low so as not to wake the baby.

“Our chance for what?” Julia noticed that the daybed hadn’t been made. Instead, Gabriel had placed their bathrobes on the bed, along with a stack of towels. In a dark corner of the balcony, the Jacuzzi hummed and bubbled.

“A midnight swim, before midnight.” He tugged her toward the edge of the pool.

“I need to change.” She tried to pull away, but he kept her close.

“You don’t need to change.”

Without words, he divested himself of his shirt and trousers until he stood barefoot in his boxer shorts. Then he waited.

Julia inspected their surroundings, just to be certain no one could see. She stood near him, as if he were a shield, and pulled her blouse and skirt off.

“May I?” He wrapped a hand around her waist and drew her closer.

She nodded.

He unfastened her bra and dropped it to the deck. Out of chivalry, he dropped his shorts before tugging her underwear down her shapely legs.

Taking her hand, he walked her to the edge of the pool and step-by-step down into the water.

He descended below the surface completely and when he emerged, he wiped the water from his face and smoothed back his hair. Water droplets clung to his shoulders and across his chest, glistening like little jewels atop his tattoos.

Julia decided to mimic him, and she, too, descended below the surface. When she emerged, he was standing in front of her.

He touched her face, an illegible expression on his own. He pulled her so they were flush against one another, the water rising to the tops of her breasts.

He kissed her.

It had been a week since they had loved one another and so his embrace was urgent, his pace quick.

Julia lifted her arms to his neck, clinging to him in the water. She kissed him back.

His hands slid down her arms to her shoulders, his palms smoothing across them. He reached below the water to cup her breast. His fingertips traced her nipple.

She reacted with a sharp intake of breath. She pushed her breast into his hand.

He passed his fingers over both of her breasts and brought his mouth to hers.

She leaned against him and he took her weight.

When he broke the kiss, he took her hand again, leading her back to the staircase. “It’s warmer in the Jacuzzi.” He gave her a dazzling smile.

He helped her up the stairs and down into the swirling, foam-capped water.

The water felt scalding against her skin, but once she submerged herself, she found herself enjoying the warmer temperature.