Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4)(9)

“I love it. It’s gorgeous. But most important, I love what it represents.” She stared at the ring. “And it fits.”

“I had to approximate the size based on your other rings. But it can always be resized.” With his thumb he moved the ring back and forth on her finger, experimentally.

“It’s incredible. Thank you.” She kissed him once again.

Gabriel took the boxes and ribbons and placed them on his nightstand. He switched off the light. “When is the baby’s next feeding?”

“Soon. I set the alarm on my phone.”

Gabriel settled under the covers and brought Julia into his side. “Wake me when you’re finished, and I’ll change her. Then you can get back to bed sooner.”

Julia hummed and lifted her right arm, examining her ring in the semidarkness. “I’m exhausted.”

He chuckled. “Then go to sleep.”

“Now I’m wired. It’s the flamingo’s fault.”

Gabriel laughed. His wife giggled in response.

When their laughter abated, Gabriel found himself staring down into her large, expressive eyes. Something passed between them.

Impulsively, he shifted her to her back. He traced her eyebrows with his fingertip. “Beatrice.”

She sighed when his lips met hers.

The electricity between them had not abated. Gabriel took his time, allowing his mouth to worship hers.

He deepened the kiss, his hand stroking her hip over her nightgown.

As his tongue gently teased hers, she made a noise in her throat. Gabriel felt encouraged and continued to dance, his lips firm and insistent.

His hand slid up her side and hovered over her breast. His eyes held a question.

“Your gift deserves a celebration,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you.”

Gabriel smiled widely, his hand hovering like a bird over her breast.

Julia’s expression changed. “But it’s too soon. My breasts are sore and I’m sore around the incision and farther down.”

Stricken, Gabriel lowered his hand to rest on the mattress, near her hip. “I’m sorry.”

Julia’s palm moved to his thigh and began to slide upward. “I can look after you.”

Gabriel caught her wrist. “Another time.” He lifted her wrist to his lips and kissed the pale skin that stretched over her veins.

Julia sighed the sigh of the exhausted and frustrated. She slid her head across the pillow until it rested next to his shoulder. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. What can I do for you?”

“Nothing.” She forced a smile. “I’ll be fine in six weeks.”

Six weeks? What fresh hell is this?

Gabriel blinked slowly. Somewhere in the recesses of his memory he recalled Dr. Rubio’s Athena-like pronouncement that intercourse had to be delayed. But the duration of the delay hadn’t truly penetrated his consciousness.

“I would if I could.” Julia sounded apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

Her earnest tone roused him from his reverie. “You have nothing to apologize for.” He kissed her lightly on the nose. “Here.” He slid his arms under her body and gently assisted her in rolling onto her side, facing away from him.

He spooned behind her, sifting his fingers through her hair. He felt her body begin to relax beneath his touch. “I’ll rub your back.”

His hands slid sensuously over her shoulders and down her back. Skin to skin, he caressed her. And where he found tension, he massaged. “How does this feel?”

“Great.” Her body sagged against the mattress.

“And this?” He focused his contact on her right shoulder.

“It feels good.”

“Then just feel, sweetheart. I’ll stay right here. Right here.” He pressed a slow, chaste kiss to the area between her shoulder blades and felt her shiver beneath his lips. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

He knew her body. He knew how to build the pleasure in her, and how to make her toes curl. But in these moments, his sole purpose was to care for her and help her fall asleep.

She moaned softly, her eyes closed.

His hands slipped down to her lower back. He kneaded the muscles carefully, and whispered his fingers across her skin.

Julia’s breathing evened out and soon it was clear she’d fallen asleep.

Gabriel continued to caress her, but more lightly. “Thy love is better than wine,” he spoke in the darkness. “I’ll never get over my desire for you.”

With a final caress, he kissed her shoulder and carefully rested his hand on the curve of her hip. He sighed and lifted mournful eyes to heaven. “Give me chastity, Lord, at least for the next six weeks.”





Chapter Seven


An infant’s cry split the silence.

It took time for Gabriel to shake off his sleep, like a swimmer struggling to reach the surface. Julia rolled over next to him. He heard her fumbling with her cell phone.

She groaned.

“Is it time?” His voice was gravelly with sleep.

“Not for an hour.” Julia sank back against the pillow and covered her eyes with her hands.

“I’ll go.” Gabriel pushed back the covers.

“No, I can do it.”

“Just rest. I’ll check on her.”