Stolen by a Sinner (Sinners #3)(40)

Pulling up my leggings to beneath my knees, I carefully dip my legs into the cool water and wiggle my toes.

This is nice.

I glance over at the flowers, illuminated by the garden lights, thinking how mystical everything looks at night.

Once again, my chest fills with gratitude, my lips curving up at how happy I feel.

I wish my mom could’ve experienced this before she died.

You were right, Mom. Fairytales do come true.

I glance up at the dark window of Gabriel’s bedroom, thinking how handsome he looked in the tuxedo. He’s pure power and testosterone.

My heart flutters, and I quickly dip my chin to hide the shy smile.

I don’t know what to do with the emotions and attraction he makes me feel, and I can’t talk to Nisa about it.

I love the way his face transforms whenever he smiles. It always makes my stomach flip-flop.

Mostly, I love how his eyes fill with satisfaction whenever I do something that pleases him.

God, I hope I never disappoint him.

“Want some company?” Gabriel suddenly asks.

My head snaps up, and I watch as he walks closer. He’s still wearing his suit pants and dress shirt, but he’s removed the jacket.

My lips instantly curve up, and I nod.

He rolls up his pants, and sitting down next to me, he dips his legs into the water. His arm presses against mine, then he glances down at me. “How was your evening?”

“I got to make a batch of Turkish delight,” I tell him, glad to have finally gotten it right.

Looking into his gold eyes, my heart starts to beat faster.

“Do you like cooking and baking?” he asks, his gaze drifting over my face with a peaceful expression. It makes me feel safe.

“Very much.” My smile grows. “I like everything Nisa Hanim and Elya Hanim teach me.”

He stares at me for a moment, then murmurs, “It must be overwhelming for you.”

Wiggling my toes in the water, I tilt my head. “What?”

“Experiencing everything all at once.”

It is, but I’m slowly learning to deal with it. Glancing down at the water, I wiggle my toes again, loving the feel of the water.

“You should swim,” Gabriel mentions.

“I can’t.” I shrug, then admit, “But one day, I’d like to learn.”

“Do you have a bathing suit?”

I shake my head, then my eyes widen as Gabriel starts to unbutton his dress shirt. He pulls the fabric off his shoulders and sets it down on the paving.

Holy crap.

I stare at his muscled chest, my mouth going dry from the sight.

My lips part as he removes a gun from behind his back, dropping it next to his shirt. I watch as the muscles in his arms, shoulders, and back move when he slips into the water.

My abdomen tightens so much, I quickly press a hand to it. My heart keeps skipping beats.

“Get in,” Gabriel orders.

“What?” I gasp, still in shock from seeing his bare chest.

“Get in the water, Lara.” His tone leaves no room for argument, the command sending a wave of tingles through me.

Unable to deny him, I scoot a little closer. My hands grip the paving around the pool, and then a shriek leaves me as Gabriel grabs hold of my waist. I’m tugged forward and slam into his body, water splashing around us.

Gasping from the cold, my hands find his shoulders, and I hold on for dear life.

“It will get warmer,” he says as he moves us away from the side.

Feeling awkward, I try not to hold onto him so tightly, but then he says, “Take a deep breath.”

After I’ve inhaled deeply, he pulls me down beneath the water. It’s only for a couple of seconds before our heads break through the surface again. Not thinking, I wrap my arms around his neck as I suck in a deep breath of air. The warmth from his body seeps into mine, making my stomach do a series of flip-flops.

When his hand brushes up and down my back, I realize I’m practically plastered against him. I quickly pull my arms back and let my hands drift through the warming water.

My eyes focus on his attractive face, the drops spiraling over his skin. With my heart scampering off at a crazy pace, I stare at Gabriel, who looks more handsome than ever.

He has one arm tightly wrapped around my lower back, and without much effort, he moves us through the water.

“How does it feel?” His voice is low and deep, the timbre vibrating through my body.

Incredible.

“Good.” I try to focus on the water caressing my skin, then my lips curve up. “I feel weightless.”

He brushes his hand through his hair, making him look hotter. I quickly glance away, staring at all the garden lights.

You need to calm down before he notices how attracted you are to him.

His voice is softer when he asks, “Do you trust me?”

Slowly, I bring my gaze back to his. I’m not holding onto him. He could let go of me any second, and I would drown. But I know he won’t do that.

I still fear him because he has the power to end this beautiful life he’s given me. But I also feel safe with him because he has never hurt me.

I know it’s only been a month and a half since I came to live here, and a lot can change at any moment, but my survival instinct tells me Gabriel meant it when he said he wouldn’t hurt me.

“Yes.”