Gabriel's Inferno (Gabriel's Inferno #1)(158)

In their orchard, which was Paradise, there were only two almost-lovers and no one and nothing else.

As their kisses grew more passionate, Gabriel slowly reclined backward onto the blanket, pulling her until he was flat and she was kneeling on either side of him. Her chest pressed against his, and a pleasant friction arose between their hips. She moved atop him, shamelessly pressing her softness and curves against him. It was like nothing she had ever felt before.

He allowed her to continue, but only for a moment or two. He freed her lips and traced her cheekbones with his thumbs, lightly back and forth, his gaze heated.

“I burn for you, Julianne, but it’s more than just a physical hunger. I crave you, all of you.” He sighed and shook his head. “I hate to do this, but there are a few things we need to discuss.”

Julia’s sigh matched his. “Such as?”

“Such as my trip to Italy. I should have told you first.”

She sat up slowly. “Professors travel for work. I know that.” She dropped her gaze to the blanket beneath them.

Gabriel sat up too. “Julianne.” He lifted her chin with a single finger.

“Don’t hide from me. Tell me what you are thinking.”

She twisted her hands together. “I know I don’t have any right to be — demanding, but it hurt to find out that Richard knew about your trip before I did.”

“You have every right to be demanding. I am your boyfriend. I should have told you first.”

“Are you my boyfriend?” she whispered.

“I’m more than that. I am your lover.”

Gabriel’s words and his voice, low and sensual, sent a shiver up her spine.

“Even though we aren’t having sex?”

“Lovers are intimate with one another in many different ways. But you need to know that I desire all intimacy with you and only you. So the term boyfriend is inadequate. And I’m very sorry I hurt your feelings. My trip to Italy came up when Richard and I discussed the house because it affected our arrangements.

“I received the invitation from the Uffizi months ago, long before you came to Toronto. I wanted to bring it up, but I was putting it off until we were more — comfortable with one another.”

She peered over at him with interest.

“I wanted your Christmas gift to be a trip to Florence. Of course I don’t want to go alone. The thought of leaving you behind, of being separated from you — ” His voice grew rough. “I was worried you’d refuse, that you would think it was a tool of seduction.”

She frowned at him. “Do you really want me to go with you?”

“I’d rather not go if you won’t accompany me.”

She smiled widely and kissed him. “Then thank you for the invitation. I accept.”

Gabriel smiled in relief and buried his face in her hair. “After what happened with the clothes, I was convinced you’d say no. I’ll book separate accommodations, if you wish. And I’ll book you an open ticket so you can leave if you decide — ”

“Gabriel, I said yes. With all my heart. I can think of no one I’d rather visit Florence with, and please let me stay with you.” She looked at him shyly.

“The semester will be over. We wouldn’t be breaking the rules if we were to…if you were to decide to take me to your bed and make me yours — ”

He cut her off with a searing kiss. “Are you sure? Are you sure you want me to be your first?”

She gazed at him earnestly. “It was always you, Gabriel. I never wanted anyone else. You are the man I’ve been waiting for.”

She initiated a soft kiss that quickly escalated. Within moments she was lying on top of him, their bodies flush together. She was so close to him, to it, to everything. And she’d never wanted to be closer, not even during their tango in the museum.

He pulled back, panting, dragging his lips down her neck. Carefully avoiding her love bite from earlier, he brushed a kiss against her hair. Julia moaned and wrapped his hair around her fingers.

“It’s too dangerous, love. I can’t kiss you the way I would like to and be able to stop.”

Despite his protestation, his hands ran tantalizing courses up and down the curves of her bottom and over the flare of her hips, teasing and pressing into her. Julia tried to kiss him again, but he caught her face with his hand, stroking her gently.

“Too much of that and I’ll have you right here,” he whispered. “You deserve better. You deserve everything, and that’s what I’m going to give to you.”

She leaned into his hand.

“Given your decision, there are a few other things we should discuss.”

Gabriel’s voice was no longer playful and sultry. He cleared his throat and took a couple of deliberate deep breaths. “If you choose to go on the pill or if you are on it already, that’s fine. But I need to tell you that contracep-tion is unnecessary.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I can’t have children, Julianne.”

She blinked at him.

“Are children something you always wanted? Maybe I should have brought this up sooner.” He shifted somewhat anxiously.

She paused as his revelation began to sink in. “I didn’t exactly come from a happy family. There have been times when I thought it might be nice to have a husband and a baby. But I never really thought something like that would work out for me.”