In the Dark (The Rules #2)(18)

He chuckles. “I don’t want to go in the hot tub. Not tonight. I was hoping to take you somewhere else.”

If he says bed I’m going to tell him to stuff it. Seriously. I don’t put out on the second date. I’ve never put out at all. I don’t think Gabe has a clue that he’s dealing with a virgin here.

Well guess what? He is. And I’m not going to give it up so easily to him either. If ever. I’ve held onto it for this long. I can wait for the right guy to come into my life. One who I’ll fall madly in love with and maybe even hope to have babies with someday. I’m all about commitment. I know what happened to Mama. Young and vulnerable, naïve and trusting, she’d given everything to the man who is my birth father and he ditched her before I was even born. Granted he was just a teenager but so was she. Not even his family supported her or helped her after I was born.

Mama was on her own.

“What did you have in mind?” I ask warily, not trusting him for a minute. I mean, I like the guy but he is a guy. And he’s made it plain that he’s sexually attracted to me. I see his appreciative looks. He keeps saying he approves of my curves and that’s refreshing. I figured guys like him would only be attracted to perfect stick figures not like me.

“Let me show you and you’ll find out.”

Telling myself to ignore his adorable smile, I let us into the house. He takes my hand the minute I shut the door and leads me up the stairs, glancing back when we we’re at the top. “Where’s the master bedroom?”

Just what I was afraid of. I tug my hand out of his grip, glaring at him. “If you think I’m going to let you into my—dad’s bedroom, you’re sorely mistaken.” That’s another thing, his made up story for me. It was great because now I don’t have to come up with anything and I was at a complete loss in what to tell him, too. He solved that problem quick.

But he also made me feel guilty for lying. I don’t like liars and here I am, playing at one. It sucks.

Bad.

Gabe rolls his eyes. “I’m not trying anything shady, I just want out on that balcony. It’s directly off the master, right?”

Oh. The balcony. Even I haven’t been up there because…I don’t know, I don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable in this house considering it’s not mine. “It is,” I admit, feeling foolish for doubting him. He’s a charming flirt but he’s never pushed me or made me feel uncomfortable. I should give him a break. “Last door on the left.”

He takes my hand once more and leads me down the quiet hall, opening the last door on the left and pulling me inside. The room is huge and I reach out to the wall switch and flick on the lights. Six recessed canned lights come on, bathing us in a flattering golden glow and Gabe flashes me a grin.

“Nice. Mood lighting.” He raises his eyebrows in an exaggerated gesture and I laugh weakly.

My palms are literally sweating. I hope he doesn’t notice.

The double doors that take up nearly the entire wall are uncovered, offering us a perfect view of the private docks that are part of the perks of being in this gated community and the ocean lies just beyond like a shimmering, moving blanket of blue. I’m an inner city girl. I may live in Southern California but I rarely have time to go to the beach. Having this view spread out before me on a daily basis is still mind blowing.

But I forget all about the view when I realize a certain someone is watching me, waiting for some sort of response. When I don’t give it, Gabe lets go of my hand and goes to the double doors, turning the lock and opening them both up while standing in the middle of them. He turns to smile at me, indicating with his arm that I should go outside. “Join me?”

I walk toward him, nerves bouncing inside of my stomach and making me jittery. He doesn’t tear his gaze away from mine, continues watching me as I approach and when I reach him, he gently takes my arm and leads me out onto the balcony.

The cool breeze brings with it the scent of the ocean and I breathe deep the salty smell, a little shiver moving through me. The view is spectacular. I can see the city lights to the south of us and the half full moon shines its silvery light on the water.

“Let’s go sit,” Gabe says, his seductive voice sending another shiver down my spine. I go to the overstuffed couch and settle in, gasping in shock when Gabe sits right next to me, our thighs pressed together as he slips his arm around my shoulders.

“Beautiful view,” he murmurs, his nose nuzzling my cheek for the briefest, sweetest second.

I lean into him despite my earlier worry. When it comes to him, it’s like I can’t help the way I react. That’s incredibly scary. “It is.”

“Sit up here much?”

I shake my head, trying to ignore the way he draws circles on my bare shoulder with his finger. Wow, that feels good. “Not really.”

“You’ve never brought any of your other boyfriends up here?” He raises his brows, waiting for my answer.

“No.” I turn to look at him, surprised to find him already staring at me. “Truth? I haven’t had a lot of boyfriends.”

He frowns, reaching out to trace his index finger down the side of my face, stopping at my earlobe so he can toy with my earring. His simple touch makes me tingle everywhere and I breathe out slowly, trying to control my reaction. “Are you serious?” he asks.