Rush (Breathless #1)(54)

“Does that make you angry?”

He sighed. “I’m not going to get pissed at you for wondering about something I said was a possibility, Mia. There’s nothing wrong with your being curious. And I’m glad you’re not afraid. Does it excite you? Having someone else touch you while I’m watching and commanding the scene?”

Slowly she nodded. Her ni**les hardened and her pu**y clenched around his dick, sending a wave of pleasure through his groin. Yeah, the idea obviously excited her. He just wasn’t sure it was something he could ever give her. He wasn’t sure if he could stand by and watch another man touch what was his.

He leaned down to kiss her, not voicing any further thoughts on the matter.

He was really beginning to hate that f**king contract.

Chapter eighteen

Gabe’s line buzzed, and he frowned at the interruption. Mia was across the room at her desk—a distraction in itself—but he was putting together financials for a proposed island resort, and he’d specifically told Eleanor he wasn’t to be disturbed.

“What,” he barked into the intercom.

Eleanor’s nervous voice wavered over the line. “I know you said you weren’t to be disturbed, Mr. Hamilton, but your father is here to see you. He says it’s important. I didn’t think it wise to send him away.”

Gabe’s brow crinkled and his frown deepened. Across the room, Mia looked up from her work, worry in her eyes.

“I’ll come out,” Gabe said after a moment’s hesitation. He didn’t want whatever was on his father’s mind to be aired in front of Mia.

“I can leave, Gabe,” Mia said softly as he rose.

He shook his head. He much preferred her here in his office. Away from the gossip and speculation of others. He’d already uncovered the person responsible for breaking into his office—it hadn’t taken much encouraging on his part to get her coworkers to out her—and he’d terminated her on the spot without a reference. He wanted Mia as far away from that kind of environment as possible.

He strode out to the reception area to see his father standing a short distance from Eleanor’s desk. His father looked thoughtful and ill at ease. Gabe had never seen him look so uncomfortable. Especially around Gabe.

“Dad,” Gabe said in greeting. “What can I do for you?”

His father’s expression grew even more somber. There was a hint of regret that shadowed his eyes.

“There used to be a time when I’d come to see you and you didn’t ask me such a thing. You were glad to see me.”

Guilt dampened some of the irritability that plagued Gabe.

“You usually call. I wasn’t expecting you. I was concerned that something was wrong,” Gabe said.

His father hesitated a moment, then shoved his hands into the pockets of his expensive slacks. “There is. Can we go somewhere and talk? Have you had lunch yet? I was hoping you’d have time for me.”

“I always have time for you,” Gabe said softly, echoing a sentiment he’d offered his mother. Used to be he could spend time with them both and not have to split it between them.

Relief dimmed some of the worry in his father’s eyes.

“Let me call for my car,” Gabe said.

He turned to Eleanor. “Have the car pick us up outside. And make sure Mia eats lunch. Let her know I’m not sure when I’ll return and that if I’m not back by four to go ahead and leave for the day.”

“Yes, sir,” Eleanor said.

“Shall we go?” Gabe asked his father. “The car should be around by the time we get out front.”

The two rode the elevator down in silence. It was awkward and stilted but Gabe made no move to right it. He wasn’t sure what it would take to mend the breach between them. He’d acted like a bastard at the cocktail party. His father was probably embarrassed by the quick defection of his date. That hadn’t been Gabe’s intention. No matter his anger or confusion when it came to his father, he loved him and he had no intention of hurting him. He only wanted his father to see the kind of woman he’d chosen to associate with.

They waited a brief moment before Gabe’s car pulled up and the two men got in. Gabe directed the driver to Le Bernardin—one of his dad’s favorite places to eat.

It wasn’t until the two were seated and their orders placed that Gabe’s father broke the silence. It was as if he couldn’t remain silent a moment longer and the words came bursting out, his face a mask of sadness and regret.

“I’ve made a terrible mistake,” his father admitted.

Gabe went still. He put the napkin he’d been unfolding just to have something to do down on the table. “I’m listening.”

His father scrubbed a hand over his face and it was then that Gabe could see just how weary he looked. He seemed older. Aged overnight. There were shadows in his eyes, and the wrinkles at his eyes and brow were more pronounced.

His father fidgeted a moment and then took a deep breath, his entire face crumpling. To Gabe’s horror, tears shone in his dad’s eyes.

“I was a fool for leaving your mother. It’s the worst mistake of my life. I don’t know what I was thinking. I just felt so trapped and unhappy and I reacted to that. I thought if I did this or I did that or if I started over that it would fix everything—that I’d be happier.”