First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (16 page)

“You know, my Bella. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were scared.” Gabriel planted a loving kiss on her lips while staring into her eyes.

“Please. I’m fearless.” She shook her head.

Carefully, he kissed his way across her cheek and circled her ear, pausing momentarily to nibble her ear lobe. To his satisfaction, he could hear her gasp in pleasure. Gabriel continued down her neck, grazing lightly with his teeth. Isabella turned her head slightly to allow him better access.

“That’s my brave girl,” he teased.

“I told you. Fearless,” she mumbled.

“Right. I must’ve forgotten.” Gabriel grinned as buried his face in her chest. The smell of her was intoxicating. She was wearing the perfume he’d bought her.
Amore
by Vince Camuto.

He found her nipples and took one into his mouth, licking and sucking as he rubbed his palm over the other. In his groin, he could feel his erection growing, getting harder. Pressing it against her, he discovered her hand now struggled to slip down his pants. “Unh unh uh.” Gabriel pulled away.

“This is for you.” He kissed his way the length of her torso. Soon he reached the skirt, and smiled. He wouldn’t even have to take it off. Gabriel parted her legs even as she hesitated. “Oh, I see. If you’re not afraid, you must not trust me.”

Her head popped up off the pillow and she frowned. “I trust you.” Isabella’s frown faded. “I really do.” Her knees fell open, exposing her black thong.

Gabriel swallowed hard. “Maybe you shouldn’t trust me.” She stared at him, brown furrowed. “I’m joking,” he whispered. With a hand on the inside of each knee, he ran them down her inner thighs until they hit the cotton. He knew what he was going to do, what he’d wanted to do for so long. At the moment, he couldn’t look at her, he just had to act, to remove her panties, so he could taste her.

It only took a moment. The thin thong waistband snapped with little exertion. This was the time he’d had a good look at her. Oh my lord, she was magnificent. He ran his fingers around her clitoris, being careful not to hurt her. Her hips shifted slightly as he touched her and he’d hear the occasional gasp. Really, he wanted to make her moan. Best of all would be if he could get her to say his name.

Slowly, Gabriel took the two fingers he’d been using on her, and wet them with his tongue. She still smelled like her shower gel, fresh and clean. He could feel her watching him, so he decided to make it a good show. Casually, he slipped those fingers inside her. He remembered how she liked it, the rhythm of his movements, starting with nice long strokes and ending faster, more intense, until she came. He’d be sure to let her ride it out, allowing her to set the pace.

Opening his mouth, he leaned down and let his tongue get to work. He licked her, up, down around, sucking here and there on her hood. While he worked, he noted her reaction, what drove her mad, made her hips buck up to meet him, how to make her pant. In his pants, he was positively throbbing. Still, he couldn’t have been happier.

Gabriel saw how excited she was. “Let go,” he whispered against her clitoris.

Her head rocked from side to side. “I can’t.” She panted hard.

“Of course you can. Don’t be afraid.” His fingers switched to the come hither motion that had been so effective before.

Isabella bit her lip and moaned. “I’ve never done it this way. Ever.” She could barely grunt out the words.

“Oh my love, did you just throw down the gauntlet?  Challenge accepted.” Then he turned his attention to her sucking and licking even more intently than before. He looked to her face and discovered she had begun to bite on the side of her finger. A moment later, she shattered. He could feel her muscles contracting around his fingers as she grew wetter. “That’s it, my love.”

“Oh, Gabriel,” she murmured.

“A first for you, but not your last.” He planted a kiss on her labia before moving up the bed and rolling her into his arms. “Rest. It has been a long day.” Holding her close, he watched as she slowly fell asleep.

***

Isabella

The next weekend Gabriel arrived as planned, but had a surprise for her. “Here,” he said, passing her a pewter Montreal souvenir key chain with a key on it.

“What’s this?” She asked laughing.

“That, darling,” he said gathering her in his arms, “is your key to my apartment.”

Isabella looked surprised. “Are you sure?” She asked with concern.

“Positive,” he responded, punctuating his word with a kiss on her nose. “So, want to go try it out?  I’m eager to start decorating. We’ll pack the kids and be there by their bed time.”

“We’re staying over?  All of us?” This was new. Always the kids were with Jack if they were in Montreal overnight.

“Yes, so we’ll go now?  They have their own room. I bought bunk beds, but I thought you could decorate the rest of it. Anything you want.”

In just over an hour’s time, Isabella stood before the lock, allowing everyone in to Gabriel’s new home. While it obviously didn’t compare to the Charmant Estate, the apartment had its own appeal. To begin with, they were alone, no Jack to worry about, no one to entertain if they didn’t want to, and it had a lot of square footage.

As they walked in the front door, Gabriel began the grand tour. They were standing in a relatively large foyer, with the closet directly to their left. To the right was a closed door, which would be the study, but currently only held Gabriel’s desk, computer equipment, a file cabinet, and the sofa from his bedroom. “The sofa pulls out,” he explained. “So I thought we might use it as a guest room if need be.” Isabella nodded numbly.

The next door after the study belonged to one of the full baths. “The other is off of the master suite. So, this is the one the kids and all our guests will be using.” He spoke as though he hoped to remind her of the decorating task at hand.

Straight back they found the fully equipped angular kitchen with a large pantry and granite counters. Every appliance from the fridge to the stove, to the microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator was stainless steel. Open floor plan meant the kitchen flowed to the dining room, which flowed to the living room.

“Good for entertaining, eh?” He proudly gestured while giving her the tour. “And I thought maybe we could find some stools for the counter?” Again, Isabella nodded while walking around the room numbly.

The dining room had a horrible brass chandelier. She looked to Gabriel for a reaction. “We can change it,” he announced. “Whatever makes you happy. I want you to feel at home here, Bella.” He didn’t have a dining room table yet, but again apparently the choice would be hers.

Separating the dining room from the living room were two half walls with an archway opening and two large graceful columns that stretched to the floor on either side. Isabella smiled widely. Even more impressive were the French doors in the back wall, which no doubt opened into the master bedroom. The fireplace in the living room had a beige marble facade and was surrounded by built in bookcases. The spacious living room had an airy feel because of the high ceilings throughout the apartment, and appeared light filled due to the generous number of large windows in that and every other room.

She opened the door to the right, just inside the living room to find the kid’s bedroom, which held a maple twin bunk bed and a matching dresser. The current comforters were simple down linen ones. “We can keep them in a closet for guests,” he remarked, “once you’ve done over the kids’ room.” Isabella smiled slightly, overwhelmed by the apartment and Gabriel.

At last she cautiously opened the French doors. Straight back, in between the windows stood a huge four post mahogany bed, similar to the one Bella had at home, but far more expensive and with more intricate carvings. There was also a matching armoire, dresser, jewelry chest, and mirror. “Is it okay?” He asked concerned. “I know I didn’t wait for you, but my father wanted me to leave my bed there so I could always come home. And I know it’s only queen sized, but I never want to ever sleep too far away from you.” He smiled warmly at her while he waited for a reaction. Her response took too long in coming. “Bella?  Darling?”

Without speaking, she wandered through the dressing area into the bathroom, with its double sinks, built in vanity, Jacuzzi tub, and separate shower with multiple showerheads. Every aspect of the place amazed her. On thing was obvious, he had purchased the place with Isabella and the children in mind.

“What do you think?” He seemed anxious for her approval.

“This isn’t a bachelor pad.” She eyed him while considering the ramifications of his new place.

“No,” he responded confused. “Why would I have a bachelor pad?”

“You’re a bachelor.” She wore a serious expression on her face.

“No, I’m not.” Gabriel folded his arms across his broad chest.

Isabella shook her head. “This is a family apartment.”

His eyes narrowed. “I have a family.”

Isabella grew frustrated. Either he truly didn’t understand or he refused to see what she tried so desperately to point out to him. Regardless, she found herself aggravated. She stared at him a moment, tapping her foot. Finally she shrugged, recognizing the futility of the discussion. “Okay. I give up.”

“So you like it?”

“Yes. I love it.” She nodded with a slight smile.

“So you’ll come every weekend, with or without the kids?” He walked towards her now, ready to wrap his arms around her.

Isabella cocked her head to one side. “We’ll see.”

“No, promise.” He stood mere inches from her.

“I never make a promise I don’t intend to keep.” She shrank from him.

Using his entire foot taller frame, he loomed over her, pretending to be threatening. “Promise,” he said firmly.

Isabella giggled. “Okay. I promise we’ll see.”

Gabriel groaned, picked her up, and tossed her on the bed.

The rest of the weekends in September seemed to rush by. Every moment had been spent making the apartment a home. The walls were painted in a variety of warm natural tones. A dark taupe graced the walls in the living room. A brushed nickel one with decorator shades from the Bombay Company had replaced the chandelier in the dining room. The dining room set finally arrived from Pier One Imports, with seating for eight.

Rebecca and Konnor’s room was nothing short of spectacular, with the room done to look like clouds during the day, but glowed from the light of planets, the moon, and stars at night, even the bedspread. It was a happy room, perfect for the kids.

Couches from the Pottery Barn faced each other on opposite sides of the fireplace. A faux fur throw and pillow on each made the couch even more inviting than normal. On the marble hearth beside the fireplace stood the enormous pot from Cape Cod, which just appeared one day, addressed to Isabella. Gabriel’s had selected a black and white photograph Isabella had taken of River Walk to enlarge and frame. It hung over the fireplace to disguise the television behind it.

Isabella put the most thought into their bedroom, not that anyone else would really see it. The room would become her ultimate present for Gabriel: his Moroccan paradise, a room masculine enough for him in her absence, yet warm, inviting, and romantic enough for the two of them to enjoy together.

The walls were painted an earthy shade of sage. The curtains were a satin sand shade. The comforter set had been created of jacquard paisley in linen, basil, plum, and maroon, accented in gold tones. There were layers of pillows on the bed, and Egyptian cotton sheets in all the shades which matched the comforter waiting in the linen closet. Aside from the linens, her only major purchase for the room had been the lounger, large enough for two. In this deep plum chair, she envisioned snuggling with Gabriel every chance she had.

The last weekend in September, the remodel complete, they decided to invite all of Gabriel’s friends over for dinner. Since the kids were with Jack, they could even go out after, if they desired.

Dinner was nearly ready, the table was set, the candles lit, and fresh flowers accented every room. Gabriel and Isabella hugged each other as they gazed around the apartment. Suddenly Isabella was overcome with the desire to photograph it before their guests arrived.

The lighting was perfect. As she readied her camera, she realized this place had all the makings of a layout in one of those architectural digest magazines. She could almost see it. She smiled as she snapped shot after shot, capturing each room from every angle imaginable. She even stole into the kids’ room to record how neat and pristine it could be in their absence.

“What are you doing?” Gabriel watched her work, beaming. Isabella positively glowed.

She moved around the room smoothly, gracefully, completely focused on the task at hand. “It may never look like this again. So I suppose I’m recording it for posterity.” She beamed then returned to her task at hand. She was so absorbed in snapping pictures, she didn’t even notice as Gabriel locked the door to the kids’ room once she exited it.

***

Gabriel

The doorbell signaled the arrival of their guests. It became readily apparent the apartment was nothing like they expected. “Whoa,” Ben commented.