Falling into Exposure Read online

  “Oh my God,” she gasps. “Are you serious? What happened?”

  I walk towards Gabriel and curl into his arms. He leans down and kisses me, stroking my back as I explain.

  “It happened so fast.” I shudder, remembering the thud as Gabriel fell to the ground in front of me. “Two men came up behind us and hit him in the head with something. They were trying to rob us.”

  I look up at Gabriel for reassurance, and he pulls me closer. “And then I made it worse,” I mumble.

  “What? How?” Alanna asks.

  “She was trying to help,” Gabriel interjects. “But one of them turned on Victoria and attacked her.”

  “Oh my God, Toto!” Alanna lunges forward and pulls me into a bear hug. “Attacked you how? Did he touch you? I swear to God if someone else hurt you like that again…”

  I cringe as Gabriel shoots Alanna a questioning glance. She realizes her mistake immediately and silently begs me for forgiveness.

  “What do you mean?” he asks in a low voice. “Again?”

  “I’m fine.” I groan in frustration. “Everybody just needs to relax. Nothing happened and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “I’m sorry,” Alanna whispers.

  Gabriel pulls me back to him, enclosing me in his arms. I can tell he’s irritated by another secret, but there isn’t much I can do about that.

  “I know you said you’re fine,” he says stiffly. “But you might not feel that way later. I don’t want you being left alone for a while.”

  “I can guarantee you she will not be left alone,” Alanna assures him.

  “I don’t need to be babysat.” I scold them both.

  “Well, it won’t be for long anyway,” Gabriel announces. “I want to take you away for the weekend. We can leave tonight, just as soon as I’ve wrapped up some loose ends at work.”

  “What?” I blink in surprise. “But Alanna…”

  Alanna holds up her hand. “No, Victoria. Don’t worry about me. I can stay with Nathan. And I think you should go, it would be good to get away for a couple days.” She looks at Gabriel sternly. “As long as you promise to take care of her.”

  “Always.” He smiles, kissing me on the temple.

  “But where will we go?” I ask nervously.

  “I have a place, it’s only a couple hours from here. Nobody knows I have it. It will just be you and me for the weekend.”

  I can’t stop the grin from creeping across my face. That sounds blissful.

  ***

  Gabriel leaves a couple hours later after making me promise that I wouldn’t go to work today. He arranges to pick me up at 5:00 pm sharp this evening and tells me to pack light, whatever that means. He has no clue how women work.

  Alanna has been following me all over the apartment like a puppy dog, driving me crazy. So I have a long hot shower just to get some peace. When I get out I ask her if she wants to go shopping with me since I want to get a couple things for this weekend.

  As we walk down the street, I start to relive last night’s events and my stomach churns. Maybe Gabriel was right. I’m glad he was so overprotective this morning, and even more thankful that Alanna is by my side.

  “I still can’t get over what happened to you last night, Toto.”

  “I know,” I croak. “It was scary. I was so worried about Gabriel… I couldn’t see what was happening to him, and I didn’t know if he was okay or not.”

  “God, I can just imagine.”

  “I feel guilty,” I whisper.

  “Why? Toto, this wasn’t your fault? How could you think that?”

  “Because it was my fault,” I insist. “I wouldn’t let him choose the restaurant because I was worried about a photographer spotting him with me. So I chose, and then I told him we could walk. If it wasn’t for me, we would have never been there. And if that wasn’t enough, I acted stupidly under the circumstances, just making the whole situation worse.”

  Alanna stops in her tracks, pulling me to a halt.

  “No. I won’t let you do this.” She stares at me intently. “This is absolutely not your fault, Victoria. They were just really shitty circumstances that you couldn’t control. You had no way of knowing, and quite frankly it could happen to anyone, anywhere in this city. You acted the best way you knew how in the situation, and I don’t think you were stupid at all. You were trying to protect the man you care about.”

  I nod sheepishly, trying to hold back the tears. I’m so sick of crying. I don’t want to cry anymore.

  We walk on in silence for a few more moments before Alanna speaks again. “I’m really sorry about my slip up earlier Toto. I didn’t mean to say that in front of Gabriel, I was just so worried I wasn’t thinking straight.”

  “It’s okay,” I reassure her. “I just hope he won’t be interrogating me about it later.”

  We spend nearly three hours shopping. I end up with two silky camisoles and some new lace panties for the weekend. I buy a small bottle of jasmine massage oil and a new baby blue tie for Gabriel. I liked the color on him, and I hate that his new shirt got ruined.

  Alanna insists on treating me to a pedicure, saying it’s very important to have pretty feet on these kinds of trips. We stop for coffee and dessert on the way home, and that manages to kill most of the day. By the time we get back to the apartment, I have just enough time to pack and throw on some warm clothes before Gabriel arrives.

  Once we’ve ensured Alanna arrives safely at Nathan’s apartment, courtesy of Paul, Gabriel and I head downstairs. I half expect another driver to be waiting at the curb but am shocked when all I see is a sleek black motorcycle.

  “Is this what we’re taking?” I turn to him excitedly. The thought of him riding that has my panties soaking wet already. The bad boy has returned.

  “You’ve got it, baby.” He winks. “You’re gonna’ have to hold on tight.”

  Chapter Nine

  Gabriel

  I thunder down the freeway with Victoria’s arms wrapped around me tight. She’s the first woman that’s ever been on my motorcycle, not to mention the first I’ve ever taken to my cabin. For some reason, she’s the only one I could ever imagine bringing here. Anya would have hated coming to a place like this. So would the rest of them.

  We spend two hours on the road before we make it to Hunter. It’s just a small town, in New York away from the noise of the city. But my cabin is even further away, down a long dirt road in the middle of a whole lot of nothing.

  I purchased this place for that very reason. It’s my place to hide away from the world when I need to. Nobody else knows I own this property. But I look forward to showing it to Victoria, holing up with her for the next two days.

  After several miles of driving through dense forest, I turn down another dirt driveway that dips into a small valley. As the cabin and private lake come into view, I hear Victoria gasp behind me.

  I pull to a stop and turn off the motorcycle. As I unload the bags and lead Victoria inside, her eyes are darting around, taking everything in. I’m afraid to ask if she likes it. Because I really need her to like it.

  The lights are already on, courtesy of the housekeeper. Victoria stands in the doorway, looking around the kitchen and dining area. When she turns, she spots the large open windows overlooking the lake and finally makes a noise of approval.

  My chest fills with relief as she walks across the room and stares out at the water.

  “Gabriel, this place is amazing,” she says. “So beautiful. I never would have expected it.”

  I walk over and pull her against me, kissing her softly.

  “I’m glad you like it. I come here to relax.”

  She looks up at me with adoration and grins. “So do you mean to say, I’m the first girl you’ve brought here?”

  “You’re the first and only woman I’ve wanted to bring here.”

  She flushes under my words, burying her face against my chest as she squeezes me a little tighter.

  “Come on.” I reach fo
r her hand and tug her along. “You haven’t seen the best part yet.”

  Upstairs, I open the refinished sliding barn doors that enclose the master suite. Victoria darts straight to the bed covered with a fluffy white comforter and flops back onto it.

  “This is like a cloud,” she muses.

  “I’m glad it only takes the simplest things to please you.” I chuckle. “But I was actually referring to the bathtub.”

  She sits up dazedly. “Oh, okay.”

  She follows me through the stone archway and freezes when she sees the garden tub. It’s filled with hot water, steam rising up from it.

  “How did you… I mean when?”

  My fingertips move of their own accord to caress her cheek.

  “The housekeeper did it for me, I arranged it earlier. I assumed you would be chilled from our ride.”

  She lunges forward, pulling me into her arms and hugging me tightly. I’m only too happy to oblige her, wrapping my arms around her as my lips meet hers. But then she pulls back suddenly, biting her lip as she eyes my leather jacket.

  She glances up, searching my eyes for permission before she unzips it. Her hands are warm and soft as she reaches inside, and I groan. She peels it off my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. Her fingers skim my waistband and pull the bottom of my shirt up unhurriedly.

  I close my eyes as her fingers dance across my skin, soaking up my warmth. She drags the shirt over my head, and then unzips my jeans, slowly pulling them down too. My cock is already rock hard, jerking to get her attention. She mewls at the sight of it, leisurely rubbing her palm along the shaft. And I can’t take any more. My hands move over her, ripping her clothes from her feverishly.

  Once she’s naked, I lift her impatiently and press her against the stone wall behind her. I wrap her legs around me as I devour her mouth with mine. The only time I pull away is to find her breast, bringing it to my greedy mouth. I suck her nipple roughly as she writhes in my arms, her wetness rubbing against my cock. I can’t wait any longer. I need to bury myself inside of her and forget everything else. My hands grip the soft curves of her butt as I nudge closer.

  “Please,” she whimpers.

  “Please, what?” I smirk. I love how much she enjoys this. How greedy she is to feel my cock. It turns me on like nothing else ever has.

  “I want you inside of me Gabriel, now. Please quit teasing and fuck me.”

  I close my eyes and grunt. “What you do to me, Victoria,” I whisper. “I love it when you talk to me like that.”

  She bucks back against the cold stone wall as I thrust inside of her. Then she reaches her hand up and strokes my cheek while she stares into my eyes, appraising every inch of me. For a minute, I don’t move. I want to hear her beg again.

  “Gabriel,” she moans.

  My cock swells and my fingers squeeze her hips in response.

  “Yes, Victoria. Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need.”

  “I want you,” she whispers softly. “I need you.”

  I plunge all the way into her, quickly finding my rhythm. She quivers with delight on every impact, the tension fleeing her body as she explodes around me. The tremors are still engulfing my cock as I thrust one last time, blowing my load inside of her. My forehead dips down and rests against her as I close my eyes and steady my breath.

  “I love feeling you come around me,” I murmur.

  She leans back into the wall behind her, panting. “I do too. Much more than you know.”

  I lead her to the bath and climb inside, pulling her along with me. I wrap my legs around her and pull her back to relax against my chest, exactly where I want her.

  “What do you mean much more than I know?” I ask.

  Her shoulders tense, telling me this is another secret.

  “I just meant… I don’t know. I don’t really want to explain it, it’s embarrassing.”

  “Please, Victoria. I don’t like secrets, remember? You have far too many as it is.”

  She holds her breath for a few moments, lost in thought.

  “Tell me,” I coax.

  She sighs. “It’s just that… well… you’re the only man who has ever… you know.”

  I look down into her amber eyes, searching. “No, I don’t know. I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to be a bit more specific than that.”

  “You are the only man….” Her voice cracks. “Who has ever done that.”

  I try to stifle a smile as her cheeks flame bright red. “Victoria, you don’t need to be embarrassed with me. You can tell me anything. But I still don’t really understand. I know you’ve been with other men before…”

  She clasps her hands to her face in frustration.

  “For fuck’s sake, Gabriel, I was NOT a virgin when I met you. I don’t know how to say this without sounding pathetic. You’re the only man who has ever given me an orgasm.” She bows her head to her knees, mortified.

  “Are you serious?” I sigh in disbelief. “But you’re so responsive. I don’t see how that’s even possible.”

  “I am serious. And I’m responsive to you because you showed me things I didn’t even know could be so gratifying. I don’t know what it is about you, but it’s like you know exactly what I need. Even better than I do.”

  I close my eyes and revel in her admission. How can I tell her that I feel the same way?

  “Victoria…” I hesitate uncertainly.

  “I know. It’s pathetic, right?” she laughs half-jokingly.

  “Not pathetic,” I say. “Don’t talk about yourself like that, ever. I don’t like it.”

  I pick her up and turn her so that she’s straddling my lap. Her eyes are once again searching mine, desperate for my approval and comfort.

  “Victoria, I feel exactly the same way.”

  “What do you mean?” she asks softly.

  “I mean that you anticipate my needs and desires better than anyone else. You give me everything I want, in every way.”

  She lets out a sigh of relief as she wraps her arms around my neck and nuzzles into me.

  “I know it’s still early,” I continue, “but I’m completely captivated by you. You are the most fiery and stubborn woman I’ve ever met, and it turns me on to no end. You’re also a natural submissive when I want you to be, and I’m constantly surprised by you.”

  She leans forward and pulls me into a passionate kiss, mounting my growing erection again. I sit back and watch her in awe as she rides me with everything she has, milking my cock until I explode inside of her again.

  When we finally climb into bed an hour later, her fingers are pruned and I can tell she is exhausted. I pull her into my arms and fall asleep to the sounds of the water sloshing softly against the bank below.

  Chapter Ten

  Victoria

  I wake early the next morning to the sounds of birds chirping outside the window. Nature. It sounds so unnerving after years of living in the city. I can sleep through trains, planes, and automobiles… but not a little bird chirping.

  Gabriel’s beautiful naked body is against me, his leg draped over me protectively. Pure bliss. A warm feeling spreads through my chest as I recall his sweet words to me last night. In his own way, he kind of admitted that he’s crazy about me.

  I want to be happy. I want to shout it from the rooftops. But I can’t help the sense of dread that lingers deep in the pit of my stomach. I can want it with every ounce of my being, but it makes no difference. Ultimately, if I stay I’ll be putting him in danger. The thought of Eleanore hurting Gabriel makes me nauseous, and it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.

  I gently slide out from beneath him, and he rolls over and mumbles something incoherent in his sleep. I sit up wearily, trying not to let the looming feelings of defeat overcome me. Our relationship might be doomed, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the here and now.

  I head to the bathroom and pick up his crumpled tee shirt from last night. As I tug it over my head, I close my eyes and inhale his delicious
scent. After splashing some water on my face, I twist my hair into a loose bun on the top of my head and head downstairs.

  When I open the refrigerator, I’m surprised to find it fully stocked. I pull out some eggs and an assortment of vegetables and get to work. After chopping and whisking for ten minutes, I wrangle my concoction into a pie tin and pop it in the oven. As I’m doing dishes, Gabriel wraps his arms around me from behind.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispers into my ear.

  I turn into him, kissing him on the cheek and pressing my head into his bare chest. It’s warm and smells delicious, and I don’t want to move.

  “What was that tune you were just humming?” he asks curiously.

  “Oh.” I laugh. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow. It’s cheesy I know, but I’ve always loved that song. My Dad used to sing it to me after my mom died. It was our thing.”

  He looks down at me and smiles. “Not cheesy at all then.”

  “I’m making you breakfast,” I say proudly.

  “I can see that. By the way, you look sexy as hell in my tee shirt and those panties. I had to fight the urge to rip them off.”

  “Well, you’ll just have to wait.” I smile playfully. “I need sustenance for what is no doubt going to be a very taxing day.”

  ***

  After breakfast, Gabriel told me apologetically that he had to make a business call. I shooed him upstairs and told him not to worry about it. I want to use the opportunity to explore the premises anyway.

  I slip into my bikini and throw Gabriel’s shirt back on over it. I’d normally be a little more reserved about traipsing around in a bikini, but I don’t have to worry about that with him. He’s seen me naked in all sorts of compromising positions and still seems to worship my body. I throw on a pair of flip flips and grab my camera from my bag, determined to have some good memories of this weekend with Gabriel.

  As I walk around outside, I snap photos of squirrels, the lush trees against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, and the water lapping at my feet as I test it out. Once I’m satisfied with the shots I’ve gotten in, I walk back to the deck to test out the hammock that lies out over the water.