Page 25 of Touched By Destiny
“It’ll be good to see Uncle Alden,” Eric remarked.
Richard waved an agitated hand in the air. “Yes. Yes, of course. Can’t wait.Eric. What the fuck? You want to sleep with Gabriel again? Are you sure?”
“I think I do,” Eric replied, then shook his head. “I know I do.”
“Baby, he’s already rejected you twice. Why are you suddenly throwing caution to the wind?”
“Because he’s my soulmate. I know he doesn’t want to be, and I respect that. Okay, that’s a lie. I’veacceptedthat. But why should I have to go without sex until he decides he’s ready to face what’s between us?” Eric demanded.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t. But I’m scared it’s never going to be that easy. You have feelings for him, and he can hurt you again. We were just talking about how much you misshis friendship. What if having sex again pulls you even further apart?”
“If I go into this knowing it’s just sex, it’ll be fine.”
Eric turned to meet Richard’s gaze and found concern darkening his brother’s blue eyes. “You’re an adult, and I have to trust you when you say you know what you’re doing. But I’m also terrified.”
“I think we should do another club night.”
“Can I at least put you in the emergency outfit and have him swallow his tongue when he gets a look at you?”
“Yes. In fact, I want you to make me as sexy as possible,” Eric said, privately wondering if he could even convince Gabriel to sleep with him again.
Richard rubbed his hands together. “Thankfully, I have the perfect canvas to work with. We’re going to blow him away. A week’s notice should be enough for our stalwart security supervisor.”
“A week is good.”
“Promise me you won’t even talk to the man afterward,” Richard said. “Don’t give him any chance to say something about regret or any of that other bullshit. Stalk out of that room with your head held high, okay? Enjoying yourself right now is fine, but someday we have to fix your matebond.”
The memory of Gabriel tossing that washcloth at him, then breaking his heart, stole through his wounded soul, and he wondered if he was making another colossal mistake.
“I will be careful. It’s just sex right now,” Eric stated, though the words were more for himself than for Richard. “I’m just going to be fucked by a beautiful man, then walk out.”
“And if he hurts you again, I get to kick him in the balls.”
“Deal.”
Chapter 12
Exercise used to be therapeutic for Gabriel, but today’s hour with his punching bag had just made him tired. As much as he wanted a nap, he was expected for dinner, so he took a quick shower and pulled on chinos and a polo. Since Rosalind was buzzing with excitement over having Alden at the table, Gabriel wasn’t anticipating a quick meal. Which meant he’d spend at least the next hour or two with Eric.
Pleasure and pain wound through him as he shoved his feet into shoes and braced himself for socializing. Once he was sure he’d tamped down his emotions, Gabriel left his house and walked up to the mansion at nearly his usual speed. He was hungry, and he enjoyed the company of the Marwoods, but being around Eric caused a sticky mess of emotions Gabriel could barely negotiate.
It brought him joy to gaze at Eric’s beautiful face. Until he saw the look in Eric’s bright blue eyes. Gone was the dreamy man lost in whatever thoughts brought him happiness. Instead, Eric’s anger and disappointment were impossible to miss. And it made Gabriel feel like a complete shit. He’d callously rejected him, and Gabriel swore his soul ached with the thought.
As hard as Gabriel tried, he couldn’t stop revisiting the moment their lives had irrevocably changed. New questions had popped into his head that morning. Instead of waiting for a day when their souls would part, Gabriel was wondering how long he could keep pretending his feelings for Eric were mundane.
With a shake of his head at his own stupidity, Gabriel pulled open the door of the mansion and immediately heard the Marwoods chatting happily.
“Gabriel,” Clark called out, spotting him. “Come on over and say hello to Alden. Can I grab you a drink?”
“It’s great to see you,” Gabriel told Alden as they shook hands. Like his brother, Alden had dark hair and blue eyes. But Alden’s gaze remained clouded with sadness.
“Always a pleasure to see you too, Gabriel. How are you?” Alden asked. “How is ghost-hunting going with Eric?”
“Eric’s a master with his ghosts. He gets more to cross into his portals with each passing year. I’m well, how are you?”
“I’m doing great. I was intending to spend the weekend in LA, but Rosalind cornered me at the house, and here I am,” Alden remarked.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Dad,” Maribeth enthused, winding her arm through her father’s.