Page 46 of Touched By Destiny
“I wasn’t expecting anyone to bring up Wolfebrier,” Gabriel remarked.
“Except for whoever picked that horrible piercing voice, they would’ve championed your cause. I don’t think you’ve ever understood that Rosalind and I had to rush to bail you out so another family didn’t scoop you up. For as many families as hate the destiny-touched, I believe there are those like us who desperately want them to live. Eric’s belief that there are many destiny-touched existing in secret is a tantalizing thought. I hope he’s right.”
“I’m pretty fond of Eric’s theory too,” Gabriel added and wondered if Clark would be as grateful for his rescue if he knew Eric was coming over to Gabriel’s house that night.
“Are we giving up on Arwynn and his desire to build an alliance?” Rhonda asked.
“He has no hope for success. Not right now anyway. I’m not sure what will need to change to convince anyone to compromise,” Clark said. “However, we’ll keep Arwynn as a buddy.”
“Really?” Rhonda asked.
Gabriel nodded. “Yep. We have to. Except for Arwynn, we don’t know who else was there. But Arwynn knows. He has the contact information for several families.”
“And what do we know about Arwynn? Very little except that somehow, he found the heads of many prominent necro families,” Clark said. “How? And is he really interested in an alliance, or is he hiding his true intentions?”
“Better go through your contact list again and see if you can ferret out any more information on Arwynn,” Gabriel replied.
“Indeed. I’ll email him too and keep it friendly. In fact, I’ll be his best fucking friend if it’ll get me some more information on him or his intentions.”
“I’m going to my office to check the recording on this, then I’ll destroy the phone,” Gabriel said, pocketing the device.
“Your office?” Rhonda asked. “That little shitty room at the end of the earth that you’re literally never in?”
“I don’t need a big space; I’m usually in the control room, walking the casino floor, or in here.”
“Now, now, children, let’s not fight,” Clark teased. “Gabriel likes his shitty little room.”
“Thanks, I think,” Gabriel retorted. “See you both later.”
Chapter 20
Eric was already in a great mood, and his spirits perked up even further as he teleported to Gabriel’s house. His brow creased as he realized Gabriel wasn’t there in the living room to greet him. Although their nights together hadn’t been plentiful, Gabriel was usually waiting for him with a couple of beers in his hand.
Eric tugged his phone out of his pocket to text or call Gabriel when the sound of running water registered. Deciding to investigate, Eric slipped his phone back into his slim pants and went upstairs. Gabriel’s bedroom was a loft open to the floor below and, like the rest of the house, was nondescript. Flanked by two nightstands with matching utilitarian lamps, the wide bed was covered in a beige comforter.
It was neat as a pin, and the only other things in the room were an alarm clock and a tall dresser. There wasn’t a stray sock, throw pillow, or picture on the wall to suggest anyone lived in the house. For reasons Eric couldn’t explain, it saddened him that everything about Gabriel’s home was plain. Nothing about it fit the enigmatic inspirit he’d crushed on since he was twelve.
Since Eric lacked interest in interior design, he supposed if he lived alone and didn’t have his mother following himaround with paint samples and fabric swatches, his place would probably look the same as Gabriel’s. With a chuckle, he berated himself for judging the way Gabriel lived. Gabriel mattered—not the things he surrounded himself with.
Resuming his hunt for Gabriel and the mysterious running water, Eric noted a bathroom to the left of the bedroom. The door was open, and Gabriel was in there taking a shower. Biting his lip, Eric was torn by indecision. It was rude to creep into a bathroom uninvited, but he’d already had sex with Gabriel, so his body wasn’t a complete mystery. Eric took a step closer and tilted his head to peek in the space.
Like the rest of the house, it was built to conserve space. A white cabinet with a matching sink sat next to the shower. The toilet wasn’t visible, so Eric assumed it was on the other side of the door. And Eric really needed to go downstairs to give Gabriel privacy.
Then the water shut off, and the metallic sound of the shower curtain hooks sliding against the rod stopped him in his tracks. His breath caught as he took in the sight of Gabriel in full naked, damp glory. Gabriel’s blond hair was slicked back and darkened nearly to brown, and his muscles went on forever. The chest hair Eric vividly recalled was flat against his pecs thanks to the water sluicing down his body.
On his toned tummy was a little trail leading to his wide cock, which was just as beautiful unaroused as it had been during those steamy moments in a hotel room many weeks ago. Gabriel snagged a towel from the rack and grinned at Eric.
“Enjoying the view?” Gabriel asked, his husky voice rich with amusement.
“Sorry, I should’ve waited downstairs.”
Desire and the simple pleasure of being with Gabriel fought for supremacy as the gorgeous inspirit walked towardhim. He’d grabbed a second towel and was rubbing it over his now-tangled tresses.
“You’re fine,” Gabriel said, moving close enough to rest a hand on Eric’s waist and brush their lips together. “I went for a run after dinner and needed a shower afterward.”
“Must’ve been a long run,” Eric managed as Gabriel went to his dresser and plucked clothes out. Although they’d fucked twice, there was something far more intimate about being in Gabriel’s bedroom as he dried himself. Eric swore he grew lightheaded as Gabriel dropped the towel and revealed his firm, muscled ass.
With swift movements, Gabriel pulled on boxers, shorts, and a T-shirt. It was a shame to cover his incredible form, but Eric was grateful. If he’d stayed naked for another second, Eric would’ve embarrassed himself by jumping onto the man and refusing to let go. His heart was still hammering in his chest, and his dick was half hard.