“Gabrielle, don’t try an’ scare me away before we get started. I’m not asking you to run down your history to me. I work a lot too. Since I’m single, I volunteer to take on extra shifts for guys that have families—so I know how it is to work a lot. As it is, my hours are different. It seems I’m at the fire house more than I am at home.”
“How have you been dealing with being on medical leave the last few weeks?”
“I’m dealing with it better than I thought. I didn’t realize I was exhausted physically. The time off has recharged my batteries and given me time to catch up on stuff just sitting around collecting dust.”
“My vacation is coming this Spring and I can’t wait.”
“What are you going to do on your time off?”
“I have brochures stashed in my drawer at work of Jamaica and Montego Bay. I want to go lie on the beach of either of those places and do nothing for seven whole days.”
“Are you alone basking on either one these beaches?”
“I am alone since I never make it past my probation period of three months for dating.”
“Your problem is you’re not dating the right type of man.”
She propped her chin on the backs of her hands. “Here we go—you’re going to say, you are the man I should be dating.”
He raised his eyebrow and clicked his tongue to say, “In a nutshell—yup.”
“How do you know that? We could be different as night and day, Jonathan. I won’t dispute the attraction is strong, but once that has lifted what if there is nothing left underneath?”
He scooted the chair away from the table throwing the napkin on the plate. Taking the few steps to where she sat, he reached a hand out to her. Gabrielle took it not knowing what to expect. Her pulse kicked into high gear when he drew her near. She could smell his scent; feel his breath on her forehead. She wanted him more than any man she’d ever encountered in her adult life.
“Do you trust being alone with me?”
Her mouth was dry with anticipation. “Yes.”
“I’m opening myself up to you. Do what you want with me, Gabrielle.”
“What?”
“I want you to do whatever is on your mind to me. If you want to throw juice in my face—then do it.”
“I’ve never heard of doing anything like this. Is this a test of some sort?”
“You’re being apprehensive. You have already warned me about your failed relationships so I’m giving you the opportunity to do whatever you want to me and walk away. But, if you come back, then, I know there is more lying underneath to be explored.”
“You’re crazy and I’m not doing this,” she said huffing.
“Admit you’re scared there might be more and you don’t want to face it.”
“I’m not scared of anything. I didn’t get where I am by being scared to take chances.”
The glaze of his hazel eyes never left hers. He concentrated on the actions running through her head. He could almost hear her thinking. Gabrielle stood frozen to the floor. She’d gone tit-for-tat from day one with him, and now she had him on her territory and at her mercy. Frowning, she bit her bottom lip. “I’m not apprehensive. You want to know what I really want to do to—well I’m about to show you!”
“How have you been dealing with being on medical leave the last few weeks?”
“I’m dealing with it better than I thought. I didn’t realize I was exhausted physically. The time off has recharged my batteries and given me time to catch up on stuff just sitting around collecting dust.”
“My vacation is coming this Spring and I can’t wait.”
“What are you going to do on your time off?”
“I have brochures stashed in my drawer at work of Jamaica and Montego Bay. I want to go lie on the beach of either of those places and do nothing for seven whole days.”
“Are you alone basking on either one these beaches?”
“I am alone since I never make it past my probation period of three months for dating.”
“Your problem is you’re not dating the right type of man.”
She propped her chin on the backs of her hands. “Here we go—you’re going to say, you are the man I should be dating.”
He raised his eyebrow and clicked his tongue to say, “In a nutshell—yup.”
“How do you know that? We could be different as night and day, Jonathan. I won’t dispute the attraction is strong, but once that has lifted what if there is nothing left underneath?”
He scooted the chair away from the table throwing the napkin on the plate. Taking the few steps to where she sat, he reached a hand out to her. Gabrielle took it not knowing what to expect. Her pulse kicked into high gear when he drew her near. She could smell his scent; feel his breath on her forehead. She wanted him more than any man she’d ever encountered in her adult life.
“Do you trust being alone with me?”
Her mouth was dry with anticipation. “Yes.”
“I’m opening myself up to you. Do what you want with me, Gabrielle.”
“What?”
“I want you to do whatever is on your mind to me. If you want to throw juice in my face—then do it.”
“I’ve never heard of doing anything like this. Is this a test of some sort?”
“You’re being apprehensive. You have already warned me about your failed relationships so I’m giving you the opportunity to do whatever you want to me and walk away. But, if you come back, then, I know there is more lying underneath to be explored.”
“You’re crazy and I’m not doing this,” she said huffing.
“Admit you’re scared there might be more and you don’t want to face it.”
“I’m not scared of anything. I didn’t get where I am by being scared to take chances.”
The glaze of his hazel eyes never left hers. He concentrated on the actions running through her head. He could almost hear her thinking. Gabrielle stood frozen to the floor. She’d gone tit-for-tat from day one with him, and now she had him on her territory and at her mercy. Frowning, she bit her bottom lip. “I’m not apprehensive. You want to know what I really want to do to—well I’m about to show you!”
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