The comment made him laugh. “What? No, I wouldn’t do that to poor Fred. And sorry about steal—kidnapping him. I was desperate.”
She hadn’t thought he would do something as cruel as that. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes. Can you kiss me now?”
“Gladly.”
Their lips met in a gentle brush, but it was enough to send a delicious sensation through her body. His mouth moved over hers carefully, but when she let out a low groan, his kisses became more ardent. Hands planted on her waist, his fingers looping into her jeans and tugging her closer until her body was flush against his. God, she could feel how hard and taut his muscles were.
His mouth coaxed hers open, and she complied. His tongue swept inside her mouth, teasing hers until she responded. He tasted like sunshine, all warm and balmy, like laying out on the grass on a summer day. She wanted to experience more of Gabriel, her mind spinning like a top and making her dizzy at the possibilities.
However, disappointment tugged at her when he pulled away. Did he not like kissing her? “What’s wrong?”
He glanced up at the sky and chuckled. “That.”
“Huh?” Something wet pelted her on the forehead, followed by another, then another. “Oh!” Their kiss must have short-circuited her brain, because she didn’t realize it had started raining.
He grabbed her hand and tugged. “C’mon, let’s get outta here.”
She followed his lead, doing her best to keep up with him, but his long legs meant that for every step he took, she had to take two. Seeing her struggle, he slowed down. However, the rain quickly turned into a deluge. As the downpour continued, they dashed across the green lawn, giggling and laughing until they reached the parking lot.
Gabriel opened the passenger door of his Jeep, but instead of helping her up to the seat, he scooped her up into his arms. A zing of electricity coursed through her despite the layers of wet clothes they were wearing, though before she could process it, he deposited her into the seat and shut the door.
Oh. Wow. And that was just from one touch. How would he feel—
The driver’s door opening jolted her out of her thoughts before they turned very R-18. She blushed and turned away from him, hoping he didn’t notice her face was red.
“Fuck.” Gabriel ran his fingers through his wet locks.
“What’s wrong?”
“Fred.”
“Fred?” Oh dear, she’d forgotten about her little plaster friend. “Where is he?”
“Back at the gazebo,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry. I’ll go get him.” He kissed her on the lips, then rushed out of the vehicle.
She leaned back on the seat, touching her fingers to her lips. The fluttering in her stomach wouldn’t stop—not that she wanted it to. It was still hard to believe—Gabriel liked her. He had gone to all these lengths for her, even bared his worst secrets. He’d kidnapped Fred, for God’s sake, so she would hear him out.
A clap of thunder made her look out the window. It didn’t seem possible, but the rain came down even harder, and then she saw something coming toward her in the distance. A giggle escaped her throat as the figure came into view—it was Gabriel, running in the rain, Fred clutched in one hand. He dashed toward the car, quickly opening the rear passenger side door. Carefully, he set the gnome in the back before shutting the door. Then, he slid into the driver’s seat.
“Sonofa—” He shook his head, sending droplets flying. “Sorry. But I got our man.” He cocked his head at Fred, who grinned back at them.
“Thank you for getting him,” she said. “I would have forgotten about him.” Because of that kiss, she added silently.
“Sorry for kidnapping him in the first place,” he said sheepishly.
“You’re soaked,” she said, nodding at his shirt. The white fabric was practically see-through and plastered to his chest. Her throat suddenly felt dry as the desert as her eyes traced the muscles underneath the white fabric. He obviously took care of himself, and while his shoulders and arms were large, they weren’t grossly humungous. In fact, he was all sinewy and lean, but underneath his inked skin, there was a power humming that was understated, but unmistakable.
“Temperance?”
His amused tone made her start, and she felt her cheeks burn. Hopefully he didn’t notice her ogling her, but she doubted he’d missed it. Great. “You should get dry, before you catch a cold.”
His sensuous mouth curved up into a smile and his sky-blue eyes sparkled. “You’re right.” Starting the engine, he put the Jeep into gear. “I know where we can go.”
Chapter Seven
Gabriel couldn’t stop smiling after he caught Temperance checking him out. Yes! His lion did a little victory dance, swishing its tail. Actually, it hadn’t stopped doing that, ever since that kiss. The moment their lips met it was like something in him just knew that this was it: his very last first kiss. There would be no other women for him but Temperance. Her taste, her smell, her feel was imprinted in his brain, and from now until he left this world, nothing would make him forget that moment.
His gamble had paid off. Okay, so it was pretty despicable of him to kidnap Fred. Looking up at the rearview mirror, he stole a quick glance at the gnome through the rearview mirror. He didn’t know if it was his imagination, his elevated mood, or that damned thing was magical, but Fred’s grin was almost triumphant. Oh yeah, buddy. He’d give Fred a little high five later. But for now, he hoped Temperance wouldn’t object to their destination.
As they pulled into the garage of the sleek, modern condo building, Temperance let out an audible gulp. “Uh, Gabriel?”
“Yeah?”
“Where are we?”
He parked his car into an empty spot. “We’re actually … at my place.”
Hazel eyes went wide as saucers. “Your place?”
“I don’t have any spare clothes on me,” he said. “And you did say I should get dry before I caught a cold.” Okay, so shifters didn’t
