Gabriel’s kiss was…I can’t even think; I thought I was going to catch on fire from the inside out. Then he just stops and runs out, telling me he can’t. Well, I can’t either, I’m done. He doesn’t want me, or he’s fighting too hard against us. If that kiss didn’t convince him, then I have nothing left to fight him with. I’m going to go out with Miles and enjoy myself. I’ll just move on. I can do this; I must do this.

“Thank you, Zander, for driving me home. I couldn’t wait for Catherine; I needed to leave.”

“No problem, kid. Hey, don’t worry about Gabriel. He’s an ass.”

I laugh. “I told him that, too.”

“Good for you. You know Gabriel does want you; he just has it in his head that he can’t let Mother have that kind of control over him.”

“I don’t get what this has to do with Catherine.”

“Don’t you? I know why Mother brought you here, and I’m pretty sure Gabriel does, too.”

I give him a surprised look.

He chuckles out, “What? Did you think because I’m the biggest, most handsome of the bunch, I’m stupid? You know I’m more than just a pretty face. I also have an incredible package.” He winks at me. “I also have enough blood to keep the brain cells completely functional.”

“Well, I think you are pretty amazing.” And I do.

“I am, but don’t get carried away. I know Mom didn’t bring you here for me, and I only have so much restraint.”

I can’t help laughing. Zander’s massive size is intimidating, but his humor shows his more caring side. I do care for him a lot, just not the same way I feel for Gabriel.

“What do you know about Catherine bringing me here?”

“I know my mother always does everything with a purpose. She was, and still is an awesome mom. But she’s not your typical mother. She always tried to have control over us and everyone else. We watched her for years push all the buttons. Now that we’re men, she can feel the pull. It was only a matter of time before she brought someone to us, especially Gabriel. He’s her first born, and not just any woman would do. That makes you special. Not saying Mother can control you, and I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself, but she wants to feel like she still has some leverage. I know if you were not a woman who could be as strong as her, she never would have brought you. I love my mother. I trust her with my life; therefore, I’m very interested to see who she finds for me. Bring her on, I say.”

“Why do you think Gabriel’s fighting it so hard?”

“I think he’s scared that if he lets her make all his decisions, he will become like our father, but what he doesn’t realize is, we are our mother’s sons. We’re nothing like him.”

“Zander, you know you really are smart.”

“Right? I know, but don’t let it get out. I have a reputation for being a big brute, and I don’t want people thinking I’m anything more than the muscle of the family.”

That night after Zander dropped me off at home, I call Miles and tell him I’m looking forward to going to the festival with him. I ask him what time he will be picking me up; he tells me to be ready around five tomorrow. After I hang up with him, I watch T.V. Anything to get my mind off Gabriel. Other people’s problems from reality shows seem to do the trick until I fall asleep.

The next day, I lounge around, trying to avoid Catherine. I don’t have anything left to say. Plus, I never really told her I had been talking to Miles, then I saw her face when Angelle announced it at the table. I don’t think she likes the Senator very much. I saw how she is cordial with him, but something about her movements around him has me wondering what’s going on there. At five, I’m ready and waiting for Miles. He picks me up in his Jeep with a huge smile plastered on his face. I like seeing his reaction; there’s no doubt he’s interested in me, no guessing if I can hold his attention. He wears his desire proudly on his face, simple and straight to the point. I could get used to this, no struggling to convince someone I am worthy of them.

He jumps out of the Jeep and runs to me, picking me up off my feet and throwing me into the jeep. He runs to the other side, gives me a kiss on the cheek, and asks, “Are you ready, babe?”

Babe, huh? Okay.

“Sure am, let’s go.”

We speed off down the driveway, and of course I see Vin following behind. How long do I have to have a bodyguard, especially now that Gabriel doesn’t want me? I’m sure once Catherine finds out she will decide to release Vin of his duty, and I can’t wait for it. I like Vin, but having a constant babysitter is driving me nuts. I just want one normal day.

Miles notices me watching Vin from the rear-view mirror. He grabs my hand and says, “You don’t like being followed around. I can see it bothering you.”

“Yeah, it is starting to bother me. I just want one day without a paid babysitter.”

“Your wish is my command. When we get to the festival, I’ll show you how to ditch him.”

“Really? Do you think we can?”

“I know we can. I’ve ditched bodyguards for years. Be patient. When the time is right, I’ll let you know.”

“Oh, I guess you had lots of practice. I mean, being the son of a Senator. Growing up with that every day must have been crazy.”

“You have no idea. Listen, I want us to have fun, and I want you to relax. Maybe you’ll enjoy it enough to go out with me again.”

I smile and say, “Maybe.”

We get to the festival in record time. Miles jumps out and helps me down. He holds my hand the whole time as we walk. It’s nice; it feels like a date should. We spend most of the time dancing to live music, and he introduces me to some of his friends from Tulane, the college he attends. I’m having a blast, but I still see Vin. Usually, he tries to stay under the radar, but for some reason he’s staying close. After about two hours, Miles and I are dancing to a slow song.

He whispers in my ear, “Are you ready to ditch the bodyguard?”

“Now? How? He’s right there. There’s no way we are going to be able to ditch him.”

“I have it all planned out, babe. My friends have our backs. Cole is going to act super drunk and fall on him, knocking him down with him, making him struggle to get up. Then Mike already brought my Jeep over.”

He swings his head to the side for me to look at his parked Jeep. It’s brilliant.

I’m so excited. “Let’s do this. Give the word.”

Miles waves down his friend Cole, and the plan begins. Cole does exactly what he was supposed to. It works like a charm.  Vin falls, and it gives us enough time to hit the Jeep and haul ass.

“Oh, shit, we did it!” I’m laughing out loud. “I can’t believe we pulled it off.”

“I told you we would. Now let’s go have some fun.”

He takes me down Bourbon Street. We see a comic show; the comedian is hysterical. We walk a little more, with him holding my hand, but it starts to feel weird. I know he wants more, but I can’t give him more right now. Not when I’m still thinking about Gabriel. He has been in my thoughts the whole time. I make up a lie to Miles about having a migraine; he seems to be okay with it. He says he understands and wants me to get some rest for the next time we’re together. By the time he drops me off, it’s still a decent hour, somewhere between eleven-thirty and twelve.  So, I know Vin will be up waiting for me, and of course when I walk through the front door, he is standing there waiting. He gives me a look like I am his unruly child, then turns and leaves. Well, that could’ve been worse. I’ll take what I can get, so I haul my ass up the stairs and into my room before Vin changes his mind.

Vin calls me early in the day and tells me Fallon is going on a date with Miles. I can’t believe she’s going through with it. Did she not feel that kiss? But I know it’s not that; it’s my stupid remark telling her I can’t. Why the fuck am I so stupid? I tell Vin to stay extra close; I don’t want Miles trying anything. If he touches her, I might have to kill him.

Attempting to get my mind off Fallon and her date, I busy myself with work. Around seven-thirty, Vin calls me and tells me they ditched him with the help of some his friends. Before he knew what was happening, they were gone and he had no idea which direction they went. Before I hang up on his ass, I tell him he’d better find her. I throw my glass of whiskey against the wall. What the hell is Miles up to?

I call Angelle to ask if she has any idea where he might have taken her.  She thinks I’m calling to apologize, of course. Once she realizes that’s not why I called, she says, “I hope Miles fucks her!” She then hangs up on me.

She’d better hope he doesn’t, because then I will kill him.

I pace back and forth for hours, calling Fallon’s phone; each call goes straight to voicemail. I’m going to tear into her ass when I see her.

Sometime before twelve, Vin calls and tells me Miles just dropped her off and she looks fine. She might look fine now, but not when I get to her. She might not be able to sit tomorrow, ‘cause I plan on making that ass bright red. I get in my car to drive home, speeding through traffic.

When I get to her bedroom, I hear water running. I realize she’s in the shower, so I take a seat on the chair and wait for her to come out. The water turns off, and after a while I watch as the door opens and Fallon walks out, noticing me sitting there. She’s so beautiful; she has her hair in another messy top knot, with a few strands dangling down her neck, wet from the shower. She is wearing a see-through tank top and a lace thong. Beautiful.

“Where have you been?” The tone of my voice should be a warning to her.

“On a date, with Miles.”

I don’t move from my spot as I ask, “Where the fuck did he take you, and what the hell did you do?”

“That is none of your business, Gabriel. Nothing I do is your business. You made that very clear.”

I rush over to her and pull her over my legs while I sit on the bed and smack her ass. She screams out, but that won’t stop me.

Smack!

“Don’t fuck with me, Fallon! When I ask you a question, I want an answer.”

Smack!

“Gabriel, you have no right to ask me anything.”

Smack!

She finally wiggles out from under me and hurries to her closet. I follow her inside as she twists her body to look in the mirror at her now bright red ass.

“You have no right, Gabriel! No right to touch me like that!”

Gritting my teeth. “Did you let that boy touch you, Fallon?”

She turns around and starts hitting me in the chest, pushing me into the opposite wall from the full-length mirror. Once I hit the wall, I roughly grab her and turn her around, facing the mirror. I then cross her arms over her chest and lower my head to her neck.

“Did you let him touch you?”

She doesn’t answer me; she just watches us from the mirror.

“Did he, Fallon? Did he touch what’s mine?”

I release my strong hold on her arms, and she is now melding into me. I start to caress her stomach under the tank top.

I kiss her neck and whisper, “Tell me, Fallon, did he put his mouth on you? Did he kiss you?”

I hear her start to breathe heavier. She’s turned on, and she leans back into me, still watching us.

“Did he try to touch your breasts?”

I slowly glide my hands from her stomach up to her breasts. Her tank top is so sheer, I can see the color of her areolas and her nipples hardening, peeking through. She looks so hot...I‘ve never seen a sexier woman. I grab her nipple and pinch, then start gently caressing them, all while sucking on her neck. She starts to moan. That’s my undoing. I need more. I need to feel more and make sure she knows she’s mine. I push her tank up over her breast and continue to caress them. I look up into the mirror, and lock eyes with her.

“See these breasts, Fallon? They belong to me. Only my hands will ever touch them.”

Her eyes close briefly before opening again, with so much desire in them. This innocent girl has no idea what her body is capable of, but I’m going to give her a taste of it tonight. I hold one breast and slide my other hand under her lace panties. Her head falls back onto my chest. She’s such a beautiful sight in the mirror, innocently raw and waiting to be devoured. I start to rub her clit.

“Right here, Fallon...your clit...did he try to touch it? You know it belongs to me. I’m the only man ever to feel how plump it gets. Do you understand?”

Moaning, she responds, “Yours.”

“That’s right, Fallon...mine.”

I reach my other hand down and rip her pretty little thongs right off her. I need to see all of her; I need full access. I slide one of my hands down to her thigh and slightly push outwards.

“Open, Fallon...I want to see what’s mine.”

She listens and spreads her legs a little, just enough to look hot as hell in the mirror. She’s waxed completely bare, leaving me with a full view of her glistening pussy, so wet with want. I know she can feel my erection, so I push against her just enough to let her know how turned on I am. I go back to fondling her breast with one hand, while the other keeps on manipulating her clit. Once I have her dripping with need, I go further down and sink a finger into her.

My voice is so husky with need.

“Fuck, baby, you’re so tight. Do you feel it? Do you feel yourself wrapped around my finger, smothering it like a vice?”

“Yes...oh, yes.”

Once I’m able to slide my finger in and out of her without any resistance, I slide in another finger, starting an in and out motion. I take my thumb and rub her clit, going faster still.

“That’s it, baby...rock against me...I want you to feel good. This pussy belongs to me. I will be the only man to be able to feel it, the only one to feel it’s warmth. Shit, you're so wet, baby...ride my fingers. I will be the only man to taste your pussy, and I will be the only man to make you cum. Tell me, Fallon, who do you belong to? Tell me.”

Breathy, she moans out, “You, Gabriel...only you...I belong to you.”

“You’re fucking right...you do...you belong to me. Now give it to me, Fallon. I want you to cum, cum for me. Let me hear that sweet mouth of yours moan for me.”

She’s panting so hard. I bite into her neck and pinch her nipple, which sets her off. It’s a beautiful sight. I will remember the way she looks tonight for the rest of my life. As she convulses in my arms, I grab her face, forcing her eyes back on mine in the mirror.

I ask one more time, “Did he?”

“No, Gabriel.”

I slowly release her, letting her relaxed body slide down mine. I look at her one more time through the mirror. I step over her adjusting myself, then adjusting my suit. I step to her closet island, reach into my pocket, and pull out a black jewelry box. I set it down, then walk out. I leave her there on the floor. I could have fucked her, but I chose not to. Not until she becomes my wife.

Oh, fuck, what just happened? I knew if I pushed hard enough, he would come for me, like a moth to a flame. But I never expected this. For him to be so...so?  I don’t even have a word to describe him, or what he did to me. I look up at myself in the mirror and see a woman who is a mess. I look discarded. I should feel ashamed, but instead he left me wanting. Wanting more of him and his touch. I have never imagined I could feel this way. He just waltzed in here and gave me the best pleasure I’ve ever felt, then left.

I look up to see something he put on the island. I stand on shaky legs and step over to the counter. There lies a box, a small black box. I take it in my hands, open it, then gasp; it’s a ring. Not just any ring. It’s an engagement ring, and it’s gorgeous. A large single tear drop diamond. It has to be five karats or more.  

What the hell? I think as I stare at it in awe. I start to realize: this is my ring. Gabriel wants me to wear it. Was this his proposal? How fucking dare he? Does he think he can just come in here, take control of my body, make me come undone, and just walk out? Leaving me on the floor with a ring? What does he expect from me? He wants me to what, be grateful? Does he want me on my hands and knees, thanking him for the privilege to marry him? Well, he has another thing coming.

I might not have had a word to describe him before, but I just figured out one for him: “BASTARD”. And he can kiss my ass.