Chapter Nine
Luna
I stayed in the room all evening until Mason left. The man wore on my nerves, and I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to let him represent me. Best lawyer or not, the guy was an asshole.
I finished my book and realized it was the last one. I’d blown through the entire series I’d brought in record time. I guessed that meant I’d have to interact a little with Gabriel, which wasn’t so terrible. He was charming and handsome, and maybe the more we talked, the more I’d start to remember.
I laid there in the bed thinking hard about the morning I’d woke up in his bed. I tried to think back to the night before, hoping if I jogged my memory that things would come back, but no luck.
Suddenly, there was another knock at my door, and I assumed by the time that Gabriel was coming in to shower. “Come in.”
“Hey, I’m going to shower and go to bed.” His gaze swept across me and to the bed where I had all my stuff piled up. “I see you finished your book.” He rubbed his palm against his arm casually before brushing his five o’clock shadow, raking his fingers along it.
“Yeah, I finished them all.” As the silence stretched out between us, I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and wondered if he’d gotten any sleep the past week. I wasn’t much help since I’d taken claim of the bed, and I thought of him sleeping on the hard sofa. “Why don’t you take the bed tonight? You look like you could use the rest, and I can move my things into the other room for a bit.”
“Thanks. I mean, no. I’ll be fine in there. I’m not doing much sleeping anyway with all that’s going on.”
“I can imagine. I guess that’s my way to deal.”
He nodded. “That and reading novels.”
When my phone interrupted us with a ring, he slipped into the bathroom. As I said hello to my dad, the shower came on.
“Are you still waiting on the all clear?” Dad’s voice was strained, and I wondered how much the stress had been taking a toll on him.
“Yes, it could be another few days. There is new evidence coming in daily, and I think they’re waiting on some surveillance to come in. I hope the boys aren’t dragging their feet knowing what it’s about. I don’t think any of his workers would want to be the one to turn over evidence against him, even if it isn’t anything solid.”
Dad cleared his throat. “You still think he’s innocent?”
“Yes, I do; and I’m sick of having this conversation. I know I can’t lie in court, but I don’t have to say I don’t remember, either. I want to help him.”
“I know, but you have to understand that as your father, my instincts are to protect you.” I knew exactly how he felt. He was as protective of me as I was of him. It had been that way with us since my mother’s death and neither of us would change anytime soon.
It was probably the reason I hadn’t gotten into any long-term relationships, especially not been with anyone on a sexual level. He’d be disappointed I didn’t wait until marriage. Sometimes I felt like I was never going to lose my virginity and not even all the alcohol in Vegas could destroy my v-card.
I heard the shower go off and told my father goodbye so I could clear off the bed. I couldn’t allow Gabe to sleep on the hard sofa again, and I wondered why he hadn’t gotten a bigger room.
As I moved most of my things to a chair in the corner of the room, he stepped out of the bathroom with his stubble still place, but his hair mussed and damp. Somehow, he still looked amazing, even in his hotel-issued bathrobe.
“I was serious about what I said; the bed’s all yours.” I gestured to show how I’d moved my things and then scooped the other things into my arms and carried them out to the other room.
“Sorry about the single. It was all that was available on such short notice, and it’s not exactly where anyone would assume I’d stay here at the High Roller.” He took the small towel from around his neck and rubbed it through his hair again.
“What is it, the honeymoon suite?” I giggled at the thought, but his complexion turned pale.
“Yeah, actually it is.” He averted his gaze, and I chuckled again. His head popped up and his eyes met mine. “Is it such a terrible idea being married to a successful billionaire, or is it me?” I stood there with my mouth hung open like a fool, realizing that he was serious. I had offended him.
“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine you married, especially to me.” The truth was I had always seen him as the eternal bachelor. I couldn’t even picture the kind of woman he’d settle down with.
The few I’d met didn’t seem that domestic, but I supposed that’s where being a billionaire might help. He had money to hire staff for cooking, cleaning, and raising his children. I pulled my lips in tight, trying not to smile. “Would you want a big family?”
“I wouldn’t mind being a father, but a big family, well, I’m not sure about that. Things were nice growing up with a brother, though, so I suppose if I had one, I’d have to have two.” He crossed the room and sat on the bed as I stood in the doorway. “What about you?”
“I don’t know. I’d love to have children someday. Maybe I’ll even get married.” A soft chuckle escaped him as I yawned big.
“Why don’t we share?
“Kids?” I was aware he’d meant the bed, but I got a nice laugh and smile from him. It was the first genuine smile I’d seen since everything had happened.
“The bed. I’ll behave, and I’ll even sleep on top of the covers if you like.” He stood and went around straightening the covers. “Come on, Luna. It’s not like we haven’t shared a bed and behaved before. I won’t even kiss you goodnight.”
Suddenly, warmth flared up deep within me. “Why not? Am I not kissable?” I feigned insult, and he smiled. The expression was short lived as I shook my head. “No, you go ahead. I’ll see you in the morning.
As bad as I wanted to sleep next to him, I couldn’t let myself do it. Disappointment blanketed his expression. “I wish you’d trust me.”
“I do trust you, Gabriel.”
“Then prove it.” He patted the bed beside him and lowered himself into the covers, facing the wall. He was impossible. I teetered on the edge of going to sleep on the hard sofa, but then figured what the hell.
I shut the door and turned off the light before walking across the room to my side of the bed and slipping down under the covers. I didn’t feel a bit of body heat as he stayed on his own side of the bed and though I faced him, he faced the wall.
“Is that so bad?” He stretched his arm and shut off the lamp, leaving us in the dark.
“No, it’s fine. Thanks.” I had the urge to inch closer and put my arm around him, but I knew better. That small act of contact would make him think I was opening that door, and once it was entered, there was no going back.
“I’m sorry, Luna, about the lap dance and the kissing and everything else, too. I need you to know that.” His voice was softer than normal as he said that, barely a whisper.
I thought about my hand stinging from the smack I’d given him and felt terrible. “I know. It’s not your fault. I have to take responsibility for my own actions. It’s easy to blame you, though, and that’s what I’ve done this whole time. I’m sorry I slapped you. I don’t know what came over me.”
“You’re stressed. To be honest, it was the most I’ve felt all week. Tomorrow when Mason gets here, we’re all going to have a long talk, and when we do, I have a feeling a lot of things will come back to you.”
“I’ll say whatever you need me to say, Gabriel. I want to make sure that no matter what they say, we let them know we’re certain of your whereabouts. You were with me all night.”
“Thank you.” His voice lifted as if the statement surprised him.
“Yeah, I’m afraid with that asshole, Mason, you might need all the help you can get.” I laughed, letting him know that I was only kidding.
“He is an asshole, but he’s also the best attorney money can buy.”
I nestled down with my pillow. “It’s a shame you don’t get more for your money.”
A rolling laugh shook the bed beneath us. “You’re too much.”
“Sorry. I’ll let you get some sleep.”
The bed moved again as he turned over to face me. “Don’t apologize, Luna. I like talking to you. I’m surprised you don’t have men all over you.”
Hearing the statement, I almost laughed out loud. I’d never been the type of woman who had men flocking to her, but knowing he thought otherwise was enough to make me blush. I’d given up on finding Mr. Right a long time ago and had no future hopes of a relationship.
“No one’s ever been turned on by me.”
Gabriel cleared his throat. “I beg to differ.”