Gabriel's Light (Doms of Chicago) (17 page)

* * * *

“Excuse me?”
 
Zhenya’s
tone was even, but inside she was scared out of her mind.
 
Surely she hadn’t heard him correctly.
 
“I thought I just heard you say I was sharing
the master bedroom with you?”

Sitting across the table after a filling meal of perfectly
cooked penne, ground beef, tomatoes and cheese - an authentic
pastitsio
Gabriel had whipped up for dinner,
Zhenya had never expected him to spring something like this on her.
The ass lured me into relaxing with
traditional Greek comfort food - the bastard.

“We don’t have a lot of options here.” Leaning back in his chair
with the dark shadows gracing his jaw, an open silk shirt and leather jeans,
Gabriel looked dangerous - and like temptation reincarnated. “It’s either we
squeeze all three of us on the couch, or we share the Master suite.”
 

She looked around the condo. “You’re telling me a place this
size only has one bedroom.
 
I just don’t
believe that—”

He held up a hand. “Whether you believe it or not, there’s not
another single solitary bed in this place, unless you’re wanting to sleep on
the bondage bed in my playroom.
 
And I
can guarantee not only is that bed not the most comfortable for sleeping, if I
catch you in my playroom, I’m going to assume you’re there for reasons other
than sleep.”
 
He gave her a hungry look
that had absolutely nothing to do with the food they’d just consumed. “In fact
it’s the only room in my entire condo that’s off limits, unless you plan on
submitting to me.”
 

The glitter in his eyes dared her to answer him. As a result she
had to swallow several times before she was finally able to speak. She had to
force herself to remember why it wasn’t a good idea to give him what he
obviously wanted. “I will not be a substitute for Sara.”
 

He leaned forward bracing his elbows on the table, eying her as
if she were a tender morsel of lamb.
 
“And you won’t be, Zhenya, but it’s been over a year since I’ve felt the
soft flesh of a submissive woman under my hands. So unless you want to be the
one to break my dry-spell, steer clear of my playroom.”
  

She nodded.
 
“Consider it
done.
 
And don’t worry about sharing you
bed with me. I don’t have an issue with sleeping on the couch for the duration
of my stay…”

His nostrils flared. “But I do. I need you close to my side at
night. How the hell am I going to protect you if you’re out here and I’m in my
bedroom at the end of the hall? No, it’d be better if you’re within
my reach
during the night.”

Her nipples tightened at the silky innuendo, and she tried to
focus on anything but the idea of him reaching out in the dark and pulling her
against his muscular body.
 
She
remembered all too well what it felt like to be held by him as she slept. She
couldn’t risk it. “What about Sophie?
 
She can’t sleep between two adults.
 
I figured that I’d share a bed with her…”

A slow grin crossed his face.
 
“On my way to Zion, I called
Kalinda
and asked
her to bring over the twins’ pack and play, so Sophie has a place to
sleep.”
  
He leaned back in his seat and
crossed his arms over his chest.
 
“Want
to try again?”

Her ears burned. “I’ll sleep on the floor if it’s that big a
deal…”

He gazed at her steadily.
 
“Like hell you will. I’m not going to sleep in the bed while you sleep
on the floor. I have a king-sized bed plenty big enough for both of us. We
don’t have to touch at all…unless you want to…” His eyes smoldered with desire.
“Then I’d have no objections to feeling your hands all over my body.”

She opened her mouth to protest, when a
brisk knock followed the doorbell echoed through the condo.
 
He stood before crouching down to be eye
level with her.
“Saved by the bell.”
 
He straightened. “We’ll finish this
discussion later,
louloúdi mou.”
 
He tipped her chin up.
 
“And I know you’re not her.”
 
He leaned in, brushed a kiss across her
parted lips, as the insistent doorbell rang once more.
 
He sighed.
 
“Definitely later.”
 
Then he
disappeared down the hall.
 

Chapter Seventeen

Something itchy made Zhenya
’s nose wrinkle as she tried to struggle out of slumber’s
embrace. Her mind always so fuzzy when she first awoke. She slowly took stock
of what was going on around her. She was cozy, snuggled next to a warm body,
even as she felt the familiar restrictive constraint of the pajamas and nursing
bra. God she hated them, but it was a necessity since she’d arrived at Hark’s.
Hark…
then the memories of the previous
day swamped her: the fire, the men shooting at her and Gabriel…and dear Lord above,
going to bed with Gabriel the previous night.

Her eyes flew open. Facing the wall, she made out the numbers on
the digital clock. The glowing numbers had her groaning inwardly. It was only
three thirty in the morning. What the hell had woken her up other than a
feather pillow, which was aggravating her allergies? She could see the vague
outline of the Pack & Play
Kalinda
and her men
had delivered the night before. From inside she could hear the small whimper.
Relief flooded through her. Sophie. That’s what had woken her. She shifted to
leave the bed. Her daughter had a powerful set of lungs, and the last thing she
needed was Sophie to wake up Gabriel because she was hungry. He’d already done
more than necessary. When she lifted the covers to leave the bed, a sleepy
voice behind her startled her.

“Stay. I’ll get her.” Gabriel sat up, looking decidedly rumpled,
his chest bare before he stood next to the bed and stretched.

Her mouth went dry at the display of his muscles shifting under
the tempting skin of his back and to her horror, thoughts of feeding her
daughter flew out of her mind as she took in his lack of attire. Her body
kicked into overdrive. Her milk-swollen breasts seemed to tighten further as
her nipples hardened against the fabric of her bra. Her thighs clenched against
her ever-present need for the man who was rounding the foot of the bed in
nothing more than a pair of silk drawstring pajama pants. She pressed her hand
against her mouth to keep from moaning as he bent over the portable crib to
pick up Sophie, and the material tightened across one of the most delicious
asses she’d ever seen. Curling her fingers around the corner of the sheet, she
forced the whimper down as he cuddled Sophie to his bare chest. She shouldn’t
be jealous of her own daughter but damned if she didn’t want to take her place,
to feel his warm skin under her cheek.

“Hmmm,
mikró
pontíki
.
I do
believe you must have a wet bottom.” He clucked his tongue at her and enticed
coos out of Sophie. A smile crossed Zhenya’s lips, even though the mention of
diaper change meant she had to abandon her warm bed.

 
“I can change her.” She
let go of the sheet and moved to crawl out from between the sheets.

“I believe I told you to stay put. There’s no need for you to
become cold.” Gabriel glanced up at her, as he set Sophie on the end of the
bed. Even in the dim light she could see the determination in them. Paired with
the command of his voice, she sank back into the pillows. He gave a brief nod
as if she’d done what he’d expected, before he snagged the diaper bag sitting
on the chest. Rummaging around inside the bag, he found what he needed. Then
before Zhenya’s astonished eyes, he efficiently changed Sophie. Once her
daughter was tucked back into her little yellow sleeper, he lifted Sophia to
carry her to Zhenya, tossing the neatly bundled diaper into the wastebasket
next to the bed.

Speaking softly to Sophia, he gently deposited her in Zhenya’s
arms with a promise to return. Cradling her daughter close, Zhenya waited until
Gabriel slipped from the room to unbutton her top. Whether it was to give her
privacy or what, she wasn’t going to complain. Even as natural as it was to
nurse, she wasn’t sure how comfortable she’d have been baring her breasts in
front of Gabriel. He would have surely noticed her aroused state and probably
commented on it.
At least this way I have
time to get my body under control.

It took her a few minutes, but when she finally managed to calm
her racing heart and pushed the sight of his gorgeous body from her mind, she
put her daughter to her breast, bracing herself for the strong suction. As
Sophie latched on and began to suckle, she shifted a bit to get more
comfortable, tucking her arm under the pillow at her head while lying on her
side. Cuddling Sophie close to her she’d found this position was one of the
easier ones for the three a.m. feedings. Stroking her finger alongside of
Sophie’s face, she smiled as her daughter’s little fists pressed against the
side of her breast and dark gray eyes so similar to own stared up at her. Just
like every other human, her daughter craved human contact.

Moments later, Gabriel walked back into the bedroom carrying two
bottles of water. Sitting down next to her hip, he offered her one of the
bottles. “
Here.
I read somewhere nursing mom’s get
thirsty.”

She nodded, accepting the cold bottle. Sipping on it carefully
due to her position, she took several swallows before trying to set it on the
bedside table. When the bottle almost hit the floor for the second time,
Gabriel took it from her. “Stubborn to the end.” He shook his head before
stretching out next to her, lying on his side with one hand supporting his
head. As large as the bed was, he was able to lie on the outside and pin Sophie
between their bodies without crushing the babe.

With the light spilling from the hallway, she could see the
desire in his eyes as he watched her nurse the baby. His fingers, which weren’t
supporting his head, were idly tracing patterns on his own hip. She suddenly
had the feeling he wanted to touch her, but was refraining while she fed
Sophie. Desire built in her stomach at the idea of him actually acting upon his
needs.

Dropping her eyes, she focused on Sophie instead of Gabriel,
torn between the closeness of feeding her daughter and her body’s need for the
man she couldn’t have - no matter what he said about his being ready to move
on. This is what she’d been afraid of when he’d first suggested in
Caelan’s
playroom that she stay with him. Her body
remembered what it felt like to be under his expert hands.

“How long does she normally nurse for?” His voice was gruff,
moments before his finger stroked over Sophie’s cheek, much like she’d done
minutes before.

“Depends. Usually twenty minutes. I normally drift in and out as
she’s nursing.” She stifled a yawn behind her hand.

When he didn’t respond, she finally peeked at him from beneath
her lashes, assuming he was watching the baby nurse but found her gaze instead
captured by his. The lust in his sapphire eyes was no surprise. The chemistry
between them was obvious, despite the many reasons they both had for not acting
upon it. What did surprise her was the tenderness she also glimpsed. She could
only assume it was because of the picture she presented. There were a few men
she’d found during her time in America who actually loved to witness the
maternal connection between mother and child.

As he continued to stare, her body once again responded, her
skin tingled under the weight of his gaze. She was instinctively happy her
other breast was still covered by her sturdy nursing bra, otherwise he’d have a
direct proof of how he was affecting her. Finally it got to the point she spoke
softly. “What? I know I must look a wreck but…”

“Hardly.” He shifted closer, flicking the release on the other
cup of her nursing bra. She froze as with a gentle tug, her full breast spilled
out of the bra, a thin stream of milk dripping from its pebbled tip. Her eyes
widened as he brushed over the nub, gathering up the droplets with his
forefinger. It took some effort on her part to keep from moaning when he popped
it into his mouth and sucked off her milk. His eyes were sizzling blue as he
sucked off the last of it. “Delicious, just as I remembered.”

“I…” She wanted to jump up and run but at the same time she
wanted to give into their chemistry, to find out what it would feel like to
give herself to a man who affected her more easily than Ossie ever had.

“Shhh,” he placed his finger against her lips. “There’s no
hiding I want you, but in same token I don’t expect you to just jump into the
sack with me because we’re in essence living together.” He shifted a bit,
drawing her attention to the impressive erection tenting his pajama bottoms.
“I’d never take what you don’t want to give, Zhenya, but I’m hoping you’ll
trust me enough…” His chest rose and fell. “…to give you what I gave you last
time.”

“Last time…” Her mind went to the night he’d punished her. “…you
mean you want to punish me again?” The memories had her dampening in response.

“No, I don’t want to punish you. I want to give you pleasure.”
He leaned in suddenly to lick at the end of her exposed nipple.

Her breath caught in response as she tightened further under the
warm lash of his tongue. “Oh….” Pleasure washed through her. It was as
different from her daughter’s suckling as night was from day, and the fact he
was doing it while Sophie was nursing had her body ready to revolt. She didn’t
know which way to turn, when the baby whimpered.

A low grumble escaped him as he pulled back, his free hand
lightly rubbing Sophie’s back with the palm.. “Shhh, everything is fine, little
one.” He gave Zhenya a crooked smile. “Seems like our little Sophie is
possessive of her
mamá’s
milk. Not that I blame her.”

“Ah…I guess.” Zhenya’s face flushed. “Or it could be
she’s claustrophobic?”

Gabriel shook his head slowly. “No, she knows how
delicious it is and doesn’t want to share with me.” He looked down at Sophie
still rubbing. “Isn’t that right, Sophie. You want all of it for yourself.” He
dipped his head to press a kiss to the top of Sophie’s head. “But rest assured
Mamá
has more than enough for both of us.”

Sophie cooed in response, and Zhenya felt her heart melt
as he lifted the tiny hand to his mouth and blew bubbles against it. In reflex
Sophie giggled. Gabriel would be a wonderful father, she decided as her
daughter wrapped her hand around Gabriel’s finger. “You get her wound up,
you’re staying up with her, Mr. Poulanos.”

He lifted his head, a besotted smile on his face -
another victim of Sophie’s charm. “Oh this little princess?
Naw
,
she’s already getting sleepy, aren’t you sweetheart?”

Looking down she saw he was right. Sophie’s eyelids
were drifting shut, her little rosebud mouth parted with the lingering traces
of milk at the corners. Zhenya shook her head in amazement.

“I don’t know how you do it. Can I keep you?”

When his eyes narrowed, Zhenya realized what she’d
said. “I mean…you put her to sleep every time, not that I’m looking for a
Master. You aren’t looking for a submissive any more than I am looking for a
Master…I know I’d never be able to replace Sara, so I’m not even going to
try….” As she continued to babble, he finally pressed a finger to her lips,
effectively hushing her.

“Shut up, Zhenya.” He searched her expression before
finally rolling off the bed.

Then he bent and lifted the sleepy baby from the
bed. Cooing softly to her, Gabriel tucked Sophie back into the Pack & Play,
covering her with a soft baby blanket. A loud burp as Gabriel straightened had
Zhenya waiting for the following cry. A few murmured words from Gabriel seemed
to stall the cry. Moments later with Sophie obviously asleep, Gabriel returned
to the bed.

As he settled down next to her, she tugged the
covers over her shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut aware of every move he
made, every sound as he took a drink of water before setting it back on the
bedside table, before flopping onto his back. Perhaps if she laid very still
like she had when she’d wanted to avoid
Ossie’s
attention after he’d had a rough day, Gabriel would go back to sleep without
mentioning how she screwed up.

The silence reigned, and just when she thought
perhaps she’d lucked out, she found herself dragged back against a very firm,
and very aroused male body. Gabriel’s voice was raspy in her ear. “You don’t
have a fucking clue what I want right at this moment, Zhenya
Addi
.” His hand reached around to cup her breast. “I’ve
been celibate for the past sixteen months, and it’s taking all my control to
not drag you down to my playroom and give you the royal fucking you need.” His
teeth nipped at her shoulder through her pajama top.

She opened her mouth, whether to protest or beg him
to do just that, she’d never know because a moan emerged as his palm slipped
under the waistband of her pajama bottoms to
cup
the
slight swell of her belly.

“I want to possess this body in the worst way
possible, but I promised earlier I wouldn’t take you until you’re ready, but
saying things like what you just did, makes me want to forget my promise and
show you exactly how right we’d be together.”

“You can’t know….” She trembled as his hand delved
deeper into her panties, searching out the embarrassingly damp curls.

“I know a number of things,
louloúdi mou.”
His thumb found her clit with unerring accuracy. “Like how you
respond to this.” His mouth moved up her neck, giving her several love bites
along the way. “True, we haven’t discussed other limits, but somehow I have a
feeling we’ll match up well.”