Second Chances (69 page)

“Oh,” Sebastian said guilefully, “I don’t know if I’d wait that long.”

Everyone held
their breath, waiting for a reaction from Gabriel.  Instead he was looking down at the beauty in his arms, stirring slightly as she struggled to wake up. 

“Hi,” Isabella said bashfully, embarrassed that she fell asleep and utterly unaware that her every move was being watched so carefully.  “Do you know this is my favorite place to sleep in the whole world?”

“Where?”  Gabriel asked jokingly, as he pulled her closer.  “On planes?”

“No,” Isabella replied throatily, “in your arms.”  She reached up, found the back of his neck, and pulled him down to kiss her, deeply, passionately.  Then she let go, sat up, and looked around, only to discover that all of Gabriel’s friends and at least one stewardess were watching.  Isabella blushed, a deep crimson, and reached for a magazine.  Gabriel, however, looked as though he had won some great victory.

At last, they reached their hotel and with it their suite.  It was very nearly sunrise and both of them were tired.  Still, they had never actually welcomed a sunrise together.  They wandered out onto their
balcony which overlooked the pool and beach.  The sky looked magnificent, covered in shades of pink, salmon, melon, and hints of orange as the giant glowing orb made its first appearance in the sky.  And then, as they turned to face each other, and just before Isabella anticipated his kiss, millimeters from her lips...

“I love you, Gabriel.”

It came out almost as a whisper, surprising both of them.  He took a step back for a moment, but didn’t let go of her waist.  His hands tightened on the small of her back.  She could tell he wasn’t certain he heard her correctly.  He needed reassurance.  She straightened up, looked him in the eye and now, with a steadier voice, more confidently said, “I
love
you.”  She looked into his face for a reaction.  Whatever she expected, it wasn’t this.

Tears formed in his eyes.  He pulled her closer and buried his face in the top of her head.  She felt him breathing in short warm bursts into her hair.  Suddenly she realized that he was crying.  She pulled back, alarmed.  “You don’t have to say anything,” she explained quickly.  He looked down at her, eyes watering, threatening to overflow onto his cheeks.  “I didn’t mean to upset you,” she added, confused.  “You’ve been so wonderful to me and to the kids.  I just realized how I felt Christmas Day.  I finally had the nerve to tell you.  I...”  She stopped, believing herself no longer coherent.  What more could she say? 

“Oh, my Bella,” Gabriel cried.  “You cannot know how long I have yearned to hear those words.  I thought maybe you never would...feel for me.  I have loved you for so long.  So long!  I was afraid of scaring you away.  Uh!”  The words seemed to fail him now.  They were both exhausted after having traveled through the night.  He led her to the bed, where they collapsed into each other’s arms and slept the deep sleep that those emotionally drained always find.

Gabriel had expected to sleep in late, but Isabella behaved like an eager child this morning.  She had already taken a shower and wore only a towel turban when she roused him.  “Come on,” she urged, kissing him.  “Time to wake up!”

“What time is it?”  He asked groggily.

“Late.”  Isabella announced, trying to be serious. 

“And just what are we calling late these days?”  Gabriel wondered, catching on to Isabella’s tone.

“Nine?”  She said weakly.

“You’re killing me!  We’ve only had three hours of sleep!”

“Well, actually, I had only two and a half.  Please come keep me company downstairs.  The guys will be waiting for us in the restaurant for breakfast.”

That wasn’t to be, however.  A knock sounded on the door.  Isabella ran for a bathrobe while laughing giddily.  Gabriel bounded from the bed wearing only his bikinis.  He swung the door open widely, just as she pulled the robe up, exposing all of her back to their traveling companions. 

Isabella turned around and tied the famous floral robe loosely, wearing a shy smile.  “What’s this?”  She asked.  “I thought we were supposed to meet downstairs.”

“We’re playing room service,” Sebastian announced.  “I told everyone to meet here so we can eat and plan our day.”

“Oh, did you?”  Gabriel queried sarcastically.  Evidently Sebastian planned to continue in the attempt to get under his skin.

Isabella walked over.  “Relax,” she whispered as she stood on
tip toes to kiss his neck while the rest of the group looked on.

They planned out the week, which sounded as though it would be pretty full, with a little sight seeing every day, and a lot of sun and late night fun.  Immediately following breakfast on the first morning, they packed up and went to Parque Nacional da Tijuca, a beautiful tropical rainforest.  They traipsed around for a while
, then, as it neared lunch time, and the heat continued to increase, they headed back to the hotel to change.  Everyone raced to their rooms, laughing.  Gabriel leapt from the elevator first, dragging Isabella behind him.

They were the first ones to make it to the pool as well.  When everyone else arrived, they found Isabella rubbing lotion on Gabriel’s back.  He spotted them first and smiled.  “Beautiful One, let me take care of you now.”  Isabella turned around, but Gabriel had a better idea.  “No, lay down.”  She did as he commanded, and soon strong hands were rubbing every exposed spot.  He even rubbed his hand under the edges of her bathing suit, just in case they rode up.

They decided on a buffet lunch from The Pergula, a restaurant situated near the pool.  They stayed there all day, sipping drinks, relaxing, and swimming in the amazing pool.  Isabella had only one complaint, which she voiced the first moment they were apart from the group.  “I miss them, Gabriel,” she murmured quietly.  “I love them so much.  I know they would have such fun here.”

“Then one day we shall bring them,” he said resolutely.  “I love them, too, you know.”

“Yes, I know.”  She leaned back in her chair, smiling.

“And I love you, as well.”  He said these words as though he had been eager to repeat them.

Isabella faced him, beaming.  “I know.  I love you, too.”

He reached out and caressed her cheek.  “I’ll never tire of hearing that.”

They all returned to their rooms to take naps and clean up before meeting for a late dinner at The Cipriani, downstairs in the hotel.  The north Italian cuisine agreed with all of them.  They asked the concierge where he recommended they go for some good dancing.   Before Isabella knew it, they were all scrunched into a taxi, heading to a bar that the concierge felt would be perfect for them.

They spent until the wee hours of the morning dancing.  Isabella fast danced with everyone, taking turns, but refused to dance intimately with anyone but Gabriel.  The others noticed and commented to Gabriel.

“She is incredibly loyal, isn’t she?”  Ben asked admiringly.

Gabriel just smiled and nodded.  He didn’t know if this came naturally to Isabella, or if she was intentionally being sensitive to his feelings.  Whatever the case, it was working.  Isabella had made it obvious to anyone paying attention that she was off the market.  Her heart and body belonged entirely with Gabriel.  No wonder he could look so relaxed.

The next morning they actually met in The Pergula for breakfast.  After they finished eating, they headed upstairs to pack beach bags and order a basket lunch.  They were going to check out Ipanema, the richest and most chic beach in Rio.

It was everything promised, even better, the beach had fewer people on it than they would have expected.  They were able to converse, relax, and spread out due to the uncluttered sand.  They enjoyed their lunch, and spent more time frolicking together.  By now, everyone had grown used to Isabella and Gabriel’s devotion to each other, but many of his friends were still amazed.  Ben quickly became Isabella’s favorite. They bonded while Gabriel threw a Frisbee with the rest of the group.