Rush: Part One & Two (The Pitstop Series Book 3)

Gabriel’s arms are still wrapped around my body when I wake up the following day. Somehow, I feel worse than yesterday, but also better. Worse because the cramps are more painful but better because his arms around me feel comforting. I turn around, holding back the groan threatening to leave my throat, and sigh when I’m finally facing him. It’s difficult for me to comprehend how attractive he still looks, even when he’s sleeping. His lips are slightly parted, but he’s not snoring, nor is he drooling. How’s he doing that? If my mouth were open, I would do both in my sleep. I shake my head and focus on his face again. His long lashes almost rest on his cheeks, and his curly hair is all over the place. He still smells like mahogany, just like he always does, and I can’t help but place my hands on his muscular chest. His skin is smooth, and my curiosity is overpowering my self-control. I run my fingertips over his nipples, then his stomach, over the small line of hair leading from his belly button to his boxers. His eyes shoot open, and he looks down at me.

“You’re getting me all worked up,” he says with a raspy voice that makes my insides turn. His hand reaches out to touch my cheek, and goosebumps spread down my arms. “Can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” I reply, and he grins sweetly.

His thumb pulls my bottom lip down, and he presses his mouth to mine, his tongue entering smoothly. He moans when he repositions himself, and my hand grazes his morning wood. Something inside me wants to reach for him and pleasure him to hear that sweet sound again, but I know better. Gabriel pulls back quickly and lies back down. He’s right to move away. We shouldn’t do something like this while we’re unsure about where we are. “How are you feeling?” His hand runs over my stomach, and I smile.

“Good,” I lie. “But I have to go,” I tell him and attempt to make my way out of bed. He guides me back down and wraps his arms around me.

“No, you have to stay here so I can take care of you,” he replies plainly and kisses my cheek. “Please, chérie, I will feel horrible if you leave.” His arms tighten around me, and I try to wiggle free, unsuccessfully. I giggle and lean my head back against his shoulder.

“Gabriel, I have to go back to my room,” I repeat, but he shakes his head.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“No, you can stay here. You don’t have to leave,” Gabriel mumbles, and I laugh.

“Gabriel, you don’t understand. I have to leave,” I try to tell him without having to say it out loud.

“Why? Why do you have to leave?” He says the ‘have’ in the same way I did.

“I have to change my pad unless you want me to bleed on the bed.” He slowly loosens his grip.

“Oh,” is all he says before he lets go of me. “Sorry,” he apologizes in a deep, sexy voice. I turn around to find him rubbing his neck with his hand and shake my head, laughing. “Will you come back?” he asks and finds my hand on the bed.

“No, but you can take me out for breakfast if you want. I’m starving,” I complain, and Gabriel flashes me his perfect smile.

“What do you want to eat? Eggs? Pancakes? A whole cow?” He starts laughing at his joke, and I join him. I can’t not when he starts laughing his pure, genuine laugh that makes my heart melt.

“You know, your laugh is funnier than your jokes,” I inform him, and his mouth drops offendedly. “I’ll wait for you in my room,” I let him know, and he glares at me.

“Maybe I won’t take you to breakfast anymore. You’re too mean,” he playfully whines, and I roll my eyes at him. He’s covering his face with his hands and making crying sounds. Gabriel might be the most dramatic person I’ve ever met. I sit back down on the bed and put my hands on his, going along with his joke. When I remove them, he’s smirking at me and pulling me down on the bed again before he buries his face in the crook of my neck. After a couple of minutes, he lets go of me but quickly presses his lips to mine. “Okay, go before you start bleeding on the bed,” he uses my words, and I shake my head. He gives my ass a soft clasp when I get up, and I bite my lip in response before leaving.

Quickly, I take a shower and get ready. I put effort into my appearance, a little bit of makeup, and a beautiful black dress, and even let my curls fall down my back instead of tying them into a ponytail. There’s a knock on my door. Gabriel is leaning against the door frame, a piece of paper in his hand and a grin on his lips. He hands me the drawing, and I stare at a perfect sunflower, then back at his face.

“What are you doing?” I ask, and he raises an eyebrow.

“It would have been a waste to get you an actual flower since we’re flying back home today,” he says and smiles. “This one is forever. I thought you’d like that,” he mumbles, and I watch him for a moment. Gabriel is unbelievable.

“I love it,” I reply before placing the drawing on my backpack to make sure I won’t forget it. I kiss him passionately because I feel an indescribable need to be as close to him as possible. “Thank you.” Gabriel winks at me before holding out his hand. My fingers lace through his, and he quickly holds up our hands to kiss the back of mine.

“So, where are you taking me?” I ask, and he grabs my hand more tightly.

“To the hotel buffet.” We get out of the elevator once we reach the lobby, and he pulls me toward the breakfast area. Gabriel takes two plates in his hands. “I’ll hold, you dish up,” he commands, and I giggle when he stands in front of me, waiting to put whatever I want on my plate. Gabriel tells me what he wants, and I put everything in a large amount, making him smile. I know how much he eats better than anyone else. We sit down at an empty table and start eating our food. “Tell me, are you still taking me to Les Misérables in August? Or do I have to make other plans?” A smile spreads over my lips, and I wonder where we will be by August.

“You know, I’ve never been in your bedroom, I’ve never met your aunt or her wife, I’ve never watched you draw…” I remember his drawings and wonder when, or even how, he created them.

“As soon as we get back to Monaco, I’ll do all of that with you,” he promises me. His hand lifts to my face, and he runs his thumb over my bottom lip. “Whatever you want, I’ll give to you.” He retracts his hand from my face, and I almost whimper at the loss of his touch.

“I think we should head back to our rooms and pack our things. We have to be at the airport in a couple of hours.” Gabriel nods absentmindedly.

“Okay.” His eyes are searching my face for some kind of answer, and I feel a bit guilty for cutting our breakfast short. I get up from my chair, press a kiss to his cheek, and take his hand in mine again. He’s done eating, too; I make sure of that before pulling him up from his seat.

“Let’s go pack,” I repeat. He has been increasingly pulling me in since yesterday, and I need to talk to Eduardo. He deserves an explanation before Gabriel and I move on with whatever it is we have.