Page 16 of Gentleman Wanted
And god, it turned me on. What did that say about me?
“I’m not ok kissing strangers. And I am not ok with you kissing me because you’re angry at me. I want to be kissed because a guy wants to. Not because he’s trying to punish me for something.” I tried to duck under his arms, but his warning growl made me freeze.
“Is that what you think I’m doing, Gem?” Firm fingers clamped down on my chin, lifting my face so he could search my eyes. “Do you think I’m kissing you because I’m mad and jealous and want to stake some claim on you?”
“Yes.” Unblinkingly I nodded.
“And you would be right.” His lips softened into the slightest of smiles. “But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to kiss you. That I don’t still want to kiss you.”
I swallowed hard.
“I don’t want you to see that guy again.”
The warmth that had spread around my heart vanished. “How dare you come in here and try to dictate who I can and cannot see. What am I meant to do? Stay single because…”
“I want you to date me. Be with me.” Even as I watched, he closed his eyes. Like the words pained him to say.
“Gent.” My voice wobbled.
“Give me a chance, Gemma. I think we have proven we are good together. We get on.”
“You sound like you are talking yourself into it.” Shaking my head, I turned away. “We don’t know if we are compatible as a couple Gent. We haven’t even kissed and….”
Capturing my cheeks between his hands, he leant down, so his forehead was against mine. “I’ve kissed you.”
“Not properly,” I pouted.
“Let’s rectify that then, hey?” Rough fingers trailed up my cheek. His almond-shaped eyes darkened. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long, Gem. And I think you know it. So this is me asking. Can I kiss you? Properly? Not because…”
I was nodding even before he finished, and his smile grew even wider.
Holding my breath, my hand came up to rest against his chest, bracing myself for it.
Bobby’s wailing screech was ear piercing, and the two of us froze. Like we were two naughty teenagers who had just been caught by their parents.
Gent started to laugh. Low, rumbling belly laughs. “It’s a good job that I love that kid because he has lousy timing.”
“I’ll get him.”
“No, I will get him. You go and change into something more comfortable. I got him.”
I watched as he walked away. His back straight. His every move confident.
And I found myself smiling. Just like that, we had gone back to the way things were. Before we had come home and everything had gotten messed up.
***
I could feel his eyes on me in the darkened living room. I didn’t need to turn to know he was staring at me when he should have been watching the film he had put on.
It was so much like old times. Except that it was awkward. When we were living together on the run, I wouldn’t have hesitated to curl up against his side. And now I didn’t know what I was meant to do.
“He’s asleep, Gem.” Gent’s voice made me jump, and I finally turned. His face was illuminated by the blueish glow from the TV. “Milk drunk and snoring. Relax.” Even in the dark, I could see the white flash of his teeth as he grinned.
“I know.”
“Then why are you sitting like that?” His dark hair fell into his eyes as he cocked his head to the side. “Come here.” Strong hands pulled me backwards, tucking me firmly into his side. “Much better like this, don’t you think?” His heavy arm went around my shoulders.
I sighed, content as I leant my head against him. Yes, it was better.
