Chapter 20

Skye

I stare up at the night sky in wonder. I know the stars are there every night, but you honestly kinda forget. I’ve never seen a sky so beautiful. In fact, I can’t even remember the last time I took a moment to really appreciate this natural wonderment.

It’s so sweet that Gabriel would take me up here — a place he brings his daughter — to clear my mind off things for a while. If he got any sweeter, he’d turn into a freaking cupcake with sprinkles on top.

I have no damn clue how this man is still single, but something tells me he prefers it that way. Yet, tonight? I didn’t see him flirting with anyone or engaging in conversation with females. The two that came up to him and my brother? He took no interest in either of them. No, his eyes were firmly on… well, me, for most of the night.

I knew I was flirting with danger when I was dancing only for him. Imagining what it would be like for him to take me in his arms. To be his girl. Which is stupid; I can’t be his, anyway. Even if he was giving me eyes just a little bit, he’s still my boss. And I’m still leaving in seven weeks. It would be dumb to start anything and then up and leave.

Not that I would say no to a roll in the hay with this gorgeous man. He’s delicious in every way.

But the way he’s describing the stars like that… It brings warmth to my heart and makes my head a little dizzy. Under all that gruff exterior is a man who is not only very intelligent and articulate, he’s also very funny, protective and warm.

It makes me want to snuggle up to him, but I know I can’t.

“… If you look over at the Big Dipper again, I want to show you something really cool.” He sounds like an excited schoolboy and I’m eager to hear what he has to say next. Leaning toward me, I get the subtle waft of his cologne and I have to hold in my groan as he points. “If you look closely between the two bears, you’ll see Draco — also known as ‘the Dragon’. You’ll have to squint, focus your eyes a little until he appears.”

I do as he says. “Okay.” I don’t see anything yet, just a bunch of stars.

“It’s one of the hardest constellations to find because it has no bright stars; just a wiggly line of faint stars that lead between the two bears. On a clear night, like tonight, it’s easier.”

I squint and focus as he speaks, and suddenly — like magic — I see it.

“Holy crap, Gabe!” I clap my hand over my mouth. “It looks like a tail, just there!”

He chuckles. “It does. Pretty cool, right?”

“I’ve never noticed that before.”

“That’s because it’s hard to detect, and it has other constellations right alongside it like Hercules, Cepheus, Lyra, Cygnus, among others. So it hides easily and gets missed, but in actual fact, it’s one of the largest constellations in the solar system.”

“I know you have another fun fact in there somewhere.”

I love the sound of his laugh. It’s masculine and sexy, and because I’ve only heard it a couple of times, it makes me feel good that I can bring laughter out in this man I thought was pretty grumpy at first.

“Fine, you got me. But it’s a long story.”

“I think I can keep up.”

He puts both hands behind his head as I look from him back up to the Dragon. “In Greek mythology, it’s said that the constellation symbolized the dragon named Ladon. He guarded the goddess Hera’s golden apples in the garden of Hesperides. However, to complete one of his twelve labors, Hercules killed Ladon in order to steal the apples. The only thing was, Hera was the wife of Zeus, so he wasn’t too happy about that. The apples that the trees bore fruit to were not considered to be of the ordinary kind; they were golden apples because they granted immortality to anyone who consumed them.”

The story takes my breath away. He really knows his stuff.

“So, what happened when Hercules stole them?”

“Well, by putting Ladon in charge, Hera thought she’d solved the problem of mischief around the orchard — where others who cared for the apples would steal some for themselves. When Hercules came along, unfortunately, it didn’t end well for the Dragon; Hercules slayed the multi-headed beast, or so the story goes.”

My heart hammers in my chest, imagining the battle. “All of that for the chance of immortality.”

“I get the feeling Hercules may have swindled Hera, but I haven’t read anything about it. Then again, he wouldn’t have wanted to be on Zeus’s bad side.”

I giggle. “The possibilities are endless.”

“I’m sorry if I just bored the living shit out of you,” he says suddenly. He runs a hand through his hair. I realize this is pensive Gabe. Him at his most vulnerable. And I like it a lot.

“Why would you say that?” I playfully punch him on the arm. “This stuff is fascinating. I want to know more.”

“To really put you to sleep?”

“Tell me about Taurus.”

He sighs. “I don’t know that much.”

“I bet you do.”

“It’s not like you’ll know if I make it up.”

I shake my head. “You wouldn’t do that — you’re too straight laced.”

“Straight laced?” He laughs out loud.

“You’re a perfectionist. I’d be surprised if you’re not a Virgo.”

He turns to look at me. “I am a Virgo.”

“See. I’m perceptive.”

“No, you’ve been hanging around my sister too long.”

“Oh, you’re probably right about that. Her woo-woo seems to be rubbing off on me.”

He chuckles again. “What star sign are you?”

I smile. “Taurus.”

“Ah. Well, I’ll tell you only the good things.”

“Deal.”

“Taurus is the sixth largest of the zodiac constellations and the seventeenth largest constellation overall. It actually occupies almost two percent of the sky over earth, according to astronomers. It gets its name from an easy to see V shape that looks like a bull’s head.” He draws a line with his finger as I follow it. Sure enough, I see it easily. “It has nineteen stars and is ruled by Venus; the enchanting planet that governs love, beauty, and money. It’s also said to be the most sensual of the zodiac, thanks to Venus’s influence.”

Holy shit, this man is on fire. I squeeze my thighs together without making it obvious. Him saying ‘sensual’ has my nerve endings on high alert.

“Sensual?”

“And the most beautiful.” He turns to look at me.

I bite my lip. “And what naughty thing did Taurus do to end up in the sky, according to Greek mythology?”

He laughs. “Funny you should mention it. Taurus’s head faces toward Orion. It’s said that Taurus is the God Zeus disguised in order to seduce the maiden Europa. The Greek Gods didn’t know how to keep it in their pants, if you ask me.”

I think he’s right about that. “Wasn’t Hera enough for him?”

“Apparently not. He got around, as most Greek Gods probably did back then.”

I laugh at the idea. I’ve been smiling so much my jaw aches. “That was really cool, Gabe. Thank you for enlightening me.”

“Anytime.”

“I think you should really get that telescope.”

“Yeah?”

“I could come out with you and be your scribe.” I have no idea why I say that.

He moves slightly, sitting up onto his elbows. As he does, our hands brush slightly, and he turns to look down at them.

I swallow hard.

“I can just imagine you camping out, with the headlights on, peering into the distance as you look out for cougars and black bears while you’re meant to be taking notes.” He doesn’t move his hand from mine; our pinkie fingers touching.

“Hey! I’d make a better scribe than I would a barista.”

“I think we can both agree on that.”

We both look at one another and burst out laughing. It’s such a nice sound. It makes my insides all gooey.

“Thanks, Gabe. I really mean it. That took my mind off Gramps, and I learned some new things.”

“Happy to help, and I love coming up here. So any excuse is a good one.” He palms the back of his neck as he sits up. “But I should take you home. Travis will call a search party if he’s back at your grandparents’ already and you’re not there.”

I nod, sitting up as I hug my knees, his jacket still draped around me. It hits me that this is a really special place for him. And he took me here.

The way he looks at me; I’ve never had a man look at me like that before. I can’t explain it. It’s like he’s genuinely interested when I speak. He wants to know what I think. He might possibly be the sweetest man I’ve ever met, yet he hides it under the facade of a CEO. It’s such a crying shame, but I understand he’s guarding his heart. I wonder what would happen if he let his walls down; if he gave love a chance again. Not that I’m such a genius at it.

He climbs down first, then holds his hands out for mine. I take them, reveling in his warm touch as our eyes meet. I slide off the truck bed and just as I land, I kick a rock and stumble. He catches me easily as I fall into his arms, cursing as I grip onto his biceps. Holy mother of God, this man is built. It’s deceiving when he’s in a suit. He’s tall, obviously, and he looks lean. Now I’m up close and personal, I see that he’s buff as all can be; his chest is wide set, framing a perfectly sculpted body. I feel my core throbbing. And his blue eyes are staring at me.

“I’m a klutz,” I explain.

“Did you hurt yourself?”

I shake my head.

His voice is hoarse when he says, “We should…” I’m still holding onto him when I lean up, out of nowhere, and plant a kiss on his cheek.

I could be wrong, but I’m sure I hear a low growl in his chest and I don’t know about him, but I’m panting like a woman possessed. I want his mouth. No, I need his mouth.

“You are a sweet man, Gabriel Bassett. Thank you for bringing me up here.” I let go of him and hobble around to the passenger side. I stumped my toe when I tripped, but I don’t want to admit it. It seems these boots are for aesthetics only. He follows me — being the southern gentleman that he is — and helps me into the truck.

His gaze is on me the whole time as I look anywhere but at him.

I just kissed my boss on the cheek! What was I thinking?

When I’m strapped in, he shuts the door, secures the tray, and then he climbs into the driver’s seat. He runs his hands through his hair before starting the truck and I think I might have a little something to do with his frustration.

Should I apologize?

Is he mad?

I’ve no idea, but I know how I feel. And my body and soul are on fire for him. I want this man to ruin me. To take me to his bed and tell me about Taurus all over again. I’m still reeling over all the information he just gave me about the constellations and what a sweet idea it was. The man has no idea how freaking sexy that is, or how turned on I am by him just being himself. I know that he’s a serious guy, but I have to say that I really like this side of him. He’s playful. Carefree. Relaxed. Every time I see him, he either has a scowl or that crease between his eyes is forming. I imagine he has a lot of stress in his job, and in his life. But I love it when Gabriel Bassett takes time to smell the roses. It makes me feel happy that I got to make him smile and laugh as much as I did.

That’s a real accomplishment.

The trouble is; I want more of it.

I want more of all things Gabriel.