33. King

Chapter 33

King

I'm not sure what it is. Maybe it's because Shelby destroyed something in me by kicking me to the curb for another man, and Gabby's sweetness is like a balm over that. Hell, it could even be that, in my own way, I'm as broken as she is. Whatever the reason, this one kiss is so good that it takes a forcible effort to pull away from her.

"Gabriella," I whisper. "You are a surprise."

She looks up at me, her fingers sliding against her lips. I had thought her eyes were blue or maybe green. To be honest, I didn't look that closely. Right now, however, they look more hazel. That bluish-green hue is there, but there's a golden brown surrounding them. They're beautiful, but the tears shining in their depths nearly do me in. I wasn't lying when I told her I wished I could bring those sad fucks back—just to kill them again. She deserves retribution.

"Surprise?" she asks, biting down on her lip. Her breathing is erratic. I know she's enjoyed the kiss. The only problem is, I can also see fear on her face.

"That might be one of the best kisses I've had, Wildcat."

"I was just thinking the same about you, King."

"But …" I murmur.

Gabby slowly sits up and gives me a sad smile. " But …" She lets out a disgusted sigh, pulls herself up on the bed, and looks at me. "I want to, I swear. It's just … I think it would be a mistake to do this."

"Are you scared?" I ask, frowning as I stare at her. Truth is, I don't want to stop. I want her. It doesn't matter that it won't go anywhere past tonight. I want to be the man who shows her she can enjoy sex again. I want to give her the tenderness that she deserves right now.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," she admits quietly, holding her head down.

"Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of the rape."

"It's not that. I actually feel very safe with you."

That makes me smile and I reach out and push a small portion of her soft hair behind her ear, allowing the pad of my index finger to caress her cheek. "You're going to have to explain that one to me, honey."

"I'm fucked up, King, and I don't mean just from the rape. Besides, I've already been involved with two of Dragon's sons. I don't think I'm brave enough to tackle a third."

"If it helps, I don't consider myself one of his sons," I respond. Her reasoning irritates me, but I don't want that to show. She couldn't guess what a sore spot Dragon is right now. I am warring with myself when it comes to him. The way Kayden and the others are claiming me as a brother has thrown me for a loop.

"Well, you should. It's clear from just watching you tonight that they want you in their lives?—"

"Wildcat—"

"They should, too. You're a good man, King. One of the best I've ever known. You're definitely too good for the likes of me."

"Stop that, Gabriella. I don't like it when you put yourself down. You have enough people around you that seem to do that as it is."

"I've given them reason to, King," she responds so quietly that I have to strain to hear her. I pull her into me and hold her against my chest, as I let my hand slide back and forth on her back. "Maybe you have, but you are not just your mistakes, Gabby. We all make those?—"

"Mine are bigger than the normal mistake, King."

"Well, you haven't made them with me. I want to be your safe zone, Gabriella. When you're with me, I'm not going to judge you on your past. I will not judge you at all. There is only you and me, and the rest of the bullshit doesn't matter. What happens between us is just us . No one else is involved."

"Having me involved is enough. I can barely look at myself in the mirror."

"I think I can understand some of that feeling. I mean, hell, I just got my divorce papers fast tracked in a week because my ex couldn't wait to get married to the man of her dreams. It wasn't so long ago, I thought that was me," I laugh bitterly. It might sound superficial, but my ego has definitely taken a hit.

"It's okay, King. It will get better for you. I know it. Besides, you have a lot of good karma on your side. You have a bright future."

"You're really big on this karma shit, aren't you?"

"Get on the wrong side of her and you'll understand," she mutters.

"Gab—"

"King, I'm not even sure I could be with another man after what happened. I'm having panic attacks constantly. I don't sleep because the nightmares are always close by. I really want what you're offering, but I just … can't."

I study her and let out a breath. I'd be lying if I didn't admit to being disappointed, but strangely, it makes me respect her, too. "Okay, then," I mutter as I get up. I walk over to my duffle bag that I saw on top of the chest when I came in. I'm not sure how Gabby decided all the rooms and had our overnight bags brought to them, but I have to say, I'm pretty damn impressed. When we got here, the club just had us put our duffle bags—if we had them—in the main room for later. I'd actually forgotten all about mine until I got in this room. I take it and throw the bag on the bed, unzipping it.

"You're really good at organizing. I'd forgotten all about my bag."

"Well, it wasn't hard. Only you and Lyla brought one. So, your club was kind of easy," she laughs. "I should probably get going so you can rest. I won't be here in the morning, so I'll say my goodbyes now. Have a safe trip back, okay?"

I reach out and catch her hand, keeping her from going to the door. "Here," I murmur.

She looks down at my hand as I hold out one of my favorite tees toward her. It's a Led Zeppelin T-shirt. For some reason, I really want to see Gabby in it.

"What's this?" she asks confused, taking the shirt but looking at me like I've lost my mind.

"Something for you to sleep in. We don't have to have sex, but you can sleep here and let me hold you."

"King …"

"Give me this, Gabriella. I want to hold you through the night. Maybe I just need the company. Hell, I don't know. I think we both need it."

"I don't sleep that great," she warns. "I may keep you awake."

"I'll chase the nightmares away," I promise her.

A smile plays on her lips as she looks at me. "I'm not sure that's possible."

"If I don't, then we'll talk through the night until they disappear," I compromise.

"You're a crazy man, you know that?"

"I believe the word you're looking for is determined," I counter.

She laughs and then shocks the hell out of me by going up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek. "Thank you, King." I watch as she walks into the bathroom. Before she closes the door, she looks at me with a sad little smile. "It seems you're always saving me."

She closes the door, and I strip quickly. I'm not really the type to wear clothes to bed, and I normally go commando, too. Luckily, because I was staying at a strange club and you never know what kind of shit will go down, I brought some joggers with me. I grab them and put them on quickly.

Gabby comes out in my shirt, making me grin. My shirt swamps her. It falls just a couple of inches above her knees. She looks damn good in it, though. Looking at her now, I don't get how anyone could say she looks like Lyla. I see nothing in common at this moment—and that's a good thing.

"Go ahead and get in bed, Wildcat."

"Okay," she answers, pink tinting her cheeks.

I make quick work of brushing my teeth. Gabby must have laid out a toothbrush still in its packaging. Using it, I grab some mouthwash and then head out. I slide into the bed with a visibly nervous Gabby.

"Relax, Gabriella. You're safe, remember?"

"Are you sure about this?"

"I'm actually looking forward to it," I admit. I've had my own sleepless nights. Turns out, it isn't easy saying goodbye to the future you planned for yourself.

She shakes her head. "You might be crazier than I am, King."

"Do you sleep on your back or your side?" I ask.

"I kind of toss and turn and give up however I'm lying," she mumbles.

"Then come here," I order as I turn off the bedside light.

I hold her against my side, so that her head is on my arm, her hand is on my chest. At first, she's really tense. Her muscles are so tight, I'm worried about her. I begin sliding my hand up and down her back, saying nothing. Eventually, Gabby lets out a breath that I'm almost positive she didn't realize she was holding. She burrows in deeper as her body relaxes against me. I smile as her hand stretches out over me. "Goodnight, King."

"Night, Gabriella," I whisper back, kissing the top of her head as I continue to stroke her back. I slowly close my eyes, but they open quickly when I feel her hand find mine. One by one, her fingers lace with mine as her leg hooks into one of mine—leaving us touching everywhere. There's nothing sexual about it, but it is oddly comforting. I bring our joined hands up to my chest and let them rest there. We stay like that until I hear her breathing level out and I smile. "Sweet dreams, Wildcat," I wish out into the darkness of the room, kissing our joined hands. Surprisingly, it doesn't take long for sleep to claim me either, and I welcome it.