With a sigh of relief, Persia shut and locked the front door and leaned her forehead against it. The last of her dinner guests had finally left and she was able to relax. She loved her friends... really she did. But now as she closed her eyes, still leaning against the door, she wanted nothing more than to sink into the couch, a glass of wine in her hand, and his arms around her.
Well, almost nothing more,
she thought, her lips forming a sly grin when she felt Gabriel staring at her from the kitchen. She smiled even bigger when she imagined the look of wanting on his face. She felt a shiver run up her spine and felt the goose bumps on her skin. It still amazed her how strongly he could affect her. Her smile slipped into its comfortable level that usually stayed there when she thought about him, and turned away from the front door.
She was right... there he was, leaning against the kitchen doorway, watching her. He stood at 5'10" and was toned enough, but not so muscular to look like he spent all his time working out. He had long dark brown hair to the middle of his back which he usually wore in a pony tail. It was loose at the moment now that the guests and left.
He loved to watch her. He could watch her while she did the most mundane things: cooking the dinner they just enjoyed, typing on her computer, reading a book. She was without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was about 5'5" with shoulder-length raven-black hair. She had a perfect figure... slim with curvy hips, just enough of an ass to be noticed without being too large. She had smallish breasts, but they fit her form perfectly. She had stunning grey-blue eyes that could hold you captive with a glance and a smile that could break your heart. It didn't matter what she was doing, he could watch her all day long.
He could also watch her be the sexiest creature alive. She could drive him wild with a look... and she knew it. She gave him one of those looks now: a coy grin that told him she knew what he was thinking. It didn't take much for her to put a sexy sway into her hips as she walked up to him and slipped her arms around his neck. She kissed him quickly on the lips and leaned back away from him a bit to look in his eyes. "And just what are you looking at?" she said teasingly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and replied "Only beauty incarnate" he replied lovingly. He knew how lucky he was to have her attention and love. And he made damn sure she knew that he knew it.
"Oh" she said, a playfully disappointed tone coming into her voice. "I thought you were looking at my ass" she finished, turning a bit to try to look behind her as if appraising her butt to see what could be wrong with it. He pulled her back closer to him and she looked back up at him giggling. He loved everything about her; especially her playfulness and smartass wit.
"Persia, how could you be the most beautiful woman I've ever seen if you didn't also have the most beautiful ass I've ever seen?" He slid his hands down from her waist and gave her ass a healthy squeeze to make his point. She gave a little squeak in surprise and giggled into his lips as he kissed her again. He wrapped his arms around her tighter and held her close. She broke from the kiss with a sigh and laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes; listening to his heart beat. He had once told her that his heart always beat faster around her and she could hear it speeding up slightly now. He rested his chin on her head and closed his eyes, remembering the first time they realized they were supposed to be together forever.
One Year Ago
What the hell am I doing here?
Gabriel shook his head for the third time since parking his car. He was at his high school reunion and had a hard time remembering why he bothered showing up. He hated most of the people he went to school with. The few friends worth keeping up with, he stayed in touch with. There was one or two that he wanted to find, but he didn't think they'd be here.
Oh well,
he thought. Maybe some of his friends would show up.
He got out of the car and buttoned his jacket. Since the high school was still in the middle of the sticks and hillbilly heaven, he thought he should dress sharply, just to show that he not only survived this place, but went on to better things. His suit was black with an electric-blue shirt and black tie. He had a fresh shine on his shoes and a matching blue handkerchief in his breast pocket. His hair was short back then, and he wore it gelled back.
He looked around the parking lot in which he had not parked in years. After every where he had been for the last decade and everything he had seen, this place seemed smaller than he remembered. It was to be expected, he guessed. Considering that he only spend about three years here, the ten that passed seemed like forever. A flood of memories, good and bad, washed over him. He stood by the car for a few minutes and played through them before shaking his head clear and continuing inside.
The main gathering was in the small gymnasium, a place he had rarely gone. He was never into sports or physical education, so he never spent time in the gym. He walked around for a bit, not really recognizing many people. As he had guessed, many of the 'cowboys' were in their jeans and button-down shirts with bolo-ties. This was 'dressed up' for them.
Just like prom,
he thought with an annoyed frown. He didn't want to be judgmental, but most of the people here had proved to him time and again that they were worthy of only contempt.
As the hours wore on, he was approached by women who wondered who the handsome and successful-looking man was. Most of them didn't remember him; some he remembered as being women who snubbed their noses at him in the past. He knew he was good looking, but always stayed modest about it. He made polite conversation with most of them, but excused himself over and over from them... he wasn't here to pick up a date. Especially not with these women. Most of them had laughed at him and his friends all those years ago. They only overlooked that because he looked richer than the slack-jawed locals. Many of them were still trying to get by on looks and smiles, but those were fading fast.
He walked over to the portable bar that was set up and ordered a rum and coke. He took a few steps to the side and looked down in his drink and considered leaving early. He knew someone was behind him in line to order a drink, but he didn't bother to see who. He knew none of his friends had come tonight. A moment later, a velvet voice broke him out of his reverie.
"I can tell
you