Gun Games - Faye Kellerman [69]
He said, “What’s on your mind, Yasmine?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not true. Did I upset you with my wisecrack?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “I understand your position with your parents. I’m sorry if I made you feel bad.”
“It’s not that.” Her eyes clouded. “I just can’t . . .”
“Tell me.” He stopped walking and held her shoulders. “You can’t what?”
She shook her head.
“You can’t be with me anymore? Is that it?” He was heartbroken but tried to hide it. “Tell me, Yasmine. It’s okay. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”
Her eyes were wet. “I’m always trying to hide us. It must make you feel terrible.”
“I’d rather it be out in the open, but I’m a big boy. I know it’s just as hard for you as it is for me.”
“I can’t understand why put up with it,” she blurted out. “With all these beautiful girls around, I just don’t understand why you like me.”
Gabe waited for more, but it didn’t come. “That’s what’s on your mind?” When she nodded, he blew out air, relieved. “You are such a cuckoo bird.”
“You are so gorgeous, Gabe. You’re gorgeous and talented and smart and funny and you’re just perfect.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “You could get any girl you wanted.”
“But I don’t want any girl, I just want you.” No one was around. He drew her into a long, lingering kiss. “If you could only see yourself through my eyes, Yasmine. You are so incredibly exotic . . . with these big, big round black eyes, a small perfect nose . . . and your lips . . . oh my God, you have the thickest, most kissable lips ever. You’ve got this mane of black, wavy hair that I just want to lose myself in. You’re just so sexy.”
“Even with my small chest?”
Gabe smiled. “Okay. So now I know you’re feeling better. You’re teasing me.” He took her hand. “You’re going to be late if we don’t move.”
She started walking but didn’t say anything.
“We have this incredible chemistry, but that’s not the only reason I like you.” He kissed her hand. “I like you because you’ve got this wonderful curiosity about everything. You approach everything with this wide-eyed innocence. God, so many girls out there are plowing headfirst into adulthood and you take such delight in being this wondrous girl. Absolutely nothing about you is forced.”
He slipped his arm around her waist.
“And of course, you speak music.”
“I do speak music,” Yasmine said.
“That’s a biggie for me. It’s hard to find someone my age who speaks music.” He stopped walking, pulling her body close to his. “I love you. You know that, right?”
Her eyes watered. “I love you, too.”
“I need to be alone with you again.” He growled out, “When?”
She lay her head on his chest. “We’re invited out for Shabbat this Saturday.”
“What about Sunday?”
“We have a cousin’s wedding.”
“Exactly how many relatives do you have?” When she didn’t answer, he said, “You must have a party every week.”
“About.” She looped her hands around his neck, entwining her fingers through his hair and kissed him hard. “I’ll think of something.”
He groaned with lust. “Man, you’d better or I’m going to do something drastic.”
She smiled. “The school’s a block away. I can take it from here.”
“Fine. And no more silly talk about why do I like you, okay? It makes me feel bad.”
“Okay.” She smiled broadly. “I love you soooooo much.”
“I love you, too.”
She kissed him, broke away, and started running.
Gabe watched her go. It was nice to see a spring in her step. It was also fun to watch her ass.
The secretary announced that someone was on line three. Decker punched in the blinking light and announced himself.
“Romulus Poe here.”
“What’s going on, Sergeant Poe?”
“Just wanted to tell you that we’ve had a few weeks of spring weather . . . beautiful out here—deep blue skies and purple mountains majesty. The waterfalls are particularly spectacular with all the runoff.”
“Thanks for the travelogue.”
Poe laughed. “If Garth Hammerling was