Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [65]
He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess we can’t.” He then released his fingers from the softness of her bare bottom and slipped his hand from beneath the back waist of her dress at the same time as he took a step back.
“I liked that,” she said honestly, meeting his gaze.
He inhaled deeply and lifted a brow. “The kiss?”
“Everything. I liked the feel of your hand touching me back there and the feel of your body pressing against me,” she replied huskily, truthfully.
“Damn.”
Before Sage knew what he was about to do, Gabe pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again. This kiss wasn’t as devouring as the other one had been, but still it sent blissful heat escalating through her entire body.
This time when he released her, she smiled. “I kind of like this sexual chemistry stuff.” She refused to pretend that he didn’t turn her on in a way that she liked. Over dinner they had pretty much set the ground rules that would dictate their friendship. Both of them had been open and had given each other a glimpse of what was underneath their businesslike exteriors.
Gabe couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his lips. “Yeah, I like this sexual chemistry stuff, too.”
She gazed up at him from underneath lowered lashes. “Do you think we let things move too fast tonight? Especially when we’re just friends?”
Gabe chuckled. “There is such a thing as being intimate friends.”
Sage frowned. She wondered if he was hinting at the same thing as a sex-only relationship and decided to ask him.
He thought about his past relationship with Debbie and shook his head. He didn’t want to share anything like that with Sage. “No, I don’t mean a sex-only relationship, Sage. What I’m saying is that we may have left your apartment this evening as friends, but I don’t think friendship will work between us with all this chemistry we generate.”
She lifted an arched brow. “Are you suggesting that we don’t go out on any more dates?”
“No, that’s not what I’m suggesting. In fact, I think just the opposite. We should continue to date with no restrictions, taking things at a pace that is comfortable for the two of us. I don’t want you to do anything you aren’t ready to do, and I’ll know when you’re ready.”
She considered his words for a few seconds, then said, “And how will you know when I’m ready?”
He smiled. “I’ll know.” Then his gaze grew serious, and he reached out and threaded his fingers in her hair to hold her face in place. “But the one thing I won’t tolerate, Sage, is playing substitute. Understood?”
Her eyes widened in startled shock. Substitute? What is he talking about? Then she remembered what he’d accused her of that day at lunch. How could he still think that she would use him as a substitute when Erol had been the furthest thing from her mind tonight?
Anger ripped through her, and she took a step back. “Maybe it’s you who should understand something, Gabe. I don’t play games. I’ve told you the real deal between me and Erol, and I don’t know why you won’t believe me and why you’re so convinced that I’m still carrying a torch for him when I’m not. But since you seem to believe that, maybe it will be best if you and I don’t go out again.”
“Sage—”
“No, please just leave.”
Gabe sighed. She was upset, and he knew it. He also knew that he had certainly made a mess of things. He wanted to stay and talk about it, but with the mutinous look on her face, he decided to do what she’d asked and leave, not wanting to upset her any further. He turned and headed for the door. He glanced back over his shoulder before opening it. “I’ll call you.”
She glared at him. “Don’t bother.”
He stopped and turned around. “Good night, Sage.” He then walked out the door.
“Gabe Blackwell actually thinks that you’re using him as a substitute for Erol?” Rose asked in astonishment over the phone line.
“Yes, can you believe such a thing?” Sage asked, still fuming. After Gabe had left, she had stripped off her clothes, taken a shower to cool her still-heated body, put on her pajamas and placed a call to Rose. She