Perfect Fit - Brenda Jackson [79]
He took a sip of his coffee, then said, “And then for me, there is the issue of Lindsey.”
Sage raised a brow. “Lindsey?”
“Yes, the woman I had planned to marry. She’s now happily married. My relationship ended with her three years ago. Yet, my past experience with her is the main reason I’ve avoided any serious entanglements since then. Therefore, since the both of us were previously involved with people we cared deeply about, I think the best thing we can do is to give each other time,” Gabe finally concluded.
Sage’s gaze became confused. “Time?” At his nod she asked, “Are you suggesting that we don’t see each other?”
Gabe smiled. He liked hearing the disappointment in her voice. “No, quite the contrary. I think we should continue to see each other on a regular basis, but not get deeply involved until we’re both sure that is what we want.”
Sage released a long sigh, then asked, “Would you define deeply involved?”
“I’m talking about involved to the point where we would sleep together. You did say you weren’t ready for anything like that yet anyway.”
Sage nodded. She bit nervously on her bottom lip, thinking about all that Gabe had said. “Let me make sure I have this right. You’re suggesting that we see each other on a regular basis in a no- sex relationship … until the two of us feel we would want to take our relationship to that level?”
“Yes.”
Sage arched a brow. “Why? What would you be getting out of this?”
He smiled. “Precisely the same thing you’d be getting. A chance for us to continue to get to know each other and further our trust in each other in a developing relationship without the issue of sex clouding up anything.”
“But what about those sexual urges men have?”
Gabe’s smile widened. “Women have them, too.”
Sage shrugged. “Yeah, but I’ve heard they’re a lot harder on a man.”
“And I’m sure there are women who’d have just as hard a time.” Gabe didn’t want to call names, but he’d bet that she was one of them. Whether Sage realized it or not, she was a highly sensually charged person. She had proved that by having an orgasm in his arms just from him touching her. They would both burn to cinders when the time came for him to be inside of her. He was getting extremely hard just thinking about it.
“Are you sure you’re willing to try this?” Sage asked with uncertainty.
“Yes. I enjoy being with you, Sage. Besides, we proved this afternoon that there are other things we can do that are just as pleasurable as having sex.”
Sage knew just what he was talking about but decided to ask anyway. “Kissing and touching?”
“Yes, and as we get more comfortable with each other and with our developing relationship, we can add one other thing.”
Sage’s curiosity was peaked. “One other thing like what?”
Gabe decided he hadn’t wanted to shock her too soon, but she had asked. “Tasting.”
Sage’s hand trembled as she reached for her cup of coffee. She wouldn’t ask Gabe for further clarification on that one. Too many racy, erotic images were already forming in her mind. Deciding to change the subject, she said, “I’ll be glad to wash the dishes since you did all the cooking.”
“There’s no need since I have a dishwasher. But if you want, you can help me load it up. Then I suggest the two of us get to bed early since we have a busy day tomorrow.”
Sage took a sip of coffee. “Doing what?”
“Going fishing, riding on the snowmobile, and getting some skiing in. I’m waking you up before the crack of dawn so the two of us can get an early start.” His smile widened. “We’ll have a lot of fun together.”
Sage nodded. She didn’t doubt his words since it seemed that they always had fun anytime they were together. The steamy, hot kind of fun.
While she watched him take a leisurely sip of his coffee, all she could think about was kissing, touching … and tasting.
Oh, my.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
On Monday morning Sage smiled as she sat in her office with an updated report on Eden in front of her. However, her smile didn’t have anything to do with the report, although she was pleased