Page 23 of Gabe's Obsession
Marry.
He rolled the word around in his mind for a moment to see how it felt. And like his gut had suggested minutes ago, it felt right.
"What exactly is so crazy about getting married? You admitted not fifteen minutes ago that you've been waiting for me."
"I did no—“
"Don't," he warned, his voice low and gravelly now as he felt that need again to take her over his knee and spank her until she confessed everything to him through a stream of hard fought tears. "Don't deny what you've already said. We promised the truth, remember?"
She clamped her lips shut and flared her nostrils.
"Enough already. You're starting to sound like a broken record, Gabe Michaels. This is too much even for you. You manage the largest sex club in three states, you can have your pick of any woman you desire and they don't need you to marry them first. Go choose one of them to take care of your needs."
He took a deep breath to calm the fire burning in his chest from her carelessly chosen words. "First, I'm not sure I want to know how you know Purgatory is the largest sex club in the tri-state area. And second, I don't want them. I want you. Maybe I've been waiting for you, too. You ever think of that?"
That got her opening and closing her mouth several times without saying a word. Finally, the woman was speechless. Intent on taking advantage of her silence, he continued, "I know you think we're just friends and that's more important than everything else. But don't you see? That's exactly what makes this so perfect.
We already know each other and have for a very long time. I think that's more than a lot of newlyweds can say these days. It's not like we're one of those people who are going to wake up after a night of drinking in Las Vegas and find themselves hitched to a total stranger. We're smarter than that."
"Not sure I'd choose smarter as the right word."
Gabe bit back a grin. Did she realize she'd just implied she was actually thinking about his proposal?
He had to admit, if only to himself, the idea had been an impulsive one. But the more he thought about it, the more he liked it. Nina needed his protection and care, and as her husband that would be a hell of a lot easier.
Maybe he couldn't lock her up in a gilded prison to keep her out of harm's way, but he could certainly use his charm and influence to keep predators away. Especially if she ended up having anything to do with her father's murder all those years ago.
A fact he still couldn't wrap his mind around.
Yes, she was hot-headed and stubborn and could have an emotional outburst when provoked, but that hardly made her a killer. Either that bastard had done something unspeakable to her or her brothers were dead wrong about what happened.
Either way, he wasn't about to let anything happen to Nina. He had no problem lying or cheating to keep her safe or to capture her heart, for that matter. He just knew he was done waiting.
"I beg to differ. This might be the smartest idea I've ever had." He looked over at the antique clock hanging on the wall and smiled. "If we hurry we should be able to get down to the courthouse and get this done today.”
Nina choked. "What?!"
Her eyes had grown wide and her face was definitely flushed red. Of course that made him think of her skin that similar shade of color from either arousal or the sting of his whip. As soon as they got this done, they were going to try a scene with his favorite tool. The sooner he got her to let down her guard and into subspace the sooner they could work past some of her issues.
"I didn't really picture you as the kind of woman who wanted the whole big ceremony thing. Of course, if you'd prefer to wait and plan a wedding, we could hire someone to pull something together quickly. Whatever you'd like, as long as we handle this soon," he said.
"I'd like for you to stop talking about our marriage now as if it were already a done deal. This is insane. We have no business getting married."
Again, he noticed she hadn't said no. He'd shocked her, but underneath the bluster and pissy attitude he could see the woman who wanted to consider his offer.
"That argument isn't going to work. We've both already admitted that our interest in each other has deep roots. However, if that's not enough there is the logical reasoning that as your husband, I can legally be your confidant without risk in a court of law should I withhold information. I can help you explore the truth of your past and you'll be safe in every way."
She sucked in a sudden gasp of air and he immediately knew he'd hit the wrong chord with that nugget.
"You're an asshole," she said. "And a liar. All that lip service about believing I didn't kill my own father. You do think I did it. Just like them. Always like them. I should have known you would be on their side. You always are."
Gabe tightened his grip on Nina's arm. He was learning quickly that his unending patience with others didn't quite fully extend to his future bride. Listening to her hurl unfounded insults at him hurt more than it should.
"I think you should stop before you go too far." He kept his voice low and his words measured in an attempt to keep his emotions in check. Whatever feelings this woman provoked in him, he wasn't sure either of them were truly ready to deal with them.
"I'm not your submissive, Gabe. I don't have to obey."
The way her voice cracked on the last word gave her farce away. That and the thousand other little signs she'd given him over the years. While it was true that Nina was an independent, strong-willed, stand on her own two feet kind of woman, it wasn't everything. She had layers and facets she'd yet to reveal other than in glimpses. He knew, because he paid attention to everything.
