Read Online Gabriel by Nikki Kelly - Free Book Online Page A

expression, finally he said, “We’ll work something out.” Gabriel blew out a steady stream of air, and I noticed I could see it clearly even in the daylight.
    Placing my chain back around my neck, he did up the clasp and positioned the ring centrally below my collarbones. “I gave you the chain. At least you carried around a small part of me all these years.”
    I met his gaze with my own. “Forget about the chain; forget about the ring and what sits at its center. It has nothing to do with us. You carried my heart around all these years, that’s what I know, and it means everything .”
    As I kissed him, I whispered to his thoughts: Everything.

 
    FIVE
    B ACK IN THE SMALL room of the B&B, Gabriel and Ruadhan not so subtly suggested I have a shower. I knew it was so they could talk without me present. This had to stop—them treating me like glass that could shatter with the lightest touch. But I knew I had to lead up to that with Gabriel. A confrontation now was not the way to get him to open up to me.
    When I reemerged in a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, Gabriel stopped conspiring long enough to turn and greet me. “You look … well.”
    I knew what he meant—my skin was still shimmering from the effects of the waking sun.
    The beep from Gabriel’s iPhone turned his attention away from me. He exchanged a knowing glance with Ruadhan before sliding the phone from his pocket.
    â€œIt’s time I was leaving,” Gabriel said to both of us.
    â€œWhere are you going?” I asked. A sense of unease swelled in my belly, and I couldn’t be sure if the feeling belonged to Gabriel or to me.
    â€œI told you I had a couple of things to sort out before we could leave. This is one of them. I won’t be long, I promise,” Gabriel replied, striding over to me.
    He clutched my waist, drawing me into his body, and I closed my eyes as I inhaled his citrus scent. “Why won’t you tell me?”
    â€œSometimes, ignorance is bliss.”
    He pulled me into a drawn-out hug, and as I tried to find him in my mind, I realized that he had blocked me, hiding his thoughts and feelings from me. I wasn’t going to get my answers this way after all. As he pulled away, he hesitated, gripping my elbows. Wherever he was planning to go, whatever it was he was planning to do, he was uncertain. I felt it as strong as I felt my own heart beating.
    Gabriel gripped my elbows tighter, his fingers pressing almost painfully into my skin. “I told you—it ends here. Here is today, and today is the beginning of that end.”
    He snatched his jacket from the bed and was gone before I could argue.
    As the door banged shut, I forced a smile for Ruadhan’s benefit and made my way over to the kettle. I might not need caffeine anymore, but I suddenly wanted something familiar, something normal , to do.
    Ruadhan eyed me quizzically. He waited for the kettle to whistle before placing his hand over the top of mine on the handle. “Get your coat, love. We’re going for a walk.”
    â€œI doubt Gabriel would approve of you letting me out of this room,” I said, scooping up my cardigan.
    Ruadhan’s brow creased, and he merely nodded in agreement. He opened the bedroom door and gestured for me to step through first.
    We traipsed across the landing and down the winding staircase—the old banister wobbling as I skimmed my hand down it. Ruadhan eyed the foyer as he clicked the latch on the heavy front door and then placed his hand in front of my chest, preventing me from taking another step.
    I stood behind Ruadhan, glancing from left to right.
    â€œLet me check outside, make sure it’s safe. Just stay here a moment, sweetheart.”
    I loitered in the chilly entranceway and crossed my arms, waiting patiently. Gabriel could control his temperature; I needed to learn that trick. I hated being cold. I looked at the rustic flagstone floor,