Gabriel Fallen (Empire Nightclub, #2)

by Nina West

“I can barely keep my eyes open. If I get behind that wheel, we won’t make it home. So unless you want to hang out in the Fulcort parking lot while I catch two hours …”

“I really love it when you strip in the prison parking lot,” he mutters dryly, shooting a glare at the guards watching. They promptly turn away, though not before flashing knowing smirks. “Shut up. It’s hot.”

“Is everything okay?” “Will be when you let me get some sleep.” I sense I’m not going to get any more out of him. The car lurches forward, and I slam on the brakes on impulse. Shit. “I’m going to wreck your car,” I warn. “Don’t.” His lip twitches, his eyes still closed. “Unless you want to spend the next ten years sucking my dick to work it off.” I shake my head at his attempt at humor and ease the car forward gingerly this time, muttering, “My rates are high. Try six months.” His soft chuckle carries through the car.

“You liked driving this, don’t you?” “Yeah,” I admit. “It’s powerful.” Like Gabriel is powerful. I’m beginning to appreciate that part of him, despite the other parts, the ones I’m trying not to think about.

“Did you—” “Not here.” He cuts me off, but his tone is gentle. “We’ll talk about it later. But just know that it’s all to protect you.” He collects my hand in his and brings my palm to his lips to press an unhurried kiss against it. “I will never let anyone or anything hurt you. Do you believe me?”

“Seriously, after everything that happened at Fulcort today, this is what you’re pissed with me about?” He has the nerve to look pleased, which only fuels my anger. “Yes!” I throw my hands up in the air. “Because this is going to happen every goddamn weekend! And what happens when I’m not here? Will your perpetually hard dick be able to resist?” He smiles wide. He actually finds this amusing. “Fuck you,” I snarl. “Go away. I need to study for the next five days straight. After I burn the sheets.” I don’t mean to slam the bathroom door. Okay, maybe I do. Lord, what have I hitched myself to?

The woman has invaded my every thought; she owns my dick; I’ve agreed to things and told her things that Caleb would pummel me to the ground for. But the best part of all? I think she’s beginning to feel the same way about me. Why else would she fly off the handle like that earlier? Damn, she’s got a temper.

“Study hard,” I whisper, leaning down to press my lips against her forehead. I feel her gaze on my back the entire way. Look at me, being all unselfish. Caleb’s right. I’m falling for this woman, and I’m falling hard.

Mercy: Thank you. You’re doing a lot of good for a lot of people.

Gabriel: What can I say, I’m a philanthropist. I snort. Gabriel: I need you to take Thursday and Friday off. Mercy: Why? Gabriel: Because I’m taking you somewhere.

Mercy: Where? Gabriel: It’s a surprise. Mercy: Only if you let me study, uninterrupted, before then. Gabriel: Haven’t I been good so far?

Gabriel: Say yes. I grin as I tap out my answer. Mercy: Yes. I hesitate before I send the next message. Mercy: Make sure you’re there when I get home tonight. Gabriel: Why?

Mercy: It’s a surprise.

“Could you be more evasive?” I ask, attempting—and failing—to sound annoyed. “I could,” he teases, and that dimple appears. “Come on.” “But what about the Lincoln? I can’t just leave it here.” “Already taken care of. Get in. We have a flight schedule.” A flight schedule? I climb in, noting the two small suitcases tucked into the far back. “So, we’re going away away?”

“But when will we be back? Because my father is expecting me on Saturday.” “Don’t worry, we’ll be back on Saturday. It’s a short flight.”

“What’s that look for?” he asks, his brow furrowed with amusement. “Nothing. This all just feels very …,” Boyfriendish … Lovey-dovey … I settle on, “date-y.”

Omfg

“What are you saying? That we can’t go on a date?” “Would you even know how?”

“There’s nothing I can’t do with a woman.” He eyes me curiously. “Mercy, I’ve had my tongue in your ass. Why couldn’t we go on a date?”

I love that she is giving him a hard time

Gabriel likes to prove points. This is something I’m quickly learning. Today’s point was that he is fully capable of simply holding my hand and nothing more. It was unexpectedly sweet at first, as he weaved his fingers between mine and settled our joined hands on his muscular thigh on our way here.

“Oh my God, this is so amazing.” “Caleb came by my place Monday night to ask me.” “Really?”

“Hot damn.” Michelle’s eyes widen at the sight of him. “Who is that?” “Nobody while I’m around, sweetheart.”

Gabriel leans in to whisper, “Do you want to tell her that she can have both of them, or should I?” “Shut up,” I scold, but I’m laughing. What happens in Vegas and all that …

Cackling

“Thank you for doing this. It was very thoughtful.” Something I’m learning Gabriel is abundantly capable of, when he wants to be.

“Is it normal enough for you?” He mocks. “Nothing with you is normal, Gabriel.”

“We’re going to look at a hotel and casino to buy.” I laugh. “That’s so the opposite of trying to be normal.” He really has no clue. A cute, sheepish grin touches his lips. “Yeah. I know. It’s big. But if we can pull it off …”

“It’ll be just Caleb and me, one-hundred-percent legit. We won’t be involved with anything else.”

“We both want away from it. We’ve wanted away from it for a long time, but when you have family tie...

“Why are you telling me this?” “Isn’t it obvious, Mercy?” His deep blue eyes are oddly bright. “Because you were the final push for me. I want to be better for you. I want to deserve you.”

Crying in the club

Even so, the deplorable Gabriel Easton is trying to change. For me. Everyone has to start somewhere, I guess. Even the asshole who propositioned me in a prison parking lot.

“You have a lot of work ahead of you then,” I whisper. “A lot of groveling. A lot of deep internal reflection. A lot of everything.”

“I can’t wait to get you into our hotel room so I can …” He leans in and teases my lips with the tip of his tongue, “… hold your hand all night.” I burst with laughter. “You’ll be groping...

“Ready?” I sigh heavi...