Sweet Surrender (ON HOLD)

Chapter 6

Gabriel adjusted his tie and then rang the doorbell. While he waited for Cassandra to answer the door, he removed his cell phone from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and switched it to vibrate. He wanted no interruptions tonight. Cassandra would have his undivided attention.

The door opened. When Gabriel saw Cassandra his breath caught in his throat. The black dress fit her perfectly and showed off her amazing curves. She wore her hair down, curls cascading down her back.

Gabriel bridged the distance between them and leaned in, brushing his lips against her jaw. "Darling, you look stunning."

"Thank you," Cassandra breathed, a tremor racing through her body.

"Are you ready to go?" Gabriel inquired, stepping back.

"I am." Cassandra grabbed her clutch bag and her keys. After setting the security system, she locked the door and fell into step with Gabriel.

"Harold will be our driver for the evening." Gabriel placed a hand on the small of her back as they walked to the car.

"Why?" Cassandra asked.

"Because I can't look at you and drive at the same time," he replied.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "You don't need to look at me."

Gabriel grinned. "Darling, you might as well get used to it, because I plan on spending a lot of time looking at you."

"You need serious help," she said.

Gabriel chuckled. "Don't tell anyone. It can be our secret."

"Good evening, Miss Cassandra," Harold said, opening the back passenger side door with a smile. "You look lovely."

She smiled at him in return. "Good evening, Harold, and thank you."

Once Gabriel and Cassandra were settled, Harold slipped behind the wheel and fastened his seat belt. He started the car, shifted into drive and pulled away from the curb.

Gabriel reached across the space separating them and took Cassandra's hand. She arched an eyebrow at him. "Humor me, sweetcheeks," he said. "I'm a touchy-feely kind of man. Besides, you like it when I touch you."

She opened her mouth to deny it.

"Don't bother denying it," Gabriel said before she could get a word in. "Your body gives you away every single time."

She closed her mouth, glaring at him.

Gabriel winked at her.

At that moment, Cassandra's cell phone rang. She retrieved it from her bag and checked the caller ID. It was her father. She accepted the call. "Hello, Dad."

"Dear, how are you?" Mr. Barnes asked.

"I'm doing all right?" Cassandra responded. "How was your first meeting at Gamblers Anonymous?"

"I didn't go," he said. "I don't need anyone's help. I can quit on my own."

Cassandra swore under her breath. "You need help, Dad. You have an addiction. There's no shame in reaching out to someone who's been where you are now."

"I don't need a lecture, young lady," Mr. Barnes snapped. "I called to ask for Mr. Dorsey's number."

"Why do you want it?" Cassandra asked, suspicious of her father's motive.

"That's none of your concern," he said.

"Hold on for a minute." Cassandra moved the phone from her ear and said to Gabriel, "My dad wants your number."