The Clinch

Chapter Six:

Chapter Six

My feet are so numb and swollen right now that I don't think I can move another step or I might collapse. Well, I have no choice but to move, and with my fingers wrapped around the cool glasses of mojito's, I almost stumble and land straight on my face.

Almost being the operative word here.

Luckily, before I can completely make a fool of myself in my swaggering state, somebody swoops in and supports me, bringing me back to stand on my unshaky legs.

"Thank god, thanks a lot, you're a life-" I cut myself off as I stare at the solid figure that helped me keep my feet, my smile suddenly turning into a scowl "I thought I told you to stay away from me!"

Gabriel chuckles at me and smoothly removes the glasses from my hands to place them on the counter top next to us. "Yeah, yeah. Something about my face and an ambulance." Kneeling down in front of me, Gabriel grabs me by the ankle and gently raises my heel clad foot in front of him. "As sexy as these heels are baby, you are a little bit tipsy. I wouldn't want you breaking your neck on me, now would I?"

He fiddles with the strap for a couple of seconds and releases the clasp on my black lace stiletto heel and eases the shoe off of my foot. Thank god my mother ensured I got a pedicure this afternoon otherwise I would have been really embarrassed. 

As I'm released from the torture device, I can't help but release a moan of relief. "Oh fuck me."

"Darryl Penhaligon Kallahan! Where is your modesty young lady?" My mother screeches at me as she rounds the doorway into the kitchen - no doubt wondering where I went - and startles to find Gabriel on the floor in front of me with my foot in his hand like we're reenacting freaking Cinderella, instead of what she probably thought we were doing. Really mother? Do I look like the type to fuck a man in the family kitchen in the middle of a family party?

"Oh" she blushes "well, you can see why I was thinking the worst. Your language, young lady, is appalling!"

I roll my eyes at her and take my foot out of Gabriel's hand, bending down so that I can unclasp the strap of the other shoe on my own. "Really, mother? I've heard you say a lot worse." Once both of my shoes are successfully removed, I place my aching soles onto the cool tile and breathe a sigh of relief. "Well, I think I'm done for the night, ma. I got dolled up, I entertained guests, and hey, I even gave great aunt Iris with the chin hair a kiss. So if you don't mind, may I please be excused?"

She sighs in exasperation and waves her hands around like a flailing bird. "Very well. I suppose you're wanting to be excuse too young man" she comments, giving Gabriel the once over; he gives her a bashful nod as he gets to his feet with my heels in his hand "I'll make the excuses with the men for you then. Good night sweethearts."

I murmur my goodnight to her and grab Gabriel's hand, ready to drag my heels - well, with him attached - upstairs to my room. Gabriel gives my mother a friendly goodnight hug before following up after me. We're halfway up the stairs when she calls out after us. "Leave the door open Darryl!"

Biting back my sarcastic response, I offer up a required 'yes mum' and roughly tug Gabriel after me and shove him into my lair.

As per instruction, I leave the door wide open. But that doesn't stop Gabriel from picking me up and hoisting me against him as our mouths meet in a lieu of a goodnight kiss. Hunger, all consuming, sweeps through me as I attack his mouth with a vengance.

My feet no longer touch the ground, instead their bound about Gabriel's waist and digging into his pert little arse to try and bring us closer. With my hands, I grasp onto the thick strands of his hair and hold his head tightly to mine whilst his tongue infiltrates my mouth. Why does his hair have to be so thick and lucious? What shampoo does he use?

"What?" Gabriel asks, pecking softly at the corners of my mouth as he brings so air between our mouths.

What, what? Oh crap, did I say that out loud? I hate it when that happens. Gulping heavily, I smile shyly at him. "Your hair is so..." I can't put into words how good it is, so I simply offer him a groan of approval "What shampoo do you use?"

He chuckles softly and spirals his hand up my back to grab onto my ponytail and give it a teasing tug. "You're too darn cute, Darryl. And I use some sort of banana and coconut shit. You really want to exchange beauty tips right now?"

Giggling, I lean forwards and kiss the tip of his nose. "Nope. You carry on doing what you were doing."

"Gladly." And he doesn't disappoint; not. at. all.

--------------------------------

The next day at the gym, I groan when I see a smug looking Gabriel swaggering towards my stride machine. My groan is only half in lust - oh come on, he's only wearing sports trunks for christsake - but the other half is entirely in distaste.

I mean, what the hell was with me last night? I cannot believe he had that much influence over me. And I can't exactly blame him for taking advantage, because I wasn't that tipsy, and he called a halt to things before they could go too far. Bless him; I could tell it was really difficult for him to maintain that tight willed control.

He cocks a brow when he notices my determined and relentless pace, before hopping onto the machine next to mine and looking intently at the side of my face.

"What, not even a hello?" Gabriel smirks.

I turn to glare at him but feel my eyes getting distracted by the sweat shimmering off of his bare chest. Gulp. "Hello." I murmur courteously and push my earphones back into my ears, sending a very clear message that I don't want to talk as I vamp up the volume on my music.

Gabriel tsks me and jerks the ear bud from my ear. "You playing hard to get now? I thought we had this discussion last night; you're mine." He growls lowly and sends a wink in my direction.

That word 'mine' sends a shiver down my spine, and I slow my pace to a halt so I can simply stare at the arrogant man beside me. "Does it hurt?"

"Does what hurt, babe?" He flutters his lashes playfully at me, which only incites my sadistic grin to widen.

"Your ego." I explain, waving my hand in the general direction of his head. "It must be putting a lot of pressure on your brain; maybe that's why you're too dense to get the picture; I'm not interested."

He snickers at me and tweaks my nose. "We must be getting completely different pictures then."

"Evidently." I murmur and swat his hands away.

Still no giving up, Gabriel slows his machine down to a halt and sends me a half smile. "One date. That's all I ask for. And if it doesn't go so great I'll leave you be."

"Are you serious?" I really can't foresee him ever relenting, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt; for now at least. He nods in agreement and offers his pinky finger forwards in promise. "Alright..." Though I hesitate before linking our fingers. "But what are the conditions."

Pausing to consider, Gabriel pulls an askew face before grinning with glee. "Only one; you're not allowed to sabotage the date intentionally. You have to at least give me some sort of chance."

I groan in dismay before linking my pinky finger with his in a deal. "You don't fight fair!"

"Hey!" He sends me his signature dimpled smirk. "I fight to win, princess. So wear something nice and tight for me tomorrow when I come to pick you up; I'm thinking heels as well. Something sexy like last night. Babe my thoughts were anything but pure with you in that dress." With an audible rumble, he tips his head back and howls to the gods in appreciation. "Mmm, that dress fit like a glove."

Hopping off of my machine, I swat his bicep in disgust and saunter away. "You pervert."

"You know you love it!" And boy... He's definitley not wrong about that.