Indecision is Hurtful

Chapter Thirteen

He pulled away, planting a soft kiss on the crook of her neck where he rested his forehead. They took a moment to catch their breath as Gabriel observed the rise and fall of her chest. He smiled realizing that her breathing continued without a hitch and that a coughing fit did not come out of nowhere.

"Nathalie if I'm taking this too far too fast, you are free to decline my wants," he whispered.

Instead of responding, her eyes remained shut as she angled her face to rest on his head which was on her shoulder. A genuine smile appeared on her lips, pleased by what had just went on. She sighed, out of contentedness rather than disappointment.

"Sir, I don't mind. But, I would like it if we did start slow. But that notion could always fluctuate if you would want to. I don't mind the slightest. I'm just eager to do anything that would make you happy," she admitted, the smile on her face- though remaining the same- grew bright and fervid.

Gabriel slightly withdrew his head, looking up at the goddess-like beauty that belonged to Nathalie.

"Does this make you happy?"

"You and Adrien make me happy. Also Marinette. She's very sweet. And this relationship... if there is one... between us just adds to that happiness," her words earned a smile from him as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you," he whispered earning another "Thank you, sir," from the woman.

He wasn't rushing her to reply with the proper response to his declaration of love to her. However, he longed to hear her say the same thing- with him being there to hear it with his own ears. But it didn't matter as of now. He knew that time was essential for their predicament and healing is still in progress. His fear still loomed at the back of his consciousness, but, as long as Nathalie stays, his control stays too.

Losing her had been traumatizing and having to remember it reminded him of his depression when he found himself truly alone when she departed.

But he eagerly pushed the thought aside, excited to indulge in his living, breathing, amazing Nathalie.

He led her to one of the seats in the lounging area a few feet from the dining table and allowed her to sit down, their eyes still not tearing away from each other with smiles so tender and loving. Gabriel knelt down on the floor in front of her like the many times he comforted and slightly reprimanded her for pushing her limits as Mayura too far.

"Sir shouldn't you sit as well?"

He only smiled, touched at her concern. He held her cold hands in his' as his thumbs caressed her equally algid knuckles. His heart fluttered when he felt her fingers warm up at his touch, tingling merrily beneath his natural body heat.

"Will you allow me to remain in this position to appreciate you?"

"Appreciate me?"

"Appreciate you," he confirmed, kissing the back of her hand.

He stared into her eyes, reminiscent of the way it glimmered differently when her gaze was fixated on his own. It made him feel special, the warmth of the thought spreading across his chest. Her companionship meant the world to him and he was willing to give all of what he had to offer just for her to be safe and sound in his arms. He doesn't plan on letting her go soon as he stared at the different features that consisted her face. Her smile was always the best thing he could indulge in- apart from that adorable pout of course. He wanted to just kneel there and stare at her for the whole day. But as it appears, the clearing of throat coming from the doors that snapped them out of their reverie had other plans- and that was to disturb them.