Just One Kiss (The Town of Pearl 8)

“You’ll take a few sips and we’ll wait a few minutes or I’ll carry you down Main Street and into Francine’s,” Gabriele threatened.

“You wouldn’t dare,” she stated.

He raised one of his thick eyebrows, his firm, muscular jaw set and making him appear in charge and the boss of eve

rything.

“You take care of her, Gabriele Walters. Make sure she gets some food in her and a ride home,” Abigail warned him as she pointed at Gabriele. Abigail was just a little shorter than Lucia, and Gabriele had to be six foot four when he stood up straight. Lucia eased off his lap as she took a few more sips of tea.

“Thank you, everyone for your concern. I’m sorry if I worried you. I guess I forgot about eating this morning. I was nervous about coming here to the meeting and trying to fit in, I guess,” she admitted.

“You’re a very smart, creative, beautiful young woman, with great ideas. How could you not fit in?” Doc said and winked. He reached out and Abigail took his hand.

“You kids have fun, and Gabriele, make sure she drinks enough water and eats a good meal,” Doc added before they walked away.

Lucia stood between Gabriele’s open thighs as he sat on the bench. He kept a hand on her waist right above her ass and thoughts of feeling that large, firm hand gliding across her bottom aroused her.

“Seems you need a lot more looking after than you think,” he said as he stood up.

“I don’t need looking after. I was fine.”

He took her hand and walked slowly with her, opening the door for her and not letting go of her hand.

“I say otherwise. A few seconds more and you would have landed face-first on the main sidewalk on front of town hall.”

“I would not,” she stated firmly and stopped walking. He pulled her close, released her hand, and cupped her cheeks as he looked down into her eyes.

“You scared me, sugar. You looked so out of it, and then you grabbed your belly and your face went white as a ghost.” He lowered his mouth and gently touched his lips to hers. It was a slow, yet quick kiss as he released her cheeks, took her hand, and led her toward Francine’s.

She felt out of sorts. Half excited, encouraged, and half fearful and scared. She couldn’t get involved with Gabriele romantically. Not with the others either. Intimacy was something she could never have or face safely enough and trustfully enough to engage in. All because of Derek. All because of what he did to her months ago.

* * * *

Gabriele was relieved to arrive when he did. He saw Lucia immediately, standing by the steps to the entrance to town hall. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a pair of black dress slacks, a thick knit sweater in brown, and looked beautiful. To feel her in his arms as he lifted her up and carried her inside to the bench before she fainted sent a series of thoughts and emotions to invade him. She felt good in his arms, and as if he were her protector, her own body of armor to keep her safe and to be here for her. The thought that she could have fainted and any number of men other than him or his brothers could have come to her aid upset him. He knew he was already feeling jealous as he walked down the sidewalk and saw other men watching her.

He had never had such strong and instant feelings for a woman before. Right now, as he held her hand, that feeling of protectiveness and possessiveness was growing stronger. Especially as the townspeople noticed them together and looked at Lucia. He wanted every man and woman to know she belonged to him and his brothers. It was barbaric, so caveman-like. The thought of banging on his chest and yelling at the top of his lungs, “She is my woman,” came to mind.

“Gabriele? Are you okay?” Her sweet voice interrupted his crazy thoughts as he glanced down at her and smiled softly. He squeezed her hand snugger and touched her cheek as they stopped a few feet from the entrance to Francine’s.

“I was worried about you. You need protection.”

He gently brushed his thumb along her lower lip. She lowered her eyes.

“Don’t say such things, Gabriele. I’m fine.”

He gave her a stern expression.

“You weren’t fine. I’m worried, and my brothers will be too when they hear.”

She touched his forearm. “No, don’t tell them. They will worry, and really, I can take care of myself. I usually don’t forget to eat. It was just this once, because I was nervous about going into that meeting in town.”

“You shouldn’t be nervous. You’re a smart, beautiful woman. They probably liked you instantly.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said and shyly turned away. He held her hand as they approached the stairs. She was shy, modest, and perhaps didn’t even realize how lovely she actually was. He liked that about her, too.

The door to the diner opened. Wyatt was there. “Good afternoon, Lucia, Gabriele. Y’all come to join the rest of the Walters clan?” he asked.

Gabriele smiled as he shook Wyatt’s hand hello.