Author's Note: oh things might just get steadily worse.
Again thanks for the reviews and keep them coming :)
CHAPTER 12: Risks
"I'm so lost in you. A tragedy seemed to be over now. A tragedy it seemed to be." Mercy, One Republic
Elle hadn't always been good at making things right. She usually just made things wrong and left them that way. Gabriel was good at fixing things. Making it seem all better. One of the many qualities she loved about him.
He had gone with her back to the diner to just see. He had practically had to drag her, but took her to try and smooth things over. If there was a body and no one was around he'd help her dispose of it. He wasn't going to have Elle get in trouble for defending herself. Besides he had gotten rid of a body once before. Only recently had it turned up and cause of death was pretty standard. Blow to the head.
Than again Elle's ability packed a bit more fire and was not something easily covered up. The police and yellow tape were quick to arrive. Gabriel quickly escorted Elle and himself out. No one saw them as they gathered around the body. She stayed with Gabriel that night sleeping on the bed while he lounged on the plastic covered white lounge chair. She still didn't want anyone touching her until she gave the go ahead.
The next day Elle went to work both her jobs like always. She struggled to put on a smile assuring everyone she was peachy. When she went to the diner they asked questions. When did you see RJ last? She answered saying she had clocked out and talked to him before she left. They believed her. Elle was a good liar. She looked like any innocent sweet little woman. Not one with a secret. She didn't want them to know about the assault. She couldn't deal with the questioning. She was too fragile.
She had learned RJ was merely in a coma. Serious brain damage, but still barely alive. It had been ruled an accident. The electrical box had malfunctioned. That explained the deeming. Elle continued to try and stray away from contact. She barely went to her apartment anymore. She stayed at Gabriel's most of the time only going back to her place when he came with her. She never liked being alone which was why he would bring her to work and Annie would bring her home. Annie had her suspicions, but didn't want to intrude.
Elle had given her two week notice about nine days after the incident. In those two weeks she felt her sprit drop. Her life taking an unsteady turn. She decided to take night classes at a local college hoping to get a degree and actual career. Basic classes and only two. Her apartment lease was about to expire and she didn't have the guts to renew it. Before even deciding if she had a place to go she started to pack her stuff out.
She was watching Gabriel make dinner after coming back from her literature class, curling herself on the lounge chair with her textbook in her lap. Gabriel was making pork roast, the smell was wafting through the room as he rubbed seasoning against the log looking thing.
"Gabriel," She wasn't sure how to ask him this. His eyes peered up with innocent understanding. He knew about her quieting her job and taking classes, but not that she currently had no place to go. "Would it be alright if I moved in with you? Permanently?" She tried a smile on for size. It felt real.
"Of course, Elle." He responded in a smile back. "You know you always have a home here. My land lady seems to like you. I've run into her a few times. She wasn't sure about our situation and I explained you were going through a rough patch. She actually explained the procedure of putting another tenant on the lease." Elle smiled glad he had approved. She wasn't sure why he wouldn't, but she had a gut feeling that living in sin was something he was raised not to do. Maybe he had given up all his values when he met her. Although they hadn't actually had sex since that day. Three weeks. Almost a whole month.
Annie heard about the move and was actually excited. Though when Gabriel, Annie, her new beau, Ryan, and Annie's brother, Aaron came to move her stuff and load it in Ryan's van they discovered Elle's deep dark secret.
"Why is there a closet full of shoes?" Five pairs spilled out as Aaron said it. Annie quickly rescued the shoes as Gabriel turned to Elle. She grinned innocently.
"Bit of a shoe junkie. I see and I take." She reached up as if for the first time to touch Gabriel's face. She had kissed him and even touched him from the waist up in those days, but nothing else. She refused to have him touch her. She was afraid she might shock him or shoo him away at the memory. Gabriel had suggested she go to a counselor or something, but Elle had been there and done that. Counselors only made her feel bad. She rubbed her thumb against his lower lip before going with Annie to rescue the shoes.
Elle wasn't sure what to do with her couch. Or her bed. She knew that eventually here and Gabriel would be sleeping in the same one. She could only deny him for so long. Aaron bought the bed for a good some with money none of them wanted to know where it came from. The couch was something nobody wanted. Elle asked Gabriel if he wanted it, but he wasn't sure if his apartment was big enough. The couch became a long debate. Two days later Elle was moved out putting her stuff safe away in drawers and closets. She had taken the dresser from her apartment which didn't take up much room in the bedroom.
School was out and Elle had time to just relax after dinner. She and Gabriel had managed to make a lasagna that wasn't watery, but also was far from good. She still had the bad taste in her mouth as she looked at her panties. She closed her eyes softly hearing a low murmur. She peered out into the living room. Was that a TV?
"Gabriel?" He was sitting on the floor pushing the small television set on a dark wooden stand beside the white lounge chair. It wasn't her TV. She had sold that to Ryan for his new apartment. "I thought you were raised on the notion that television was evil?" She smiled almost giggling. He peered up at her from the screen. The opening titles to their favorite movie to watch together.
"I wanted to surprise you." He stated getting up from the floor. "You do so much for me. I wanted to give you something." She nearly laughed at the comment.
"I do so much for you?" She wondered what that meant. "Gabriel, you're letting me live with you. I have to start paying you back somehow." She recalled him saying that to her on the day she saved his life. Almost a year now. She couldn't fathom it.
"You have already paid your due over and over again." He stepped closer and she allowed it. She wasn't going to make him suffer any longer. "You saved me from death remember?" She nodded. How could she ever forget? "You became my friend. You shared your secret with me. You kissed me. You loved me. You made love to me." Her body tingled at the words. His fingers stroked her arms. She kept her eyes on him reminding herself this was Gabriel. "You made me so happy Elle. The least I can do is let you live here. Put a TV in. Become slightly more modern." She glanced at the DVD playing. No cable, but Elle could live without her shows. She barely had anytime to watch anyway.
She leaned down to turn off the TV. He seemed surprised. She slowly came forward shaking as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Soft and sweet. She stopped shivering when she found the comfortable spot.
"There are better things to do with our spare time than watch a movie." She leaned forward to kiss him. She wanted him again. Soft and gentle. She could feel his hardness begin to rise against her as she kissed him.
"Are you sure?" He asked steadying her. "Are you ready?" He didn't want to hurt her. Emotionally or physically.
"Yes, I want you to fix me." She knew those words somehow were a turn on for him. Maybe his ability to know how things worked when she said that.
"I'll be gentle." He swore tipping his forehead forward to touch hers. "If you need me to stop or if I'm being too rough-"
"I'll let you know." She concluded pecking his lips. She knew she loved him too much to deny him herself. She was starting to feel the pangs again. He was a drug and she had had a bad scare with another drug, but she still had her addiction. She still needed him. She just wasn't sure if she could make it through the sex before bursting into tears.
--
A month since the incident of potential rape passed. Gabriel and Elle continued their sex life with ease. Slow and loving sex. More along the lines of making love. Elle always was in control. Gabriel enjoyed that. Sex was sex and he wasn't complaining. She started to go to work on her own and take Gabriel's car to school. She felt as if her life was actually starting to get somewhere.
She looked over at Annie fiddling with the shoes. Damn kids always seemed to know how to separate the shoes for life. Annie had just recovered a pair of black heels. Elle shifted looking leaning against the rack of shoes as Annie sorted.
"I still don't know what to do with the couch?" Elle sighed as Annie groaned.
"Still going on about that damn couch." She shoved the shoe in the box. "Sell it or work your magic on your boyfriend. You have him wrapped around your finger Elle." Elle looked at the brunette who had her face twisted in a grimace.
"What's up your ass?" Elle asked as her friend shifted. She slammed the box back into position.
"My apartment was raided last night. Aaron was selling drugs out of my apartment. My own damn brother!" She was more pissed off than surprised. "I'm staying with Ryan, but he lives with his mom who kind of hates me. I'd go back to my parents, but they actually think I was in on the drugs despite what the police have proven." The blonde shifted closer to Annie patting her shoulder.
"My old place is still unused and my landlord is a pretty decent guy." Elle suggested. "Rent's not bad."
"Sounds peachy. Why'd you leave?" It was a joke, but Elle felt no smile appear on her face as it had on Annie's. Luckily a customer interrupted.
"Excuse me," Elle peered up removing her hand from Annie. The woman had dark hair that was cropped back short. She wore an off the shoulder black top and blue denim Capri's. She had big brown eyes that seemed almost hypnotic. She held up a pair of black and silver heels, that shone in the light. The box in her other hand. "Do you have these in a six?" She wondered. Elle decided to step forward peering at the box.
"I can check the back." She stated taking the box as a reference. "You can wait by the counter if you'd like."
"Thank you so much." The petite woman lugged her big heavy purse toward the counter in the shoe section as Elle paraded into the back.
She found the shoes rather quickly. There were a lot of them. Not exactly the time of year for formal wear. It was nearly fall. She tugged out the box labeled six replacing it with the box and shoes labeled eight. She came back to the counter returning to the woman with a smile.
"Here you are." She said gleefully.
"Thanks. I can pay for them now." She shrugged giving a small smile. "Sixes usually fit me and I actually have to be at a fitting in a hour and it takes me forty five minutes to get up state." Elle smiled at the woman.
"Upstate?" She started her small talk as she scanned the item. "Going to a wedding?"
"Yes, my step-sister is getting married. My father made her make me a bridesmaid. She hates me so it she be real fun to see the dress she's picked out for us." Elle laughed lightly with the young woman. "Black matches most everything right?"
"Yeah." Elle stated before telling the woman the price. "And the heels you picked seem comfortable. I might by myself a pair." She was thinking it over. Black heels would go good with what?
"Oh well I guess we have similar tastes." She handed Elle the money with the right amount of change. The nickels and pennies spilled into her hand. Elle stuffed the shoe box into a plastic bag. "Have a good day."
"You too." She called back trying to remember that last time she had even bought a pair of shoes.
"No you don't." That was probably why. "Remember we have to knock this addiction off. If you want to start paying Gabe for rent and food and all that junk." Elle rolled her eyes.
"Just one?" She asked as if Annie were her mother giving her money. She shook her head.
"No little Missy. You want shoes you have to be a responsible young woman." Elle knew she could handle that. She had handled much worse than a lack of shoes.
--
Gabriel toyed with his project again. He would have given up long ago if his curiosity didn't always catch him so ensnared. He loved to work on things that challenged him. He remembered once upon a time when girls had been a challenge. He laughed at himself now. Girls or women no longer seemed a part of Gabriel Gray's mind.
Except one. Elle. The beautiful little blonde who had almost a year ago today burst into his life. Like an angel. A divinity of some kind. Sweet, soft, and electric. Special like him. Special in his mind, body, heart, and soul. He moved a piece in the watch hearing a click. He had never heard that before. He looked closer moving something. Suddenly it all came to together. Cogs and all. He stared wide eyed at it. Had seven years of work finally paid off?
He would have to find out later as the door rang. Gabriel laid his piece of art down on the table. His eyes floated up to the man. A man with horn rimmed glasses and a light suit on. He looked purely business. He removed his glasses to get a better look at the man.
"May I help you?" Gabriel kept his voice purely business as well. The horn rimmed glasses man stepped forward as well.
"Yes, I," He peered down a bit laughing. At himself? "This is a bit embarrassing, but I got conned on the street. Guy selling broken rolexs." He laid the poorly pieced art in front of the man. "Wouldn't happen to know how to fix it?" Of course Gabriel did. He was a watchmaker after all. He put the clock closer to his face. He saw the design. To him it was clearly a fake lady Rolex. Lady?
"It's for my wife." The man chimed in seeing his eyebrows raise. "Our anniversary is coming up."
"Really?" He asked as if interested. It sounded sweet. His mind quickly wandered to Elle. He wasn't sure what to get her for their one year anniversary. Though he had thoughts, but nothing sprang into his mind as special. She was special enough. "How long have you two been together?"
"Twenty years." He said proudly as Gabriel decided to open the watch up to see what it was missing. "Two kids and twenty years later. Sometimes I can't believe it myself." He peered over Mr. Gray's shoulder. "Can it be saved?"
"I can fix it." He decided looking into his tools. "I'm not sure if I have the right parts. It may take a few days."
"I actually don't live in the city." He explained. "Explains perfectly why I fell for an obvious knock off." Gabriel nodded. "I'm leaving in two days. Business trip."
"I can check if I have the parts. If I do I can get to it by tomorrow." He quickly hurried to the back to check.
The man shifted looking around the spot where Mr. Gray worked. As if searching for clues. Instead he found a small black box tucked just under his dark brown coat on the table. He opened it up to reveal a ring. A dark wooden ring with diamonds plastered all around it. Real diamonds.
"Please," Gabriel insisted coming back with a box of pieces. He closed the box shut in the man's hands taking it gently. "Don't touch that."
"Proposing?" He asked with a smile. Gabriel ducked his head down almost blushing.
"Thinking about it." He had been. Ever since he had discovered the ring in his sock drawer. When his father left he had found it. "It used to be my grandmother's. My father proposed to my mom with it, but . .. she had higher tastes." He grinned remembering the story of his picky mother.
"Proposing is the most frightening thing a man can do." The man said rather loud and bold. "Not knowing whether she'll accept or not. Almost more nerve racking than the actual wedding." Gabriel let out a laugh.
"I get nervous just thinking about it." He hadn't always known Elle was going to bring out these thoughts in him. Only a little over two months ago did he know. He had to marry her. Ask her. The one year anniversary seemed like a good time, but he still wasn't sure. Nerves tended to get in his way.
"Did you find the parts?" The horn rimmed glasses man finally asked. Gabriel shifted.
"Yes. I can have it done by tomorrow." HRG went into his wallet to pay. "You can pay tomorrow. Late afternoon." The man shook his head.
"I can pay now." He searched his wallet for bills. "I trust in your knowledge." Gabriel nodded telling him the price. He paid generously. "I'll see you tomorrow than. Good luck with your decision." Gabriel nodded looking at the ring. He had a long way to go before he did anything.
--
Gabriel didn't get home until late. By the time that was he knew he wouldn't have time to make Elle dinner. He had had a big lunch and wondered if he should be eating dinner. He walked into the room smelling the scent of wine and fruit. He peered over at the woman. Elle was sipping on a glass of blood red wine. His eyes took her in. She wore a short blue dress that criss crossed in the front giving her ample cleavage. There was a slit in her dress allowing Gabriel to see her panty lines. A white thong.
Her lips were coated in a soft pink lip stick and she wore blue wrap around heels. She peered at him with deadly blue eyes. A look that could make him crumble to his knees. She tipped the glass back against her lips smiling softly at his shock to see her there and so damn sexy. Her fingernails were painted electric blue.
"Like what you see Mr. Gray?" She asked in a completely seductive tone. The kind of tone women in black and white noir movies used.
"Yes," He responded truthfully. "Aren't you supposed to be in class?" he sounded like her father, but he wanted Elle to be able to succeed in life. Also fatherly, but he wanted her to be happy.
"Relax, handsome." She cooed stepping forward after putting her glass on the table. "My teacher cancelled class because his cat got sick." She rolled her eyes wrapping her hands around his neck. "I'm all yours." She kissed him passionately with enough force to make him quiver.
"Can I . . .?" He asked looking her over not sure what he wanted.
"Gabriel, I can't see you hold yourself back like this." It hurt her to see him want something he couldn't have. When they made love she would often try to sate his passion. That was no way to live. "I'm fine Gabriel. Just tell me you love me and I'll be all better."
"I do that all the time." He laughed kissing her chin.
"Yes, but I love when you say it." She ran her fingers down his soft white button down shirt. "I want you to have me. Take me. I'm yours." She seemed to be forcing this encounter on him. "I want to be under you." She whispered. "I want you inside me. Pushing. Loving. I want you Gabriel. I want you." She pressed her body close in a tease.
"I love you Elle." He told her putting his lips to her forehead. "I'll always need you."
"That's all I ever want." She knew that he'd have her that night and every night after. Exactly how he wanted her.
--
Elle shifted feeling the soreness in her body. Damn did Gabriel know just what to do to make her body ache. Her legs were sore from him pounding into her so hard. She stretched her back eyes still closed. She remembered the bed shaking hard and wondered if Gabriel Gray was strong enough to make a hole in the mattress. She stretched her arm over his warm body. His warm body felt so good.
She heard a sudden click. Her eyes flickered open. Was it the door? She immediately balled up electricity in her hand. She may have allowed Gabriel to finally have his way with her, but that didn't mean she still was scared. She watched the two unfamiliar shades approach. A man with horn rimmed glasses and a woman. She tossed the electric at the man. He ducked dodging it letting it hit a frame on the wall. Gabriel stirred at that point looking up at the strangers. They both recognized someone. The woman buying shoes and HRG.
"Who are you?" Gabriel's voice became demanding as Elle clung to his body, ready to form another ball of electric if need be. "What are you doing here?" When they didn't answer he rose his hand.
"Don't use your ability Gabriel." He felt compelled to listen to her, but kept his hand raised.
"You two have caused quite a scene." HRG stated with a soft smile. Elle balled up electricity.
"Don't use your ability Elle." The woman said to Ell watching the blue electric disappear.
"Brain Davis and Richardo Santeria Junior." He lifted up two newspaper clippings.
"How do you know that was us?" Elle asked sounding innocent. "And what gives you the right to be in our home?" She felt bad using our, but Gabriel had managed to hold her safely here.
"It'll be all clear soon." The dark haired looked at both of them. "Now sleep." Elle felt her eyes begin to fall heavy. The last thing she felt was Gabriel holding onto her she dear life. After all she was doing the same.