Thanks, as always, for comments & reviews! Gabi is being a little weird because of Cal in case you wondered.
I only got 7 reviews for the last chapter so I'm hoping everyone who is reading will click on that button this chapter and say what they think :)
Also, don't forget about the ZAAngels Write Off comp- put pen to paper people and churn out a special one-shot! The theme is It Never Rains, but it Pours…
Onto Fate…
CHAPTER 12
"That baby cheetah is so cute!" Gabi awed at the little cat.
"We're not getting one," Troy joked as he looked upon the baby animal.
"But look! He's adorable!" Her voice was babied in her utter delight.
"Now," Troy arched. "Wait till he's that big and wants to sit on your lap," he pointed to the mother.
She giggled at his teasing and turned her bright eyes to his.
"Don't you love him even a little bit?" She beseeched.
He pursed his lips, checking about him to make sure no-one heard.
"I guess he is kinda cool for a baby killing machine…"
"Troy!" She gasped, swiping him. "He's just a little kitten…"
"Me-ow," he arched a brow. "Can we see the reptiles now please?"
Gabi gave him a look. "Really? Slimy things?"
"Yeah!" He enthused. "That's why I came…"
"Oh, really," she mused, folding her arms.
"And to show you baby cheetah's," he added quickly.
She smiled and dropped her arms. "Fine, okay, let's see the damn reptiles," she allowed.
He grinned, stunning her for a moment. Gosh, he really was so handsome, she considered. A really striking kind of movie-star handsome that not many men could boast to being. His strong jaw line- stubbled today- and dashing cheekbones stood him out from all the others. His mouth was soft and full. His eyes -of course- deep and blue and surrounded by the most endearing long lashes. And his strong, dark brows slashed above his eyes, proving his masculinity. Along with the light dusting of chest hair across his pecs; not visible in his white long sleeve top of course, but her mind did the work for her.
He was so good-looking. And yet when he turned to her with those blue eyes alight; his face split into a boyish grin from his excitement over something; she only felt the warmth of it go to her stomach. She forgot all about how stunning he was and saw the person he was inside. An even more attractive package, she considered. A heart full of love, who could fault that?
"You don't have to come in…" Troy ventured as they reached the reptile hut.
Gabi slipped her hand into his. "Just don't make me touch anything," she begged.
The grin he gave her had her sucking in a sharp breath. How dare he suggest such a thing while they were in no place to act on it!
"I wouldn't dream of it," he smoothed as they went inside.
Gabi clung to his arm nervously as they toured the iguanas, bearded dragons, chameleons, snakes and crocodiles which Troy took great delight in seeing and she faked interest in while he awed over them.
Finally they came out into fresh air where she could breathe. She felt Troy kiss the back of her hand.
"You were very brave," he told her.
"Well…it was for you," she shyly admitted.
He smiled at her for a long moment, gazing upon her beautiful face.
"Lunch?" She almost begged to break the tension.
He nodded and led her towards the food hut.
/
"Oh, look at these guys…" Troy strayed towards the penguin enclosure, the last section before they headed out.
Gabi smiled at his back affectionately and he turned to catch her.
"What?" He smiled back.
"Nothing," she assured.
"Uh-huh," he mused. "I'm not buying it…"
"Well, you disregard a baby cheetah but it's okay to get emotional over some penguins…"
"Hey, these little guys are awesome," Troy explained. "Look at them, they all have a buddy, they're so loyal."
"You sound like you know something about this," she commented.
"I used to love coming to see the penguins," he shared. "Every summer we'd go…just watching them go about their penguin-business would entertain me for hours…"
Gabi leaned her head on his arm so he hugged her with it, turning to draw her closer for a kiss. She shared a small, tender kiss with him before pulling away.
"We should be getting back," she suggested. "We haven't had dinner, yet."
It was getting dark and Troy could tell that although it made sense to leave, Gabi was still uncomfortable about kissing in public, but he tried not to worry about what that meant as they headed towards the car.
They still had their future to decide on and tonight was going to be the night.
/
"So, I was thinking…" Troy ventured as he strained spaghetti for his cheese sauce. Macaroni cheese of sorts- but with spaghetti as there was no macaroni. Gabi had offered to make something else but he insisted he cook for her.
"That's dangerous," Gabi arched as she flipped through her magazine whilst sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar, screeching when Troy tickled her in the side.
"That was rude," he accused.
"I'm sorry," she apologized in a baby voice. "Is little Troy all upset?"
"Who you calling little?" He frowned.
She grinned. "You."
"Little huh?" He lifted his brows and she flicked her eyes side to side.
"Well…" She backtracked quickly as he came towards her. "I mean-"
Too late, he had bound his arms around her and dragged her from the stool, leaning over to take her mouth in a controlling kiss that soon softened into a mutually enjoyable affair.
"Still little?" He rubbed his hard body part against her as his breaths panted out.
She clung to his neck; her fingers in his hair.
"No," she admitted softly, kissing him again as their passion outweighed their hunger.
The sound of fierce bubbling brought them apart.
"Dammit," Troy dashed over to rescue his sauce.
He looked to Gabi. "Do I need to save this?"
Her feline smile back told him the answer.
/
"I'm starving…" Troy moaned later, in bed.
"I brought you cookies," Gabi defended.
"Humph," he sulked, hugging her close as they spooned.
"You know, we never did talk about your idea…"
"Because you insulted the size of my manhood and then made me burn my romantic dinner," he arched.
Gabi smirked at his analogy. "Mac cheese does not pass for romantic," she mused. "Why don't you tell me your idea now?"
"Well, in the summer you said Jared should see his dad. I know he wasn't keen but I think he'll come round to it…maybe we could meet up then…" He offered, then swallowed. "I mean…if you wanted to…if you wanted to see me and…well…see where this goes…"
"Troy, there's no 'if'," she assured. "I do want to see you…but I'm not waiting three months. When is your next free weekend?"
"What?" He questioned, surprised at her keenness to see him again so soon.
"Free weekend? You know, when you have no plans?" She repeated with a chuckle.
"You'd really come and visit?" He awed.
"Would you prefer it if I didn't?" She worried momentarily.
"No!" He cast strongly, clearing his throat shyly. "I'd love you to visit…"
"Then I'll come. When you're free." She added again.
"Gabi, what do you think I might be doing to make me un-free?" He wondered with a smile as he linked his fingers through hers in front of her tummy.
"Chasing girls," she posed jokingly.
"Oh, boy," he half rolled onto his back and groaned.
"I was joking," she defended but he kissed her shoulder anyway.
"I have never chased girls- as you full well know," he added pointedly. "I especially would not chase girls when I have the most amazing girlfriend in the world…"
She smirked. "I doubt I'm that, but still, thank you. It still sounds weird to be called your girlfriend…"
"What would you prefer?" He wondered. "My woman? My partner? My date?"
"Your woman?" She repeated amusedly. "Really?"
He chuckled, nuzzling her neck. "Okay, sorry…"
"I guess girlfriend is okay," she decided. "I just feel too old to be considered a 'girl' at all."
"Well you already know what I think about that subject so let's move on…"
She smiled at his reassurance.
"I'll book us a hotel?" He suggested of their planned meet-up.
"Don't worry, I'll book myself a room and we can take it from there…"
"Jared will want to see you, too." Troy added.
"I know…it's okay, I'll juggle you both somehow."
"We're like children split in a divorce settlement," Troy mused.
"Don't remind me," she pleaded of his age.
"Sorry," he kissed her shoulder again.
A peaceful quiet settled upon them as they lay, holding hands; her back to his chest and their breathing unified.
"Troy?" She called softly.
"Hm?"
"I don't want to go to sleep…"
"Me either," he admitted of his imminent departure.
He cuddled her and smelled her hair.
"I had a great time today, thank you for taking me to the zoo."
"You're more than welcome," he assured.
She settled back against him.
"Hold me?" She asked.
Troy bound his arms around her and gently cradled her, feeling the same sense of sadness that Gabi was clearly feeling. They'd barely had a chance to work themselves out and enjoy what they were just beginning to have before he had to go back to University.
But he knew this wasn't the end for them, now. He held her close, assured in that knowledge. They would see each other again, just as soon as they could and that thought made him smile as they finally drifted into sleep.
/
"What time is it?" Gabi croaked as she woke and turned towards Troy; speaking when she saw he was already awake.
"4am." He supplied.
"How long have you been awake?" She wondered.
"Since three…"
"You should have woken me," she placed her hands on his chest, only then kissing him. "Hi, by the way…"
"Hi," he smiled sleepily back; scruffy and gorgeous.
"Were you waiting for me?" She wondered of his sleepless hour.
"I was just watching you sleep," he commented.
She gave him a bemused smile.
"How fun for you…"
He smiled at her sarcasm. "Someone woke up grumpy."
She sighed and pursed her lips. "I never thought I'd be at the point where I could say this," she mused as she prepared to share her feelings. "But I'll miss you. A bit. When you go…"
He all-out grinned at her and she cursed the flip her tummy made at the sight of his smile so early in the day.
"Wow, I never thought I'd hear you say that, either…" he mused.
"Well, there it is. Don't expect to hear it again any time soon…" she grumbled as she rolled onto her back.
Troy leaned up beside her, smiling at her goadingly.
"I, however, can freely admit that I will miss you, and," he posed. "I have no issue saying it whenever I feel the need."
"Good for you," she mused as she went to roll over again, toward the edge of the bed.
"Ah, ah," he grasped her wrist gently. "Where do you think you're going?"
"To make coffee and breakfast," she looked back at him with a frown.
"Nope. I'll make breakfast," he offered.
"You made dinner," she argued.
"No, you burned my dinner," he arched. "I have yet to impress you with my culinary talent…"
"Troy," she began, only to be interrupted when he kissed her lips.
"Don't move," he assured, slipping on his boxers. "It's early yet and we have plenty of time…"
"What are you doing?" She frowned as he came around to her side of the bed.
"Taking you for a shower…" He smiled slowly.
"Oh no!" She argued. "No way! I am not having sex in the shower…"
"I wasn't even going to suggest we did, but now that you mention it…" He scooped her into his arms and swung her up.
"Troy!" She complained. "Put me down…this isn't funny…I'm not…flexible," she settled on a word to excuse her reticence to share a shower with him.
He finally put her down in front of the shower and touched her face.
"How flexible do you need to be to shower?" He joked.
"I'm too old for this," she whined.
"For showering with your guy?" Troy wondered.
"Yes!" She argued.
"Why?" His crest-fallen look made her feel incredibly guilty for ruining his moment of spontaneous fun.
"Well…I…my…"
"Gabi," Troy tilted his head. "If you really don't want to then it's okay," he rubbed her upper arm. "I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable…"
"Troy," she swiveled as he leaned into the shower to turn it on, scooping down his boxers to ready himself.
She stared at him in all his naked glory, stunned once more by his impressive physique. He caught her look and his lips hitched up at one side.
"I won't bite," he promised softly, in a low voice.
She swallowed. He never had, either. Cal had been a rough lover, grasping her for his own pleasure and yes, biting her to claim her as his own and being with Troy was nowhere near the same. She loved that he was gentle and passionate. She loved him full stop. So this really shouldn't be a big deal only…only she had shared a shower with Cal once and it hadn't been the best experience. It tainted her enthusiasm now and she wasn't sure if she should share her past with Troy or not. She didn't want to talk about Cal- or think about him- but he was still there, haunting her in her memories. They may have been married but that didn't mean she enjoyed being with him, every time. Sometimes it had felt more like a requirement- a chore almost. But would Troy ever understand?
"Hey," his soft voice pierced her thoughts and he picked up her hand. "Are you okay?"
She met his eyes. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I…I had a bit of a bad experience once."
Troy's face changed. He frowned in instant concern and cupped her face.
"What?" He whispered, stunned.
"Cal…he…we…" She winced, realizing she wasn't going to get her words out to properly explain what happened. But Troy was hugging her already, without her needing to.
"Did he force you, Gabi?" Troy asked in a quiet voice.
She looked up at him. "No…but what we had…it wasn't always great," she described the best way she could.
He nodded, brushing his thumbs over her cheeks. "I won't ever make you…you know do anything…that you didn't want to…"
"I know," she met his eyes and smiled. "Maybe I will try the showering thing after all…"
He smiled, too. "I'll be gentle, promise."