STAY WITH ME

CHAPTER 34: STAY WITH ME
~ Gabriel’s POV~

Harper fell asleep and I didn’t want to wake her. I carefully carried her out of the limo and into the packhouse. Trying hard not to wake her. Once on her floor, I managed to get the master key out of my pocket and open her bedroom door. I laid her down on her bed and slipped her heels from her feet. I pulled the covers over her and kissed her forehead. She lifted her arms and wrapped them around my neck.
“Stay with me.” She whispered.
"I'm not sure that’s a good idea Harper.” I said back to her. “I can’t hold back when I am around you in public. Can you imagine what it will be like under covers in your bed?” I asked her.
“I can.” She opened her eyes and looked up to me with her sexy little smile. “Although I am sure the real thing will be much better.” She said, biting her lip. Mika woke up in my head and begged me to agree to spend the night with Harper.

I took off my shoes and shirt and climbed into bed next to her. She snuggled into me, and I pulled the covers up over us.
“Gabe, I had fun tonight.” She said softly, tracing her fingers over my chest and abs. I caught her hand and kissed it.
“Harper, I want you to.” I sighed out in frustration. “I just want to do this right. You deserve to have your first time be special and with your fated mate.” I shut my eyes. It was hard to say the next part. “And, if that is not me... I don’t want to be the one to ruin it for you.” Harper sighed.
“I understand.” She whispered. It didn’t take her long to fall back to sleep. Should I go back to my room? No... If I am not her fated mate, then tonight may be the only night that I get to stay with her. I can give myself this one night with her.

I stayed away as long as I could. She was so beautiful, so feisty, so innocent, yet strong. She’s everything to me. Harper could bring me crashing to my knees with mere words. If I am not her mate, I will have to accept that. If that is the case, I plan to release Mika... permanently.

I got out of Harper’s bed before she woke up this morning. I didn’t want to be tempted by her right now. We have only today to go before we know if we are fated mates.

I am in my office getting some things taken care of. We don’t have training today, so I have plans for later. I want to take Harper out. Just her and I. A knock sounded on my door.
“Come on in!” I said. Tanner walked into my office. He came to the front of my desk and flopped down in a chair. I could tell something was eating at him. If he was ok, he would have already gotten on my nerves today. “I know something is wrong, let's talk.” I said to him. He put both his hands on his face and rubbed them downward. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Tanner walked over to my desk and had a seat in front of me. He was acting nervous.
“Gabe, I don’t know what I am going to do. I can’t even be around Kelly without losing my mind.” Tanner is the type of guy who never wanted to be tied down. Kelly doesn't have her wolf yet, but I believe her birthday is soon. Tanner has become drawn to Kelly, just as I have Harper. When the girls went down to the bar, Tanner told us how he could smell Kelly scent. He told us about how he couldn’t get enough of it. I explained to him that is exactly what I am going through with Harper.
“You are in the same boat as me Tanner. Neither Kelly nor Harper have their wolf yet. We are smelling a scent from them that is pretty intoxicating. If she is your mate, that’s a good thing, right? Tanner, stop being a little bitch and go talk to her.” I exclaimed.
“Maybe you are right, Gabe. Kelly is smart, and kind, and I can’t forget about the fact that she looked hot last night. I have never seen her wearing anything outside of her work uniform. I didn’t know she was so shapely. Maybe I should go talk to her.” I agree with him, they should talk.

They are two completely different personalities. Maybe they can balance each other out. I laughed to myself.
“I guess we will know tomorrow if our theory is true. If Harper turns out to be my mate, then Kelly will most likely be yours.” Tanner nodded at me and stood up.
“I guess since we don’t have anything to do today. I am going to find Kelly so we can talk.” I agreed with him.
“I am going to take Harper out today. Are you and Kai able to handle things around here?” I asked him.
“Yeah, no problem. Take care of your girl, man.” Tanner flashed me a big smile. That is the tanner I am used to.
“Thanks, Tanner. I don’t know what I would do without you.” I said, genuinely meaning it. He nodded at me.
“That goes both ways, Gabe.” Then he turned and walked out the door, shutting it behind him.
I finished working in my office and stopped by the cafeteria to grab a snack. Then I went to my room to get a shower and freshen up. I still had alcohol on my breath from last night. I want to take Harper to a special place today.

~ Harper’s POV~

I dried my body and wrapped my hair up in a towel. I just got out of the shower. I was gross from a long night of partying at club howl. I had fun last night, but I couldn’t handle nights like that often. Every now and then is fine. I slept in late today, and I could have sworn that Gabriel slept in my bed with me last night. I don’t remember when he left though. I know that Gabriel is worried about not being my true mate. I am a little worried also. I have grown so close to him. If he turns out not to be my fated mate, I wonder if he will mark me anyway. I wouldn’t want to take him from his true mate though.

I sighed; my heart ached at that thought. After brushing my teeth, I went to my wardrobe and grabbed My underwear, some denim shorts, and a tank top. It’s supposed to be hot today. I got dressed and threw myself down on my bed. My hair was still wrapped in a towel. My mind went back to Gabriel. Gabriel is a responsible man. He also has this bad boy vibe that gets me all hot and bothered. The way he touches me drives me wild. I want his hands on me, so bad. I understand his want to wait though, and I love the fact that he respects me that much. I wonder what the plan is today. Maybe I’ll just stay in my room and read. Gabe is probably busy, though I know there is no training.

I heard a knock on my door. I walked over and answered it.
“Hey baby” Gabe walked in smiling at me. He was so handsome. He was wearing a black t-shirt and gray swim trunks. Hmm...
“Hey, did you sleep in my bed last night?” I asked as I stood on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. His chest rumbled in pleasure as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in.
"I did, I thought it was best to leave early before you woke up. You are such a little temptress, and you really test my ability to restrain myself.” He looked me in the eyes. I gave him a flirty smile.
“Do you like it when I tease you?” I asked him in a low sensual voice.

His eyes darkened becoming possessive and he gave me that sexy grin.
“Baby, I fucking love it! You're lucky I haven’t lost complete control and taken you as mine yet.” I moved closer to him so that my lips grazed his ear.
“What if I want you to lose control and make me yours?” I whispered. I felt a shiver roll over his body and his chest rumbled with pleasure.
“Damn it Harper, I am trying so hard to resist you, but you are making it impossible.” He stepped back away from me. He swept his fingers through his hair, as if he was agitated. “I have somewhere I want to take you. We will discuss this subject more when we get there. Can you pack one of your swimsuits?” he asked me. I nodded to him and walked over to my wardrobe and picked one of the many bathing suits that I had to choose from.

He had someone bring all the stuff to my room while we were away last night. Where does he want to take me? I don’t care really, as long as I am with him. I was lost in thought; he used his forefinger and thumb to lift my chin so I would look at him. “Are you ready, baby?” I nodded.