“Thanks. Oh, I got us tickets to the concert. I chose Saturday as opposed to Friday night, so you won’t have to worry about rushing after work.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Maybe we can make a day of it and have dinner beforehand. The concert starts at seven thirty.”

“If we can go to Everett and Jones in Jack London Square, you have a deal. I have a taste for some barbecue.”

“You’ll get no argument from me.” They finished eating, and Gabriel helped Serenity clean up. Bringing her into the circle of his arms, he asked, “What are your plans for the rest of your day?”

“Relaxing for the most part, but I am going over to Splendid Scoops for some ice cream.”

“Great minds think alike. I’d planned to do the same. Want to go now?” Serenity hesitated, and he wondered if she was still uncomfortable with them being seen together in town.

“That’s fine. Let me change my shoes and we can leave.” Serenity came up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips.

Gabriel quickly took over the kiss, slipping his tongue between her parted lips. His tongue moved deep in her mouth, staking its claim, causing her to moan. Too ravenous to be gentle, he devoured her mouth with an intensity that stunned him. But he couldn’t stop. Her hands burned a path across his chest and wound around his neck. She gripped the back of his head and held him in place. Each stroke of her tongue against his brought him closer and closer to the brink of losing control. And Gabriel never lost control. A moment later, she released him.

“I’ll only be a second,” she murmured and strolled out of the kitchen.

He nodded and resisted the urge to pull her back into his arms for another kiss. When she was out of sight, he scrubbed a hand down his face. Yeah, we need to get out of this house.

*  *  *

In her bedroom, Serenity dropped down on the side of the bed and drew in a deep, steadying breath. Gabriel’s kisses always seemed to make her lose all reason.

One week. It had been one whole week since she’d seen Gabriel after they’d shared a night of pleasure she hadn’t been able to erase from her mind. She hadn’t been prepared for the sensations that engulfed her then and had done her best to avoid seeing him because she needed to think about what it meant. Common sense told her now would be a good time to cut her losses, but how much she enjoyed being with him almost guaranteed she’d ignore that little piece of wisdom. Hence she’d invited him to breakfast and was now going into town with him for ice cream.