“I wish I was riding with you and Bob,” Michelle sighed. “At least he stops talking while he’s driving.”

“Curious, that he didn’t want to ride with Bob,” Darla said. “Well, that’s just men, I guess.”

But Larry had an agenda that the girls weren’t aware of. He knew that Bob and Darla were going dancing and wouldn’t be home soon. So when he walked Michelle to the door of the apartment she and Darla shared, he pushed his way in and took off his jacket.

“Finally, alone together,” he enthused, and reached for her. “Now, sweetie, let’s have a little payback for the meal and the drinks...”

“Are you out of your mind?” she gasped, avoiding his grasping arms.

“I paid for the food,” he said, almost snarling. “You owe me!”

“I owe you? Like hell I owe you!” She got to the door and opened it. “I’ll send you a check for my part of the meal! Get out!”

“I’m not leaving. You just want to play hard to get.” He started to push the door closed. And connected with a steely big hand that caught him by the arm, turned him around and booted him out into the night.

“Gabriel!” Michelle gasped.

“You can’t do that to me...!” Larry said angrily, getting to his feet.

Gabriel fell into a fighting stance. “Come on,” he said softly. “I could use the exercise.”

Larry came to his senses. He glanced at Michelle. She went back inside, got his jacket, and threw it at him.

“Dinner doesn’t come with bed,” she told him icily.

Larry started to make a reply, but Gabriel’s expression was a little too unsettling. He muttered something under his breath, turned, slammed into his car and roared away.

Gabriel went inside with Michelle, who was tearing up now that the drama had played itself out.

“Ah, no, ma belle,” he whispered. “There’s no need for tears.” He pulled her into his arms, bent his head, and kissed her so hungrily that she forgot to breathe.

He lifted his head. His black eyes were smoldering, so full of desire that they mesmerized Michelle. She tasted him on her mouth, felt the heavy throb of his heart under her hands.

“Finally,” he breathed, pulling her close. He brushed his lips over her soft mouth. “Finally!”

She opened her mouth to ask what he meant, and the kiss knocked her so off balance that she couldn’t manage a single word in reply. She held on with all her might, clung to him, pushed her body into his so that she could feel every movement of his powerful body against her. He was aroused, very quickly, and even that didn’t intimidate her. She moaned. Which only made matters worse.