Blood's Desire (Book 1 of Blood Ties Novels)

Unforeseen Sleeping Arrangements

Dinner had been rather interesting. We talked like we were old friends. It was the most open I had been, ever. There was something about Gabriel that made me feel very comfortable. Something about him reminded me of someone from my youth. I felt safe around him, not just physically, but emotionally. I innately knew my secrets would be safe with him. I told him about my mother’s idea of an emergency, and gave him all the gory details of Andy’s relationship and about him moving to Savannah for a while. He listened intently, seemingly very interested. He even offered to help find him a job. He told me about the District Attorney’s office and about everyone who worked there. He gave me the preemptive information on everyone I would be working with. He helped me feel like I would be accepted the next day.

After dinner, we took our conversation into the kitchen as we worked together to clean the dishes. This feels too intimate. Should I be doing this? He smiled at me from across the room. He seemed appreciative, but there was something about the way he looked at me at that moment. I blushed and smiled back. Why am I acting like this? What is it about him that makes me feel this way? There is something about him; I just can’t put my finger on it, but I know him.

Once the dishes were finished, we went to the living room. He put on some low music for background noise. I recognized the first melody. It was a roaring classical tune entitled, “Pleasure and Pain." I snickered at the musical coincidence.

“What’s so funny?” He was coming back to the couch to sit next to me when he noticed the light laughter.

“Oh, I was just thinking that it’s funny that this is the music you chose.” Not only is it my favorite kind of music, but the way you act makes it even more coincidental. I’m truly back in the twenties. 

“Why’s it so funny? Can’t men have good taste in music?” His eyebrows were furrowed as if he took offence to my ‘making fun’ of his music choice.

“Oh, don’t take offence to it. I wasn’t saying that you couldn’t have good taste. It’s just that classical is my favorite,” and fits your personality to a tee. “That’s what made me smile. Most people, men and women alike, don’t listen to it.” I smiled as he took the seat next to me. I couldn’t help myself. Everything about him made me want to giggle and grin. He smiled back, understanding lit up his face. 

“I know exactly what you mean. I don’t know anyone who likes my taste in music. It’s odd that you do. Most people think I’m trying to seem more sophisticated when I turn on classical.” We both laughed at his last statement. I could see how someone would think that. “Would you like some coffee or anything?”

He was being so polite. “Sure, I’d love some coffee. What do you have?” I had high hopes again for my hazelnut, Irish crème.

“I have regular coffee, cappuccino, and Irish crème. Does any of that sound good?”

Irish crème!  “Oh, Irish crème please.” I followed him into the kitchen and regaled him with my gas station story. 

He laughed heartily. That sound is so miraculous…Get a grip on yourself, woman! “You should have been nicer to the old man. He couldn’t help himself.” His eyes flashed over me as he smiled. “You are beautiful.”

He thinks I’m beautiful? “Oh,” I blushed scarlet and looked away from him. “Maybe I should have let him ogle me then. And what about the other two? Should I have let them do the same?” I spoke sternly to cover up my embarrassment.

“Of course not. You should never let someone make you feel uncomfortable. I was just saying that he’s old. You were probably the only woman that’s walked into that gas station looking the way you do.” He handed me a mug of Irish crème and winked at me.

Are my eyes playing with me? This Adonis can’t be flirting with me.

We went back to the living room and talked a while longer. He seemed interested in meeting Andy. “I think it’s so weird that you both go by Andy. How did you know to whom people were talking?”

“Well, most of the time, especially in school, we went by our given names, Andrew and Andrea. When we’re at home, everyone calls us Andy and Ands, me being Ands. When we were in trouble, obviously we were called by our full names, Andrew Michael and Andrea Micheal, Micheal being spelled like Michael except with the a and e swapped.” Gabriel gave me a disbelieving look. I laughed and said, “Yes, I know, my mom was high on pain killers when she spelled our names.” We both laughed and I continued explaining the name issue. “There was never a problem. People, other than Andy, didn’t start calling me Andi until I was in high school. The only reason it began then was because I had a friend named Andrea. It was too confusing, and the girls didn’t like Ands, so they nicknamed me.” He looked at me with his mesmerizing eyes, truly interested in what I was saying. No man had ever been this intense with me. What is his deal? 

“That’s interesting. I can’t wait to meet him. When did you say he was going to be in?” Oh my God, he’s gay! That’s why I’m okay with talking so freely. I need to get my “Gay-dar” fixed. That’s why they put me up with him. He must look at me and since I’m what he considers beautiful, he’s interested in my brother. His beautiful eyes roamed over my face and down my neckline to the top of my shirt. His eyes had a glisten in them that both excited and shocked me. But why does he look at me like THAT?

“He said he’s coming in on Friday. I did tell you why he’s coming though, right?” I figured this was the nicest way of letting him know that Andy didn’t swing that way.

“Because his evil girlfriend broke his heart and he needs some time away. I’m just really interested to see how you two interact together. The only twins I’ve ever known were same s*x twins. They were all basically the same person. With you two being opposite sexes, I want to know if you interact the same way.” His eyes lit up. He was…excited.

We’re an experiment for him! But is he gay? I have to know. I took a quick swig of the coffee and put the cup on the coffee table. I was going to be straightforward and ask. As I rallied my courage, a tuft of hair fell from behind my ear. He gently swiped it back from my face and tucked it back behind my ear. His hand brushed against my jaw on its way back toward him. His smile let me know I didn’t have to ask the question. There was a burning behind his eyes that answered for him.  

I giggled nervously, but played it off as a small cough. What is he thinking about when his eyes smolder like that? “Well, you probably won’t meet him until the following Monday. I think we might lay low our first weekend here. What with a new house and a new city, we’ll have plenty to do.” 

“What do you mean? Didn’t Robert tell you that you’re staying with me until Saturday?” Robert was the retiring District Attorney. His house was the one I was moving into. The Savannah City Government housed all of the judges and the district attorney.

“Huh?” I was shocked. What’s he talking about? 

“Yeah, Robert can’t be out until Saturday morning. His moving company couldn’t make it to the house until then. I can’t believe he forgot to tell you. That explains why you packed so lightly to stay with me though.” He chuckled remembering my small tote bag and one garment bag I had brought in with me earlier that evening. Oh no, I have to room with Gabriel for three days!