Gabriel's Hope

"You'd rather give up." His voice was hard.

Deidre looked up at him as he entered her personal space, at once flustered and irritated. She leaned back against the sink. Gabriel stopped in front of her, his heat and nearness like a subtle siren song that tried to lure her closer.

"I want to hear you say it," he said. "I want to hear the woman who lives by the motto of no apologies, no regrets, who told me once that her own soul searching taught her to live, doesn't want my help turning that three months into eternity."

She heard his anger. He wasn't bristling, as she expected. His tone was controlled, his features calm, his eyes the only indication of the fire in his blood. Whatever happened to him over the past few days, he was no longer willing to walk away or back down.

"I can't handle the chance that I might or might not have hope," she replied. "You tear me away from the only stability I have in my life, expect me to change my view on the entire world overnight, reject me and now, you're asking me to take a chance on something you can't guarantee. What part of my … my pure confusion doesn't make sense to you?"

"You don't trust me at all," he said.

"No shit. What reason have you given me to trust you?"

Gabriel studied her. She'd expected to piss him off. If anything, his anger melted into the contemplation of a man who had a new problem he intended to solve.

"She's gotta hear it from you, Andre," he said at last, stepping out from front of her. He leaned against the counter beside her, his arm touching hers. The deep connection and warmth moved through her.

Deidre shifted away then eyed him when he reestablished the touch. His attention was on Andre. She let herself stay where she was, intrigued by the electricity and calmed by the heat of his body.

"I think she should hear it from Wynn," Andre said in clear disapproval.

"Wynn won't tell her."

"Are you certain?"

"We've had the discussion. Twice."

Andre frowned. Deidre suspected they were baiting her. The mention of Wynn was almost enough for her to pounce, but she resisted.

"It's not my place," Andre said. "You're her mate by divine law. It falls on your shoulders."

"If there is any part of you that believes she'll accept the truth if it comes from me, then you're the worst judge of character I know," Gabriel replied drily. "Wynn owes it to her."

"I know you're messing with me," she said through clenched teeth. "If Wynn had something to tell me, he would have."