LITMIR.BIZ

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he growled, a burning sensation in his throat. “If Russell had known…”

      An uneasy look entered her eyes. “Thankfully neither of you did.” As quickly, she drew herself up, a certain coolness taking over. “And thankfully neither of you had a say in my life after that.” She paused for effect. “I just wish you didn’t have a say now.”

      The muscles at the back of his neck tensed. “You’re married to me, Gabrielle. From here on in, whatever happens, I want to know about it.”

      Her eyes flashed with cynicism. “It didn’t take long for you to start trying to control me.”

      He stared hard at her. She’d taken that the wrong way. He was concerned for her, not controlling. He wanted to make sure she’d didn’t get hurt again. God, he hated thinking about her trapped in a car. About her lying in hospital.

      His jaw clenched. But if she preferred to think the worst of his motives, then let her. He wasn’t explaining himself to anyone.

      He made a move toward the stairs. “Get your things together. We’re going back to shore.”

      Six

      When they arrived back at the apartment, Gabrielle half expected Damien to carry her off to bed, and firmly squashed a sense of disappointment when he strode straight over to the dining table and started sorting through his briefcase.

      “You’re working now?” she asked, then realized how that sounded. “I mean, aren’t we going to see my parents?”

      He glanced at his Rolex, his attitude telling her he was a busy man. “I’ve got a couple of calls to make, then we’ll go break the news of our marriage to your mother. We’ll leave it up to Caroline to decide whether to tell Russell yet or not.”

      Gabrielle swallowed, feeling guilty. In a way she didn’t really feel she should feel too guilty about it. Not after everything her parents had put her through. Yet she did.

      “And by the way,” he added. “I’ve ordered a Porsche to replace the rental car.”

      Gabrielle groaned, feeling swallowed up by him. “You did?”

      “And I’ve told your ex-boss, Eileen, we were getting married.”

      Her eyes widened in dismay. “You didn’t!” Now this she did feel guilty over.

      “I had to give her some reason why I was having your things sent up here.”

      She couldn’t believe he’d done all this without asking her. “You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?” she snapped, then spun toward the spare bedroom, intending to use the phone in there. “I’d better phone her on the other extension and explain.” Eileen had been so good to her and would be disappointed not to have been invited to the wedding.

      “Gabrielle?”

      She stopped at the bedroom door. “What?”

      “You’re in the master bedroom now,” he drawled, nodding his head at the other bedroom door. “With me.”

      A tremor of desire quaked through her body. “Master bedroom?” she scoffed. “Oh, goodie. I can sit at your feet and feed you grapes all day.”

      His expression relaxed into a smile, and it was devastating. “I can’t see you being part of a harem.”

      “I’m amazed you appreciate that.”

      His eyes dropped to her breasts. “Oh, I appreciate you just fine, Gabrielle.”

      She moved slightly to cover her tingling nipples beneath her lime-green top. “Don’t you have some calls to make?” she pointed out sourly, intending to shower and change out of her white slacks and into something more suitable for the office, just as soon as she spoke to Eileen.

      His lips curled faintly upward. “They’ll be brief.”

      “Well, I could be a while,” she said, letting him know he’d caused problems and now she had to clean up his mess.

      He ignored that. “I’ll come get you when you’re ready.”

      “So you have X-ray vision and can see through walls now?” she derided. “I think you’ve been eating too many carrots.”

      “No, grapes,” he mocked, then strode out onto the balcony, already pressing the numbers on his cell phone, already forgetting her.

      She didn’t smile, though she secretly appreciated the smart comment. And she was still appreciating it after talking to Eileen, and then an hour later when they took her mother aside and told her the news. Gabrielle had already insisted that she wanted to be the one to tell her mother, though how on earth did she explain without telling her the true reason?

      She didn’t expect Caroline to burst into tears. “Mum, I’m sorry but it was a spur-of-the-moment thing.”

      Caroline dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “But I’m your mother, Gabrielle. I would have liked to be at my only child’s wedding.”

      Damien put his arm around Gabrielle’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Caroline, we knew you’d be torn about leaving Russell’s side, so we decided it was best we didn’t tell you until it was over.”

      She still looked hurt. “But couldn’t you both have waited until Russell was better?”

      “I’m sorry, no,” Damien said quietly but firmly. “I wanted Gabrielle to marry me and I couldn’t wait a moment longer for her.” He looked down at Gabrielle with a warm look in his eyes that totally shook her, then he squeezed her shoulder, urging her to back him up, making her realize it was all a front.

      “Yes, that’s right,” Gabrielle confirmed. “We just couldn’t wait. I’m sorry,” she said, feeling really bad now. She knew her parents loved her. She didn’t like causing them pain, despite how much they’d caused her.

      Caroline sniffed. “You must love each other very much,” she said, relenting.

      “We do,” Damien said without hesitation, and for a split second Gabrielle actually thought he meant it. Her heart gave a thud, then settled down to reality.

      “Russell will be pleased,” Caroline said. A frown marred her forehead. “But perhaps we shouldn’t tell him until I speak to his doctor?”

      “Good idea,” Damien said. “And look, I know Russell’s been too sick to have visitors, but don’t let Keiran in to see him just yet. He might slip up and give it away about our marriage, and I’d hate to set Russell back because he received a shock.”

      She nodded even as she looked startled. “Keiran knows about your marriage?”

      “Not yet. We’re on our way to the office soon to tell him.”

      “Oh, good. He’ll be so surprised. And delighted, too, no doubt. He’s taken on a big responsibility trying to fill Russell’s shoes, always phoning me and checking to see how your father is doing. He’s been such a comfort.” She smiled warmly. “As you both have.”

      “Don’t worry, Caroline,” Damien said. “We intend to help him as much as we can.”

      Her mother’s brow rose. “We?”

      Gabrielle knew she had to tell her mother their plans. “Mum, Damien’s going to help me run the company until Dad gets better.”

      Her mother’s face lit up. “Really?”

      “Yes.” Deliberately she didn’t mention Keiran. If her mother asked, she would say he intended to help out in another capacity at the office.

      “That’s wonderful, darling. I’m so proud of you.” She glanced at Damien. “Russell always thought of you as a son, Damien. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled about this.”

      Damien cleared his throat. “He’s been like a father

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