Constant Craving [Rapture Island 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Leah Brooke Read Free Book Online Page B

never thought I’d want a woman to live with me, and to sleep in my bed every night—to share a future with.”
    Kelsey blinked, curious and touched by his admission. “What happened? Did someone hurt you?” She hated the thought of any woman being close enough to Gabriel to hurt him.
    Gabriel’s smile held a hint of sadness, a sadness that surprised her. “We wanted different things. She wanted the scenes and wanted to play. She wanted me to share her with others and liked to be the center of attention in the club. She did outrageous things and liked to make me jealous. She wanted me to pass her around when she knew damned well that I don’t share. It was all a game to her.”
    Intrigued, confused, and desperate to understand such a complicated and intense man, Kelsey sat up. “I don’t understand. Isn’t it supposed to be a game?” Frowning, she set her glass aside, struggling to clear her head. “But why was it a game to her and not you? That doesn’t make any sense. You bossed her around. She would have had to do whatever you wanted.”
    Shaking his head, Gabriel smiled faintly. “You know nothing about that kind of lifestyle. I’ll teach you.”
    Kelsey sighed again, and took another sip of her wine. “I guess I thought it was all about sex. I mean, like in your club. I didn’t consider that a Dominant and a submissive would care for each other that way. Like I told you before, that part doesn’t make sense to me. You said something before about pain. That doesn’t make sense to me either. It scares me.”
    He took another sip of wine, his eyes steady on hers over the rim of his glass. “I asked you before how you would treat something, or someone you value above all else. Do you really think I would mistreat a woman I cared for?”
    “You could dominate a woman—have the kind of sex you like, and still care for her?”
    “Of course.”
    Kelsey reached for another grape as an excuse to look away. “Did you care for the women you took in the club?”
    Gabriel smiled faintly. “Not in the way you mean. They want pleasure and excitement, and I give it to them. They gave me the same.”
    Frowning into her glass again, Kelsey got to her feet and tried not to think about the number of women Gabriel had dominated in his club, women who knew how to play his games.
    She didn’t know how she could ever compete with that.
    Moving back to the French doors, she wrapped her arms around herself, chilled despite the warm sunshine.
    To her surprise, Gabriel came up behind her, running his finger over her shoulder in a delicate caress that made every nerve ending tingle.
    “It’s not as easy as you think for a Dominant to find a woman. What I need is not something that’s easy to work into a conversation. Sure, there are women in the club who offer themselves, but some of them want to make a play for the owner because it’s a status thing, or they’re looking for pleasure and nothing more. I have other business interests and can’t spend much time at the club, but when I’m there, I’m usually busy with things that need my attention.” Smiling, he slid his fingers over her shoulder again. “Besides, I find myself wanting something more.”
    Shivering at his touch, Kelsey fought the urge to lean back against him. Blaming her weakness on the wine, the warm breeze blowing the flowing curtains, and the undivided attention of Gabriel at his sexiest, she stepped out to the balcony, gripping the rail.
    Already missing his touch, she stared out at the ocean and the white beach below, her heart racing. “So, you’re looking for an affair?”
    Intrigued at the idea, she hid a smile, wondering what Gabriel would say if he knew that she was actually considering it.
    Coming up behind her again, Gabriel gripped the railing on either side of her, effectively blocking her in, the heat of his body surrounding her. His voice, low, velvety and as seductive as the island breeze caressed her. “No. I’m looking for a