Her Perfect Match (Liaison #1) by Valerie Ullmer Read Free Book Online Page A

enough light to be able to look at his handsome face.   There was stubble that had grown throughout the day, and she had an urge to reach out and cup his cheek, but he lowered her to her feet and turned away.
    He pulled down the comforter and the sheet and as he stood, he pulled her close to his side and squeezed before he nodded his head toward the bed.   She climbed in and scooted to the other side.   Her eyes caught his smooth skin as he whipped his shirt off, and tossed it on the chair near the bed.   As he unbuttoned his jeans, she swallowed, but couldn’t look away as he lowered them down his legs and kicked them to the side.   Her delight was short-lived when he flipped off the lamp and slid under the covers.   Instead of keeping his distance, he pulled her head onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
    His lips brushed against her forehead, and her heart squeezed in her chest at the small, but monumental gesture.
    “Get some sleep, sweetheart.”
    “Thank you for taking care of me,” she whispered.
    She felt his smile against her hair as she settled in his arms and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Seven

    Gabriel had woken at dawn when Rebecca had moaned his name and turned to bury her face against his neck.   He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, until her hands were opened against his chest and her body was flush against his.   As she slept in his arms, he’d been wide awake, savoring her hot, even breaths that blew against his naked chest, and her warm, soft skin tempting him.
    As he thought back over the past few years, he realized that most of his encounters never lasted until the morning, because he made himself scarce shortly after sex with a quick kiss and no promises.   He’d never brought a woman to his bed, or even up to his penthouse, because they expected so much more than he was willing to give.   There had been no woman who tempted him into even thinking about a relationship, long-term or not.
    For most of his thirty years, he’d been content with the status quo, but with Bec snuggled into his arms on a Saturday morning, his entire view on relationships seemed to have changed overnight.   He enjoyed taking care of her, cooking for her, and he could see that whatever walls she erected between them had come crashing down.   The trust in her eyes made him feel invincible.   He wanted to fight her demons but more than that, he wanted to be by her side as they built a life together.
    The thought of a future with Bec had settled easily inside him.
    He knew that he was getting ahead of himself, and moved his thoughts to a more pressing matter.   The night before, they had used what was left of his groceries.   This weekend was about taking care of her, so he moved to slide out of bed, trying not to jar her as she slept.   He was close to the edge when her arm slipped to his side and squeezed.
    “Gabriel?”  
    Her sleep-laced voice sent a jolt of awareness straight to his groin, but he gritted his teeth and took a few deep breaths to get his body back under control.   When he felt it was safe to touch her, he leaned back on the bed, his head resting on his elbow, as he brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.   He noted that the blackness under her eyes had disappeared, but she still looked tired.
    “Shush, sweetheart.   Go back to bed.   I’m going to get us some breakfast.   I’ll be right back.”
    He brushed a light kiss over her mouth, trying to rein in his desire for her, but her hand cupped the back of his neck as she opened for him.   A groan he’d been holding rumbled from deep in his chest, and he allowed himself a few minutes of her lush mouth on his before he pulled back.   Again, he pushed away his near constant desire for her, knowing that they would have plenty of time later.
    “Okay,” she mumbled.   She closed her eyes and after a deep sigh, slipped back into sleep.
    He kept his eyes on her sleeping form as he