Tainted Love: Anything For You Series 2 by Ann Wynn Read Free Book Online Page A

possible. Intimacy that he was not able to provide her a lot of lately.
     
    “We've been working together for two years now and no matter how hard I try to forget this attraction to you, I can't. You always make me want you more. Like a forbidden fruit, you've had me looking at you from afar. How much I've wanted to covet which was not mine,” he breathed, which made her blush. His confession was too direct, yet too sensual. Michael had been honest to her for many years, but somehow along those years, she felt like he was no longer being truthful to her. Blurred lines had become common as her imagination had continued to take its toll on her. As much as she wanted and trusted Michael, there were times when she regretted it or had questioned it. Her love never wavered but now, she did not know anymore.
     
    “Give me a chance to have you, Juliana, and I'll show you what it is like to be treated right. I promise to be gentle with you if you let me. Let me help you forget him. I know you can't commit right now, but I want you to think about it. If you don't want another boyfriend, I can be a close friend,” he suggested to her, making her swallow hard. Was she seriously considering his proposal? He did not need to hear her say anything. The fact that she was not swatting him away, moving away from him or worse, kicking him out of her house was testament enough that she was considering his offer to her.
     
    “Thank you for your offer, Gabe, but I cannot and will not promise you anything. I am just too confused, too fragile, too weak, too – I don't know. I just feel so different. It's like I've been a living a lie for so long and I'm just realizing things which I should have in the past. Please give me time to think about it,” she pleaded to him, before rolling to the other side of the couch and sitting there. Gabriel straightened himself as he looked at her and continued to listen. Although it was strange to hear her call him his name as they talked, he kind of liked it. Choosing Gabe instead of Gabby sounded good. Did he just hear a slight fondness in her tone when she mentioned his name? He was not sure.
     
    “This is just happening so fast. Too fast for me. Besides, I still have to deal with Michael and Joana at some point. This...whatever it is that is going on between us, will just have to wait,” she said as she looked at him. Gabriel understood. She was right. He might be going too fast with her on this. As if sensing that he was feeling slightly ashamed of what he had done, Juliana held his hands and gently squeezed them as she smiled at him, as if to encourage him that there was nothing to be ashamed of.
     
    “I'm sorry, Gabe. Thank you for showing me how desirable I can still be to other men despite me being in a relationship and looking so plain.”
     
    He wanted to tell her that she did not look plain in his eyes, but he stopped himself. Clearly, her self-esteem had been affected by Michael so much. Her confidence level was low and she did not think of herself as beautiful. Although he hated people who lacked confidence in themselves, he understood Juliana's case. If only he could do something about it. He stood and smiled at her, his head still swirling with ideas. He too was now confused, aroused and slightly pissed off.
     
    “Thank you for the time, Ms. Austin. See you at work tomorrow.”
     
    He leaned down to give her a quick peck on her cheek. As if she was not flustered enough, the kiss made her continue to have red cheeks. She stood up and followed him to the door to see him out. He was so much different from Michael. If only she had known him sooner. As soon as his car had left her driveway, she suddenly felt like something was missing. She then recalled him calling her Ms. Austin once again. She wanted to protest but perhaps old habits died hard. She went back to the living room only to fall asleep on the couch where she and Gabriel had been kissing earlier. If only she had been free to go