An Original Outtake from the Gabriel Series by Sylvain Reynard
(Copyright Sylvain Reynard 2013: May not be reproduced or republished without written consent.)
Julia leaned against the kitchen counter and called her husband. The phone rang only twice before he answered.
“Hello, gorgeous.”
She flushed. It never ceased to amaze her how, with a word or two, he could increase her heart rate and cause her skin to heat.
“Hello, handsome. Where are you?”
“Just picking up a few things. Where are you?”
“At home.”
Gabriel paused and Julia could hear the sound of a car door slam.
“You’re home early. I wasn’t expecting you home until six.”
“Professor Marinelli ended her seminar early. I am so tired. I’m just going to head upstairs and take a shower and then I think I’m going to take a nap.”
Julia heard the sound of the Range Rover roar to life as Gabriel started it.
“You do that. I’ll be home soon. See you then.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Julia heard what sounded like a chuckle before Gabriel disconnected. She wondered what he found so funny.
She poked around in the kitchen for a few minutes, noticing that Rebecca hadn’t prepared anything for dinner. She wondered why.
Perplexed, she climbed the stairs to the second floor. She didn’t bother to hang up her clothes, but simply dropped them in the bedroom before entering the shower.
A hot shower would revitalize her after an exhausting day, she was sure.
She’d almost finished her shower when she heard the shower door open.
“Why, hello there.”
Gabriel stood in front of her, naked and smiling. He leaned forward to kiss her.
“Did you need a shower too?” she asked, trying not to ogle him and failing miserably.
“No. I just wanted to be where you are.”
She kissed him again. “Thanks.”
She ran an appreciative hand down the center of his chest to the deep v that bracketed his hips. Then she switched off the water, squeezing the water out of her long, dark hair.
Gabriel swiftly retrieved a towel and handed it to her.
That’s when she noticed the way his eyes were alit in anticipation, his smile growing wider.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“I have a surprise.”
“Oh, really?”
“Think of it as an early Valentine’s gift.”
“I’m listening.” She quickly ran the towel over her body, then wound it over her hair.
Gabriel picked up a glass jar and held it out to her.
“Chocolate body paint,” she read. She glanced up at him. “Now?”
“Now.” He wiggled a small paintbrush under her nose.
“Wow.” She breathed.
“I thought about trying it in the bedroom, but things could get messy.”
He crouched in front of her, his face level with her navel, and opened the jar. He dipped the paintbrush in the chocolate, spreading the confection liberally over the delicate strands of the brush, before winking up at her.
“Shall we begin?”
She nodded, her eyes half closed.
Slowly, he began to draw a heart around her navel.
The feel of the chocolate and the brush gliding across her warm skin caused her to shiver. And of course, despite the fact that it almost tickled, Gabriel would not be rushed.
“There.” He put the jar and brush aside and licked his lips.
“Now comes the fun part. Ready?”
She nodded then reached out a shaking hand to grasp a railing when Gabriel’s tongue made contact with her skin, swirling through the chocolate and dipping into her navel.
Gabriel reached up to steady her by placing one of his large hands across her backside.
“It tastes better than I expected.” He nibbled at her slightly. “But then again, that’s probably because I like how you taste.”
His tongue blazed a trail to her hipbone, where he began placing open-mouthed kisses.
“I think we need more. What do you think?”
“Yes, please.” Julia nodded furiously. “Definitely, more.”
Gabriel picked up the chocolate and the brush.
“Then you’d better hold on tight, darling, because I’m planning to be thorough.”
She leaned forward, cupping his chin.
“As am I, Professor.”
Spanish Translation
Italian Translation
Portuguese Translation
I am honoured to have had all three of my novels appear on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. I was a Semifinalist for Best Author in the 2011 and 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. {