Alice After Hours by Galia Ryan Page B

knew he was watching her. Sheets pushed down to his waist, Gabe was obviously more awake than she was since he was propped up on one elbow.
    â€œ Good morning.”
    â€œ Hi,” she smiled.
    â€œ Feeling good?”
    â€œ Uh-huh.”
    â€œ Welcome to the rabbit hole.”
    â€œ The rabbit hole? Oh yes.” She lowered her eyes, suddenly a little embarrassed. “Well, I must have missed something. Wasn’t it supposed to be a night of domination?”
    He eased back the sheet, exposing the ridges of hipbone and the narrow, clipped triangle of hair.
    â€œ You mean whips and paddles and being punished? Not my scene. Sorry.”
    The back of his hand was trailing down between her breasts and over her stomach.
    â€œ You like this?” he asked when she sighed in delight.
    â€œ I do.”
    â€œ And this?”
    The flank of her thigh was being caressed with just enough pressure for her to make out the soft calluses at the base of each finger.
    â€œ Ohhhh!”
    Now he was skirting lightly over her mound.
    â€œ Hit the spot?”
    â€œ Very definitely.”
    â€œ Then I know where to start again later.”
    â€œ Later! What’s wrong with now?”
    â€˜ Oh Alice. Sweet Alice. Always so demanding.”
    â€œ That’s not true,” she pouted, her fingertips fluttering down his chest to settle on the tiny raised nubs of his nipples. “We could pick up from where we left off earlier.”
    â€œ Not going to happen,” he said.
    â€œ But why? You didn’t fuck me. Don’t you want to?”
    â€œ Crazy woman. Of course I want to fuck you. And I’m going to. Just not now.”
    â€œ Then when?”
    â€œ When I’m good and ready.” And curling his fingers around hers, he lifted her hand to his lips. “Today we’re going to go out and have some fun.”
    â€œ Okay,” Alice said, though a little warily.
    â€œ Tell me, have you ever been a tourist in your own city?”
    That stopped her. She frowned a little, turning her head to the side. “Why would I want to do that?”
    â€œ To see things from a different perspective.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.
    â€œ And is this another lesson?”
    Gabe laughed. “Of course.”
    â€œ Hmm,” she said, still cautious, “so what are you suggesting?”
    â€œ A trip down the river.”
    Alice thought for a moment. It was true, she’d never considered the city as anything other than the place she lived. Historical, yes. Vibrant, defiantly. Multicultural even, given the wealth of ethnicities who called the place home.
    â€œ Okay. But I need a shower first.”
    â€œ Of course. And while you’re doing that, I’ll rustle up some breakfast. “
    â€œ Wow, macho and domesticated,” she teased, widening her eyes in mock surprise.
    â€œ Just until you get to know your way around my kitchen,” Gabe grinned back, “barefoot and subservient.”

Chapter 17
    C lutching the cardboard cup of hot chocolate, Alice hunkered down into her coat and scarf and eased further into Gabe’s bulk. The sun was surprisingly bright, considering they were well into autumn, but any warmth was offset by the decided chill factor of the wind. Especially out in the middle of the river.
    â€œ I think the Tannoy system is broken,” she giggled, breaking away to lean against the pleasure boat’s railings and look up at the large speaker attached to the bridge.
    â€œ Could be a loose wire,” Gabe agreed.
    â€œ Whatever it is, have you any idea what he is saying?”
    â€œ I got the bit about the Romans, but then it went a bit distorted after that.”
    â€œ I think he’s talking about that place now.” She pointed a gloved finger in the direction of a structure covered in scaffolding and protective building-wrap.
    â€œ Yes. Something about a theatre.”
    Alice couldn’t