Jessie's Jewels [Submissive Sirens 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Charlotte Smith Page A

inhale sharply at her use of his formal title, and it struck her suddenly that he liked when she referred to him like that. She filed the information away for future use.
    “I think,” she continued, her eyes twinkling merrily, Edward and Philippa forgotten in the moment, “I think your gelato is just like you. Hot, dark, and rich.”
    Gabriel’s laughter drew every eye in the room, and Jessie risked a glance at Dame Violet. The woman looked positively defeated, and she gazed enviously at the couple commanding the lion’s share of attention.
    “I believe, sir”—Gabriel pinned Edward with an icy glare, now that his laughter had subsided—“that we’ll leave you to your vanilla evening. Good night.”
    With that, Gabriel swept Jessie away on his arm, and Jessie acknowledged that she was just as happy to have his company. They set their bowls down and made their way to Dame Violet and her husband, and before Jessie could say anything, Gabriel squeezed her hand warningly. Jessie zipped her lips, content to let Gabriel take the lead.
    “Your Grace!” Dame Violet’s hands fluttered nervously. “You are not leaving so soon?”
    Gabriel’s look was intense, and Dame Violet quailed visibly beneath his scrutiny. “Yes, Your Ladyship, we are.”
    Jessie noticed that Gabriel had placed the tiniest emphasis on the “we,” and she could tell that it hadn’t been lost on Dame Violet, either. The woman’s eyes widened as she looked back and forth between them, and as she glanced over toward Edward and Philippa her eyes darted back to Gabriel and she blanched. Gazing up into his face, Jessie was grateful that the coldness in his eyes wasn’t directed at her.
    Addressing Dame Violet once more, Gabriel bid his adieu. “Thank you for the evening, Your Ladyship. It has been most...enlightening.”
    Sputtering and seemingly unable to form words, Dame Violet fluttered her hands at them and turned away, suddenly vastly interested in her husband’s conversation about stocks.
    Gabriel offered Jessie his arm, tucking her hand around it when she took it and guiding her down the front steps. A valet waited with his Aston Martin and Gabriel guided Jessie into the passenger seat before sliding into the driver’s seat himself, and then they were off, leaving the disastrous evening behind them.

Chapter 9
     
    The night was quiet as Jessie sat in the car with Gabriel, the only sound the purr of the engine as Gabriel maneuvered the car expertly along the winding roads. She was painfully aware of his presence in the car beside her, aware of him mentally and physically, but it somehow seemed wrong for her to break the silence that had fallen around them. She waited for him to speak.
    Gabriel sighed. “What happened, between you and him?”
    Jessie didn’t have to ask who he meant. The encounter with Edward had been sitting heavily between them during the drive. Jessie didn’t know how to put into words what had transpired between her and her ex-fiancé, but she realized she owed Gabriel an explanation, especially because he’d rescued her from what had the potential to be a truly ugly scene.
    Jessie swallowed heavily. “He and I were engaged before my brother died. I thought I saw a way out of my problems. I was wrong.”
    Gabriel was quiet a moment. “Jessamy, you know that’s not what I meant. Please don’t expect me to repeat myself.” His words had hardened, his tone becoming deeper and more commanding. Jessie found she was powerless to resist the demand implicit in his voice.
    “Honestly, Gabriel, it was ugly. We were six months shy of the wedding, invitations sent out, cake and flowers ordered. I did something to offend Edward, and he decided it would be better for everyone if we didn’t move ahead with the wedding.”
    “What the hell did you do to offend him so badly?” Gabriel’s tone was incredulous. “Don’t misunderstand me, I think he’s the most boring, pompous ass I’ve ever met and I’m delighted you