Chapter 28 - Nice and Slow

Valerie's fingers gripped the edge of her desk, her hips raised as Gabriel thrusted into her. She tried hard to hide her voice, trying to keep as quiet as possible. The only sounds which were heard were their breathing and the occasional sounds of the wetness between her legs which gave Gabriel the liberty to move as much as he wanted.

She bit her lip when she felt it, she was almost there. She snapped her eyes open when she felt Gabriel cover her mouth with his hand, he knew she was close too, probably because she tightened around him. He leaned forward, his lips brushing against her ear.

"Just let go." He commanded.

She refused to let go when he told her to though. She tried hard to fight the feeling, but when his fingers brushed against her sensitive bud she lost that battle. She let go, her voice muffled by Gabriel's hand. When she came down from her high her whole body felt limp, she didn't even feel it when Gabriel grabbed onto her hips again and started moving faster, trying to chase his own orgasm. She laid her head against her desktop and smiled when she felt it, behind her Gabriel tensed up, releasing inside her. It was almost admirable how silent he was in comparison to her. Her smile widened when she felt his lips brush against her cheek before he moved. He slipped out of her, pulling himself together. She heard the rustle of clothes, sound of a zipper and then felt his hand brush against her bare thigh.

"Let me help you up." He whispered to her.

She mumbled something in agreement, her brain mush after that intense afternoon tryst. It wasn't supposed to happen. They had been able to work together for the past two weeks without lowering their professional guard. Today though, after Valerie disagreed rather intensely with everything Gabriel suggested they just lost it. Or rather, he lost it and she went along with it. How could she not when her boyfriend was being that pleasantly wild?

Gabriel pulled her to her feet and started to straighten her clothes up. With a handkerchief he cleaned her between the thighs and pulled her flimsy panties up her thighs again, carefully putting it in place. He was aware how sensitive her body was so his movements were careful. She couldn't voice it since she was still out of it, but she appreciated it.

"You okay?" He asked her when she stared at his face.

She let him put her in her chair and finally inhaled deeply, letting out all the tension, "I'm good. I think you just fucked my brains out though. I'm useless now."

He chuckled, "It's nearing five anyway." Gabriel shrugged, "We might as well call it a day." He suggested.

She raised an eyebrow at him, "Oh, calling it a day this early?" She asked him, "That's unlike you Gabriel Starr."

He leaned against her desk next to her, his smirk soft and relaxed. He was in a better mood after he came that hard. Maybe, just maybe she could change his mind now that found his release.

"So about that proposal, I still think that Andrew is the best man for the job. He knows the client, he worked with them before. Sure, it was a minor project, but Andrew is charming and can comply to whatever the client needs. This project might be bigger than the usual project he gets assigned to, but I know for a fact that he can handle it."

Gabriel shoved his hands in his pockets, looking more relaxed, but still not convinced.

"I'm not approving your idea no matter how many times you suggest it. I'm not convinced Andrew will be able to handle this. I want you to work together with Ethan on this one. If your schedule won't allow it reassign your current projects to your staff. That's why they're here."

She lowered her gaze, her confidence leaving her as Gabriel suggested that once again. He might have come hard after their passionate affair, he wasn't less capable.

"I don't feel like abusing my power. It would make me no better than Daniel."

Gabriel snorted, sounding fed up with her excuses and suggestions. She could tell by the shift in his mood, she didn't have to look at him to confirm it. She knew her boyfriend quite well after everything they had been through.

"You're not reassigning your projects because you want to fuck the hot intern." He told her, "You're doing it to pick up a project which needs to have your priority." When she met his gaze she could tell he was done with having this argument over and over again, "Get on it, Valerie." He ordered, "I'll come pick you up in half an hour, that's enough time for you to send out an email to your staff, right?"

She nodded, not speaking up because she dreaded doing what she was ordered to. She held her breath when she felt his fingers glide over her cheek.

"You can do it." He encouraged her.

She listened to his footsteps disappearing from her office. Once the sound of a door closing confirmed Gabriel being out of her office, she leaned back in her chair and let out a frustrated sigh. She knew Gabriel was right about this project, the client would like it better if Ethan himself worked a project of a scale this large. She was supposed to support Ethan whenever big projects like these came up. Just the idea of reassigning her projects felt dirty to her. Her head snapped to the office door when she heard a knock.

"Come in." She answered tightly, watching as Andrew entered and closed the door behind him.

"What can I do for you?" She asked, too tired to force a smile upon her face. She was emotionally and physically drained.

That passionate meeting in her office had not been a great idea at all. It might have felt amazing at the time, now she felt used and unsatisfied. It wasn't Gabriel's fault at all, it was hers. He made sure she came first before he released inside of her. It was just the fact that he didn't give her what she wanted afterwards which made her feel this way.

"I'm guessing Gabriel is done compromising?"

She watched as Andrew carefully approached her desk and took a seat in the one-seat in front of her.

"Yes, he's right about Ethan being the best man for the job, I just hate the fact what I have to do to make that happen."

Andrew put his guard up, "What does he want you to do?"

She laughed, finding it amusing to see where Andrew's mind was wandering to.

"Nothing weird at all, I just don't feel comfortable with it." She moved to her laptop and opened up her mailbox, ready to type up an email to send to her staff.

"Could you get to the point?" Andrew asked, sounding impatient, "I don't like what I'm coming up with."

"He wants me to reassign my own projects so I can focus on this big one."

Andrew knitted his browns together, "Oh, then why don't you do that?"

She looked up from her laptop, meeting his gaze, "I don't want people to think they're working together with another Daniel."

Andrew laughed at that, "Honey, no one thinks you're the next Daniel. I mean there had been some speculating going on about your relationship with Starr, but you showed them how serious you are. You being in a relationship with him didn't change a thing." His eyes started gleaming mischievously, "I might be the only one who knows that Gabriel left your office completely satisfied."

Her eyes widened, "Wha-What?"

"The average worker here is afraid to look directly at Hunter and Starr, it's why they miss the details. His appearance not looking as pristine as when he entered your office and that relaxed smile that was plastered on his face, Val, he couldn't fool me."

She buried her face in her hands, "That wasn't supposed to happen." She mumbled.

"Bet your argument got so heated the only solution was to fuck it out."

"That's right." She told him, sitting up right again and pulling herself together, "I need to type out an email and inform everyone. I only have twenty minutes left so don't distract me."

Andrew got to his feet, "Sure, you have time for me this weekend?" He asked her, "I want to go out without your Gabriel being present. He might be soft on the eyes, he is a mood killer when we have a drink or two seeing how protective he is."

She chuckled, "I could make some time. Drinks Friday night?"

"Yes!"

After Andrew left the office she focused back on her email, making sure to get straight to the point. Once she got through this a heavy burden would be lifted from her shoulders. She just had to repeat to herself that she wasn't Daniel.

***

That evening Valerie was having dinner at Ethan's place together with her boyfriend. She was sipping her coffee while she listened to Ethan and Gabriel joke around. It had between two weeks without Tiffany making an appearance which did them all some good. In the back of her mind she couldn't help but to think that Barbie was plotting something. When she talked to Gabriel about this the other day he completely agreed with her. They weren't going to let their guard down. Gabriel did ensure that Tiffany wouldn't be able to get into their building anymore, he informed security about her. They'd make sure they'd escort her out the building when she dared to be that bold again. Ethan's house was a different story though. She could show up whenever she wanted. She hadn't done that after she didn't achieve much last time, but she could attempt to try again thinking Ethan had calmed down after getting some space. Ethan needed to move forward in his relationship with Rachel and fast.

"I'm having drinks with Andrew Friday night, you're not invited." She told Gabriel when he started to make plans with Ethan, "You two could have a guy's night out."

"We could-"

"You're going to have drinks with your perverted friend and think I'll stay away?" Gabriel interrupted Ethan without giving him a second glance worthy.

"Perverted friend?" Ethan asked, sounding intrigued by that.

Valerie sighed, "Gabriel is overreacting, like always."

Gabriel didn't look like he agreed with that, obviously, "He put the idea in her head that you and I were fucking Tiffany at the same time and only added Valerie to the group to cover that up."

Ethan sipped from his coffee, "As a threesome?" He asked, the curiosity still vivid in his eyes.

Gabriel glanced at his friend then, "Yeah."

"It could have been that way." Ethan shrugged, "I mean, the idea isn't totally absurd nor does it make Andrew an untrustworthy friend to your girlfriend."

Gabriel glared daggers at his friend for not backing him up, it made Valerie smile. She finished off her coffee, trying to hide the fact how amused she was by Ethan having her back instead. Gabriel must feel betrayed by his friend right about now. He was being overdramatic though, so obviously Ethan didn't agree with him.

"I just don't want her to meet up with him alone." Gabriel muttered, "Who knows what kind of ideas he'll be putting in her head now."

Ethan grinned suddenly, causing Gabriel to lean back in defense while she was utterly suspicious of the guy.

"Let's have a guy's night out, Gabe."

Gabriel frowned at that, waving his hand at his friend as he brushed off the idea, "I rather not-"

Ethan wasn't letting Gabriel shoot down that idea though, he was persistent which only caused her to distrust the situation more.

"Gabe." Ethan insisted, "We're having that guy's night out."

Gabriel was utterly confused, but nodded in agreement anyway, "F-Fine."

Ethan grinned, looking like he just won the lottery, "Great." He then shifted his gaze to her, "You ever done it?"

"Done what?" She asked confused.

He leaned forward, his grin matching the Cheshire cat one, "A threesome."

"Fuck me." Gabriel sighed, moving out of his chair while he reached for his cup, "I'm refilling my cup." He announced, leaving the room without bothering to back her up.

"Well?" Ethan asked, not letting go of the subject.

Her cheeks heated while she looked away, her eyes wandering around the room. She looked everywhere, except at Ethan. He was doing this on purpose, she was aware of that. She couldn't help but to react the way he wanted to. She always had been like this whenever people talked about sex openly. She just couldn't handle it well.

"Never had one." She muttered, forcing herself to shift her gaze to Ethan. He looked like he enjoyed himself well, the wide smile never leaving his face, "How about you?"

Ethan leaned his head upon his palm as he casually answered her, "I mean I explored things with Tiffany, but we never invited a third person to our bed. I'm intrigued though."

She doubted Rachel would approve of that idea, so Ethan was out of luck. She was relieved when Gabriel rejoined them, a cup with fresh coffee in one hand while he sat across her again. She smiled at him, letting him see how much she appreciated his presence.

"You could always use a toy to recreate the feeling." Gabriel suggested calmly, speaking like he was discussing numbers during an update meeting, "It's almost the same. It will feel even better if it vibrates for both parties involved."

Ethan smirked, "You done that?"

Gabriel glanced at her, she could tell he feared speaking up. Then again he wasn't the type of person who kept things to himself. She wouldn't start to make him become someone he wasn't. Gabriel's strength was always openly speaking his mind. She nodded, letting him know she was okay with him speaking the truth.

"That and the real thing." Gabriel muttered, causing both Ethan and her to focus entirely on the man, "I think I prefer the vibrator though. There is always someone who gets hurt after it's over. With a toy you don't have to think about someone's feelings getting hurt."

Ethan pointed at him, "You're right." He then reached for his phone and started to type away, "I'm curious, let me ask if Rachel-"

"Oh my God!" Valerie covered her ears and got to her feet, "I'm grabbing another cup." She muttered, leaving the dining room quickly, not wanting to hear Ethan finish that sentence.

She heard their chuckles trailing after her, she didn't care though. Last thing she wanted to know was how adventurous her sister was concerning her sex life.

"You forgot your cup!" Gabriel called after her, a chuckle following.

They both knew she wasn't really thinking of a refill, she just needed a minute to herself. When she felt comfortable enough to join the guys in the dining room again, she was glad they had changed the subject, discussing work instead. She knew they did it for her, she was grateful for it.

***

Valerie was propped up against the headboard, sipping tea while she watched her boyfriend get ready for bed. He just got out of the shower, moisturizing his toned body while he talked to her about his family. He met her mother and sister, meeting her father was unavoidable. Gabriel thought they were ready to also meet his parents. It meant that he was moving forward with their relationship, she no longer had the fear of it all falling apart. Gabriel proved to her it wouldn't.

He started to cover up his half naked body which made her remember their little tryst in her office. Her cheeks heated up while she pressed her thighs together to force herself to calm down. They were talking about his family, this was not the right time to be turned on by every little thing her boyfriend did.

"So if you could keep next weekend free I'd like to introduce you to my family." He chuckled, "My blood related family that is."

When she didn't respond he glanced at her, "W-What?" She asked, trying to hide her feelings from him.

"Next week." He repeated, "Meeting my family."

She nodded, "Yeah, sounds good."

His lips curled up to a grin, "Great, I'll let my mother know."

When he started to move she stopped him by calling out, "Right now?"

He glanced over his shoulder, looking confused that she even dared to ask that of him. To him it was obvious that he'd call his mother right away. It was almost cute how innocent the act was.

"Yeah, it's not too late for a phone call yet."

It was nearing ten in the evening, she assumed it was too late to make a phone call. As she remembered her own mother she figured Gabriel's mother wouldn't mind a late phone call either. She probably was used to it considering his schedule was often packed.

"How about you call her tomorrow morning?"

He turned to face her, "I could do that."

She placed her cup upon the bedside table and smiled at him, "Good." She let her hair down from the messy bun and ran her fingers through her locks, trying to get as comfortable as possible, "Then how about you join me instead?"

Without hesitation he moved forward, crawling in beside her and wrapping an arm around her waist while he pulled her in for a kiss. That afternoon they went fast and hard, she was in the mood to go nice and slow tonight. Gabriel got the hint and complied to her wishes.