Chapter 26

Gabriel leaned over Emma. His sharp gaze locked on her as he spoke slowly. "This is important to me." The scent of sandalwood hit her the moment he stepped closer, wrapping around her like a lingering warmth. Her fists curled reflexively, and she swallowed hard. "How about once a week?" she proposed. Seeing each other once a week seemed like a reasonable arrangement. Gabriel's smile was impossible to read. It was too subtle to decipher and too natural to fully understand. It was the kind of smile that made people hesitate before locking eyes with him. "How about you move in with me?" he said. The words hung in the air, thick with an unspoken weight. Emma's cheeks grew even redder, nearly crimson, and her long lashes quivered. Fortunately, just then, her phone rang inside her bag and jolted her back to reality. She quickly pulled it out and gave him a brief gesture. Watching her shrink back like a nervous kitten at the slightest movement, Gabriel nodded and gestured for her to t