Forever Concealed Page 20

  “Thank you. That is very nice of you to say.” Veronica turned and headed into the room. The sound of cameras flashing could be heard even as the door shut behind her.

  “Now that’s a woman,” Draven winked.

  “And not in your league,” Gabe laughed as the door opened and they filed to the signing table.

  Gabe made his way to the podium to announce the treaty. He spoke of what it stood for as Draven, Suri, and Idris took their seats. With a nod of his head, he stepped back and gave all the attention to the three leaders as they signed the treaty. Gabe had done it. When he looked back at the room full of reporters, he saw Sloane standing in the shadows of the doorway smiling at him.

  His heart pounded and the idea of waiting to marry her seemed torturous. Marriage had never been anything he’d given serious thought to. It wasn’t even something he had dreamed about until he’d met her. Now he understood his brother and the primitive desire to always be with Mila. Zain would kill for her, he’d do the stupidest little romantic things for her, and he’d tell Gabe she was a part of him. Now Gabe understood. The only trouble was, he had a reluctant bride-to-be. Oh, she’d marry him. It was just up to Gabe to show her marrying a prince wasn’t such a bad thing.

  * * *

  Gabe stood on the stairs as Idris got into his limousine. With the treaty signed, it was time for the leaders to go victoriously back to their countries to begin working together to strengthen the region. Idris gave a wave goodbye before disappearing behind the black tinted windows of his limousine.

  “Well, cousin, it appears I’ll be back to Keeneston for a wedding soon.”

  Gabe turned to see Suri walking majestically down the stairs toward him. “I wouldn’t say soon. But if I have it my way, then yes, there will be a wedding. I just have to convince the bride.”

  Suri’s eyes widened in surprise. A royal wasn’t used to having to convince someone to marry them. “Interesting. Then why is your mother speaking with the priest right now?”

  “Mom!” Gabe yelled before hurrying over and placing a kiss on Suri’s cheek. “See you soon, cousin.”

  He heard Suri chuckling as he darted inside. Gabe had a plan to woo Sloane, slowly showing her what they could be together, but his mother was going to blow it. Gabe took the stairs up to the offices two at a time. He raced down the hallway and slid to a stop at her office. Gabe flung the door open, “Mom!” he yelled, causing everyone in the room to freeze with surprise.

  “Yes?” three women said at the same time. His mother was sitting with her best friends, Kenna and Paige, as they looked at a notebook.

  “Where’s Father Ben?” Gabe looked around the room. “Is he hiding in the closet?” Gabe opened the closet door and peered inside.

  “Gabriel Ali Rahman. Have you no manners?” his mother chided, making him feel as if he were six years old instead of almost thirty-one.

  “Sorry, Mom. Hello, ladies. I’m sorry to interrupt, but Cousin Suri said that you were meeting with Father Ben and I was getting married soon.”

  Three pairs of eyes stared innocently back at him. “Why, I don’t know where she got that idea from. We’re meeting about the Fourth of July festivities.”

  Gabe looked slowly around the room. He was looking for feet sticking out from under a table but didn’t see any.

  “Are you here to confirm or deny the rumors?” Kenna asked. Her dark red hair had faded slightly over the years, but she was still an interesting mix of sweet woman and scary interrogator.

  “Neither. I just wanted to make sure Mom wasn’t interfering and messing up my plans.”

  His mother looked hurt as she put her hand to her chest and blinked. “I do not interfere. How could a mother interfere in her son’s life—a son she carried for nine months and labored to bring into this world?”

  Gabe narrowed his eyes. “Stay out of it, Mom. I know what I’m doing.”

  “If you knew what you were doing, there would be a ring on that girl’s finger.”

  Gabe sucked in his breath. “Father Ben was here!”

  His mother shook her head. “Do you see him here? All I’m saying is your father and I approve of Sloane very much and can’t wait to welcome her to the family. Isn’t that better than me hating the woman you went and fell in love with?”

  Damn. She had him there. “Yes, Mother. I’m very thankful you both like her as much as I do. But please, I have to move slowly with Sloane. Don’t make her uncomfortable by pushing things along.”

  “Of course, dear.” His mother smiled and Gabe knew he was being dismissed. He said his goodbyes and headed to find Sloane. He had some romancing to do.

  * * *

  “He’s gone,” Paige whispered as Dani rushed over to the window and shoved it open.

  “Father, are you okay?” Dani asked, looking down to where Father Ben was standing on the very tiny ledge outside her drawing room.

  “Father James warned me I would be put into some precarious positions here in Keeneston. I just didn’t think that would include jumping out a second-story window.”

  Dani reached over and grabbed his hand, helping to pull him back over the sill. “As we were discussing,” Dani started, thinking it was better to ignore the fact that she’d just pushed a priest out the window.

  Father Ben held up a hand. “I think it may be a good idea to wait until we have a bride before we plan a wedding. That’s what I was trying to tell you before you shoved me out the window.”

  Ugh! The world was working against her. All she wanted was some grandbabies!

  “If there’s nothing further, I’ll see myself out.”

  Dani watched the man walk from the room and plopped on the couch next to Kenna.

  “It’s just not fair making a man like that a priest,” Paige said with a shake of her head. “Now, what’s the plan?”

  “I don’t interfere, do I?” Dani asked her friends as they stared down at the matchmaking book the Rose sisters had turned over to them.

  “It’s our job,” Paige answered instantly.

  “It’s more than that. It’s our duty,” Kenna added solemnly.

  “And we must take our duty as matchmakers seriously. How else will our children find love?” Dani agreed with her friends. “Now, I had thought to throw a surprise graduation party for Sloane so she sees we really do approve of her.”

  “Great idea,” Paige clapped.

  “Maybe Sydney can dress Sloane for graduation. She’s gone through so much. Maybe she should feel like a princess,” Kenna suggested.

  Dani was already reaching for the phone. This wasn’t interfering. This was simply loving your child.

  26

  Sloane pulled out all the clothes she had brought to the farm and sneered at them. None of them were what she’d call nice. She wanted to look beautiful for graduation and the five-dollar thrift store find wasn’t cutting it. Okay, and maybe the idea of looking beautiful for Gabe also crossed her mind. But more than that, she wanted it for herself. She’d accomplished her goal of earning her master’s and she wanted to reflect how she felt about that.

  Sloane heard the door open as she held a sundress up over her jeans and looked in the small mirror.

  “Sloane?” Gabe called out.

  “In the bedroom.”

  “Now that’s something I could get used to,” Gabe drawled from the doorway. “Are you going somewhere?” he asked, taking in the clothes strewn all over the room.

  “No. I was trying to find something pretty to wear for graduation.”

  “You’ll be beautiful in whatever you wear. Why don’t you take a break and come outside with me. The clothes will be here when you get back.”

  Sloane lifted the sundress hanger over her head and tossed it on the bed. “A break sounds good. I saw the treaty signing. I’m so proud of you.”

  Gabe smiled and Sloane melted. It wasn’t the smile he gave most people. This one was for her alone.

  “Thanks. All parties are pleased, and my uncle is thrilled. He’s
ready to hand me more responsibility,” Gabe told her as he moved to open the front door.

  Sloane wondered at what more responsibility meant but was stopped from asking as she came face to face with the most beautiful chestnut-colored horse.

  “This is Mable.” Gabe placed his hand on her forelock and ruffled the deep red hair before running his hand down to her muzzle and slipping her a treat. “I thought we could go for a picnic dinner.”

  Sloane saw Gabe pick up a backpack and nodded happily before stopping herself. “But I don’t know how to ride.”

  “That’s why I brought Mable. All you have to do is sit, and she’ll do the rest. She’ll follow my horse if you don’t tell her otherwise.”

  “Really?” Sloane asked excitedly. She held out her hand and Mable’s soft muzzle snorted into her hand. Sloane was delighted as the beauty of a horse nudged her for more attention.

  “I thought we could have a little lesson before we took off on a walk through the woods. There’s a trail that leads to a creek. I thought it would be a perfect place to have dinner.”

  Sloane nodded and soon she was wrapped up in the proper terminology, how to direct Mable in the right direction, and most importantly, how to make her stop. Before she knew it, Gabe was helping her up onto the leather saddle. It creaked as she got seated and she nervously held the reins.

  “Like this?” she asked as Gabe checked everything one more time.

  “Exactly. Nice and relaxed. Remember, she’s very good at following directions and doesn’t need much pull to do your bidding. Are you ready?”

  “Yes!” Sloane felt like a little kid with her excitement and wonder. Chicago wasn’t known for horseback riding.

  She turned and watched as Gabe effortlessly slung his leg over the saddle and settled into his seat. He clicked his tongue, and his horse began turning. Mable followed without Sloane having to do anything. The first step made her hold her breath. She looked down and realized how far off the ground she was, but Mable didn’t seem bothered by it so Sloane figured she didn’t need to be either. Soon she was settled and enjoying the walk next to Gabe.

  “Want to try it a little faster?” Gabe asked.

  “You bet.”

  “Just squeeze your thighs and click your tongue. Let your body bounce up and down with the rhythm of Mable’s gait,” Gabe instructed.

  “Bounce?”

  “You won’t be bouncing out of your seat. Here, watch me.”

  And did she. Sloane had never seen anything as sexy as Gabe on a horse. With his horse taking off at a slow trot, Mable gathered her energy and followed. It took a minute to get used to, but once Sloane realized she wasn’t going to fall off, she tossed her head back and laughed. She wanted to throw her arms out wide and race across the fields. Soon enough Gabe had taught her to gallop, and Sloane had never felt such freedom.

  “Slow down by gently pulling back on the reins. We’re going to take this trail through the woods to the creek,” Gabe called out.

  Sloane did as he instructed and Mable slowed to a walk. In minutes, it was as if they were in a different world. Gone were the wide-open fields, and in its place were woods filled with birds, squirrels, and even a few deer they had startled. The temperature dropped as they were enveloped in the shade of the leafy trees.

  “Here we are,” Gabe called over his shoulder as he drew his horse to a stop.

  He made it look easy as he swung his leg over the horse and stepped down. Before Sloane could try it herself, his hands were around her waist and he’d pulled her off the saddle and into his arms. Sloane looked down at him as her body slid down his until her feet touched the ground. He smelled like leather and the outdoors and she felt her body respond to him instantly.

  “Let me get the picnic set up. Feel free to look around. This is one of my favorite spots,” Gabe said, his voice suddenly sounding husky.

  He picked up his backpack and set out a blanket as Sloane looked around their private clearing. Shafts of light filtered in as leaves danced in the breeze. The sound of the creek flowing over rocks drew her to the banks to see if there really was a little waterfall. Sure enough, there was a drop of around four feet. The water bubbled and splashed before calmly flowing downstream.

  When Sloane turned, she saw that Gabe had set up their picnic overlooking the small waterfall. A bottle of wine was open and he was pouring it into two red plastic cups. “Somehow that’s perfect,” Sloane said, taking the cup Gabe held out.

  “Then I hope you think dinner is perfect.”

  “What are we having?” Sloane asked as Gabe pulled out two sandwich bags.

  “How do you feel about peanut butter and jelly? I made it myself.”

  Sloane let her head fall back as she laughed. “What can I say? I’m a peanut butter and jelly kind of girl. I’m just glad it’s not some fancy French food that would gross me out.”

  Gabe and Sloane took a seat on the red tartan blanket. He moved so he was holding her, and Sloane leaned her back against his chest. “I wish we could stay like this forever—that the outside world didn’t exist and all that mattered was right here.”

  “All that matters is right here. It’s you and me. Nothing will change that.”

  “What are the increased responsibilities that your uncle is giving you?” Sloane asked. She hadn’t meant to drag them back to reality, and she didn’t really want to know the answer. She wanted to keep on pretending the real world wasn’t out there.

  “He wants me to work on trade deals for Rahmi. I’m excited about it,” Gabe said before taking a sip of his wine.

  “So, you’ll be gone a lot?”

  “I don’t know. Some I can do from here, and some I can do over the phone. Then, of course, some I’ll have to travel for. We’ll be like two regular people with two regular jobs. You working for the school and me making business deals.”

  “I wouldn’t come with you?” Sloane asked, trying to figure out where exactly she fit in Gabe’s world.

  Gabe leaned back so he could see her. “I think it’s time you realized you can do whatever you’d like. If you’re working, you can stay home. If you want to promote a charity or a cause, you can travel with or without me. And if you just miss me and have dreams of making love as we fly over Paris, you can come with me. I love you, Sloane. We are a team now. And to make us work, we will work together. Tell me, Sloane. What do you want?”

  Sloane had been thinking of just this question since Sophie and Layne battled over the marriage bet that morning. She’d met with Mila and learned about her life after she’d fallen in love with Zain, and she snuck in to see Gabe accomplish his first negotiation. It was there she knew the answer wasn’t something she had to contemplate or search for. The answer had been in front of her the entire time. She loved Gabe, and she’d do whatever it took to be with him.

  “I want to be with you,” Sloane answered. “But, I want to be me too. I know it’s going to be hard when the news breaks about who I am. Layne suggested we get ahead of it and talk to someone named Gemma. I’ve been surviving these past years. Once I stop looking over my shoulder constantly, worried that my family will tell everyone who I am, I’ll feel like I can finally start living.”

  Gabe’s kiss came quickly. It was a hot soul-stirring kiss that ended way too soon. “I think that’s a great idea. We can do an exclusive with Gemma after your graduation and then start living our lives together. You know what else is a great idea?”

  Sloane didn’t have to ask, for Gabe’s hands were already undressing her. It dawned on her that Gabe felt as free as she did at this moment. They loved each other—not for where they came from but for who they were.

  Gabe stripped her jeans from her body and laid her back against the blanket. She looked up at his face outlined with the light filtering through the trees and knew this was forever. Her whole body vibrated with warmth as his head bent to her breast. Her fingers dove into his hair as his tongue circled her nipple. Pleasure filled her, but so did something else—confidenc
e. She felt as though she was flying with the birds as Gabe worshiped her body in the open woods. A man who supported her in whatever she did loved her, and there was nothing sexier or more freeing than that.

  * * *

  It was almost dark out by the time the lovers trotted back to the stable near their house. Gabe helped her from the horse, then led them into the barn. He taught her how to rub Mable down before they headed back to the house. As they drew near, Sloane saw a pickup truck in front of the house with a drop-dead gorgeous blonde sitting on the tail bed.

  “She looks familiar,” Sloane whispered to Gabe.

  “Sydney McKnight. She’s married to Deacon, the investigator from Atlanta. I think you met them at the café briefly. And you’ve seen her with her dog, Robyn.”

  “And she looked familiar then, too,” Sloane said almost to herself, but Gabe heard her as well.

  “She was Sydney Davies, the model, before she married.”

  “That’s it! Oh my gosh, you know her?” Sloane stopped and turned to stare at Gabe. “Please tell me you didn’t used to date her.”

  Gabe shook his head. “No, she’s like a sister to me. And she helped you out the other day. Her dog, Robyn, is a trained military dog.”

  “Wait, the little red dog with the pink collar? Get out,” Sloane laughed as she and Gabe approached her.

  Sydney’s long blonde hair was pulled into a sloppy bun at the top of her head that bounced as she got out of her truck. The truck looked to be twenty years old. Sydney might not be a model anymore, but now that Sloane had made the connection, she knew exactly who she was. Sydney ran a massive business, designing everything from clothes to furniture. What was she was doing in jean shorts, cowboy boots, and a T-shirt in the middle of a farm?

  “Hiya,” Sydney called out with a smile.

  “Hey, Syd. What’s going on?” Gabe asked as he hugged his friend. “You’ve met Sloane, right?”

  Sydney turned her multimillion dollar smile on Sloane and nodded. “Briefly. But that’s why I’m here.”