Finding Eden Part 15

Over the next few hours, we buried all the bodies, the last being my father's. I said a prayer for him and Gabriel was kind enough to stand beside me the entire time. I didn't know whether it was for me or the fact my dad sacrificed his life in order to save Gabriel's. I'd like to think it was a little of both, but I'd never ask. All that mattered was that he was there with me, helping me through this difficult time, just as I knew he would be for every sad moment after this.

"I can't believe I shot you," I whimpered. The blood I had seen trailing down his neck earlier had actually been his. The bullet nicked the edge of his ear. "I feel so horrible." I cleaned the wound and stuck a couple bandages over it.

"Don't worry about it. It was either this," he pointed to his ear, "or this." He slid his finger across his throat. "So, I'm grateful." Gabriel kissed the tip of my nose.

I had already bandaged my ankle. It was barely a flesh wound, but it stung. I cleaned it pretty well and put antibiotic ointment on it.

Leonard was dead. We didn't have to worry any more. I would be free from him haunting my dreams, having to wonder if he was just waiting around the next corner. I still couldn't believe I had killed two men. I felt as if I should have been traumatized, depressed, or something, but all I felt was absolute relief. I wondered if that made me a bad person. I didn't care either way. It didn't matter to me what anyone thought about me-only Gabriel.

"Are you okay?" Gabriel asked, worried over my silence.

"I'm okay," I smiled. "I'm trying my best."

Chapter 26.

[ Gabriel ]

I was covered in dust and layered with sweat. When I walked into the cabin, the strong smell of ammonia a.s.saulted my every sense. I placed the vegetables and fruits I chose from the garden onto the kitchen counter. Elle was on her knees, scrubbing the floors, covered in blood from head to toe. She was an absolute adorable, yet morbid mess. I felt like this should have been the zombie apocalypse the way things looked. The floor was spotless, except for a few drops of blood on the rug that sat beneath the loveseat. And the loveseat itself had a few splatters that she tried her best to remove. She was a trooper, this girl, and she couldn't help but soldier on through every mess that came her way.

She stood up with a crimson red cloth in her hand that had probably been white only seconds ago. She smiled at me from across the room. Elle brushed a strand of hair from her face, leaving a b.l.o.o.d.y smudge against her forehead.

"You're a mess," I said with a quiet laugh. Then my face fell slightly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I could say the same of you." She dropped the towel into the kitchen sink. It was full of them. "I'm doing okay, Gabriel. I think I've just been through so much in such a short period of time that certain things just don't affect me as they should. I'm just numb to this whole situation."

There wasn't really anything I could say to that. It was one of those things a person had to just leave alone and let the affected person figure out how to deal with it on their own time. "I think this is enough excitement for the night. Let's wash off. I'll grab the soap."

Elle beamed and we headed towards the waterfall. I wondered if we'd ever use the actual shower.

[ Elle ]

The spray from the waterfall reflected the moonlight sneaking in through the holes in the ceiling. It almost seemed to add a sort of s.h.i.+mmer to the atmosphere around us. It felt like a beautiful southern California summer and I had a feeling it would be like that always. Beams of moonlight hit the water at all angles, just barely piercing the surface. I stripped down to my bra and panties, waded over to it, and watched the water droplets in the air, tiny enough to just float through the ray of light. Mist was all around me and it tickled as it landed on my bare skin.

I submerged myself, watching as my skin was cleansed of the crimson stains. I resurfaced, finding Gabriel leaning against the edge of the pool, his elbows resting on the soft moss. My hair trailed behind me, floating on the surface, resembling a veil.

"Hey, Beautiful," Gabriel murmured. I blushed. "Turn around."

I obeyed. Gabriel slid my hair over my shoulder so it rested between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s. It was shallow enough that I could stand and not have to tread water. He rubbed the bar of soap between his hands until he got a good lather going before putting it down. He slid his hands over my back then down my shoulders and arms. He kneaded my tense muscles. My breaths were deep and controlled. He reached around and soon his hands were gliding across my stomach. It felt more intimate than it probably was. I grew shy and my face heated all over again.

"G.o.d, this is just what I needed." I exhaled, letting the horror of the last few hours wash away with the soap.

I heard a click and the scent of strawberries filled the air. Gabriel's hands ma.s.saged my scalp and combed through my hair. A quiet moan pa.s.sed through my lips. I was so content at that moment.

I was soon being carried across the pool again. He was holding me like a princess again and I probably had the goofiest grin on my face. Gabriel leaned me back so that the falling water rinsed the shampoo from my hair.

"Mmm...I don't think I've been this clean since, well, you know." I leaned my head against his chest and closed my eyes. I was so drowsy, feeling as if I could sleep for days.

"Glad to be of service," he chuckled.

"Your turn," I said and we made our way back to the opposite side. He sat me on the edge of the pool. I lathered my palms and slid them across the wide expanse of his back, admiring the sharp angles. I told him to turn around. My hands found his stomach, and I rubbed my palms against him, letting my fingers feather his abs, tracing the contours between each defined muscle.

My bottom lip was stuck indefinitely between my teeth. I could feel his heated gaze burning into the top of my head. I inhaled sharply, cupping water into my hands and allowing it to fall down his torso. I was afraid to look at him; I knew what it would lead to. I had no reason to fear him or the possibilities though. So, I looked up and matched his gaze. My nerves blossomed in my lower belly and my breath hitched. Not taking my eyes from his, I leaned forward and pressed my lips above his belly b.u.t.ton. His features grew more intense and I kissed him below his naval.

"Oh, f.u.c.k this," Gabriel said as he pushed me down flat. He pulled himself up onto the ground and he was above me, over me, all around me. He seemed everywhere, sucking in the surroundings until it was just him and me. He cradled the back of my head in his hands and brought my lips up to his. It was gentle.

"I think we'll be just fine here," he said against my lips.

"Absolutely. We have everything we need." I ran my fingers down his cheek. "And..."

"And?" He said, leaning into my touch.

"I don't have to be alone any longer." I exhaled, finally believing my own words.

Gabriel snaked his arms around me and pulled me into his chest.

"Never again, Elle."

It was the first time since the end that I felt genuinely safe. The feeling was all-consuming.

end.