The sun kissed the ocean, painting the sky in warm hues of orange when Gabriel and Ba finished with the main course.


    Gabriel took thest two tes from the trolley and ced one in front of Ba, and the other one in front of him.


    So far, he would remove the bell that covered the tes, but now he didn''t.


    Gabriel looked at her expectantly and Ba understood that she should reveal what is under it.


    Ba lifted the bell, and her eyes darted from Gabriel to the te in front of her. It took her a few seconds to remember their talk fromst weekend (aka the first date) when they discussed horse riding lessons and the reward.


    "Angel food cake."


    "The best in town.", Gabriel said smugly and added: "Since you learned how to ride a horse, you are a good student and this one is on me. Don''t worry about the price."


    Ba burst into giggles. "Do you always remember these details?"


    "Only if they are rted to you."


    Ba''s expression froze and she stared at him. "You are doing it again."


    "What?"


    "Uhm… You say nice things that make me feel special.", Ba said and hoped that she is not blushing too much.


    "But you are special, Ba."


    Ba inhaled sharply. "You did it again."


    "And I will keep on doing it because that is how I feel.", he said with a charming smile that made Ba''s heart skip a beat.


    "Eat the cake.", he reminded her casually like he didn''t just confess his feelings.


    Ba observed that Gabriel is impatient, either for her to taste the cake, or he nned something for after it. Maybe both.


    She took a bite and hummed in approval at the soft and slightly spongy wholesomeness that melted in her mouth. "It is the best angel food cake I ever had."


    "I''m d you like it."


    Ba finished her slice and was drinking water to wash down the sweetness when music sounded from… somewhere.


    Gabriel stood up and offered her his hand. "Can I have this dance?"


    Ba put her hand into his and he didn''t let go as his other hand circled around her back and they started moving.


    Ba smiled while thinking that this is so much better than in movies and she could not believe that this is happening to her. An afternoon of riding horses, and a drive, and dinner, and dancing with a view of the sunset over the ocean... with Gabriel. It was almost like Cindere and she hoped that at midnight all this will not disappear and turn into mice and pumpkins... well, she can let go of everything, except for Gabriel. She wants to keep him.


    "Are things to your liking?", Gabriel''s voice sounded close to Ba''s ear, reminding her how close they are while swaying slowly at the beat of the music.


    "Do you need to ask?", she asked, slightly out of breath.


    "Hmm… if there is any part you dislike or you would like to improve, let me know so that I can change it for the next time."


    Ba thought for a second before responding. "Everything was perfect. Like always."


    "Always? This is our second date, and the first one was on the verge of copsing more than once.", Gabriel reminded her.


    "No… I mean… Whenever we are together, it''s perfect."


    Gabriel understood that she is talking about the evenings when he came to her ce and cook, and she probably included when they checked the apartment. He forgot that Ba is an amazing girl who does not count only official dates, but every moment, regardless if it includes fancy dinners and roses.


    Gabriel leaned closer and his proximity stole her breath away.


    "It''s because of you…", he whispered against her lips. "You make everything perfect."


    Ba''s lips parted, eagerly expecting his kiss, and this time she was not disappointed.


    Gabriel kissed Ba gently while their bodies swayed at the sound of the soft music, and they totally missed the sunset.


    …


    Gabriel parked his car in front of Ba''s apartment building and contemted if he should turn the engine off or not.


    After dinner and dancing, he asked Ba what she wants to do next, and her destination of choice was her apartment. "I have soda in the fridge, we can make popcorn and watch a movie…"


    Of course, the movie was a coverup because Ba only wanted to snuggle with Gabriel on the sofa, but she didn''t dare say that at loud. Her n is that she will approach him slowly during the movie and it will happen… the snuggling at least, and maybe more.


    Gabriel was concerned about being with Ba in her apartment without anyone else around. Will he be able to keep his hands to himself? It''s not that he does not want to watch a movie with Ba, but the idea of them being alone in her apartment on a Saturday evening is… very private. Dangerous.


    He offered several other options that included a movie theater, but Ba stood her ground and here they are.


    Gabriel decided to give Ba one more chance to change her mind. "Are you sure?"


    "Yes.", Ba confirmed. "Don''t make it awkward…"


    She leaned to open her door and get out of the car, and Gabriel grabbed her shoulder, holding her back. "OK. OK… Give me a second and I will open the door for you."


    "Are you always so gentlemanly?", Ba had to ask while watching Gabriel jog to her side of the car.


    "Is there something wrong with treating well the woman I like?"


    Ba was unable to meet his gaze. "Yes or no was the right answer. Why do you always make it into apliment?"


    Gabriel chuckled. "I am amazed that a beautiful woman like you is not used topliments."


    "You did it again."


    "And I always will, Ba."


    "You don''t need to force yourself."


    Gabriel was surprised by this. Is Ba really so insecure? Who knows what her mother put her through? Ba mentioned that her mother didn''t help Ba when men made unwanted advances, and Ba was even med for that. His heart cracked at the thought of a little girl who was trapped by the same woman who should protect her from harm.


    Gabriel cupped Ba''s cheeks, tilting her head so that he can look into her eyes. "Ba, I am only speaking my mind. That is not a difficult thing to do. You are the most amazing girl I ever met and that is why I am here with you. On a date."


    Ba''s eyes stirred with emotions and she didn''t know how to respond. "Uhm… let''s go inside before I start tearing up and ruin the date."


    Gabriel was moved. He wanted to put Ba under a ss bell and protect her from every harm… him included. At the same time, he wanted to devour her as well. And he knew that going up to her apartment will put all his self-discipline to test… and he felt that it''s already crumbling. This will be challenging.


    ---


    If you are not reading this at ''W e b n o v e l .. c o m'', then the content you''re reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.