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THE LOFT
Ricardo sat silently at the table. The sun was beginning to peak in through the blinds shining light onto the shiny object lying in front of him. Ricardo picked up the glass downing the last of the whisky. Images of Gabi and Antonio taking their vows, exchanging their rings, kissing tenderly collided in his head. "Why did I go there…what was I thinking" his head was spinning. He didn’t know what made him go to the church to witness their wedding, but now more than anything he wanted to forget. The woman he loved, whom he still loved fiercely, marrying his brother, the priest. He shook his head violently as if he could toss the thoughts from his mind. Ricardo reached out his hand touching the cold metal. He closed his eyes, remembering he and Antonio playing football together when he was in high school, he and Gabi dancing together on the SS Neptune, him pulling Antonio out of the rubble at the Liberty Corporation, Gabi accepting his proposal on Valentine’s Day. He opened his eyes focusing on the six small capsules lying near his glass. Carefully, he picked them up one by one loading them slowly into the chamber. There is no other way, he told himself for the thousandth time. I can’t live with this. He pushed the chamber closed startling as it snapped into the revolver. Ricardo held the Smith & Wesson up in front of his face. He never imagined his life would end like this. He looked again to the picture on the table of he and Gabi holding each other. Happier times, he thought. "I love you, Gabi," he said out loud, tears falling from his eyes. BIG BEAR Antonio rolled over sleepily stretching his arm to find Gabi. He sat up quickly finding her side of the bed empty. The sun was just coming up over the lake as he saw her sitting on the edge of the porch, wrapped in a blanket, gazing out on the water. Antonio pushed himself up on his elbow and admired the way the orange glow of the morning sun cast a beautiful light on his wife. Gabi rested her head against the pillar of the porch. She was so incredibly happy, so filled with contentment and hope for the future. She smiled as she remembered Antonio sliding on her wedding band. Gabi lifted her hand to once again admire the gorgeous diamond as it lay against her new gold band. "Good morning, Mrs. Torres," Antonio called out sleepily from the bed. Gabi turned with a smile that melted his heart. She stood up slowly and headed back into the cabin. "I don’t like waking up without you next to me...don’t do that again," he scolded her with a frown. Gabi dropped the blanket revealing her still naked body. Antonio marveled at her as he lifted the sheet inviting her back to the warmth of him. She slid next to him, putting her hand against his stomach and pushing him roughly onto his back. The look in her eyes was wild and animalistic. Antonio was turned on immediately by the way she was handling him. Gabi pulled herself on top of Antonio, kissing him passionately. She entwined her fingers with his pushing his arms over his head and pinning him to the bed. Antonio’s blood ran hot through his veins as Gabi took the lead. Gabi was ravishing his neck and chest with her mouth. Antonio closed his eyes as he reveled in the feel of Gabi’s body perched on top of him. "Do you want me?" Gabi whispered seductively in his ear. "Yes," Antonio replied, his voice barely audible. "Are you sure?" Gabi teased as she ran her tongue over his tight chest. Antonio couldn’t speak, his heart was thumping wildly. Gabi raised herself to look into his dark eyes, pleased that she was turning him on this way. "Well?" she prodded with a wicked smile. She leaned close tickling his ear with her breath, "Tell me you want me." "I want you," Antonio replied on command. "You want me to what?" the sexiness in her voice was driving him wild as she nuzzled his neck. "I want you to make love to me," Antonio said softly, desire weakening his voice. "Say please," Gabi teased. "Oh, God, please," Antonio begged. Gabi lifted herself slightly and finally allowed him to enter her. Antonio cried out as Gabi took complete charge of the moment. She made love to him with pure, uninhibited lust until Antonio could no longer hold himself back. He grabbed onto her hips and she felt his entire body shudder beneath her. Gabi watched intently as he savored his release. Gabi leaned over kissing him lightly on the lips as Antonio fought to control his rapid breathing. His eyes were still closed tightly, his face flush with passion. Gabi gently climbed off of him, lying back against the pillows. Antonio lay completely breathless for a few minutes with a broad smile across his lips. Antonio finally rolled onto his side. Gabi smiled at the sweat running down his face. "That was incredible," he said quietly as he leaned over to kiss her full lips. Gabi could feel him still trembling, as she let out a gentle laugh. "Do it again," he said his eyes begging for more. Gabi pulled him down against her as they kissed tenderly. Gabi climbed out of bed, pulling on a silk robe. She pulled the belt tightly and headed to the refrigerator. Antonio reached for a pair of white cotton drawstring pajama pants. Pulling them on, he followed Gabi to the kitchen. Antonio wrapped his arms around Gabi’s waist as she stood in front of the refrigerator surveying the food. "I’m starving," she said hungrily, pulling several containers out at once. "I bet you are," Antonio replied seductively kissing her neck from behind. Gabi closed her eyes tilting her head back. She loved the way he made her whole body feel weak when he kissed her. Antonio tugged at the belt of the robe, letting it fall open to expose her belly. He gently rubbed his hands over her as he breathed heavily against her ear. "Gabi, I need you," he said roughly, pulling her back against his chest. "Again...already?" Gabi replied with a smile. Antonio turned her around to face him. The need in his eyes was deep and primal. Now that she was his, he couldn’t get enough of her. He took the containers from her hand setting them on the counter. Taking her hand, he led her into the bathroom. Antonio reached in and turned on the dual head shower. He turned back to Gabi, sliding the robe off her shoulders. Gabi untied his pajama pants, pushing them to the floor. They climbed into the shower, the warm water rinsing over them as they kissed hungrily. Antonio backed Gabi carefully against the wall. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed and caressed her under the falling water. He lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Gabi moaned softly as Antonio pressed himself against her. This time it was Gabi’s turn to get lost in the passion. Antonio watched as she responded to the way his body moved. He made love to her slowly and tenderly, savoring every moment until she called out his name over and over with growing intensity. Antonio lost himself as Gabi pulled at his shoulders. He set her down gently allowing her to steady her legs. "I love you, Gabi," he said gazing deeply into her eyes. "I love you, too, Antonio," she replied softly, her eyes full with tears. They finished their shower and returned to the kitchen, completely famished. The next four days seemed to pass in a few hours. Antonio and Gabi spent most of their days making love for hours. Sometimes it was slow and tender, other times lustful and passionate. They talked endlessly about their future and the baby. They tried no to think of what events would take place upon their return to Sunset Beach. Things had happened so quickly that many of their friends didn’t even know what had happened. They assumed Ricardo would probably tell a few people, Maria and Ben had sworn to tell no one and Carmen…well, Carmen was probably hold up in her shop casting evil spells against Gabi and the baby for causing the demise of Antonio’s calling and Ricardo’s heart. Antonio and Gabi took long walks through the woods, talking and laughing. They swam and played in the lake. They slept and rested, gaining the strength they would need to return to Sunset Beach and begin their life in the real world as husband and wife. As Gabi packed up the last of their clothes, Antonio stood on the porch lost in his thoughts. Gabi walked through the doors and quietly stood behind him. She didn’t want to interrupt him, but they needed to get going to make it home before too late. Gabi slid her slender arms around Antonio’s waist leaning her face against his strong back. Antonio’s arms covered hers as he closed his eyes with a smile. "I don’t want to leave, either. I wish we could stay here forever," Gabi sighed. "I know," Antonio said softly. "This week has been the best week of my life." He turned around taking Gabi into his arms. He held her close against his chest breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. "But we have to go, there’s a lot to be done at home." Antonio smiled as he stepped back from Gabi and touched her stomach. "This little one isn’t going to stay in there forever." Gabi loved when Antonio touched their baby this way. She was so incredibly happy with her life at this very moment, she couldn’t imagine ever being unhappy again. "You look tired, Gabi. Maybe you should sleep on the way home," Antonio said with concern. Gabi yawned as she looked at the sun setting over the lake. "Yeah, that’s a good idea. This baby sure is taking it out of me." She looked to Antonio. "You sure took it out of me this week, too," she said with a smile. Antonio’s mouth broke with a wicked smile. "Don’t even go there," Gabi warned him poking him in the stomach. Antonio laughed as they headed back into the cabin to gather the last of their things and head back to Sunset Beach, completely oblivious to the events that had taken place while they were away.
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