Chapter 17
Serena bit her lips. “I don’t want to
Gabriel’s lips hovered near hers. “Then I’ll kiss you instead. But this time, no biting
Serena’s lips parted in surprise, but she didn’t respond.
The last time he kissed her without her consent, she’d bitten him–hard.
After the bite. Gabriel let her go.
Her hesitation betrayed her thoughts, which Gabriel easily read on her face.
“And don’t forget,” he added, his tone faintly teasing, “you owe me a favor.”
The reminder made Serena falter, her resolve crumbling. I’ll repay it. If there’s something you want, just ask.”
“There is. His smirk deepened. “Kiss me, Serena
She turned her head, her voice barely audible. “Choose something else.”
The courage she’d shown that night–the desperation–driven boldness that pushed her to face him–was gone.
Now, she could barely summon the strength to stand her
Gabriel’s expression darkened slightly, his tone resolute. “Fine. Then I’ll kiss you.”
He cupped her face and leaned in, his lips brushing against hers
Serena instinctively turned her head to bite him, but he dodged per swiftly, pulling back instantly.
Their breaths mingled in the tense air between them, the faint sent of his cologne–cool and woody–filling her senses.
“Why are you like a teething puppy?” he muttered, his tone both frustrated and amused. “Do you bite everything that gets
Now.” close to your mouth? Open up.
His voice was a quiet command, coaxing yet firm, and it sent Serena’s breathing into disarray.
“Mr.- she began, her voice shaky.
But before she could finish, his lips met hers again, this time more urgent, more unapologetic.
His kiss deepened quickly, exploring every corner with confident precision.
Amid the chaos, Gabriel’s hands found the zipper he had pulled up earlier.
With a swift motion, he slid it back down, exposing her back to the cool air.
Serena instinctively curled into him, trying to shield herself, he fingers clutching at the dress’s fabric.
Tll help you change,” he murmured against her lips, his tone low and possessive.
His warm hands slid over her back, their touch firm yet oddly tender as he moved with purpose.
“Mr. Harrington… I can do it myself, Serena stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her protest seemed to amuse him. His lips trailed down to her llarbone, leaving a heated path in their wake,
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Chapter 17
Serena’s resistance faltered into a muffled sound of protest as Gabriel silenced her again with his touch
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“Naughty girl… His voice dipped lower, tinged with both curiosity and mischief. “Looks like perfume isn’t the only thing you aren’t wearing tonight.”
He even pinched her chest teasingly.
Serena’s checks burned as she fumbled for words. “The straps… they’d show. I’m wearing art adhesive bra. Gabriel, please. this isn’t–stop…
His fingers toyed with the edge of the fabric briefly before he pulled back slightly, his hand cradling her face.
The passion inside him burned, and it was on the edge of losingcontrol.
Serena stood dazed, her thoughts hazy and scattered from Gabriel’s kisses,
Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she found herself responding to him without thinking,
Gabriel’s breathing grew heavier, his hand sliding toward the hem of her dress, lifting it slowly,
But then-
There was a knock on the door.
The sound shattered the moment.
Darren’s voice came from outside the door. “Mr. Harrings
When no answer came, Darren knocked again, more insistently
Stewart is here. She said she wants to apologize to you”
Gabriel exhaled sharply, tension radiating off him as he released Serena. remained locked on her, simmering with unspent passion.
His dark
Serena’s flushed face and red–rimmed eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
Gabriel’s jaw clenched as he took in her disheveled appearance, his temple veins pulsing visibly.
He reached out, his fingers brushing gently at the corner of her lips to wipe away the faint dampness.
Without a word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly
His chest rose and fell as he closed his eyes, taking steady breath to regain his composure.
Finally, he murmured coolly, “Put on your dress.”
Grabbing his jacket, Gabriel strade out of the room without looking back.
Serena leaned against the wall, her legs weak, trying to gather herself.
Her heart raced as the reality of what almost happened sank in. Darren hadn’t interrupted, she might have….
The thought sent a chill through her. She took a shaky breath, silently vowing to be more careful about drinking at events
like this.
Outside the lounge, Gabriel slung his jacket casually over one arm, his sharp gaze landing on Darren
“What does Josie want now?” he asked, his tone cold.
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Chapter 17
Darren hesitated, realizing he might have interrupted something significant.
His eyes flickered toward the lounge door, piecing together the uation.
Darren had a feeling that Serena might be in there.
He had been suspicious from the moment Gabriel requested a dress earlier.
Gabriel had always been disciplined, particularly regarding matters of intimacy.
Losing control in a place like Cambridge Court, surrounded by Phishew’s elite, was unheard of for him.
“Miss Stewart wanted to apologize for anything she said that might have upset you,” Darren explained cautiously.
Gabriel’s irritation flared. “And you thought that was worth interrupting me?”
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“She wouldn’t let it go, Darren admitted, scratching his neck awkwardly. “She’s been crying outside the courtyard for a while
Josie
Stewart wasn’t someone people dared to dismiss easily.
Though her family’s influence had waned, her grandfather’s reputation as a retired general still held considerable weight.
Gabriel’s expression darkened. Tell her to go back to the ballroom.”
Darren nodded, but his gaze caught on something unt shirt!
brow furrowed as he blurted out, “Mr. Harrington, your
Gabriel glanced down and saw it–a large red wine stain streaked across the front of his crisp white shirt.
The sight was uncharacteristic. Gabriel was meticulous about his appearance, and the glaring stain was a rare lapse. The realization hit him instantly. The sain had come from Serena’s dress earlier, a remnant of their heated exchange.
For a moment, his throat tightened as the memory replayed in his mind.
The warmth from her body, the way she had clung to him–everything still lingered in his senses.
“Bring me another shirt,” he said coolly, masking his thoughts.
Darren nodded and quickly left to fetch it.
When Gabriel returned to the lounge, Serena had already changed.
She stood quietly, dressed in the black cocktail dress Darren had delivered earlier.
The dress was simple yet striking, ending just above her knees.
The upper part didn’t show much cleavage, either.
It hugged her slender waist and flowed gracefully, the textured fabric emphasizing her elegance.
Her loose hair, freed from its messy braid, cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, framing her face and lending her a refined, understated beauty,
Gabriel’s eyes anymore.
lingered on her for a long inoment before he remarked casually. “Now you don’t look like a childish princess
Serena’s cheeks Ilushed, but she couldn’t argue. She adored the dress–it felt timeless, like something Audrey Hepburn
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Chapter 17
might have worn.
It exuded sophistication and maturity, a sharp contrast to the tulle gown Andrew had given her, which had felt more like a costume from a fairy tale.
When Gabriel approached, Serena hesitated before speaking. “Your shirt…”
Her eyes had caught the red wine stain on his pristine white shir
Gabriel stepped closer, gently lifting a strand of her hair.
He draped it over her collarbone, concealing the faint red marks his lips had left there,
He waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself.”
Serena turned to the mirror and finally noticed it–the kiss mark on her collarbone. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and anger.
She spun around to glare at Gabriel, realizing he’d done it intentionally.
Seeing her indignant expression, Gabriel smirked faintly.
He leaned in just enough to murmur in a teasing voice, “What’s this? Is that your way of telling me to keep going?”
Flustered, Serena pushed him away with a sharp huffde her way toward the door. “If you’re so full of energy, go bother someone else!”
After she left, Gabriel walked into the lounge’s bathroom.
By the time Gabriel re–entered the ballroom, the crowd had noticeably thinned.
From her
r quiet corner, Serena spotted Andrew talking
ng to a woman in an elegant blue gown.
The woman’s posture was confident, and the dazzling diamond bracelet on her wrist suggested she was a person of wealth
and status.
Serena remained seated, scrolling through messages from parents in the Stella Learning she worked with.
When she looked up again, Andrew was no longer with the wormin.
Now Gabriel stood beside her.
The woman’s demeanor had shifted completely. Where she had seemed poised and self–assured with Andrew, she now appeared bashful and coy with Gabriel.
Her gaze often dropped shyly, and her laughter was bright and eager.
Gabriel, by contrast, remained composed and distant.
Still, he said something that made the woman smile radiantly, the connection between them undeniable
“Serena, why did you change your dress? Now the little princess is gone, Andrew’s warm voice teased as he approached and sat beside her.
Serena gave a brief account of the wine spill and her need to change.
Andrew frowned with concern. “You should have come to me. I could have helped
| you with the dress.”
Serena smiled. “No.“Serena smiled faintly. “It’s fine. I can take care of myself. I’m not a little princess anymore.”
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Andrew studied her thoughtfully before nodding. “Thue. It’s been years since we last saw each other, and now you have grown up.
As their conversation continued, Serena’s eyes wandered back to where Gabriel and the woman in the blue gown had been standing, only to realize they were gone.
“Andrew,” she asked casually,
“who was
s that woman you were talking to earlier? The one in the blue dress.”
Andrew glanced at her, understanding immediately. “Oh, her? That’s Luna Brown, the only daughter of the Brown family. Her father and grandfather are both in politics, and their family wields considerable influence in Pashew.”
He paused, his expression turning thoughtful. There’s been some talk of an alliance between the Harringtons and the Browns.
“Luna might end up becoming Mrs. Harrington. I’m trying to build rapport with her now–it could be useful for future collaborations.”
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Chapter 18
