Chapter 16
Serena gasped softly. Startled, she crouched down, her hand clutching her chest.
She’d already slipped into the dress, but the zipper at the back–unning from her shoulders to her waist–was still undone.
Without holding her chest firmly, she risked an embarrassing mishap,
That’s when she realized Gabriel hadn’t left.
The earlier sound of the door closing–it had to have been a deliberate trick, meant to mislead her.
Serena turned her head, and there he was, leaning casually against the room divider, shirtless.
His toned, sculpted abs caught her gaze for a moment longer than she intended.
Gabriel noticed her stare.
He smirked and said in a cool, mocking tone, “Enjoying the view, Serena?”
Flustered, she scrambled to explain, “1–I just came in to change my dress. It got dirty, and Josie’s assistant brought me here. I didn’t know this was your lounge”
She never would have guessed Josie had access to Gabriel’s private room.
Gabriel’s dark eyes narrowed. “Josie?”
“She spilled wine on my dress,” Serena mumbled.
“Stand up,” he commanded, his tone cold.
Still clutching her chest, Serena flushed deeply and shook her head. “My dress isn’t done yet. Can you turn around first?”
Gabriel chuckled. Instead of turning, he crouched behind her.
Her exposed back, from her elegant shoulder blades to her slender waist, was in full view.
The pale curve of her neck and the delicate contours of her figure made Gabriel pause.
His breath hitched, and heat stirred in his chest, but he quickly regained his composure.
Breaking the moment, he asked, “Where’s Andrew?”
Serena felt his gaze linger on her bare skin, making her cheeks burn. “He… had something to do. I can handle this myself.” Gabriel’s hand reached toward her zipper, his long fingers brushing against it, though he didn’t pull it up right away.
After a moment, he asked, “You said Josie’s assistant gave you the key card?”
Serena nodded. “Yes”
“Where’s the card?” His eyes scanned the nearby table but found nothing.
Serena bent down and picked it up from the floor, then handed to him.
Without warning, Gabriel spun her around. In one smooth motion, he zipped up her dress.
Serena quickly adjusted her outfit and stood upright, feeling more self–conscious than ever-
1/4
14:27 Tue, Dec 24 TG G.
Chapter 16
Gabriel glanced at the key curd in his hand, his expression darkening slightly.
This lounge at Cambridge Court was his personal space.
The small courtyard attached to it was always locked unless he specifically came here for an event.
Gabriel’s expression grew colder as he silently considered Josie’s motives for sending Serena here.
Serena’s hesitant voice broke the silence. “Mr. Harrington, may leave now?”
Gabriel moved to block her path, standing at the edge of the screen.
Serena, holding up the hem of her delicate dress, looked uneasy
His gaze fell on the large red wine stains on her gown. His irritation was clear in his voice. “It’s filthy. Why are you still wearing it?”
Embarrassed, Serena hesitated. “The dress Josie gave me is so complicated.. it has too many layers. I couldn’t figure out how to put it on.”
She fidgeted nervously with her fingers, her frustration evident.
Gabriel’s eyes flicked to the black dress–provocative and intricate in its design.
He frowned. “Take your dress off.”
The curt command hung in the air as he turned and walked ..
While buttoning up his shirt, he made a call.
“Send a dress over,” he ordered.
“Uh… pardon, sir?” Darren’s confused voice echoed on the other end.
A dress,” Gabriel repeated, his tone clipped. “Serena’s size.”
After a brief pause, Darren’s tone shifted… Got it, Mr. Harrington.”
Behind the screen, Serena pecked out cautiously, her face half–halden. “That’s really not necessary…”
Gabriel ignored her, focusing on adjusting his sleeves in the outer room.
The moments dragged on, each second amplifying Serena’s tension.
A few minutes later, Darren arrived with the dress.
Gabriel took it, glancing over at Serena, who was still wearing the stained gown.
His patience wore thin as he frowned. “I told you to take it off. What’s the problem? Can’t bear to part with the one Andrew gave you?”
Serena accepted the dress, her eyes briefly studying it–a sleek black cocktail dress, elegant yet understated.
“Could you turn around… or leave the room?” she asked hesitantly.
Gabriel’s expression remained neutral, though a faint, mocking mile played at the corner of his lips. “Should I call Andrew to come help you change?”
Serena glared at him, her frustration bubbling over. “There’s nothing going on between
me and Andrew! I have told you that
14:27 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 16
a thousand times. Why won’t you believe me?”
Before her words could fully settle, Gabriel stepped closer.
His cool fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear with an unsettling gentleness. Serena instinctively backed away, but he followed, closing the distance until her back met the wall.
He reached up and lightly pinched her earlobe, his fingers grazing her skin in a way that sent shivers down her spine,
His faint smirk deepened as he asked, voice low and teasing, “If there’s nothing between you two, then why do you keep rejecting me?”
Serena’s shoulders stiffened as she met his icy gaze.
Flustered, she bit her lip and thought carefully before replying. You have plenty of women. You don’t need me
Gabriel’s brows furrowed slightly. “Who told you that?”
Serena avoided his gaze, biting her lip harder. Her expression wavered, hovering on the edge of tears, making her look like a kitten cornered by a wolf.
Finally, she spoke with quiet resolve. “I saw it… and heard it.”
Gabriel leaned closer, one hand braced against the wall behind her. His voice dropped to a dangerously soft tone. “Oh? And what exactly did you see and hear?”
Serena hesitated, taking a shaky breath before answering, “I saw ….na getting out of your car. More than once. And that day, when I called you about my tuition… I heard noises. Moaning. Two women.
Gabriel’s expression didn’t shift, though his raised brow hinted at faint amusement.
“And today,” Serena added, her voice steadier now.
“Today?” Gabriel echoed, his confusion flickering briefly.
Serena nodded. “Josie has a key card to your lounge. A man and a woman alone in a private room–what else could they be doing?
Josie’s reputation as an actress wasn’t stellar. Her career relied on her breathtaking looks and flirtatious charm.
Her curvy figure and sharp social instincts had helped her snag Cabriel as a boyfriend, a relationship they had confirmed publicly, also, it had ended not long ago.
Even after their breakup, Gabriel’s once–notorious habit of cycling through girlfriends every month came to an abrupt halt. Social media buzzed with rumors that Gabriel hadn’t moved on because he couldn’t get over
with Josie
They said losing Josie might eventual become his life–time regret
Serena’s mind wandered through those memories, leaving her momentarily lost in thought
When she refocused, Gabriel’s amused smile and the glint in his cold eyes snapped her back to reality.
Yes, he was smiling. An intrigued smile crept on his cold eyes.
Serena’s heart pounded erratically as she quick
looked away.
Frustration laced her voice as she huffed, “With so many women around you, why can’t you just leave me alone?”
$67%0
14:28 Tue, Dec 24 TGG.
Chapter 16
Gabriel’s smile faded, replaced by a focused intensity as he slid in arm around her waist.
Their foreheads brushed lightly as he leaned in, the space between them shrinking.
Pressed against the wall, Serena had nowhere to retreat.
on
Gabriel’s grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly, his fingers giving her side a gentle squeeze.
She shot him a glare, her flustered annoyance resembling that of an angry kitten, but it only made him chuckle softly.
Gabriel straightened just enough to study her clear, unblemished face, his expression unreadable.
“What perfume are you wearing?” he asked suddenly.
Serena blinked, confused, and shook her head. I’m not wearing any.”
These days, her budget was stretched so thin she could barely afford simple meals.
Perfume felt like an unattainable luxury–an unnecessary indulgence.
Gabriel’s hand rested on the back of Serena’s neck, his grip firm but not uncomfortable.
His fingers kneaded lightly, as if savoring the softness of her skin, which flushed faintly with every touch,
“You really didn’t wear any?” His voice carried a note of dist
Serena’s steady gaze met his. “I didn’t.”
Gabriel’s hand tightened slightly, pulling her closer.
His cool lips brushed against the curve of her neck, leaving a lingering kiss on her fair skin.
“Then why is it, he murmured against her, his voice low and deliberate, that every time I’m near you, there’s this scent… this feeling. It makes me want you so
He left the sentence unfinished, instead trailing slow, teasing kisses along her neck.
“What did you do to me, Serena?” he asked softly, his voice growing quieter as the tension between them thickened.
Perhaps it was the alcohol dulling his restraint, but Serena’s knee felt weak under his relentless attention.
She pushed at him weakly, her voice trembling. “I didn’t do anything! This is your problem–let me go!”
Gabriel’s head lifted, his fingers tilting her chin so their eyes met.
“I’ll let you go,” he said sipoothly, “but only if you kiss me. Like you did that night.”
SEND GIFT
COMMENT
0
