Gabriel''s POV
Chapter 22: iming Her
The heavy bass of the music thudded through my chest as I stormed over to the bar area. My vision. narrowed until the only person I could see was iressa in some strange man''s grasp, fueling my anger.
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I reached them in seconds, shoving the man back with a force that sent him stumbling. "Touch her again, and you''ll regret it,” I threatened in a firm, intimidating tone.
Before iressa could react, I grabbed her wrist and hoisted her over my shoulder. Her yelps of protest were drowned out by the loud music and the cheering crowd, who seemed to think we were putting on some sort of show.
The man she''d been flirting with stepped forward, his stance bold, but a single deadly look from me made him falter. “She''s mine,” I growled, my tone making it clear he didn''t stand a chance.
The man raised his hands in surrender, muttering something about not wanting trouble before disappearing into the crowd.
As I carried her out of the club, her dress shifted, exposing more skin than I wasfortable with anyone else seeing. I tugged the hem of her gown down in an effort to cover her, but her squirming only made it worse, revealing even more flesh.
My possessiveness red. Her body was for my eyes only.
When her wriggling didn''t stop, I gave her a firm spank on her round, enticing backside.
“Ouch!" she yelped, half-teasing, half-giggling. “Why did you do that?"
Chapter 22: iming Her
"If you''d stop wriggling like a schoolgirl, I wouldn''t have had to."
"Wait a minute, Mr. Storm. Is that what you''re into? Should I call you Professor now?” she teased,ughing as she squirmed, her legs kicking lightly.
I gritted my teeth, fighting to suppress the effect her words had on me. Thankfully, we reached the car. Dario stood by the open door, clearly fighting to keep his expression neutral. Ignoring her protests, I set her down inside the car, then slid in beside her.
"You''re out of control," she fumed, shoving at my chest. “You don''t own me!"
At first, I didn''t respond, letting her vent, but when her shoving persisted, I turned to her. My gaze was sharp andmanding, freezing her mid-motion. “Throw another tantrum, and you''ll regret it,” I warned.
Instantly her defiance melted into vulnerability. "Why do you care?" she asked, her voice softer now. "It''s not like I matter to you."
I sighed, leaning back against the leather seat. If only she knew how much her presence disrupted my carefully controlled life. “You shouldn''t share your body with just any man.”
She fell silent, retreating to the other side of the seat. Her arms crossed defensively, but the moment didn''tst. “You''re right,” she admitted softly, her voice fragile. "My ex cheated on me... and I just want to forget everything, but I can''t. The pain... it''s still so raw."
Her confession caught me off guard. I nced at her, noticing the hurt etched in her face. The yful, confident woman I was used to seeing was gone, reced by someone raw and real. "I''m sorry about what he did to you,” I said gently. “But it''s time to move on. He probably has.”
She twisted her lips into a sad smile, searching her purse. “Then why won''t he stop calling and texting me all day?” she asked, pulling out her phone and scrolling through her messages, stopping on one from a contact
Chapter 22: iming Her
saved under, ''Cheating Jerk-Don''t Pick.''
I couldn''t help but smile, just a little. She certainly had a sense of humor despite the pain she was going through.
“Let''s put this away for now.” I reached for her phone and ced it inside my pocket.
"Why do men always ruin everything?" she muttered. "Why can''t they just be satisfied with the woman they im to love? Answer that, Mr. Storm.”
Her questions brought back painful memories, I fought hard to keep buried. "iressa, men and women can both hurt each other. It''s not always just the men. But when it happens, you have to learn to deal with it and move on."
"Easy for you to say. You''ve never been hurt like that," she scoffed. "Not everyone''s as cold-hearted as you. Some of us want to love and be loved."
Her words hit harder than she realized.
She had no idea what I''d been through-the betrayal that turned me into the man I am today. I once believed in love, but it nearly destroyed me. Angelique had shattered my belief in love, leaving me determined never to let anyone close again. But iressa was pulling me toward dangerous territory, and I couldn''t allow it.
“I get that, but he''s made his choice. You have to let him go," I said, trying to steer her away from the heartbreak she was clinging to.
“I get that,” I said finally, trying to steer her away from the heartbreak she clung to. "But he''s made his choice. You have to let him go."
"Kissing random men won''t help you forget him." I was trying to convince her-and maybe myself-that she didn''t need to lower herself like that. But watching her in pain did something to me.
Chapter 22: iming Her
She furrowed her brows. "Men do it all the time, and no one bats an eye. But when a woman does it, she''s
called a whore."
"I never said that," I replied, growing impatient. She was twisting my words.
"You insinuated itst time. Don''t deny it."
"I''m not denying anything," I retorted, trying to stay calm, knowing she was right.
"You men act like you''re better than the women you sleep with. But you''re all the same-cheaters, liars-"
"That''s enough, iressa,” I snapped, angry that she wouldpare me to the jek who betrayed her. Though guilt swirled inside me for speaking to her in such a condescending manner thest time. But it was best to push her away before emotions escted between us. Everything I had done since I met her was for her own good, but she was too na?ve to understand.
She was generalizing and projecting her pain onto me, and it was starting to grate.
“And If I refuse to stop? What would you do? Punish me?” she whispered, her voice daring, her eyes locked on mine with reckless defiance.
Damn it, why did she have to provoke me like this? Every word she said ignited something dark in me. I wanted to punish her for her defiance, for the way she challenged me at every turn. Though beneath her wild girl exterior, I could still sense her innocence. Thebination was driving me insane.
“We''re forty minutes away from your house,” I said, desperate to shift the conversation and suppress my growing arousal.
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Chapter 22: iming Her
"I can''t go home,” she sighed. “Jess has friends over. She asked me to stay outte."
“Jess... your friend from the club?" I asked,tching onto the distraction.
"Yes, that Jess."
"Isn''t it your apartment?"
“It is. But it''s bigger than hers, so she uses it for her parties. Not my scene."
“I thought you loved thete night parties and hangouts.
"There''s a lot you don''t know about me,” she murmured, as I signaled Dario to change course.
As we arrived at my Manhattan penthouse, we drove into the underground garage. iressa shifted in the backseat, lifting her head slightly as I offered my hand.
She took my hand, her eyes wide with amazement as she nced around. Her gaze swept over the rows of luxury cars lined up like a showroom.
"Wee to my home," I said, feeling an unexpected pride as I watched her reaction.
"Oh my God," she gasped, turning slowly to take it all in. “This garage... it looks like a dealership!" Her eyes moved from one car to the next, wide with wonder.
I chuckled, amused but also pleased by her awe. “I suppose it does," I said, watching her eyes light up with excitement.
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Chapter 22: iming Her
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"Come on," I gestured toward the entrance to the penthouse. I led her to the private elevator, and as the doors opened to reveal the sleek, expansive living area, I couldn''t help but watch her closely.
Her eyes moved over the high ceilings, the luxurious décor, and furnishings. Her lips parted slightly in disbelief. When her gazended on the city view through the floor-to-ceiling windows, she paused for a moment, taking it all in.
Her attention shifted to the grand piano by the window. She walked toward it, her fingers lightly brushing the
edge.
“This ce is incredible,” she murmured, her voice filled with awe. I smiled, pleased by her appreciation of everything.
I led her up the grand staircase to the guest room. She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
When we reached the door, I pushed it open, revealing the spacious guest room. "You''re going to be sleeping
here tonight."
The moment she stepped inside, the lights came on automatically, and I saw the awe return to her face. Her eyes lit up, and for a moment, her smile warmed me in ways I hadn''t expected. I''d never allowed any woman
to spend the night in my home before-now, she was the first.
"Alone?" she asked softly, her eyes yful.
“Yes,” I replied firmly, watching her closely. "Alone."
She bit her lip, her gaze drifting away, and I felt the heat rise between us. I needed to get out of there before I
lost control. “Get settled in," I said, my voice a little rough. "My room is right beside yours. I''ll grab you
something to change into.”
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Chapter 22: iming Her
I left the room, only to return momentster with a set of clean clothes. When I knocked, there was no answer.
My chest tightened as I opened the door and stepped inside, the soft sound of water running reaching my ears. My instincts told me to leave-to turn around-but I kept walking.
The bathroom door was slightly ajar, and through the narrow opening, I caught a glimpse of her silhouette. iressa was in the shower, the curve of her bare body blurred by the steam rising in the air. The sight of her was intoxicating, the temptation too strong, and yet my conscience pulled me back, preventing me from staying longer.
I ced the clothes on the bed and left quickly, my pulse racing. Desire coursed through me, stronger than I had felt in years. I had never wanted a woman the way I wanted iressa Hartwood-and that truth terrified
me..