Gabriel''s POV
Chapter 110: Dressed Up Just For Him
Standing in front of Gabriel''s door, my fingers brushed through my curls for the third time, making sure everything was in ce. My little ck dress clung perfectly to my body-short, simple, sexy, with just enough cleavage.
I wanted to steal his breath, leave himpletely speechless.
Before I could press the button, the door swung open. A woman dressed in a tailored uniform greeted me with a warm smile. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties.
"Wee, Miss Hartwood. I''m Jane, Mr. Storm''s house manager." She extended her hand.
I shook hers, smiling back. "Please, call me iressa. Nice to meet you."
She nodded, stepping aside. "Likewise. Please,e in."
As I entered, the familiar luxury of Gabriel''s apartment surrounded me.
The ce was like a fortress-dark tones, sleek lines-a space asmanding as the man himself.
Jane led me through the hallway, then stopped. "Mr. Storm is in the kitchen. I''ll leave you here." She smiled again before disappearing down the hall.
Chapter 110: Dressed Up Just For Him
Kitchen? My brow lifted. What was he doing there?
Thad been to Gabriel''s apartment before, so I remembered my way around. As I approached the kitchen, I heard his deep, rich voice.
"In here."
I stepped in-and froze, Gabriel stood by the stove, stirring a pot of sauce.
The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. The sight was shocking. Gabriel Storm, the picture of control and power, cooking? For me?
"Mr. Storm... in the kitchen?" I gasped yfully. "I would have expected a renowned chef."
He nced over his shoulder, shing that irresistible smirk. "Let''s just say I wanted to make tonight more special by cooking for you myself."
Something in his tone softened me instantly. My heart skipped a beat.
"I never would''ve thought you could cook."
"There''s a lot you''re yet to find out." He set the spoon aside, turning his gaze back to the stove.
"Have a seat. Dinner will be served soon. Apologies-we''re running behind schedule by fifteen minutes. Had an important call earlier."
“So particr and orderly. I love it, Mr. Storm." I teased, tiptoeing up behind him, peeking over his shoulder to see everything he was cooking.
He sensed me instantly. In one swift motion, he spun around, wrapping his hands around my waist as he pressed his hard frame into mine.
"Easy, Mr. Storm, we haven''t even had dinner yet," I murmured, cing my hand on his firm chest.
"You''re the one sneaking up on me, youngdy, and I can''t help it... If you smell and look this good..."
His eyes darkened, slowly traveling down my body, pausing at every curve. The heat in them made my pulse race.
"You look... breathtaking," he murmured, voice dropping. "That dress- dangerous."
Warmth spread across my skin. I leaned in closer. "I dressed up just for you."
He smirked, gaze never leaving mine. "And I approve."
"I want to help... What do you need?" I asked.
"Nope." His voice was firm.
"But... I can''t let you-"I tried to protest, but the look he shot me left no room for argument.
"Sit. Watch."
"Aye, Captain..." I sighed dramatically, walking back and sliding onto a stool at the ind counter, watching him move.
Every movement-precise, calcted.
He cut vegetables and chopped onions with ease, stirring sauces with practiced
hands. The man did everything with intention.
The longer I watched, the more drawn I became.
He made cooking look... sensual.
Soon, he ted the meal. "Dinner is served."
Grilled steak with roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a side of garlic butter sauce.
"I have to say, Mr. Storm, you''ve outdone yourself. This looks... delicious." Gabriel leaned casually against the counter, arms crossed, his eyes drinking me in. "Take the first bite and tell me then."
My eyes shut for a second as I lifted the fork to my lips, savoring the rich vors.
Then, with a satisfied hum, I gave him a thumbs-up. "It tastes divine."
A pleased expression yed out on his face before he gestured toward the dining table he had set.
We sat across from each other and began eating.
The entire dinner was filled with light easy conversation andugina alisema Sands. how irresistible / looked, how he warned to devour me but was exercising selltrs
My cheeks stayed warm the entire time, like e achosight on date with her och Bar the war some fleeting crush. Gabriel was so much
When we finished, we cleared the dishes together moving in sy as I was shine this a hundred times
before.
"Wow... I''m impressed. Dinner was amazing Chef''s kiss made a dramatic gene gra
Gabriel chuckled, wiping his hands on a towel. Thank you, my sweet im d you enjoyedt
I leaned against the counter, arching a brow. Now that dimer''s over the distes are done... what''s next
His lips curled into a mischievous grin as he reached for the wine sses. "Ace" "Hmm?" I tilted my head, intrigued.
He grabbed a bottle of wine, expertly pouring us both a ss. When he handed me mine, his fingers brushed over mine, sending warmth straight through me.
"To more wins," he murmured, holding his ss up.
I smiled, my heart fluttering. "More wins," I echoed, clinking my ss against his.
"And... thank you. For tonight. For opening up to me."
His expression softened. "And thank you for giving us a second chance."
I took a slow sip of my wine, meeting his gaze. "Mr. Storm, I have to say-I don''t regret my decision yet." I
teased
His eyes gleamed with amusement. "Yet?"
"We''ll see how the night goes." I giggled. "So tell me, where did you learn how to cook so well?"
Gabriel hummed, swirling his ss. "You know, I once worked as a sous-chef at a big restaurant."
I blinked. "A sous-chef?" I tried to picture it and failed. I gestured toward him. "The great Gabriel Storm, tech mogul, working in a restaurant? That''s a sight."
He chuckled. “Well, my mom loved cooking, and when I was younger... let''s just say I was kind of a mama''s boy. So I was always by her side when she made great dishes."
My mouth fell open in exaggerated shock. "Oh my God. Gabriel Storm-a mama''s
boy?"
He leaned in. "Like I told you earlier, there''s a lot you''re yet to learn about me. But soon, you will. For now,
drink up."
I narrowed my eyes yfully. "Are you trying to get me drunk, Mr. Storm?"
"Maybe."
I took another sip; holding his gaze over the rim of my ss. "So I won''t find out
any more stories about ''Mama''s boy Gabriel"?"
His rxed mood faded slightly, reced by something more solemn. Unfortunately, there''s must no tell. My mom passed away when I turned eighteen."
My mouth parted as I saw the sh of pain in his eyes. “Gabriel. I''m so sorry?
His jaw tensed for a brief second, then he exhaled. "It''s alright. It was a long time
ago. Besides, think turned out okay."
"You sure did," I replied softly. "She must have been an incredible woman."
Gabriel gave a tight smile. "She certainly was."
His eyes now studied me. "What about you? Your parents?"
"They''re back in Idaho. Still married, still in love
He nodded. "Good for you. I''m guessing you had an amazing childhood."
I shrugged. "My parents were always present and caring when I was growing up,
and I''m thankful to them for that." I admitted. "But they were also very conservative. With that came certain expectations... and I''m not sure they''d approve of the woman I''ve be."
"You''re doing great, iressa, and I''m sure they''re proud," he assured me.
I smiled, though a part of me wished I could believe that as easily as he did. I took another sip before shifting the conversation. "So, tell me... when was thest time you cooked for someone? And don''t lie."
His jaw tensed slightly, as if the question triggered something in him.
"My ex-wife," he admitted after a pause. "And that was years ago."