Page 239 of Gabriel
She curses softly, her spine curving off the bed, her legs wrapping tighter around my waist as I bury myself to the hilt. I pause, giving her a moment to adjust, to feel every inch of me inside her, but fuck—it takes everything I have not to move, not to come right here and now after only one thrust.
“Gabriel,” she whispers, her voice soft, breathless, her hands gripping my shoulders like I’m the only thing anchoring her to the earth. “Please.”
I press my forehead to hers, my breaths coming in ragged pants as I start to move, slowly at first, rocking into her with long, deep strokes. Her breath hitches every time I thrust inside her, her body trembling beneath me as she rises to meet every push of my hips. The way she fits around me, so tight, so perfect—it’s heaven and hell all at once.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” I groan, my hands gripping her hips, guiding her against me, driving deeper with every thrust. The tension between us builds, thick and suffocating, but I can’t stop. Won’t stop. Not when she feels like this, like she was made for me.
Her nails rake down my back, her breaths coming faster, each one catching in her throat as I pick up the pace, thrusting harder, faster. I can feel her unraveling beneath me, her body quaking, her moans growing louder, more desperate.
“Faster,” she pleads, her voice breaking. “Please, Gabriel, faster.”
I lose the last of my control, driving into her with a force that has the bed shaking beneath us, her cries echoing off the walls. Every thrust sends her higher, closer to the edge, and fuck, I want to see her fall apart again. I want to feel her come undone around me.
“Gabriel!” she cries, her body tensing, her muscles clenching tight around my cock as she shatters. Her orgasm hits hard, her back arching off the bed as her lips part in a silent scream. She’s trembling, her entire body shaking with the force of it, and it’s enough to send me over the edge.
I bury myself deep, my fingers digging into her hips as my own release slams into me, my vision going white as I spill insideher. Her name falls from my lips in a ragged groan, my body collapsing against hers as the aftershocks roll through me.
For a long moment, neither of us moves, our breaths coming in heavy, uneven gasps. I press my forehead to her shoulder, my body still trembling from the intensity of it all. She’s warm beneath me, soft, her skin slick with sweat and sex, and I don’t ever want to move. Don’t ever want to let her go.
Finally, I shift, careful not to crush her as I roll to my side, pulling her with me. She curls into my chest, her breathing slowly evening out, her fingers tracing lazy patterns over my skin. I kiss the top of her head, pressing my lips to her hair as I hold her close.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her voice so soft I almost don’t hear it.
I close my eyes, my chest tightening at the sound of her words. I don’t know what she’s thanking me for. For not pushing her? For giving her what she needed tonight?
“We’ll talk in the morning,” I murmur, my lips brushing her forehead.
She mumbles something incoherent, already half-asleep, and snuggles deeper into my arms. I hold her tighter, my heart racing with too many emotions to name. I know we have things to work out, things to say, but for now, this—her in my arms, safe and warm—is enough.
The steady rhythm of her breathing is the only sound in the room, and I try to let it calm the storm still raging inside me. But sleep doesn’t come. Not for me. My mind is too full—of her, of the panic I felt tonight, of everything I don’t know but need to. I stare up at the ceiling, my arms wrapped tight around her, my thoughts spinning.
Austin Holt is out there, and I don’t know what went down tonight, but I know one thing—I won’t let anything, or anyone, hurt her again.
I press another kiss to her hair, holding her close as I finally close my eyes, letting the warmth of her body pull me under. Having her here like this feels right.
It feels like home.
CHAPTER 78
GABRIEL
Sunlight filters into the room, dragging with it memories of last night. I reach out blindly, searching for the warmth of Cecilia’s body. But I find nothing but cold sheets. My heart lurches, eyes snapping open. Where the hell is she?
Throwing the covers back, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, feet hitting the hardwood floor with a dull thud. The knot in my stomach tightens as I take in the empty room. She wouldn’t just leave. Right?
I yank on my discarded sweatpants, movements sharp, leaving my chest bare as I scan the clock—6:30 AM. Too early for anyone else in the house to be awake. The silence hangs heavy, and my pulse picks up.
I pause at the bathroom door, pressing my ear against it. Nothing. The quiet gnaws at me. I push the door open, only to find emptiness staring back at me. The space feels hollow, mocking me.
Fuck.
She doesn’t have her Jeep. She couldn’t have gone far. Panic starts to creep in, clawing at my chest. I jog downstairs, firstchecking the living room. Empty. My eyes flick to the front door, but something pulls me toward the kitchen.
And then I see her.
Cecilia, standing at the counter, her back to me. Her hair is a mess from sleep, dark strands tangled over her shoulders, and she’s wearing my shirt. Only my shirt. It hangs loose, mid-thigh, giving me a glimpse of her bare skin as she reaches up for the coffee canister.
Fuck me.
