Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Leonardo Cooper

As I step through the door, my mind is still trapped in the chaos of work—endless calls, the weight of unfinished reports.
However, after just two steps into the apartment, everything shifts.

The light is low. Not from the ceiling. Candles. Dozens of them, scattered across the room with near-artistic precision.
The air is thick with a sweet, addictive scent—something between jasmine and pure provocation.
The music, soft and enticing, drifts to my ears like a silent invitation.

— Gabriel? — I call out, confused, trying to understand what's happening. I instinctively reach for the light switch.

But his voice stops me.

— Don't turn it on.

I freeze.

That voice. Warm, steady, with a promise hidden between the words. I lower my hand slowly, as if obeying was the only option.

— Why? — I whisper, my heart already pounding faster.

— Because I created this atmosphere just for the two of us.

The answer hits me straight in the chest. My eyes scan the room until they find him.
And when they do, my breath catches.

Gabriel stands in the center of the living room. The dark wine-colored fabric of his robe slips slightly off one shoulder, revealing enough skin to make every muscle in my body tense.

His legs are partially exposed, hinting more than showing. His lips shine under the candlelight, and his eyes—those eyes—are devouring me in silence.

And then it hits me.

It’s one of the silk robes I picked out for him weeks ago, just because I imagined how it would fall across his skin.
And now he’s standing there, wearing it like he was born for it.

As if he'd read every filthy thought I'd ever had—and decided to bring them to life in a private performance.

— This… — my voice falters at first, but I manage to continue, even if it's a bit hoarse — Is this for me?

He moves toward me slowly. Every step feels choreographed, like a silent dance.
His scent hits me again—a sweet punch straight to my senses.

— Tonight — he murmurs, stopping right in front of me, his face close enough that I can feel the heat of his breath — you're not in control of anything.
You just feel.

I close my eyes for a second. The surrender begins even before a single touch. When I open them, he’s still there, waiting for my reaction.

— I’m already feeling it — I confess, letting my hand slide down to the belt of his robe, just touching it, not pulling.

He smiles—a smile that shatters defenses.

— Then enjoy it.
Because I want this night to be burned into your memory.

— Gabriel... — I say, my voice almost reverent — you have no idea what you’re doing to me right now.

He tilts his head slightly, his hair falling perfectly to the side, as if even that was part of the plan.
But I know it wasn’t rehearsed. It’s just him. Natural. Unfiltered. Fatally seductive.

— Oh, Leonardo... — he replies, a mischievous glint in his eyes — I know exactly what I’m doing.

I can’t hold back the laugh that escapes me—half strangled by growing desire. I step closer, my hands resting on his waist, feeling the heat of his body through the silk.

— You’re dangerous. And I’m an idiot who walked straight into your trap.

— Trap? — he laughs softly — Call it a trap if you want.
But deep down, you were dying to fall into it.

And with everything I am, I know he's right.

My fingers slide slowly over the silk, down to his waist, feeling the muscles flex subtly beneath my touch.

He looks at me with that wicked sparkle, his lips still glistening with the faint sheen of gloss that makes me want to kiss him until I forget how to breathe.

— And what exactly are you hiding under here, huh? — I ask, my voice low and drawn-out, tugging gently at his waist to pull him closer.

Gabriel lets out a light, provocative laugh—the kind of sound that sends a shiver down my spine.

— Hmm... why don’t you find out? — he whispers, nibbling slightly on his bottom lip, as if throwing gasoline on my curiosity.

Challenge accepted.
I slide the robe open slowly, revealing his skin little by little, unwrapping him like the most precious gift.
And then I see.

First, the bold red lingerie, clinging perfectly to his body, as if it had been designed solely for him.
The cut is daring, made to trigger reactions that can't be tamed.

But what really makes me freeze—and steals my breath like a death sentence—is the garter.

A vibrant red strap wrapped around his thigh, with a golden clasp catching the candlelight.

— My... God — I whisper, unable to hide the shock mixed with pure fascination.

He steps back, spinning slowly, giving me a full view of the masterpiece he’s wearing.

— This is a crime, you know that? — I say, my gaze hungry but my smile lingering — This is pure evil.
Premeditated. Cold. Calculated.

— Evil? — he fakes outrage, bringing a hand dramatically to his mouth. — Leonardo, please...
This is art.
And you have the privilege of being the only authorized collector allowed to touch it.

A low, drawn-out chuckle escapes me.
I move closer again, brushing my fingers lightly over the garter, almost reverently.

— If this is art... then I’m completely addicted.

— Only now? — he teases, leaning in to brush his lips against mine. —
I thought you surrendered a long time ago.

— I fake it well — I reply, between one breath and the next. —
But you, Gabriel... you are my most obvious weakness.

He smiles without hiding it. He exposes everything. He provokes more than a thousand words ever could.

— Good.
Because tonight, I want to watch your self-control disappear.

— It's already gone.

— Perfect — he says, grabbing my hand and guiding it back to the garter. —
Because I still have a few surprises in store.
And trust me... this was just the introduction.

The way he looks at me—with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how to own his body and command desire—shrinks my entire world down to a single point: him.

And tonight, there’s no world outside this apartment.Only candles, silk, burning skin… and Gabriel.