Chapter 165: I'll Go Bad If I Wait

Chapter 165: I'll Go Bad If I Wait
Luna's POV

Gabriel gave his mom a slight nod. "Looking forward to your good news." His voice was soft but oozed that quiet confidence, like he already had the win in the bag.

I trailed after him out of Ashford Grounds, still wrapping my head around the whole batshit-crazy circus we'd just escaped. One second, gunshots and family meltdowns; the next, Barbara's dropping divorce bombs like she's ordering a latte. Rich people problems, man.

Once we slid into Gabriel's sleek luxury ride, the knot in my shoulders finally started to unwind. The leather seats hugged me like a warm embrace as we peeled away from that nightmare mansion.

"Gabriel," I finally broke the easy silence, "what's this 'surprise' you've got cooking for Julian?"

He tugged me closer, draping an arm around my shoulders. His face stayed chill, almost bored. "Nothing fancy. Just giving karma a little nudge."

That vague-ass answer only cranked up my curiosity. I grabbed his hand, suddenly hit with a wave of worry. "Please tell me you're not plotting something shady. I don't think I could handle visiting you behind bars."

Gabriel chuckled, leaning in to nuzzle my ear. His breath was hot against my skin, sending tingles racing down my spine. "What kind of guy do you take me for? For him? Not worth the hassle."

I shifted in my seat, caught between dying to know and dreading the details. "Come on, spill it."

His eyes sparkled with that wicked mischief as he sized up my reaction. "I could tell you," he drawled, dragging out each word like a tease. "But fair trade... you gotta grant me one little request tonight?"

My body went rigid, thighs clenching on instinct. "Are you for real right now? That's straight-up blackmail, you perv!"

Gabriel's laugh came out low and gravelly, the kind that always flipped my stomach. "Where's your head at, Luna? I didn't specify jack."

My cheeks flamed. "You said it in that tone. How else am I supposed to read it?"

"Though..." he added, voice dropping deeper, "it's not totally unrelated to what you're imagining."

I shoved him away, fighting the heat pooling inside me. "Then you can dream about it all night!"

Gabriel's gaze locked on mine, dark and hungry. His smile was pure sin. "Grown-ups don't have to pick one or the other, you know."

I narrowed my eyes. "What, so if I say no, you'll just make me?"

"Hell no." His tone softened instantly, all playfulness vanishing. "I'd never push you. Your call, always."

---

Back at The Mayfair, I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a fluffy towel around my still-damp body. The steam had worked wonders, melting away the day's stress like it never happened. I'd barely patted dry when Gabriel's arms wrapped around me from behind, his lips grazing that sweet spot on my neck.

"Luna," he whispered, voice rough with want. "Help me out here."

I spun in his hold, catching the raw heat in his eyes. But I had to lay it out straight. "Gabriel, my period's not totally over. I can't—"

His stare intensified, burning right through me as his hands settled lightly on my hips. "There's other ways you could take care of me." A pause, then softer: "If you're up for it."

I bit my lip, torn. God, I wanted him—always did. But...

"Please, baby," he murmured against my ear, voice edged with that desperate edge that got me every time. "If I hold out any longer, I'm gonna lose it."

The raw need in his words crumbled my walls. I looked up, flashing a teasing smile. "Fine. But just so we're clear, this means we're done."

Gabriel's brows shot up, a surprised laugh bubbling out. "We haven't even made it official yet."

"Exactly," I whispered, guiding him backward toward the bedroom. "So this is just exes hooking up. No strings."

His grin turned predatory as I nudged him onto the edge of the bed. I dropped the towel, letting the cool air kiss my skin, and sank to my knees between his legs. His breath hitched as I trailed my fingers up his thighs, teasing the zipper. "Luna..." he groaned, head tipping back when my mouth finally closed around him—warm, deliberate strokes that had him gripping the sheets, his hips bucking subtly. The taste of him, the way he whispered my name like a prayer, sent sparks through me too.

---

The next afternoon, I woke up face-planted in the pillow, groaning as last night's memories hit me—sweet, steamy, and a little conflicted. Am I really ready to spill my guts and confess? I fumbled for my phone, scrolling through the confession ideas I'd hashed out with Sophia. Just as doubt crept in, it buzzed—Sophia's name popping up.

"Hey," I mumbled, voice still thick with sleep.

"Luna!" Sophia's energy blasted through the line. "I've got everything set up for you. When are you swinging by to grab it?"

I rubbed my eyes, snapping awake. "Like, now?"

"Duh, Sleeping Beauty. Get your butt over here! I can't wait to see this epic confession go down!"

---

Luke Bennett swung open the door, greeting me with a grin. "Sophia's upstairs. And hey, since I've been off the hook with your Mr. Big Shot, my blood pressure's way down," he half-joked, ushering me into their sprawling mansion.

I cracked up. "Gabriel can be... not exactly human sometimes."

Luke rolled his eyes big-time. "'Sometimes'? Understatement of the year. The dude's the most bullheaded, control-freak asshole I know."

"But you're still buds," I pointed out.

Luke shrugged. "Beats me how you put up with him."

"Trust me, I wonder that myself," I chuckled.

Up on the second floor, Sophia was waiting outside the study, waving like a maniac. "Luna! Come check this out!"

She basically shoved Luke out and slammed the door shut.

We fine-tuned the details until it all clicked perfectly. "Okay, now we need Luke's magic touch," I said. "The spot's kinda special."

We tracked him down in the study, where he was buried in a parenting book. He snapped it shut like we'd caught him red-handed, playing it cool.

Sophia shot him a sweet smile. "Luke, Luna's gearing up to confess to Gabriel, and the venue needs some insider pull. Think you could hook us up?"

"You want me to help Gabriel Ashford?" Luke scowled. "Just picturing that smug bastard's face when he gets his girl back..."

Sophia hit him with those puppy eyes, and Luke caved with a sigh. "Fine, whatever."

Right then, my phone rang—Gabriel's name lighting up. I shushed Luke and Sophia before picking up.

"Hello?" I kept my tone icy-cool.

"Where are you?" Gabriel sounded edged with urgency.

I fired back with a sassy bite: "At Sophia's. Got a problem with that, Mr. Ashford? I told her I'd crash here tonight."

"Luna, I—" I cut him off, hanging up and swapping a sneaky grin with Sophia.

"He's gonna lose his shit," I laughed, savoring the petty payback.

Sophia suggested we bunk together, but Luke looked less than thrilled. I waved it off quick: "Nah, you two take the master. Go on—your hubby's waiting!"

Sophia wasn't budging. "C'mon, it's been forever since a girls' night! Luke and I can handle one night apart." She dragged me toward the guest room.

About an hour later, the doorbell chimed. I opened it to find Gabriel standing there, smirking like the cat that got the cream.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped, not thrilled.

Gabriel flashed Luke's text on his phone. "He asked me to come get you. Said they need some 'alone time.'"

I eyed him suspiciously. "For real?"

Gabriel shrugged, all innocent. "What can I say? Luke's not big on overnight guests."