Chapter 6: No Force, Pure Lure
Luna's POV
I froze in the doorway, clutching the skimpy white bikini to my chest like a shield. But instead of Sophia's familiar petite frame, there he was: Gabriel Ashford, towering in his perfectly tailored suit, those stormy gray-blue eyes raking over me with raw, hungry intent.
"What the—" I yelped, slamming the door instinctively, but his strong hand shot out, holding it open like it was nothing.
"Darling, you planning to strut out there like this?" His voice was a low, gravelly rumble, his gaze lingering on every inch of exposed skin—the barely-there swimsuit hugging my curves, my hair tumbling wild down to my shoulder blades.
I grabbed his arm and yanked him inside, slamming the door shut behind us. "Are you insane?" I hissed, glancing nervously toward the hall. "This is the women's changing room, Gabriel!"
"And?" He arched a brow, totally unfazed, like rules didn't apply to billionaire assholes. "If I hadn't shown up, I wouldn't know my woman was out there getting eye-fucked by half the guys at this party."
"Your woman?" I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest to hide how my nipples hardened under his stare. "I'm here for a work thing. Randy's just a colleague—a friend."
Gabriel's jaw clenched, that telltale tic of jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Randy. The douche who can't keep his eyes off you?" He stepped closer, crowding me against the wall, his heat invading my space. "Don't pretend you haven't noticed how he looks at you, Luna. Like he wants to peel that bikini off with his teeth."
The raw possessiveness in his tone sent a forbidden thrill straight to my core, my body betraying me with a rush of warmth between my thighs. I backed up, heart pounding, but the wall stopped me cold.
"I have a fiancé, remember?" I lifted my chin, throwing his title back at him like a weapon. "Mr. Ashford, I don't think Chase would appreciate you barging in here."
His lips curved into that cocky half-smile that always made my knees buckle. "Ah, yes, your fiancé. The same one you weren't thinking about last night when my tongue was in your mouth."
Heat exploded across my cheeks. "That was—"
"A reminder," he cut in, his fingers trailing lightly along my jaw, sending electric sparks skittering down my spine. "You've always driven me wild, Luna. So poised and elegant on the surface, but underneath?" His voice dropped to a husky whisper, his thumb brushing my lower lip. "You're pure fire."
I swallowed hard, fighting the ache building low in my belly. "You need to leave."
Instead, he shrugged off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. The fabric was warm from his body, wrapping me in his scent—sandalwood and raw masculinity—that made my pulse throb. His fingers lingered on my collarbone, dipping just low enough to graze the swell of my breast, teasing the edge of the bikini top.
"Wear this," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "And ignore those horny bastards out there." His touch sent shivers racing south, my body clenching with unwanted need. "Cover up, Luna. For now."
"Ex-boyfriends don't get to dictate my outfits," I snapped, even as I clutched the lapels, hyper-aware of how little separated us.
His eyes darkened with heat. "Exes are still the ones who know how to make you scream."
I bit my lip, remembering exactly how true that was—the way he'd edge me for hours, his mouth on my clit, fingers curling inside until I came undone, soaking the sheets. "What's with you? Three years ago, you'd have stormed in, dragged me out, threatened Randy, caused a total scene."
His expression softened, just a flicker, as he leaned in, breath hot against my ear. "Give me a shot to show you the new me. You might like this version even more."
My heart hammered like a drum. "Why should I?"
"Because I'm not forcing it," he murmured, his fingertips ghosting down my wrist, raising goosebumps. "I'm just... tempting you." His gaze locked on mine, possessive and scorching. "Tell him no if he asks you out, Luna. For me."
Then he was gone, slipping out like a shadow, leaving me wrapped in his jacket, skin tingling everywhere he'd touched, my core aching with unresolved heat.
What the actual fuck just happened? I stared at the door, mind reeling. This guy's been in London for three years and comes back with a master's in seduction?
A polite knock snapped me out of it. I cracked the door, relieved to see a female attendant with a plush white robe.
"Ms. Gray? Thought you might need this," she said with a knowing smile.
I took it gratefully, figuring Sophia had finally remembered me after ditching for some poolside hunk. I slipped off Gabriel's jacket and pulled on the robe, then clutched his jacket in my hand, steeling myself to face the party—and return this damn thing before I did something stupid.
Stepping out poolside, Randy spotted me right away, his boyish grin lighting up like always. Tonight, it just twisted my gut, Gabriel's warnings echoing in my head.
"Luna! There you are," he said, closing in. His eyes dropped to the masculine jacket draped over my arm. "What's with that? Whose jacket?"
"Oh, this?" I held up the jacket casually, forcing my voice to stay steady. "No idea whose it is. Found it in the lounge area—someone must've left it behind."
"Looks like Gabriel Ashford's— that signature cut and fabric. Wait, didn't he save you back in college? At the university pool party? You were struggling in the deep end, and he dove in fully clothed. Hero shit."
My stomach plummeted. Of course Randy knew—everyone on campus had gossiped about it.
"But I guess you don't know him well?" Randy went on, clueless as ever. "Want me to introduce you? He's your boss, now."
Oh yeah, not familiar at all, I thought sarcastically, a bitter laugh bubbling inside. It's been three years since we shared a bed, and I'm starting to forget his killer moves between the sheets—the way he'd pin me down and make me beg.
Before I could dodge, my phone buzzed. I glanced down:
Don't let him get too close. I'm watching you.