Chapter 293 I’ll Leave After a Kiss

Chapter 293 I’ll Leave After a Kiss

Otherwise, Arabella feared that once Jade discovered she'd had a marriage contract with such an elite family and borne two children, she would do everything in her power to curry favor with them.

This would shatter her already fragile self-esteem even further and leave her even more humiliated before the Sterlings.

She didn't want to put Gabriel in a difficult position or be held hostage by her so-called relatives.

But these reasons were hardly convenient to voice. Even if she did, Gabriel wouldn't take them seriously—he'd think she was overthinking things.

Yet even without her saying it, Gabriel could read the truth between her brows.

"You're that afraid of your mother finding out about our relationship?" Gabriel asked pointedly.

Arabella remained silent.

"Are you worried she'll blame you for impulsively giving up such a good match? Or afraid she'll desperately push for us to reconcile? Or perhaps worried she'll use her position as the children's grandmother to ingratiate herself with me?"

Arabella glanced at him, her subtle expression clearly saying—You already know everything, so why ask?

Gabriel read her face and understood completely.

He recalled what Chase had once told him—that her unique upbringing and family environment had made her particularly sensitive, prone to insecurity in certain areas.

Clearly, her biological mother's appearance brought her no anticipation or warmth, but instead deepened that sensitivity and insecurity even further.

The thought that such a heartless, unfeeling mother existed in this world, capable of hurting the woman he loved so callously, filled Gabriel with indignation and hostility toward the stranger named Jade.

"Fine, we'll do it your way. If you don't want people knowing we're still in contact, I'll try not to come disturb you for the time being. I'll give you plenty of time to handle this yourself, but if you can't resolve it, don't blame me for stepping in." Gabriel moved to her side, placing one hand on her shoulder and pressing gently.

Arabella was shocked!

She never imagined Gabriel would abandon his domineering ways and actually respect her wishes, giving her such space and freedom.

Seeing her stare at him wordlessly, Gabriel understood. His sensual lips curved into a wicked smile. "Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?"

She averted her gaze, tapping at her keyboard to defuse the awkwardness, murmuring, "It's nothing. Too much on my mind, I zoned out."

Gabriel's smile deepened. He leaned casually against the edge of the dining table before her, his long legs crossed, staring openly at her gradually flushing face.

"Why are you staring at me? Didn't you say we should temporarily cut off contact? You can leave now." She affected indifference.

Gabriel nodded. "Fine, but walk me to the door."

Arabella assumed he would actually leave that easily. After saving her document, she stood up.

But before she could take a step, his long arm reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

"What are you doing!" Arabella protested in a low voice, though her hands didn't push him away with much force.

Gabriel held her quietly, whispering ambiguously, "Since I won't be able to see you for a while, shouldn't I collect something in advance?"

Arabella didn't dare look at him, her dewy eyes darting nervously left and right. "Stop it..."

They'd only just fulfilled the "contract" last night—the next time was still far off.

By then, perhaps the crisis would already be over.

"Just kiss me and I'll leave?" He pressed close, his forehead against hers, beginning his seduction.

Arabella wavered internally.

Thinking of how he'd quietly gone through with the vasectomy, how he'd calmly accepted her suggestions, how he'd changed his domineering ways and begun giving her respect and freedom—Arabella's resolve truly wavered.

Her butterfly lashes lifted slowly as she looked at him, saying softly, "Gabriel, don't be so good to me. It won't work."

He raised an eyebrow. "First time I've heard such an unreasonable request. You don't want people to be good to you? Would you prefer they mistreat you?"

"That's not necessary either." She spoke honestly. "When I can't reciprocate someone's kindness, the more they sacrifice, the more pressure I feel."

Gabriel frowned, his eyes darkening somewhat.

She was rejecting him again.

"Just like why I refused Manuel—it's the same principle. Human relationships are built on give and take, but I have nothing to give in return, so I don't want you or anyone else making the slightest sacrifice for me."

Gabriel's expression stiffened as he suppressed his displeasure. "Don't compare me to him. He's not worthy!"

Arabella ignored that comment and continued, "It's more comfortable for us to keep things transactional."

"Transactional?" Gabriel scoffed coldly. "So should I take that to mean that whatever I do for you, I can demand repayment from you in bed?"

Her face paled. She didn't understand why he had to be so crude.

"If you insist on keeping score like this, then I helped your friend out—don't you owe me compensation for one night?" Gabriel's tone lifted playfully.

Arabella lowered her lashes, not daring to look at him. "That'll have to wait until after this period passes."

"Fair enough, but..." He paused. "Shouldn't you pay some interest first?"

Interest?

Arabella froze, instinctively looking up at him. Just as she was about to ask what he meant, the man's large hand gripped the back of her neck.

She understood immediately. Before she could resist, that teasing, cold face magnified instantly as he sealed her lips with a firm kiss.

"Gabriel... you—mmph... don't, enough!" His kiss came fiercely, completely ignoring whether she accepted it or not, kissing her forcefully until he nearly bent her back over the dining table.

Heaven knew what had been running through Gabriel's mind all morning after last night and this morning.

He'd originally been thinking of finding some excuse to come over tonight, but who knew the internet drama would give him reason to show up at noon.

With opportunity right before him, and thinking of their upcoming temporary "separation," how could he not seize the moment?

Arabella's hands pressed against his shoulders, initially trying to push him away forcefully. But then, kissed until her face flushed and she gasped for breath, her oxygen-deprived brain seemed to forget about pushing him away. Her slender fingers, as if under a spell, clutched at his collar instead, looking as though she wanted to pull him even closer.

Gabriel couldn't resist such a response. Immediately his hands exerted force, easily lifting her and setting her on the dining table.

Arabella startled, snapping back to awareness. Only then did she realize she'd been lost in his kiss.

Her heartbeat grew frantic. Before he could kiss her again, she pushed him away urgently. "Gabriel! Don't do this, I'm not in the mood..."

But Gabriel was thoroughly aroused now.

After being married for a time, he understood Arabella well enough.

During intimacy in the past, she'd resist at first too, but if he persisted with a bit of dominance, she'd eventually yield with half-hearted protests.

He knew this woman was thin-skinned—often her resistance wasn't because she didn't want to, but because she was shy and couldn't let go.

So her current resistance was naturally interpreted the same way by Gabriel.

After all, last night and this morning they'd been perfectly in sync. He could sense that Arabella's attitude toward him had shifted, even if her words remained stubborn.

So ignoring her protests, he used the table's height to his advantage, pressing closer. His lean waist pushed between her legs, one large palm cradling the back of her head as he deepened the kiss.