Chapter 334: Just an Act?
“Aidan, stop making excuses for him. I never want to see him again.” Alison snapped, striding away.
Is she jealous? Gabriel let out a faint, relieved smile — clearly delighted by her reaction.
He swiftly dialed Ryan’s number.
“No need to investigate further. I already know,” he said, his tone suddenly light.
“Okay.” Ryan sighed in relief.
Gabriel strolled out of his office. By the time he reached the door, Alison had already slid into Aidan’s car and driven away.
He strode toward his motorcycle, determination written across his face.
Ryan caught up to him and warned quietly, “You should still watch out for Pierre. He’s been unusually quiet lately.”
Gabriel nodded, then dashed out.
He spotted the familiar Volvo quickly.
He slowed down, trailing from a distance and skillfully avoiding the car’s rearview mirror.
When the Volvo entered the gated community where Alison lived, Gabriel parked in a dark spot outside the entrance.
Alison returned home.
Frustration boiled inside her, tempting her to call Gabriel and unleash a tirade — yet she held back.
Standing on the balcony, she watched Aidan’s car fade into the darkness.
Lying on the lounge chair, images of Emily and Gabriel flooded her mind.
While she was lost in thought, the door creaked open and a shadow slipped inside.
Suddenly, the light dimmed — and a wave of warmth brushed her face.
“Alison…” a low voice murmured, followed by a kiss.
Her eyes flew open — Gabriel’s lips were pressed against hers.
“Be good,” he whispered. “Don’t move… or I’ll make you regret it right here on this balcony.” His voice was laced with a dark amusement.
“Mmm… mmm…” Alison struggled against him, her words muffled.
“Dirty…” she finally managed to whisper, the single word breaking through the heavy air.
Swallowing his anger, he caught both her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head.
She twisted away, turning her head to escape — but he followed the motion, his lips finding hers again, pressing hard against them.
“Alison,” he said, his voice rough with possession, “I want you.”
“No…” She pushed against him, struggling to break free — but his strength overpowered her.
“Alison, you smell so good,” he whispered — the words stealing her breath and scattering her thoughts.
The night wind teased her hair, but it couldn’t cool the fever blooming across her cheeks. Heat pooled beneath her skin, her pulse racing wildly.
“Alison,” he rasped, anger and desire colliding in his voice, “I’ll make you understand — you’re mine, and mine alone.”
She couldn’t understand his anger — only feel the fierce rhythm of his movements, each one shaking her to the core.
At last, his low roar broke the silence, driving her to the edge as heat surged through her veins.
Alison drew in the air thick with his scent, her eyes fluttering shut, heart pounding in confused panic.
A cool breeze swept over them, drawing a shiver down her spine.
He gathered her into his arms, but her tears slipped free before she could stop them.
“Gabriel, you’re cruel,” she whispered, clarity piercing through the haze. Then, softer still — “I’m sorry, Jack.”
Her words struck Gabriel like a spark — his eyes darkened in shock.
“Silly girl,” he murmured, his voice caught somewhere between guilt and tenderness.
“What?” she breathed, the faint scent of soapberry clinging to him — warm, familiar, intoxicating.
His hand moved slowly along her back, the tenderness in his touch wrapping around her like a spell. Sweetness tangled with guilt inside her chest, leaving her breathless and torn.
“Gabriel… you weren’t with Emily tonight, were you?” she blurted, urgency breaking through her trembling voice. The anger she’d carried melted into fear.
“Silly girl,” he said with a faint smile, the tension easing from his face. “If I’d really been with Emily, do you think I’d be here now?”
“Gabriel, was all that fake?” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck as if the truth might slip away.
“You little fool,” he murmured instead, dodging the question as he lifted her into his arms, holding her close.
“Was it really just acting?” she asked again, her voice barely a whisper beneath the thrum of her heartbeat.
He walked on slowly, his words falling low: “Of course it was acting. Believe me… I only kept it from you because I didn’t want you to be hurt.”
I just wanted you to be happy, he thought, the words locked behind his smile.