Chapter 56

Leonardo Cooper

As soon as we got in the car, Gabriel settled into the seat and fastened his seatbelt. I started the engine and pulled away, but I couldn't resist reaching out, resting my hand firmly on his thigh.

The heat radiating from there gave me a strange feeling, a mix of peace and desire. I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and commented:

— I want you back at the company. It's a mess without you. I'm almost feeling sorry for Clara.

He let out a short, almost mocking laugh.

— Are you sure you want me back?

I took a deep breath, keeping my eyes on the road. My hand still there, firm.

— Absolutely. From the beginning, I should have realized it was Adrian's setup. I let the stress blind me and ended up taking it all out on you.

He turned his face towards me, his gaze penetrating.

— If I agree to go back, you'll raise my salary.

I looked away from the road for a second to meet his audacity. I smiled.

— Deal. Is that all?

He didn't answer immediately. He leaned forward slightly, looking at me seriously.

— There's more. I want you to apologize. In public. To say it was a setup. I want to see you expose that blue-eyed scumbag. I'm sure you've already found evidence, haven't you, that it was him, right?

I let out a light laugh, a dry, brief sound.

— Right! And yes, I have evidence against Adrian.

He raised his eyebrows, visibly surprised.

— You're going to do all that?

— Of course. But there's one detail.

He frowned, curious.

— What detail?

I let go of the steering wheel for a moment, leaning slightly towards him.

— You're going to reward me later, little goat...

He rolled his eyes.

— Don't call me little goat.

I burst out laughing, teasing him.

— Then stop acting like one.

But he returned to the subject with firmness.

— So I'm going back, and if you make any more accusations... I'll make you swallow the papers you show me. You understand?

Out of nowhere, he pulled me by the collar of my shirt. I was forced to brake on the shoulder. The car jolted, and my heart raced, but what impressed me most was the way he laughed, hoarsely, defiantly.

— Since when have you been so full of attitude? — I asked, surprised, but amused by his audacity.

He looked at me with fire in his eyes.

— Since you started thinking I'm submissive. I'm not. I bend when I want to. And you're going to learn that.

He really is a hurricane. One that envelops me, challenges me, throws me off course with a single gesture. And me? I accept it. Because he drives me crazy, and deep down, I love it.

I put the car back in gear, but this time, I didn't take my hand off his leg. He tilted his chin, impatient. But his gaze... his gaze gave everything away.

We're still going to butt heads a lot, I have no doubt about that. But I wouldn't trade this fire, this hot war between us, for anything.

Because at the end of the day, Gabriel is my favorite chaos.

As soon as I parked and we went up to my apartment, I unlocked the door and it swung open, Gabriel walked in with me, hesitant at first, but curious enough not to back down. I watched his eyes sweep the room, attentive to every detail. The apartment doesn't follow the sober pattern that many people expect from someone like me.

The walls have warm tones, the paintings have vibrant strokes, and colorful cushions contrast with the teal velvet sofa. The Persian rug covers a good part of the wooden floor, and the bookshelf full of books and art objects reveals a side of me that few know. It's cozy, vibrant — alive.

Gabriel let out a low, mocking laugh, typical of him, and commented with a provocative air:

— You know... I swore your apartment was all black and gray. Like your office. Cold, impersonal.

I let out a short laugh, tossing the keys on the marble counter.

— That's my fortress, it needs to have a presence. A power. Worthy of a magnate like me. — I turned to face him, cracking a wry smile. — This is my home... where creative chaos has freedom.

— Hmm... A power I'm itching to color with my style, your office. Give it a special touch. — He winked with audacity, as if he'd already made up his mind.

I took two slow steps towards him, pulled him by the waist, placing my hands where I want him to feel my dominance.

— Don't even think about messing with the design of my office.

— That's something I can't promise — he whispered defiantly, biting his lip. — But... I can try to control myself.

I leaned my face in, pressing our noses together, and whispered in a voice laced with malice:

— You're getting cocky. You're asking for a lesson.

Without warning, I gave him a light slap on the ass, the sound snapping in the air like a provocation. Gabriel's eyes widened and, in a rush, he grabbed the collar of my shirt, pulling firmly.

— Bold, huh? Who said I like getting spanked?

— I didn't say you liked it... I said you needed it. — I looked at him closely, feeling his breath quicken. My eyes darkened with sparks.

Our bodies clung together naturally. There was no more space between our intentions. He slid his fingers down the hem of my shirt, pulling with enough force to make the fabric rise. And I reciprocated by unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin, the tension of his muscles under my touch.

The tension that surrounded us mingled with that raw feeling of desire held back for too long. Gabriel didn't back down. He pushed me towards the sofa, but I dodged with a husky laugh.

— No, not on the sofa today — I murmured.

I picked him up, not allowing him to say a single word. He wrapped his arms around my neck, laughing in my ear. I walked with firm steps to the bedroom. As soon as we crossed the threshold, I deposited him on the bed like a prize that had been waited for too long.

Inside, the lighting was soft, golden. The open windows let the gentle breeze blow the curtains. The room is an extension of who I am: intensity and coziness in harmony.

Gabriel looked at me lying between the pillows, with an almost mocking smile, but the sparkle in his eyes revealed how much he was surrendering to the moment.

— You look at me like I'm your world — he said, provoking.

— You are — I replied, before leaning over him.

The surrender was mutual, without hesitation. Our bodies met as if they already knew each other's way. The kisses were not just desire, but also a kind of recognition — as if, somehow, we were truly meeting each other, stripped of any masks.

The night stretched out between caresses, broken smiles, and muffled moans against the pillow. And when we finally stopped, our bodies intertwined in the crumpled sheets, the comfortable silence filled the room.

Gabriel rested his head on my chest, tracing lazy circles with his fingers. I ran my hand slowly through his hair, feeling a kind of peace that I don't remember when I last experienced.

— Maybe you're not a bad influence, Leonardo. Just... extremely dangerous.

— Dangerous only for those who don't know how to play.

He laughed against my chest.

— And I'm learning from the worst of teachers.

— Better, Gabriel... the best. — I kissed the top of his head and closed my eyes, feeling that, at least for now, there was no more war — just the two of us."