Chapter 160: Worth Every Penny

Chapter 160: Worth Every Penny
Luna's POV

By the time we stumbled through my apartment door, it was already five in the morning.

I was totally wiped, my body running on fumes. The second we got inside, I beelined for the bed and face-planted, still fully dressed—shoes and all.

"Just gonna... rest my eyes," I mumbled into the pillow.

I must've passed out cold because the next thing I knew, strong hands were tugging at my waistband. My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright in a panic.

"What the FUCK are you doing?" I yelped, grabbing at my pants. "Why are you trying to strip me?"

Gabriel froze, his hand still on my hip. His eyes were heavy with fatigue but sparkling with that signature amusement as they locked onto mine. "Whoa, easy, baby. Just helping you get comfy."

I groaned and flopped back down. God, I was so beat my bones felt like lead.

"Fine, whatever. Knock yourself out," I muttered, throwing an arm over my eyes like a total diva.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Now that's an invite I don't get from you every day—especially when you're wide awake." His fingers got back to work, sliding my jeans off with surprising gentleness. "Gotta say, even like this, you're still tempting as hell."

I cracked one eye open to glare at him. "Reel it in, Ashford. My uterus is throwing a full-on tantrum right now."

"Mmm, love the vivid details," he teased, his eyes twinkling. "Doesn't change a thing—you're still irresistible."

"You're twisted," I mumbled, but I couldn't help smirking. There was something weirdly comforting about how nothing fazed him—not even period talk. The guy was unflappable.

In no time, Gabriel had my jeans off and was unbuttoning my blouse. Before I could protest, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing, cradling me against his chest. The sudden lift made my head spin, but his hold was rock-steady and warm, like a human security blanket.

"I can walk, you know," I grumbled half-heartedly.

"I know," he said simply, carrying me toward the bathroom.

There was something mesmerizing about watching Gabriel Ashford—billionaire CEO and total shark—tackle these intimate chores with laser focus. His sleeves were rolled up, showing off those sculpted forearms as he tested the bathwater, steam rising in lazy curls.

"In you go," he murmured, steadying me as I stepped into the perfectly warm water.

I sank in with a blissful sigh, the heat melting away my aches like magic. Gabriel knelt by the tub, sleeves pushed even higher. In the soft light, I noticed the tired lines around his eyes and the faint stubble on his jaw—he looked rugged, human, and unfairly hot.

"You look wrecked," I said. "Didn't you catch any shut-eye while I was at work?"

"Not really," he admitted, grabbing a nightshirt from my drawer. "Hard to sleep without you next to me."

"Aren't you wiped too?"

He leaned in for a soft kiss. "Your guy's got killer stamina, remember?"

"Ugh, not tonight," I groaned, giving his chest a weak shove. "I'm legit dying here."

After shampooing my hair with those big, capable hands, he held up a fluffy towel as I stepped out, wrapping me in it like I was precious cargo. He dried me off just as attentively, then slipped me into clean undies and my favorite oversized sleep shirt.

"Better?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I nodded, swaying a little. "Way better. Thanks."

Gabriel scooped me up again, carrying me back to bed where he'd already turned down the covers. As he tucked me in, I grabbed his wrist, but exhaustion hit like a wave.

I must've dozed off because suddenly Gabriel was sliding under the sheets beside me, stripped down to his boxer briefs. His skin radiated heat as he settled close but not touching, giving me space like the gentleman he pretended not to be.

In my foggy half-sleep, I heard him ask softly, "Why'd you take Isabella's money, Luna?"

The question sliced through the haze, and I answered without my usual filters. "Because you're too expensive, Gabriel..."

Sleep pulled me under again, but I vaguely registered his sharp inhale, followed by the lightest kiss on my forehead.

"God, I love you, Luna Gray," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

The intensity yanked me half-awake. I blinked up at him, confused and cranky.

"What's your deal?" I grumbled.

Gabriel's response was another firm kiss on my cheek. "I love you."

"...You've got issues," I muttered, already drifting.

He nuzzled my nose, his breath warm against my skin. "Issues or not, I still love you."

Too wiped to argue, I let sleep win, dimly aware of his arm draping protectively over me.

---

I woke to the sizzle of garlic and herbs filling the apartment. Sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, casting golden patterns on the bed. A quick glance at my phone said it was past noon.

Stretching like a lazy cat, I did a mental check-in. I felt... refreshed. Solid. Like a new woman.

After a pit stop in the bathroom, I padded into the kitchen. Gabriel was at the stove, stirring something that smelled like pure heaven. He looked unfairly sexy in a fitted tee and jeans, like he hadn't just pulled an all-nighter—total CEO glow-up.

"What the hell went down last night?" I asked, hopping onto a barstool. "Did you get handsy while I was sleeping?"

Gabriel turned, one eyebrow quirked in amusement. "You're getting bolder with that mouth every day. I dig it."

He slid over a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, then went back to the stove. "And nah, I was a perfect gentleman. But if you weren't out cold and dealing with Aunt Flo, things might've heated up."

"If I hadn't been so out of it, you'd be toast," I shot back, sipping the juice gratefully. "I kinda remember you waking me up for... something."

Gabriel grinned, plating up what looked like killer pasta in a creamy sauce. "Just spilling my guts. No big deal."

He set the plate in front of me with silverware wrapped in a napkin—classic Gabriel overkill.

"Dig in," he said. "You need the fuel."

I twirled some pasta, eyeing him suspiciously. "You're being extra sweet. What's the catch?"

Gabriel leaned on the counter, arms crossed, all casual confidence. "I've got a proposition."

"Sounds shady," I said through a mouthful of seriously amazing food. "Spill."

"Richard's birthday bash tomorrow. I want you there with me."

I nearly choked. "Your grandfather's thing? At the family estate?"

"Yep."

"With your whole family?"

"That's usually how these things work," he said dryly.

I set my fork down, appetite vanishing. "Gabriel, your mom barely tolerates me. The rest of your clan? They'll eat me alive."

My heart pounded like a drum. Great, just what I need—more Ashford drama.

"And now you wanna throw me to the wolves at a full family reunion? That's next-level, Ashford."

"You're my future wife, Luna. It's time."

I stared at him, fork frozen mid-air. "Your future what?"

Gabriel stepped closer, taking my hand in his. "You heard me."