Chapter 77 Gabriel's Sudden Move
"Ah!"
Arabella was terrified, but fortunately managed to grab the banister with one hand and steady herself, narrowly avoiding tumbling down the stairs.
Sitting stunned on the steps, she was still catching her breath when Gabriel's long legs took the stairs two at a time, reaching her in seconds.
"Clumsy as hell!" he scolded from above, then gripped her arm with his strong hands and pulled her to her feet.
"Did you twist your ankle?" Gabriel asked irritably.
Arabella steadied herself against him and glanced up. "I don't know, but it hurts a little..."
"How did you manage to survive to adulthood being this careless?" Gabriel continued berating her.
As if tired of wasting time, Gabriel bent down and swept her up into his arms with swift efficiency.
"Ah..." The unexpected romantic gesture made Arabella cry out again, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck.
Her body swayed with his movements as he descended the stairs, and she found herself studying Gabriel's handsome, captivating features while catching the pleasant scent of his cologne. Her heart began racing again.
"I told you I couldn't do this, but you insisted..." she complained softly, feeling thoroughly wronged.
Gabriel didn't even bother looking at her. "You're my wife. If you don't go, who will?"
She shot back, "How did you manage before?"
Gabriel had already carried her down to the living room. At her words, he glanced at her and gave an unexpectedly serious answer, "Before I was married, I could bring any female companion I wanted. But now everyone knows I have a wife. If I showed up with other women, what would people think?"
He meant to say he had principles and morals.
But Arabella interpreted it differently, "So you still just want me to play act with you, to maintain your image as a good husband."
Gabriel stared at her, emotions churning in his chest.
Fortunately, Ralph appeared just then. "Mr. Sterling, we should leave now. If we hit traffic, we'll be late."
Gabriel took a deep breath, too tired to argue with her. "Let's go," he said curtly, striding ahead with his usual lack of courtesy.
Arabella frowned, wanting to call out to him but restraining herself. She could only lift her skirt carefully and follow behind.
"Mrs.Sterling, your coat!" Mary noticed she was about to leave in just the thin dress and hurried out to drape the coat over her shoulders. "You look absolutely stunning tonight! Be confident, don't be nervous!"
Arabella smiled gratefully at Mary and quickly got into the car.
The entire ride, she felt nervous and uncomfortable.
Having never attended such a formal, prestigious event, she was genuinely afraid of embarrassing herself.
The fitted dress felt tight and constricting, making her chest feel compressed, and her breathing labored.
Finally, at a red light, she asked Ralph, "Could you lower the window a bit?"
Ralph glanced in the rearview mirror and asked politely, "Are you feeling warm, ma'am?"
Before she could answer, Gabriel said irritably, "It's freezing outside. Do you want to get sick opening the window?"
Especially dressed as lightly as she was.
Arabella turned to look at Gabriel, pressing her red lips together before saying quietly, "I'm feeling a bit warm."
"If you're hot, take off your coat."
In the end, the window stayed closed, and feeling truly overheated, she could only remove her coat.
Once she did, her bare shoulders and slender waist were exposed, making her figure appear even more voluptuous and alluring.
Even without deliberately looking, Gabriel could clearly catch sight of the sensual, soft curves of her décolletage.
Gabriel swallowed hard and turned to look out his window, breathing deeply.
Unfortunately, his mind seemed bewitched—the more he tried to suppress his thoughts, the more intense his desire became.
Suddenly, he spoke coldly, "Open the window."
Ralph was startled and didn't catch it clearly, "Mr. Sterling, what did you say?"
"I said open the window."
"Yes..." Though Ralph didn't understand, following orders was never wrong.
The rear window slowly lowered, and the cold night wind rushed in. Arabella immediately shivered and looked at Gabriel with complete bewilderment.
Was he insane?
When she said she was hot, he wouldn't let her open it and told her to remove her coat instead.
Now that she'd removed it and was practically bare-shouldered, he had the window wide open. Was he trying to freeze her on purpose?
"Ralph, it's too cold. Close it, please," Arabella said.
Ralph was torn, glancing carefully in the rearview mirror and preparing to ask Gabriel's opinion, when suddenly he saw Gabriel turn and lunge toward the woman beside him.
Ralph immediately averted his eyes, raising the window while also raising the partition between the front and back compartments.
Arabella was completely stunned.
She couldn't understand how asking Ralph to close a window had made Gabriel angry.
With her carefully applied makeup, if he messed around like this, her face would be ruined for the party!
"Mmm... Gabriel, let go—" she said with difficulty, trying to dodge, but her body was trapped in the seat and pinned by his tall, powerful frame. She couldn't push him away.
His breath followed her everywhere—no matter which way she turned her face, she couldn't escape his kisses.
Even worse, he dared to touch her.
Feeling the unusual sensation under his palm, Gabriel paused, his eyes dark and intense, "You're wearing that thing again?"
Arabella's face flushed red, her tone sharp, "What else was I supposed to do! This dress is off-shoulder—I can't wear a regular bra."
Although strapless bras existed, the stylist had said those were suitable for women with normal bust sizes, and hers was somewhat too large—she was afraid it wouldn't stay in place and would slip, which would be mortifying.
So adhesive cups were the safest option.
But Gabriel was conservative and always felt this was the same as wearing nothing underneath.
Seeing him staring fixedly at her chest with a dark expression, Arabella was confused, "Stop being ridiculous. If you ruin my makeup, how can I attend the party?"
Gabriel exhaled heavily but didn't release her, arguing unreasonably, "Who told you to seduce me by taking off your clothes?"
"What?" Arabella was dumbfounded, her eyes wide, "Could you please be reasonable!"
He was the one who told her to take it off!
Gabriel remained silent, staring at her with his Adam's apple bobbing, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Arabella instinctively grabbed her coat to cover herself.
This action clearly displeased Gabriel further, and he swept the coat away.
Arabella jumped in fright.
Afraid he would pounce again, she quickly emphasized, "Stop it! I really won't be able to face anyone at this rate! And you... your—"
She raised her hand to point, her eyes fixed on his sensual lips.
Gabriel looked puzzled. "What about me?"
"Your mouth... lipstick."
Gabriel frowned and wiped with his hand, indeed finding red traces on his fingers.
Seeing his disgusted expression, Arabella was speechless.
If he found it so disgusting, why did he keep kissing her? His brain really had issues.
Gabriel wiped his mouth several times, then looked at her and asked, "Is it clean now?"
Arabella looked and shook her head.
Gabriel frowned. "You help me wipe it off."