Chapter 90 I Have Ways to Warm You Up...
Arabella's mouth twitched. He'd never called her such an intimate term in front of strangers before.
Manuel smiled. "Don't worry, I'll drive slowly."
"Manuel, maybe you should just stay. There are enough rooms here, and these roads aren't safe," Arabella genuinely worried about him driving alone and urged again out of concern.
Manuel hesitated.
Gabriel couldn't be bothered with him anymore, turning to Arabella, "Which room are you sleeping in? I drove over five hours to get here - I'm exhausted."
Arabella looked at him, stammering, "The house has three bedrooms..."
Meaning there was enough space for everyone to have their own room - no need to share.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, "Really? So you're saying you knew I was coming and already made up the beds?"
Arabella couldn't respond.
Ever since this man had appeared, her brain had been short-circuiting, unable to think straight.
She'd completely forgotten that the other room was uninhabitable - no bedding, no clean sheets.
So they'd have to share after all.
"Then... we'll sleep in this room," she mumbled, gesturing weakly toward the bedroom she'd been using.
"It's getting late. Mr. Wright, you should get some rest too - we can discuss that collaboration tomorrow." Gabriel dropped this line and steered Arabella toward the bedroom.
Manuel stood awkwardly in the main room for a moment. Since it was the middle of the night and he didn't want to make a fuss - plus slinking away would look rather pathetic - he openly returned to the room he'd been using.
Both bedroom doors closed one after the other, sealing off two separate worlds.
Arabella stood by the bed, watching the man remove his overcoat, still finding it incredible.
Five hours. He'd actually driven five hours to get here.
What was he trying to accomplish?
It was just one night - did he really suspect she'd cheat on him, driving five hours to catch them in the act?
Was she really that kind of person?
Gabriel removed his coat and looked around for somewhere to put it, his gaze settling on Arabella.
"What are you spacing out about? Don't want me here? Or am I ruining your plans?"
Arabella rolled her eyes at him. Seeing he had nowhere to put his clothes, she nodded toward the bed, "The place is pretty bare - just lay it on the comforter."
Gabriel casually tossed his coat onto the bed.
Arabella had no choice but to get up, taking his coat and spreading it out over the bedding - at least it would provide some extra warmth.
Turning around, she saw Gabriel was already removing his pants. She frowned, "You're sleeping like that?"
Gabriel explained, "I showered and changed at home before coming."
His usual routine was to shower and change clothes the moment he got home - he was pretty particular about hygiene.
Arabella pursed her lips, having nothing to say to that.
In the middle of the night, cold and tired, she couldn't be bothered arguing with him. She turned and climbed into bed, burrowing under the covers.
The little bit of warmth she'd managed to build up had already dissipated, leaving her curled in a ball, not even daring to stretch out her feet.
Gabriel sat on the bed and sniffed, frowning, "What's that smell from these blankets?"
The woman was buried under the covers with only her eyes showing, mumbling, "It was a last-minute decision to spend the night. All the bedding in the closets was moldy, so we had to run to the town market to buy new ones. You'll have to make do."
The comforters were synthetic, reeking of plastic - nothing like the expensive silk bedding at home.
Sure enough, Gabriel was thoroughly disgusted. "How can anyone sleep in this? Won't it cause allergies? Cancer?"
"..." Arabella rolled her eyes at him, pausing for two seconds before saying, "If you don't like it, you can drive to a hotel in the city, or just drive another five hours back home."
Hearing her indifferent, almost mocking tone, Gabriel's expression darkened immediately. "Arabella, you make a mistake and show no remorse, then have the nerve to be sarcastic with me?"
"How did I make a mistake? Is it wrong for me to visit my own hometown?"
She knew Gabriel was angry, but considering she really hadn't done anything wrong, why should she grovel and walk on eggshells?
So she was going to stand her ground!
Gabriel laughed coldly. "Having someone to back you up really makes a difference; now you're even making excuses!"
Arabella was particularly irritated by his insinuations. Hearing this, she simply turned away, "I'm exhausted and don't want to fight with you."
She was tired, but so was Gabriel.
Acting on pure impulse, he'd jumped in the car and driven over five grueling hours; the first time he'd ever driven such a long distance himself. Usually Ralph or Samuel served as his driver.
Even worse, when he reached the town, he had no idea where Arabella was staying. He'd made call after call, having people help track her down, until finally reaching the town.
Then he'd waited another half hour for the mayor to arrive and lead him in a car to this remote location on the town's outskirts, banging on the door for ten minutes - finally finding her!
Those five or six hours; who could understand his mental state! Who could comprehend his frustration! Who could grasp his fury!
The entire drive, he'd imagined countless ways to severely punish this woman!
He'd even considered strangling her!
But now, knowing his rival was lying in a room just steps away, he absolutely couldn't start a fight and give the man something to laugh about.
Not only couldn't he fight - he should act loving, the more affectionate and clingy and passionate, the better!
Gabriel sat on the edge of the bed, lost in these thoughts, then turned to look at the woman lying on her side with her back to him, a wicked smile curving his lips.
Pulling up the covers and lying down, he endured the pungent synthetic smell and felt the bone-chilling cold of the bedding, asking in confusion, "Why are the covers still ice cold?"
Arabella suffered in silence, not making a sound.
Gabriel realized something, turning to press against her and pulling her into his arms, "Nobody to warm your bed? Are your hands and feet too cold to get comfortable?"
She still didn't respond, but felt an inexplicable sense of grievance.
Seeing her like this, Gabriel's mood - dark and furious all evening - suddenly brightened with a hint of joy.
He felt his own worth!
It also proved that Arabella wasn't bold enough to actually cheat on him - she'd rather lie there cold and alone than do anything to betray him.
His mood improving, his hands became restless, tightening around her waist and pulling her closer.
Arabella felt the warmth of his embrace, immediately feeling cozy against her back, but knowing today's circumstances were special and understanding what was on his mind, she couldn't help but resist.
"Stop it. Didn't you say you were tired and exhausted? Just go to sleep." She elbowed Gabriel gently, refusing in a low voice.
Gabriel chuckled deeply, his handsome face buried in her hair. "Aren't you cold? I have ways to warm you up - want to try?"
Her mind went blank, not catching on immediately. She turned her head slightly, "What method? Did you bring a heating pad?"
That was her first thought.
A few days ago when she'd had her period, she'd slept with a heating pad all night and had gotten into the habit.
Even when the bed was warm, she liked using the heating pad against her lower back - the heat helped ease the aches from breastfeeding.
Gabriel was speechless, laughing softly, "Is that thing better than me?"
She seemed to understand now.
Seeing her silence, Gabriel knew she'd caught on. His palm pressed slightly against her waist, turning her to lie flat.
He was about to kiss her.
Arabella quickly stopped him, blushing furiously.
In the darkness, they faced each other, breathing mingled.
Gabriel smiled wickedly, "Aren't you cold? A little bedroom exercise will warm you right up."