Chapter 325: A Gentle Nod (Part 1)
It was the first time Gabriel had kissed her so boldly.
His lips parted her teeth, and his tongue tangled with hers.
He sucked the sweetness from her mouth.
Alison was forced to receive his kisses, her heart racing so hard she could barely breathe.
This kiss was identical to the one Jack had given her.
In the darkness, his hands began to wander upward, gently caressing her back until her skin prickled with heat.
Her body trembled, responding instinctively.
With her eyes closed, she murmured, “Jack…”
The whisper jolted the man awake.
He released her lips and led her toward a narrow passageway.
Before she could react, he had already guided her out of the building.
He lifted her onto the motorcycle.
“Hold on tight,” he murmured, sitting behind her.
The motorcycle shot out.
“Gabriel, how did you know that exit?” she asked, confused.
“I’m security,” he replied, his lips brushing her ear.
“Do security guards really know all this?”
Doubtfully, she looked at him, amazed at how intimately familiar he seemed with the building.
“Why were people chasing you?” she pressed.
He slowed the motorcycle before dismounting with her in his arms.
“What are you doing?” she asked, realizing only then how isolated the spot was.
“Alison, no matter what happens, I won’t drag you down. That should put your mind at ease, right?”
He tapped her chest lightly with his finger, then leaned down to listen to her heartbeat.
“See? Your heart’s racing.”
“Hey, take me home quickly. Otherwise, I’ll be up all night again.”
She blushed.
But he ignored her plea, scooping her up and tumbling with her onto the nearby lawn.
She lay on top of him, their bodies pressed close together.
Her fingers gently traced his features as she whispered, “Take me home.”
Yet he ignored her; his hands were still clasped around her waist— holding her as if afraid she might vanish.
“Alison, do you remember what I said last night?” he asked.
“What?”
“You have gotten involved with me, do you regret it now?”
He stared into her eyes softly.
She shook her head, yet her mind was in turmoil.
“Really?” he repeated.
She nodded softly.
“Then tell me,” he murmured, “Have you gotten yourself into trouble?”
At this question, Alison’s tears welled up instantly.
“Yes,” she blurted. “Gabriel, what should I do?”
Her tears fell onto his face, light yet bitter.
He cupped her head and pulled her down until his lips met the corner of her eye.
He brushed away each of her tears.
All her pent-up frustration erupted in that moment; she sobbed.
He finally lifted her and let her sit on his lap, leaning against him.
“Good girl, don’t cry. Tell me what happened,” he said softly.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, still sobbing violently.
“Gabriel, someone…”
“Go ahead.”
His arms tightened around her shoulders.
“Someone… took nude pictures of me, Gabriel,” she stammered, burying her face in his chest.
“When?” he asked urgently, gently stroking her back to ease her tension.
“Almost five years ago,” she murmured.
Yet, her heart felt lighter.
At last, she had someone to share the burden that had weighed on her all day.
“That long? Does anyone else know?”
His tension eased slightly.
“No one else knows besides Jack,” she admitted frankly.
“What about now? What happened?”
Gabriel asked gently, wiping the tears from the corner of her eye.
“Tomorrow,” she choked out. “My photos are going to be published.”
“Why?” he asked softly.
“That person made me date Aidan. If I didn’t, he threatened to expose them.”
“Oh, so that’s it. Haha…”
He laughed.
“What are you laughing at?”
She was still crying, pounding him with her little fists furiously.
“You scoundrel! What’s so funny?”
Why does he laugh when my world’s falling apart?