LOGINGABRIELLE’S POV Damon captured my lips again with his, kissing me deeply until I forgot how to fucking breathe. My hands reached out to undo his belt buckle and his zipper but he beat me to it. He was faster and more efficient anyway, so I let him handle it. He placed a hand under my bare ass and lifted me to pull down his pants and briefs as I was still straddling him on the bed. His free hand moved to my core and stroked my clit once with his thumb. “Hmm. You’re dripping for me already.” Of course I was. Who wouldn’t be? He pulled his hand away and stuck that same thumb into his mouth, licking and tasting my wetness without breaking eye contact. My walls clenched, heat crawling up my spine, and my knees almost gave out beneath me. He was so hot without even trying. He groaned, and I watched him with parted lips as he pulled his finger away from his mouth. “I love how you taste.” His words did something to me. My pulse roared in my ears and my walls
GABRIELLE’S POV Damon had been melting my heart lately. He was already doing that before but it was way more frequent now. So when those words left his mouth, I didn’t hesitate. I felt his heartbeat race and his breath hitch as I moved my hands slowly up his body. My hands moved from his neck to his cheeks, holding them with both hands as I kissed everywhere on his face gently. Then I leaned back and stared into his eyes. “Was that too much?” His eyes were dark and hooded, slightly narrowed too. I could see a storm roiling beneath those blue orbs. A storm he couldn’t and didn’t want to burden me with. “No,” he whispered, his voice thick and rough. “More.” I moved my ass down on his body so I could touch his chest properly without restricting myself when my core pressed against the bulge in his pants. I let out an involuntary moan. His hands reached out to hold me. “Fuck, Gabrielle.” The rumble in his voice, the way his eyes held mine, and the way he was h
GABRIELLE’S POV I sat on the couch, watching the doctor we called treat Rhys injury. Fiorella sat beside him, her arms folded across her chest. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop. The doctor closed the kit and handed Rhys some drugs “It’s not deep, just a surface wound. If you change the bandage on time, keep it clean, and take your medication, it should heal in no time.” Rhys grumbled an inaudible response, and the doctor gave him a nod, then picked up his belongings to walk out. The door closed behind him softly but it did nothing to break the comfortable silence. I took one look at Rhys and swallowed, feeling guilt nudge in my throat and anticipating Damon’s arrival. Fiorella cleared her throat. “Does anyone want tea?” I shook my head in a no. Rhys didn’t respond. The room fell into an uncomfortable silence again. I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for hurting you. I had no idea you were Damon’s brother.” Fiorella nodded, immediately ta
GABRIELLE’S POV I slept through the whole flight to Italy. When I woke up, we had already landed for almost thirty minutes and Damon was sitting across the bed, watching me. “You’re finally awake, sleepy head,” he said, his voice low. I stretched my arms above my head, the muscles pulling pleasantly. “I was tired. Whose fault is that?” His gaze dipped briefly before returning to my face. “Mine,” he said. “I’ll take responsibility for that.” Fiorella had already gone ahead to the resort where we’d be staying. She texted me something about infinity pools and ocean views and how I’d owe her wine for life. The drive to the resort was short. Damon told me how his parents were both from Italy but moved to America due to his father’s businesses. I looked forward to knowing more about him and where he came from. The place was huge, secluded, and private. The luxury felt unreal as the huge gate slid open. The car stopped in front of the first building, and when I a
GABRIELLE’S POV I stirred in my sleep, a moan slipping from my mouth before I could process what was happening. I woke up with Damon’s head between my legs. His tongue lapped me up hungrily, one hand squeezing my breast and it made me almost forget he didn’t come home last night. Almost. I leaned on my elbow and raised my head to look at him. “No good morning or how—“ My words died in my throat as he spread my legs wider and sucked on my clit, making my eyes roll back into my head. I fell back on the pillow, giving him unrestricted access and privacy with his breakfast choice. My morning couldn’t have started any better. After I came, he leaned over me and kissed me until I was breathless and gasping for air. I broke the kiss, a satisfied smile forming on my lips. “Someone is in a good mood this morning.” He hummed against my skin as he ran open kisses down my neck. “You could say that.” “Had a good time last night?” I asked, pushing against his chest so
GABRIELLE’S POV Damon ended the call after Jared uttered those words. His eyes were back to their cold default and I could feel a sudden distance between us. My throat ran dry. “Damon—“ “You lied.” Fuck, I shouldn’t have lied if he was going to find out anyway. He threw my phone on the bed and I picked it up to switch it off. I hesitated, unsure of what I should say next. “I’m sorry,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I cleared my throat and tried again. “I’m sorry, Damon.” He closed the space between us, his hands cupping my cheeks. “I know you are sorry, Gabrielle. But Jared dies today. No need for an apology.” Chill ran up my spine. I should have been ecstatic about getting my revenge on Jared, but I wasn’t. It made me sad in a way that I didn’t understand. He was also the only person Emily had after Father disowned us. I might have cut ties with her but I still cared about her as a sister would. From afar, of course. I swallowed. “Let’s calm







