Chapter 3: Make Me Forget Him

Clairessa’s POV

I saw Gabriel heading toward a dimly lit hallway, one that I guessed led to the restrooms. My heart pounded as I realized this might be my only chance. Without overthinking, I followed him.

The hallway was quiet, the music from the main room faint in the background. Halfway down, Gabriel must have sensed me behind him because he suddenly stopped and turned around. I froze as his intense gaze locked me in place.  

Before I could take another step, he moved—fast—closing the distance between us and pressing me against the wall. His muscular frame caged me in, his hands trapping my wrists above my head. 

My breath hitched as the cold wall chilled my back while his heat surrounded me.

"You again," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. His eyes roamed over me, slow and assessing. "Following me now?”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. The way his eyes burned in mine, dark and scary made my head spin, and it wasn't just from the drinks I'd had earlier. 

Instead of answering, I leaned in, brushing my lips against his as I whispered, "I came for you.”  

A wicked smirk tugged at his lips. His gaze dragged over me, lingering in ways that made my skin flush with heat. 

I felt exposed, but I didn’t care. His look sent a shiver through me, making my body tremble under his hold.  

“What’s your name?” he asked, his voice calm, but there was a certain force behind it.  

“Clairessa,” I replied, my voice a little shaky.  

“How old are you?” 

“Twenty-two,” I replied quickly, then then winced. “Wait… twenty-three.” The alcohol made my thoughts foggy, and I could tell he wasn’t convinced.  

He gaze pierced right through me. “You’ve been drinking,” he said plainly. “I don’t mess with little girls who can’t think straight.”  

I lifted my chin, summoning whatever courage I had left. “I’m thinking clearly enough to know what I want,” I shot back.  

"Besides, I'm not a little girl. I’m a grown woman who knows exactly what she wants."  

My heart raced as I watched his face. I could see the internal struggle in his eyes, the way he was trying to resist the pull between us.  

“And what’s that?” His eyes narrowed slightly, waiting.  

“You,” I answered without hesitation.  

For a moment, the air between us felt electric. Then he leaned closer, his face inches from mine, his breath warm and tantalizing. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“Maybe I do.” My voice was softer now, but just as sure. “I know what I see—a man who wants me just as much as I want him.”

His lips twitched into a brief smile. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But I'm not the kind of man you chase after. I'm too old and dangerous for you."  

"That’s exactly what I want—the danger," I murmured, almost breathless now. His hard body pressed so closely against mine, driving me mad with need. I had to feel more of him.  

His grip on my wrists loosened. "I'm giving you a chance to walk away, or I won't be able to stop myself." His lips curved into a wicked smile.  

For a second, doubt crossed my mind. He was right—I hardly knew him, yet here I was, ready to offer myself to him, even when everything about him screamed danger. But the ache in my chest and the fire in my veins refused to let me back down.  

"I'm not leaving," I said softly, despite the rush of emotions coursing through me.  

His hands released my wrists, but instead of moving back, his fingers grazed along the neckline of my dress. The light touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, my skin burning where his fingertips lingered.  

“You should,” he murmured, his lips brushing against the curve of my jaw. “Run while you still can.”  

“I’m not afraid,” I declared, my voice trembling—not with fear, but with overwhelming desire. I knew he was giving me another chance to leave, but I couldn’t.  

My limbs felt numb under him, but my body was wide awake with a need no one had ever aroused in me. This was beyond the alcohol—it was all him. I stared at him, unashamed, before whispering, "I want you... right here... right now."  

His lips hovered over mine, his breath mingling with my own as he spoke. "Once I start, there's no turning back."  

I swallowed hard and nodded. My gaze dropped to his lips, full and tempting. I watched, craving, as his tongue swept across his bottom lip   

"How could I possibly want you to stop when my body is aching for your touch?" The words slipped before I could stop them.  

For a second, I thought he would push me away again, but then something in him snapped.  

His lips inched closer to mine, and his fingers lightly stroked my cleavage. The touch made my breasts push higher against my dress, my nipples tightening, my chest heaving as my heartbeat raced.  

It was all getting too intense, and I was tempted to run and pretend this never happened. But the ache between my legs was too strong to ignore. I wasn’t about to let this moment slip away.  

“Kiss me," I whispered, pressing my body closer to his in a slow, seductive tease. “Make me forget him....”  

Gabriel’s lips crashed into mine, kissing me hard and deep. There was no softness, only raw desire burning between us.  

He sucked on my lower lip, his teeth grazing the tender flesh before pulling away just to hear my breathless gasp—just to make me ache for more.  

I was already lost—drowning in him. His touch, his scent, the way his body dominated mine. He was fire, and I wanted to burn.