AUDREYThe next morning, Chelsea invited me for breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Apparently, my conversation with Gabriel last night was still bugging me. We had already been in an avoidable situation, and I had wanted my boss ever since my first day at Stark Apparel. I was holding back because I thought it would be indecent. I wouldn’t want him to know that I was ogling him, but I wouldn’t deny that a part of me was thrilled having to know that he was interested in me too. “Stark came back last night and asked me about you. I told him the truth, but maybe I shouldn’t have,” Chelsea stated, then ate a bite of her crepe. I told her about the incident last night with Stark, but not so much. And I wasn’t planning to, but then she was the only one I could talk to about it, or I’d be crazy otherwise.“I’m confused, Chels. Stark is out of my league,” I professed. “But he wants you. Gabriel Stark wants you! You should be happy. That man is every woman employee’s dream in our company,”

AUDREY“Are you ready? Got what you need?” Anton appeared at the door of my old room in the mansion in the afternoon before we left.“Yes, just a few things. Come in.” I packed my old books in my bag that I hadn’t had a chance to pick up when I left home. Anton came in and sat on the edge of the bed.“Hmm. This is Perry.” He picked up my brown teddy bear lying on top of my suitcase. “You carried this around when you were a little. You cried when I accidentally stepped on it.”I chuckled. “Mom’s first gift. I’m taking that,” I said.“And now you are leaving again. Aren’t you going to talk to Dad?”“There’s nothing to talk about with him, Anton. I have nothing to say to him.”“Stubborn man, is he? Yet you are keeping this house so that he could stay in here.”“Where else would he stay? He still calls this mansion his pride after losing everything.” I sighed. “He doesn’t want me in his life, I know the same goes with me, but he’s going to stay here without his children for the rest of hi

AUDREYI understood the reason behind Gabriel’s outfit, the place where he brought me was the last thing I would expect. He took me to the coast of the Classic Harbor Line, where I found a beautiful view of the Hudson River. Jones was already waiting for him, standing by a fine-looking yacht.“Mr. Stark, Miss Hopkins, “ he greeted his boss, and Gabriel approached him with a pat on his shoulder.“Jones.” I smiled at him.“Is she ready?” Gabriel asked Jones, probably referring to the yacht behind him.“Whenever you are, Mr. Stark.” Jones gave way to Gabriel first, and he hopped onto the majestic boat, and then he reached out his hand to me.“Come.”“Are we riding that?”He cocked his head. “Yes. Give me your hand.”I clasped my palm with his, and while he was pulling me to him, Jones helped me step onto the deck, but he didn’t come after us,“Enjoy your sail, Mr. Stark, Miss Hopkins.”“What is going on? Are we really?” I cleared my throat. I was still confused. “Is this okay?”“Don’t wo

AUDREYWhile preparing the sauce, Gabriel was at the deck, grilling the fish and meat. Shortly after, I climbed up to the deck and arranged the table. I picked up a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. The combination would bring out brisk and earthy nuances. Then a flash of memory popped up in my mind again when I was sitting across from my father, who taught me a great deal about wines.I slid a glance at Gabriel, who was now only in a loose white t-shirt, but still managed to reveal the cuts on his ample shoulders and biceps while still on the barbecue. I suddenly ached to hold those muscles and cuddle around them. The scent of the grilled food and a delicious-looking man in one view was much more than a woman could ask for. Unable to wait any longer, I poured wine into the glass and guzzled it straight, then I drew myself towards him.“Audrey, I’m almost done—”I slithered my arms around his waist and embraced him from behind. My eyes fluttered, and a moan escaped my lips as I felt his war

AUDREYAs promised, Gabriel brought me to his bedroom. He gently dried my hair with a towel and then let it fall on the floor afterward.“Gabriel…” I shut my eyes and drifted my hands on his chest up to his neck, then I traced the line of his jaws with my fingers. God, he’s so perfect. “Hmm,” he hummed. “You smell so good.” His hands moved to my waist, and then he stepped closer to snivel my hair while caressing my bare skin so tenderly.“I like how we smell the same.” I smiled at the small gap between our lips. I was utterly naked in front of him, so exposed and slightly nervous. I wanted to stare at his body too, but it was too bad he had wrapped himself in a bathrobe. “Am I making you nervous?” he asked, his fingers trailing the skin of my arms, teasing me back and forth.I held my breath. “A little.”“Then I probably didn’t make you comfortable enough. You have to get used to me, Audrey, because I don’t intend to stop touching you.”He lowered his head with mine, and possessive