Chapter 141

Gabriel sprang up from the bed with swift, fluid motion, his toned muscles flexing beneath his skin as he swung his legs over the edge. Without wasting a second, he bent down and lifted Isla into his arms, holding her bare body close to his chest as if she were the most valuable treasure in the world.

A soft, delighted giggle escaped Isla’s lips, light and joyful, reverberating gently through the stillness of the room. She savored the lingering warmth from their recent intimacy, her arms winding around his neck. Her fingers threaded tenderly through the damp strands at the nape of his neck, while her striking electric blue eyes locked onto his intense green ones, their gaze brimming with affection and a playful spark.

“If you keep looking at me like that,” Gabriel teased, his voice a low, rumbling warning laced with desire, “your friends might not see you again today.” His lips curled into a mischievous grin, but the fire in his eyes promised more stolen moments yet to come.

Still, Isla’s mind began to drift away from the playful closeness, pulled by the weight of unanswered questions that clouded her thoughts. Shadows of the past lingered heavily between them, stirring unease beneath their tender connection.

Without effort, Gabriel carried her into the adjoining bathroom. He gently set her down on the smooth vanity countertop, the cool stone pressing against her bare skin, sending an involuntary shiver racing down her spine. “Stay still,” he said softly but firmly, his affectionate tone grounding her back to the present moment. “Let me fill the bath.”

As he turned to tend the tub, Isla’s thoughts wandered once again. She hadn’t yet confronted him about the crucial details—what actions had he taken against Anna, the woman who had inflicted so much pain on them? And after the shocking revelations about his true origins and those of his siblings, how had he managed to recover so quickly? Could the passion they shared truly heal such deep wounds?

Unable to keep the questions bottled up, she voiced them softly, her eyes following the sculpted contours of his body as he knelt by the large bathtub.

Water poured steadily from the faucet, steam curling upward as he added generous amounts of soothing muscle bath salts and fragrant shower gel, the mingling scents of lavender and eucalyptus filling the air with a calming embrace. His broad shoulders shifted gracefully, muscles rippling beneath his skin like carved marble, drawing her gaze irresistibly.

“You haven’t said a word about Anna,” she said tentatively, breaking the steady rhythm of the water’s flow.

He stopped abruptly, the stream cutting off. Rising, he turned to face her, and in that moment, Isla caught a flicker of sadness in his green eyes—a raw vulnerability that made her heart ache. Regret washed over her for stirring up his pain.

Closing the distance in two strides, his hands settled on her hips, thumbs tracing gentle, soothing circles over her skin. His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unwavering.

“Trust me, Isla,” he said steadily, his voice firm but edged with determination. “Even if that woman was truly my birth mother, there’s no way I would have spared her. She killed our unborn child—not by accident, but with cold, deliberate intent. Believe me, she’s exactly where she deserves to be.”

Isla nodded slowly, relief mingling with the sorrow settling deep in her chest. Her fingers curled lightly around his wrists, seeking reassurance in his touch.

“And how do you feel now, knowing the truth about everything?” she pressed gently, desperate to understand the storm raging just beneath his calm exterior.

A soft smile tugged at his lips, easing the tension in his face. “Come with me if you want to really know,” he invited warmly. Lifting her off the vanity, he steadied her as her feet met the cool bathroom tiles.

Together, they stepped into the deep tub, the warm water enveloping their legs as they sank down. This time, they faced each other, knees brushing in the steaming water, the surface rippling softly around them.

“At first, I felt hollow,” he admitted quietly, the water lapping gently against the porcelain as he shifted. “Learning that everything I believed about my life was a lie—it left a void inside me. But coming home to you—” He paused, searching for the right words.

“—something changed. I realized my past, my true identity, might be tangled in secrets and confusion. But what if I create my own future? If we build a life and a family that’s truly ours—no lies, no hidden shadows.”

Isla listened intently, her blue eyes locked on his, absorbing every word. The vulnerability in his expression drew her closer, stirring a deeper emotional connection.

“That’s why,” he continued, reaching out to gently trace her cheek, “these next four weeks off work, I’ll make sure you’re pregnant again. And this time, we’ll be more careful, more prepared.”

“I love you,” Isla whispered suddenly, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears shimmered in her eyes like tiny diamonds catching the soft light. “Whatever plans you have for our family, I want you to know I’ll support you—every single step of the way.”

Gabriel’s smile broadened, warm and genuine, chasing away the last remnants of sadness. “Come here,” he murmured, opening his arms wide in invitation.

The water lapped around them as she moved closer, the liquid caressing their skin like silk. He guided her to straddle his lap, her thighs parting to settle over his hips, their body heat mingling beneath the surface.

Her hands flew to his shoulders, fingers digging into the firm muscle for balance, eyes locking with his once more—electric blue meeting deep green in a gaze charged with love and longing.

She felt the stirring hardness pressing against her, thick and insistent, rising between her legs. Before she could fully grasp his intent, his strong hands gripped her waist, fingers spreading possessively over her curves.

He lifted her slightly, positioning her slick entrance over his throbbing length, then lowered her slowly, inch by inch, until he sank fully inside. The exquisite stretch made her gasp sharply, the sound muffled against his lips as he captured her mouth in a searing kiss.

Their tongues danced hungrily, tasting the salt of their shared passion, while he held her still for a moment, allowing her to adjust to the fullness. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it,” he breathed against her lips when they parted, voice rough with need. “And Isla, this is how it will be from now on—you and me, together. Nothing will ever change that.”

His promise hung in the steamy air as he began to thrust upward, hips rolling in a steady rhythm that sent water splashing over the tub’s edge. His hands guided her movements, urging her to meet him halfway, their bodies rising and falling in perfect sync.

The sensation overwhelmed her—each deeper plunge sending sparks along her sensitive inner walls, hitting spots that made stars burst behind her eyelids. She moaned into his mouth, the sound vibrating between them, her breasts pressing against his chest as she rocked, nipples hardening against his skin.

No matter how many times they had made love like this, the feeling was always new, always electrifying. His hands roamed upward, cupping her breasts, thumbs circling her nipples before pinching lightly, drawing soft whimpers from her throat.

She arched her back, offering more of herself, the water amplifying every slide and slap of their union, bubbles popping softly around their waists.

Gabriel’s pace quickened, breaths coming in ragged grunts, muscles tensing beneath her as he drove harder, the water churning wildly now.

“You feel incredible,” he growled, breaking the kiss to nip at her jaw, then her collarbone, teeth grazing just enough to send tingles racing down her spine. Isla’s cries grew louder, uninhibited—high, breathy pleas echoing off the tiled walls. Her fingers tangled in his wet hair, pulling him closer as pleasure coiled tight within her core.

He shifted one hand between them, fingers finding her swollen clit, rubbing firm circles that made her clench around him, milking his length.

The dual assault pushed her over the edge; she shattered with a sharp wail, her core pulsing rhythmically, waves of ecstasy crashing through her as she trembled in his arms.

“Gabriel,” she cried out in bliss, eyes rolling back as she rested her forehead against his.

Moments later, Gabriel followed, his thrusts erratic, a deep groan tearing from his chest as he buried himself deep and released, hot spurts filling her, their bodies locked in shuddering, breathless bliss.