Chapter 35
“I know I didn’t give this a thought before, ” Gabriel said softly, his voice lower than usual. “But believe me, I want to try. For us p>
Isla blinked at him, her lips parted with surprises. She couldn’t breathe for a moment. Was he truly serious? Or was this another one of his passing moods?
“All I’m asking for is a chance, ” he went on, his green eyes never leaving hers. “A chance to make this marriage work. No more drama, no more pretending. I want the real thing. Let us build a family together, Isla p>
Her stomach squeezed and her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. Something moved inside her. Something she had tamed for too long. Just the sound of him calling her name in that tender way made her core clench, and before she knew it, she pressed her thighs together.
He noticed the movement, his eyes flickering briefly, but he forced himself to ignore it. Instead, he leaned forward slightly. His words came like a force.
“I know I’ve hurt you in so many ways,” Gabriel admitted. “And I cannot deny it. But… every choice I made had its reasons. Strong reasons behind them. Still, I don’t want to drag that past between us anymore. Let’s bury it, Isla. Let’s start again p>
His voice held a warmth she had never heard from him before. It was soft, persuasive, and yet so powerful it made her eyes sting with tears.
She looked at him, and for a moment, she almost forgot herself. She was holding her breath as she wandered, could this really be Gabriel Wyndham? The same man she had loved in silence for years? The same man who had given his heart away to someone else, leaving her feeling like a nobody in his life?
Her hands trembled as she looked away, reaching for the wine bottle. Instead of pouring the liquid into the glass, she tilted it back and gulped straight from it, the soured and sweet liquid burning her throat, bringing heat to her cheeks. When she finally lowered it, her chest rose and fell with uneven breaths.
“So,” He continued, “what do you say? Should we build our family?” He asked quietly.
Isla pushed herself up from the chair, her back turned to him. The wine buzzed faintly in her veins, but instead of weakening her, it gave her the courage she needed right now.
Her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her voice trembled but carried weight as she spoke. “Gabriel… I don’t know. I’ve always wanted this marriage to work. I’ve prayed for it. I’ve tried. But every time I reached for you, you pushed me away p>
Slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes locking with his green ones now. She looked down at him, sitting there so steady, so determined, and her chest ached.
Her husband has always been a man in control. Whatever he wants, he gets. But seeing him this way, pleading, and meaning it. It did a lot to her and now, he just put her in a confusing state.
“I don’t want to regret this,” she whispered. “You’ve made it clear before where your heart belongs, and who it belongs to. So tell me are you sure? Are you really sure this is what you want p>
1/2
Gabriel reached for the same bottle she had drunk from, lifting it to his lips as if to taste her lips from the tip of the bottle. He drank a lot then stood. His tall frame closed the space between them.
He gently pried her arms open, unwrapping her from herself, and held her trembling hands. His head lowered, and he pressed tender kisses to each hand, one after the other. His lips were soft, cold and every brush sent a shiver coursing through her body.
Her thighs pressed together again without her meaning to.
“This is what I want, Isla,” Gabriel said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I cannot do it without you. Please…. let’s give us a chance p>
It felt unreal. Isla’s chest tightened as though this was all in a dream. Could she trust this? Could she trust him?
His arms slid around her waist, pulling her closer until their bodies touched. His breath warmed her face, and her eyes fluttered shut as his hand slid into her hair, fingers tangling in the golden strands. He held her there, firmly, as if she might slip away.
And then, like the slowest motion, his lips were printed on hers.
Her breath hitched, and the world stilled around her. His mouth moved on her lips with a hunger she had never known from him. His tongue brushed her lips, teasing, tasting her. And when she gasped, he slipped his tongue inside her mouth, claiming her, drinking her like he had thirsted for her all his life.
A broken cry escaped her throat, and it drew a groan from him. It was a deep sound that sent heat burning through her veins. Their kiss was wild and desperate. Her arms curled around his neck as if she had no choice, pressing her chest against him, feeling the solid warmth of his body burn through her dress.
When he finally pulled away, both of them were breathing hard. His hands moved behind her, tugging at the zipper of her dress. In an instant, it slid down, and the gown slipped from her shoulders, falling silently to the polished floor.
He stepped back, his eyes sweeping over her. Desire and awe mixed in his gaze as if he was seeing her for the very first time.
2/2 Official source is
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.