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"Like you made it easy!" My voice rang across the parking lot.
"You were supposed to come to me. Me! I told you how this worked."
But I didn't let him finish. He was too close for comfort, and I could feel my heartrate rising. "Would you just shut the fuck up, Gabe?" I snapped, my words harsher than I intended.
"I followed you —" he said, stepping closer to me, his tall frame backing me against my car.
"To what, berate me? I feel bad enough. Just stop talking. I'm talked out."
"Gladly. I just want to fucking know if you're okay," he whispered.
I tried to maintain my attitude, but with him so close, my defenses were crumbling. "No, Gabe, I'm not okay. Thanks for asking, though."
His voice was low and strained when he said, "I will fix this. We will fix this." The unexpected sincerity in his eyes made me feel even more vulnerable. I wanted to believe him, but I had been through too much already to put my trust in anyone.
My gaze dropped to the ground, and I took a long breath before looking back up into his gaze. "I don't know if it can be fixed," I replied honestly.
Confused by the sudden shift in his demeanor, I asked, "What are you doing, Gabe?"
He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear, and whispered, "I'm doing something I've been dreaming about for a long time."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and my heart raced. Before I could react, he pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was soft and sweet, but it felt like an electric shock coursing through me. My hands instinctively grabbed onto his shoulders as if they had a mind of their own, and my body betrayed me as I melted into him.
The world around us disappeared, and for a moment, I forgot about the mission, my sister, and all the troubles that awaited us. It was just Gabe and me, wrapped up in a whirlwind of emotions that left me reeling.
When he finally pulled away, I was left staring at him in shock. He smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Did that shut you up?" he asked.
Gabe
There I was, pulling away from a kiss that felt like it had been a lifetime in the making. I couldn't help but think that should have been our first kiss. The raw intensity, the fiery passion… It was everything I had always imagined it would be, and yet it felt like something was missing.
Despite the chaos that surrounded us, all I wanted was to take Tabatha somewhere she could feel safe. Somewhere we could forget about our responsibilities and the twisted world we lived in, even if it was just for a little while. I offered her my hand, my voice a little shaky as I said, "Come with me."
She looked at me, her eyes filled with questions. "Where are we going?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "Somewhere you can feel safe and regroup," I said finally, hoping that would be enough to convince her.
As Tabatha hesitated, I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. But she eventually took my hand, and I led her to the sleek, black, luxury electric sportscar waiting in the parking lot. The way her eyes widened told me she was impressed.
"Is this yours?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Guilty as charged." I grinned. "It's my guilty pleasure, but don't tell anyone."
I unlocked the car, and we slid into the leather seats. The interior was just as luxurious as the exterior, with state-of-the-art technology and a surprisingly spacious cabin. The hum of the electric engine was barely audible as we pulled out of the parking lot and began our drive to Hampshire.
The car hugged the curves of the road, its powerful electric engine propelling us forward with ease. The smooth ride and the comfortable seats made the journey seem shorter than it was, and we soon found ourselves leaving the city behind, the bright lights fading in the rearview mirror.
As we drove through the countryside, the tension between us seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm anticipation. The silence in the car was comfortable, yet charged with unspoken emotions, as we both contemplated the unexpected turn our lives had taken.
The ride out to my house in Hampshire was relaxed, but I was tense and nervous. I never took anyone home. But this was more than that. This was Tabatha. Even Saffron didn't know about the house.
I could sense the unspoken thoughts and emotions swirling between us, but neither of us dared to break the silence. As we pulled up to the glass house, the darkness of night was shattered by the moonlight, casting an ethereal glow over the modern, beautiful design.
The sleek lines and floor-to-ceiling windows seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature, creating a sanctuary that was both bold and inviting. I could tell by the way Tabatha's breath hitched that she was just as taken aback by the view as I was every time I came here.
I could feel a strange mix of nerves and excitement churning in my stomach. Inside, my control was slipping. I wanted her here in my sanctuary. She belonged here. We couldn't be together, not really, but at least I could give her some peace for a day or two. It was the least I could do after everything we'd been through.
She looked around, her voice barely above a whisper as she asked, "Where are we?"
