Chapter 81: Why Did She ChooseGabriel's POV I stormed into the bathroom, refusing to meet Clairessa's gaze. My hands gripped the edge of the sink as I stared at my reflection with a mixture of anger and disgust. How could I let her get tolike this? I felt like a damn fool. She had lied to me, feedingsbullshit about how she and her ex had don plenty of times before. But it was all a lie-to lureinto her trap. She knew exactly how I felt about virgins. They were off-limits to me, a line I never crossed. If I had known she was untouched... none of this would have happened. "Shit, I muttered, running my hand through my hair, trying to calm the rage burning inside me. And worse? I had taken her raw. No protection. That wasn't just reckless-it was insane. How could I lose control like that? Like shorny teenage boy desperate for his first time. Me. Gabriel Storm. A man who prided himself on discipline. When I was planning her birthday getaway, protection didn't even cross my mind. Not once. A sloppy mistake I'd never made before. All I could think about was making her mine. But I could hardly help it. Every moment with Clairessa madefeel something I hadn't felt in years... and I hated it. "Shit," I hissed again, slamming my hand against the vanity countertop. At least I knew I was clean. I always did my monthly checkups religiously, and three weeks ago, my results had cback clean. I hadn't been with any woman since I kissed her at the club, no other woman had even cclose. And seeing as she was a virgin. I was sure she was clean too. But diseases weren't the only thing I had to worry about. She could be pregnant with my child right now for all I knew. The thought should've terrified me. But for the first time, the idea of a woman carrying my child didn't fillwith panic. But that didn't mean I could bring a child into my chaotic world. Not now. My unpredictable work life and Adrian were more than enough forto handle. Still, my thoughts kept circling back to Clairessa. She had to be sore. Hurting. The way I'd taken her... it wasn't gentle. It wasn't slow. I'd been rough. Possessive,. But it wasn't entirely my fault, was it? The way her body moved against mine, the little moans she let out, her hips rolling into me... it had driveninsane. She'd pushedfurther, beggedto continue, tellingshe could take it. The memories cflooding back, making my cock harden painfully. I cursed under my breath, forcing the desire aside. I shook my head and turned to the tub, forcing myself to focus. I adjusted the water temperature and poured a bit of scented shower gel into the stream, watching it foam. Returning to the room, I lifted Clairessa into my arms without a word. When the bath was ready, I returned to the room. Without a word, I scooped Clairessa into my arms, ignoring the widening of her doe-like eyes as I carried her into the bathroom. She gasped softly as I placed her in the tub, her eyes closed briefly, as though savoring the heat against her sore skin. When her eyes opened, they met mine, and her lips parted to speak. "Gabriel..." "Don't." I cut her off angrily, raising my hand. I wasn't ready to hear another lie. I grabbed the washcloth, squeezing soap onto it as I knelt by the tub. Slowly, I began washing her body. Her skin was silk beneath my hands, smooth and caramel- toned, Every touch awakened the desire I was trying so hard to suppress. My cock throbbed, aching to claim her again. "Hell," I muttered under my breath. Why the fuck was I doing this? Why was I washing her when I knew exactly how my body would react? Was it guilt? Skind of enance for what I'd done? Or was it something deeper-something I wasn't ready to name? Her brown on mine, filled with guilt and something else I couldn't decipher. I carefully avoided her nipples, even though they hardened beneath my touch, practically begging for attention. Her body responded toso easily, like eyes fixed molten heat beneath my fingertips. It ignited a fire I could barely control, a burning need to touch her again. My hand moved lower, the washcloth gliding along her inner thighs. Her legs were slender, perfectly shaped, and I trailed the cloth up and down her curves, lost in every inch of her. She sucked in a deep breath, and I saw her thighs part slightly, as though invitingcloser. Fuck. She felt it too. It wasn't just me.. Dragging the cloth higher, I brushed it lightly against the spot between her legs. Even through the thin fabric, I could feel her softness, her warmth, her need. But then I saw it. The faint stain of blood on the cloth broughtcrashing. back to reality. Placing the washcloth aside, I studied her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, her body completely relaxed in the warm water. "I'll be back," I said gruffly, rising to my feet. My voice sounded 11:17 Fri, 21 Feb Chapter 81 Why Did She Choose76%
strained, even to my ears. Her eyes snapped open, confusion flashing across her face as I walked away, leaving her alone in the tub. I walked back into the room, and the reminder was there once again. The little, bright-red stain on the sheet did nothing to reduce the guilt gnawing atfor stealing her innocence. Fuck. I wasn't screep who'dn taken it without consent. She willingly offered herself, even after I tried to pull away. Still, a part ofknew-right there on the deck-maybe she wanted to tellno. Maybe she wanted to stopwhen I asked if the orgasms were enough. Maybe not. But I didn't give her the chance. Instead I seduced her. That's all I'd been doing since last night. Hell, who am I kidding? I didn't just seduce her. I devoured her. I consumed her like a starving man, and the worst part? I'd do it again. Once I had her, once I felt her softness, her heat, her innocence... there was no going back. I knew one taste of being inside her wasn't nearly enough. I needed her again and again. My body agreed as my cock twitched at the memory of her warmth. It was as though my body was controlled by her. Pathetic. Here I was, the great Gabriel Storm, undone by a woman half my age. A virgin, of all things. The thought alone madegroan. Why me? Why did she choose me?