Chapter 168
Amelie slowly opened her eyes, the familiar musky scent of Gabriel wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. She blinked a few times before turning her head to find him lying beside her, his hand resting protectively over her growing belly, their legs softly tangled together beneath the sheets.
Her eyes shifted to the wall clock. It was almost noon.
“Are you hungry?” Gabriel’s voice came in a hushed whisper.
“I am,” Amelie admitted, her voice slightly raspy from sleep. She turned toward him with a faint pout. “Why did you let me sleep for so long p>
Gabriel chuckled softly. “You even complain about resting now?” he teased, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “Your body needed it. I wasn’t going to wake you p>
“I’ve turned so lazy,” she murmured, sitting up beside him.
He mirrored her movement, watching her with careful eyes. “How do you feel? Still nauseous?” Concern laced his tone, his gaze searching her face.
“No,” Amelie replied, offering a small, reassuring smile. “I feel much better now p>
“Your dad called me earlier,” Gabriel said, brushing his thumb against her hand. “They want you to spend a few days with them, but I told him no, since you’ve made it clear you’re not ready for that. I did say they could visit, if you allowed it. It seems they’re trying to show they care, at least during this time p>
Amelie exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting to her lap. “They were the first to abandon me,” she murmured. “They trusted Alex over their own daughter. Now, they care, but I don’t need it anymore.” Her heart had hardened after what she went through.
He decided to shift the mood. “Do you want to go to the sacred garden tonight?” he asked.
Her eyes lit up instantly. “Yes p>
“The last time we went there p>
“—You were still trying to figure out if you should pursue me,” Amelie finished with a soft smile.
Gabriel chuckled. “Exactly. I was so unsure. My feelings were growing faster than I could admit, and I didn’t know what to do with them. But that place… it gave me clarity. It felt like the moon goddess was listening to me for the first time p>
He leaned in and kissed her temple. “And she answered. After that night, I truly felt the bond between us. So, I want to thank her properly this time p>
“Gabriel, I saw that your company has a project for single mothers, too. I was thinking… maybe I could be a part of that project. I want to go to work from Monday to keep myself busy,” Amelie said.
Gabriel looked at her for a moment, admiring her strength. “You can definitely join that project,” he agreed. “I’ll talk to the team and make sure everything’s prepared for you p>
She smiled in appreciation, but he wasn’t done. “I was also thinking… we should get you and the pup checked in the upcoming week p>
Amelie tilted her head slightly. “But I’m doing fine. And Skye said I didn’t need to visit the hospital for another two months,” she reminded him.
“I know,” Gabriel said with a faint sigh. “But I just want to be careful with everything. I can’t take chances p>
“What should I do to love you more?” Amelie asked, peering into his eyes without blinking.
Gabriel smirked as he guided Amelie onto his lap, his arms wrapping around her possessively. “You should shower me with love more often,” he murmured against her lips in a teasing tone. He captured her mouth in a soft kiss, his fingers tangling in her hair as his palm cradled the back of her head.
“Like this?” Amelie whispered, grazing his bottom lip with her teeth before giving it a playful bite. A deep groan escaped him, and she followed it with a sensual nibble, her tongue tracing the curve of his lips, until he seized the moment and plunged his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss with hungry urgency.
What began as a flirtatious tease had left her breathless. His hand trailed up the graceful arch of her spine, pulling her even closer, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.
Gently, Amelie pressed her palms against his chest and gave him a soft push, toppling him backward onto the mattress with a light thud.
“Stay just like that,” she said, her voice breathy. A delicate blush bloomed across her cheeks, making her look both bold and beautifully shy.
“What are you doing?” Gabriel asked as his hands settled on her thighs, which straddled him on either side.
Amelie didn’t answer with words. Instead, she rolled her hips against him.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his head tilted back slightly, the sensation robbing him of breath. She did it again, grinding against the growing hardness beneath her while her hands roamed his clothed chest, tracing over his defined muscles, gliding lower to his abdomen in an unhurried exploration.
Gabriel’s fingers slid from her waist, gliding upward under her top, cupping her breasts with a reverent touch. He didn’t rush, only brushed his thumbs over the sensitive peaks through the bra, teasing her. Her lips parted in a soft gasp, her body arching into his touch.
Watching her react to his slightest movement, Gabriel felt a pulse of raw desire surge through him, his arousal straining against his clothes. But more than that, he wanted to make her feel every bit of the fire she was igniting inside him.
“Gabriel,” Amelie whispered, her right hand resting on his hand, anchoring herself to him.
He paused, his eyes searching hers with quiet intensity. “Do you want me to stop?” he asked, his voice husky just before he flipped their positions in one swift motion. Now, she lay beneath him as her breath caught in her throat at the sudden shift.
“No,” she replied, her voice soft but sure. “But I was supposed to p>
“—Take the lead?” Gabriel finished for her, a small, knowing smile curving his lips. He leaned in closer, his forehead brushing hers. “You did enough, Amelie. Now,” he murmured with a gaze full of love and desire, “it’s my turn p>