Clairessa’s POV

Chapter 23: Restless Night

I stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still damp from the shower, wrapped in a clean towel. As I walked back into the room, my eyes landed on the bed, where a pair of boxer briefs and a shirt were neatly placed. My heart skipped a beat. Gabriel had been in the room while I was in the shower. Had he watched me? The thought made my cheeks flush, embarrassment mixing with a shiver that shot through me, leaving my skin tingling.

I pulled the shirt over my head, and his scent hit me–Gabriel’s scent. It was a masculine mix of freshly cut wood and something darker, intoxicating. The smell wrapped around me, pulling me back to the club: to the moment our eyes locked, to the feel of his hands on my skin. My breath hitched as the memories flooded back, making my skin tingle and my body restless.

Sliding under the duvet, I tried to relax, but the scent of him lingered in the fabric, refusing to let me rest. My mind kept replaying the events of the night, refusing to settle. I had gone to the club not knowing if I would see him, but when our eyes met… everything changed.

I’d tried to make him jealous, dancing with men I didn’t care about, when all I really wanted was Gabriel. The memory of his darkened gaze as he watched me sent shivers down my spine. Even now, lying in this bed surrounded by his scent, my heart raced at the thought of him.

Restless, I tossed and turned, unable to shake the images of him from my mind. I stretched to check the dresser for my phone, only to remember he had taken it from me in the car. A sudden warmth spread through me at the thought. That’s my excuse to go to his room.

My breath quickened as I stood up and stepped into the hallway. Gabriel had told me his room was right beside mine. My heart pounded as I pushed his door open slightly and stepped inside.

The room was dark, except for a dim lamp casting a faint glow. I hesitated, taking in the space, when the sound of water running caught my attention. Moving closer, I stopped just outside the bathroom door. The shower shut off, and panic surged through me. I turned to leave, but it was too late. Gabriel stepped out, water

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20:49 Tue, 18 Feb

Chapter 23: Restless Night

dripping from his body, a towel wrapped low around his waist.

“What do you want?” His voice was deep and rough.

roaming his body. Broad chest, strong forearms, and the towel sitting dangerously low, revealing the V–line disappearing beneath it. My mind wandered

something,” he said,

get my phone,” I finally managed, my voice shaky.

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eyes followed him, tracing the muscles in his

skin was cool, and

you going to call him back?” Gabriel asked,

changed Adrian’s contact name. The last thing I wanted

sharp. “Your boyfriend cheated on you. The answer seems

not that…” I whispered, my voice faltering.

Restless

he cut me off. “That’s exactly what you were going to say, isn’t it?”

silently,

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scoffed, his voice curt. “No one said it would be easy, but you can’t keep making excuses

face gave him away, even as he tried to hide the truth. Who could have

me, Clairessa.” His voice was clipped. “All I’m asking is that you stop

mad at me?” I asked, confused by the sudden shift in his mood.

away.

his jaw tight. “I… just…

into the crook of his elbow, stopping him. His eyes widened

onto his.

My gaze searched his face, desperate for something–anything–that would reveal what he was feeling. His face was hardened, his emotions carefully hidden once again. I reached out, brushing my fingertips over the droplets of water

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