Chapter 153: What If This Ruined Everything

Gabriel's POV

Tina moved like she'd been here a hundred times. And honestly? She had a few

times in the past, during nights I didn't care to remember.

"Come on, sit," she urged, easing me down onto the edge of the bed.

I slumped back with a groan, the world tilting slightly. Tina was right-I was drunk.

No, fuck, I was wasted.

My pride didn't want to admit it, but my blurry vision, spinning head, and the way

my limbs felt too heavy to move?

Yeah, I was gone.

Moments later, she returned. Music played low from the speakers-sultry, slow,

seductive.

The lights dimmed.

Tina stood in front of me now, one hand resting on her hip. And for the first time

tonight, I actually looked at her.

She wore a nude-colored gown, so close to her skin tone that for a split second, it

looked like she wore nothing at all.

"I remember you liked a striptease," she purred, swaying her hips to the rhythm.

"Let's see if you still do."

I watched her move-confident, sure of herself. She let the dress slip off her

shoulders. It slid down her body and pooled at her feet like silk. Her bra was lace,

matching her panties, hugging her curves perfectly-designed to entice.

And then... It happened.

Her face blurred.

And in its place-Clairessa.

Fuck.

It was her dancing now.

My Clairessa, moving the way she did that first night, her slender body like silk,

meant just for me. The innocence in her eyes, until passion took over. I could still

remember the taste of her skin, the heat in her breath as her hands slid lower,

caressing her breasts, tugging at her nipples, driving me wild with pleasure.

No. This can't be happening.

I blinked, shaking my head, trying to erase the vision, but it lingered. Still her.

Still Clairessa.

Tina-no, Clairessa-climbed into my lap, straddling me. Her perfume hit me-

sweet and heavy-but it was wrong. Too strong. Too artificial. She didn't smell like

smell like rose

didn't smell

her lips grazing

of you tonight. You need

on her waist. They

stayed still.

neck, and tried

Gabriel," she breathed.

hers, squinting through the haze. I

I needed to be

her cheek, tucked her hair behind her ear...

face, but all I

"Clairessa..." I groaned.

Tina froze.

pulled back, wide-eyed. "What did you just

blinked, the haze lifting for a moment. "What? No, nothing. I'm...

said Clairessa," she hissed. "You just called me

I lied, dragging a hand down

fury in her eyes. "Don't bullshit me,

hell

need to know about," I

was bitter. "You can't fool me. I

Strippers? You drunk? That's not you. This is

She broke your

my heart," I muttered. Who was

I was in

to say that. I believed you. Until

in bed. So

not-" I started, but the words choked

me. Not anymore."

she

you here with me, thinking

away. "It's

not," she retorted, stepping toward me, her voice

So why not just go to

I find out she really did what

my mind.

words I wanted to spill out. Instead, I

low

couldn't avoid.

sat

on my thigh.

you focus only

why fate had us run

again tonight," she

I'm here to help you

To erase her. Let there

me."

body, her

tried to convince herself she could take Clairessa's place.

someone who

crawling onto my lap. "Let me help

her."

she eased down,

planting hot,

this?" she whispered. "My

lips drifted down to the V

before she unbuttoned

it off my

the bare

lazy

my chest.

keep going," I forced out, desperate

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