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

didn't smell like

smell like

ear, her lips grazing

of you tonight. You need

They should've pulled her closer, but

stayed still.

my neck, and tried to draw me in.

Gabriel," she breathed.

close to hers, squinting through the

I needed to

tucked her hair behind her

her face, but all I

"Clairessa..." I groaned.

Tina froze.

back, wide-eyed. "What

a moment. "What? No, nothing. I'm...

said Clairessa," she hissed. "You

hand down

off me fast, arms crossed, fury

hell

to know about," I snapped, hoping to

"You can't fool me. I knew

You drunk? That's not

isn't it? She broke your

muttered.

was

used to say that. I believed you. Until tonight.

bed.

started, but the words choked in my throat. "She

me. Not anymore."

stared at me like she could see straight through the

are you here with me,

away. "It's

me, her voice softening. "You want

why

Because if I find out she

my mind.

the words I wanted to spill out. Instead,

room was the low

couldn't avoid.

slowly sat beside me,

hand on my thigh. "Gabriel...

focus only

fate had us run

again tonight," she

I'm here to help

her.

me."

at her-her body, her eyes, the desperation in

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

someone who was

whispered again, crawling onto my lap. "Let me help

her."

down, her body pressing

my neck, planting hot, wet kisses across my

she

to the

she unbuttoned

and slid it

the bare

lazy

my chest.

keep going," I forced out, desperate to feel something-lust, need-but

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