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

didn't smell

ear, her lips grazing my jaw, "let me

of you tonight.

landed on her waist. They

stayed still.

my neck, and

Gabriel," she breathed.

brought my face close to hers, squinting through the haze. I

needed

tucked her hair behind her

her face, but all I

"Clairessa..." I groaned.

Tina froze.

pulled back, wide-eyed. "What

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

hissed. "You just called me

dragging a hand

off me fast, arms crossed, fury in her eyes. "Don't bullshit

the hell

need to know about," I snapped, hoping

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

you tonight. The cave? Strippers? You drunk? That's

She broke

my heart," I muttered. Who

I was

her eyes. "You used to say that. I believed you. Until tonight.

up names in bed. So

choked in my throat. "She

me. Not anymore."

at me like she could

why are you here with me, thinking about her?

looked away.

retorted, stepping toward me, her voice softening.

is obvious. So why not just go to

out she really did what I think

my mind.

were all the words I wanted to spill

in the room was the low beat of music and the truth we

couldn't avoid.

sat

hand on my thigh.

only on me?

fate had us

again tonight," she

to help

erase her.

me."

her-her body, her eyes,

could take Clairessa's place.

who was

my

her."

swallowed hard as she eased down,

my neck, planting hot, wet kisses across

like this?" she whispered. "My lips

down to

before she unbuttoned

slid it off my

explored the

lazy

my chest.

keep going," I forced out,

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