Page 101 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he released my wrists, allowing me to continue my explorations. I unbuckled his belt and unfastened his pants, pushing them down his hips along with his underwear. When his erection sprang free, I couldn't suppress a small gasp of appreciation. Gabriel was magnificent—thick and hard, the evidence of his desire for me unmistakable.

I wrapped my hand around him, stroking slowly as I watched his face. Gabriel's eyes darkened to midnight, his jaw tightening as he fought to maintain control. When I leaned forward to press a kiss to his chest, trailing my lips down his abdomen, his hands came to my shoulders, stopping me.

"If you do that," he said, his voice strained, "this will be over far too quickly."

I smiled, pleased by the effect I had on him. "Another time, then."

Gabriel's answering smile was predatory as he moved closer, positioning himself at my entrance. His eyes held mine, searching for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, he slowly pushed forward, entering me with exquisite care. We both groaned at the sensation, my body stretching to accommodate him as he filled me completely.

"You feel incredible," Gabriel breathed, his voice strained with the effort of control. His hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as he began to move, each thrust slow and deliberate. "So perfect around me."

I wrapped my legs around his waist, drawing him deeper, my hands clutching at his shoulders as pleasure built with each movement. Gabriel's pace was measured, controlled—even in this, he maintained his composure, though I could see the strain in the tension of his jaw, the intensity of his gaze.

"Gabriel," I gasped, arching against him as he hit a spot deep inside me that sent sparks of pleasure through my body. "Harder, please."

His eyes flashed at my plea, something primal breaking through his careful control. With a growl that sent shivers down my spine, Gabriel tightened his grip on my hips and increased his pace, driving into me with powerful thrusts that had me crying out with each movement.

"Is this what you want?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble as he claimed me with increasing intensity. "Tell me, Vivian."

"Yes," I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders as pleasure built within me, tightening like a coil. "God, yes."

Gabriel leaned forward, capturing my mouth in a fierce kiss as he continued to move within me. One hand slid between us, finding where we were joined, his thumb circling the sensitive bundle of nerves in time with his thrusts. The dual sensation pushed me closer to the edge, my nails digging into his back as I felt myself beginning to unravel.

"Come for me," Gabriel commanded, his voice rough with desire. "Let me feel you."

His words, combined with a particularly deep thrust and the perfect pressure of his thumb, sent me tumbling over the edge. I cried out his name as pleasure crashed through me, my body clenching around him as wave after wave of sensation washed over me. Gabriel growled in response, his rhythm faltering as my release triggered his own. With a final powerful thrust, he stiffened against me, his face buried in my neck as he found his completion.

For several moments, we remained locked together, breathing heavily, my legs still wrapped around his waist, his arms holding me close. Gabriel pressed gentle kisses to my neck, my jaw, finally finding my lips in a kiss that was tender rather than demanding. When he finally pulled back to look at me, his blue eyes were soft with an emotion I wasn't ready to name.

"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice gentle as he brushed a strand of hair from my face.

I nodded, feeling strangely shy despite what we'd just shared. "More than all right."

Gabriel smiled—a genuine, unguarded smile that transformed his usually serious face—before carefully separating our bodies. He helped me down from the desk, steadying me when my legs trembled beneath me. Without a word, he retrieved my clothes, helping me dress with the same care he'd shown in undressing me.

"I didn't plan for this to happen tonight," he admitted as he fastened his own pants.

I laughed softly, buttoning my shirt with fingers that still trembled slightly. "I didn't either. But I'm glad it did."

Gabriel's expression grew more serious as he cupped my face in his hands, his blue eyes searching mine. "Vivian, I need you to understand something. What happened between us tonight—what happens between you and any of us—it doesn't create expectations or obligations. This arrangement between all of us... it's unconventional, but it works because we respect each other's boundaries and connections."

I leaned into his touch, processing his words. "So you're really not upset about Lucas and me earlier?"

Gabriel shook his head, his thumb stroking my cheek. "No. Not in the way you might expect. Did it trigger some primal Alpha instincts? Yes. But not jealousy—not in the traditional sense." He paused, considering his words carefully. "Our pack functions differently than most. We don't compete for mates—we complement each other."

"And where do I fit into that?" I asked softly, the question I've wondered since dinner. Since our conversation several nights ago. The question had been circling in my mind even as I'd explored these new, overwhelming feelings for each of them.

Gabriel's expression softened, his hands dropping to take mine. "That's something we're all discovering together," he said, his voice gentle but honest. "There's no predefined role for you to fill, Vivian. No expectations beyond what feels right to you."

I nodded slowly, processing his words. "I'm not used to this kind of... freedom. Having choices about how relationships develop." I met his gaze, vulnerability making my voice softer. "My ex used his voice to control everything—who I saw, what I did, how I felt. The idea of being with multiple Alphas who actually respect my autonomy is... overwhelming in the best way."

Gabriel's eyes darkened briefly at the mention of my ex, but his touch remained gentle. "What happened to you was abuse," he said, his voice firm but kind. "It was wrong. And I promise you, none of us will ever use our voices to control you."

"I know," I said softly, realizing I truly believed him—believed all of them. "That's part of why I trust you. All of you."

Gabriel smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "We should join the others," he said, though he made no move to release my hands. "Before they send a search party."

I laughed softly, imagining Lucas's teasing comments when we emerged from Gabriel's study. "They already know, don't they? What we were doing in here?"

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