Page 99 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"I can smell him on you," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Lucas."

I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze despite the heat rising to my cheeks. "Are you... angry? Since you ae head alpha and…" I trailed off not knowing how to word my emotions to him.

Gabriel's expression softened slightly, though the intensity in his eyes remained. "No. Not angry." His scent deepened, filling the space between us with notes of sandalwood and something darker, more primal. "But watching you walk into that dining room with his scent all over you, knowing what you'd been doing..." He leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear. "It tested my control in ways I wasn't fully prepared for."

My pulse quickened, a shiver running through me at his words. "In what way?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel's eyes darkened further as one hand moved to cup my face, his thumb tracing my lower lip. "Every Alpha instinct I possess wanted to claim you," he admitted, his voice rough with restraint. "To erase his scent with mine."

My breath hitched at his blunt admission. "Gabriel..."

"But that's not how this works," he continued, his thumb still tracing patterns across my skin. "Not between us. Not between the pack." His eyes held mine, searching. "I need you to understand something, Vivian. There's no jealousy among us—not in the traditional sense. What's between you and Lucas, or you and Dakota, or you and Theo—those connections are yours to explore. But..."

"But what?" I asked, my voice breathy as I tried to focus on his words rather than the heat of his body so close to mine.

Gabriel's fingers traced along my jawline, his touch gentle despite the intensity in his eyes. "But when I look at you with another Alpha's scent on your skin, it awakens something primal in me. Not jealousy—possession. The need to remind you that I'm here too."

Heat pooled low in my belly at his words, at the controlled power I could feel radiating from him. "You don't need to remind me," I whispered, my hands moving hesitantly to rest against his chest. "I haven't forgotten you, Gabriel."

A small, satisfied smile curved his lips. "I know." His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair. "May I kiss you, Vivian?"

The formal request, delivered in that deep, commanding voice, sent another shiver of heat through me. I nodded, my lips parting slightly in anticipation. "Yes."

Gabriel didn't hesitate. His mouth claimed mine in a kiss that was nothing like the gentle exploration we'd shared in the greenhouse. This was possession, pure and simple—his lips demanding, his tongue seeking entrance which I readily granted. I melted against him, my hands sliding up to his shoulders as he pressed me more firmly against the door. His hand tightened in my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss as his other arm wrapped around my waist, eliminating any space between us.

I moaned into his mouth, the sound seeming to trigger something primal in him. Gabriel growled low in his throat, the vibration traveling through his chest to mine. His teeth grazed my lower lip, the slight edge of pain mingling deliciously with pleasure as his hands began to wander, exploring the curves of my body with possessive intent.

"Gabriel," I gasped as his mouth left mine to trail hot kisses down my neck. His teeth scraped against my pulse point, not hard enough to mark but with enough pressure to make my knees weaken. His arm around my waist tightened, supporting me as I sagged against him.

"The sounds you make," he murmured against my skin, his voice rougher than I'd ever heard it. "Do you have any idea what they do to me?"

I whimpered as his hand slid under the hem of my shirt, his warm palm pressing against the bare skin of my back. Every touch felt electric, sending sparks of pleasure coursing through me. I felt him move his arms so he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. He carried me across the study, our lips never breaking contact, and set me on the edge of his desk. His hands gripped my thighs, spreading them wider to accommodate his hips as he pressed against me.

“Do you know what I want to do to you..” he murmured against my lips, his voice deeper than I'd ever heard it. "How hard it is to maintain control around you."

I clutched at his shoulders, my head falling back as his mouth descended to my neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses that made me shiver. "Then don't," I whispered, surprising myself with my boldness. "Don't control yourself."

Gabriel's eyes met mine, midnight blue with desire but still searching. "Are you sure that's what you want?”

I hesitated for just a moment, considering his question. What did I want? It had been so long since I'd allowed myself to be vulnerable with anyone, let alone multiple partners. But the events with Lucas earlier had awakened something in me—a hunger I'd denied for too long.

"I want you," I said firmly, meeting his gaze. " I'm not fragile, Gabriel."

Something dangerous and thrilling flashed in his eyes. "No," he agreed, his voice a low rumble. "You're not fragile at all. You're strong. Resilient." His hands tightened on my thighs. "Beautiful."

Before I could respond, his mouth claimed mine again, more demanding than before. I melted into him, my body responding instinctively to his touch. His hands slid beneath my shirt, palms hot against my skin as they moved upward, cupping my breasts through my bra. I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping me as his thumbs brushed over my hardened peaks.

"I want to see you," Gabriel murmured against my lips, his fingers already working the buttons of my shirt. "All of you."

I nodded, my hands moving to help him until my shirt fell open, exposing my skin to his hungry gaze. His eyes darkened further as he took in the sight of me, his hands sliding up my sides with reverent appreciation.

"Beautiful," he breathed, lowering his head to press open-mouthed kisses along my collarbone. His fingers traced the edge of my bra, teasing the sensitive skin just above the fabric. "May I?"

"Yes," I whispered, already arching toward him in silent invitation.

With practiced ease, Gabriel unhooked my bra, sliding it from my shoulders with gentle hands. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me, bare from the waist up save for my open shirt.

"Exquisite," he murmured, his hands cupping my breasts with reverent appreciation. I couldn't suppress the moan that escaped me as his thumbs circled my nipples, teasing them to hard peaks. When he lowered his head to take one in his mouth, I gasped, my fingers threading through his hair to hold him to me.

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