Chapter 38

Ever since the policeman casually announced my husband's arrival, my heart pounded so loudly I could hear it. Anna, however, seemed nonchalant, pacing and making plans. The policeman waited with us by the road, ensuring we didn't do anything foolish until someone sober arrived. I had a feeling I was in trouble.

About fifteen minutes after the phone call, two cars pulled up. I recognized Gabriel's red sports car and a Range Rover. Gabriel emerged from his car, and Zach from the other. Zach rushed toward us while my husband approached the police officer.

"Zach!" Anna embraced her husband, while I watched Gabriel and the police officer shake hands before my husband walked over.

"Hi, Sofia," Zach greeted, steadying his wife at her waist. I smiled. If I thought my heart was racing before, I was wrong; now it felt like a marching band.

I shouldn't be this nervous. I shouldn't. But I was. And when my husband's eyes met mine, my heart leaped. Gabriel exchanged a look and a nod with Zach.

"Bye, Sofia," Zach said, scooping up his wife bridal-style. She called out, telling me we'd meet tomorrow and do this again, and that she loved me.

I waved with a grin, unable to match her enthusiasm because of the man beside me. After they left, I turned to Gabriel.

He was staring at me.

"What?" I glared, crossing my arms.

Amusement tinged his tone. "You're drunk. Let's go home."

"No."

"What?"

"I said no! I'm not going home with you!"

"Yes, you are."

"I will go home with someone else!"

His eyes narrowed. "I was prepared to indulge your tantrum, but if you're thinking of going home with anyone—man or woman—you're mistaken."

I huffed. It was well past midnight. I had no friends in the city except James and Anna, and Anna was as drunk as I was, if not more. I can if I want to. I flipped my hair. "You're lucky I don't."

"So lucky," Gabriel concealed a smile, following me to the car. I got into the passenger seat.

He drove while I stared out the window, enjoying the blurred world. "Gabe, I think that's my grandpa," I pointed at an old man walking with a younger man.

"I assure you, Freckles, your grandpa isn't here."

I pouted. "No, Gabe, I'm sure that's Grandpa and Sam."

"There is no Sam." Gabriel's voice was stern, cold, making me turn to him.

I blinked. "Then Grandpa?"

"Not him either," he softened. "If you miss him, visit him."

I shrugged. "Why were you with Zach?"

"I was working late at his office."

"Why?"

"There was a complication with one of my deals. I'm trying to expand to the UK, and the person who was supposed to rent me his warehouses may be backing out."

He glanced at me. "You're an inquisitive drunk."

"You're an infuriatingly sober one."

Gabriel smiled, muttering something I didn't hear as I changed the radio station. When we arrived and he parked, Gabriel got out, waiting for me.

I didn't move. "I want to sleep in the car."

He opened the passenger door. "Freckles, don't be childish."

"This is my seat. I want to sleep in it."

He rolled his eyes. "It's nearly two in the morning. Out, Freckles."

"No." Crossing my arms, I stared ahead. "My seat."

"It will be your seat tomorrow, too."

"Freckles, either you get out, or I will pick you up." I stayed put, afraid that if I left, Lily would sit there. It was stupid, I knew. But I didn't want her in my seat.

Gabriel didn't let me continue my tantrum. Before I could react, he scooped me up and carried me on his shoulder like a duffel bag.

"Gabriel! Gabriel!" I kicked and squirmed as he carried me upstairs, past Luna and other staff members. Why weren't they asleep?

"If you don't stop, I will spank you, Freckles. Right here, in front of everyone."

My cheeks flushed, and I fell silent. My head spun too much to argue anyway.

I opened my eyes only when he placed me on the bed, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. "This isn't my room!"

"It's mine," he said. "I'll ask Luna to bring you your nightwear and help you freshen up. Sleep here."

I shook my head. "I want to sleep in my room."

"Then we'll sleep in your room."

"No." My voice was meek. "I want to sleep in my room."

Gabriel, who had turned away to get his nightwear, paused. "What is going on?"

I couldn't look at him. "You must hate me."

His eyebrows furrowed. "I don't hate you. What's going on, Freckles?"

I stared at the floor, a lump forming in my throat. "I came between you and Lily."

"No one came between anyone. I'm an adult, and I made the decision to—"

"Because you were forced to."

"I chose it," he repeated. "Now look at me."

I didn't. I felt his presence, his thumb tracing my cheek before jerking away. His confused eyes met mine. I gulped. "I don't want to be your rebound, or whatever this was."

"It was anything but rebound sex," he chuckled humorlessly.

"Then what was it?"

He didn't reply. I didn't think it was because he didn't want to, but because he didn't know.

"You've been disloyal to me."

"I haven't." His fingers left my face. "I haven't seen, met, or talked to Lily since I said 'I do' at the altar."

I shook my head. "That's not the kind of disloyalty I mean."

"Then what?"

"I came to your room to tell you I didn't have feelings for Sam." I got up, almost stumbling. He almost caught me. His hand dropped as I steadied myself. "You asked me if I had feelings for Sam, but didn't think it necessary to tell me you had feelings for Lily?"

Silence. Then, a helpless, "Freckles…"

"Did you have the car before me?" I asked, fixated on the car.

"Yes."

I frowned. "Then it's not my seat."

"It was hers. I just temporarily took it." My voice dropped. "I really like the seat."

A smile touched his lips. "The seat? Really?"

I threw a pillow at him. Tears threatened to fall. "I thought the seat… it wasn't mine!"

"It is," he insisted, his smile widening.

"You're laughing at me!" Tears fell. I sobbed.

"No, no, Freckles, don't cry." He quickly wiped away my tears. "Can we have this conversation when you're sober? And not about a seat?"

"Is there more to this?"

"A little," he said reluctantly.

"Then tell me now!"

"Freckles, we'll do this when you're completely sober, hm?"

I sighed. "I'm going to sleep."

"Sleep here, please?" His eyes were soft, his thumb caressing my cheek.

"I don't want to share the bed with you."

"I'll take the couch."

"You won't even fit."

"Then I'll sleep on the floor."

I eyed him suspiciously. "Why can't I sleep in my room? Are you trying to seduce me?"

He chuckled. "No. You're drunk and you'll pass out. I want to be around so no one comes into your room. The house is secure, but I don't want to take any chances, not with you."

He cared. He cared enough to give up his bed to ensure my safety. How could this man possibly have feelings for another woman?

I nodded, getting into bed and kicking off my heels.

"Do you still have feelings for her?" I asked, aware of how desperate I sounded.

He didn't answer, just kissed my forehead chastely. "Tomorrow, hm?"

Tomorrow wasn't a no, or even a maybe. It sounded like a yes, but with a delay. I covered myself with his blanket, breathing in his scent, hoping for sleep before the hurt consumed me.