Chapter 26
Gabriel leaned over Emma. His sharp gaze locked on her as he spoke slowly. “This is important to me.”
The scent of sandalwood hit her the moment he stepped closer, wrapping around her like a lingering warmth. Her fists curled reflexively, and she swallowed hard.
“How about once a week?” she proposed.
Seeing each other once a week seemed like a reasonable arrangement.
Gabriel’s smile was impossible to read. It was too subtle to decipher and too natural to fully understand. It was the kind of smile that made people hesitate before locking eyes with
him.
“How about you move in with me?” he said.
The words hung in the air, thick with an unspoken weight.
Emma’s cheeks grew even redder, nearly crimson, and her long lashes quivered. Fortunately, just then, her phone rang inside her bag and jolted her back to reality. She quickly pulled it out and gave him a brief gesture.
Watching her shrink back like a nervous kitten at the slightest movement, Gabriel nodded and gestured for her to take the call.
Her fingers tightened around the phone as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.
“Hi, Mom.”
Velma’s voice came through the receiver.
Since they were standing close, Gabriel could hear every word.
“Emma, how did your blind date go? You’ve been staying on campus and haven’t been coming home lately. I’ve been worried about you,” Velma said.
Emma instinctively glanced at Gabriel.
At that moment, someone exited the city clerk’s office. Before she could step aside, Gabriel reached out, and his large hand wrapped around her shoulder as he pulled her into his
arms.
Caught off guard, she stumbled into his chest, and her breath hitched.
Gabriel’s touch jolted through her like an electric current and spread through every nerve in her body. A sudden heat washed over her, leaving her weak and unsteady.
She hesitated for a moment, then clenched her teeth and said, “Mom, I’m already seeing someone.”
“What? Did this one work out?” Velma’s delighted voice rang through the phone.
“It wasn’t a blind date. We were in an on–and–off relationship before, so I’ve never brought him home.”
Velma saw right through the excuse and replied, “So, is your relationship stable now? Bring him home so I can meet him. I won’t feel at ease otherwise.”
Emma instinctively looked up at Gabriel. She was still in his arms and tried to push him away, but he continued holding her unapologetically.
Left with no better option, she gripped his shirt and asked in a hushed voice, “Are you okay with that?”
Gabriel lowered his gaze, and his dark eyes locked on hers.
She felt her resolve crumble. Taking a deep breath, she said, “Mom, I’ll bring him over when we have time…”
“Why wait? How about tonight? I’ll have someone pick up groceries and start preparing dinner now.”
Before Emma could even react, Velma had already decided for her. The call ended with a decisive click, leaving no room for protest.
Emma’s flush deepened. They had just gotten their marriage certificate, and now, she was already bringing him home? She wasn’t ready for this.
Gabriel, however, seemed to enjoy how easily she blushed. His gaze darkened with amusement, and her flustered expression made him want to tease her even more. In his arms, she was impossibly soft.
“So, Mr. Castro, do you have time tonight?” she asked.
He chuckled as his hand slid lower and slowly tightened around her waist. “I’ll be there on time. But now that we’re married, don’t you think ‘Mr. Castro‘ is a little too formal?”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. “What should I call you then?”
“Honey or babe. Either works for me.”
She had no retort. How was she supposed to call him something that embarrassing?
Emma couldn’t even remember how they parted ways. She only knew that when she returned to campus, her legs still felt weak, and her mind was a mess.
Drinking really did lead to bad decisions.
One night at the bar, and she ended up with a husband.
