Crave For You

12: Catch Me If I Fall

"I didn't save you, luce mia," Gabriel says. "I saved what's mine. No one hurts what's mine."

"Are you still mine?" I ask, fearing the reply already.

A smooth smile catches his face. "What do you think?"

I hardly get a second to reply before his mouth lands on mine. My lips are parted so he easily slips his tongue inside in one go. I widen my eyes, staring at the curtain-drawn windows of the room as my brain clicks itself in places, my nerves taking time to ascertain what's happening.

When it soaks in that he is kissing me, my body heats up all too quickly. I kiss him back, molding my mouth with his, erasing all distance. The taste of his lips vanishes away thoughts that burden us. There's only him and me and the passionate chemistry between our mouths as they aim to destroy each other in a battle with no prizes.

I drag my palms up his chest, curling my fingers into his hair. He groans and I feel it deep in my belly, the spot pulsing between my thighs.

He pulls away, turning my head to the side and pressing his lips on my neck. He sucks, bites, and licks my skin, unbothered by my taste. He kisses me like he wants to taste me as I am, without any layers. His hands travel down to squeeze my boobs, thumb twisting the nipples. He yanks the shirt down, exposing my chest.

His mouth descends on my chest, taking my nipples between his teeth and nipping. I moan, urgent cries of want escaping me as my legs thrash on the bed, seeking friction with his body.

He grabs my hips, fingers harsh on me as he yanks my panties down. I cry out when he spreads my legs, pushing me down flat on the bed.

"Luce mia..." he moans as his fingers find their way inside me, thrusting deep. "I missed you, baby."

"Gabriel... Dio mio!"

Need unfurls its wings inside me, the wet noises of his two thick fingers thrusting inside me echoing in the room. Then, his mouth joins the spot, teeth lightly nipping at my engorged clit before drifting to my hole.

He eats me out, working his tongue into me, the sound of his mouth sucking eliciting dirty cries from me. I move my hands to grab his hair but he stops me by pulling his fingers out and interlacing our fingers together.

"I missed this body, luce mia," he breathes. "I missed this pussy."

"Cazzo..." I moan aloud. "Gabriel...please..."

My orgasm swirls inside, traveling down to the tips of my toes. I'm flying out of my body, only knowing that he will catch me if I fall. I scream as my release comes close, the suction of his mouth on my clit undoing me.

"Come." His command is the last straw.

I burst into a thousand little stars, my body shivering and my senses lost. The pleasure shakes me, physically and mentally. It coils itself viscerally and promises destruction. It takes me eons to get my eyes open.

Gabriel parts from me, a streak of liquid dripping from his chin. His mouth shimmers as he rubs his chin, smiling at me with wicked eyes.

"Welcome home, luce mia."

I'm breathless and speechless, unable to comprehend a single thing that's happening. Gabriel pulls my t-shirt down, covering me just as the door flies open.

"Sofia—" Hayley startles while I jump up, pushing Gabriel off me and pulling the sheets over my body. Hayley spins around with a cry, her back to us. "Oh shit! I'm so sorry. I'll just leave."

"Stay. We're done," Gabriel says before she can take a step outside. His gaze cuts to mine and he smirks. "For now."

He strolls out of the room, murmuring something to Hayley on his way to which she nods shyly, probably too traumatized.

I slap a hand over my forehead, hitting myself for losing my focus this way. Gabriel knows how to play me. That's true.

With him gone, Hayley faces me, her expression sympathetic.

"Sofia...I'm so glad you're okay." She runs to the bed, sitting beside me. She hugs me. "God...I thought I'd never see you again."

Aware of how dirty I am currently, I avoid touching her. She pulls away, her hands squeezing my arms.

"Wouldn't be a surprise," I say. "I have proven how loyal I am, it seems."

"I trust you." Her eyes flick over my body, doing a protective scan. "I know what you did had its reasons. I'm no one to judge how this world runs."

"I couldn't save her," I confess, my heart unloading just at the sight of a friend who understands. "My mama... I couldn't. It was all for nothing."

My words halt on a choke. Hayley tucks my hair behind my ear, cupping my cheek.

"I'm sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a mother. That too twice."

"She didn't deserve to die like that."

"She's at peace now." Hayley smiles. "She's singing with the angels in heaven."

I nod through my chaotic emotions, rubbing a finger under my nose as the need to cry rises.

"I thought it was over," I muse, chuckling at the thought. "But it's not. I still have a home. In here. As Gabriel's wife."

Hayley's soft smile disappears immediately. "That might not be the case."

I blink, the remnants of Gabriel's touch becoming more prominent as seconds tick by. "Why?"

"For starters, he has a new fiancée," Hayley reveals. My breath catches, ears ringing so loud that I almost miss the rest of her speech. "And secondly, the Conclave wants you dead."