Page 12 of The Alpha's Stolen Mate

I grabbed his hand and pulled him back down on the bed.

“It's fine, Gabriel. Really. I'm…okay.”

He gave me a look that made it clear he didn't believe me.

“Honestly, I've been having some doubts about Axel and I's relationship for a while, and this just confirms that he isn't the one for me,” I said.

Gabriel moved an inch closer to me, and I had to suppress a shiver. What would it feel like to press the side of my thigh against his? Was I brave enough to do that?

“And Axel cheated on me for the dumbest reason,” I continued.

“I don't think there's a good reason to cheat on someone,” he pointed out.

Gabriel’s gaze shot down to my lips, and he stared at them for a moment before his eyes were back on mine.

Was I imagining things, or did that really just happen?

“You're right. But Axel basically blamed it on the fact that I wouldn't have sex with him. I, um, wanted to wait,” I said.

I was waiting for you.

“Are you serious?” Gabriel asked and stood up. “Are you sure you don't want me to knock some sense into him?” He cracked his knuckles.

I giggled, feeling lighter than I had for a long time.

“No, I want you to stay here with me,” I admitted, tonight's circumstances making me braver than I'd ever been.

A small smile bloomed across his face, and his eyes looked down at my lips again.

“That, I can do.”

One time could be an accident, but that's the second time in two minutes he's looked at my mouth…

Did he want to kiss me as much as I wanted to kiss him?

When his pupils dilated, my heart stopped beating.

He sank down onto his bed, closer to me this time, his warm thigh touching mine. Gabriel took my hand and began rubbing his thumb in soothing circles on the back of my hand.

Even though his touch was innocent, an undeniable desire zinged through me from just the sensation of his hand in mine. I’d never felt this kind of lust for anyone before. Where was this intensity coming from? It seemed like the emotion was coming from deep within my soul.

“That feels good,” I muttered, my voice breathless.

We were silent for a few moments.

“You know that you deserve to be treated better than what happened tonight, right?” Gabriel said. “Axel is my brother, but what he did to you wasn't right, and he doesn't deserve an incredible girl like you. I just don't want to see you forgiving him and getting back together. What he did…that's unforgivable. At least in my eyes.”

“In mine, too,” I agreed.

“Good.”

We turned toward each other at the same time. His mouth was only an inch away from mine. When his gaze dropped to my lips, my heart skipped a beat.

Gabriel lifted his hands and cradled my cheeks, cupping my face like I was the most important thing in the world to him.

His warm hands on my skin made my head swim with anticipation.

Against my better judgment, I leaned forward slowly, allowing my eyes to close. When Gabriel's mouth pressed against mine, my entire world exploded.

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