Chapter 8: Secret Affair with Him?

Luna's POV

"Gabriel, please," I whispered, suddenly hyperaware of how this looked—me dripping wet, bikini twisted, lips swollen from his kisses. "Let me go."

His jaw clenched, but he eased up and helped me wade to the shallow end. We climbed out, drawing stares from the partygoers lounging nearby. I quickly adjusted my top while Gabriel hovered, water cascading down his chiseled abs like he owned the place.

"Gabriel! There you are!" Audrey's shrill voice cut through the chatter as she rushed over. "I've been looking for you everywhere." She pressed against him, ignoring me completely, her fake boobs nearly spilling from her designer bikini.

Gabriel stepped back, his face stone-cold. "I barely know you. Back off."

I couldn't stifle a snort, loving the humiliated shock on her perfect face. Suck it, Barbie.

Randy approached, brow furrowed with worry. "Luna, what the hell happened out there?"

"I, uh..." I tucked a wet strand behind my ear, avoiding Gabriel's intense stare. "Haven't swam in ages. Leg cramped up bad. Good thing Gabriel was there to help." The lie rolled out smooth as silk.

Randy's expression softened. "Well, that's a relief. At least you two finally met properly."

If only he knew what 'properly' really meant between us. I bit my cheek to hold back a laugh.

I glanced at Chase, who was gawking at me, shock twisting into something darker. His eyes roamed my body, drinking in the skimpy wet bikini like he'd never seen skin before.

Audrey, ever the shit-stirrer, smirked. "Luna, your fiancé is right here. Funny how he's eyeing you like he's never seen you half-naked."

Chase stepped up, slinging an arm around my waist like he owned me. "Baby, I came to pick you up. Once the party's over, we can head home together." His voice was fake-sweet, but his fingers dug in too hard.

I shrugged him off. "Mr. Anderson, I didn't know you had time today." I kept my tone cool, putting distance in every word.

His smile faltered, eyes narrowing. He leaned in, hissing low, "What the fuck are you doing? Don't embarrass me in front of everyone." His stutter flared with the anger.

Before I could fire back, Gabriel loomed in, stealing the spotlight. "Don't start a scene at my buddy's party," he said to Chase, voice like ice. "Either chill or get lost."

Chase froze, torn between saving face and throwing a punch. I could see the wheels turning.

Randy, the ultimate peacemaker, clapped his hands. "Hey, everyone! Let's get back to the fun! Cake's coming out soon!"

The music cranked up, and people drifted back to their chats, but I felt those sneaky glances lingering.

I wrapped my robe around me, reclaiming some dignity, and headed for an empty lounge chair. To my surprise, Gabriel followed and dropped down next to me, his thigh brushing mine. Heat from his body seeped through the thin fabric, making my skin tingle.

"Could you scoot over?" I whispered.

"Why so jumpy, baby?" Gabriel's voice was low and gravelly, sending shivers down my spine. "It's not like we're sneaking around."

"Mr. Ashford, show some respect," I warned, even as a blush crept up my cheeks.

He leaned closer, breath hot on my ear. "Your fiancé couldn't get his ego stroked with you, so he went off and got cozy with some other woman. I saw it—he was all over her in the corner, making out like teens."

I shrugged, playing it cool. "I don't care."

"Really?" He arched a skeptical brow.

"I'm no better," I admitted, voice dropping. "I almost... with you... right there in the pool..."

Gabriel's lips curved into a predatory grin, eyes darkening with hunger. "And I would've finished it, baby—right in the water, making you scream."

I swallowed hard, a warm ache building low in my belly.

Oliver wandered over, pausing when he spotted us. "Hey, Gabe, I—" He trailed off, glancing between us. "Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all," I said quickly, grateful for the break. "You seen Sophia? I should check on her."

Oliver nodded toward the patio. "Yeah, she's over there, chatting up some guy."

"Thanks." I stood, smoothing my robe. "Gonna go find her."

As I walked away, I felt Gabriel's stare burning into my back like a touch.

Before I reached Sophia, Audrey blocked my path, eyes gleaming with venom.

"Still pulling the drowning act for attention?" She smirked. "Don't you know you're engaged? Or does your fiancé know you're chasing Gabriel?"

I stared, thrown. "What are you talking about?"

"I heard about your pathetic college stunts," she sneered. "Pretending to need help just to get laughed at."

"How do you know that?" I demanded, creeped out by her digging.

She flipped her hair. "Your history isn't some secret. A few calls, and I can find out anything."

I studied her smug face, then smiled sweetly. "Have you figured out who Gabriel's mysterious college girlfriend was?"

"What's that mean?" Her eyes narrowed. "You implying you had something to do with his secret fling?"

I shot her a mysterious grin and turned away.

"Luna! What do you know?" she yelled. "It couldn't be you!"

I found Sophia nursing a champagne flute, looking bummed.

"Here," I said, handing her a fresh one. "You were all hyped earlier. What gives?"

Sophia sighed dramatically. "Flirted with this hot guy for an hour, and turns out he has a boyfriend. Figures."

She nodded at Audrey, who was desperately chatting up Gabriel. "That girl doesn't quit, huh? Always gluing herself to him."

"She's persistent," I muttered.

"I swear, you and Gabriel rekindling has better odds than her scoring a date with him," Sophia snorted.

I glanced around nervously. "Shh, keep it down. Ears everywhere." My fingers twisted together.

As the party wound down, I ducked into the guest bathroom to change. I slipped into my dress and stepped out, only to find Chase lurking in the hallway, face stormy.

"You fucking Randy now?" he blurted.

I rolled my eyes. "You're paranoid."

"Don't play dumb. He's clearly into you," Chase pressed, blocking my way. "I saw him eyeing you all night."

"Get therapy," I shot back coldly, sidestepping him. "And speaking of, I need that check now. I dinged someone's car and gotta cover it."

Chase dug into his jacket and pulled out a check, his vibe shifting to earnest. "Luna, if you'd give us a real shot, I swear there'd be no other women."

I flashed back to Gabriel's words and laughed bitterly. "Yeah, right. I'm supposed to believe that?"

"It's true," he pleaded. "Your ice-queen act pushes me elsewhere. If you were more... available—"

I snatched the check. "Save the bullshit," I said, striding off without looking back.

I heard his fist slam the wall.

Outside Randy's place, a sleek black Bentley idled at the curb. I didn't hesitate—I slid into the passenger seat.

Gabriel was behind the wheel, looking gorgeous in casual clothes, hair still damp.

As we pulled away, the booze hit me harder, blurring the edges.

When I realized we weren't heading to The Mayfair, I turned to him with a raised brow. "Where are we going?" My voice came out soft in the quiet car.

Gabriel kept his eyes on the road, profile sharp in the streetlights. "My place," he said, tone final, no room for argument.