CHAPTER THREE
1881 Words
He didn't like how much she affected him, She was temptation, his wife’s younger sister and the one woman in this house he had no right to look at or think about because it was wrong and he loves his wife so much.
They stepped out of the house, Gabriel’s arm protectively but innocently guiding Evangeline toward the black SUV waiting at the curb.
The chauffeur immediately opened the door with a polite bow and Gabriel settled inside first, carefully taking Sofia from Evangeline and placing her on his lap comfortably hen Evangeline slid in beside him, gripping the lunch pack.
The chauffeur closed the door softly and took his place in the front seat with Gabriel's assistant.
“Drive carefully, Andrew" Gabriel instructed.
“Yes, Sir"The chauffeur replied then Gabriel turned to Evangeline.
“Eat"
She smiled shyly, lifting the lid of the food pack and the smell of crispy golden fries filled the air then she unscrewed the second lid carefully and there was chicken with pasta inside.
Evangeline picked up a fry, stretching her hand toward Sofia with a soft smile.
“Here you go, princess"
Sofia’s big eyes lit up and she took the fry with tiny fingers with her whole face breaking into a wide grin.
“Yummy!”She giggled, chewing happily before glancing up at Gabriel, shoving the remaining one inside his mouth.
Evangeline smiled, returning her gaze back to her food.
“I miss Mommy, Daddy. When is she coming back?”Sophia said suddenly and Gabriel’s heart softened then he leaned down, pressing his forehead to his daughter’s temple.
“How about we call her and ask, hm? I miss Mommy too.”
Sofia’s face brightened instantly.
“Yes! Call Mommy!”
Gabriel slipped a hand into the inside pocket of his tailored suit jacket and brought out his black phone. He held Sofia closer as he scrolled quickly and pressed call.
The first call rang endlessly without an answer then he tried again and again but there was still no response and his daughter’s little face was pouting with impatience.
Finally, the screen lit up and his wife’s flawless face appeared with her makeup half-done and bright lights of the set reflected behind her with someone plastering makeup on her face.
Gabriel’s expression immediately softened and he smiled widely.
“Sweetheart, How are you doing? How’s the shoot? I hope you’re taking care of yourself. I miss you terribly and our baby”He angled the phone so Sofia’s smiling face appeared. "Our baby misses you equally"
“Mommy!”Sofia squealed, waving at the screen with both hands but she didn't respond, she adjusted her hair in the mirror without looking at them and someone was helping her hold up his phone.
“I’m fine Gabriel. I'm getting ready for a campaign shoot with Versace, it's a big one so I don't really have time right now. I'll call you later, alright?"
Before Gabriel could respond, the screen went blank. She hanged up the call on them.
Evangeline blinked in shock.
Gabriel frowned while staring at the darkened screen of his phone but he forced out a soft smile when he looked down at Sofia's sad face.
"Daddy? Mommy will come soon, right?”
Gabriel kissed the crown of her head, inhaling her baby scent and pulled her closer to his chest.
"Yes, princess. Mommy will come soon, She loves you even if she's busy. Don't worry"He whispered even though his own chest ached with doubt.
Evangeline glanced at them through the corner of her eyes and her heart clenched then she carefully offered Sofia another fry to lighten up her mood.
"Here you go, sweetheart. Don't be sad okay? Mommy loves you soooooooo much"
The little girl smiled, munching the fry happily and Gabriel leaned his head back against the leather seat, staring out of the tinted window with his heart aching.
Evangeline looked at him and sighed.
---
[ DAXD QUARTERS - XAVIER'S ROOM ]
The sound of water splashing against the tiles echoed from the bathroom until it suddenly stopped then the door opened which made steam drift out as Xavier stepped into the room revealing broad, mascular shoulders covered in tattoes.
He was bare-chested with a white towel around his waist. His dark hair was wet with strands falling over his forehead making him look both rugged and hot and droplets of water kept dripping onto his shoulders.
His eyes shifted immediately to his best friend that was on his bed, sleeping peacefully.
Xavier walked over and sat on the edge of the bed with the mattress dipping under his weight and he brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face before tracing the line of her jaw with his thumb.
"Sleeping beauty"Xavier murmured, smiling at how cute looked and she was also smiling in her sleep like she heard the nickname in her sleep.
“Li, wake up.”He whispered and she mumbled something incoherent with her nose scrunching as she turned and snuggled deeper into the blanket.
Xavier chuckled under his breath, leaning closer to her.
“Come on, sleepyhead, You’ve got classes”
Still nothing but another mumble so he tapped her cheek gently with his grin widening.
"Lia, it’s eight-forty-five.”
Her eyes flew open instantly.
'WHAT?!”She shrieked, sitting up on the bed as she stared at him wide-eyed and Xavier burst out laughing at the expression on her face with his shoulders shaking.
She glared at him but then her mouth opened a little bit when she realized that he was sitting right there, gloriously shirtless and wearing nothing but that towel around his waist.
Her gaze dragged over him before looking back up at him with her face burning red.
“Why are you naked?!” Liana squeaked, covering her eyes with both hands and Xavier chuckled, leaning more closer to her.
“I’m not naked, Li" Xavier murmured, his tone dripping with amusement and he shifted closer to her.
Her hands were still covering her face, but she peeked through her fingers just as he leaned in, until their faces were barely an inch apart. His damp hair brushed forward, a droplet sliding down his jaw and she felt his warm breath fan across her cheek, making her skin tingle and her blush deepen even more.
“If I were naked, it’s not like you haven’t already seen me before and you said you liked seeing my lollipop"
“I was drunk!”Liana reminded him, owering her hands to glare at him but it was a big mistake because with nothing between them, their faces were so close that one tiny movement would seal the space into a kiss.
She gulped, her heart starting to race.
“And drunk you kneeled for me and said you wanted to suck it"Xavier whispered, brushing his thumb over her jaw with infuriating gentleness and her breath hitched with her eyes going wide in shock.
Xavier’s grin widened because he was enjoying every second of her flustered state.
“Xavier…”
“Mm?”Xavier hummed, leaning even closer with his lips hovering just a whisper away from her cheek. His breath fanned against her skin, sending goosebumps racing down her arms.
Liana squeezed her eyes shut with her fingers knotting into the blanket as her heart continued beating fast.
"S-stop… you’re too close"
He chuckled, the sound was deep and warm, vibrating so close that it made her shiver.
"Too close? Funny, you never complain when you’re the one stealing my hoodies and sneaking into my bed at night”
“That’s… that’s different!”
His grin widened, his lips hovering right at the corner of her mouth now. So close that she could feel the heat of him and taste his minty breath breath but not quite enough to close the gap.
Her lips parted involuntarily and Xavier’s gaze immediately dropped to them with his smile softening then leaned in like he was going to kiss her but then he pressed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
Her entire body went still for a moment but then she relaxed when she realized that it was just her cheek. It wasn’t the first time he’d kissed her cheek, if anything, it had quietly become their little morning ritual but still her heart hadn't gotten the memo.
“There's your morning kiss"Xavier murmured, pulling back just enough to meet her wide eyes then he tapped his own cheek with a finger, grinning widely.
“Now mine"
Liana leaned forward a little then she pressed the quickest, lightest peck against his cheek before immediately pulling back.
"There. Happy?"She grumbled and Xavier’s grin only widened then he brushed a strand of hair back to her ear.
"Do it again. Properly this time"
“I'm not doing it again! Till Tommorow morning"
"Come on, Sleeping Beauty. One more or should I collect it somewhere else instead?”He smirked and she huffed then pressed another kiss to his cheek and his smile widened then he kissed her cheek again.
Her eyes widened.
"Xavier...."She tried to speak but before she could finish, he pressed another kiss to the other cheek then another and another.
“Hey! Stop....."She squealed, trying to twist away but his arm slid around her shoulders to keep her close as he rained kisses across her cheeks.
“Mm, nope"He hummed against her skin with his lips so warm as they landed again and again.
"You owe me… at least ten”
“Ten?! Are you crazy?” Liana laughed, trying to push at his chest but he held her tighter, peppering more kisses on her face.
One kiss on her jaw, Another right beside her nose, One just at the corner of her mouth that made her breath hitch and her laughter spilled out uncontrollably.
"Xavier! Stop, that tickles!”She giggled but he laughed in response
"I'll only stop when you say it"
“Say what?!”Liana gasped, still giggling.
“That you love my morning kisses"He grinned, stealing one more quick kiss at her cheek before pulling back just enough to meet her eyes and she shook her head.
"Never!"
"You asked for it then"
He kissed her cheek again.
“Xavier.....”
Another kiss.
“Stop.....”
Another kiss at the corner of her jaw.
Her giggles burst out again despite her best effort to hold them back with her cheeks burning hotter.
“O-okay, okay!"She squealed, shoving lightly at his shoulder but he didn’t budge.
He was like a stone!
“Say it"He murmured and she tried to glare but the wide grin at her lips betrayed her.
“I… I love your morning kisses"She mumbled quickly and Xavier’s grin widened in satisfaction then, instead of pulling away, he pressed one last lingering kiss to her cheek with his fingers holding her chin.
“That’s my girl. Love you so goddamn much"
Liana's heart skipped then she smiled.
"I love you too, Xavier" She kissed his cheek again and another different smile appeared on his face but then his attention went to his phone that beeped from a notification and he saw the time.
Their eyes widened at the same time.
"Shît"
- Writer
