Married To The Villain
Chapter 57: A Kiss Of Fire

Chapter 57: A Kiss Of Fire

Chapter 57: A Kiss of Fire

Lirian avoided Gabriel’s eyes as the carriage rocked gently, making its way down the winding forest road.

Her hands twisted nervously in her lap. His earlier words were making her shiver: "What do you mean, we’re going to die?"

Gabriel’s gaze hadn’t left her since he’d asked the question.

He seemed to see through every part of her, and Lirian’s chest tightened under his unrelenting focus.

"Lirian," he said softly, breaking the silence. "You heard me. Don’t pretend you didn’t."

She blinked at him innocently, feigning confusion. "I don’t know what you mean, Gabriel. I think you’re imagining things."

His jaw tightened, and he leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees.

"Don’t lie to me."

Lirian tilted her head, widening her eyes in mock.

"I’m not lying. Maybe you were hearing things. You’ve been under a lot of stress lately, you know."

Gabriel let out a sharp breath, the corner of his mouth twitching as though he were fighting the urge to smirk.

"You’re impossible," he muttered, leaning back slightly.

Lirian thought she was off the hook for a moment, but then Gabriel’s expression shifted.

His eyes softened, and there was something vulnerable crossing his face, and he leaned forward again, closer this time.

"Lirian," he murmured, his voice dropped lower.

"Why do you always do this? Why do you always deflect?"

Her breath hitched as he closed the distance between them.

She could feel the warmth of his body, the intensity of his gaze, and—most of all—their breaths mingling in the small space between them.

"I..." she started, her voice faltering as her heart pounded in her chest.

She couldn’t think of a clever reply, not with him so close.

Gabriel’s eyes traveled to her lips, lingering there for a moment before meeting her gaze again.

"You’re scared," he said softly. "But you don’t have to be. Not with me."

Lirian’s pulse raced, her thoughts swirled in circles.

She could feel the moment pressing down on her, and for once, she decided to stop thinking and just act.

She leaned forward, closing the last inch between them, and pressed her lips to his.

Gabriel stiffened for a split second, caught off guard, but then he responded.

His hands came up to cup her face, his touch firm yet gentle as he deepened the kiss.

A surge of energy coursed through her, like fire igniting every nerve in her body.

The kiss was intense, all-consuming, and Lirian felt as though the world outside the carriage had ceased to exist.

Gabriel’s lips were warm and commanding, moving against hers with a passion that left her breathless.

His hands slid from her face to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

"Lirian..." he murmured against her lips, huskily and filled with emotion he couldn’t understand.

She didn’t respond with words, instead tangling her fingers in his hair and pulling him even closer.

The kiss deepened, becoming a clash of heat and desperation, each of them pouring unspoken feelings into the connection.

For a moment, Lirian forgot everything—her fears, her uncertainties, even the dangerous truths that were locked between them.

All that mattered was Gabriel, and the way he made her feel alive.

But then the carriage jolted, pulling her back to reality.

She broke the kiss abruptly, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Gabriel didn’t release her immediately, his forehead resting against hers as he held her close.

"That was..." she began, her voice shaky.

"A mistake?" he finished, his tone teasing but with a hint of hesitation.

She blinked, her cheeks flushed. "I was going to say something unexpected."

Gabriel chuckled softly, his breath felt warm against her skin.

"Unexpected, maybe. But not unwelcome."

Lirian pulled back slightly, searching his face for any sign of regret.

Instead, she found only warmth and an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.

"I wasn’t sure..." she started, her words trailing off as she struggled to find the right thing to say.

Gabriel brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch remained gentle.

"You weren’t sure if I’d kiss you back?"

She nodded, biting her lip nervously.

He smiled faintly, his hand moving to rest on her cheek.

"Lirian, there’s a lot I’m unsure about. But not this. Not you."

Her breath got caught in her throat, and for a moment, she felt as though the ground beneath her had disappeared and left her hanging.

"But what happens now?" she asked softly.

Gabriel’s expression grew serious, and he leaned back slightly, though his hands didn’t leave her.

"Now, we figure it out," he said simply. "Together."

She swallowed hard, his words settled over her. "That sounds... terrifying."

"Good," he said with a small, crooked smile. "That means it’s worth it."

Lirian couldn’t help but laugh, though her heart still pounded in her chest. "You have a way with words, Gabriel."

"I try."

The carriage rocked again, reminding them both that the world outside existed.

Gabriel finally released her.

"We’ll talk more later," he said in a gentle voice. "For now, let’s focus on what’s ahead."

Lirian nodded, though she was still reeling from the kiss.

She leaned back in her seat, her fingers brushed her lips as she tried to process everything.

Gabriel watched her for a moment before turning his attention back to the window.

But even as the forest blurred past, he continued thinking of Lirian—and the fire they had just ignited between them.

The carriage eventually rolled to a stop outside the gates of Gabriel’s estate.

The driver opened the door, and Gabriel stepped out first, extending a hand to Lirian.

As she took it, their eyes met briefly, and the unspoken understanding between them deepened.

"This isn’t over," he said quietly, his lips quirking into a small smile.

"I didn’t think it would be," she smiled.

But today was Lirian’s chance...she could seduce him, and make her like him even more...

"Gabriel, I want you to sleep in my bed tonight."