Reborn Heiress Is Remarrying
Chapter 69: The Wine Glass

Chapter 69: The Wine Glass

Chapter 69: The Wine Glass

Diane’s fingers hovered over the edge of the table, staring at the grainy hospital footage of Richard.

The beep of his heart monitor was stuck in her head, even though the sound wasn’t there.

The sight of him hooked up to those machines made something tighten in her chest.

Gabriel exhaled behind her, smoothly, casually, he decided to speak. "You look tense."

Diane didn’t answer.

She was too busy forcing herself to stay still, to not react to the way he leaned in.

The warmth of his body pressed against her back, utterly consuming.

Then—his hands.

Large, warm, slowly.

They slid around her waist, pulling her back against him.

Diane tensed immediately. "Gabriel—"

"Shh," he murmured, lips brushed the shell of her ear. "You’re always so stiff. So guarded."

She bristled. "And you never know when to stop."

A short chuckle vibrated against her skin. "That’s because you like it."

Diane’s breath hitched as he pressed a slow kiss against the side of her neck.

She jerked forward, trying to step away, but he tightened his grip, keeping her in place.

"Let go," she snapped.

Gabriel hummed, pretending to consider it. "No."

Her patience snapped. She elbowed him—hard.

Gabriel grunted but didn’t move far.

Instead, he turned her around swiftly, forcing her to face him.

Diane looked at his eyes, his eyes—God, those bright, knowing eyes—held nothing but pleasure.

"Feisty," he murmured, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. "I love that about you."

Diane scowled. "I swear, if you don’t—"

He kissed her.

Not soft. Not sweet. Possessive. Intentional. A declaration.

Diane gasped, her fists curled against his chest.

She pushed, but he didn’t budge.

His hands slid to her hips, pressing her against him like he was daring her to fight back, daring her to give in.

Her pulse pounded.

She should shove him away, should—

Gabriel bit her lower lip, just enough to make her suck in a sharp breath. He smirked against her mouth.

"You’re still fighting me," he murmured, breathing heavily.

Diane glared up at him. "Because you’re an insufferable bastard."

"And yet," he whispered, dragging his lips over her jaw, down to the sensitive spot just beneath her ear, "you haven’t pulled away."

Her nails dug into his shirt. "Don’t flatter yourself."

His laugh was soft. "You make it too easy."

His hands roamed, slow, teasing the edge of her shirt.

His fingertips went against her bare skin, tracing the small of her back, making her stomach tighten against her will.

"Gabriel," she warned.

He moved his head up, lips ghosted over hers.

"Say it again."

"Gabriel," she gritted out.

His smirk deepened. "God, I love hearing you say my name like that."

Diane shoved him—hard this time.

Gabriel let go with an exaggerated sigh, taking half a step back, though his eyes showed ignorance.

"You’re impossible," she muttered, straightening her shirt.

Gabriel leaned against the table, unbothered. "And you love it."

She pointed a finger at him. "Don’t push your luck."

His grin was slow, wicked. "Darling, pushing my luck with you is the best part of my day."

Diane turned, heading for the stairs. "Go bother someone else."

"I’d rather bother my wife," he called after her.

She flipped him off without looking back.

His chuckle followed her up the stairs.

God help her.

She was going to lose her mind.

And worse?

She wasn’t entirely sure she hated it.

"What an idiot..." She mumbled to herself as she tucked the blanket.

"He’s so egoistic, selfish and insane. He’s so mad! How dare he think we’re something..." Diane continued complaining.

"But what if...Diane put her fingers on her lips, trying to memorise his touch.

He felt how the butterflies devoured her stomach, "this crazy maniac..."

It was no longer just about his teasing or some ’rightful claim,’ Diane needed to confront him about his behaviour.

She pushed the blanket, put her slippers on and started walking downstairs.

"I’m going to tell him how crazy he is," she spoke to herself.

Full of energy and ambition to put Gabriel in his place, she immediately paused after what she saw.

Gabriel was asleep on her couch with the glass of wine in his hands.

"What a mess," she murmured, and started walking towards him.

"This could’ve stained the couch, have you no respect for my furniture?" Diane continued.

Removing the glass from his hands and placing it on the table, she couldn’t help but take a glance at half of the unbuttoned shirt.

The chest that was exposed for the fairies to see was now looking directly at her, wanting to be touched.

"You..." Diane whispered slowly, looking at his muscles. "You’re sleeping...you wouldn’t know..."

She gently pressed her hand against his skin, exploring his chest.

Gabriel was quiet, pretending to be asleep, when he felt Diane’s hands on his chest.

He wondered why Diane was there and what she was doing.

Deciding to act, Gabriel gently grabbed Diane’s hands and opened his eyes.

She looked startled, and her reaction was immediate.

Diane flinched so hard that she kicked the wine glass, spilling wine onto the carpet and sofa, creating a dark stain.

"Shit..."

"Isn’t this the sofa you were worrying that I would ruin?"

The silence was like a mountain, so intimidating and strong, broken only by the sound of the wine dripping.

"Diane, what are you doing?"

Diane barely muttered a response, avoiding him. "I... I wasn’t sure if you were okay," she said, sounding a bit nervous.

Gabriel let go of her hands and sat up, looking at her face.

"You could’ve just woken me up...did you like what you touched?"

Diane blushed, looking down at the carpet.

"I know. I just... I needed to see for myself," she admitted.

He touched her arm lightly. "Diane, you can always tell me when you want me. You don’t have to do it alone."

"I-I’m sorry, but what?" Stuttering, she continued avoiding his stare, "haha about this mess...hahaha," she laughed, glancing at the wine stain.

Gabriel smiled reassuringly, dismissing her worry.

"What matters is that you’re here. Let’s talk."

Grabbing her wrist, Gabriel pulled her closer to himself. Their lips were just a few centimetres apart.

"Tell me, darling...why did you come downstairs?"