AUDREY“I don’t remember agreeing yet, Gabriel,” I said.“I wasn’t waiting for you to agree because you will, eventually. She flew here from Rome for this,” he explained.Oh, how convenient. “Don’t worry, Audrey,” she said so softly. “He’s exaggerating. I’m here too because my boyfriend has an overseas project in Manhattan.”Boyfriend. The woman had a boyfriend. I didn’t know how but the pricking in my chest slightly loosened. Phew!“Honestly, I’m very excited to see you,” Francesca went on. “Gabriel has never asked me to do this for him before. When he told me he wanted a painting of someone, I was astonished, but now that I see you, I understand why.” The pleasant smile on her face remained, and I was slightly embarrassed at myself for the coldness I gave her. Then again, did I misunderstand the situation? “Why do you say so?” I asked.“But I’m more curious how Gabriel asked you to pose for him.” She answered differently and chuckled. “What’s so complicated about that?” Gabriel s
AUDREY“Well, it’s because we’re communicating. How easy it is, right?” Gabriel said as we continued to walk.“It’s true when they say communication builds trust. So, what happened then?”“The Starks found me. I was lost, and there I met Coulson. He was once an introverted kid. He didn’t speak to anyone and sat almost his entire life in a wheelchair. As a child, he was frail, and we found and helped each other. We’ve become brothers. He started walking again, and he’s the reason why I am who I am now.”“That explains your very close relationship. But what do you mean, he started walking again? I didn’t realize he was ill.”“He had a knee failure from bone cancer, but he’s all better now. He’s healthy, and our bond somehow drove him to get surgery. He trusted me. I trust him. That’s how it works. But don’t tell him I told you.” He winked at me.“Don’t worry.” I genuinely grinned. “And you are brothers. That’s why.”“Yes.” He exhaled in relief. “The Starks saved me, Audrey, and gave me
AUDREYThe place where Gabriel brought me was absolutely stunning. It was a log house—a very exquisite log house erected by the bay, and I couldn’t believe they were still inside the estate.The living room was by the fireplace. It was a little freezing tonight, so Gabriel lit up the hearth, and he would let me sit on the couch and provide me a blanket.“Better?” he asked as soon as he was done with the fire.I nodded and smiled. “Who uses this place?”“Only a caretaker.” He grinned, and he settled next to me. “I asked him, and we’ll be staying here tonight.”“It’s well maintained.” I looked around. “Thanks for taking me here.”“There’s no need to thank me.” He slightly brushed my cheek. “I wanted to bring you here anyway.” He stared back at the fireplace. “Audrey?”“Hmm?”“I don’t think I can take you out of my sight anymore.” He flashed out an amused smile, but for himself. “I never wanted anyone. It was always you.” He shifted his gaze at me, and then he took my hand. “Stay with me
AUDREY“So, you bought all our properties? The vineyard? The land? How about my mother’s house, Gabriel? Is acquiring it a part of your plan, too?”“At first. I won’t lie to you about that, but that’s when I didn’t know it was your mother’s, and it now belongs to you. I’m just going to help you take it back.”I bit my bottom lip nervously. “You really wanted him to go bankrupt, didn’t you?”“Don’t worry. None was taken by force. You should know now that your father pretty much liked gambling. He gambled but lost everything to some people I sent myself. I’m sorry if it had to be that way.”I felt my body weaken in every revelation he just proclaimed. For some reason, I didn’t know how to take it. I wasn’t there when all of it happened because I ran away, but Samuel and Anton suffered along with the fall of the family businesses. I wouldn’t know what to say to Anton if he found out.He’d be angry with me, and I would lose him forever. He may not be the best brother or be as sympathetic
AUDREYGabriel brought me to the bed, but I sprang instantly and pulled him with me, then I rolled over him, so I was on top of him. “I will do it this time,” I said. “At least, a little of what I can do.”He chuckled in amusement. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.”Hastily, I started unbuttoning his white dress shirt, but then he caught my hand.“Are you really sure about this, Audrey? We don’t have to.” There was a frown across his eyebrows.“I’m sure.” I lowered my head on the curve of his neck, and I began kissing him, running my tongue on his skin, just like he did it on me. He breathed heavily, groaning, and his hands moved all over me, and I couldn’t get enough. Gabriel then tried to slip his hand on my jeans and started unzipping me, so I sat on the top of his crotch, feeling his already hard nine-inch cock, then stripped myself. He held my gaze with his enigmatic gray eyes. I couldn’t read his expression either. I let my brassiere fall off, exposing my bare torso in fro
GABRIELI had imagined these particular scenarios with Audrey in the past months when she started working for me – a very much willing and spread-out Audrey on my bed when I would finally claim her body. Her sapphire eyes pleading with me, her hair falling on my face when she rides me, and those fantasies could never compare to reality. My gorgeous angel was staring wide-eyed at me in wonder in the morning. I rolled over the bed.“Good morning, beautiful,” I murmured and brushed my lips on her forehead. “How many times have I wished to wake up next to you.”She giggled. “Good morning. Technically, I woke up next to you once.”I moved my mouth to her rosy cheek before I slid my hand to her jaw. “You weren’t naked before,” I teased, and she laughed once more. The noises she made last night were fucking sexy, and the sound alone made my cock swell and harder than it ever was, and I was hard again now.I took her soft, sweet lips in a lingering kiss, and my tongue feverishly tangled with
GABRIELExclusive still had a reputation for interviewing well-known individuals, so I still had to make a positive appearance for my brand.“Exclusive is lucky to have the pleasure of having you here, Mr. Stark. First of all, thank you very much for inviting us here,” Carla began.I nodded. “You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure,” I answered.“As much as possible, we aim to build a good relationship here between Exclusive and Stark Apparel, so we are going to make this a fun day for everyone. Are you ready, Mr. Stark?”The only fun I will have today is when this is finally over. “Sure, Carla, Whenever you are ready.”“Okay. So…” She shifted her leg to the other side. “Everyone already knows that the Stark family is one of the elites of Manhattan, but we never really saw the real face of Gabriel Stark, and this is a great opportunity to see a side of you that we have not yet seen. You play tennis, too, Mr. Stark. Is this another of your dreams that have yet to come true? Becoming a tennis
GABRIELCEO OF STARK APPAREL INC., GABRIEL STARK, OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES HIS GIRLFRIEND, AUDREY HOPKINS, IN A MAGAZINE INTERVIEW. WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HER?GABRIEL STARK DATING HIS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT.STARK APPAREL’S CEO AND PLAYBOY, GABRIEL STARK, FINALLY FOUND LOVE IN THE OFFICE!Those were the most searched titles on several news sites one week later when this month’s Exclusive issue was released. I picked up the magazine with the bold letter E and my picture on the cover. But Carla couldn’t be more outrageous. She deliberately wrote about the non-fraternization in the magazine, questioned an ethical workplace at the end of her article, and mentioned NSFW. I couldn’t believe she would go that low, but I couldn’t care less about myself. I didn’t want to offend Audrey this way. It was partially my fault.But I guess that’s for the better. People would talk about what they want nonetheless. They would forget eventually. I just couldn’t bear any secret affairs anymore. Coulson and Du