Chapter 165
"Then why did you leave Michelle your so-called girlfriend all alone and come out here to drown your sorrows as soon as Hayden left with another guy?" Teresa pouted.
William turned and gave her a cold stare, lifting his hand and giving her a playful noogie, "Are you so blissfully happy in your own life that you have nothing better to do than meddle in others' affairs?"
"Will, come on!" Teresa pouted and glared at him in protest, "You are my brother! And Hayden isn't just anybody either; she's my best friend."
Amidst the gala in the grand hall, Gabriel was surrounded by several executives, but his gaze frequently stole away to Teresa, never truly leaving her.
Now, he saw his sweetheart being teased and immediately excused himself from the high-powered circle, setting down his champagne flute and heading straight for Teresa.
"Don't worry about my business, just live your life," William snapped at Teresa, clearly unappreciative.
Teresa made a face, "Why hurt yourself and others? There's no need for any of that."
William glared back at her, about to flick her forehead with a gesture of irritation, but before his hand could rise, Gabriel walked up. With a long reach, he pulled Teresa into his arms, then tenderly rubbed her forehead, coo-ing, "Does it hurt?"
"Yes."
"Let me rub it better."
William's face dropped into a blank stare witnessing their display of affection. He'd had his fill of their sweetness and promptly turned on his heel and left.
"Why are men so dramatic?" Teresa asked, genuinely puzzled as she watched William leave, turning to Gabriel for answers.
"You talking about your brother?" Gabriel asked, massaging her forehead gently.
At that moment, as he gazed down at her ethereal beauty, seemingly untouched by the world's harshness, only heaven knew how much Gabriel wanted to devour her right then and there.
The desire had struck the instant Teresa had finished dressing up in her designer outfit earlier.
"Uh-huh!" Teresa nodded vigorously. "Don't you think he actually likes Hayden?"
"Yeah, seems like it," Gabriel replied seriously, giving a thoughtful nod. He then pulled her closer and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, adding, "But let's not worry about others. Let's head home and take care of our own matters."
With that, Gabriel filled with affection for his wife wrapped his long arms around her and led her away.
"He's my brother; he's not just somebody else," Teresa protested while being embraced and led away.
Gabriel affirmed, "Yeah, he's not just anybody."
"Where are we going?" Teresa inquired, suddenly catching on.
"Home."
"But the event isn't over, is it?"
"Doesn't matter. Let's go," he insisted. Then, bending down, Gabriel scooped Teresa up in his arms, briskly striding out of the hall.
"Hey, Gabriel, put me down. People are watching," Teresa protested, wide-eyed and squirming in his embrace.
"Don’t care; I've got my wife to hold, and that's nobody's business but mine!"
Teresa was at a loss for words.
...
"What are you doing?"
After scooping Teresa into the car, Gabriel promptly raised the partition separating the front and back of the vehicle. Teresa noticed his action, quickly tucked her legs in, and huddled by the car door, clutching herself tightly. With a wary expression, she watched him and asked.
Under the bright car lights, Gabriel looked at her, a teasing smile playing on his sensual lips. While loosening his tie and unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt, he leaned towards Teresa with a husky voice, "Honey, you look absolutely stunning tonight."
"Gabriel, stop, don't come any closer!" Pointing at him, Teresa commanded, "Don't forget the promise you made at Kyle's mansion. It's only been a day."
Seeing her guard against him as if he were a thief was endearingly exasperating, and Gabriel chuckled helplessly, "Honey, I'm only going for a kiss and a hug, nothing more."
"No!" Teresa firmly rejected, "After that, you'll just say you couldn't control yourself; I won't fall for that."
"Yeah, I really can't control myself, is that okay?" Now that he was caught out, Gabriel brazenly owned up to it.
"No way." Teresa was not about to trust him, a look of distress on her face, "Gabriel, you jerk, dirty rascal; you better keep your word, I'm still sore!"
"Let me see if it really still hurts," Gabriel reached out to grasp her ankle.
"Don't you dare!" Teresa quickly tucked her legs tighter, "For the next week, you are not to touch me, or I'll be truly mad."
"Honey ..."
"No negotiation," Teresa was more resolute.
"Just a hug, really, just a hug," As he spoke, Gabriel's arms were already reaching out, pulling her into his embrace.
She was in his arms, but Teresa lifted her head, glaring fiercely at him, "You better keep your..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Gabriel's head descended, capturing her lips...
