35 | Tempted By The Devil

**GABRIEL**

I was neck-deep at work until evening and barely had time for lunch. Even though I had promised Sienna that I would be back in her room within a few hours, I clearly did not anticipate the load. Apparently, managing a parish and a school was the most challenging task one could have under his belt.
Harper, as usual, had to miss her classes post-lunch because I could not trust Sienna being alone when her movements were restricted. And knowing how adventurous she might get, I requested Harper to stay back.
But it was not the only reason.
The threat to her life still loomed behind my head like a nagging nightmare, and I could not seem to have shaken it away. I was yet to deal with Eva and Irene, the only two names that revolved around my mind, but I needed proof. Unlike other private schools, there were no cameras inside the school, so I only had one shot in finding out the truth. The bluff had to work.
The clock read ten as I finished writing the homily for the next day’s Morning Mass and clicked on the ‘print’ tab. The printer whirred as I finally slumped back against the chair and breathed a sigh of relief.
A moment later, I wrapped everything up in the office and shut out the lights, making my way back to her room. When I reached her door, I unlocked it with the spare key I kept in my pocket. Upon entering, I found her bed empty.
Shit.
I frantically looked around the room, but Sienna was nowhere to be found. My heart fiercely drummed as fear clogged my throat. Did anyone come into this room?
“Sienna? Sienna?” I called out several times, not getting a response.
It was only when I got closer to the bathroom did, I hear a feeble voice calling out. “I am in here!”
I blindly wrenched open the door and rushed inside. And there she was—on the floor—with her legs splayed open. “Where—what you are doing on the floor?” I asked, puzzled.
She gave me one of those goofy smiles. “Counting the tiles, Mr Genius.” And then rolled her eyes, pouting. “I fell on my ass.”
“Story of your life,” I sighed and breathed a sigh of relief.
*She was fine. Thank God for small mercies*.
I extended an arm, instructing her. “C’mon, take my hand, yeah, lean against me now.” Gathering her entire weight against my body, I slowly lifted her off the ground and then scooped her in my arms.
I carried her out of the bathroom and placed her down on the bed, taking a seat on the edge as she muttered, “Thanks.”
“Where is Harper?” I inquired. “I thought I told her to stay with you until I return.”
“She has a life, Gabriel.” Sienna sided up against me, and my hand instinctively went around to pull her closer. “Besides, I am not invalid. I just…lost a little balance.”
I slightly pulled back to lock eyes with her, letting her know that I was utterly and deadly serious about this. “Listen to me: if you ever try that stunt again, not asking for help when you need one, I will tie your hands and legs next time before I leave you alone,” I warned.
“You can’t—”
I silenced her with a harsh look. “Do you want to bet on what I can and cannot do? Do you?”
Sienna pursed her lips and nodded, mumbling her apology. I liked her at times: she knew the battles she could not win and complied. “I am sorry. I just—don’t know how to ask for help.”
“Well, get used to it, Sienna,” I said, kissing into her hair which was tied up in a loose bun. “Now tell me, did you hurt anywhere? Do I need to call the nurse?”
“No. I am fine.” When I pinned her with a hard glare, she added. “I swear, I am not hurt. But I really need to take a shower, Gabriel. I won’t be able to sleep otherwise.”
“You can barely move or stand. A shower is not an option,” I reasoned.
“Well, there’s no bathtub,” she retorted.
*Sienna had a point*.
“Fine, I will get a wooden stool so you can sit and have your shower.”
I left her on the bed to go and hunt for a wooden stool from my room next to hers. Thankfully, there was one where I had stacked up old books and church magazines and brought it back to Sienna’s room.
She was still on the bed, obedient enough to not climb out without my help. To be honest, her body was in no condition to make too many movements. A part of me worried if I was too stubborn to bring her back to the boarding instead of sending her home. But I could bet on everything I had that Sienna would not be happy. Instead, I would have been pushed her into depression.
I was yet to figure out the dynamics of her relationship with her father and uncover the reason for her estrangement, but I did not want to pry either. Sienna was slowly opening up, and I wanted her to be comfortable enough to share with me.
In fact, I wanted to know everything about her. Her thoughts, feelings, her past and everything that encompassed her being.
She filled me with awe. She made me see the world in a new sense of wonder, every angle sharper, and every tree greener. And whatever we had shared till now meant something, something that transcended the physical and spiritual.
I carried her back to the bathroom once again, despite her childish protests and put her on the stool, aligned with the showered above her head.
“Are you comfortable?”
“I…I guess, yeah, I am.”
We remained motionless where we were. Completely frozen. Hesitation danced in our breaths as we struggled to find words to define our feelings. Sienna parted her lips and latched onto the tugged-out hem of my shirt, conveying a silent plea.
But it was not enough.
I had already taken too many advantages of being in an active dominant role; I could not take advantage when she was injured.
*No, no, no. It was fucking wrong*.
*And what if she wants it, the devil on my shoulder chimed.*
At that very moment, Sienna gave a slight tug at the fabric she was clutching. “Gabriel? I…if I…you know…” Her words barely formed a coherent sentence.
“Sienna, do you need help?” I prompted.
She nodded her head. “I do. I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask…”
“Just ask…”
A small shiver chased her body, and she gulped. “We will be crossing a line,” Sienna whispered. “And while I have no reservations of my own, I don’t want to put you in a position where…you…”
I quickly fisted her hair and tilted up her head. My eyes bore into hers, mouth set in a hard line as I exuded as much power as I could. She had often responded being subdued, and I was still a bastard enough to use it against her.
“Sienna Emerson, what did I tell you about asking for help?”
“Don’t. Do. This,” she whimpered, rubbing her thighs unmindfully. “When you come on to me like this, I…don’t know what to do. I can’t think, I can’t decide…it’s confusing, Gabriel.”
I brought my lips against her ears. “Tell me, what do you *need*?” I asked huskily. “Tell me, and I will *oblige*.”
“*Undress me, please*.”
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**Who is ready for a smutty next chapter? 😈 Let the devil come out and play!**