Chapter 45 - Gabriel #2
Countless thoughts and questions swarmed my mind, but the one that rose to the top was how Lily was standing up for me without any hesitation.
A past version of me might’ve been worried about the repercussions on my career and relationship with my father.
But this version of me was in awe of Lily.
I also finally came to terms that my relationship with my father had been damaged for a long time.
Now that I fully allowed myself to appreciate what it meant to have people like Liam, Lily, and Hal on my side, I didn’t want to go back to being isolated when it came to my father or only focusing on work.
My father’s face turned a shade of red I didn’t think was possible. He didn’t say another word as he stalked past me and slammed the door shut.
Once he was gone, Lily exhaled deeply and unclenched her fists.
Her eyebrows pinched together as she ran a hand through her hair.
“I’m so sorry if I overstepped,” she said quickly.
“I know your relationship with him is strained, and that probably didn’t help, but I hated how he was speaking to you, and I couldn’t stand by and—”
I crossed the short distance between us and took her face in my hands and kissed her deeply. No one had ever stood up for me like that, and especially not to my father. Hell, I hadn’t ever stood up for myself like that.
Any tension I was feeling left my body. My chest expanded, a rush of energy and awe surging through me. “Lily, that was,” I murmured against her lips, “so fucking badass.”
Her shoulders relaxed, and she leaned further into me. Her fingers wrapped around my shirt to keep me close. “You’re not mad?” she whispered.
I pulled away, continuing to gently cradle her face in my hands.
“Are you kidding me?” I asked with a gentle laugh.
“No, I’m not mad. I’m proud. I’m grateful.
I’m in awe of you. Just when I thought you couldn’t get any more incredible.
” I shook my head. “I’ve never had someone stand up for me like that.
You don’t realize how much that meant to me.
You are the bravest woman I know, Lily Richards. In so many ways.”
She blinked up at me. “You think I’m brave?”
“Among so many other things,” I murmured to her.
She dropped her gaze down, focusing on how her fingers were fiddling with the buttons on my shirt. “Well, since you think that,” she said, looking up at me through her lashes, “I think I should be brave in one more way.”
My brows furrowed, and I stayed quiet to give her the space to get her words out.
“I love you, Gabriel Nelson. I fell in love with you without expecting it. And I understand if you can’t say it back, if you still view it as transactional or if you’re not ready.
I get it. You said you were more open to love…
and it doesn’t have to be with me, but I’m willing to put my heart on the line and prove to you that love isn’t transactional.
” Lily spoke quickly, barely taking a breath between sentences.
Time stopped. My vision tunneled. My fingers tangled in her hair. I needed her closer.
Lily loved me.
Lily loved me.
Lily loved me.
She started to worry her bottom lip, likely mistaking my silence for something other than pure awe and adoration of the woman in front of me.
“Lily,” I rasped with a laugh. “I am so in love with you. How could I not be? You are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met.
From the moment we met, I was in awe of your strength, your confidence, your determination, your beauty.
” I cupped her face, running the pad of my thumb over her cheek.
“I didn’t expect it, but there was no point in fighting it.
” I exhaled. “God, Lily, I love you so fucking much, and it feels so good to say that out loud.” I paused, my lips spreading into a smile.
“You want to know what love feels like for me?”
She nodded, eyes dazed as she looked up at me.
“It feels like sunshine. It’s the feeling I get when you smile at me, when you laugh at something I say. It’s the feeling of falling asleep with you in my arms, knowing that I get to see you first thing when I wake up. It’s the feeling of finding you in a room and locking eyes.”
“Oh, Gabe,” she said softly, resting her hand on the back of my neck.
“There are so many things I love about you. I love your heart, how much you care. I love how when you do something you give it your all. I love how you support me, how thoughtful you are. And I love how you’ve given Golden Falls a chance, how you’ve reconnected with Hal.
You told me once that it’s okay to ask for help, how I don’t have to do things alone.
Well, I want to tell you that I want to be in your corner.
I want to be the one to help you when you need it, to support you, because that’s what you’ve done for me.
I don’t want to go back to life without you.
Gabe Nelson, I want all your midnights, too. Every single one.”
“They’re yours, Lily. Every single one,” I repeated, lifting her and sitting her on the kitchen counter. Her legs instinctively spread, and I eagerly stepped between them.
Her hands ran down my chest. “What else is mine?” she asked breathlessly, licking her lips. She looped her fingers in my belt loops and pulled me closer, her legs wrapping around my hips.
I let out a husky laugh, my palms braced on either side of her on the cool marble counter. “Whatever you want. Name it, and it’s yours.” Everything was hers, and I would do anything for her.
“I want”—she bit down on her bottom lip to hide her smile—“every inch of you.”
I hummed, my cock twitching in my pants at her words. “You sure you can handle every inch?”
“I’ve done a pretty good job so far, but…why don’t we find out?”