Chapter 2: Bossed by My Ex

Luna's POV

Gabriel Ashford—still drop-dead gorgeous, with that chiseled jaw and storm-gray eyes that used to strip me bare. But now, they were ice-cold as recognition hit.

"Well, well. What a surprise, Luna Gray." His perfect lips curved into something too sharp to be a smile.

I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly hyper-aware of how my white blouse had turned see-through from the rain. "I didn't do this on purpose."

He let out a low, mocking chuckle, his gaze raking over my drenched curves with zero warmth. "Oh, come on. Crashing into my car? That's some desperate stunt to grab my attention again, isn't it? Still pulling the same cheap tricks after all these years? Pathetic."

His words stung like a slap, cold and ruthless, as if I was nothing more than a forgotten fling trying to claw her way back. I opened my mouth to snap back, but blue and red lights flashed as police cruisers pulled up. Thank God for the interruption. A young officer approached, glancing nervously between the wrecked luxury cars and us.

"Ms. Gray? Mr. Ashford?" He looked intimidated by Gabriel's towering presence. "We'll need statements from both of you. Mind coming down to the station?"

Gabriel's umbrella stayed firmly over his own head as he gestured toward the police car with fake chivalry. "After you, princess," he sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm, like I was some damsel he couldn't be bothered to save.

The back seat of the patrol car was cramped as hell, forcing me to press against the door just to avoid brushing against him. My wet clothes squelched embarrassingly with every shift. Gabriel sat with his legs manspread wide, claiming more space than he needed, like he owned the damn car.

"Three years," he finally said, eyes fixed straight ahead, voice flat and detached. "And you're still resorting to these lame tactics to get my attention. Ruining my ride just to flash me a peep show?"

My cheeks burned at the insult, his cold words slicing deep, reminding me how heartless he could be. Without warning, he shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over my legs, the heavy fabric landing with a deliberate thud.

"For decency's sake," he said with a cruel smirk, his eyes hard and unyielding. "Though we both know that ship's sailed. Wouldn't want the cops thinking you're some desperate slut trying to seduce her way out of trouble."

I bristled at his bossy, condescending tone—pure ruthlessness wrapped in fake concern—but I pulled the jacket over my thighs anyway. It was still warm from his body, and it yanked me back three years...

I'd shown up at Gabriel's swanky apartment in The Mayfair because he'd casually invited me over to "hang out." We weren't official yet—not even close—but damn, I had it bad for him. Every cocky grin or accidental brush sent my heart racing like a teenager's. I kept telling myself it was just a crush, nothing serious, but showing up here? Yeah, that was me hoping for more.

When I walked in, there was no sign of him. Curious, I poked around and heard a faint noise from the master bathroom.

Moaning? My stomach twisted—was he with someone? I nudged the door open wider, bracing for the worst.

What I saw stopped me dead.

Gabriel, buck naked under the shower spray, water cascading down his sculpted body. One hand braced against the tile, the other stroking his rock-hard length with urgent pulls. His head tipped back, eyes shut, lips parted in low groans. Muscles flexed with every stroke, veins bulging, slick sounds mixing with the water.

I should've bolted. Instead, I froze, mesmerized. Heat flooded my cheeks... and lower. My pulse hammered, a forbidden thrill twisting in my core.

Until his eyes snapped open and locked on mine.

"Shit!" I yelped, slapping my hands over my eyes. "I'm so sorry—"

"Since you're here," he rasped, voice thick with lust, "why not give me a hand?"

I spun to run, but his wet grip caught my wrist, yanking me back. Suddenly, I was face-to-face with him, his glistening body on full display, erection throbbing between us—thick, veined, begging. Steam wrapped around us, air heavy and intimate. My breath hitched, desire clashing with embarrassment as his heat pulled me in.

"You're such a perv!" I accused, forcing my eyes up to his face, even as my body shivered with want.

"If I'm a perv," he shot back, those storm-gray eyes darkening with hunger, "what does that make you, sneaking in to watch?"

My gaze landed on something on his bathroom shelf—my missing blue bikini, crumpled like it'd been... used.

"You stole my bikini to... do this?" I demanded, shock mixing with an electric heat that pulsed between my legs.

Gabriel didn't flinch. "Ashfords don't steal, Luna. We take what we want, and we earn what we get."

The realization hit—he'd been fantasizing about me, using it as a prop. My face burned, but so did something deeper, aching. I squeezed my thighs together, ignoring the growing wetness.

"Only now putting it together?" He stepped closer, crowding me against the counter. Water dripped onto my clothes, soaking through. His finger trailed my jaw, thumb grazing my lower lip. "That I'm a grown man with needs? Every time you prance around in that tiny bikini by the pool and then bail..."

His voice dropped to a gravelly whisper. "You have any idea how hard it is not to bend you over and fuck you senseless every time you flash those pretty eyes at me?"

"Then why hold back?" The words slipped out, breathy.

Hunger flared in his gaze—victory and raw need. "Luna Gray," he growled, hauling me against his slick chest, erection pressing hot against my thigh. "You can't take that back. You're gonna make this right."

His mouth crashed onto mine, tongue demanding entry, tasting of heat and desire. Between kisses, he murmured, "Be good and help me finish..."

I should've walked away. Instead, I dropped to my knees on the plush bath mat, taking him into my mouth as his fingers knotted in my hair. His moans echoed off the marble, the taste of him salty and addictive on my tongue...

A sharp knock on the patrol car window yanked me from the memory. Gabriel was already stepping out, his expression unreadable as he glanced back at me with that same icy detachment. I followed, clutching his jacket around my waist.

At the station, everything moved in a blur. Forms, statements, insurance info. Gabriel handled it all with the effortless confidence of a guy who'd never worried about money a day in his life—cold, efficient, like I was just another problem to solve.

"Damage assessed at $1,000,000," the officer finally announced.

I felt the blood drain from my face. No way in hell could I afford that.

"How do you intend to pay?" Gabriel asked, turning to me with clinical detachment, like he was discussing the weather.

I forced a weak smile. "I don't exactly have that kind of cash lying around."

His lips curled into a mocking smirk, eyes gleaming with ruthless satisfaction. "I thought you snagged yourself a wealthy fiancé now? Is he so cheap he won't bail out his gold-digging bride-to-be? Or did you dump me for someone who can't even cover your messes?"

I said nothing, the truth too humiliating to admit.

Gabriel moved closer, lifting my chin with one finger, his touch firm but devoid of any warmth. "Was leaving me worth it, Luna?" His voice dropped to a whisper, Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard—a tiny crack in his armor, but his eyes stayed hard, unforgiving.

When I stayed silent, he loosened his tie with a frustrated jerk, pulling a black business card from his suit pocket and pressing it into my palm.

"Contact me within three days," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Either pay up, or..." His eyes traveled deliberately down my body, lingering with cold intent. "Pay in other ways."

I blinked, shock leaving me speechless.

"Your choice," Gabriel finished, turning to leave without a backward glance. "Money or you."