Chapter 7

Gabrielle POV

The office felt unsettlingly quiet as I wrapped up my work. Matthew appeared at my desk, his usual smirk replaced with a serious, almost tense look. It was unusual to see him like this, and my heart skipped a beat, sensing that something was wrong.

“Gabrielle,” he said, his voice low and urgent.

I looked up, meeting his gaze. “What is it, Matthew?”

“You’re in danger,” he said bluntly, leaning in closer. The space between us felt charged, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t quite read concern, perhaps?

“Danger? What are you talking about?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“There are people who know about you,” he explained. “People who want to hurt you because of your connection to me.”

The weight of his words hit me hard. I couldn’t wrap my mind around it why would anyone be interested in me? “What do you want me to do?”

Matthew took a deep breath, pulling a folder from his coat. He slid it toward me, his expression unreadable. I opened it, finding a marriage contract inside.

I blinked in shock. “Is this… a marriage contract?”

“Yes,” he said, his voice steady. “If you sign it, we’ll be married. It will give me the power to protect you legally and personally.”

I hesitated, the pen hovering over the paper. “Why would I need to marry you for protection?”

“Because it’s the easiest way to explain why I’m always by your side,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “No one would question it if we’re married. You’ll be part of my world officially, and I can ensure your safety.”

I took a deep breath, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. This was far beyond anything I expected when I started working at Gorvell Enterprises. But looking into his eyes, seeing the genuine concern, I knew I had no choice. I signed the contract, the finality of the act sending shivers down my spine.

Living with Matthew was a completely different experience. His apartment was stunning, with a breathtaking view of the city. Everything was modern, sleek, and undeniably his style cold, yet somehow comforting. I’d only been there a few days, but the tension between us was impossible to ignore.

At first, we kept our distance. We were two people thrust into a marriage of convenience, pretending that this was all just a business transaction. But the more time we spent together, the harder it became to keep up the facade.

One evening, I was sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine, when Matthew walked in. His gaze lingered on me, a different kind of intensity in his eyes. “You’re settling in well,” he noted, his voice softer than usual.

“Trying to,” I replied, giving him a small smile. “It’s all still so surreal.”

He nodded, then stepped closer, his presence commanding. “There’s something I need you to understand, Gabrielle. You’re my wife now, even if this started as a way to protect you. It’s not just for show.”

I swallowed hard, feeling the tension rise. “I know,” I whispered.

Before I could say anything else, Matthew cupped my chin gently, tilting my head up to meet his gaze. His thumb brushed my cheek, the touch sending shivers through me. His eyes softened, but there was a fire behind them that I hadn’t seen before.

“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he murmured, his voice husky.

My breath hitched as I felt his lips graze mine, soft at first, like he was giving me a chance to pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I found myself leaning into him, closing the distance between us. The kiss was slow, tentative, but it quickly deepened, fueled by the unspoken tension we’d both been holding back.

His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer as I wrapped my arms around his neck. The feeling was intoxicating, like everything I’d been trying to deny was coming to the surface all at once.

We broke apart, gasping for breath. He pressed his forehead against mine, his voice a whisper. “This isn’t just an act for me, Gabrielle. It’s real.”

I looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability there. It wasn’t what I expected from him, this centuries old vampire who always seemed so composed and untouchable. I knew then that I was in far deeper than I had ever planned, and there was no turning back.

We stood there for a moment, holding each other, as the reality of our new relationship sank in. It was complicated, intense, and completely unexpected but I knew, deep down, that I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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