Sugar, Spice & Secrets

50

As Gabriele drove me to the bakery, my body still hummed with excitement, and my mind was a whirlwind of all the sounds I never thought I could make.

I glanced over at Gabriele, who sat beside me with one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on my thigh. I couldn't help but steal glances at him whenever I had the chance. The way his eyes focused on the road ahead, the way his lips curved into a slight smile as he hummed along to the music playing– it was all so achingly familiar and yet wonderfully new at the same time.

"Non pensare che non fermerei questa macchina per scoparti, Julie." Gabriele remarked, tearing his gaze away from the road for a moment to glance at me with a warm smile.

Don't think I wouldn't stop this car to fuck you, Julie.

"What?"

His smile widened, and he squeeze my thigh gently. "Eyes on the road," he admitted, his eyes sparkling with affection.

"But I'm not driving," I trailed my fingers on his arm that was on me. "I'm allowed."

"True," he conceded with a playful grin, his fingers drawing out lazy circles. "But I still need to get us to our destination in one piece."

Leaning closer to him, I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "I'll behave," I promised with a playful wink.

As the car came to a stop outside the bakery, a sense of reluctance settled over me at the thought of leaving the warmth and intimacy of the car. Gabriele parked the car, but neither of us made any move to get out.

Instead, we sat in comfortable silence. His hand found mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a silent gesture of solidarity and affection.

"I don't want to go," I admitted softly, my voice barely above a whisper as I met his gaze.

Gabriele rolled his eyes, his thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand. "I begged you not to," he replied gently.

He did.

"Zoe and Laura would've killed me,"

Gabriele chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my face. "They would've hunted me down," he teased back.

"You're probably right," I agreed with a grin.

"As much as I'd love to stay here with you all day," Gabriele continued. "We would've just kept fucking if we stayed—not that I mind."

"You're not wrong," I admitted with a chuckle, feeling a flush creeping up my cheeks at his boldness. "What time are you coming tonight?"

"Not tonight," he leaned back in his seat. "I have a business trip that I have to attend."

My heart sank at Gabriele's words, a sense of disappointment washing over me. How long will you be gone?" I asked.

Gabriele's expression softened, his fingers tightening slightly around mine. "Just a week," he replied gently, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

"A week?" I repeated, my voice tinged with sadness. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

His expression softened, his tracking my face. "We've been... preoccupied," he confessed with a sheepish smile, his eyes bright like he was thinking about it.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his words, a wry chuckle escaping my lips as I acknowledged the truth in his statement. Our time together had been consumed by passion and desire, leaving little room for serious discussions.

"But a whole week," I continued, my voice tinged with disappointment as I met his gaze. "You won't be here for the competition, then? I was really looking forward to having you there by my side."