Can't you feel my heart beating? (Gabenath)

Chapter 5

She's lost complete consciousness of her actions that she isn't able to distinguish if it's him or herself who ends up breaking the kiss apart. All she feels are Gabriel's hands linger around her shoulders for just a moment to then eventually move away from her.

Nathalie's chest heaves at rapid speed as she stares deep into his crystallized eyes. Her lips feel as if they were on fire after Gabriel's intense and almost messy kiss. She wants to say something, ask him why he kissed her but she can't... Not after the way she responded to him, also devouring him in return.

So all she does is observe him in confusion and shock, not brave enough to speak. It's not until she watches Gabriel rush out of her room that Nathalie allows her trembling fingers to trace the outlines of her still warm lips. She runs her tongue over them in an attempt to cool them down.

And as she slowly walks herself to stand in front of the mirror in her bedroom, Nathalie's scarlet red reflection tells her that she's now entered unknown territory. Because even if Gabriel had begun to show his vulnerability to her, this is something she never expected.

It's something she's sure has come to make everything more complicated between them.
Yet, she can't seem to understand the tenderness and sweetness that started to settle deep into her chest the moment he pressed his lips against hers.

———

Gabriel paces around his room, feeling like an animal trapped in a cage. He's an idiot, and there's no doubt in that. He doesn't even know why he kissed her if his intention was to vanish her from his home.

He realizes that he's made a terrible and possibly irreparable mistake. Why did he even do this if all he's done is shown that he doesn't want her here. He's supposed to despise her, yet his heart always seems to be against that thought.

Gabriel closes eyes, attempting to bring clarity to his conflicted brain. He simply can't comprehend his weakness towards her. Nothing makes sense to him anymore, he knows he doesn't want Nathalie in his home, yet his soul seems to yearn for her closeness.

His mind recalls their kiss, and his heart beats faster as it does. It's been years since Gabriel Agreste last kissed a woman. And he'd almost forgotten how it felt to feel the warmth of a woman's lips against his. He probably shouldn't be allowing these thoughts to enter his mind, but he simply can't control them. He remembers the sweet taste of her mouth and the softness of her lips, and the way his fingers danced in her hair as he devoured them. There's an unexplained feeling settling in his chest as he almost feels himself reliving that experience.

But remembering the way she responded to the kiss, by opening her mouth to him, and allowing him to deepen their kiss almost makes him lose his mind.

———

Nathalie sees the light shining through her window, realizing that she barely had enough sleep last night. She doesn't want to get out of bed, she doesn't want to face Gabriel. What happened last night was complete madness, and she was never supposed to allow it. Everything's become so complicated, and her feelings are something she no longer understands.

But her sense of duty is what gets her out of bed, obligating her to attend to her responsibilities and face the consequences of her actions. She jumps into the shower, letting the raindrops wash her tears away, as she realizes the mess her life's become since she married Gabriel Agreste. Because now her heart has begun feeling something more for that stern man.

———

Some of Gabriel's latest designs were ready and out of production. He always views them before they're released, always making sure that they're perfect. The designs are always sent to his home, he's never once gone out to view them at headquarters.