I make my way downstairs, the hardwood cool beneath my bare feet, my body still heavy with sleep. Only then do I really register what I’m wearing—thin fabric, almost too sheer in the dim light, brushing over my skin in a way that suddenly feels far too intentional. Like some desperate part of me had hoped he might see me tonight.
Then I step straight into the beam of the flashlight in his hand, and his gaze collides with mine. He goes completely still. His eyes move over me slowly, dragging from my feet up to my head, heavy-lidded and intent, taking me in like a man who’s been avoiding me for a reason but now can’t get enough.
And suddenly, I’m not so cold anymore.
“Hi,” I say softly.
“Hey,” he replies.
Chapter 33: Alessia
He swallows thickly and I watch the strong movement of his throat as he works through what he wants to say.
“It’s that storm Eden said was coming—bombogenesis or something,” he points the flashlight to the kitchen window as if to show me.
I pull my arms around myself, already feeling the chill of not having the heat running start to creep in.
“Lightning, thunder, and a typhoon of snow. Knocked out the power in the city, I bet,” he continues like he hasn’t been ignoring me for days and this isn’t the first time we’ve spoken since I told him I didn’t want to hook up anymore. I know it’s my fault, but I wasn’t expecting him to be so… to the point.
“I see.”?
Gabriel pulls out his phone, switches to data, and checks something. His face is illuminated by the faint glow of the screen and that’s when I realize he looks more tired than usual tonight.
“You look cold,” he says without looking up at me. “Let me seewhat the generator can handle. I’ll try to get it warm in here again, but I can’t make any promises.”
Then without another glance my way he disappears into the garage. I wait in the dim light, listening to the wind howl outside, the house settling into an eerie silence now that the power’s cut off. A few sharp curses echo from the garage before he returns, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.
“Alright, it’s plugged in, but it won’t keep the whole house running. We’ll get power to the fridge and freezer at best.”
I frown. “So… what does that mean?”
He exhales, raking both hands through his already messy, black hair. “It means it’s going to get colder in here. Fast.”
“Okay, that’s fine.” I nod, pretending like this isn’t a disaster. It absolutely is. Ihatethe cold. Icannotsleep when I’m cold. And worst of all, the storm outside doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon. I force a bright, totally unconvincing smile. “I’ll just put on a few extra layers and double up on blankets.”
Gabriel looks at me, like he wants to say something, but I don’t give him the chance.
“Thank you for trying.”
Then I turn and head upstairs, making a beeline for the linen closet. Grabbing another blanket, I toss it onto my bed before pulling on the warmest fleece pants I brought over and a sweatshirt so thick I practically disappear inside it.
It’s still not enough.
I burrow deeper under the covers, but the cold is relentless, seeping through the walls, biting at my skin. Downstairs, I hear Gabriel moving around, probably checking on things, making sure we’re as okay as we can be without power, taking care of business the way he always does to be sure everyone is safe.
I slip out of bed and put on a third pair of socks. It doesn’t help.My toes feel like they’re going to freeze off. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling, teeth chatteringso violently I swear my skull is rattling. I try to force myself to sleep through it.
An hour passes, and I’ve lost all feeling in my feet when there’s a knock at my bedroom door.
“Alessia,” Gabriel calls through it, his voice edged with amusement and concern. “I can hear your teeth from down the hall.”
“I’m fine!” I chirp, lying through my frozen, chapped lips. “Sorry for the noise! Totally fine.”
The door opens and he’s standing there, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed over his chest, wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved t-shirt, looking so fucking handsome it makes my heart ache.
I’ve missed him. No, I’ve more than missed him. My body needs him. My mind needs him. I don’t know where we stand and if he only wants sex from me, but I need to talk to him. But more than that, I just want to be held by him right now. I want the heat that I know only he can provide.
Gabriel takes one look at me, and his expression is pure ‘Are you serious right now?’His lips tilt at the corner like he’s trying to fight back a smile.
