Sinful Flames

Chapter 45

As I sat on the kitchen island chair, my eyes wandered around Gabriel’s hidden cabin in New Orleans. Nestled close to the sea, it was the perfect retreat—isolated, peaceful, and so well hidden, it felt like a sanctuary. We’d arrived yesterday, and I’d fallen in love with it instantly. The salty breeze from the nearby ocean lingered in the air, and the cabin itself was warm and welcoming, with large windows that let the sunlight pour in.

Sandra had easily granted me leave after I’d told her it was a personal emergency. I knew now why it had been so simple—Sandra was part of Gabriel’s world, part of the organization. At first, I was shocked to find out. But when I thought about how she had never questioned my connection with Gabriel, it all made sense. She was in on it. Everyone in my life seemed to be tied to this shadowed world.

Sitting there, though, all of that felt so far away. Gabriel was standing at the stove, cooking lunch, completely relaxed. He was shirtless, wearing nothing but a cute apron he’d found in one of the cabin’s drawers. The apron looked so out of place on him, but that only made it more adorable. His broad shoulders and muscled back flexed as he worked, and I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. How did I get so lucky?

"You’re staring, Tuono," Gabriel said without turning around, the smirk evident in his voice.

I laughed softly, shaking my head. "I’m just wondering how I managed to pull you, Gabriel. I mean, look at you. You look like a chef in some ridiculously hot fantasy."

He turned then, raising an eyebrow as a wicked grin stretched across his face. "Oh, so you fantasize about me, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don’t let it go to your head."

He laughed, the deep sound echoing through the kitchen as he flipped something in the pan. "Too late, Tuono. You’ve already done the damage."

"Just answer the question," I teased. "How did I end up with someone like you?"

Gabriel walked over, closing the distance between us in two long strides. He rested his hands on either side of me on the counter, trapping me in, his face inches from mine. "I could ask you the same thing. How did I get so damn lucky to have a woman like you?"

Heat rose in my cheeks, and I let out a soft laugh. "You’re impossible, Gabriel."

"And you love it," he said, giving me a quick kiss on the nose before turning back to the stove, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Lunch was simple, yet delicious, and after we finished, Gabriel took my hand and led me down a narrow hallway. He stopped in front of a door and pushed it open, revealing a small room filled with beautiful paintings.

I gasped, stepping inside, my eyes wide as I took in the vibrant colors and intricate details. "Gabriel… these are incredible." I walked up to the nearest painting, my fingers hovering over the canvas as I admired the delicate brushstrokes. The paintings were of landscapes, sea views, and a few abstract pieces, but they all had this raw emotion in them. It was breathtaking.

Gabriel stood behind me, watching my reaction with a smile. "This is where I come to clear my head. When things get too intense, I come here, relax, and paint for a while before going back to the chaos."

"You painted all of these?" I asked, still in awe.

He nodded, almost shyly. "Yeah, it’s my way of dealing with everything."

I turned to him, my heart swelling with love and admiration. "You’re so talented, Gabriel. I had no idea you could do this."

He shrugged, but his smile remained. "It’s just something I do for me. It’s not a big deal."

I stepped closer to him, resting my hands on his chest. "It *is* a big deal. You’re amazing."

His eyes softened as he leaned down, pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was gentle at first, full of tenderness and love, but it quickly deepened, his arms wrapping around me as he pulled me close. I felt the warmth of his body against mine, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of us, lost in each other.

When we finally pulled back, we were both breathing a little heavier. He pressed his forehead to mine, a soft smile playing on his lips. "I could get used to hearing you say that."

I smiled back, brushing my fingers through his hair. "Then consider it a regular thing."

He chuckled, kissing me again, softer this time. "Wish granted."

As I wandered through the room, exploring the paintings, I noticed a drawer on one of the shelves. Curious, I reached for it, but before I could pull it open, Gabriel was suddenly at my side, pulling me away.

"Hey, don’t go snooping," he teased, though there was a slight edge to his voice. "Not everything’s for your eyes."

I gave him a suspicious look, but I dropped it, not wanting to push. "Fine," I said, turning back to the paintings. "But I’ll find out what you’re hiding one day."

He smirked, pulling me into his arms. "We’ll see about that."

Later that night, we cuddled in bed, the window above us giving us a perfect view of the sky. The stars were bright, twinkling against the dark expanse, and the sound of the ocean in the distance created a sense of peace that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Gabriel’s arm was wrapped around me, his fingers lazily tracing patterns on my arm as we lay together. He sighed softly, his breath warm against my ear. "You know… sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I wasn’t involved in all this mafia stuff."

I turned my head to look at him, my heart aching slightly at the vulnerability in his voice. "What do you think it would be like?"

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes gazing up at the stars. "I’d have a normal job. We’d have a house somewhere quiet, maybe by the sea. I’d come home to you every night, no fear of danger or enemies lurking around every corner."

I smiled softly, reaching up to stroke his cheek. "Would you have found me, even in that life?"

He turned his head to meet my eyes, his expression serious but filled with so much love it made my chest tighten. "I would’ve found you no matter what, Tuono. In every lifetime, in every world, I’d always find you."

Tears stung at the back of my eyes as I leaned in, pressing my lips to his. "I love you," I whispered against his mouth.

"I love you too," he whispered back, his hand cupping my face as he deepened the kiss.

We talked quietly for a little while longer, about everything and nothing, and eventually, I drifted off to sleep, feeling content in his arms. As I slipped into unconsciousness, a thought crossed my mind—how different would life have been if I had met Gabriel under normal circumstances?

But deep down, I knew the answer. This was us—dangerous, intense, and real. We were each other’s peace in the middle of the storm, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.