Chapter 5: You and the CEO: Spill It!
Luna's POV
I bolted upright in bed, sheets twisted around me like a damn straitjacket, my skin buzzing from the dream's hangover. Gabriel's hands pinning me down, his mouth crashing into mine, his hips grinding me into the mattress with that brutal, insatiable hunger. I groaned, burying my face in the pillow, my core still pulsing with that desperate ache.
Fuck.
I squeezed my thighs together, feeling the slick heat building. For a split second, I thought about slipping my hand into my shorts, chasing that release my subconscious had teased me with. But reality hit like a cold slap.
"What the hell are you doing?" I muttered, flinging off the covers. "Getting all hot and bothered over that smug bastard?"
I stormed to the bathroom and cranked the shower to freezing. The icy spray stung my flushed skin, but it did jack shit to erase the ghost of dream-Gabriel's touch—his fingers digging into my thighs, his breath hot against my neck as he thrust deeper, wrecking me in the best way.
When I stepped out, towel-dried and shivering, I heard clattering in the kitchen. I cinched my robe tight and padded down the hall. Sophia was slumped at the counter, still rocking last night's full glam from her shoot, shoveling cereal like it was her last meal.
"Hey, night owl," I said, grabbing the coffee pot. "How'd filming go?"
"Brutal as hell." She yawned big, all dramatic. "Twelve hours straight running through woods in heels. My feet are legit dead." She eyed me over her spoon. "You look all flushed. Nightmare?"
"Something like that," I mumbled, focusing on pouring my coffee to avoid her gaze.
"Well, snap out of it, 'cause we've got Randy's birthday bash tonight." She waggled her eyebrows. "Y'know, the guy who's been dying to snag you from Chase."
I rolled my eyes. "Randy and I are just colleagues. It's all business."
"Uh-huh, sure." Sophia's grin was pure mischief. "That's why he straight-up asked if you'd be there. Totally professional interest in seeing you in a bikini."
"I'm not wearing a bikini," I shot back, almost spilling my mug.
"Chill, I got you something classy. One-piece, high-cut. Total screenwriter vibe." She scooped up her last bite. "But for real, Randy's a keeper—sweet, talented, and he actually digs your work. Unlike that fiancé douchebag I won't name."
"I'm just focusing on work," I said, trying to sound convincing.
"Right." Sophia wasn't buying it. "Well, while you're 'focusing,' rock that swimsuit. Randy's got that killer infinity pool—don't waste it."
Swimming pools. Shit, that hit a trigger. My mind yanked me back to a memory I'd buried deep—three years of shoving it down, and it still clawed its way up.
"You seriously can't swim?" Gabriel's laugh was half-shocked, half-teasing as he pulled me from the shallow end at that lame frat party, water dripping off us both.
"Never learned," I'd admitted, cheeks burning, wringing out my soaked top.
"I'll teach you," he'd said, all bossy confidence.
And he did—those secret sessions at the community pool, his strong hands guiding me through the water. Lessons that turned into stolen kisses, his body pressing mine against the tiled wall, water lapping as his fingers teased under my suit, stroking me until I was gasping, legs wrapped around him. That last time at his villa? He'd pinned me to the edge, thrusting slow and deep, waves crashing with every grind, my nails raking his back as I came undone...
"Earth to Luna!" Sophia waved a hand in my face, snapping me back. "Where'd you zone out to?"
I shook it off. "Nowhere. Just script revisions."
"Girl, you need this party bad." She stretched and stood. "I'm crashing for a few hours."
I nodded, relieved to be alone. Sipping my coffee, I wondered if Gabriel would show at Randy's. Vale's elite circle was tight—odds were high. The idea sent a twisted thrill through me, chased by pure dread. Dealing with him at work was bad enough; seeing him here, maybe with some arm candy? Torture.
It doesn't matter, I told myself. You're over him. Have been for three years.
My pounding heart called bullshit.
Randy's mansion was peak rising-star vibes—sleek, sprawling, screaming "I've made it." Sophia and I rolled up fashionably late, following the bass thump and laughter to the backyard.
The infinity pool gleamed under the twilight sky, stretching toward the city lights. Guests in designer resort gear clustered around cabanas and fire pits, cocktails flowing.
"There's the birthday boy," Sophia nudged me, nodding at Randy chatting up a group by the outdoor bar.
He spotted us right away, his face lighting up as he broke away and headed over.
"Luna! Sophia! You made it!" Randy's grin was all genuine warmth. He gave Sophia a quick hug, then pulled me in, holding on just a beat too long. "Was starting to think you'd bail."
"And miss the party of the year? No way." I handed him the wrapped gift. "Happy birthday."
He tore it open, eyes widening at the rare vinyl from his fave underground band.
"How'd you even find this? It's impossible!" He stared at me like I'd hung the moon.
I shrugged, smirking. "Got my ways."
"This is amazing, thanks." His warm brown eyes locked on mine. "Actually, I was hoping we could chat tonight."
"Funny, same here." I smiled. "I'm pitching a new limited series for Legacy, and you'd kill the end-credits theme. Plus, I wrote a small role with you in mind—if you're game."
Randy beamed. "Hell yeah, I'm game! Luna, that's—"
He froze, brow furrowing. "Luna? You good?"
I barely registered him. Over his shoulder, across the pool, there he was—tall, commanding, in dark pants and a white button-down with sleeves rolled up, exposing those forearms that used to drive me wild. Gabriel, holding court with a flock of admirers, laughing like he owned the damn world.
My stomach plummeted.
"Luna?" Randy turned, following my stare.
Sophia grabbed my arm like a lifeline. "Time to change! Swimsuits are calling. Randy, we'll circle back, 'kay?"
She hauled me inside toward the guest rooms turned changing spots, then spun on me once we were alone.
"What the fuck was that? You looked like you'd seen a ghost."
"Nothing. Just... didn't expect him here."
"Who, Gabriel Ashford? Your boss?" Sophia's brows shot up. "Or the ex you dumped three years ago? The one who's now your CEO and turning your life into a soap opera?"
I sighed, slumping against the wall. "Yeah, that covers it."
"And that car wreck the other day? With his ride, not some rando's?"
"Yup. Now I owe him a million bucks."
She whistled. "Damn, awkward ex level: expert. So... why not just get back with him? I never got why you two split. You were so obsessed it was gross-cute, then bam—over."
Her words stabbed deep, stirring up shit I'd locked away. My eyes stung, memories flooding in hot and heavy. Sophia's face fell.
"Luna, crap, I'm sorry—"
"It's fine." I straightened, blinking hard. "I gotta change."
She nodded, backing off. "I'll wait out here, okay?"
