Chapter 70: Shooting Practices and Stronger Bonds
Gabriel and Stassie were enjoying their rare time off together. He had promised to teach her how to shoot, something she had always wanted to learn, not just for the fun of it, but because she felt safer around him and wanted to share more of her interests.
It was a sunny morning when they arrived at a private shooting range, away from prying eyes. Gabriel carried a case with a few guns from his personal collection, while Stassie followed him, excited.
"Are you nervous?" he asked, looking at her with a small smile as he opened the case.
"A little," she admitted, shrugging. "But I'm more curious. You know I trust you."
Gabriel raised his eyebrows, impressed by her trust in him. "That's good, because I'll take care of you the whole time."
At the shooting range, Gabriel began to explain the basics. He was meticulous, patiently pointing out every detail.
"Here's the Glock," he said, holding the gun out and showing it to her. "It's an easy-to-use gun, good for beginners. Let's start with it."
Stassie held the gun carefully, but her fingers were shaking slightly.
"Relax," Gabriel said calmly. He stood behind her, holding her hands to help her adjust her stance. "It's like a dance. If you're tense, the movements become awkward. Breathe deeply and trust your instincts."
She laughed. "Are you comparing guns to dancing now?"
"Why not?" he replied with a rare smile, his voice thick with amusement. "Accuracy and balance matter in both."
Stassie focused, following his instructions. Gabriel was so close that she could feel the heat of his body, and it made her feel safe, like nothing could go wrong.
After the explanations, it was time for the first shot. Gabriel moved slightly away to give her space, but remained close enough to correct any mistakes.
"Aim for the target there," he said, pointing to the practice dummy. "Remember, breathe slowly, pull the trigger smoothly."
Stassie adjusted her stance, took a deep breath, and pulled the trigger. The shot echoed across the field, but the bullet missed the center of the target.
"Not so bad for a first shot," Gabriel commented, trying to encourage her.
"That was horrible!" she exclaimed, turning to him with a look of mock indignation.
Gabriel laughed softly. "You're here to learn, remember? Now try again. This time, relax your shoulders."
She nodded and tried again, hitting closer to the target. Gabriel patted her shoulder lightly as a gesture of approval.
"There you go, see? You're improving fast."
After several attempts, Stassie began to get the hang of it, consistently hitting the target. Gabriel, proud, couldn't help but smile.
"You're doing great," he praised, gently lowering her gun and placing his hand on her shoulder in a loving gesture. "You'll be better than me soon."
Stassie laughed, turning to him. "I doubt it, but thank you for being so patient with me."
Gabriel didn't say anything for a moment, just looking at her with a warm gaze he rarely showed. Without saying a word, he gently ran his finger down her face, brushing away a strand of hair that had fallen into her eyes. The gesture took her by surprise, and her heart raced.
"You know I really like you, right?" he finally said, his voice low and sincere.
Stassie smiled, her eyes shining. "I know, Gabriel. And I love that you're allowing yourself to show it more."
He didn't respond with words, just pulled her into a tight hug. Stassie snuggled against him, feeling the warmth and security he always conveyed.
After the affectionate moment, Stassie went back to practicing with the Glock, while Gabriel adjusted another target for a longer distance.
"Are you up for a bigger challenge?" he asked, testing out a more advanced weapon.
"Always," she replied confidently.
Gabriel guided her through a sniper rifle, explaining how to use it and adjusting the shoulder rest.
"This one's a little different, but I think you'll like it," he said.
Stassie tried to aim at the target, but something about the adjustment made her laugh. "I look so clumsy with this. How do you make it look so easy?"
"Practice," Gabriel replied, smiling. "And maybe a little natural talent."
She rolled her eyes, but laughed. "Modest as always."
As she adjusted the rifle, Gabriel, in a rare moment of playfulness, lightly slapped her waist.
"Focus, recruit," he teased, mimicking the voice of an instructor.
"Gabriel!" Stassie shouted, laughing as she turned to him. "You're impossible today."
He laughed but stepped back, raising his hands innocently. "Just testing your endurance. It's part of the training."
When the time the training was over, Stassie was exhausted but satisfied. They put away their weapons as the sun began to set, turning the sky orange and pink.
"Thanks for today," she said as they walked back to the car. "It was one of the coolest experiences of my life."
Gabriel smiled, opening the door for her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. You were amazing."
The atmosphere in the car was relaxed. Stassie looked at him, realizing how much Gabriel had opened up to her in the past few weeks. She took his hand, intertwining their fingers.
"You know you're becoming very important to me, right?" she said softly.
Gabriel squeezed her hand, but kept his eyes on the road. "I know, Stassie. And you're becoming very important to me too. More than I expected."
They shared a fond look before Gabriel turned his attention back to driving. For both of them, that day wasn't just about weapons and training it was about the connection they were strengthening, little by little, and that already seemed unbreakable.
Chapter 71: A Night to Remember
The atmosphere between Gabriel and Stassie had been heating up over the past few weeks. The glances they exchanged, the kisses that became more intense, and the moments of intimacy that grew with each passing day.
It was inevitable that the barriers would come down. That night, things would finally move into even deeper territory.
They were at Stassie's house, after a quiet dinner filled with laughter. Stassie was dressed in a comfortable sweatsuit, but she still managed to look irresistible. Gabriel, as always, was relaxed but attentive, his serious gaze softened by her presence.
"Want to watch something?" Stassie asked, holding two glasses of wine as she walked towards the couch where Gabriel was sitting.
"Sure, whatever you suggest is fine," he replied, accepting the glass of wine and making room for her to sit next to him.
The movie had started, but it was hard for either of them to focus on the screen. The proximity between them grew, and the casual touches became more frequent. Gabriel wrapped his arm around Stassie's shoulders, pulling her close. She snuggled into him, feeling the warmth of his body.
"You know I really like you, right?" Stassie said, breaking the silence.
Gabriel looked at her, his eyes intense but gentle. "I know, and I really like you too, Stassie."
She smiled, biting her lip lightly. "Then why haven't you kissed me today?"
He laughed, a rare sound, but one that made her melt whenever she heard it. "I was waiting for you to ask."
Gabriel leaned in, his hands gently cupping her face as he kissed her. The kiss was hot, intense, and seemed to carry all the tension of the weeks they had spent together. Stassie lost herself in that moment, completely forgetting about the movie or anything else.
The kisses became more passionate, and soon Gabriel picked her up easily, carrying her to the bedroom. Stassie laughed, but didn't protest, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You're so strong," she whispered, looking at him in awe.
"And you're light," he replied, with that playful tone she loved so much.
When they reached the bedroom, Gabriel gently placed her on the bed, his hands sliding over her body as he kissed her again. He was careful, but still dominant, which made Stassie feel desired in a way she had never felt before.
"You're beautiful, do you know that?" Gabriel said as he brushed her hair away from her face, his eyes roaming over every detail.
"And you're perfect," she replied, her voice barely coming out. "I've never met anyone like you."
He didn't respond with words, just continued to show her with touches and kisses how much she meant to him.
The night was a mix of passion and affection. Gabriel was attentive, careful and, at the same time, intense. Stassie couldn't believe how well he seemed to know her, even though it was their first time together like this. He knew exactly how to touch her, how to make her feel loved and wanted.
"Are you okay?" he asked at one point, his expression genuinely concerned.
"I've never been better," she replied, holding his face in her hands. "You're amazing, Gabriel. I've never… I've never felt anything like this before."
He smiled, a small smile, but full of sincerity. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm feeling different too. With you, everything feels right."
After a while, they lay there, panting but happy. Gabriel pulled Stassie close, wrapping his arms around her as she rested her head on his chest.
"You really know how to make a girl feel special," she said, her voice low but full of emotion.
"It's not hard when you're this girl," he replied, kissing the top of her head.
The next morning, the sun was streaming through the curtains, softly illuminating the room. Stassie woke up before Gabriel, but she didn't want to move.
She watched him for a few minutes, admiring his peaceful expression as he slept. He looked so different from how he did in his day to day life, always alert and alert. There, beside her, he was just Gabriel, the man she was completely in love with.
When he finally opened his eyes, Stassie smiled. "Good morning, sleepyhead."
Gabriel rubbed his eyes and smiled back, a rare, lazy smile. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"
"Like an angel," she replied, leaning in to kiss him. "And you?"
"With you by my side? It couldn't be better."
Stassie laughed, feeling her heart almost burst with happiness. "I have to tell Kylie. She's going to freak out."
Gabriel raised his eyebrows. "Tell me what exactly?"
"Everything! That it finally happened, that it was perfect, that you're the most amazing man in the world…"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You really going to tell her all about it?"
"Of course!" she replied, laughing. "That's what best friends do."
As they drank coffee together, Stassie couldn't stop smiling. Gabriel also seemed more relaxed, showing more affection than usual. He took her hand across the table, caressing it as he looked at her intently.
"You know, Stassie," he began, his voice firm. "I've never been good at showing feelings, but with you… it seems easy. I want you to know that I'm here for you, always."
She was silent for a moment, overcome by his words. "And I'm here for you, Gabriel. You mean so much to me."
They spent the rest of the morning together, planning the upcoming weekend and sharing simple but meaningful moments. For both of them, that night and morning marked the beginning of something even more special—something they were ready to embrace fully.
Chapter 72: Revelations Between Friends
It was a sunny morning, and Kylie Jenner was sitting in her spacious kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee while reading some messages on her phone. Stormi played with her toys on the rug nearby, and the sound of her laughter filled the room. Kylie was calm, but not for long.
Across town, Anastasia Karanikolaou or Stassie, as everyone called her was bursting with happiness. After the perfect night she spent with Gabriel, she knew she had to tell her best friend everything. She couldn't keep it to herself any longer.
Stassie picked up her phone and called Kylie. Her voice was excited and a little breathless.
"Ky! Are you home? I need to see you right now!"
Kylie frowned curiously. "Sure, I'm here. What happened? You seem so excited."
"I'll tell you when I get there. Wait for me!" Stassie hung up before Kylie could ask any more questions.
"Mommy, is Aunt Stassie coming?" Stormi asked, looking at her mother.
"Yes, she is, my love. I think she has something important to tell you."
Less than half an hour later, Stassie arrived at Kylie's house, looking radiant. She was wearing a casual outfit, but her expression gave away that something extraordinary had happened. As soon as she entered the kitchen, she went straight to Kylie, holding her hands.
"Ky, I need to tell you everything. Sit down!" Stassie said, almost breathless.
Kylie laughed, intrigued. "Calm down, Stass. What's going on? You're glowing!"
"Me and Gabriel..." Stassie began, but her voice cracked. She put her hands on her face, laughing and trying to control her emotions.
Kylie's eyes widened, already understanding what that meant. "YOU FINALLY GOT TOGETHER?!" she shouted, nearly dropping her coffee cup.
Stassie nodded, laughing. "Yes, Ky! It was last night... And it was perfect."
Kylie put her hands over her mouth, visibly moved. "Tell me everything! How did it happen? Was it how you imagined it would be?"
"It was better than I imagined," Stassie said, sitting at the table with a dreamy smile. "We were watching a movie at my house, and it started with a kiss. But Ky, he was so... careful, tender, but at the same time intense. I've never felt anything like that before. He made me feel so special."
Kylie let out a sigh of happiness. "Oh, girl, I'm so happy for you! He's an amazing man, I've always known that. But hearing you say it like that... I'm almost crying!"
Stassie laughed. "And that wasn't all, Ky. He treated me like I was the only woman in the world. He's so different from any guy I've ever been with. He's strong, protective, but he also has such a sweet side. It's impossible not to fall in love."
"So? How was this morning?" Kylie asked excitedly.
"Oh, it was perfect. We woke up together, had coffee... He held my hand while we talked, you know? It's like he's finally opening up to me completely." Stassie sighed. "I've never felt so connected to anyone."
Kylie smiled widely, but didn't miss the opportunity to joke. "And what's he like... in bed? You know I need to know."
Stassie laughed out loud, covering her face with her hands. "Ky! I'm not going to give you details like that, but... let's just say he's everything you could imagine. Caring, passionate, and yet he knows exactly what he's doing."
Kylie squealed in excitement, almost jumping out of her chair. "Oh my gosh, my friend! I knew this would happen someday, but I had no idea it would be so... perfect. You two are so cute together!"
As the two friends laughed and chatted, Stormi walked into the kitchen, holding one of her dolls.
"Mommy, why are you yelling?" she asked, looking at Kylie.
Kylie smiled and bent down to hug her daughter. "Because Auntie Stassie is so happy, my love. She really likes Gabriel."
Stormi smiled hugely. "I like Gabriel too! He's my favorite!"
After spending the entire morning talking, Stassie sighed and looked at Kylie seriously.
"Ky, I really think Gabriel is the man for me. I know it's early, but I feel like I'll never find someone like him."
Kylie held her friend's hand, her gaze full of support. "I believe in you, Stassie. And I think he feels the same way about you. He just needed someone like you to help him open up. I see it in him, you know? How much more relaxed he is when he's with you."
Stassie smiled, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "Thank you for always supporting me, Ky. I don't know what I would do without you."
"And I don't know what I would do without you," Kylie replied, hugging her friend. "Now, let's celebrate this incredible moment. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
The two friends spent the rest of the day together, laughing and planning for the future, while Stormi played around them.
For Stassie, that conversation with Kylie was confirmation that she was on the right path. With Gabriel by her side, she knew she was about to begin a new and exciting chapter in her life.
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