Sorry My Step-Uncle, I'm Not Your Backup Plan novel Chapter 72

When intoxicated, Gabriella's voice became soft and sweet, her words ending with a slight upward lilt that was incredibly endearing.

Asher's body instantly stiffened.

A fire ignited within him in an instant.

From the floor below the stage, Lucy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she filmed enthusiastically on her phone. She nudged a female colleague beside her, "OMG! OTP confirmed! We're actually witnessing a real-life ship sailing!"

Her daily scrolling through social media had given her quite the internet vocabulary.

Her colleague nodded vigorously. "They're absolutely gorgeous together! I'm literally dying! This is giving me all the feels!"

Sitting behind them, Alexander slapped his own forehead in mock exasperation. "What am I doing here? Front row seats to this rom-com. I must be a glutton for punishment."

It took Asher a full ten seconds to recover from Gabriella's terms of endearment before realizing he needed to get her off the stage.

He swept her up in his arms and carried her toward the steps.

Gabriella instinctively wrapped her arms around Asher's neck, nestling against him while gazing up at his face without blinking.

How could anyone be so handsome?

Like he'd stepped straight out of a fashion editorial.

Gabriella stared at him dreamily, spouting more nonsense: "Spend the night with me... I'm quite wealthy, you know. Whatever your fee is, I'll double it, mmm?"

She said this just as Asher reached Alexander's side.

Alexander erupted into raucous laughter.

"Bloody hell! Are you mistaking him for one of The Dreamboys? Planning to stuff some notes in his trousers, are you?"

Asher's face darkened, his gaze cutting over like a blade.

Alexander immediately mimicked zipping his lips shut, indicating he wouldn't say another word.

Before Asher could speak, Gabriella continued to stare directly at him from his arms, smiling adorably as she delivered another shocking statement: "Darling, just name your price."

At this, even the typically stoic WilGabbym couldn't help laughing out loud.

Alexander covered his mouth with his hand, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

He secretly moved behind Asher, taking out his phone to record the scene. This was too precious to miss—perfect blackmail material for later!

Asher's expression darkened as he looked down at the girl in his arms, his voice emerging through clenched teeth: "Gabriella Rodriguez, who taught you this?"

Gabriella's eyelashes fluttered, seemingly intimidated by his stern tone. She looked utterly dejected as she pouted. "If you don't want to, just say so. Why are you being cross with me?"

Her body was incredibly soft in his arms, almost boneless, and her voice was sweet as honey. Asher was completely defenseless against this. His stern expression, which had lasted barely two seconds, instantly softened.

"Darling, I want a kiss," Gabriella slurred, tightening her arms around Asher's neck and lifting herself slightly to bring her lips closer to his.

Alexander, WilGabbym, and Lucy all widened their eyes at this development, afraid to miss a moment of the spectacle.

Requesting a kiss in front of everyone was something the sober Gabriella would never do.

Even Asher was shocked.

This intoxicated, forward version of Gabriella was endearingly unfamiGabbyr!

"Just a little kiss..." Gabriella's flushed face moved closer, pressing against Asher's cheek. Her hot breath against his skin made his blood rush, his heart pound, and his body tense with a desire he fought desperately to control.

He pressed his lips tightly together, struggling to maintain his composure as he averted his gaze from her alcohol-flushed face. "Gabby, stop it."

Gabriella rubbed her cheek gently against his, suddenly breaking into giggles. Her voice was clear and bright: "Asher, you're my Asher. Only you say my name with such tenderness."

Asher's heart melted completely.

His voice was husky as he coaxed her gently, though his body betrayed his words: "Gabby, be good now. That's enough."

Despite his words, his feet didn't stop. Asher strode quickly away from the bar with his long legs, his arms tightening around her possessively.

He needed to get Gabriella home before his restraint shattered completely.

I'll adapt this continuation while maintaining the romantic tension and British English expressions.

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan sped along the road.

Throughout the journey, Gabriella hummed and murmured incoherently, alternating between calling Asher's name and playfully demanding kisses and cuddles.

Asher's composure was in tatters.

His deep, husky voice filled the car interior: "Darling, please stop. You're driving me to the brink of madness."

The lighting inside the car was dim, with neon lights from the street flashing rapidly through the windows, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow.

Asher focused on driving while Gabriella curled up in the passenger seat, her head tilted to one side. Several strands of tousled hair fell across her fair, beautiful face, partially concealing the intoxicated haziness in her eyes.

Upon reaching their destination, Asher parked the car, stepped out, and opened the passenger door. He unfastened her seatbelt and lifted her into his arms.

Perhaps exhausted from her earlier antics, Gabriella now rested quietly against his chest, her breathing deep and steady, as if she had fallen asleep.

Asher's tall, slender frame stood nearly six-foot-three, while Gabriella's slight figure seemed small and delicate in his arms, nestled against him like a bird seeking shelter.

Noticing that the young woman had fallen asleep, Asher slowed his pace, moving with extreme caution to avoid waking her with any sudden movements.

At the apartment entrance, Asher used Gabriella's fingerprint to unlock the door, then switched on the living room lights.

The spacious living room was bright and immaculately kept.

Asher carried her into the bedroom, carefully placing her on the bed with the gentlest of movements.