Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Gabriel's POV

My chest heaved as I tightened my hold around her waist, locking her deeper against me when she tried to wriggle free. I wasn't letting go-not now, not when every part of me was burning for her.

I needed to finish what I'd started. Her nipples were still taut, brushing against my chest like they were silently begging for my attention.

I was tempted to take one between my lips, circle it with my tongue, tease and torment it until she arched into me, moaning that wild, familiar sound that always shattered my control.

God, I wanted to kiss, caress, and taste every inch of her skin.

I wanted to slide my hands lower-beneath the waistband of her pants.

Would I find her wet and aching for me?

I wanted to lose myself in her—again and again—until nothing else existed but us.

Why couldn't she see it?

Why did she keep fighting what was still burning between us?

Why stop now-why deny us this moment?

God... I knew I'd been harsh these past few weeks, but it wasn't entirely my fault.

What was a man supposed to do when the woman he loved with every fiber of his being was also the love of his son's life?

The situation was fucked up-twisted and wrong-but none of that stopped me from wanting her. Craving her. I'd thrown every ounce of caution to the wind.

"Why?" My voice came out hoarse, uneven. I didn't let go of her waist.

"Why should I, when your body still responds to me like it always has? Your nipples are practically begging to feel my tongue pleasuring them. We both know you don't want me to stop."

Her eyes dropped to her chest.

Her peaks were visibly hard, straining through the fabric.

She gasped, cheeks heating as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, trying to shield herself. "You've clearly lost it," she hissed, eyes blazing.

"You made me sign that contract-offering me to your son. Have you forgotten that? So none of this matters."

Her words knocked some serious sense into me.

I let out a ragged breath.

She was right.

The damn contract.

And my son?

I released her and stepped back, forcing space between us. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but my mind knew I had to.

I circled around to the other side of the desk, needing distance, needing clarity- needing anything to stop me from pulling her back into my arms and kissing her until she forgot everything but us.

"I never offered you as a pawn," I said, more controlled now, feeling guilt wash over me. "It was a mutually beneficial agreement. That's all."

"Then let's stick to that," she shot back. "No touching. No grabbing. No games. You made the rules-now follow them."

I opened my mouth to respond to explain what I'd just done. The way I'd

touched her. Held her. Breathed her in like she still belonged to me.noveldrama

But the words never came. My throat was dry. My thoughts scattered.

There was no excuse for any of it.

I'd let emotion overtake logic. Let desire speak louder than reason.

If she hadn't pushed me away, I would've taken her-right there on my damn desk.

Without thinking. Without a second thought about what it would've meant if Adrian walked in.

What the hell would I have said to him?

He wanted her back. Loved her-in whatever messy, confused way he could.

And me? I'd been pretending to let her go, convincing myself it was the noble thing. The right thing.

But now?

Now I wasn't so sure.

What if I was wrong?

What if I could never purge her from my body-or my heart?

I'd twisted everything. Pushed her too far. And now, somehow, I still wanted her to surrender herself to me-willingly, completely-as if I hadn't torn her apart first.

She probably hated me. But her body still responded to mine like it always had.

And then that darkest little thought crept in-I could use that. Use it to reach her heart.

Twist it. Pull her back.

Make her mine again.

No.

Fuck. What are you thinking?

You swore you'd never go there again.

Are you seriously about to fight your own son over her?

No. I couldn't. I wouldn't.

I finally looked up, needing to say something-anything-to shift the moment.

"Speaking of the contract..." I cleared my throat. "I want Adrian to lead the Randolph project. He presents to the CEO in three days."

Her brows pulled together. "What?"

"Train him. Guide him. You wanted this over, didn't you?" I leaned back in my chair, forcing calm I didn't feel.

“Let him take the lead. If he nails it, I'll fast-track the funding, and your contract ends. You're free. Fail... and the days drag on."

She looked at me like I'd just said something ridiculous-impossible to carry out.

"Gabriel, as much as I want this to be over, Kve poured too much into that project. My team has. Adrian isn't ready. This feels like sabotage-you know it's too much for him."

"You've done a great job with him." I leaned back in my chair, steady and measured. "And I've been watching. He's stepping up-contributing in meetings, asking smart questions. He's serious."

She folded her arms, skepticism written all over her face. "And how would you know that?"

"Because I own the company, Clairessa. I know everything that happens- whether I'm present in the meeting or not."

Her expression tightened. "Then you know Adrian's still nervous. He's not ready for this."

She didn't understand. I shook my head. No-she didn't get it.

This wasn't about Adrian. It was about ending whatever this tangled relationship between us had become.

I couldn't keep doing this-watching her pretend not to care, watching my son fall

for her, pretending like I wasn't coming undone.

I needed it over. For her sake. For mine.

"If you need more support," I said, keeping my tone controlled, "I'll assign Nicole

to your team."

Her eyes widened in horror. "Nicole? No. Absolutely not. She'll ruin everything.

Give her another project any project-but not mine."

I rubbed my temple, pressure building behind my eyes.

"I know she's difficult, but she's good at her job. And she won't challenge you—I'll

make sure of it."

Clairessa scoffed, stepping closer.

"Gabriel, she knows about us. She's the one who brought you the picture, remember? You really think she won't run straight to Adrian and spill everything?"

I rose slowly from my chair.

"She won't. She's been on leave since that day and isn't back until Monday. Once

she returns, I'll handle it. She'll fall in line."

Clairessa's voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "And how exactly do you plan to control her?"

"Leave Nicole to me." My tone sharpened. "She won't say a word."

She narrowed her eyes. "Let's say you find a way to keep Nicole quiet... what if someone else tells him the truth?"

My jaw tightened. "You were the one who wanted our relationship to be kept a secret. So aside from Nicole, no one else knew."

Her voice cracked. "But your housekeeper, Jane... she knows. She could tell Adrian anytime. This whole plan is reckless."

I stepped around the desk and sat on its edge, facing her head-on.

"I've already spoken to Jane. She won't say anything. Neither will Nicole. You just

need to trust me."

She rolled her eyes.

"Trust you," she echoed, pacing in tight, angry circles. Frustration poured off her with every step. She didn't believe me-not fully. And I didn't blame her.

But it was too late to backtrack. I had to keep pushing-before this blew up in all our faces.

"As long as Adrian nails the presentation and we close the Randolph deal, the contract ends," I insisted evenly. "No one else has to know a thing."

She stared at me for a long, heavy second, then let out a breath.

"For the record, I'm not doing this because I trust you, Gabriel Storm." Her hands

lifted in surrender, a bitter laugh slipping past her lips.

"I'm doing it because I don't have a choice. I'll prepare Adrian. He'll give the presentation. And after that we're done. For good."