Gabriel’s POV Clairessa stood in front of me, gripping the door like she was debating whether to slam it in my face. Her eyes widened, her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, I saw it—the shock, the hesitation, the way she swallowed hard like she needed a second to process that I was actually here. "Mr. Storm…" Her voice was steady, but her expression was anything but. "What are you doing here?" Mr. Storm. Formal. Cold. Like I was just her boss. Like I hadn’t had her beneath me, moaning my name, begging me to take her. I deserved that. Ignoring her question, I took a step forward, pressing just enough weight against the door so she had no choice but to move back. She did, reluctantly, but only an inch—like a challenge. She was dressed in an oversized T-shirt that fell to mid-thigh, her toned legs bare. Her hair was thrown up in a messy bun, loose strands framing her face. She looked effortlessly beautiful. And I wanted her. Even now, when she was furious wi
Gabriel’s POV I stepped closer, reaching for Clairessa’s hand. She pulled me back for a moment, then slowly let me take it. Her hand felt delicate in mine, like I might break her if I wasn’t careful. I looked into her eyes and whispered, "I could never have my fill of you." I confessed, baring my emotions, hoping she could see I was being sincere. "You don’t know what you do to me... I don’t think I could ever get enough of you." She yanked her hand away, her eyes flashing with anger as she turned her back to me. "I'm done with your games, Gabriel," she retorted. "Teasing, taunting… using sex as a weapon to control me, to own me. But you give me nothing in return." Her words hit me hard, sinking deep. I knew she was right—I had almost nothing real to offer her. Yet, I couldn’t let her go. My hands gently rested on her shoulders as I turned her to face me. She was trembling, and I could see it wasn’t just from anger—it was from hurt, too. "Clairessa, I’m sorry… about that
Clairessa’s POV Oh my God. It all made sense now. Everything—why Gabriel was the way he was. Daniel’s story… about his friend walking in on him… But he never got to say the name of his best friend because Gabriel had walked in. Now, I finally understood the feud—how two close friends could turn into enemies.The betrayal had cut so deep into Gabriel—I could see the hurt on his face, the pain he had buried for years now rising to the surface. "Gabriel... I'm... so, so—" His expression darkened instantly. "I don’t need pity," he cut me off, tilting his head slightly. "That night turned me into this man you claim is so hardened. There was a time I loved earnestly… and it was destroyed." My heart broke at the rawness in his voice. I held his gaze, willing him to see my sincerity. "It’s not pity, Gabriel. It’s understanding–for the hurt and pain you went through. No one deserves that kind of betrayal.” His jaw tensed. "You’re right… I guess you can relate. Your ex che
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel chuckled softly, stepping forward with that confident stride of his. “You must be Jess.” He extended his hand. Jess straightened, smoothing her hair as if she hadn’t just been caught gawking. She took his outstretched hand, gripping it a little too eagerly. “And you must be the famous Gabriel Storm.” Her eyes practically sparkled. “In the flesh.” His grin was effortless. Then, turning back to me, Gabriel’s hand brushed against my cheek, lingering longer than necessary. His lips pressed lightly against my forehead, warm and possessive. “I’ll call you,” he murmured against my skin, his breath sending shivers down my spine. Then he stepped back. “I’ll let you two catch up. It was nice meeting you, Jess.” “The pleasure is all mine!” Jess exclaimed, leaning against the doorway, watching him leave with a look of admiration that quickly turned to mischief the moment the door clicked shut. “Claire…” She let out a dramatic sigh. “That man is the definition of
Clairessa’s POV I had the most exciting, exhilarating, and emotionally challenging weekend.And it felt good to be back at work.Work had always been my sanctuary, my little world where I could lose myself in designs and calculations, shutting out the chaos when it became too much.Being an engineer, creating structures from scratch—it gave me a sense of purpose nothing else could. But today, my mind refused to stay focused.It kept drifting back to the unplanned vacation.The yacht.The island.Gabriel.His lips... the way they trailed fire along my skin. His hands, possessive and gentle all at once. The memories rushed back, causing my stomach to flip.I bit my bottom lip.Focus. Focus, Clairessa.I sat straighter, pulling my laptop closer. The blueprints on the screen blurred as flashes of Gabriel’s smirk and deep voice echoed in my head.Snap out of it.I drew in a deep breath, letting my fingers fly across the keyboard, forcing myself to get lost in the work before me.But just
Clairessa’s POVI pushed open Gabriel’s office door, my pulse quickening at the sight of him. There he was, dressed in a crisp white shirt; the suit clung to his body, outlining every toned muscle. He looked devastatingly handsome.Focused on his laptop, brows slightly furrowed—the definition of power and control. But the second I stepped inside, his attention shifted to me.His gaze locked onto mine, then slowly traveled down my body. Warmth spread through me as his eyes lingered on my hips, my waist, my curves.I knew he was taking me in, devouring every inch, and I made sure to give him something worth looking at. I swayed my hips a little more, adding a subtle elegance to my steps, just to make him burn with need.I had chosen this grey body-hugging dress intentionally. It curved around me perfectly, and judging by the way his gaze darkened, he approved."Mr. Storm... You called?" I murmured, my voice sultry as I stood before his desk.Gabriel inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring
Gabriel’s POV Standing in front of Gabriel’s door, my fingers brushed through my curls for the third time, making sure everything was in place. My little black dress clung perfectly to my body—short, simple, sexy, with just enough cleavage. I wanted to steal his breath, leave him completely speechless. Before I could press the button, the door swung open. A woman dressed in a tailored uniform greeted me with a warm smile. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties. "Welcome, Miss Hartwood. I’m Jane, Mr. Storm’s house manager." She extended her hand. I shook hers, smiling back. "Please, call me Clairessa. Nice to meet you." She nodded, stepping aside. “Likewise. Please, come in.” As I entered, the familiar luxury of Gabriel’s apartment surrounded me. The place was like a fortress—dark tones, sleek lines—a space as commanding as the man himself. Jane led me through the hallway, then stopped. "Mr. Storm is in the kitchen. I’ll leave you here.” She smiled again before di
Clairessa's POV I could see the pain on Gabriel’s face when he mentioned his ex-wife. His fingers tightened around the stem of the glass, knuckles white. Even if he didn’t love her anymore, the look in his eyes made it clear—he wasn’t over the past. “Oh.” The word barely left my lips, my voice smaller than I intended. Gabriel let out a slow breath. “Cooking was something we did together. After the divorce… I just stopped.” I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I’m glad you’re cooking again. And that it’s for me.” A faint smile touched his lips. “Talking about it is freeing, not having to keep it all bottled up… but I won’t lie—it’s also difficult. I felt ashamed for a long time, like her cheating meant I wasn’t enough, that she had to seek attention… love from somewhere else.” He let out a slow breath. “So, a part of me blamed myself.” My hand brushed against his forearm before my fingers glided over his knuckles, a gentle reassurance. “I know that feeling. Bu
Gabriel’s POV I gripped the steering wheel. “Clairessa—” “You made it clear you’re never going to forgive me,” she said, cutting me off. Her voice trembled. “So it’s better if I go. At least that way, I don’t have to stand next to you, knowing you think the worst of me.” She paused, her eyes glassy. “That look in your eyes… like I’m something filthy. It’s more than I can take. So please… just let me go.” And then she turned and walked away. Just like that. For a moment, I just stared at her, stunned. Her words tried to cut deep into my heart, but I fought it off. How dare she try to make this about my reaction to her betrayal, when she should be grateful—that I was offering her a hand when she deserved far worse for what she’d done? This felt like classic manipulation, just like she’d done before. And I was on the edge of giving in to the voice telling me to turn back... but I couldn’t. Watching her stumble through the storm, drenched and defeated by the rain... It tore some
Gabriel’s POV I stood by the window in my bedroom, staring out at the heavy downpour, hoping the rain could somehow drown out the noise in my head. But it didn’t. The ache in my chest was unbearable. It felt like someone had torn my heart out with their bare hands, and I was still expected to function. To breathe. To move on. Clairessa lied to me. She deceived me. And no matter how many times I tried to reason it out—tried to stitch together a narrative that didn’t hurt as much—I couldn’t move past it. The sickest part? My own son was also in love with her. We both fell for the same woman. But I didn’t just fall. I plummeted. I let my guard down for her. Let her in like she was my second chance at something I didn’t even believe in anymore. Love. I told myself she was different. Safe. Real. Mine. But no. She wasn’t. She was exactly like Angelique. The same games. The same fake innocence. The same damn sweetness masking manipulation. Deception. Lies. And I bough
Clairessa’s POVAs soon as the door slammed shut, it felt like my entire world collapsed.A sharp, jarring pain tore through my chest, and I clutched at my heart instinctively, as if holding it might stop it from breaking apart.My legs buckled beneath me, and I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as a sob ripped from somewhere deep inside me.I tried to silence it—to swallow the sound—but it was no use. I didn’t just cry. I broke down.Tears streamed down my face, falling freely onto the wooden floor beneath me.Gabriel’s last words echoed in my head again and again, each repetition cutting deeper into my already shattered heart.“We’re done. Nothing is ever going to happen between us again.”But it wasn’t just the words.It was the look in his eyes.A look that will haunt me forever.Disgust. Disdain. Like I was a mistake—a betrayal he regretted ever letting into his life.And what hurt the most wasn’t just losing him… it was knowing that someone who once loved me so deeply
Clairessa’s POVMy voice cut through the room, stopping Gabriel in his tracks.“No… I didn’t,” I choked out, my chest tightening, hands trembling at my sides. “This was a stupid plan. One I never should’ve gone through with—”He turned around slowly to face me—but I kept going.“But don’t stand there acting like you’re innocent. You cheated on me, remember?”His eyes darkened, pain flashing before it drowned in fury.“Don’t you fucking—” He stepped forward, his voice tight with rage.“Liar,” I spat, stepping into the fire between us. “I walked in on you and Nicole. Naked. In your bed. Don’t stand there pretending you ever gave a damn about me… about us.”“I was drunk, Clairessa!” he exploded. “I didn’t even know how I got home! Nicole told me I kept calling your name all night—like a pathetic mess. Over and over again. She didn’t touch me. Nothing happened.”I shook my head, unable to erase the image burned into my memory. “You expect me to believe that? That you just conveniently end
Gabriel’s POV “Which part?” I growled. “Dating my son? Or crawling into my bed, moaning my name like it meant something?” “No one sent me.” “Still lying,” I hissed, gripping her arms—maybe too hard, but I didn’t care. Not now. I needed the truth. I needed it like air. “You don’t just fall into bed with two men from the same bloodline by accident. So who the hell sent you?” She writhed in my hold. “I’m telling the truth! Gabriel, you’re hurting me. Please…” “Not until you tell me the truth,” I bit out. “This is mercy compared to what I’ll do if you keep lying.” My fingers sank deeper into her skin. I shut down whatever was left of my conscience. I was done being reasonable. The truth was coming out—no matter the cost. “I know you planned this,” I growled. “Every move. Every kiss. You made me fall while you played your sick little game. So tell me—who sent you?” “I’m begging you,” she sobbed, struggling against me. “Let me go, and I’ll tell you everything.” I stilled.
Gabriel’s POV I gripped the edge of the desk in my home office, holding it firm like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. I needed to act. Needed answers. The damn truth I grabbed my phone and hit the contact for Clayton—my PI. He picked up on the first ring. “Clayton,” I growled the moment I heard the click. “I was just about to call you,” he replied, voice tight—strained in a way that was unusual. “What did you find?” I demanded, not even bothering with a greeting. There was a pause. “Gabe…” he began, and that hesitation told me everything. Clayton never stalled. Never stumbled. He was a blunt, straight-to-the-point bastard. If his tone had changed, I knew the news was going to rip through me like a blade. “Just tell me,” I snapped. “This finding might shock you. I don’t know how to—” “Bloody hell, speak, Clayton. Now!” I barked. His delay was shredding what little patience I had left. I already knew—I just needed him to confirm it. “It’s... it’s going to hit har
Gabriel’s POV“Adrian… playing savior to a woman while your business circles the drain? That tells me your priorities are completely out of whack. Why bring her here of all places? What happened to your loft?”He shot me a bitter look. “You already know what happened. You refused to help out when the restaurant got scammed. So I had to let go of the loft in order to pay staff. Keep the business alive.”“That’s not my business,” I said flatly. “I gave you a choice: come work at the company or deal with your mess. You chose. Don’t come crying now.”Adrian rubbed the back of his neck and looked down.I continued, “You know how sacred this house is to me. I’ve always had a no-guest policy here. So why the hell bring her here? A hotel, a friend’s place—anywhere but here.”Adrian met my stare. “I’ve been staying here ever since I gave up my loft. Naturally, she’d stay with me. And no, I can’t afford a hotel right now.”“Adrian,” I said, stepping forward, “don’t you get it? I’m trying to set
Gabriel’s POVI hadn’t even gotten the chance to process the smell of fresh coffee before my entire world tilted.There she was.Clairessa.In my kitchen. In my home.For a split second, I thought I was hallucinating—still trapped in a half-dream.But the second her eyes met mine—wide, horrified—and the coffee cup slipped from her hand, shattering on the floor, I knew I wasn’t dreaming.No. This was a goddamn nightmare.She stood barefoot in an oversized shirt and shorts, her hair in a messy bun, like she belonged here. Like she lived here. Like she had every damn right to stand in this house—my house—looking so comfortable, so familiar, in a place that was meant to be off-limits to the world.What the hell was she doing here?Before I could even find my voice—before I could demand an answer—Adrian burst into the kitchen.“Clairessa!” he exclaimed, rushing to her side like I wasn’t even there.He glanced briefly at the shattered cup and then ignored it completely, focusing only on he
Clairessa’s POVAfter soaking for what felt like hours, I finally stepped out of the tub. The warmth lingered on my skin as I wrapped the towel around my body and padded back into the bedroom. Everything Adrian brought was neatly folded on the bed. I dried off slowly, then changed into his oversized T-shirt and shorts. They were loose, soft, and comforting in a strange way. They smelled like Adrian—his masculine scent, not too strong. Like the warmth I used to know. Warmth I no longer trusted. I sat at the edge of the bed, hair damp and skin tingling from the heat of the bath. The silence grew heavier, pressing down on me, suffocating my insides.And that’s when it hit me hard.My life had crashed to an all-time low in less than twenty-four hours. The walls felt like they were closing in, the ceiling pressing down, making it hard to breathe.I needed someone. I needed to hear a familiar, warm voice—someone who knew me, who would listen and understand.Someone who saw