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
Clairessa’s POV Those were all the words Gabriel needed to hear. His fingers slid through my slick folds, teasing, gathering the wetness pooling between my thighs. "Fuck… my sweet… you're dripping for me," he purred, his voice thick with hunger. His fingertips brushed my swollen clit, circling it slowly. A soft moan escaped my lips, my hips jerking against his touch. "Gabriel…" He groaned at my response, pressing harder, stroking me in maddening circles. My body trembled uncontrollably. "You're so fucking perfect," he rasped, his fingers dragging lower, tracing my entrance before plunging two inside at once. I cried out, my walls clenching around him. He didn’t ease in—he took. His fingers thrust deep and fast, curling just right, stroking that sweet spot that had me unraveling into desperate moans. "You're so fucking tight," he growled, pumping his fingers into me, over and over again. "And mine alone." "Daddy… oh god, yes," I mewled, gripping his shoulders for supp
Gabriel’s POV My eyes locked on Clairessa, every nerve ending in my body coming alive at her command. Fuck…, I thought. That was the last thing I expected her to say. She lay back, her breasts perky and her legs parted, essentially offering herself to me. Daddy… I need you, her words echoed in my mind, igniting something primal within me, pushing me to the edge—to claim her like a beast. She had no idea about the war raging inside me. No clue how much control it took not to give in. Because when I took her, I wouldn’t be gentle. I wouldn’t hold back. I wanted to slam into her—hard, fast—claiming her in ways she hadn’t even imagined. I wanted to do dark, sinful things to her body—things she’d never experienced. To own every inch of her. But she wasn’t making it easy. I was her first—and I intended to keep it that way for a long time—which meant I had to be thoughtful. I couldn’t drag her into the darkness of my twisted, traumatic world. But the last time we were toget
Gabriel’s POVClairessa obeyed immediately, shifting onto her knees on the counter, her soft hands pressing against the cool marble. "Bend forward," I commanded. She got on all fours, arching her back, her round, sculpted ass raised for me—smooth, firm, and begging to be spanked. But I noticed the way her fingers trembled, the slight tension in her body. She was nervous. I ran a hand down the length of her back, pausing just above the curve of her ass. "Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Use your words," I murmured, my fingers brushing lightly over her spine. "Yes, Gabriel," she whispered. "I trust you." "Good girl." My palm glided over the swell of her ass, appreciating the way she pushed into my touch. "Just like that," I murmured, my hand smoothing over her skin. "So fucking perfect." Then I brought my hand down. She gasped when I delivered the first slap, the sting spreading across her soft skin. I watched her closely, waiting for her reaction. "More?" A de
Gabriel’s POVI sat across from the bed, watching as Clairessa stirred from sleep. She stretched beneath the sheets, letting out a soft yawn as her eyes shot open. Damn, she looked stunning in the morning. Her curls were scattered, spread across the pillow. Her eyes, still heavy with sleep, blinked lazily as she rubbed them. The movement was innocent yet deeply seductive. The early sunlight slipping through the curtains made her skin glow. Her gaze finally found me, and when she realized I’d been watching her, she smiled shyly and covered her face before peeking at me through her fingers. “How long have you been watching?” Her voice was soft and drowsy. “Long enough.” I stood and walked over to the bed, sitting beside her. Gently, I pried her fingers away from her face, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead. “Good morning, my sweet.” “Good morning,” she whispered back. I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Her warm, bare skin pressed against mine
Clairessa’s POV Back home, I struggled to concentrate on the work in front of me on my laptop screen as Jess’s nagging voice from behind kept breaking my focus. I clenched my jaw, fingers tightening around my pen as I stared at the screen, refusing to pay her any attention. "Claire, you know I’m not going to let you work in peace until you spill… You didn’t come home last night. That only means one thing." I looked back, giving her my best mock-angry glare. "I already told you. I went out." My voice was steadier than I expected, but Jess wasn’t buying it. She hopped onto my desk, using her hip to shove my files aside as she made herself comfortable. Arms crossed, lips curling in disbelief. "Oh, please. We’ve been friends for a decade, and you’ve never kept a secret from me." Rubbing my temples, I leaned back. "There is no secret to tell." Jess huffed dramatically. "Liar." "Fine," I exhaled. "I went over to Gabriel’s apartment. He invited me to a dinner celebration for the d
Clairessa’s POV My fingers began typing before I could stop myself. Me: Hello, Gabriel. I apologize for disturbing your meeting, but it seems like there’s an Aston Martin delivery from you. I only wanted my car back, not a new one. His response came almost immediately, as if he’d been waiting. Gabriel: Hey, sweet. Your tone… you sound upset. I just thought your old car was overdue for a change. That thing was a safety hazard on wheels. But if you don’t like this one and have something else in mind, we can swap it. My brows furrowed. Of course, he’d insult my car, just like Jess had. But it wasn’t about the car. It was about what it meant. Me: It’s not about liking it or not. I just think a car is too expensive a gift. A pause. Then another message. Gabriel: You don’t think you’re worth expensive gifts? I froze, my fingers hovering over the keypad. Why did he always do this? Always make me question my own words, as if I was somehow undervaluing myself? Me: It’s not
Clairessa’s POVMy pulse pounded as Gabriel's hard body pressed against my softness, the heat radiating off him like a drug I couldn’t resist. His familiar dark, woodsy scent wrapped around me, intoxicating, making it impossible to think. “So, you don’t like my surprises?” he murmured, his lips brushing against my ear. I swallowed, trying to steady my restless nerves. “Well… I never said that,” I breathed, my body betraying me as it melted into him despite my weak attempt to resist. “Then what is it?” His other hand came up, tilting my chin so I had no choice but to look into his stormy gaze. “Gabriel, you bought the car without asking me first.” His lips curled, amusement and arrogance blending in that infuriatingly sexy way. “That’s typically how surprises work, Clairessa.” His fingers trailed lower, brushing away a stray drop of water gliding down my neck. His touch was so light, yet it sent shivers through me, making it impossible to resist him any longer. I sucked i
Clairessa’s POVI stared at Gabriel in disbelief, a knot tightening in my stomach as I waited for the rest of the sentence—like it was some kind of sick joke and any second now, he’d laugh and take it back.But he didn’t laugh. He didn’t even blink.He was serious. Stone cold.What the hell did he mean—help Adrian grow up? Keep him focused? Become the woman who inspires him to be a better man?What the actual hell?Was I supposed to play life coach now? Or worse... a supportive girlfriend?“Gabriel, this isn’t going to work. Can’t you see that? Not after everything that’s happened between us. And I thought you were a man who prided himself on honesty. Now you want me to lie to your son?”He stepped closer, closing the space between us until I could feel the heat rolling off him—familiar and maddening. I instinctively moved back, but it wasn’t enough. His breath brushed my cheek as he spoke.“I’m not asking you to lie,” he murmured, voice low and dark. “I’m asking you to keep pretendin
Clairessa POVThe day had finally gone by faster than I expected. Adrian had settled into his downstairs room—claiming it was more convenient, already filled with his things—while I was placed upstairs. It felt like life was playing another sick, twisted game on me, because he’d placed me in the room closest to Gabriel’s. He even joked about it—said maybe his dad would finally warm up to me, get to know me… even like me. What he didn’t know was that I already knew Gabriel. Intimately. He was my secret. My mistake. My obsession. The man I had once given everything to—and the one I still wasn’t over. And I knew this house—every hallway, every door, every room. So when I left my room and wandered to Gabriel’s door, I told myself it was just to say thank you—for letting me stay until I figured things out, for not turning me away.But a voice in my head warned me to go back. That nothing good would come from this. Still, I didn’t stop. His door was ajar. I didn’t knock—
Gabriel’s POVI looked at Adrian—and for the first time, I saw something different. Adrian wasn’t fighting.He wasn’t bluffing.He was broken.Humbled.He wanted to make things right.And in that moment, I knew—if I said no, I might lose him for good.This wasn’t just about Clairessa anymore. It was about righting something that clearly mattered to him. And he needed me—not as a boss, but as a father—to back him up.Fuck.“Fine,” I bit out. “She can stay. But not more than a month.”Relief washed over his face, lighting him up like the boy I hadn’t seen in years.“Thanks, Dad,” he breathed, pulling me into a quick, tight hug.I stood stiff for a moment, then patted his back, still not used to these moments.As he pulled away and walked out, I turned back toward the window.At least I had one consolation: Adrian’s vulnerability had given me leverage.Now he’d listen.Now he’d obey.This was my chance to mold him—straighten him out, finally turn him into the man I knew he could become.
Gabriel’s POV I paced the room, anger and heartbreak twisting so violently inside me I thought they’d tear me in two. My fists clenched and unclenched at my sides as I stared out the window into the night sky—the only thing that made any sense in this goddamn chaos. Then I heard the door push open behind me. Adrian stepped in, shutting it with a firm click. “Dad,” he said, frustration clear in his voice, “why did you react that way? You just walked out of dinner because I asked you to let Clairessa stay? I don’t get it. What’s so hard about that?” “Adrian, not now,” I muttered, my voice low. “We’ll talk later.” But he didn’t back off. “Why not now?” he pressed, stepping closer. “Why can’t we talk about it now? What is it? What do you have against Clairessa? It feels like you don’t like her—you’ve never liked her, not from the first time you saw her. What is it? Is there something you know that I don’t?” I didn’t want to do this. Not now. Not while my mind was still spinning… n
Gabriel’s POVI sat at the dining table, seething, the rage in me growing hotter every goddamn second.Across the table, Adrian and Clairessa sat so close their arms brushed. He leaned in, whispering something in her ear. She smiled—smiled like she loved whatever nonsense he was feeding her.My blood burned.Her eyes met mine once. Just once.Then she looked away like I didn’t exist. Like I hadn’t given her twenty-four hours to tell him the truth.And judging by the way he looked at her—like she was some innocent angel who saved his life—she hadn’t said a word.It was more than obvious she hadn’t told him a damn thing.She was still pretending. Same as always.But she had no idea what hell I’d unleash if she kept this up.God… I was going to—I couldn’t even say it.Couldn’t bring myself to hate her, no matter how much I wanted to.Especially not when she was sitting beside my son, touching him, smiling for him—and jealousy slammed into me like a punch to the ribs.Shit. How could I s
Clairessa’s POVAdrian turned his head to look at me, eyes narrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”“I was angry that you cheated on me,” I whispered. “So I decided to get even… and I started seeing someone.”Adrian’s expression darkened; hurt flashed through his eyes before he quickly masked it. “Okay. So you were with someone while we were apart. If I’m being honest, I kinda suspected it… based on how quickly you seemed ready to move on from us.”He gave a short, shaky breath. “If that’s what this big talk is about, then… Clairessa, that’s not a crime. We weren’t together. You don’t have to beat yourself up over that. We can move on from it.”“Not when you find out who it was…”Adrian shifted and reached for my hands. “Claire, listen. I don’t need to know who the guy is. It doesn’t matter.”I stared at him, my throat tightening. “You don’t understand—”“Shhh…” Adrian hushed me gently, pressing two fingers to my lips. “I understand what you’re going through. I’ve carried my own guilt
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel didn’t look at me at first. His eyes stayed fixed on Gretchen, his tone calm but laced with a quiet threat. "Leave us," he said. Gretchen froze for a breath, clearly uneasy. "Of course, Mr. Storm." She slipped out without another word. And then it was just us—Gabriel and me. I barely had time to register the storm in his eyes before he crossed the room in three long strides and seized my elbow—not painfully, but firmly enough to jolt my heart. "Don’t get too comfortable in my house," he hissed. "You won’t be here much longer." I stared at him, stunned. Just yesterday, he’d been at my side, placing cold towels on my forehead, watching over me like I still meant something to him. He’d cared for me, staying by my side through the night. And for a moment, I let myself believe—maybe something in him had softened. Maybe there was still hope for us. But I was wrong. The anger was back—hotter, more intense. And I was foolish to think forgiveness would co
Clairessa’s POVAfter sleeping for what felt like forever, I finally dragged myself out of bed. My body still ached faintly, but compared to earlier, I felt stronger. No fever. No chills. Just a craving for fresh air and something cold to drink.I’d been holed up in that room all day, not just because I needed rest, but because it was easier.Easier to hide. Easier than running into Adrian and his mission to get me back… or worse, Gabriel and the drama that would unfold when he told the truth.The idea of running into either of them made my stomach twist, so I figured if I moved quietly enough, I could sneak down to the kitchen, grab a glass of juice, and return before anyone noticed.My throat was dry, parched even. I glanced at the empty glass on the nightstand and sighed. There was no escaping it—I needed juice.Slipping quietly out of bed, I padded across the room, easing the door open like it might squeak loud enough to call them both over.The hallway was empty. Good. I tiptoed
Clairessa’s POVMy body trembled, a deep shiver running through me like heat and cold were warring inside my veins.Through the fog, Gabriel’s voice cut in—urgent, panicked.“Clairessa... hey, are you okay? Look at me... please.”Then I felt his hands—lifting me, holding me close, peeling away layers of clothing…The dream came in flashes. The soft splash of water. His arms supported me as he bathed me—like I was breakable, like I still meant something to him.He dressed me gently, laid me in bed, tucked the duvet around me, then pressed a kiss to my forehead.When he turned to go, I reached for him, my fingers curling around his. I remember whispering it… three small words.“I love you.”A voice, distant and persistent, tugged me out of the warmth.“Claire… Claire…”My eyes flew open, blinking against the light. Adrian’s face swam into focus.“Thank God,” he breathed. “You’re awake.”I stared at him for a moment, disoriented, my heart still wrapped in the remnants of the dream. I gla