Gabriel’s POVThe moment Clairessa stepped into my office, I saw it—the battle she was losing. Her skin was flushed, her breathing uneven. My eyes raked over her. She looked sexy as hell in the dress I had chosen for her. The stylist had sent a collection, but I’d picked this one. The dress. The lingerie. Every piece she wore—I had selected it. Fuck, I had a sick need to brand her. And damn, she looked perfect. The Alexander McQueen dress framed her hips, hugging every curve just right. My gaze trailed over her—her hips, her slender, smooth legs moving closer in those red-bottom heels, revealing glimpses of her caramel inner thighs. She stopped in front of my desk, gripping the edge so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her thighs pressed together, as if trying to suppress the fire raging inside her. But the way she trembled made it clear—resisting was impossible. Watching her struggle against the sensations flooding her body, knowing I controlled every last on
Gabriel’s POVI cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus as I turned my attention to Nicole, who stood at the far end of my office. "Welcome, Nicole. Have a seat." I gestured to the conference table. She nodded and took a seat. My gaze immediately shifted to Clairessa."Clairessa," I called, my voice smooth, commanding. "After you." She hesitated for just a second before stepping forward. And that’s when my jaw clenched. That damn dress. It clung to her ass—high, round, and perfect—making my fingers twitch with the urge to grab it, to caress and explore every inch. But what really held my attention was the way her steps faltered, the way her thighs pressed together just a little too tightly—like she was fighting something. Still fighting me. "Sit beside me," I ordered, sinking into my seat at the head of the table, stretching out with effortless confidence.Clairessa met my gaze with a faint smile, but I caught the hint of annoyance simmering in her eyes. She was u
Clairessa’s POVI stormed out of Gabriel’s office, muttering curses under my breath. That insufferable, arrogant, exasperating man. My legs trembled, my core still throbbing from the torment he had put me through. Every inch of me was hypersensitive, burning with the cruel, lingering ache of his touch—or lack thereof. Damn him. How dare he leave me like that? How dare he play these wicked games with me and then walk off as if nothing had happened? I should have known his calm demeanor, his so-called forgiveness, was nothing but a carefully laid trap. I should have known he was planning something. He never let anything slip through his fingers. And now, he had me exactly where he wanted—hungry, desperate, aching. Argh! I hated him. Yet, I wanted him. There was no denying it. It was an intoxicating, maddening feeling—one that consumed me entirely. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the elevator button, eager to escape before I lost the last shred of contro
Gabriel’s POVClairessa’s message burned in my mind. I stared at my phone, barely registering the droning voice of Tesco, the CEO of Zenco, seated across the large conference table. His associates, lawyers, and executives were seated around him, their expressions a mix of forced attentiveness and boredom. He was attempting to renegotiate terms that were already set in stone, but my attention was elsewhere. My grip tightened around my phone, heat rising in my veins. She thought this was a game. She thought she could push me, test me, and get away with it. She had no idea who she was dealing with. "Mr. Storm?" Tesco's voice cut through my haze. I lifted my gaze, finally acknowledging the man sitting across from me. He offered a coy smile before continuing. "Mr. Storm, as I was saying, we believe the current valuation does not fully reflect the potential of our company, and we would like to revisit the—” He had been spewing the same nonsense for the past hour, trying to
Clairessa’s POV I let out a shaky breath, my lips curving into a smirk. "I thought you liked my games." Gabriel chuckled darkly, sending a shiver through me before he dipped his head to my neck. "You have no idea how much," he murmured against my skin, his tongue gliding over the sensitive spot just below my ear. A tremor ran through me, my body instinctively arching against him. His scent—rich, clean, woodsy—wrapped around me, making my head swim. "You smell so sweet," he breathed, his nose trailing along the curve of my throat, savoring me. "Do you know what that does to me?" "Tell me.” His tongue swiped along her cleavage, sending a jolt of heat straight through me. "It makes me want to devour you." A soft whimper escaped before I could stop it. Then—ding. The elevator doors slid open, shattering the moment and forcing him to pull away. I gasped softly, my lips tingling, my body aching from the sudden loss of contact. Still gripping my waist, he guided me
Clairessa’s POVGabriel lifted me off the floor, throwing me over his shoulder as if I weighed nothing. My legs dangled behind him, my palms pressing against his back in protest. “Gabriel! What are you doing?” I gasped, kicking slightly. "Granting you your wish," he purred. Then, without warning, he smacked my ass. A sudden sting shot through me as his palm connected with my bare skin. “Ouch,” I gasped, the unexpected heat spreading through the thin fabric of my dress, igniting something far more intense than pain. He carried me effortlessly across the room before lowering me onto his lap, my body draped over his legs. My face pressed into the soft bedding, my legs hanging off the edge—completely at his mercy. "Let's see what we have here," he murmured, his fingers trailing along the hem of my dress before slowly pushing it up. Cool air kissed my exposed skin, making me shiver in anticipation. I let out a soft breath as he slid my panties down my legs completely. I
Clairessa’s POVEmbarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave as the memory of my confession replayed in my mind.Fuck.I had just told Gabriel I loved him.A truth I hadn’t even admitted to myself yet.This was crazy. Impossible. It had to be the orgasm. The overwhelming pleasure. It wasn’t me—it was the moment, the passion, the intensity.Did he hear me? Did he remember?Oh God.What if he was just waiting for me to say it again, to confirm what my body had already betrayed?No. No way.I had to play it off. Act like it never happened.I snuck a glance at him, but the moment our eyes met, my stomach flipped. He was watching me, a smug expression tugging at his lips."What?" I blurted out, still shy and utterly mortified by what had just happened—or rather, by how I had completely lost control.Gabriel’s smirk widened. "Did you just admit you’re in love with me… mid-orgasm?”"I… no… I—" I stammered, panicking, my heart hammering against my ribs.Before I could form a proper defense,
Clairessa’s POV I woke up completely exhausted, my body sore but deliciously satisfied. My eyes snapped open, darting around the room as I tried to process everything. I shifted, pushing up onto my elbows, and spotted Gabriel sitting at the desk near the window, his attention locked on his laptop. He looked effortlessly handsome, his jaw tight with concentration as he typed. Then my gaze drifted to the giant clock hanging on the wall. 6:30. Shit. It all came rushing back. How did I let myself sleep this late? Panic surged through me. "Gabriel…" My voice was hoarse, my throat dry from sleep. At the sound of my voice, Gabriel's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto mine. He was on his feet in seconds, striding toward me. Concern flickered in his expression as he sat beside me. "What is it?" he asked, his voice edged with worry. "Oh my God…" I gasped, jerking upright as panic took hold. "You didn’t wake me—shit! I overslept!" Relief softened his face as he real
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