Gabriel’s POVFew Weeks Later“Jess,” I said as soon as she picked up, my voice tensed, “please tell me everything’s in place.”Her soft laughter drifted through the line. “Relax, Mr. Storm,” she teased. “Everything is exactly how you requested. The movers brought in all her belongings without a hitch. The interior team finished last night, and the stylist just wrapped up the closet. You should see it… it’s perfect. All of it. Ready for my best friend to walk in like a damn queen.”I exhaled slowly, but the tightness in my chest refused to let go.“I just… I want her to love it,” I muttered, more to myself than to her.“She will,” Jess replied, voice steady and warm. “Mr. Storm, you’ve obsessed over every tiny detail for weeks. It shows. And I’ve known Claire long enough to tell you, she’ll love it. Not just the surprise… she’ll love you even more for this.”I rubbed the back of my neck, pacing behind my desk. “Thank you. For helping with all of this. For keeping it from her. I owe yo
Gabriel’s POV My cock throbbed, aching, straining against the confines of my slacks like it was ready to tear its way out. The pressure bordered on pain. I swore I’d go insane if I didn’t have her. Now. I pulled my fingers from her slowly, savoring the breathy protest she put up. My other hand was already at my belt, unfastening it. I unzipped my pants and shoved both slacks and briefs just low enough. I didn’t need them gone, just enough room to get to her. Clairessa’s breath hitched as I grabbed her hips, hiked her dress up, and lifted her against the wall with both hands. Her legs wrapped tight around my waist, heels digging into my back pushing me deeper into her. Her body arching into mine, and the slick, hot press of her heat against my cock nearly undid me. I should have slammed into her. I wanted to. But there was something I needed to say first. “I’m sorry,” I rasped, forehead against hers, breath hot and ragged. “For what I did after that night…” She looked up at m
Gabriel’s POVMy phone buzzed.Clairessa: Mr. Storm, where the hell are you?I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. I could already hear her footsteps, soft but fast, closing in at the end of the hallway.And then she appeared.Without a word, I stepped out from the shadows, grabbed her hand, and pulled her flush against me. Her back hit the wall with a soft thud as my body caged hers in. I leaned in, brushing strands of hair from her face, her skin warm and flushed.“I thought we were supposed to be discreet,” she whispered, somewhere between laughter and lust.“Forget discreet,” I growled, my mouth brushing the shell of her ear. “You’ve been paraded in front of my ex-wife like a goddamn trophy, and my son’s too blind to realize you’re already taken. I needed to remind you, and myself.”She smirked, eyes glinting. “Mr. Storm, jealousy looks dangerously good on you. But, careful… we are talking about your son.”“Screw my son.” I gripped her jaw gently, lifting her chin so her eyes met m
Adrian’s POVSomething about tonight felt… off.Clairessa had barely looked at me all through dinner. Her eyes were cold, and even her smile seemed fake, distant.It was like I didn’t even exist to her anymore. And what made it worse was how she shut me down after I brought up her being a virgin, right there in front of everyone.Fuck. I never should’ve said anything.I should’ve respected what we shared behind closed doors. That moment was supposed to be sacred, ours. But I ruined it, trying to use it as some grand statement to remind her how much she meant to me. Now it was clear to me that this wasn’t the time, and it sure as hell wasn’t the place.The second the words left my mouth, I regretted them.And now she looked at me like my touch disgusted her and I was some stranger trying to force myself into a space she no longer wanted me in. I glanced over again, her head was still buried in her phone, fingers tapping away like I didn’t exist beside her.And I knew damn well it wa
Gabriel’s POVClairessa’s reply came in too fast.Clairessa: Gabriel! …we can't yet, that’d be too suspicious.Gabriel: I don’t care. No one touches what’s mine. Not even my son. I need him away from you before I lose it.Clairessa: Relax, Mr. Possessive. He can’t do anything here. But… it’s kinda hot when you’re like this.Gabriel: I’m one step away from announcing to this damn table that you’re my woman.Clairessa: Not yet. Not with your ex-wife two seats away playing mind games. I don’t want you to lose Adrian over me.I read her message and exhaled slowly. She was right, as always. I needed to cool down.Still, I caught the way Angelique’s gaze moved between us. She knew something was up.“Clairessa,” she asked. “Is that work?”“You caught me,” Clairessa replied with a small smile. “Apologies. Just wrapping some unfinished work up.”“Seems Gabriel is too,” Angelique added with a tilt of her head. “You both must work closely.”I didn’t bother looking at her. “Stay out of my busines
Gabriel’s POV Adrian had called me downstairs for dinner. Nothing unusual. But the second I stepped into the dining room and saw the lit candles and the elaborate table setting, I stilled. What the hell is this? “Adrian,” I snapped, my eyes narrowing on the over-the-top floral centerpiece and the suspicious glint in his eyes. “What the hell is going on here?” He raised both hands as if I’d walked in mid-explosion. “Dad, calm down…” My fists clenched. “You knew about this?” He shrugged, avoiding my eyes. “She told me just before you came down.” Of course he did, and he didn’t do anything to stop it. He gestured toward Angelique, who stood smiling like a woman who thought this was all charming instead of deeply twisted. “Mom prepared all this,” he said. “It’s her way of apologizing. A gesture... to make amends.” Angelique. It had to be her. I let out a bitter laugh. “Make amends?” I scoffed. “For what exactly?” Angelique stepped closer, her hands clasped together in front o