Clairessa’s POVDinner with Gabriel had been perfect. Every detail, every word, every glance—it was like he had reached into my thoughts and pulled out everything I could have wanted. Standing on the deck of the yacht afterward, I held onto the railing, letting the cool ocean breeze wash over me.I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes as the soft scent of the ocean surrounded me. The sound of the waves gently hitting against the yacht calmed my racing thoughts. Just as my mind began to drift, I felt strong, muscular arms wrap around my waist from behind.Gabriel.I instantly leaned back against his chest, letting his warmth envelop me. His familiar scent—a mix of woodsy cologne and something uniquely him—made me feel safe. His hands brushed against my arms, sending a delicious shiver through me. I wasn’t cold—it was the way his touch sparked something wild and untamed deep inside me.He leaned closer, his lips grazing my ear. “Have I told you how ravishing you look tonight?” His breath was
Clairessa’s POVGabriel’s eyes darkened as he lifted me off the floor, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. My arms clung to his broad shoulders as he carried me into the yacht’s cabin. He set me down on the soft mattress. For a brief moment, he stood still, his dark, smoldering eyes locked onto mine. Then, he took a step back, creating a small, tantalizing distance between us. His gaze never left mine as his hands moved to the buttons of his shirt. This time, I saw a desperation in his eyes I hadn't seen before as he ripped his shirt off, letting it fall to the floor.I swallowed hard, my eyes fixed on him. His chiseled chest and defined abs seemed sculpted by God himself. The way his muscles flexed with every small movement made my breath hitch. Gabriel’s hands moved to his belt, unbuckling it with practiced ease. His trousers slid down, leaving him in nothing but his briefs. My pulse quickened, my eyes glued to the thick bulge straining against the fabric. And
Gabriel’s POVShe’s a bloody virgin. The realization hit me like a hammer to the chest. My mind spun as I stared down at Clairessa, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. My chest tightened painfully at the sight. She’d lied to me. I thought she’d done this before—with her boyfriend. I thought she could handle me.But she hadn’t. And she couldn’t. The sound of her cry replayed in my ears, louder than anything else in the room. Her nails dug into my shoulders, her body trembling beneath mine. I froze, gripping her hips, trying to ground myself, to stop the fiery need raging through me that demanded I keep thrusting into her. “Bloody hell, Clairessa, you lied to me,” I growled, feeling both frustrated and guilty. Her walls clenched tightly around me, and my cock throbbed with the need to bury itself deeper. But the pain on her face told me I couldn’t. Her lips parted, but no words came. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her body trembling beneath mine. The pain etched across
Gabriel’s POVI stormed into the bathroom, refusing to meet Clairessa’s gaze. My hands gripped the edge of the sink as I stared at my reflection with a mixture of anger and disgust. How could I let her get to me like this?I felt like a damn fool. She had lied to me, feeding me some bullshit about how she and her ex had done it plenty of times before. But it was all a lie—to lure me into her trap. She knew exactly how I felt about virgins. They were off-limits to me, a line I never crossed. If I had known she was untouched… none of this would have happened."Shit," I muttered, running my hand through my hair, trying to calm the rage burning inside me. And worse? I had taken her raw. No protection. That wasn’t just reckless—it was insane.How could I lose control like that? Like some horny teenage boy desperate for his first time. Me. Gabriel Storm. A man who prided himself on discipline.When I was planning her birthday getaway, protection didn’t even cross my mind. Not once. A
Gabriel’s POV The question haunted my thoughts. Why me and not her boyfriend? What did she see in a broken, old man like me? I had nothing to offer her but pain and heartbreak. Exactly what she didn’t need after her last relationship. I yanked on a pair of loose shorts from the wardrobe and grabbed my phone, dialing Elena to bring fresh sheets.Shortly after, Elena arrived at the deck room. Her eyes landed on the red stains, and she gave me a questioning look. My jaw clenched as I ripped the sheets off the bed, ignoring the way her eyes followed my every move. I should have done that before calling her, but she would’ve seen them anyway. What did it matter what Elena thought of my personal life? I’d never cared before, and I wasn’t about to start now.Elena worked quickly, stripping and replacing the sheets with practiced efficiency. When she finished, she faced me with a suspicious look.“All done, Mr. Storm. Would you need anything else?” “That’ll be all,” I dismissed her cu
Gabriel’s POV Clairessa’s gaze burned into mine, smoldering with a fiery boldness. “A woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it.” Her lips quirked into a sensual smile, and my eyes fixed on them, already imagining how they’d feel against my skin. She stepped closer, her body brushing against mine, and the heat of her presence slowly melted away the guilt I was feeling. “What I want,” she whispered, her breath teasing my neck, “is to satisfy my desires. You promised me multiple orgasms, Gabriel. Isn’t that the agreement?” Her boldness left me momentarily speechless. The confidence in her voice, the sensual sway of her hips, and the way her body brushed so closely against mine were intoxicating. “Clairessa,” I finally managed, my voice rough with desire, “last night, I may have pushed you into agreeing. But I need you to be certain this is what you want. I—” Her sly smirk cut me off, her tone playful but cocky. “Seduced is the word you’re looking for.
Clairessa’s POV My eyes shot open as sunlight spilled through the cabin’s window, warming my skin. I stretched lazily, feeling the soft sheets slip from my body. A delicious warmth spread through me, and a smile tugged at my lips as memories of last night came rushing back. Gabriel. His hands, his lips, his body—every touch had set me ablaze. He had made love to me with a sweetness and intensity I hadn’t known was possible. I was no longer a virgin, and the realization felt… freeing. A part of me I hadn’t known was shackled had been released. For the first time, I felt ready to explore, to embrace all the pleasures I had been missing out on.Unconsciously, I trailed a finger across my lips, remembering the feel of his kisses. My touch drifted lower, to my neck, where his lips had lingered, then to my collarbone, where his tongue had teased me. My fingers paused at my nipples, which still ached faintly with the memory of his mouth.“Look who’s finally awake.” His deep, rich voic
Clairessa’s POV“This way, please,” Brenda gestured, leading us along a stone path lined with colourful flowers and trees.As we strolled through the resort, I became increasingly aware of the treatment we were receiving. Every staff member we passed bowed slightly or greeted Gabriel with a level of respect that felt… different. It was clear he was powerful here. Someone important. Someone they admired. We stopped briefly near a row of private villas, each with infinity pools that seemed to spill into the endless blue of the ocean. Before I could stop myself, I blurted, “Just how rich are you, exactly?” I turned to Gabriel, my voice carrying more shock than I intended. “First Miami, then Vegas, the yacht, and now this?” Gabriel’s lips curled into a lazy smirk, amusement flashing in his eyes. “You work for me, Clairessa. I would’ve thought you’d figured it out by now.” I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. “I mean, I knew you were rich, but this… this is next-le
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
Gabriel’s POV “Dad?” I didn’t bother looking up as I stirred the pot, letting the aroma rise and fill the kitchen. “I’m here,” I called out. I heard Adrian’s footsteps draw closer. He stopped at the kitchen threshold, and the silence that followed stretched just long enough to make me smirk without turning around. “Wait—are you cooking?” he asked, disbelief lacing his voice. “Dad, I’m shocked. You haven’t cooked in… what, years?” I finally turned to face him, wiping my hand on the kitchen towel slung over my shoulder. “Gretchen told me earlier she had a personal errand to run and would be back by noon.” I offered a casual shrug, reaching for the ladle and giving the pot another stir. “I was hungry and couldn’t wait that long.” I could feel the lie burning on the tip of my tongue. Truth was, I wasn’t hungry. Eating was the last thing on my mind. The food I was cooking—it was for Clairessa. I wanted her to have something warm when she woke up, something to ease the aftermath of
Gabriel’s POV I gently pulled the duvet down and slipped my arms around her, lifting her against me. Her body was burning, her skin clammy, her breath shallow. She didn’t stir—just shivered helplessly in my arms, trapped in some fever dream. “Clairessa.” My voice cracked as I shook her gently, trying to coax her into consciousness. “Hey, open your eyes… please.” No response. “It’s me. Gabriel. I’m here,” I whispered, lifting her slowly into my arms and brushing damp strands of hair from her face. Her eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, they opened. Our eyes met—just briefly. She gave the faintest smile, soft and dazed—then slipped back into the fever, her eyes shutting again. Fuck. I had to do something. I lowered her carefully onto the mattress and rushed to the bathroom, soaking a towel in warm water. I came back and laid it across her forehead, holding it there, hoping to ease the heat. After a minute or two, I replaced it with a fresh one, trying to bring her temperatur
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