Gabriel’s POV "Tems, let her in." I spoke into the intercom, then cut the line. Seconds later, my office door creaked open—and there she was. Nicole strutted in like she was performing on a runway, hips swaying with exaggerated confidence. It was almost laughable. I half expected her knees to buckle under the weight of her own theatrics. She halted at the edge of my desk, leaning forward just enough to shove her cleavage into view. Her lips curled into that smug little smirk she always wore—like she thought she had leverage, like she believed she still mattered. “Mr. Storm,” she purred. “You sent for me. I was surprised… but pleasantly so. Especially after how our last little encounter ended.” Her smile stretched wider. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, eyes glittering with suggestion. “Then again, you know how useful I can be, sir. So I’m glad you’ve come around.” God, she was exhausting. The sound of her voice grated—like nails dragging against glass. She alway
ADRIAN'S POVI was pacing.Downstairs felt suffocating. I’d already done at least five laps through the living room and hall, hands clenched, mind spinning. I hated not knowing.Clairessa had been in Dad’s office way too long. I couldn’t hear much, but whatever was going on in there—it wasn’t just a work conversation. It was more.Part of me wanted to charge in and pull her out, rescue her from one of his cold punishments or verbal scoldings. He didn’t take kindly to being challenged. And Clairessa?She’d walked straight into the fire without flinching. That’s what scared me. Her strength was undeniable—but she was in there alone. And I knew better than anyone how ruthless he could be when he felt threatened.Standing out here, helpless, was its own kind of torture.I crossed the distance in seconds, heart pounding, and moved to eavesdrop—but just as I leaned in to press my ear to the door, it flew open.Clairessa stormed out, fury etched across her face. She nearly collided with me,
Gabriel’s POVMy chest heaved as I tightened my hold around her waist, locking her deeper against me when she tried to wriggle free. I wasn’t letting go—not now, not when every part of me was burning for her.I needed to finish what I’d started. Her nipples were still taut, brushing against my chest like they were silently begging for my attention.I was tempted to take one between my lips, circle it with my tongue, tease and torment it until she arched into me, moaning that wild, familiar sound that always shattered my control.God, I wanted to kiss, caress, and taste every inch of her skin.I wanted to slide my hands lower—beneath the waistband of her pants.Would I find her wet and aching for me?I wanted to lose myself in her—again and again—until nothing else existed but us.Why couldn’t she see it?Why did she keep fighting what was still burning between us?Why stop now—why deny us this moment?God... I knew I’d been harsh these past few weeks, but it wasn’t entirely my fault.
Gabriel – POVI stood in my office, fuming—or at least, that’s what I told myself.But the moment our eyes met, the fire in my chest shifted into something else.Clairessa stood across the desk, arms crossed tightly, her lips pressed into a furious line.She didn’t speak. She didn’t need to.Her silence said everything.And still… I couldn’t concentrate on the anger in her expression—because all I could see was how damn beautiful she looked.Her hair was still damp from the shower, soft strands clinging to her cheeks, framing her face with an effortless kind of beauty that didn’t feel real.I wanted to run my fingers through the tangles, smooth them back, drag the ends across my skin… just to see if they still carried that familiar hint of vanilla.God, I used to love that scent.Sweet. Warm. Hers.Or had she changed it?I couldn’t tell from here, and it pissed me off that I even cared.My eyes dropped before I could stop them.She wore oversized joggers that swallowed her legs, but e
Gabriel’s POVThere was a bitter taste in my mouth—and it had nothing to do with the coffee I’d just swallowed. It came from watching Clairessa and my son.Adrian was singing her praises again, grinning like he’d won a prize, and there she was, blushing like a schoolgirl.The smile on her lips made something ugly twist in my chest.Why the hell was she blushing?Couldn’t she see what he was doing?Every compliment, every smile—it was all part of his damn strategy to win her back. And she was playing right into it.Was she really going to give in that easily?Goddamn it, Gabriel. This is what you wanted.You offered to fund her long-time dream just so she could play pretend with your son.You practically handed her over to him. So what are you mad about?This is what you wanted. So now deal with it.She’s simply doing her part... and you caused this.“Fuck...” I muttered, unaware I’d spoken aloud.“What did you say, Dad?” Adrian’s voice cut through the storm in my head.I cleared my th
Clairessa’s POV I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself. It was finally the weekend, and I was grateful for the silence—for the chance to just breathe. There was no reason to rush. No alarms. No buzzing phone. No morning meetings. Just stillness. A well-earned pause. I padded to the window and pulled the curtains open slightly, letting in the warm, golden morning light. I shut my eyes and let the sun wash over my skin—just for a moment—as my mind drifted. Three weeks had passed. Maybe a little more. The Randolph Project had consumed everything—days, nights, weekends. Everyone was working overtime just to keep up with the system updates and impossible deadlines. The final presentation was coming up in three weeks. Gabriel’s email had made the stakes clear: “Impress the CEO. No excuses. Failure will have consequences.” I didn’t need to be told twice. I wasn’t about to find out what those consequences looked like. I just wanted it all to be over. Thankfully,