Gabriel’s POV I stepped closer, reaching for Clairessa’s hand. She pulled me back for a moment, then slowly let me take it. Her hand felt delicate in mine, like I might break her if I wasn’t careful. I looked into her eyes and whispered, "I could never have my fill of you." I confessed, baring my emotions, hoping she could see I was being sincere. "You don’t know what you do to me... I don’t think I could ever get enough of you." She yanked her hand away, her eyes flashing with anger as she turned her back to me. "I'm done with your games, Gabriel," she retorted. "Teasing, taunting… using sex as a weapon to control me, to own me. But you give me nothing in return." Her words hit me hard, sinking deep. I knew she was right—I had almost nothing real to offer her. Yet, I couldn’t let her go. My hands gently rested on her shoulders as I turned her to face me. She was trembling, and I could see it wasn’t just from anger—it was from hurt, too. "Clairessa, I’m sorry… about that
Clairessa’s POV Oh my God. It all made sense now. Everything—why Gabriel was the way he was. Daniel’s story… about his friend walking in on him… But he never got to say the name of his best friend because Gabriel had walked in. Now, I finally understood the feud—how two close friends could turn into enemies.The betrayal had cut so deep into Gabriel—I could see the hurt on his face, the pain he had buried for years now rising to the surface. "Gabriel... I'm... so, so—" His expression darkened instantly. "I don’t need pity," he cut me off, tilting his head slightly. "That night turned me into this man you claim is so hardened. There was a time I loved earnestly… and it was destroyed." My heart broke at the rawness in his voice. I held his gaze, willing him to see my sincerity. "It’s not pity, Gabriel. It’s understanding–for the hurt and pain you went through. No one deserves that kind of betrayal.” His jaw tensed. "You’re right… I guess you can relate. Your ex che
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel chuckled softly, stepping forward with that confident stride of his. “You must be Jess.” He extended his hand. Jess straightened, smoothing her hair as if she hadn’t just been caught gawking. She took his outstretched hand, gripping it a little too eagerly. “And you must be the famous Gabriel Storm.” Her eyes practically sparkled. “In the flesh.” His grin was effortless. Then, turning back to me, Gabriel’s hand brushed against my cheek, lingering longer than necessary. His lips pressed lightly against my forehead, warm and possessive. “I’ll call you,” he murmured against my skin, his breath sending shivers down my spine. Then he stepped back. “I’ll let you two catch up. It was nice meeting you, Jess.” “The pleasure is all mine!” Jess exclaimed, leaning against the doorway, watching him leave with a look of admiration that quickly turned to mischief the moment the door clicked shut. “Claire…” She let out a dramatic sigh. “That man is the definition of
Clairessa’s POV I had the most exciting, exhilarating, and emotionally challenging weekend.And it felt good to be back at work.Work had always been my sanctuary, my little world where I could lose myself in designs and calculations, shutting out the chaos when it became too much.Being an engineer, creating structures from scratch—it gave me a sense of purpose nothing else could. But today, my mind refused to stay focused.It kept drifting back to the unplanned vacation.The yacht.The island.Gabriel.His lips... the way they trailed fire along my skin. His hands, possessive and gentle all at once. The memories rushed back, causing my stomach to flip.I bit my bottom lip.Focus. Focus, Clairessa.I sat straighter, pulling my laptop closer. The blueprints on the screen blurred as flashes of Gabriel’s smirk and deep voice echoed in my head.Snap out of it.I drew in a deep breath, letting my fingers fly across the keyboard, forcing myself to get lost in the work before me.But just
Clairessa’s POVI pushed open Gabriel’s office door, my pulse quickening at the sight of him. There he was, dressed in a crisp white shirt; the suit clung to his body, outlining every toned muscle. He looked devastatingly handsome.Focused on his laptop, brows slightly furrowed—the definition of power and control. But the second I stepped inside, his attention shifted to me.His gaze locked onto mine, then slowly traveled down my body. Warmth spread through me as his eyes lingered on my hips, my waist, my curves.I knew he was taking me in, devouring every inch, and I made sure to give him something worth looking at. I swayed my hips a little more, adding a subtle elegance to my steps, just to make him burn with need.I had chosen this grey body-hugging dress intentionally. It curved around me perfectly, and judging by the way his gaze darkened, he approved."Mr. Storm... You called?" I murmured, my voice sultry as I stood before his desk.Gabriel inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring
Gabriel’s POV Standing in front of Gabriel’s door, my fingers brushed through my curls for the third time, making sure everything was in place. My little black dress clung perfectly to my body—short, simple, sexy, with just enough cleavage. I wanted to steal his breath, leave him completely speechless. Before I could press the button, the door swung open. A woman dressed in a tailored uniform greeted me with a warm smile. She looked like she was in her mid-thirties. "Welcome, Miss Hartwood. I’m Jane, Mr. Storm’s house manager." She extended her hand. I shook hers, smiling back. "Please, call me Clairessa. Nice to meet you." She nodded, stepping aside. “Likewise. Please, come in.” As I entered, the familiar luxury of Gabriel’s apartment surrounded me. The place was like a fortress—dark tones, sleek lines—a space as commanding as the man himself. Jane led me through the hallway, then stopped. "Mr. Storm is in the kitchen. I’ll leave you here.” She smiled again before di
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 “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
Clairessa’s POV Adrian parked the car and turned off the engine. I didn’t even realize I’d fallen asleep until he tapped my shoulder gently. “We’re here.” I stirred, yawning as I blinked the sleep from my eyes. But the moment I looked around, I sat up straighter. We weren’t at Adrian’s loft. We were parked in front of a stunning mansion—like something straight out of a real estate magazine. The place looked more like a private estate than an apartment. “Adrian, wait…” I gasped, turning toward him. “This isn’t your apartment. Where are we?” He smiled slightly, unbothered. “Well, technically, it’s my dad’s house just outside the city. One of many,” he added with casual pride, leaning back in his seat. I frowned. “I thought we were going to your apartment—not a private estate owned by your father.” He let out a small sigh. “Look, Claire… I told you the restaurant ran into financial issues. In order to keep the business afloat, I had to let the loft go. It was either that or
Clairessa’s POVThe road blurred before me as tears streamed down my face, the ache in my chest intensifying with each passing second.My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, trying to keep myself together.The image of Gabriel—naked and asleep, with Tina beside him—kept flashing through my mind as I navigated the streets.I actually caught him. With her.And to make it worse, he used that same tired line: "It’s not what you think."Did he really think I was that naive?Maybe I was—for ever thinking he was any different from his lying, cheating father.Like father, like son. Cheats. Heartbreakers.I thought he was different. I believed him when he said he loved me—wholeheartedly.I should’ve listened to that voice in my head—the one that warned me not to fall for him, that told me to stop believing there was anything real between us.I should’ve stuck to the plan: get back at Adrian and walk away.But I didn’t. I let my guard down. I let myself believe.And the wor
Gabriel’s POV I offered Tina a soft smile, my heart swelling just thinking about Clairessa. "I thought you would’ve figured that one out by now.” She shrugged lightly. "I had a feeling the moment you kept calling her name last night… even though you denied it at first.” "I did?" I asked, brows lifting. "Mmhmm." She hummed. "Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was those walls you’ve built so high around your heart. Makes me wonder how she managed to get past them.” A soft laugh escaped me. "Well… you once told me to let go of the past. That holding onto it only gives power to the person who hurt me, while I stay miserable. So, let’s just say, I took your advice.” Tina’s brows lifted slightly—an almost startled expression crossing her face, like she hadn’t expected that answer. "And if I’m being honest," I continued, "I tried to fight it, but what I felt for her was too strong to ignore. So I took the risk. I opened my heart." She leaned back, arms crossing loosely over her c
Gabriel’s POVAs Clairessa walked out, I stood frozen—caught between chasing after her or letting her go.And I let her go.Even though it felt like someone had reached into my chest and torn my heart out without mercy.The last look on her face—God, I’d never forget it. That raw, agonizing pain in her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks.I did that.All because I let my emotions override every ounce of reason I had.Because of a fucking photo. One I didn’t even trust. I reacted without thinking. Without proof. Without giving her the benefit of the doubt.I let it poison everything. Let suspicion consume me. Let anger drive me—and now? God, now I might’ve destroyed the one good thing I had.I may have just destroyed the only real chance at love I’ve ever had. At happiness. At peace.“Fuck...” I muttered, dragging both hands through my hair, fingers tangling in the strands like I could burn the frustration out through my scalp.But nothing made sense anymore.Flashes from the night