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
Clairessa’s POV"I could get used to this…" I said, sipping my coffee as I watched Gabriel move around the kitchen with practiced ease. He was shirtless, wearing just a low hang of his sweatpants, revealing just enough to make my mouth go dry. It was a sight to behold—Gabriel Storm, billionaire CEO, standing barefoot in his kitchen, flipping pancakes like a man who had nowhere else to be but here, with me. He turned his attention away from the pan, dark eyes locking onto mine. "Used to what?" I grinned, setting my cup down. "Used to you cooking for me. Spoiling me. Making me breakfast every morning like a perfect, doting man." He chuckled, leaning against the counter, folding his arms. "I love to please you," he drawled. "As I’ve demonstrated many times. So, by all means.”Heat spread through my skin as memories of last night flooded my mind—his hands, his mouth, the way he tasted and explored every inch of me, giving me mind-blowing orgasms over and over again. He was right
Clairessa’s POV Adrian’s timing was absolute shit. Fucking jerk. He just couldn’t let me breathe, could he? Of course not. He wanted to ruin me. The only reason I unblocked his number was because he threatened me… Shit. I should’ve blocked him before coming to Gabriel. But I didn’t, because after our last conversation, he never even crossed my mind again. And of all the damn times to call— It had to be now. Right when I was with Gabriel. And the bloody phone wouldn’t stop ringing. Adrian was an asshole who refused to understand that we were done. And now Gabriel was on the verge of finding out. His words echoed in my head, sending a wave of fear rippling through me. "I’ll take care of him—make sure he learns never to mess with what’s mine."What did that even mean? Take care of him? As in… talk to him? Threaten him? Worse? I panicked, shifting in my seat. Gabriel talking to Adrian was a disaster waiting to happen—everything I’d been trying to avoid. Hell n
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel strode to the island and set me down, his body fitting between my legs. A low groan escaped him as he nudged forward, his hardness pressing into my heat, sending a shudder through me. He pushed up the oversized T-shirt I wore, his gaze darkening as he parted my legs and discovered the bare skin beneath. “No panties,” he drawled, his voice heavy with hunger. His eyes gleamed with something primal as his fingers slid over my slit, stroking—finding me exactly as he wanted. Hot. Slick. Ready. “You’re wet… and you’re all mine.” His voice was pure possession, his lips grazing my throat as he groaned against my skin. A deep ache throbbed in my core, spreading like fire, my body already responding to him—wet, needy, desperate. He shoved his sweatpants down, freeing himself. Then, with a firm grip on my hips, he pulled me closer and drove into me with a single, deep, hard stroke. A broken cry escaped my lips as every inch of him filled me, claiming me comp
Clairessa’s POV Adrian’s words were manipulative, carefully designed to worm their way into my emotions. But the truth was undeniable—I loved Gabriel. With everything in me. And yet, I was just as wrong as Adrian. The weight of that reality pressed down on me, swallowing my words, making it impossible to confront him the way I should. I forced down the lump in my throat and squared my shoulders. “I’m not here for all this. What do you want?” "Claire, please." He pulled out a chair for me. "Not until you tell me what you want." I stood firm, arms crossed. "Just… sit. Please." His voice was laced with something close to desperation. With a sigh, I sank into the chair, my arms still folded. "Say your piece." Instead of answering, Adrian slid a menu toward me. "How about we start with lunch first? What would you like to have?" Typical. He always thought he could charm his way out of things, flashing that coy smile like it would erase everything. If only he knew how littl
Clairessa’s POV Jess stared at me the way she always did when she was trying to get me to talk—brows slightly raised, arms crossed, waiting. I had been pacing in her living room since I got here, trying to calm the storm raging inside me. I stopped abruptly and turned to her. “Adrian has officially lost his damn mind.” Her brows furrowed. “Claire… I don’t understand. Why do you think Adrian is crazy?” I let out a frustrated sigh. “Because I just had lunch with him, and he—he tried to—” “Wait.” She raised a hand, cutting me off. “You had lunch with Adrian? I thought you said that chapter of your life was done.” “It was. It is,” I insisted. “I only met with him because he vowed to show up at my office every day if I didn’t.” I shook my head. “And you know exactly what that meant.” Her eyes widened. “Gabriel would find out you’re having something to do with his son.” “Jess…” I rubbed my temples. “You really don’t need to spell it out.” “Oh, I do.” She leaned forward, he
Clairessa POV “Mrs. Hartwood, you have some deliveries,” my assistant announced, stepping inside with a large bouquet of roses and two elegantly wrapped boxes. She set them down on my desk with a bright smile. “Looks like someone’s being spoiled.” Warmth spread through my chest as I took in the gifts. There was only one person who would do this. Gabriel. He always had a way of making me feel special, reminding me I was his. We had dinner plans tonight, and this was just the kind of thing he did—grand gestures that left me feeling adored. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the largest box, my heart already picturing the dress inside. I pulled the ribbon, the silky material slipping through my fingers as I revealed a breathtaking blue dress. It was stunning—elegant, sleek, something that would hug my curves just right. A chuckle slipped past my lips. Gabriel really does know how to spoil a woman. My fingers traced the fabric before I reached for the bouque
Gabriel’s POV As we headed to the airport, my gaze remained fixed outside the window, but I wasn’t really seeing the passing cityscape. I had an important meeting—a crucial one. The CEO we had been negotiating with was on the verge of backing out, and I couldn’t afford that. Not after the significant time and money we had already invested. So, I had to schedule an impromptu meeting to reassure him, resolve whatever doubts he had, and finalize the contract. But instead of focusing on the deal, my mind kept replaying the conversation we’d just had in her office. I could read her better than she thought, and something wasn’t right. She seemed tense. Guarded. Distant in a way that wasn’t like her. Clairessa was usually warm, sweet, and witty—the woman I knew, the woman I had grown to love. But today, something felt off. Even the way she looked at me, the way she spoke—it was like she was carefully choosing her words, like she was holding something back. And then there was t
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
Clairessa’s POV Gabriel’s jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with an emotion I couldn’t quite name. He turned to Tina, who had slipped on a robe, and gave her a look that sent a chill through me. “Wait for me outside.” Of course, she obeyed like a loyal little pet, slamming the door behind her and locking us both in. He had the nerve—the audacity—to ask her to wait. Like I was the one interrupting something special. Like I was the problem. He turned back to me slowly, his expression darkening into something harder, more detached. “Clairessa, you’ve taken it too fucking far,” he warned, then took a slow breath, his chest rising and falling as he tried to regulate himself. He tried to play it calm, but it was too late for that. “If you can’t be reasonable, maybe we should—” “So now you're kicking me out?” I exploded, my chest heaving. “Because I caught you with your ex? The one you swore you were done with?” My throat tightened, and the tears I’d been holding back finally spi
Clairessa’s POVStanding in front of Gabriel’s apartment at 6 a.m. was crazy—completely unhinged, really. I knew that. I knew it the moment I stepped out of the cab and walked up the steps. Who just shows up at someone’s home without calling first?But when the man you love—who doesn’t just claim to love you but proves it daily—suddenly ghosts you, ignores your texts, doesn’t take your calls for two whole days, and then invites you to another dinner he doesn’t show up to... that breaks all the rules.Moreover, rules didn’t matter anymore.Not when my chest was tight with fear, anger, and disappointment. Not when I had this gut feeling that something was wrong—that she had something to do with this. Nicole. It had to be her.I was here to confirm it. I deserved to know the truth.Before I could listen to the little voice in my head urging me to turn back, I quickly typed in the code. Of course I knew it.Gabriel’s home was quiet—just as I imagined. Though he was an early riser, he pref
Gabriel’s POV Tina moved like she’d been here a hundred times. And honestly? She had—a few times in the past, during nights I didn’t care to remember. “Come on, sit,” she urged, easing me down onto the edge of the bed. I slumped back with a groan, the world tilting slightly. Tina was right—I was drunk. No, fuck, I was wasted. My pride didn’t want to admit it, but my blurry vision, spinning head, and the way my limbs felt too heavy to move? Yeah, I was gone. Moments later, she returned. Music played low from the speakers—sultry, slow, seductive. The lights dimmed. Tina stood in front of me now, one hand resting on her hip. And for the first time tonight, I actually looked at her. She wore a nude-colored gown, so close to her skin tone that for a split second, it looked like she wore nothing at all. “I remember you liked a striptease,” she purred, swaying her hips to the rhythm. “Let’s see if you still do.” I watched her move—confident, sure of herself. She let the dress slip
Gabriel’s POVThe bass thumped through the walls of the VIP lounge, loud and chaotic—like the thoughts swirling in my head. I sat on the leather couch, whiskey glass in hand, surrounded by bodies moving to the heavy pulse of the music.Girls were grinding against the poles—shaking their hips, each one doing her best to earn my attention. The owner had apparently heard I was in the building and sent in his best—his “favorites,” as he called them. The ones who knew how to put on a show.They were barely clothed—skimpy shorts clinging too tightly to their asses, leaving nothing to the imagination. Long legs, smooth thighs, fully on display.Sweat glistened on their skin under the flashing lights as they wiggled and moved, casting flirtatious glances my way, hoping to be the one that got picked.One of the girls approached my table, her eyes fixed on me, attempting to seduce me with a gaze that clearly drank in my body. She stopped in front of me, then bent over, hands grazing the floor,
Gabriel’s POVThe vibrating sound came first.Then the soft thud of my phone against the desk as it lit up again.Clairessa was calling for the tenth time this hour.I tried to look away, tried to focus on the reports in front of me, but my traitorous heart wouldn’t cooperate. I reached for the phone, tempted to toss it into the drawer and forget it existed.But my fingers hovered, trembling slightly. No matter how hard I tried to ignore her call, my chest clenched each time I saw her name.It was already evening. The sun had set, and I still hadn’t moved—same damn position, surrounded by silence—except for her persistent calls.I finally gave in and picked up the phone.Thirty missed calls.A dozen unread messages.Messages lined my screen like daggers pressing against my chest.I scrolled past each one, feeling my heart betray me.Babe… have you landed?Gabe, what’s wrong?I’m worried.Talk to me.I heard you’re back. Went to see you but Tems didn’t let me through.Please talk to me
Clairessa’s POVWalking down the hallway, I clutched my phone tightly in my hand. I had called Gabriel a dozen times, left messages that went unanswered, and sent texts that remained on “read.”I felt uneasy, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong.Just as I neared the elevator, movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. Nicole. She strutted toward me with an exaggerated sway of her hips, tossing her hair back like she owned the place. I bit back a groan—of all people, she was the last one I wanted to deal with right now.I quickened my pace, determined to get into the elevator before she could reach me, but she sped up, closing the distance in an instant. Just as I reached the doors, she stepped in front of me, blocking my path.She fixed her gaze on me, wearing that infuriating, condescending smirk that made my teeth grind.I fought the urge to shove her aside. “Move, Nicole.”Her smile widened, making it clear she was deliberately trying to get under my s
Gabriel’s POVNicole startled, pulling away slowly, her eyes widening in confusion. "I’m only trying to protect you. You know I have your best interests at heart. I’d hate to see you waste your time on someone so… unworthy.""I don’t care for your advice. Now get out."She hesitated, then reached out again, brushing her fingers against my hand, her touch light, suggestive. "Oh, Gabriel, you're mad at the wrong person. I'm only here to help you see that Clairessa is conniving, vindictive. And she’s playing you."I recoiled instantly, rage tightening my chest. I gripped her wrist tightly, my fingers biting into hers—intentional, meant to frighten her."Don’t you ever touch me without permission again.""Mr... Storm, please let me—" she gasped, her eyes wide with panic as she tried to break my hold, but I didn’t budge, tightening my grip."Nicole, stay away from me. Stay away from Clairessa. And if you value your job, you will walk out of this office right now and never speak of this to
Gabriel’s POV I glared at Nicole, reluctant to entertain whatever nonsense she had concocted. But curiosity got the better of me. I opened my laptop, pulled up my inbox, and clicked on the new message from her. The image loaded. My heart stopped. The photo showed Clairessa—my Clairessa—lips locked with another man in her office. The impact hit me like a blow to the gut. The world around me blurred as the betrayal burned into my mind. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. I stared at the image, trying to make out the man’s face, but the angle was wrong. The only thing clear was Clairessa—the way her body leaned into him, the way her hand pressed against his chest. The same hands that had touched me. The same lips that had whispered my name. Betrayal stung so deeply, threatening to break through, but I forced myself to stay composed, to keep my expression blank, even as my insides burned. Nicole’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Mr. Storm, in case you're doub