Clairessa’s POV"Call me Marco," he urged, his voice harsh as he stood in front of me. "I'm about to sink millions of dollars into your app. What do I get in return for my kind gesture?""Sir, the terms of your compensation will be detailed in the contract," I said, trying to keep my voice professional as I took a few steps back. "You can’t be in the restroom with me. Please leave now. Your presence is making me uncomfortable."He closed the distance and leaned in, his breath hot against my skin, making it crawl with disgust. "I know girls like you. You act innocent at first," he sneered, his hand brushing against my cheek. "But for the right price, you'd open those sweet thighs."Fury surged through me. "Mr. Marco, I’m not a prostitute, and I couldn’t care less about your money. If you’re here to collect some kind of repayment for your offer, you can fuck off," I spat, my eyes meeting his now furious gaze."I love a good fight," he smirked, his cold hands caressing my neck inappropri
Gabriel's POVI carried Clairessa into the bathroom and gently placed her on the floor. Turning away to give her some privacy, I couldn’t shake the image of how hurt and broken she looked. The bold, confident woman I knew had been replaced by someone fragile, and it tore me apart. This was my fault. Instead of accusing her of having something to do with Marco and acting on my jealousy, I should have been there to protect her. That bastard Marco would pay for what he did.I heard the sound of a zipper struggling, followed by her soft voice calling me. “Mr. Storm, I need help with my zip.”I turned back and moved behind her to pull down the zipper. The dress fell to the floor, leaving her standing in just a lacy black bra and panties. Desire coursed through me as my eyes momentarily fixed on her body. She was a sight to behold.Her body... her curves... her legs... Stop it, Gabriel. She needs comfort, not another pervert. I immediately turned away, trying to focus on anything else. Th
Clairessa’s POVI woke up, my arms instinctively reaching out for Gabriel, but the side of the bed where he slept was empty. A wave of disappointment hit me as I realized he was gone. The memories of last night started flooding back, and I tried to push away the thoughts of that horrible man, Marco. The fear and pain he had inflicted still lingered in my mind.If Gabriel hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what Marco might have done? I shuddered at the thought but quickly pushed it away.It felt like all my hopes were crashing before they even began. I couldn’t help but feel sad, knowing today was the last day of the trip, and we still hadn’t secured an investor. But I didn’t want to dwell on the negatives.I needed to focus on the fact that I was safe. And it was all thanks to Gabriel. He had rescued and defended me in a way no one ever had.There was a tenderness in him I hadn’t seen before. His warmth, his strength—that was what I wanted to remember.With Gabriel’s arms around me, I
Gabriel’s POVThe new week had barely begun, and I was already dealing with the fallout from the weekend. I had just gotten off the phone with my security team, who informed me that Marco had fled the city with his men. They hadn’t recovered any footage from the restroom, confirming my suspicion that Marco had paid off some hotel workers who likely helped him escape and covered his tracks. But that didn’t mean I was out of options when it came to making him pay. If I couldn’t get him through the law, I’d ruin him where it hurt most—his businesses.I had tipped off Marco’s business partners about his shady dealings with their competitors and how he’d been embezzling company funds. It was information I’d been sitting on for a while, unsure if I’d ever need to use it. But now, after what he’d tried to do to Clairessa, I was more than willing to burn everything he’d built to the ground. The taste of revenge was sweet, and I planned to savor every moment of it.Why had I ever considered wo
Clairessa's POVI angrily tossed my box of belongings onto the table, scattering files and other items across the surface. The office was spacious, with a giant window offering a stunning view of the city. It was much more impressive than my former small office—exactly the dream office I had imagined countless times in the past.But as much as I admired the space, I was even more upset with Gabriel's authoritative behavior. The tender man I had seen over the weekend was gone, replaced by the cold, commanding version I knew all too well.He didn’t even bother to ask how I was doing. Instead, he demanded that I relocate to an office on his floor. Maybe I should be excited to be on the CEO’s floor, but I knew it was all about control. Gabriel wanted to prove that he could still order me around as though I was a teenager. I struggled to understand why he was so upset, enough to come looking for me in my office on the second floor—a place I was sure he had never visited before.I reached i
Clairessa’s POVI was deep into my work when a familiar, stern voice pulled me from my thoughts.“What are you still doing here?”I nearly lost my balance in my seat from the shock of seeing him in my office. I never expected him to check in on me—twice in one day. Did that mean he was interested in me? It was unlike the CEO to walk into someone’s office more than once, let alone just to check on them.A soft smile crossed my lips as my eyes shamelessly roamed over his broad, muscular frame. He looked effortlessly handsome in his tailored gray suit pants and crisp white shirt, the top two buttons undone, giving a teasing glimpse of his toned chest. The fabric clung to every inch of his body making it nearly impossible to look away.“Clairessa? Clairessa?”I was so lost staring at him, I hadn’t even noticed he was calling my name. Heat rose to my cheeks as I realized.“Mr. Storm...” I finally managed to stammer, feeling slightly embarrassed that I’d been caught staring.“Clairessa, you
Gabriel's POVI sat in the VIP section of the club, utterly exhausted as I forced myself to settle into the wild atmosphere around me. After the week I’d had, I thought a drink might help clear my head and distract me for the night. That was until I saw her.Clairessa.She was there in the middle of the dance floor, laughing, her body swaying to the music. Our gazes locked, but she acted like she didn’t know me, continuing to flirt and laugh with a man I didn’t recognize. His eyes were fixed on her plunging neckline, drinking in the sight of her. She wore a sky-blue gown that glittered under the club lights, enhancing her caramel skin. The dress clung to her curves, ending just above her thighs, exposing her soft, slender legs.I knew exactly what he was thinking, and there was no way I was letting that happen. Not on my watch.When he leaned in to kiss her, she pulled back slightly, but that was the last straw. My restraint snapped.I strode over, my anger building with every step. I
Gabriel’s POVThe heavy bass of the music thudded through my chest as I stormed over to the bar area. My vision narrowed until the only person I could see was Clairessa in some strange man’s grasp, fueling my anger. I reached them in seconds, shoving the man back with a force that sent him stumbling. “Touch her again, and you’ll regret it,” I threatened in a firm, intimidating tone. Before Clairessa could react, I grabbed her wrist and hoisted her over my shoulder. Her yelps of protest were drowned out by the loud music and the cheering crowd, who seemed to think we were putting on some sort of show. The man she’d been flirting with stepped forward, his stance bold, but a single deadly look from me made him falter. “She’s mine,” I growled, my tone making it clear he didn’t stand a chance.The man raised his hands in surrender, muttering something about not wanting trouble before disappearing into the crowd.As I carried her out of the club, her dress shifted, exposing more skin
Gabriel’s POVClairessa’s message burned in my mind. I stared at my phone, barely registering the droning voice of Tesco, the CEO of Zenco, seated across the large conference table. His associates, lawyers, and executives were seated around him, their expressions a mix of forced attentiveness and boredom. He was attempting to renegotiate terms that were already set in stone, but my attention was elsewhere. My grip tightened around my phone, heat rising in my veins. She thought this was a game. She thought she could push me, test me, and get away with it. She had no idea who she was dealing with. "Mr. Storm?" Tesco's voice cut through my haze. I lifted my gaze, finally acknowledging the man sitting across from me. He offered a coy smile before continuing. "Mr. Storm, as I was saying, we believe the current valuation does not fully reflect the potential of our company, and we would like to revisit the—” He had been spewing the same nonsense for the past hour, trying to
Clairessa’s POVI stormed out of Gabriel’s office, muttering curses under my breath. That insufferable, arrogant, exasperating man. My legs trembled, my core still throbbing from the torment he had put me through. Every inch of me was hypersensitive, burning with the cruel, lingering ache of his touch—or lack thereof. Damn him. How dare he leave me like that? How dare he play these wicked games with me and then walk off as if nothing had happened? I should have known his calm demeanor, his so-called forgiveness, was nothing but a carefully laid trap. I should have known he was planning something. He never let anything slip through his fingers. And now, he had me exactly where he wanted—hungry, desperate, aching. Argh! I hated him. Yet, I wanted him. There was no denying it. It was an intoxicating, maddening feeling—one that consumed me entirely. Taking a deep breath, I reached for the elevator button, eager to escape before I lost the last shred of contro
Gabriel’s POVI cleared my throat, forcing myself to focus as I turned my attention to Nicole, who stood at the far end of my office. "Welcome, Nicole. Have a seat." I gestured to the conference table. She nodded and took a seat. My gaze immediately shifted to Clairessa."Clairessa," I called, my voice smooth, commanding. "After you." She hesitated for just a second before stepping forward. And that’s when my jaw clenched. That damn dress. It clung to her ass—high, round, and perfect—making my fingers twitch with the urge to grab it, to caress and explore every inch. But what really held my attention was the way her steps faltered, the way her thighs pressed together just a little too tightly—like she was fighting something. Still fighting me. "Sit beside me," I ordered, sinking into my seat at the head of the table, stretching out with effortless confidence.Clairessa met my gaze with a faint smile, but I caught the hint of annoyance simmering in her eyes. She was u
Gabriel’s POVThe moment Clairessa stepped into my office, I saw it—the battle she was losing. Her skin was flushed, her breathing uneven. My eyes raked over her. She looked sexy as hell in the dress I had chosen for her. The stylist had sent a collection, but I’d picked this one. The dress. The lingerie. Every piece she wore—I had selected it. Fuck, I had a sick need to brand her. And damn, she looked perfect. The Alexander McQueen dress framed her hips, hugging every curve just right. My gaze trailed over her—her hips, her slender, smooth legs moving closer in those red-bottom heels, revealing glimpses of her caramel inner thighs. She stopped in front of my desk, gripping the edge so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her thighs pressed together, as if trying to suppress the fire raging inside her. But the way she trembled made it clear—resisting was impossible. Watching her struggle against the sensations flooding her body, knowing I controlled every last on
Gabriel’s POVClairessa had disobeyed me. Again. I leaned back in my chair, fingers pressed under my chin as I replayed every moment of her defiance. She had ignored my calls. Then she made up some excuse about working when she was out having lunch with Daniel—which turned out to be a lie. I had believed her, even when my instincts whispered that she wasn’t being entirely truthful. Not just about Daniel. There was something else she was holding back, something she wasn’t ready to say. I could feel it, but I refused to dwell on it.Because none of it mattered.I had chosen to trust her.Trust—a word that felt foreign, a feeling I hadn't allowed myself in years.I didn’t trust anyone.Not in business.And certainly not in a relationship.But here I was, giving her the benefit of the doubt.I refused to bring the baggage of my last relationship into what we were building.Even though the thought of her with him still ignited a dark, seething jealousy within me—especially
Clairessa’s POV Satisfaction swelled inside me, but it barely lasted before his hand slipped between my thighs, grazing the lace that barely covered my warmth. “Such a tease,” he murmured, almost to himself. “You’ve had your fun. Now you’re going to take your punishment like a good girl.” Panic shot through me, knowing I was completely exposed and at his mercy, yet I couldn’t ignore the way my body eagerly anticipated his next move. His hands gripped my hips as he slowly pulled my panties down, letting them stop just before my knees. “Your ass is just as perfect as the rest of you,” he rasped. His large palm traced the curve of my ass, caressing it with a deceptive softness that only made my breath hitch. “I can’t wait to see your soft, silky skin flush under my touch… to feel the heat rise with every strike.” Before I could even process his words, his hand came down—hard. A shocking gasp left my lips as the impact sent a jolt of pleasure and pain straight to my core.
Clairessa’s POV I stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped tightly around me, my damp hair pulled into a loose bun. The warmth of the shower still lingered on my skin as I walked toward the bed. But the moment my eyes landed on it, the lingering heat was quickly replaced by shock. Neatly arranged on the bed were a black lace bra, matching panties, sheer pantyhose, and a sleek, fitted office dress. My fingers brushed over the fabric. It was expensive—nothing like the office dresses in my closet, the ones I could afford. The design screamed sophistication and professionalism, but it was also undeniably sexy. I could already tell it would hug my body in all the right places and command attention. I hadn’t brought any clothes to Gabriel’s house, assuming I’d head home to change before work. But, of course, Gabriel had planned ahead. And from the look of things, he had gotten my exact size. I didn’t have to wonder too much about how he knew. My eyes darted around the
Clairessa’s POVGabriel sensed my hesitation and closed the distance between us, his strong arms slipping around my waist, pulling me deeply into his embrace.“What’s wrong?” His voice was gentle yet probing, concern etched into his features. I forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t hear the panic rising in my chest. “Nothing… I just— I wasn’t expecting this.” “I know we agreed to keep our relationship private, but I thought it was time.” A lump formed in my throat. Time for what? “Don’t you think that would be us moving too fast?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. His brows furrowed slightly. “Maybe… but I know what I want.” He brushed his thumb along my cheek. “I never thought I’d say this to a woman or even feel this way, but I want you—and it isn’t just about sex. I want to be with you for a long time, Clairessa. And I’m too grown to play games.” His words melted my insides, breaking down every last defense I had. The affection in his eyes was undeniable…
Clairessa’s POV The SUV pulled into the private entrance of Gabriel’s Miami penthouse, my heart beating a little too fast as I stared up at the towering building. Was he home? Would I be walking into a confrontation? I turned to Dario, hoping for some sort of warning. He was already stepping out to open my door. "Is he home?" Dario gave a curt nod. "Mr. Storm is waiting inside." Then, without another word, he opened the door for me. I sucked in a deep breath before making my way toward the private elevator. When the doors slid open, the penthouse greeted me with its usual quiet and dark ambiance. I hesitated before stepping forward, glancing around. I half expected Gabriel to be waiting in the living room, arms crossed, ready to interrogate me. But he wasn’t there. Then, I heard it—his voice, deep and smooth, drifting from down the hall.Following the sound, I moved past the plush seating area, through the wide marble hallway, until I reached his office. The do