Gabriel’s POVI clenched my fists tighter as I watched Clairessa take a sip of the wine and offer Daniel a soft smile."It’s delicious," she said, her tongue brushing her bottom lip as if savoring the taste."I told you," Daniel replied with a grin that was far too smug, his gaze fixed on her lips longer than it should have. I knew exactly what he was thinking, and it wasn’t going to happen—not while I was present.I could feel the rage building inside me, my chest tightening with every second. He was testing me, daring me, and he knew exactly what I was capable of.Clairessa was mine. She didn’t know it yet, but I did. She wasn’t his, and she wasn’t anyone else’s. Daniel, of all people, should have known better. He always had a habit of going after what wasn’t his, what belonged to me.I gripped the edge of the table, my knuckles whitening as I fought to keep myself in check. The room suddenly felt stifling, the casual chatter around us fading into the background as I focused solely
Clairessa’s POVGabriel dragged me down the hallway, his grip tight around my arm, his anger radiating off him in waves. His fingers dug into my skin, but I stayed silent, resisting the urge to pull away. I didn’t want to make things worse, so I remained quiet. I’d only seen him this upset once before—back at the seminar when he saw me talking to Daniel. But this felt worse. His anger was directed at me, and it made me feel slightly afraid.When we reached his suite, he pushed me inside and slammed the door shut. He paced back and forth, his chest rising and falling as if he was trying to calm himself. Then he stopped, turning to face me, his eyes full of anger."You had no right to drag me out of dinner like that," I said, my own anger growing. I stood tall, refusing to let him intimidate me. "I’m not one of your possessions, Gabriel. This madness ends now."He didn’t seem to hear me. His voice was deep and cold. "I’m the only one who gives orders here," he growled. "Now tell me—why
Clairessa's POVDressed in a soft white robe, I sipped my coffee while standing on the balcony, overlooking the entire resort. The Gemia Resort wasn’t just beautiful—it felt like stepping into paradise. Our suite was on the top floor, offering a breathtaking view. From the sparkling blue pool below to the lush gardens spread across the resort, everything looked perfect under the morning sun.I had some time before the 2 PM meeting with Gabriel scheduled with Sergio, so I decided to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. As I looked below, the nearly empty pool caught my eye. A few people lounged around, scrolling on their phones, while the water shimmered invitingly under the sunlight. Maybe a swim was exactly what I needed to clear my head.After a quick shower, I slipped into a bright yellow gown over my bikini. The cheerful color matched the brightness of the day. Feeling refreshed, I made my way down to the pool area.The atmosphere was just right—quiet and peaceful, with soft b
Clairessa’s POVThe moment we dove into the water, I kicked off hard, determined to win. The cool water rushed over me as I pushed forward with strong, quick strokes. I could feel Daniel close behind me, his presence pushing me to try even harder. My arms cut through the water, and I kicked with all the energy I had, refusing to let him catch up.But Daniel was fast, too fast. His powerful strokes closed the gap between us. My arms cut through the water, and I kicked with all the energy I had, refusing to let him catch up.The edge of the pool came into view, and I gave one final, strong push, gliding forward with all my strength. My fingertips brushed the wall. I had won.Gasping for air, I turned to find Daniel grinning, just a second behind me. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled with amusement, completely unfazed by his loss—if anything, he looked entertained, as if he’d let me win."I told you I was a pretty good swimmer," I gasped, still catching my breath
Gabriel’s POVSergio sat in his chair, calm as ever. Meanwhile, my mind was anywhere but here. We were in his office for a quick meeting, but I couldn’t focus. I was exhausted—last night had drained me. The argument with Clairessa had pushed me to the edge. I’d acted out of line, but I didn’t care. All I wanted was to keep her away from Daniel.I had stayed out late on purpose, waiting until she was asleep before returning to the suite. I didn’t trust myself around her. My anger had nearly led me to kiss her last night. God, how badly I wanted to. Not just a kiss—I wanted her to know she was mine. But I held back, knowing if I crossed that line, there would be no turning back.Sergio’s voice broke through the haze. “Gabe, once again… I apologize for inviting Daniel without telling you.”My chest constricted as I slammed my palm against the desk. “Serg… you fucking know better,” I fumed, unable to hold back my anger. “After everything he’s done, you still invited him. Do you even reali
Gabriel’s POV Clairessa walked ahead of me, her towel wrapped tightly around her body. I followed, my jaw clenched, still fuming with anger from seeing Daniel too close to her, his hands helping her out of that dress. And then he had the audacity to tell me I had no right to control her. God! I should have punched that arrogant piss of shit and put him in his place. When we stopped in front of the elevator, she spun around to face me, fire burning in her eyes. "Mr. Storm," she vents. "This stops immediately. You don’t get to order me around." Her defiance only fueled my anger, but I kept it together. "Clairessa, you are not in a position to talk back," I shot back. My hands clenched at my sides as I fought to stay calm. She had no idea I was barely holding it together to avoid causing a scene. "You have twenty minutes to get dressed and show up in Sergio’s office." My tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. "The butler will show you the way." I turned to leave, desperate f
Clairessa’s POVGabriel opting out of lunch didn’t surprise me. His dislike for Daniel was clear for everyone to see. From the moment Daniel stepped into Sergio's office, Gabriel’s mood shifted. Earlier, he had seemed slightly uptight, but as the meeting progressed, he loosened up just enough to be tolerable—until Daniel walked in. At Daniel’s mere presence, Gabriel’s expression hardened, the disgust he felt toward him etched plainly on his face.Whatever had happened between them must have been more than a minor disagreement. Gabriel’s reaction wasn’t just annoyance—it was anger mixed with resentment. The memory of how he’d acted by the pool came rushing back to me—the fury in his eyes, all because he’d seen me swimming with Daniel.The Gabriel I knew was usually good at hiding his emotions, but when it came to Daniel, it was like he couldn’t help himself.Since Gabriel saw Daniel and me in the elevator, he had been different—more distant, more possessive. He acted like I belonged to
Clairessa’s POV “Let me help you,” I countered, regaining my stance as I took a cautious step toward forward. “Stop.” He shook his head. “There’s broken glass,” he muttered, his voice low as he pointed at the floor. “I don’t want you to get hurt.” I followed his gaze and looked down. That’s when I noticed a tray of glasses had shattered into pieces around his feet. He bent down clumsily, his movements sluggish as he tried to pick up the shards. Ignoring his warning, I carefully stepped around the glass and knelt in front of him. “Let me help,” I insisted, my hands already reaching for the broken pieces. “You never listen, do you?” he snapped, as his larger hands covered mine, pulling me to my feet. His grip was strong despite his clumsiness. He lifted me away from the broken pieces and set me down firmly at a safe distance. Once my feet were back on solid ground, I looked up at him. His eyes were glazed and dark. “When I give you an instruction, you bloody obey—no questions
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