Gabriel's POV“How bad?” I asked, my anger slowly building. Just as I suspected, he had made a mistake and was probably in need of help.“Really bad, Dad. I messed up the one good thing I had going on in my life.”“What happened?” I asked, wanting to hear the full story before reacting. Over the years, I learned to wait for all the information before giving a response.“It’s my girlfriend… I messed up badly with her.”“Girlfriend?” I repeated, relieved that it was a relationship issue and not something more serious. I let out the breath I’d been holding and leaned back in my chair. “I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”“Dad, I do… we’ve been together for a year and a half.”My eyes widened in surprise. “I’m sorry I kept it hidden. I wanted to tell you at the right time.”“You kept a serious relationship secret from me? I thought we were close. But apparently, you still see me as an old man who doesn’t need to know everything about your life,” I said, hurt but willing to move on. “I’m
Clairessa’s POVThe pressure at Storm Innovations was starting to get to me. After three months of juggling office projects and working on my app, today was the big day—presentation day. The best app would be shortlisted. I leaned back in my chair, taking a deep breath to calm myself.Since I found out Gabriel was Adrian’s father, we hadn’t crossed paths. He was the CEO, so the likelihood of me bumping into him in the elevator was next to none. Throughout the previous meeting we had, Gabriel pretended not to know me. And with the presentation coming up in thirty minutes, my nerves were all over the place.The thought of finally seeing Gabriel again after all these months—where he had haunted my dreams—made me feel even more nervous. But I had to focus on nailing my presentation. The Hart app, which I had been developing since my second year in college, meant everything to me. I had put in so much time and hard work into seeing it come to life. It had to be shortlisted.I was busy orga
Gabriel's POVI pushed open my office door, feeling the tightness in my chest grow as I began pacing. I knew I was about to stir things up, and there was no going back. The team’s presentations had been impressive, making the decision tough, but I’d already made up my mind. There was no need for a shortlist or further debate—I had chosen my winner.Clairessa Hartwood.Her presentation stood out, easily outshining Nicole’s—the friend Adrian had introduced me to, asking me to consider her app since she worked at the company. I hadn’t yet placed Nicole on the team, wanting her to go head-to-head with whoever I chose as a final candidate. It was meant to be a favor to Adrian. Her idea for a global financial payment platform was solid but posed too many challenges for Storm Innovations at this point. We needed something revolutionary but manageable. Clairessa’s app, on the other hand, had the potential to reshape the business landscape.It was clear I had to drop Nicole.Adrian wouldn’t b
Clairessa's POV"Claire, what's going on?" Jess's worried voice called from the other side of the door. "You’ve locked yourself in your room and haven’t said a word since you got back from work." Her knocking became more persistent, almost frantic.I groaned, dragging myself off the bed. I knew Jess wouldn't stop until I opened the door. I had locked myself away, wanting nothing more than to drown in my misery and be alone with the storm of emotions swirling inside me. But there was no hiding from Jess's concern. I reached the door and hesitated, my hand hovering over the lock before finally turning it.The door opened, and before I could say a word, Jess stepped in, her eyes locking onto my tear-streaked face. "Claire, what happened at work?" she asked, her voice soft, holding my face gently in her hands as if I might break."Adrian came to my office today," I whispered, my voice cracking as the tears I had fought so hard to hold back came pouring out. My chest tightened painfully, e
Clairessa's POVThe club was alive, pulsing with the same powerful energy I remembered. It was a place where powerful men came to live out their fantasies. Jess and I stood by the bar, and I could feel the eyes of some of the men on me, drawn by the silver dress I wore—the one with a plunging neckline that left little to the imagination. The attention gave me a sense of power I hadn’t felt in a long time, and I relished it.“Claire... it’s your night. They’re all staring,” Jess whispered in my ear, her voice full of encouragement. I gave her a satisfied smile, and we both giggled like we were sharing a secret the world couldn’t understand.The bartender handed us our drinks, and I ordered a margarita, something light but potent enough to keep me in control. I took a slow sip, savoring the taste while my eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. But Gabriel was nowhere to be seen, and my heart sank, the confidence I felt moments ago waning.“Hello, beautiful,” a deep, bold
Clairessa’s POVI stared at the screen, numb, as a rollercoaster of emotions ran through me. A weekend trip with Gabriel Storm—the man who had warned me never to speak of our night of passion if I valued my job. It was clear he didn’t want a personal relationship with me, yet it was surprising that he wanted me on a business trip with him.I read the message again, just to be sure I wasn’t imagining things. Did this mean my app had been selected? Would other members of the team be joining us, or would it be just him and me? My head raced with questions as I checked the time—it was 10 AM. Thankfully, I had enough time to pack.I couldn’t let myself dwell on the questions for too long. I jumped up from the bed, suddenly aware of the time ticking away. I needed to pack, and fast. I hurried to my closet, pulling out outfits, shoes, and anything else I might need.“Jess!” I called out, my voice shaky with nerves.She appeared at my door, her expression shifting to concern when she saw the
Gabriel’s POVThe elevator chimed, and the doors slid open to reveal Clairessa Hartwood. My breath caught as she stepped out, dressed in a red flowing dress with a slit that stopped just above her thighs, exposing her slender caramel skin. God, she was stunning. My chest tightened as I took in her frame. Her hair was straightened this time, flowing around her shoulders, and her lips were painted a deep, inviting red. She was beautiful, and every part of her presence drew me in, capturing my attention in more ways than I wanted to admit.She flashed me a soft smile before walking toward me, her confidence radiant. “Mr. Storm,” she greeted, her voice warm and inviting.“Miss Hartwood, please follow me,” I said, leading her down the hall. We stopped before a door, and for a moment, we stood there, simply staring at each other. I could see the tension building in her, and for some reason, I felt the need to ease it.“Miss Hartwood,” I finally spoke, my voice a touch softer, “behind this d
Clairessa’s POVTonight's dinner was in a more intimate part of the hotel, different from last night. Gabriel had told me earlier it was Marco’s idea, as he planned to reveal his decision to everyone. I sat at the table, feeling slightly anxious, wondering what Marco’s decision would be. I glanced around, noticing that everyone was chatting and smiling. Gabriel sat beside me, his quiet, imposing presence hovering over me even amid the conversation. On my other side, Marco sat closer than I would have liked.I tried to stay quiet, letting the men talk as I kept a soft smile on my face, staring down at my plate.As I focused on my meal, I felt something that made my skin crawl—Marco’s hand slid across the table, his fingers lightly brushing mine. I froze, the touch sending a shiver of discomfort through me. Forcing a smile, though it felt more like a grimace, I tried to maintain composure.“You look so beautiful tonight,” Marco whispered, leaning in closer. “I can hardly resist your cha
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
Clairessa’s POVAfter having lunch with Daniel, I was back at Storm Innovations, standing in front of the elevator, impatiently gripping my phone. Gabriel had called multiple times, and I had ignored every single one. His messages sat unread, and guilt ate at me. I needed to get back to my office, bury myself in work, and use it as an excuse for not checking my phone.Maybe then, I could figure out what to say to him. The elevator finally chimed, the doors sliding open. But just as I stepped forward, someone walked out—straight into my path. Adrian. I froze. He stepped out, his gaze locking onto mine, stopping me in my tracks. "Clairessa," he greeted smoothly, his voice carrying a familiarity that grated on my nerves. I swallowed hard, gripping my phone even tighter. I hadn’t expected to see him here. Then again, why was I even surprised? This was his father’s company. He had every right to be here whenever he wanted. But this time, unlike before, the rage I used to
Clairessa’s POV My phone vibrated on my desk. Daniel. A wave of guilt washed over me. I had meant to call him back, to check in, but with everything that had happened with Gabriel, I never got around to it. And now, here he was, reaching out. Again. I contemplated before answering. Avoiding him would only make me feel worse. With a deep breath, I picked up the call. "Daniel, hey..." "Clairessa." His voice was warm, but there was a subtle note of disappointment. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten me." I closed my eyes, exhaling. "I’m sorry. Things have been… hectic." A pause. "I get it," he finally said. "But we should meet up. Talk." He wasn’t wrong. I had been putting this off. "You’re right. We should. When?" "I’m in the city, actually, not far from your office." His tone lifted slightly, hope slipping through. "How about lunch today?" "Today?" I glanced at my watch. It was almost my break. Better to meet him now and get it over with. I owed him that much.