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 held Clairessa’s hand tightly as we walked through the hotel lobby. She protested, telling me to let her go, but I ignored her. My emotions were raging. Seeing her with Daniel had set me on fire.Out of all the men in the world, she chose to have lunch with him—my enemy. Daniel had always been a thorn in my side, constantly trying to take everything from me, even my ex-wife, Angelique, back when he had more money than I did. That was years ago, though. Now, things were different.I had more power and wealth than Daniel could ever dream of. I had built my empire with sweat and blood, surpassing him in every way. Yet here he was, acting as if he could still take what was mine.I tightened my grip on Clairessa’s hand, feeling her tremble beneath my hold. Good. Let her feel it. Let her understand no one crosses me. I wanted her to know how angry I was—not just for leaving the conference without a word but for walking out with him. For letting him make her laugh and smile w
Gabriel's POVSitting in the grand auditorium, I couldn’t focus on anything but Gabriel. The room was packed with influential people—investors, tech gurus—but my focus stayed on him. Even though he was across the room on the big stage, it felt like his eyes were on me, and I couldn’t help but feel warm all over.He stood tall, wearing a sharp grey suit, speaking with passion about how technology could change the world. His voice was calm and confident, making every word sound important.The way he moved—his posture, his gestures—showed strength and control. Gabriel wasn’t just a businessman; he was a visionary—a man who saw the future and was determined to reshape it. His presence was magnetic, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t look away. I glanced at the crowd and noticed everyone else was as captivated as I was. It wasn’t just admiration—it was respect. Gabriel had a way of making everything else seem insignificant, and all I could think about was how much I admired him—
Clairessa's POV“So, who is she?” I asked, leaning in closer to wipe the lipstick stain left by Tina’s annoying kiss. God, I hated how jealous I felt watching her kiss and speak to him, even though I knew I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I couldn’t help myself. I wiped Gabriel’s cheek with the pad of my thumb. He flinched at first but quickly relaxed.“You’ve got lipstick on your cheek,” I murmured, cleaning the last red smudge before settling back into my seat. “Thanks,” Gabriel smirked, his expression slightly stiff. “But my personal life is off-limits to you, Clairessa. Let’s eat.” He signaled for the waiter, his gaze locked on mine with a trace of amusement in his eyes. I could feel it—there was something going on between Gabriel and Tina. The way she looked at him, how her hand lingered on his arm... It sent a surge of jealousy burning through me. I tried to suppress it, but the knot in my stomach tightened. I glanced down at the menu to distract myself, my eyes scanni
Gabriel’s POV “This is the final report for the Rainers project,” Clairessa said, her hands gliding over the cursor on my desktop. As she stood behind me, her body lightly brushed against mine, sending a jolt through me that I couldn’t ignore.Her perfume lingered in the air, intoxicating all my senses, making it impossible to focus. All I could think about was how much I wanted her—how badly I needed to bend her over this desk and make her mine. My fingers twitched with the urge to reach out and touch her, but I clenched them, keeping them firmly on the desk.Clairessa wasn’t making this easy. The more time I spent around her, the worse it got. I had built walls around myself—shutting out emotions, attachments, anything that could weaken me—but she was tearing them down piece by piece. And I hated it. I hated how she made me feel, how she awakened desires I thought I’d buried long ago.I wondered what she saw in me. Yes, I was a billionaire, and women often fell for my wealth and po
Clairessa’s POVMy eyes shot open. I stretched slowly beneath the duvet before reaching for my phone and glancing at the screen. It was past ten. I’d slept in longer than planned, but I had no one to blame but myself. Most of the night had been spent tossing and turning, restless and frustrated by the memory of Gabriel turning me down yet again. Keeping up this bad-girl act was draining, and I couldn’t help but wonder if revenge was worth all this effort. Men like Gabriel had been with countless women—elegant, experienced women who were probably far sexier than I was. It was clear I wasn’t his type. Still, as much as I told myself to give up, I knew I couldn’t. He consumed my thoughts. I shook my head, trying to clear it as I rose from the bed and headed to the bathroom. Staring at my reflection, I sighed, then brushed my teeth and splashed cold water on my face to shake off the remnants of sleep. “You can do this,” I whispered to my reflection. With one final glance, I stepped
Clairessa’s POVI stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still damp from the shower, wrapped in a clean towel. As I walked back into the room, my eyes landed on the bed, where a pair of boxer briefs and a shirt were neatly placed. My heart skipped a beat. Gabriel had been in the room while I was in the shower. Had he watched me? The thought made my cheeks flush, embarrassment mixing with a shiver that shot through me, leaving my skin tingling.I pulled the shirt over my head, and his scent hit me—Gabriel’s scent. It was a masculine mix of freshly cut wood and something darker, intoxicating. The smell wrapped around me, pulling me back to the club: to the moment our eyes locked, to the feel of his hands on my skin. My breath hitched as the memories flooded back, making my skin tingle and my body restless.Sliding under the duvet, I tried to relax, but the scent of him lingered in the fabric, refusing to let me rest. My mind kept replaying the events of the night, refusing to settle. I ha
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 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
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