Clairessa’s POVElena led me through the different sections, her cheerful voice filling the air as she pointed out the elegant lounge, the cozy dining room, and the sundeck with its stunning view of the ocean. At the edge of the deck, I paused, leaning against the railing to stare out at the endless blue waves. The soft breeze carried the faint scent of saltwater, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in the view. I couldn’t believe I was spending my birthday like this—on a luxurious yacht with Gabriel Storm. Months ago, this had all been a plan to get back at Adrian, to hurt him where it would sting the most. But now… now it didn’t feel like revenge anymore. It felt like something I couldn’t control, something that made me feel alive. Yet instead of feeling elated, I felt a strong sense of guilt wreck my heart. What was I doing? How was this going to end when the truth finally came out? “Miss Clairessa, lunch is ready,” Elena’s cheerful voice pulled me from my thoughts.
Clairessa’s POVDinner with Gabriel had been perfect. Every detail, every word, every glance—it was like he had reached into my thoughts and pulled out everything I could have wanted. Standing on the deck of the yacht afterward, I held onto the railing, letting the cool ocean breeze wash over me.I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes as the soft scent of the ocean surrounded me. The sound of the waves gently hitting against the yacht calmed my racing thoughts. Just as my mind began to drift, I felt strong, muscular arms wrap around my waist from behind.Gabriel.I instantly leaned back against his chest, letting his warmth envelop me. His familiar scent—a mix of woodsy cologne and something uniquely him—made me feel safe. His hands brushed against my arms, sending a delicious shiver through me. I wasn’t cold—it was the way his touch sparked something wild and untamed deep inside me.He leaned closer, his lips grazing my ear. “Have I told you how ravishing you look tonight?” His breath was
Clairessa’s POVGabriel’s eyes darkened as he lifted me off the floor, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist. My arms clung to his broad shoulders as he carried me into the yacht’s cabin. He set me down on the soft mattress. For a brief moment, he stood still, his dark, smoldering eyes locked onto mine. Then, he took a step back, creating a small, tantalizing distance between us. His gaze never left mine as his hands moved to the buttons of his shirt. This time, I saw a desperation in his eyes I hadn't seen before as he ripped his shirt off, letting it fall to the floor.I swallowed hard, my eyes fixed on him. His chiseled chest and defined abs seemed sculpted by God himself. The way his muscles flexed with every small movement made my breath hitch. Gabriel’s hands moved to his belt, unbuckling it with practiced ease. His trousers slid down, leaving him in nothing but his briefs. My pulse quickened, my eyes glued to the thick bulge straining against the fabric. And
Gabriel’s POVShe’s a bloody virgin. The realization hit me like a hammer to the chest. My mind spun as I stared down at Clairessa, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. My chest tightened painfully at the sight. She’d lied to me. I thought she’d done this before—with her boyfriend. I thought she could handle me.But she hadn’t. And she couldn’t. The sound of her cry replayed in my ears, louder than anything else in the room. Her nails dug into my shoulders, her body trembling beneath mine. I froze, gripping her hips, trying to ground myself, to stop the fiery need raging through me that demanded I keep thrusting into her. “Bloody hell, Clairessa, you lied to me,” I growled, feeling both frustrated and guilty. Her walls clenched tightly around me, and my cock throbbed with the need to bury itself deeper. But the pain on her face told me I couldn’t. Her lips parted, but no words came. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her body trembling beneath mine. The pain etched across
Gabriel’s POVI stormed into the bathroom, refusing to meet Clairessa’s gaze. My hands gripped the edge of the sink as I stared at my reflection with a mixture of anger and disgust. How could I let her get to me like this?I felt like a damn fool. She had lied to me, feeding me some bullshit about how she and her ex had done it plenty of times before. But it was all a lie—to lure me into her trap. She knew exactly how I felt about virgins. They were off-limits to me, a line I never crossed. If I had known she was untouched… none of this would have happened."Shit," I muttered, running my hand through my hair, trying to calm the rage burning inside me. And worse? I had taken her raw. No protection. That wasn’t just reckless—it was insane.How could I lose control like that? Like some horny teenage boy desperate for his first time. Me. Gabriel Storm. A man who prided himself on discipline.When I was planning her birthday getaway, protection didn’t even cross my mind. Not once. A
Gabriel’s POV The question haunted my thoughts. Why me and not her boyfriend? What did she see in a broken, old man like me? I had nothing to offer her but pain and heartbreak. Exactly what she didn’t need after her last relationship. I yanked on a pair of loose shorts from the wardrobe and grabbed my phone, dialing Elena to bring fresh sheets.Shortly after, Elena arrived at the deck room. Her eyes landed on the red stains, and she gave me a questioning look. My jaw clenched as I ripped the sheets off the bed, ignoring the way her eyes followed my every move. I should have done that before calling her, but she would’ve seen them anyway. What did it matter what Elena thought of my personal life? I’d never cared before, and I wasn’t about to start now.Elena worked quickly, stripping and replacing the sheets with practiced efficiency. When she finished, she faced me with a suspicious look.“All done, Mr. Storm. Would you need anything else?” “That’ll be all,” I dismissed her cu
Gabriel’s POV Clairessa’s gaze burned into mine, smoldering with a fiery boldness. “A woman who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to ask for it.” Her lips quirked into a sensual smile, and my eyes fixed on them, already imagining how they’d feel against my skin. She stepped closer, her body brushing against mine, and the heat of her presence slowly melted away the guilt I was feeling. “What I want,” she whispered, her breath teasing my neck, “is to satisfy my desires. You promised me multiple orgasms, Gabriel. Isn’t that the agreement?” Her boldness left me momentarily speechless. The confidence in her voice, the sensual sway of her hips, and the way her body brushed so closely against mine were intoxicating. “Clairessa,” I finally managed, my voice rough with desire, “last night, I may have pushed you into agreeing. But I need you to be certain this is what you want. I—” Her sly smirk cut me off, her tone playful but cocky. “Seduced is the word you’re looking for.
Clairessa’s POV My eyes shot open as sunlight spilled through the cabin’s window, warming my skin. I stretched lazily, feeling the soft sheets slip from my body. A delicious warmth spread through me, and a smile tugged at my lips as memories of last night came rushing back. Gabriel. His hands, his lips, his body—every touch had set me ablaze. He had made love to me with a sweetness and intensity I hadn’t known was possible. I was no longer a virgin, and the realization felt… freeing. A part of me I hadn’t known was shackled had been released. For the first time, I felt ready to explore, to embrace all the pleasures I had been missing out on.Unconsciously, I trailed a finger across my lips, remembering the feel of his kisses. My touch drifted lower, to my neck, where his lips had lingered, then to my collarbone, where his tongue had teased me. My fingers paused at my nipples, which still ached faintly with the memory of his mouth.“Look who’s finally awake.” His deep, rich voic
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