Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Clairessa's POV

My heart didn't just skip.

No it detonated.

Fireworks.

Not the kind that lit up the sky-but the kind that exploded beneath my skin, igniting every nerve ending in my body as Gabriel's arms wrapped around me.

His lips hovered inches from mine, and before I could stop myself, my eyes slipped shut.

His scent hit me-woody, musky, dark... intoxicatingly familiar. It wrapped around me like a drug, sinking into my skin, clouding every thought.

I wanted his mouth to crash into mine, his tongue plunging deep, claiming me with a kiss that left no room for doubt—as he shoved me back against his desk, rough, commanding, unapologetically possessive.

Then his hands would roam lower-greedy, aching with need-slipping into my pants like he had every right to be there.

Fingers stroking through my wetness, coaxing me open, dragging me to the edge until I was gasping his name, hips grinding into his palm, breaking apart in his

arms.

He'd tear the rest of my clothes off and sink into me with that maddening, slow thrust-deep, hard, filling every inch of me until I couldn't think, couldn't breathe.

Until I was begging, screaming his name, my body trembling, shattered, spent- and still aching for more.

God, I wanted every filthy, glorious inch of him.

Every memory. Every fantasy. All of it.

But another part of me—the part that still ached from everything he'd put me through these past weeks-was screaming not to fall for it.

I couldn't let him think he still had that kind of power over me. That he could sell me off and then pull me back like I was his to claim whenever he pleased.

"No." The word forced itself out, my breath shaking. "You can't say things like that to me. Not now."

"Yes... I can." His voice was tight, strained. "I want you, Clairessa. And I'm done holding back."

A bitter laugh almost slipped through as I yanked myself free from his hold.

He wanted me back.

Words I had waited for. Longed for.

And now, suddenly-they were here. Spoken aloud.

But all I felt was doubt.

Where was this weeks ago?

When I lay in bed just down the hall, breaking a little more each night while he acted like I didn't exist?

Leaving me wrestling through sleepless nights, clutching my pillow, trying to erase the sting of his rejection.

And now, out of nowhere, he wanted us back?

My eyes burned-not from tears, but from a week's worth of betrayal, rage, and heartbreak.

"You think one sentence is enough to fix us? Huh." My voice cracked with disbelief.

"Clairessa, that's not—"

"Don't," I snapped, holding up a hand. "Just don't."

He stilled.

"That's not how this works," I said, voice low and cutting. "You don't get to want me only when it's convenient for you."

"Convenient?" His brows pulled together. "You think this is easy for me?"

"Yes, Gabriel," I bit out. "Everything that's happened has been on your terms. What you want. What you need. You never stopped to ask how I felt."

He opened his mouth, but I didn't let him speak. Not this time. I stepped closer, heat burning up my spine.

"Do you even realize what these past weeks have been like for me?" I snapped.

"My home burned down. I was devastated-I lost everything. And when I needed you most, you just kept pushing me away."

His face twisted-guilt bleeding through every feature. For a second, I saw it. He actually felt sorry.

"Clairessa..." His voice cracked. "I hurt you, and there's no excuse that could make it right. But I need you to know-I'm truly sorry for making you face all of that alone. I'll say it a thousand times if I have to. Just... please. Let me try to make it right."

He reached for me, fingers brushing the air.

I pulled back.

I couldn't just fall for this. Not after spending weeks trying to piece myself back together.

"No." My voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "We're done, Gabriel. Whatever this was—it's over. Nothing is ever going to happen between us again."

His face fell. A flash of fear, disappointment, and something else—something raw -moved through him.

"You don't mean that," he said hoarsely.

"Oh, I do." I didn't blink. "The only thing that exists between us now is the contract. That's it. So I suggest you honor your side like I've been forced to honor mine."

His eyes searched mine, a quiet desperation leaking through. "After everything... you still want that contract to stand?"

I stepped closer, refusing to let him look away. "This isn't what I wanted, Gabriel. But you made your choice the moment you slid that contract across the table like I was just another business arrangement."

He stared at me like he didn't recognize the version of me standing in front of him -like I'd become a stranger in his office, in his world.

"And for the record," I continued, my voice hardening, "the reason Adrian showed up late to the meeting today? It's because I didn't stick to the terms."

His brows pulled together. "What are you talking about?"

"He asked if there was still a chance we'd get back together," I said, my breath tightening. "And I told him the truth That there's no future for us.

second chance."

Gabriel looked-genuinely taken aback-and for the first time, he was the one on

the back foot. Gabriel Storm, always in control, suddenly spiraling.

"You think that's why he―?"

"He didn't take the rejection well that day."

I tilted my head and folded my arms.

"That's why he was late. Maybe if I'd played along-kept lying like you wanted-

he would've shown up on time.

But I didn't. I told him the truth."

Gabriel ran a hand through his hair, shoulders tense, pacing like he was trying to outrun the reality I'd laid at his feet. But it stuck to him-every word.

"You see now?" My tone was quieter. "There's no stitching us back together."

I let the silence hang before

delivering the blow. "Or have you

changed your mind, Gabriel? Because if you want me-really want me-then you risk losing him. Are you finally ready to make that choice?"

He stopped pacing. Silent. Stricken.

Then a rough breath escaped him-part groan, part surrender.

"It's not that simple. Fuck... it's complicated."

Not a no.

Not a yes.

Just a man still trying to win without risking a single thing.

And that told me everything I needed to know.

"That's what I thought," I whispered. "Still trying to decide which one of us makes

the better pawn?"

I lifted my chin, lips curling into a faint smirk. "Don't worry. Adrian won't be

slacking again. I'll make sure of it."

He stiffened, as if bracing for what was coming.

"And if that means I have to lie to him... screw him... just to make sure he shows

up?"

I leaned in, eyes blazing.

"Rest assured, I will."

His eyes widened-true shock cutting through the usual stoicism. But it didn't last.

They darkened, fast.

"Clairessa... don't-don't fucking play with me."

"Oh, it's not a game." I smiled sweetly.

“But if that'll be all, Mr. Storm," I said, voice light, almost sweet, "I'd love to get

back to my office."

I let my smile deepen, mocking. “I'm certain we got the deal... or didn't we?"

His jaw tightened. "We did."

"Well then flipped my hair back,

out.

letting the movement speak for itself. I'd say I've earned a day Maybe even a little celebration for a

job well done.”

His face twisted-hurt and rage colliding all at once. He opened his mouth, breath

catching, but whatever he wanted to say didn't come fast enough.noveldrama

"You do," he ground out. "But we're not done talking."

"Oh, but we are."

I turned before he could stop me, sauntering toward the door.

"Clairessa," he called after me, voice furious. "Wait—"

I turned slightly, offering him one last glance over my shoulder.

"Good day, Mr. Storm.”

"Clairessa-don't walk away from me!"

But I already had.

A rush of cold satisfaction surged through me as I heard him call after me—

confused and broken.

I'd taunted him with my words, just as he once did to me.

I wanted him to feel everything I'd carried for weeks. And now that he'd finally

admitted he still felt something for me, I'd use it.

Twist it.

Turn it into power.

He once played with my heart.

This time, he'd be the one left bleeding.