Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 205

Gabriel’s POV

My fists clenched at my sides with the effort it took to hold myself back. When I finally spoke, my voice came out rough—too rough—but not from anger. From the desire still burning inside me, aching to be let out.

“I gave you an almost impossible task,” I said, steadying my breath. “And you still delivered more than I ever expected. You salvaged the pitch. You made Randolph stay. You saved this deal.”

My gaze dragged over her slowly—as if my eyes had a will of their own. It halted on the slow, sinful rise and fall of her chest, the soft curve of her cleavage just barely visible through the parted fabric.

Each breath teased the opening wider, tempting me to look longer… to fall deeper.

A fresh wave of heat surged through me, stirring a throbbing ache tightening in my pants—one I fought hard to ignore.

I ran a hand down my face, trying to refocus—and tear my eyes off her breasts before I lost control. Before I ripped that flimsy button wide open, shoved the fabric aside, and wrapped my mouth around one aching nipple.

I swallowed hard, the memory of her taste flooding back—the way she used to whimper when I ran my tongue—

Fuck, Gabriel. Get it together.

“I owe you an apology,” I said, forcing the words out. “I’ve acted like a bastard this past week—and it’s because I’ve been trying. For Adrian. Pushing him to step up… and in the process, I pushed you away. That wasn’t fair. And now, it feels like it was all for nothing.”

“He showed up eventually,” she replied, uncertain. “That counts for something.”

I let out a ragged breath. “Maybe. Maybe not. Sacrifice is a lonely thing. You give everything… and just hope something sticks.”

Every part of me screamed to close the distance and claim her right then and there.

“I should be mad at you.”

Her gaze dropped.

“But I’m not.”

Her head lifted, brows drawn tight.

“I want to be.”

Her shoulders curled inward.

“But I can’t.”

That hit her. Her eyes locked onto mine—wide, searching, trembling with the truth we were both trying to deny.

“I can’t hate you, Clairessa. God knows I’ve tried.”

And I had. I’d tried to shut her out.

Push her away.

Drown her from my system.

But she was the one woman who’d sunk her way in and stayed. Not even time had dulled it. Not even pain.

She didn’t respond. Still resisting it—just like I had for weeks. But I knew now. There was no point. It was useless.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked. “When you realized Adrian wasn’t coming?”

She hesitated. “Because I panicked. I didn’t know where he was… and I didn’t want to deal with your reaction.”

Fair.

I nodded slowly, jaw flexing. “Next time, Clairessa… no matter how bad it is—you come to me. Don’t shut me out again.”

She gave a small nod. Something in her expression collapsed—regret, exhaustion… maybe even guilt.

Then she whispered it, soft and reluctant.

“Adrian didn’t show up on time… which means the contract still stands.”

That was it. I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I stepped forward—closing the last inches between us—until she was right there, her body a breath from mine.

“Is that what you want, Clairessa?”

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