Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 242

Clairessa’s POV

My hand flew to my chest. “You freaking scared me!”

My knees nearly gave out, but his arms were already around me, holding me up.

“I knocked twice,” he said, his voice calm. “You just didn’t hear me.”

He handed me a towel, warm and fresh. I snatched it from him and clutched it tight against my body.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I faked outrage, wrapping the towel around me tighter.

His lips curved. “I can’t decide when you’re most beautiful,” he said, stepping closer, his gaze lazy and hot. “Is it when you’re asleep? When you’re mad at me… or when you’re swimming and kicking Adrian’s ass in the pool?”

His eyes drifted slowly down my body.

“Or is it when you’re moaning my name right before you come… or right now, stepping out of the shower like this?”

He leaned in, nuzzling into my damp hair, breathing me in.

“God… your hair smells like vanilla and honey,” he murmured. “Wet… soft…”

His fingers found a droplet sliding down my neck, and he trailed it slowly, down over my collarbone, then lower, until it reached the top of my breast.

“Water dripping down your beautiful skin,” he said softly, almost to himself.

“Gabriel,” I swallowed hard, heat surging through me. “I mean… what if…”

His hand gently pressed over my lips.

“I can’t help myself,” he whispered. “I’m addicted to you.”

Then he leaned in and kissed me, soft, sweet, slow, melting. I kissed him back even more fiercely, needing more of him.

But when he pulled away, I followed, lips seeking him again.

He grinned. “Seems like I’m not the only one who's addicted.”

I swatted his chest. “Don’t let that little show of affection fool you.”

I tried to step away, but he pulled me back, his hand caressing my damp hair.

“Fool me?” he echoed, eyes glinting with mischief. “You, Miss Clairessa, were just about to tear my lips off.”

I rolled my eyes, but my smile betrayed me.

He leaned in, voice low and teasing. “You can pretend all you want, but your body knows the truth.”

Then his mouth brushed close to my ear. “The way you tremble when I touch you… the way you look at me like you’re starving…”

My breath hitched.

“And baby,” he added, his thumb brushing my lower lip, “I’m more than happy to feed that hunger.”

God help me, I wanted him. No—needed him. There was something about Gabriel that short-circuited all my logic. One look, one touch, and every bit of barrier I’d tried to build came crashing down.

I tilted my face up, letting my eyes flutter closed. “Then what are you waiting for?” I whispered, barely able to speak through the passion building between us.

I was ready, to lose myself in him. To feel something other than the chaos that had taken over my head.

But instead of kissing me, he pulled back just enough to smirk.

“Soon, baby,” his voice was low and teasing, “but not before you tell me all about the apartment you’ve found.”

My eyes flew open, mouth parting in disbelief. “So that’s why you’re here?” I asked, hand on my hip as I gave him a look of mock outrage. “You came all the way in here, got me all hot and bothered, just to interrogate me about my apartment search?”

He chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. “I’m here because being apart from you all day was torture,” he murmured, brushing a damp strand of hair from my cheek. “And because if you’re planning to leave, I need to know exactly where my baby will be going.”

I shook my head, lips twitching. “Possessive much?”

“Always,” he said without apology, voice rich with heat. “Especially when it comes to you.”

I hesitated, my eyes searching his. He wasn’t playing. For all his teasing, there was something honest behind the way he looked at me that I trusted more than I wanted to admit.

Maybe I’d spent too long trying to protect myself, questioning everything he did or said. But at this moment, I believed him. Gabriel might have been complicated, even infuriating, but he meant what he said. And right now, I believed him.

I sighed. “Fine… I lied.”

I gave a teasing smile. “Now how can a woman say no to a proposal that involves being taken care of like that?”

Gabriel’s eyes lit up with pure joy. He scooped me into his arms with a laugh, carrying me back into the room like I was something fragile and precious. He laid me gently on the bed, then settled beside me, his gaze never leaving mine.

I smirked. “With all that excitement… one would think I’m the one taking care of you.”

He leaned in, his fingers slowly trailing down the curve of my neck. “Well,” he murmured, “since you so kindly offered… there are other ways you can care for me that I’d love just as much.”

I laughed, trying to wriggle away from his hold. “I know what you’re thinking, Gabriel, but I have to get dressed.”

He growled playfully, pulling me flush against his chest. “Oh, you do now,” he whispered, holding me there like he wasn’t ready to let go.

His lips nuzzled against my neck, warm and slow, sending shivers skittering across my skin.

“I’ll find you an apartment you’ll love,” he rasped against my lips, voice low and rough. “Just trust me.”

“I do,” I murmured, and I meant it with every breath in me.

He finally stood, reaching down to help me up, his hand lingering on mine.

He kissed the corner of my mouth, lingering for a second before pulling back just enough to say, “The only reason I’m letting you go right now is because I have an important business meeting. Otherwise,” his lips grazed my jaw, “I’d be making love to you until morning.”

I gasped, pushing at his chest with mock outrage. “Mr. Storm! You’re so…”

My voice trailed off..I couldn’t even find the word to fully capture the dark, magnetic force that was Gabriel Storm. He was intense, passionate… and somehow, he’d taken hold of every part of my heart without even trying.

He chuckled, releasing me slowly like it physically pained him to do it. Then he rose to his feet and stretched out a hand toward me.

“I’m so the man you fell in love with,” he finished, eyes locked on mine, soft, daring, and full of that signature Gabriel confidence.

The door opened.

“Oh,” a voice said, too casually. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Gabriel’s head whipped toward the door.

Angelique stood there, shock written all over her face.