Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 253

Clairessa’s POV

I turned in his arms, breathless, lips parted, words stuck somewhere between my chest and throat.

“Gabriel,” I managed. “This is too much. I thought it would be something simple. Just a temporary mini apartment or something…”

He pulled back slightly, his lips twitching into that familiar cocky grin, though his eyes were soft, watching me carefully. “Do you know me at all?”

He brushed away a tear I didn’t even realize had slipped down my cheek. “I told you I’d find you an apartment you’d love. And baby, I don’t do basic.”

I laughed through my tears. “I don’t know if I can accept something like this… It’s not just a gift, it’s…” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

Without saying a word, Gabriel walked over to the table and picked up a sleek black folder. He returned to me and placed it in my trembling hands. I stared at it, then at him.

“Read it,” he said gently. “I just closed on it this week. It’s already in your name.”

My head barely had enough time to process the full extent of his words as I opened the folder and saw the documents, my name printed clear as day on the ownership line.

“Gabriel…” I gasped, my hand flying to my chest. “Oh my God… you bought this apartment in my name? Does that mean…”

I couldn’t breathe. My chest ached in a way I couldn’t explain, like the weight of every moment we’d ever shared had suddenly landed on me all at once.

He stepped closer, his voice gentle.

“Yeah, it’s yours,” he said. “Your new home. So you never have to worry about your safety again.”

I turned fully to him, still stunned. “Gabriel… this gift is enormous.”

His expression didn’t waver. “This isn’t just a gift,” he said firmly. “And it’s only the beginning.”

His hand found mine, fingers lacing through with that same certainty that had always undone me.

“It’s your home, and ours, if you’re willing to share the rest of your life with me. Because we’re going forever, Clairessa. I meant what I said. I’m not letting you go again.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them. Gabriel always talked about forever, but I thought it was just something people said in the heat of a moment.

But this?

This told me he meant every word.

One of our homes. He was asking me to spend forever with him.

Was this a proposal? Maybe.

Honestly, I didn’t even care what to call it.

No one had ever done something like this for me. Except him.

He’d already carved out a space for me in his world, designed a home within his home. And now this… this topped what I thought was already the best.

No one had ever loved me like this, with reckless, overwhelming tenderness.

He gave it all so freely… and I had no idea what to do with it except...

I lunged forward, a sound escaping me, half laugh, half sob, and jumped into his arms.

He caught me easily, like he’d been waiting to. My legs wrapped around his waist, and I kissed him hard, like my soul was trying to tell him everything I couldn’t say.

He kissed me back like he’d waited a lifetime. And maybe he had.

I didn’t even realize he was moving until he sat me gently on the massive kitchen island, our mouths still tangled, breath hot between us.

When he finally pulled back, his lips were swollen, his voice playful. “Easy, tigress…” he teased. “If I knew buying you an apartment would provoke a kiss like that, I’d have done it a lot sooner.”

He groaned. “Strawberries and ice cream, huh?”

He stepped back suddenly. “Strawberries and ice cream, huh?” He strode to the fridge. “Let’s see…”

He opened it, shifted a few things… then pulled out a small container of ice cream and a bowl of strawberries.

He turned to me with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Oh Sweet… I know exactly what you love.”

My mouth fell open. “How…?”

He grinned. “I listen. And I plan ahead.”

“Come here,” I said, my voice low and laced with sensual intentions.

He did.

And God, the moment his body was close again, a rush of overwhelming passion flooded through me.

Lately, it had been happening more and more. My sex drive had dialed up to maximum, leaving this insatiable craving that got darker every night I spent in his presence.

A hunger struck if Gabriel so much as looked at me the wrong way. Or maybe it wasn’t wrong at all. Maybe it was him. Always him. Always this.

I could barely look at him without feeling it throb between my legs like a warning.

Gabriel picked up a strawberry and bit into it, slow and deliberate. The juice dribbled down the corner of his mouth.

He didn’t wipe it off. No, his eyes locked on mine as he chewed, dark, amused, and taunting.

Then he held the other half out, brushing it against my lips. I parted them slightly, about to taste it, but he pulled it away.

“You tease,” I whispered, my voice sexy, as I wrapped my legs around his waist, dragging him closer, feeling the hard ridge of him press against my core through my soaked panties.