Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 255

Clairessa’s POV

I woke to the feeling of warm skin and strong arms wrapped tightly around me, one draped across my waist, pulling me deeper into his body.

Gabriel nuzzled into my neck, his stubble brushing the sensitive skin behind my ear.

“Mmm…” His voice was rough, a little groggy from sleep. “I wish all my mornings started like this,” he murmured, his nose grazing my skin as he inhaled.

“With you, smelling like sex, strawberries, and an intoxicating scent I can't quite place.”

I smiled into the pillow, stretching a little under the sheets before curling right back into him.

He smelled like clean soap and whatever cologne he’d worn last night after we both showered, now dulled and mixed with his natural scent. It was addictive.

“I don’t know,” I murmured, letting my leg slide over his. “You sure it’s not just your cologne lingering on me?”

“Maybe,” he replied. “But I like it better when I pretend it’s all you.”

I rolled halfway onto my back to face him.

His hair was messy, and those sleepy eyes of his looked impossibly soft right now. His lips parted in the laziest, most irresistible smile.

“Careful, Mr. Storm. You’re dangerously close to sounding romantic.”

He smirked and leaned down to kiss the tip of my nose. “I am romantic. Just with very selective timing.”

“Well, good morning then, Mr. Selective Timing.”

He chuckled and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I wish we didn’t have to go anywhere,” he whispered, his arm still firm around my waist, holding me like he never wanted to let go.

“Wish we could just stay in bed, wrapped up in these sheets. And me.”

I didn’t answer, not out loud, anyway. But I felt the exact same way. My body had relaxed into his, not wanting to lose his heat.

I nudged his side playfully. “After all the naughty things we did last night, I would’ve thought you’d be too tired to function.”

“Naughty, huh?” Gabriel cut me off with that wicked glint lighting up his eyes. “Tell me more about these… things.”

I feigned innocence, batting my lashes. “Don’t you ever get tired?”

“Never,” he said without missing a beat.

Then he kissed me, slow and indulgent, like we had all the time in the world. “I could never tire of you. You could ruin me, and I’d thank you for it.”

I laughed, trying to hold back the moan that threatened to slip free as his mouth found mine again, trailing soft kisses along my jaw and back to my lips.

“You really do have a way with words,” I breathed. “And honestly… I could be seduced into lazing in bed all morning if you keep this up, but…”

“We really have to get to work…” I mumbled, though not even I believed myself.

“Lazing around?” he muttered against my mouth. “I assure you, there’d be nothing lazy about it.”

“Oh, God…” I whispered between kisses. “You’re ridiculous, yet charming. The kind of temptation that should come with a warning label.”

Truth was, I wasn’t even close to ready to leave this bed, especially not with him in it.

“Claire…” His voice was tense.

He knelt beside me and gently pulled my hair back, holding it away from my face as another wave hit me. I leaned forward and threw up again, my body trembling.

“It’s okay,” he murmured. “Just breathe. I’ve got you.”

When it finally passed, I sagged against him, panting softly.

“I’m alright,” I said weakly, trying to sit up straighter and force a smile. “It’s probably something I ate.”

“You barely ate last night,” he said, still holding my hair as he rubbed soothing circles on my back. “That ice cream? That was foreplay.”

I turned my head to look at him, swatting his shoulder with the back of my hand. “You’re unbelievable,” I muttered, giggling in spite of myself.

His teasing expression faded, and his thumb gently brushed my cheek. “You’re not okay. I’ve never seen you throw up before. Not like that.”

“I’m fine, really,” I said softly, but I wasn't even fully convinced. Still, I wasn’t about to let him panic.

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded and reached for a towel. “Come on,” he said gently, slipping an arm around me as he helped me stand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Gabriel hadn’t just insisted on helping me into the shower, he insisted on bathing me, like I was something fragile.

Normally, I’d have pushed back, made a joke, brushed it off. But the way he handled me so gently and attentively relaxed my insides, and the nausea I’d been feeling earlier finally began to ease.

He washed every inch of me with so much tenderness. His hands moved lower, rinsing me off like it was the most natural thing in the world, like taking care of me wasn’t a task. It was instinct. And every so often, he’d press a kiss to my temple, my shoulder, my neck… like he was losing his mind a little. Like he just couldn’t help himself.