Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 256

Gabriel’s POV

Now, I sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, freshly dressed in one of his shirts, while he stood behind me, towel-drying my hair with the same tenderness from earlier.

“You don’t have to fuss, Gabriel. I’m fine,” I murmured, half-leaning into the towel.

“Hm,” he said, noncommittal. “You threw up twice this morning and nearly passed out in the bathroom. Forgive me if I want to fuss.”

I pulled away from the towel and tried to stand, but Gabriel’s palm pressed gently to my shoulder.

“Back in bed.”

“But…”

“But nothing,” he cut in smoothly.

I scowled. “Gabriel, you might be able to skip work whenever you like, but I can’t just not show up. I could actually get in trouble.”

“Trouble?” His brow arched with amused arrogance. “No one would dare.”

Then, with infuriating confidence, he tilted my chin up to meet his gaze. “Seems you’ve forgotten you’re in a relationship with the CEO.”

I rolled my eyes. “Gabriel, how could I forget… when you remind me every chance you get?”

“That’s when you try to defy my orders, like right now.” His voice dropped, teasing. “Enjoy the benefits of making the CEO the happiest man alive.”

I gave him a scrunched, fake smile.

Unbothered, he grinned and tucked the sheets around me. “I’ll take care of everything at the office. You’re staying right here, resting, getting better. In fact…”

He leaned closer, brushing his lips across my forehead. “You can take the whole week off.”

I scoffed. “A week? That’s a little dramatic.”

He ignored me completely. Typical Gabriel. And honestly, I knew better than to keep arguing. I let myself sink back into bed. He was right, after all. I would enjoy the perks of dating the great Gabriel Storm, just this once, without guilt.

He covered me gently, adjusting the sheets like I was something precious. “There’s food in the fridge. I’ll make you something. Be right back.”

I watched him walk off, and a soft smile curved over my lips. I didn’t care what the consequences were, God had truly blessed me with a good man. Underneath all that brooding power, Gabriel had the most thoughtful heart, and I was never letting go.

I reached over to the dresser and grabbed my phone. If I couldn’t show up to work, the least I could do was check in remotely. I sifted through emails, responded to a few flagged messages, and before I knew it, I was deep in work mode.

Until the door pushed open.

Gabriel walked in with a tray balanced in his hands, wearing that maddening smirk.

“Breakfast is served, my queen.”

I looked up, instantly smiling, and sat up with a soft bounce of excitement. “That was too fast, Mr. Storm… Should I trust this?”

He placed the tray gently on the bedside table with the grace of a man who knew exactly what he was doing. “I’ll have you know, I’ve mastered more than just boardrooms and mergers.”

I peeked over the tray and saw a bowl of steaming soup, a glass of orange juice, and a small pile of grapes neatly arranged on the side.

“Okay… I can’t lie,” I said, eyebrows lifting. “This actually looks good. And hot.” Steam rolled off the bowl in swirling waves.

He folded his arms, proud. “You know, if I hadn’t chosen tech, I could’ve run my own restaurant. Don’t underestimate the range of my many gifts.”

I grinned, my voice dipping as sincerity edged out my teasing. “Actually you've told me that story before, so forgive me for doubting you, Chef Storm. And thank you…” My hand grazed his. “For all of this. I’m really grateful to have you by my side.”

He grinned, then brushed his fingers along my arm. “It’s a little spicy, but it’ll help with the nausea.”

I smirked, taking in his overconfidence with fondness. “Of course it is. The mighty Gabriel Storm doesn’t just make soup… he heals people.”

That sentence alone sent an unexpected shiver through me. Even in the middle of all the warmth. My thighs squeezed together tighter beneath the blanket.

He raised the glass and held it to my lips. I sipped slowly, watching his face as his eyes followed every swallow and movement of my mouth.

When I nodded, he asked, “Good?”

“Yes,” I said, voice soft and breathier than I intended.

He set the glass down, then returned to the bowl. Another spoonful, this one a little fuller, as he fed me.

A bit of broth spilled down my chin, and before I could reach for a napkin, he leaned in slowly and brushed it away with his thumb.

My breath hitched as the moment stretched. The brush of his skin lingered, then dragged across my lips.

That simple touch, hot and possessive, sent a ripple through me. I stared at him, my eyes wide, wild with hunger I could no longer hide.

He noticed.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said, voice roughened at the edges.

“Like what?” I asked, feigning innocence, knowing damn well what I was doing.

“The way we both know you are now.”

I tilted my head, eyes coy, lips parted. “Oh, Mr. Storm… You think too highly of yourself. I’m just sitting here like a good girl, enjoying being fed by her man.”

I reached out and caught his hand. Dragged his thumb to my lips again and sucked, slow… seductive eyes locked with his. My tongue curled around the pad of his finger, teasing.

Gabriel groaned, before he brushed my lips apart with the same thumb, caressing the softness there as he leaned in, breathing against them.

“I don’t want to lose control,” he growled, voice almost ragged. “Rather, I want to care for you. But if you keep pushing me…” His voice dipped even further. “I’ll forget all my gentleman manners and fuck you into the afternoon.”