Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 257

Clairessa’s POV

Gabriel’s lips curved into a sweet, teasing smirk. I loved this version of him, the one who tried to hold back, just for me.

Still acting innocent, I tilted my head. “Such vulgar language from a man like you, Mr. Storm. I would’ve thought better.”

My hand drifted to his thigh, grazing the firm muscle beneath his trousers.

I dragged my fingers deeper, teasing right between his legs. I could feel how hard he was, how badly he wanted me. I was so close. One more inch and I’d grip him fully.

Then his phone buzzed.

I pulled my hand back quickly, startled, but Gabriel caught it, held it firmly, and placed it right back between his legs, right over the thick bulge straining against his pants.

My eyes lit up like a switch had been flipped.

“You should take it,” I murmured, though I didn’t mean it. I stroked him gently, feeling him grow fuller, the length of him straining against my hand. “Might be something urgent. I wouldn’t want you missing out on some big deal… because of me.”

His grunt was low. “No.”

With one quick motion, he pushed the tray off to the side and leaned in again. His mouth found mine, this time slower, deeper.

His fingers tangled into my hair, gripping gently but firmly as his lips moved over mine like a slow burn.

I melted, as every nerve ending in my body came alive beneath him.

My back arched instinctively toward him. God, the way he kissed me with so much passion.

And then the phone rang again, even louder, ruining the moment.

“Oh,” I gasped. “Now you really have to get it.”

Gabriel didn’t even glance at it. “Whatever it is can wait,” he growled, pushing me gently back onto the bed and crawling over me like he had no intention of stopping. His body pinned mine.

And that look in his eyes? I knew it. He was about to take me, right here, consequences be damned.

Heat rolled off him as his lips grazed my neck. I moaned, helpless under the weight of him, lost in the sweetness of his lips.

But the phone rang again.

He grumbled, head dropping to my shoulder, muttering something under his breath that sounded violently displeased. I watched him, unable to stop the smile curving on my lips.

“One moment…” he breathed, dragging himself off me like it physically hurt him to do so. He stalked across the room to the dresser, snatching the phone.

“Hello?” His tone was pure ice. “This better be important, Tems.”

I sat up slightly, watching him, chest still rising and falling fast. My pulse hadn’t calmed.

His jaw tightened. “What the hell?”

The entire air around him shifted in seconds. His whole posture changed, telling me something had gone wrong.

He started rattling off orders before I could ask.

“Have you spoken to the head of finance?” he demanded. “No? Then get them on the line. I want a solution in ten minutes.”

A pause.

Then Tems’ voice came through again. I could faintly hear it from where I sat.

“It has to be you, Mr. Storm.”

Gabriel pulled the phone away and hissed a curse under his breath. His eyes locked with mine again, full of frustration and regret as he hung up.

I didn’t need him to say it. I already knew.

“You have to go,” I said softly, trying not to let my disappointment show. “It’s fine. That call sounded important.”

I scrambled to pick up, breathing through the tightness in my chest.

“Hey, Jess…”

“Claire…” Her voice was warm, teasing. “How are you doing?”

I smiled faintly and replied, “Of course I’m fine,” softening my voice to make it sound casual. It wasn’t exactly a lie, I just didn’t want Jess fussing too.

“Mmhmm. That’s a lie,” she fired back without missing a beat. “Because I heard from a very reliable source that you’ve been unwell.”

I blinked. “Wait… how did you…?” But even before she answered, my brain filled in the blank. Gabriel.

“Of course,” Jess said smugly. “That man’s love for you has transcended into a full-blown obsession that I approve of, by the way.”

I laughed, leaning against the doorway. “You would.”

“So what’s going on with your body?” she asked, teasing now. “Don’t tell me you’re just tired from making love all night.”

I smirked. “We did make love… But no, I’m not tired of that. If anything, I…” I stopped myself, blushing. “Well, I can’t explain it. This morning, I woke up feeling nauseous. Threw up three times. Then I got hungry, but I couldn’t keep anything down. It was like my stomach rejected everything.”

“Sounds like food poisoning,” she said, but something about her tone sounded unconvincing. “Or… maybe…”

“Maybe what?” I asked, straightening.

Jess hesitated. “Never mind. I’m coming over.”

She ended the call before I could say anything else.

As soon as the line cut, I began to worry again, pressing a hand to my belly, trying to make sense of the mess inside me. My stomach was uneasy, but it was nothing compared to the growing unease in my chest.

What could be wrong with me?