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

Gabriel's POV

Chapter 21: Resisting Her

I sat in the VIP section of the club, utterly exhausted as I forced myself to settle into the wild atmosphere around me. After the week I'd had, I thought a drink might help clear my head and distract me for the night. That was until I saw her.noveldrama

Clairessa.

She was there in the middle of the dance floor, laughing, her body swaying to the music. Our gazes locked, but she acted like she didn't know me, continuing to flirt and laugh with a man I didn't recognize. His eyes were fixed on her plunging neckline, drinking in the sight of her. She wore a sky-blue gown that glittered under the club lights, enhancing her caramel skin. The dress clung to her curves, ending just above her thighs, exposing her soft, slender legs.

I knew exactly what he was thinking, and there was no way I was letting that happen. Not on my watch. When he leaned in to kiss her, she pulled back slightly, but that was the last straw. My restraint snapped.

I strode over, my anger building with every step. I positioned myself between her and the man, towering over him at 6'4". My presence alone sent a clear warning. He took one look at me and backed off. “Stay the hell away from her,” I growled. He muttered something under his breath and left quickly.

Turning back to Clairessa, I watched as she took large gulps from her Margarita, her plump lips hovering over the rim of the glass, taunting me.

“Mr. Storm.......” she mocked, as if she hadn't just driven me mad with jealousy. “What did you say to that poor man to scare him off?" She pouted playfully and tried to take another sip, but I snatched the glass from her hand before she could.

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Chapter 21: Resisting Her

"That's enough drinking," I said, holding the glass out of her reach.

She yanked it back, her eyes defiant. "Mr. Storm, you don't get to tell me what to do."

“Clairessa, stop being stubborn. Drinking puts you in a vulnerable state. And I don't trust these men.” “And I should trust you?" she countered, pressing her body against me, her nipples brushing against my chest, sending a surge of heat through me.

"I never said that,” I replied, feeling the tension build as her hardened nipples brushed my chest. A throbbing ache grew in my pants, and I silently cursed myself for being so easily affected. Did she know what she was doing to me? Did she enjoy it?

"Then what are you saying?" she insisted, her fingers trailing up my arm as she tried to reach her drink.

"No more alcohol for you." I lifted the glass above her head and placed it on the bar, out of her reach.

She rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. “Too bad, Mr. Storm. This isn't the office. I don't take orders from you here, so you can't punish me."

Her words sent a surge of frustration through me, and I wrapped my arm firmly around her waist, pulling her closer. Her lips were parted, and the temptation to kiss her-just to shut her up-was overwhelming.

She leaned in, her lips just inches from mine, her breath warm against my skin. “Tell me, Mr. Storm, how would you like to punish me?” she whispered, her voice slurred with both intoxication and desire.

"You have no idea what you're asking for," I growled, my voice thick with desire. She was pushing me to the edge, testing my control. Her boldness, her soft body pressed against mine, was driving me mad.

Chapter 21: Resisting Her

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I knew exactly what she was doing. My mind screamed at me to take her somewhere private, to spank her until her skin turned red, to make her beg for more. But I couldn't let her know the power she had over me. Not

here. Not now.

"Mr. Storm, look around," she continued, her eyes scanning the room. "This isn't Storm Innovations. Nobody cares here. Everyone is acting on their desires.” Her voice was low, sultry, as she pressed her body even closer, her breasts soft against my chest. The heat between us was unbearable, and I felt myself growing harder by the second.

I inhaled sharply, fighting every instinct to stay in control. I wanted her, right here, right now. But I couldn't lose control. Not like this. "I won't let myself be used for some childish game of revenge,” I said, my voice strained with the effort of holding back. "Or be your rebound."

Her eyes darkened, her voice biting. "Isn't that what men like you do? Use women, cheat on them, and then break their hearts?"

I flinched at her words, the hurt behind them hitting me hard. "I'm nothing like the bastard who hurt you," I shot back. The comparison angered me. I wasn't like that. I might be cold and guarded, but I'd never cheated. I'd never used anyone.

She looked up at me, a softness in her eyes. "Then show me who you are.” Her hands moved to caress my face, but I pulled away, stepping back. I couldn't let her in. Not emotionally.

"There's nothing more to reveal," I said, my voice guarded. I didn't let people in. Angelique had made sure of that. Since her, I'd kept everyone at arm's length, and I intended to keep it that way.

"I know there's more to you," she insisted, her voice soft but firm. "You hide behind your office, behind your power. But I think deep down, you're just afraid."

“I'm not afraid of anything," I growled, cutting her off. How dare she try to break down my walls? I wasn't afraid. I had trained myself to fear nothing. Yet, standing here with her so close, maybe she was right. Maybe she was the one thing that scared me.

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Chapter 21: Resisting Her

“Then kiss me,” she whispered, her lips tantalizingly close to mine. Her body was so inviting, her scent intoxicating, and I wanted nothing more than to give in. I leaned in, my lips hovering over hers, but I stopped. I couldn't.

"I don't sleep with my employees," I muttered, finding the strength to pull away.

"Stop with the excuses," she challenged, her voice full of heat. "You want me, and I want you. What's so

hard about that?"

"I never said I want you," I replied, clenching my jaw, lying through my teeth. But she wasn't buying it.

"I don't believe you," she said, her eyes burning into mine.

"It doesn't matter what you believe," I retorted, grabbing her wrist firmly. "I'm taking you home."

“No, you're not," she shot back, yanking her wrist out of my grip. “You said you didn't want me, so let me find

a man who does."

"Like hell you will,” I snapped, jealousy flooding my veins at the thought of another man touching her.

"Why does it matter to you?" she demanded, her eyes daring me to admit the truth. "Because you work for me,” I said sharply, though I knew that wasn't the reason. "I don't want anything bad happening to you." But the truth was, she belonged to me. No one else could have her. The thought of any other man touching her twisted my insides with a possessiveness I didn't want to admit.

Clairessa leaned in, giving me that mischievous smile that drove me mad. “Mr. Storm, I release you of all moral obligations. Off you go while I have my fun.”

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Her words felt like a slap. “And your definition of fun is kissing random guys because some jerk hurt you?” I shot back, knowing she was acting out of pain. I'd seen it before. I'd even been the cause of it in others. But this... this was different. She was different.

"You don't know anything about me,” she said, poking my chest, her tone full of mockery. "Women are liberated now. I can kiss as many random guys as I please.”

"Fine, go ahead." I retorted and turned to walk away, as fury burned in my chest. Why did I care so much? She was stubborn, rebellious, and hell-bent on pushing me away. But the more she fought, the more I wanted to protect her-save her, even if it was from herself. I couldn't give in to her demands. I couldn't let her know how badly I wanted her, and yet I couldn't stand the thought of someone else touching her.

I watched with clenched fists as she moved back to the bar, immediately striking up a conversation with a tall, handsome stranger. My anger limit snapped as I watched him wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her in. And then, the moment his lips almost touched hers, I lost all control.