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

Clairessa's POV

Chapter 23: Restless Night

I stepped out of the bathroom, my skin still damp from the shower, wrapped in a clean towel. As I walked back into the room, my eyes landed on the bed, where a pair of boxer briefs and a shirt were neatly placed. My heart skipped a beat. Gabriel had been in the room while I was in the shower. Had he watched me? The thought made my cheeks flush, embarrassment mixing with a shiver that shot through me, leaving my skin tingling.

I pulled the shirt over my head, and his scent hit me-Gabriel's scent. It was a masculine mix of freshly cut wood and something darker, intoxicating. The smell wrapped around me, pulling me back to the club: to the moment our eyes locked, to the feel of his hands on my skin. My breath hitched as the memories flooded back, making my skin tingle and my body restless.

Sliding under the duvet, I tried to relax, but the scent of him lingered in the fabric, refusing to let me rest. My mind kept replaying the events of the night, refusing to settle. I had gone to the club not knowing if I would see him, but when our eyes met... everything changed.

I'd tried to make him jealous, dancing with men I didn't care about, when all I really wanted was Gabriel. The memory of his darkened gaze as he watched me sent shivers down my spine. Even now, lying in this bed surrounded by his scent, my heart raced at the thought of him.

Restless, I tossed and turned, unable to shake the images of him from my mind. I stretched to check the dresser for my phone, only to remember he had taken it from me in the car. A sudden warmth spread through me at the thought. That's my excuse to go to his room.

My breath quickened as I stood up and stepped into the hallway. Gabriel had told me his room was right beside mine. My heart pounded as I pushed his door open slightly and stepped inside.

The room was dark, except for a dim lamp casting a faint glow. I hesitated, taking in the space, when the sound of water running caught my attention. Moving closer, I stopped just outside the bathroom door. The shower shut off, and panic surged through me. I turned to leave, but it was too late. Gabriel stepped out, water

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Chapter 23: Restless Night

dripping from his body, a towel wrapped low around his waist.

"What do you want?" His voice was deep and rough.

“I..... um...” I stammered, my eyes roaming his body. Broad chest, strong forearms, and the towel sitting dangerously low, revealing the V-line disappearing beneath it. My mind wandered where it shouldn't, and I struggled to form words.

“Clairessa, say something," he said, his tone sharp.

“I... I came to get my phone," I finally managed, my voice shaky.

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"Oh." He walked to the bedside table and retrieved it. My eyes followed him, tracing the muscles in his back. He looked even better than men half his age-perfectly sculpted and effortlessly commanding.

When he handed me the phone, our fingers brushed. His skin was cool, and the brief touch sent sparks through me, making my pulse quicken.

“Are you going to call him back?” Gabriel asked, his expression tensed.

ち

I glanced at the screen, seeing the ten missed calls from Cheating Jerk-Don't Pick. A small smile tugged at my lips. I was glad I'd changed Adrian's contact name. The last thing I wanted was for Gabriel to know he was my ex-it would ruin my revenge plans. "I don't know,” I murmured, avoiding his piercing gaze.

"What don't you know?" His tone was sharp. "Your boyfriend cheated on you. The answer seems pretty clear to me."

"It's not that..." I whispered, my voice faltering.

Chapter 23: Restless Night

"Easy,” he cut me off. "That's exactly what you were going to say, isn't it?"

I nodded silently, feeling foolish.

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He scoffed, his voice curt. “No one said it would be easy, but you can't keep making excuses for people who hurt you. They'll just keep doing it."

"You sound like you've been hurt yourself," I retorted, watching his expression harden. His face gave him away, even as he tried to hide the truth. Who could have hurt the great Gabriel Storm?

“We're not talking about me, Clairessa." His voice was clipped. "All I'm asking is that you stop lying to yourself."

"Why does it feel like you're mad at me?" I asked, confused by the sudden shift in his mood.

away.

"I'm not angry," he muttered, his jaw tight. "I... just... goodnight, Clairessa," he finished, attempting to turn

I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow, stopping him. His eyes widened in shock as my gaze lockednoveldrama

onto his.

“You're a terrible liar, Mr. Storm,” I replied, stepping closer. My gaze searched his face, desperate for something-anything-that would reveal what he was feeling. His face was hardened, his emotions carefully hidden once again. I reached out, brushing my fingertips over the droplets of water on his chest.

Instinctively, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist and pulling me against him. My breath hitched as his hard body pressed into mine, his wetness seeping through the thin fabric of my clothes. His lips hovered near my ear, his breath hot and heavy.

"We can't,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with restraint. His eyes roamed my face, as though memorizing

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Chapter 23: Restless Night

my features.

His breath sent shivers down my spine, and I trembled under his touch. His lips hovered near my neck, making me ache for more.

"Why not?" I pressed, my eyes closed, craving the feel of his lips on mine.

"We just can't," he said, stepping back and putting distance between us.

I opened my eyes, frustrated and hurt by his constant push and pull. "Goodnight, Mr. Storm," I retorted before storming out of the room.

As I stepped into the hallway, I fought to steady my breathing. My heart pounded against my ribs, not from anger, but from the storm of emotions Gabriel stirred in me. His scent lingered on my skin, making it impossible to forget how his body had pressed against mine.

Why did he always hold back? Why did he keep pushing me away? I thought about the way his hands had gripped me, firm but gentle, as though he was fighting an internal battle he couldn't win.

I paused just outside my door, my fingers gripping the cool metal handle. A small part of me wanted to go back, to demand answers, to make him tell me what he was hiding. But I couldn't face more rejection tonight. Not when I was already so sore.

All I knew was that Gabriel Storm was going to be mine soon, and I was going to have my revenge.