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

Chapter 32: Pushing Her Away

I paced frantically around my living room, struggling to cont

rol my spiraling thoughts and my throbbing erection, desperately aching to be buried inside her. Clairessa had just confessed she was a virgin, then backtracked, saying she wasn't. I didn't know what to believe, and the confusion was driving me mad.

If she was a virgin, I couldn't touch her. That was a line I never crossed. I didn't want to hurt her or take something so important from her. But the thought of her being innocent made me want her even more, and it was messing with my head.

I felt torn–frustrated and suddenly, it all felt wrong, as if I was taking advantage of her pain for my own selfish gain. What kind of man did that make me? No different from her cheating boyfriend, who kept her around for his personal benefit.

“Gabriel, say something..." she said, her voice shaky.

“Clairessa, I need you to tell me the truth,” I replied, my gaze fixed on her. “Are you a virgin?”

“I....... um...... no..... of course not. I've been with my boyfriend many times, I might add,” she stammered nervously, her cheeks flushing as she struggled for words. "I meant to say you're the first guy who wanted to..."

She paused, her face red with embarrassment. “My boyfriend... I mean, ex-boyfriend, and I had sex a couple of times... but it wasn't like what we have. His touch always felt cold, and he somehow blamed me for having a low sex drive."

"That fucker," I grunted under my breath. Not only had the jerk cheated on her, but he also blamed her for his own inability to arouse her.

I walked back and sat beside her, gently lifting her chin so our eyes met. "Your boyfriend was an asshole for not being patient enough to learn how to please you," I muttered, unable to stop my fingers from lightly brushing across her breast. "Your body is so responsive to every touch. You're every man's dream. Only a fool wouldn't see that."

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Chapter 32: Pushing Her Away

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“Then why are we stopping?” she asked, leaning closer, pressing her body against mine. I knew if I didn't create distance, I would end up parting her legs and taking her right there-hard and fast on the sofa.

"This is wrong," I muttered, standing and putting space between us. "You're hurt, and I took advantage of that," I added, feeling like a fraud.

“No, you didn't. I came onto you because I want you."

"I doubt that,” I said, avoiding her gaze. "What you want is to forget the scum who hurt you. This is just rebound sex to help you move on. Months from now, you'll regret this."

"Like hell I would," she shot back, her voice raised. I could tell she was frustrated with my holier-than-thou act. But she didn't realize I was doing this to protect her.

"I'm not going to deny that I desperately want to forget my ex, but that doesn't change the fact that I want you-more than I've ever wanted any man in my entire life."

Fuck. Her words were breaking through the walls I had built around my heart. I heard her steps as she came to stand behind me. Her soft palms slid into my elbow, turning my body toward hers. Her gaze locked onto mine now.

“Mr. Storm, from that night at the club, we shared a mind-blowing connection. And again at the hotel, and even now, it's stronger than ever, pulling at both of us. No matter how many times you've tried to deny what's happening between us... I know, in your heart, you feel it too... this passion burning between us. We both want each other desperately."

"Clairessa, we can't..." I began, but she cut me off.

"Don't 'Clairessa' me. You don't get to push me away because you're scared of what's going on between

us."

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Chapter 32: Pushing Her Away

"I'm not scared of anything," I lied, avoiding her fierce gaze.

“Yes, you are,” she retorted, stepping closer, her eyes searching mine. "You're terrified of feeling something real. That's why you hide behind your rules and arrangements."

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Damn. She was so close now, her body just inches from mine. My eyes wandered over her petite, sexy frame, lingering on the sight before me. She was wearing my shirt, and it stopped teasingly at her thighs. My gaze was drawn to her smooth, slender legs and the hint of her lacy underwear peeking through. Black thongs. I hadn't noticed them before, but now I couldn't look away. I wanted to part her thighs and finish what I'd started -give her the release we both craved.

My eyes traveled upward to her chest. Her cleavage was on full display, the buttons of the shirt still undone, exposing the curves of her succulent breasts. The sight made my pulse race. I felt an overwhelming urge to strip the shirt off her completely, to have her standing naked before me while I worshipped every inch of her body. I wanted to hear her moan my name, to show her how desirable she was.

How could her ex-boyfriend make her feel frigid? She was the epitome of desire; every movement was so natural, so sensual.

I clenched my fists, fighting the desperate need to claim her, to make her mine in every sense of the word. To show her what it felt like to be truly wanted.

But I couldn't.

Swallowing hard, I tore my eyes away, forcing myself to step back. “That's the problem, Clairessa,” I said hoarsely, my voice tight with frustrated desire. “I don't do connections or relationships.”

"Then what do you do?” she asked, her gaze meeting mine, though I turned away.

"I have arrangements with women who understand the rules. They know not to expect anything more.""

Chapter 32: Pushing Her Away

"What does that even mean?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I have sex with women who understand that I can't offer them anything more."

“Anything more?” she echoed, shaking her head in disbelief. “You mean love, commitment, loyalty..."

"Yes, those things,” I let out. "Clairessa, I can't give any woman more than just sex. The women I sleep with know that. In return, they set their own terms."

"In other words, you pay women to sleep with you,” she replied, disappointed.

“I don't have to pay them. Most of the women I sleep with are successful in their own right. But yes, I choose to reward them."

“Reward them? Like you're some sort of king?” She scoffed. “That makes no sense. Why won't you let anyone in?"

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“Because I'm incapable of love,” I fumed bluntly. “I don't want to deceive anyone. And you... you're young, smart, and beautiful. You have your whole life ahead of you. You can be with any man you choose-not someone like me who would only hurt you."

rising.

"You don't get to make that choice for me. I'm the only one who gets to do that,” she replied, her voice

"Clairessa," I reached out to touch her, but she pulled away.

“No. You don't get to push me away, then act like you care... If you didn't feel something for me, you wouldn't have brought me here tonight. Admit it, Mr. Storm. You want this. You want me. And there's no shame

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Chapter 32: Pushing Her Away

in what we feel."

I clenched my fists, the truth of her words hitting me. “Yes, there is..... Not only are you half my age, but you also work for me. This is all crazy. I've never dated any of my employees in the past or brought anyone to my home, but with you... I'm making exceptions. And that's what makes it all wrong."

“You don't know that,” she said softly. “What's so wrong about us going after what we feel for each

other?"

I hissed. "Feelings? You don't get it. I don't feel, Clairessa. I just fuck."

I made sure my words were harsh, hoping to scare her off.

“So, it's always just sex with you?” she shot back.

“Sex is all I want-nothing more."

"Then maybe you're right. Maybe this is all one big mistake,” she replied, her voice full of disappointment as

she turned and walked away.

Leaving me suppressing the overpowering urge to run after her and make her mine.

In time, she would be grateful that I stopped, even though every fiber of my being wanted more of her.

Fuck, should I chase after her?