Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

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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20:49 Tue, 18 Feb

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.

and the towel sitting dangerously low, revealing the V–line disappearing beneath it. My mind wandered where

he said, his

phone,” I finally

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it. My eyes followed him, tracing the muscles in his back. He looked even better than men

skin was cool, and the brief touch sent sparks through me, making

him back?” Gabriel asked, his expression

ち

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

was sharp. “Your boyfriend cheated on you. The answer seems pretty clear to

not that…” I whispered, my voice faltering.

23: Restless

me off. “That’s exactly what you were going

nodded silently, feeling foolish.

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but you can’t keep making excuses for people

expression harden. His face gave him away, even as he tried to hide the truth. Who could have hurt

about me, Clairessa.” His voice was clipped. “All I’m asking is that you stop

I asked, confused by

away.

jaw tight. “I… just…

slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow, stopping him.

onto his.

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