Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

Gabriel’s POV

Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

“Mr. Storm…” Clairessa’s voice echoed softly through the intercom, and something inside me tightened.

“Clairessa, my office. Immediately,” I said, my tone firm, my mood darker than I cared to admit.

Ever since that night at my house–the night I lost control and let the passion between us overtake me- she had made it a point to avoid me. She barely spoke to me, kept her distance, and buried herself in work as if nothing had happened. I should have been relieved. After all, I was the one who pushed her away, drawing a line between us that she now refused to cross. But instead of relief, all I felt was… emptiness.

I missed her.

God, how I needed to see her. It was something I didn’t even want to admit to myself. Yet every time she walked into a room, the atmosphere shifted. She was a burst of energy, a breath of fresh air in my otherwise suffocating world.

Now, she had grown cold–so distant that I barely recognized her. And it was my fault. I deserved her indifference, her coldness. But it didn’t stop me from wanting her close.

I was playing a wicked, selfish game with her emotions–and mine. But I didn’t care. Clairessa had gotten under my skin, into my system like a drug I couldn’t quit.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, she walked in.

“Mr. Storm, you asked to see me?” Clairessa’s voice was firm as she approached my desk. She wore a

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Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

gray pantsuit, her shirt crisp and white, her hair neatly tied in a ponytail.

She looked stunning, as always, but today, something was different. She seemed distant, detached–more than usual.

I narrowed my eyes, fighting to control the emotions threatening to surface. “Why did it take you over an hour to respond to my email?” I asked, leaning back in my chair, my gaze fixed on her.

Her eyes flashed with annoyance. “I was busy with other projects, Mr. Storm,” she replied curtly, her voice defiant.

The warm smile she used to grace me with was gone, replaced by a cold, stern expression that fueled the fire inside me. God, she was beautiful, even when angry. No–especially when angry. It infuriated me that I found her even more attractive this way.

She rolled her eyes, and my blood heated instantly. Was she trying to provoke me? The memory of her gasping my name that night came rushing back. I had been so close to having her, and I’d stopped. Why? I didn’t even know anymore.

ache to finish what I had started. I had been so close to having her,

That’s a warning,” I fumed. For a moment,

eyes again. “I didn’t roll my eyes, Mr. Storm,” she retorted, her gaze unflinching. “You must have seen wrong.”

in her eyes made me want to pull her across my desk and remind her exactly

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33: Dangerously Close To

smart with me, Clairessa,” I warned, my tone

in her shoulders, the way she straightened when she realized she might have gone too

worked on the brief I sent you?” I asked, shifting the

87%

“I’ve been busy with

to test me today? Fine. “Enlighten me,” I said, keeping my voice

for the launch,” she replied steadily, though the

long have you been working on it?”

“The team and I

smug

in shock. “What? You can’t do that!” she exclaimed,

can. And I just did,” I replied, wearing a cocky grin, watching her reaction.

me. “That’s unfair!” she fumed. “I’ve put in so many hours on that project,

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Dangerously Close to

me off it without any

her. “From now on, you work directly

she pointed a finger at me. “You want me to play assistant when I could be using my actual skills?”

closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume. “You’ll fit into whatever role I choose for

me,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

heard her clearly, I wanted her to

smile that made me want to kiss it off her lips. “I’ll

desk before the end of the day,” I commanded. “Not

get it done.”

new position will require some

come with a pay increase?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

would only be fair, wouldn’t it, Mr. Storm?”

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