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.

made me ache to finish what I had started. I had been so close to having her, and I’d stopped. Why?

Clairessa. That’s a warning,” I fumed. For a moment, I thought I saw hesitation in

to roll her 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 who was in charge. But two could play

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Close To Breaking

with me, Clairessa,” I warned, my tone hard.

the way she straightened when she realized she might have

brief I sent you?” I asked, shifting the conversation before I

87%

arms. “I’ve been busy with other responsibilities

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

been working on the new app designs for the launch,” she replied steadily, though the fire in her eyes

long have you been working

and I are almost at the testing

back with a smug grin, “you’re off the

You can’t do that!” she exclaimed, stepping

I just did,” I replied,

unfair!” she fumed. “I’ve put in so many hours on that project, and now

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34 Dangerously Close to

just pulling me off it

toward her. “From now on, you work directly with me. You’ll only handle tasks that I assign to you. Nothing else.”

her gaze looking onto mine with fury as she pointed a finger at me. “You want me to play assistant when I could be using my

closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume. “You’ll fit into whatever role I choose for you. There are plenty of people who’d kill for

she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

I’d heard her clearly, I wanted her to

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

the end of the day,” I commanded. “Not a second later. Or there will be consequences.”

it done.”

will require some changes. Be ready to work weekends and

new role come with a pay increase?” she

only be fair, wouldn’t it, Mr.

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