Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 169: I Needed To Hold Her

Gabriel's POV

I gently pulled the duvet down and slipped my arms around her, lifting her against me. Her body was burning, her skin clammy, her breath shallow. She didn't stir- just shivered helplessly in my arms, trapped in some fever dream.

"Clairessa." My voice cracked as I shook her gently, trying to coax her into consciousness.

"Hey, open your eyes... please."

No response.

"It's me. Gabriel. I'm here," I whispered, lifting her slowly into my arms and brushing damp strands of hair from her face.

Her eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, they opened. Our eyes met just briefly. She gave the faintest smile, soft and dazed-then slipped back into the fever, her eyes shutting again.

Fuck.

I had to do something.

I lowered her carefully onto the mattress and rushed to the bathroom, soaking a towel in warm water.

I came back and laid it across her forehead, holding it there, hoping to ease the heat. After a minute or two, I replaced it with a fresh one, trying to bring her temperature down.

But I knew that wouldn't be enough.

The cold had settled deep into her bones, and no towel could fix that.

She needed warmth-real, penetrating heat that reached from the inside out.

I hurried back to the bathroom and ran a hot bath, steam rising steadily as the tub filled.

By the time I returned, she was still trembling, her breathing shallow.

I lifted her into a seated position, her back resting gently against the headboard. Then I undressed her carefully-removing the sweater, then her socks-until only her joggers remained.

My fingers traced the edge of the elastic waistband of her sweatpants, as though contemplating whether to remove them or not. Not because I didn't know what I was doing, but because I was trying to stop the fire sparking in my chest. I knew exactly how my body would react to seeing her naked.

I hastily pulled down the heavy fabric, intending to look away-just to get her into the bath. Nothing more.

But the moment I realized she wasn't wearing anything underneath, heat surged through my body.

My eyes betrayed me, dragging over the swell of her breasts, lingering too long on the delicate V between her legs.

God... this wasn't about me. It was about her. She needed care, not desire.

It took every ounce of strength to tear my gaze away from her flawless, breathtaking body... even though every nerve in me burned to keep looking.

I lifted her into my arms and carried her into the bathroom.

inside, I gently lowered her into the steaming tub,

body instinctively recognized it needed

head for support,

skin-her arms, her shoulders, her neck-trying to coax the warmth back into her. Her skin was soft. Alarmingly

I brought the towel to her face, I wiped

to stop myself from admiring how beautiful and innocent she looked, even

curve of her lips. They were red, soft, and

forget the storm, the pain, the fever-but I didn't.

skin flushed, half-submerged in water, every inch

center of her chest, then moved lower, passing between

nipples harden-whether from the contrast of heat and chill, or the brush of

stirred something dark inside me. Something

my gaze and focus downward, guiding the towel over her flat stomach,

what I wanted. It couldn't

into her skin-pressing heat

into her bones-trying to chase away

hands trailed lower, gliding

of

And painfully vulnerable.

had

Now.

Focus, Gabriel.

This was

her voice, soft and weak, pulled me out

"Gabriel..."

on her

eyes locked on hers.

feel better," she whispered. Then her eyes

That was enough.

before. The fever was still there, but not as

reached in, lifted her from the

in a towel. Gently, I dried her off, then dressed her in the

pants

on the bed earlier.

warm and dry, I tucked her beneath

like she had done for herself

leaned in, brushing my hand

I whispered

gave the faintest nod, barely there-but

turned toward the door—but my eyes stayed on her a

on-she was still the only

the kitchen,

tea and