Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 202: Beauty Wrapped In Sensuality

Gabriel's POV

I checked the time again.

Ten minutes late.

Clairessa was never late.

In all the time I'd worked with her, she'd never kept me waiting—at least not without a damn good reason. Once, maybe twice, she'd cut it close, but only because I'd sent her a meeting brief late. She never made excuses. She never let things slip.

I kept my expression neutral, but inside, my thoughts were already spiraling. If she wasn't here yet, something was wrong—and I had a damn good idea what. This had Adrian written all over it.

He'd screwed something up. Again.

I looked across the boardroom table at Randolph-CEO of Randolph Corporation. He sat stiff in a tailored suit, lips pressed into a line of disapproval. The impatience practically rolled off him.

His board members surrounded him like statues-silent, unsmiling, their expressions heavily judgmental.

Randolph tapped his fingers in an edgy rhythm against the glossy oak surface, then narrowed his eyes, locking onto me with an impatient glare.

"Gabriel," his voice came low and tensed with a subtle warning, "you know how much I hate being kept waiting."

I offered a patient, measured smile-calm but firm. "My team is never late. They're on their way. Should be here any moment."

I paused, meeting his gaze. Lying to someone like him left too much room for humiliation.

Especially when I had no idea where Clairessa was or what was holding her up. I'd already messaged Tems, told him to find her and bring her here immediately- no matter what it took.

Randolph leaned back, clearly unimpressed.

I didn't wait for him to press further.

"But let's not forget," the words slid out smoothly, easing the pressure back his way, "we were supposed to deliver this pitch in a month. Instead, you gave us... what, three days? No prior notice, no chance for extensions-nothing but the weight of the Randolph name."

That got a few stiff chuckles from the board. Even Randolph's stone face cracked slightly.

I nodded once, firm but respectful. "They'll be here. And they'll deliver a great presentation."

And right then, as if summoned by the thinnest thread of hope, the boardroom doors opened.

Clairessa walked in-steps unsure, breath quick, face a shade too pale.

I noticed instantly. Something was wrong.

My eyes moved past her, expecting Adrian to follow.

But it wasn't him.

It was Nicole.

Just Nicole, clutching a laptop like a shield as she stepped in behind Clairessa.

No Adrian.

"Damn it." The words slipped out under my breath.

My chest tightened. My suspicions were right. Adrian screwed it up. Again.

As she approached, her head stayed down, hands fumbling slightly with the folder

she carried. When she reached the table, she stopped.

Her gaze darted everywhere-the screen, the chairs, the board-anywhere but

me.

She took a breath, straightened slightly, then lifted her chin just enough to speak.

A soft smile touched her lips. “Mr. Storm,” she began, still refusing to meet my eyes, her voice silky, almost too calm as it cut through the tension. "I apologize for the delay."

offering a formal nod. “This is Ms. Hartwood and Ms. Wilkins," I said, gesturing toward Clairessa and Nicole. "They'll be presenting on

to Randolph with practiced

sincerely apologize for keeping

Then she smiled.

Elegant. Poised.

I can assure you," she

It landed.

focus settled on her, his interest unmistakable. A few board

slow breath as the screen lit up with our expansion plan. Calmly, she walked

numbers. The charts.

the Randolph team. On the stakes riding on every

But I wasn't.

locked on her. Watching.

angry. I needed to

one job-get Adrian in line. And he didn't show. But how could I blame her? I knew

burning in my chest wasn't for her. It was for him-my arrogant, self- absorbed, spineless son who couldn't pull off

proving, again and again, why he would

off one simple task. And now, he'd left Clairessa to drown. And yet... she

saw it-the slight tremble in her hands as she clicked to the next slide. But

hadn't spared me a

was her way of

setting her up

her into this

to turn Adrian into the face of

me he wasn't ready.

But I pushed anyway.

I didn't care.

just wanted it over. Done. Off my

I couldn't stomach it couldn't stand her spending any

time with my son.

didn't want her near

with me. And

ready to lose her.

that need-reckless, frustrating-burned through every

thought I'd felt.

room in the palm of her hand, the more everything in me twisted

Something raw.

Darker.

Hungrier.

and I couldn't stop my eyes from dragging over her like I

trousers that clung to her

ass in a way that made my blood heat. Her waist was

shirt was fitted, tucked

dipping at the

tease of caramel cleavage

hair-brown waves-fer net

Not styled too precisely. Not trying

didn't have to.

was beauty, weaponized-wrapped in maddening sensuality

grace.

into a room and

wanted to ruin all of

to

Fuck.

Kissable.

way they moved as she spoke. Clear. Intentional.

breath, every word.

she was doing

Or maybe... she did.

wanted to taste

to hers until she stopped speaking-until her perfect sentences shattered on her tongue and she melted into me, wanted to

that burned through