Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 205: I Miss You

Gabriel's POV

My fists clenched at my sides with the effort it took to hold myself back. When I finally spoke, my voice came out rough-too rough-but not from anger. From the desire still burning inside me, aching to be let out.

"I gave you an almost impossible task," I said, steadying my breath. "And you still delivered more than I ever expected. You salvaged the pitch. You made Randolph stay. You saved this deal."

My gaze dragged over her slowly-as if my eyes had a will of their own. It halted on the slow, sinful rise and fall of her chest, the soft curve of her cleavage just barely visible through the parted fabric.

Each breath teased the opening wider, tempting me to look longer... to fall deeper.

A fresh wave of heat surged through me, stirring a throbbing ache tightening in my pants-one I fought hard to ignore.

I ran a hand down my face, trying to refocus-and tear my eyes off her breasts before I lost control. Before I ripped that flimsy button wide open, shoved the fabric aside, and wrapped my mouth around one aching nipple.

I swallowed hard, the memory of her taste flooding back-the way she used to whimper when I ran my tongue-

Fuck, Gabriel. Get it together.

"I owe you an apology," I said, forcing the words out. "I've acted like a bastard this past week—and it's because I've been trying. For Adrian. Pushing him to step up... and in the process, I pushed you away. That wasn't fair. And now, it feels like it was all for nothing."

"He showed up eventually," she replied, uncertain. "That counts for something."

I let out a ragged breath. "Maybe. Maybe not. Sacrifice is a lonely thing. You give everything... and just hope something sticks."

Every part of me screamed to close the distance and claim her right then and there.

"I should be mad at you."

Her gaze dropped.

"But I'm not."

Her head lifted, brows drawn tight.

"I want to be."

Her shoulders curled inward.

"But I can't."

That hit her. Her eyes locked onto mine-wide, searching, trembling with the truth we were both trying to deny.

"I can't hate you, Clairessa. God knows I've tried."

And I had. I'd tried to shut her out.

Push her away.

her from my

the one woman who'd sunk her way in and stayed. Not even time had

just like I had for weeks. But I

didn't you tell me?" I asked. "When you realized Adrian

I panicked. I didn't know where he was... and I didn't want to deal with

Fair.

Clairessa... no matter how bad it

in her expression

it, soft and

on time...

was it. I couldn't hold back

inches between us—until she

that what you want,

step back-barely an inch-but my hands moved before I could think, wrapping around her waist, gripping tight as I drew her soft body slowly against the hard length of

my chest-no real force behind it and kept her eyes averted,

me go," she

until you

bit her lower lip in frustration, then finally lifted her

The heat.

didn't want

wanted this. Wanted

voice low. "Tell me the

me that," she shot back.

line down her spine, then trailed back up to the curve of

"It's never too late."

hand hover, then brushed a soft

touching her,

long as we're still

still. Made no move to

my fingertips, and when our eyes locked again, I

she saw it-everything I'd

The want.

The ache.

I

hard to hold snapped in a

finally broke free, they came

breathed, leaning in until our lips

Her breath hitched.

in her eyes as she pulled her face back from mine, just enough to put space where I didn't want it. As if pretending she hadn't heard me would erase the