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

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

respond. Still resisting it just like I had for weeks.

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

hesitated. "Because I panicked. I didn't know where he was... and I didn't

Fair.

nodded slowly, jaw flexing. "Next time, Clairessa... no matter how bad

small nod. Something in her expression collapsed-regret,

it, soft and

on time... which

I

between us—until she was right there, her body

what

inch-but my hands moved before I could think, wrapping around her waist, gripping tight as I drew her soft body slowly against the

real force behind it and kept

go," she said, voice

until you look

in frustration, then finally lifted her gaze. And there it

The heat.

she didn't

wanted

"Tell me the truth. What do you want

to ask me that," she shot back. "I made

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

"It's never too late."

hover, then brushed a soft

her,

still breathing," I murmured,

Made no

skin warmed beneath my fingertips, and

it-everything I'd been

The want.

The ache.

I

hard to hold snapped in a

when the words finally broke

leaning in until our lips brushed.

Her breath hitched.

shook her head. Disbelief flashed 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