Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 222

Gabriel's POV

Lunch with Randolph was the last thing I wanted after everything that had gone down at home.

We weren't friends. We talked when necessary during meetings, contracts, deals. That was the extent of it. But after the recent signing, he insisted we celebrate. Claimed he had a spot. Some overpriced restaurant uptown. I hadn't even bothered to check the name.

He was already seated when I arrived, grinning like we were old college buddies. Clearly riding high on the deal.

"Gabriel," he said, lifting his glass. "Look at us-partners in crime. Congratulations again on sealing the deal."

I gave a short nod and took my seat. "Suppose we have you to thank for the final push."

He chuckled. "You're too modest. It's a win on both ends."

He kept talking—rollout plans, future partnerships, maybe a European expansion.

I tried to follow.

But my head wasn't here.

It was with her.

Clairessa.

I let her take control. Let her lead. A liberty I hadn't given any woman in years.

But my sweet Claire did it so gracefully, so confidently-it didn't feel like losing anything at all.

And it felt good to surrender, for once, to the force spinning my world in every direction.

Fuck...

The memory of her-her mouth around my cock, the way she wrapped her tongue so greedily, so delicately, made me shift in my seat.

That sound she made while she moved over me... the low, needy moan that slipped from her throat.

Damn. It was all I could think about.

The teasing look in her eyes as she tortured me with soft, lingering licks-only to swallow me whole again like she knew exactly how to destroy me. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

And now? It felt like I couldn't function properly without her.

No matter how hard I tried to focus on Randolph, my mind kept flashing back- how I came apart for her. How I shouted how much I loved her like a man possessed.

Because I was possessed.

She owned every part of me now-every nerve, every beat of my fucked-up heart.

There was no escaping her. No outrunning this thing between us.

No denying it anymore.

I was all in.

I clenched my jaw and looked away from my wine glass.

This morning, when I tried to talk to her about last night, I would've poured my damn heart out-if she'd let me.

But she played dumb. Looked me dead in the eyes and lied through her perfect fucking teeth.

It drove me insane. Worse-it lit that same burning desire to remind her body exactly what it felt like to be mine.

"Gabriel."

I blinked. Randolph had said my name. Twice, maybe more.

"Hmm?"

deeper into his seat. "I was just

in front of me

knowingly. "You don't strike me as the type to get thrown off balance easily. But here you are clearly somewhere

even. "You know how it

drink. "I wasn't criticizing. Just observing. You're not the only one juggling, Gabriel. And

"What matters is that we have it

like

sly smile and took a

life. This meeting had dragged on long enough.

-soon.

a wide grin like he'd just

need a break," he said casually. "Step away from

rest when there's less at

"You and I both know the stakes only get higher in this business. That's why we have to force ourselves to slow

Fair enough.

my glass down. "But my next vacation's not until the end

his drink. “You know, my fiftieth is coming up next

up. "Is

"Half a century on this planet. I figured it

gave him a look. "With you? I doubt

time's different. Just one of my exotic hotels. Three days, starting Friday. Good

to,

to check my

slightly, voice light but pointed. "Come on, Gabriel. I just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with your company. The least you

party."

a wry smile.

for 'I'm not coming," he teased. "Tell you what-bring your team. All of them. We're about to launch anyway, and this gives us

smile that made my jaw tighten: "And bring the stunning lady with the

My shoulders stiffened.

"Smart. Confident. Striking. I

he said her name... the way his voice dipped just enough to make it sound like more than

of heat surged through me. Jealousy.

him a

seemed

Adrian, right?" he

from your side, the better. Think of it as a

"Not sure that's a great

he said easily, "We're heading into the

pressure

"To smooth transitions. And

out of politeness, but the scotch barely

no room for anything

hands were buried deep in my pockets as

my mind. We were all going to Randolph's birthday

wasn't just about celebration-it was strategy. A move I'd learned to play over time, even

walked in first, a wide grin plastered across her face like she already knew what I was about to

more composed, a little guarded

only a second before shifting away,

playing the avoidance

I

coolly, wasting

raised. "A

hosting his fiftieth birthday at his private resort. Three days. It'll double as a celebration and an unofficial kickoff. We're

I didn't answer.

was pleased-I could tell even

visibly impressed. Nicole clapped her hands. "Oh, that's perfect! I was just telling the team we needed something like this-something to set the tone. Great call, Mr. Storm."

respond,

"And that'll be all."

"But I thought-"