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?"

smirked, settling deeper into his seat. "I was just saying...

untouched scotch in front of me

to get thrown off balance easily. But here you are clearly somewhere

kept my tone even. "You know how

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

that we

raised an eyebrow. "Spoken like a

sly smile and took a slow sip of my

last thing I needed was Randolph poking around in my personal life. This meeting had dragged on long enough. I

-soon.

a wide grin like he'd just thought

casually.

rest when there's

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

Fair enough.

down. "But my

He leaned back in his seat, swirling his drink. “You know, my fiftieth is coming up next

looked up.

heard right." He grinned. "Half a century on this planet. I figured it

a look.

starting Friday. Good food,

to, Randolph. But with everything

to check my schedule before I

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

party."

gave him a wry smile. "I'll do my possible

coming," he teased. "Tell you what-bring your team. All of them. We're about to launch anyway,

my jaw tighten: "And bring the stunning lady with

My shoulders stiffened.

"Smart. Confident. Striking. I remember her.

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

heat surged through me. Jealousy.

him a

barely seemed to

course. Adrian, right?" he added with a crooked grin. "The

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

hesitated. "Not sure

easily, "We're heading into the first phase of rollout. You'll thank yourself for

pressure

glass. "To smooth transitions.

his glass out of politeness, but the

had no room for anything

deep in my pockets as I waited for them to walk in-Nicole, Adrian,

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

about celebration-it was strategy. A move I'd learned to play over time,

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

her, more composed, a little guarded as usual. Then Clairessa

eyes met mine for only a second before shifting away,

the avoidance

hell out of me and I had every intention of

have an update," I said coolly, wasting no time. "There's been a change of

raised.

celebration and an unofficial kickoff. We're going." Nicole gasped like she was the only one I'd invited.

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.

mouth opened to respond, but

"And that'll be all."

"But I thought-"