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?"

"I was just

me and forced a thin smile.

the type to get thrown off

"You know how it is. CEOs juggle a

Just observing. You're not

tightened. "What matters is that we have it all under

"Spoken like a man

gave a sly smile and took a

I needed was Randolph poking around in my personal life. This meeting had dragged on long enough. I needed to come up with a reason to

-soon.

wide grin like he'd

he said casually. "Step away from the

rest when there's

only get higher in this business. That's why we have to force ourselves to slow down.

Fair enough.

glass down. "But my next vacation's

his drink. “You know,

up.

a century on this planet. I figured it deserves some recognition. Nothing over the top,

a look. "With you?

days, starting Friday.

back. “I'd love to,

to check my schedule

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

party."

wry smile. "I'll do my

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

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

My shoulders stiffened.

said smoothly. "Smart. Confident. Striking.

the way his voice dipped just enough to make

of heat surged through me. Jealousy.

shot him a

barely seemed to

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

side, the better. Think of it

sure that's a

heading into the first phase of

the pressure

his glass. "To smooth

of politeness, but the scotch

had no room for anything

in my pockets as I waited for them to

We were

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

grin plastered across her face like she already knew what I was about to

behind her, more composed, a little guarded as usual.

a second before shifting away,

playing the avoidance

me and I had every

coolly, wasting no time. "There's

brows raised.

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

I didn't answer.

was pleased-I

something like this-something to set the tone. Great call, Mr. Storm."

opened to respond,

"And that'll be all."

"But I thought-"