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?"

seat. "I

scotch in front of me and forced a

as the type to get thrown off balance easily. But

my tone even. "You know how it is. CEOs juggle a lot-timelines,

Just observing. You're not the

tightened. "What matters is that we

"Spoken like a man trying

gave a sly smile and took a slow sip

around in my personal life. This meeting had dragged on long enough. I needed to

-soon.

me, then flashed a wide grin like he'd just thought of

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

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 down. Enjoy the

Fair enough.

a point," I said, setting my glass down. "But my next vacation's not

too far.” He leaned back in his seat, swirling his drink. “You know,

up.

this planet. I figured

him a look.

my exotic hotels. Three days, starting

back. “I'd love to,

to check my

on, Gabriel. I just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with your company. The least you can do is

party."

gave him a wry smile.

you what-bring your team. All of them. We're about to launch anyway, and this gives us a chance to talk

smile that made my jaw tighten: "And bring the

My shoulders stiffened.

Confident. Striking. I remember

way his voice dipped just enough to make it sound like

surged through

him

barely seemed

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

side, the better. Think

hesitated. "Not sure that's

it will be," he said easily, "We're heading into the first phase of rollout. You'll thank yourself

the pressure kicks

"To smooth transitions. And

clinked his glass out of politeness, but the scotch barely

room for anything

deep in my pockets as

my mind. We were all

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

plastered across her face like

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

a second before

playing the avoidance

I had every intention of putting

coolly, wasting no time. "There's been a change of

brows raised. "A

days. It'll double as a celebration and an unofficial kickoff. We're going." Nicole gasped like she was the

I didn't answer.

thoughtful. He was pleased-I could tell

the team we needed something like this-something to set the tone. Great call, Mr. Storm." I narrowed my eyes. "Nicole, you're not the lead

respond, but I cut

"And that'll be all."

"But I thought-"