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

scotch in front of me and forced a

chuckled knowingly. "You don't strike me as the type to get thrown off balance

how it is. CEOs

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

that we have

raised an eyebrow. "Spoken like a man trying

a sly smile and took a slow

personal life. This meeting had dragged on long

-soon.

kept studying me, then flashed a wide grin like he'd

break," he said casually. "Step

when there's less at

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

Fair enough.

"But my next

his seat, swirling his drink. “You know, my fiftieth is coming

looked up. "Is

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

a look.

Just one of my exotic hotels. Three days, starting

back. “I'd love to,

I'll need to check

a multi-million-dollar deal with your company. The

party."

a wry smile.

All of them. We're about to launch anyway, and this gives us a chance to talk casually. Let loose.

smile that made my jaw tighten: "And

My shoulders stiffened.

Confident. Striking. I

way he said her name... the way his voice dipped just enough to

surged through me. Jealousy.

shot him a

barely seemed

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

Think of it as

"Not sure that's

he said easily, "We're heading into the first

the pressure

glass. "To smooth transitions. And

out of politeness, but

had no room for anything but

hands were buried deep in my pockets as I

mind. We were all

was strategy. A move I'd learned to play over time, even when

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

came in behind her, more composed, a little guarded

second

the

and I had every intention of putting an end

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

raised. "A

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

I didn't answer.

He was pleased-I could tell even if he tried to hide

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." I narrowed my eyes. "Nicole, you're not the lead on this project. You'll attend, smile, observe, and

respond, but I cut her

"And that'll be all."

"But I thought-"