Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 30: Breathless8 Clairessa's POV Chapter 30: Breathless I arrived at Adrian's restaurant, and a wave of nostalgla hitas I took in the familiar surroundings. Memories of our ttogether overwhelmed me-late nights spent here, the Ideas I had shared to help him grow the business, even the colors I chose for the walls. I had put so much into his dream, pausing mine because I believed we were building a future together. How wrong I was.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed a waitress approach. "Do you have a reservation?" she asked.

I nodded absentmindedly, my eyes scanning the tables for Adrian. Then I saw him, standing by the bar.

He wasn't alone.

Nicole stood beside him, laughing, and they were deep in conversation.

My heart sank. Of course, he hadn't changed. All those promises, all the begging for a second chance-it was all a lie. He was still the slying, cheating... jerk. Tears stung my eyes as I tried to hold myself together, but it was too much. Why did it still hurt this much? Maybe because I hadn't fully let him go, and deep down, I had hoped he had changed.

I wanted to march over and confront them for being so shameless, but before I could, I found myself running out of the restaurant. The cold air hit my skin like tiny needles.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I struggled to pull myself together. I opened my phone to order a ride, but there was a surge, and no drivers were available.

1/7 % Chapter 30: Breathless "Perfect. Just my luck," I muttered bitterly, kicking at the pavement as I walked. My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen.

It was Gabriel.

Hell. My heart raced as I stared at the screen. Gabriel had texted earlier saying he would cover, but when no call or message followed, I assumed he wasn't coming. That's why I decided to see Adrian. Now, I had to answer him. I couldn't let Adrian's betrayal or my own personal struggles interfere with my career. But I also couldn't let Gabriel seelike this-broken.

I answered, my voice shaky as I tried to keep my emotions together. "Hello, Mr. Storm." There was silence on the other end before his deep, concerned voice cthrough. "Clairessa, what's wrong?" "I'm... fine," I lied, though my voice cracked, betraying me.

"You don't sound fine. Where are you?" I hesitated. "On my way home." "Stay where you are. I'm coming to get you." Minutes later, a sleek black SUV pulled up beside me. The back door swung open, and Gabriel's voice cut through the cold night air.

"Clairessa, get in," he ordered.

2/7 10:22 Wed, 19 Feb 0 Chapter 30: Breathless Too tired to argue, II got into the car, feeling too exhausted to argue. The warmth of the car provided a momentary comfort to the cold I felt inside.

The moment Gabriel's eyes met mine, the annoyance on his face softened to concern. "Why didn't you stay where you were like I told you to?" he asked gently, his gaze fixed on my tear-streaked face.

I couldn't bring myself to speak. I didn't trust my voice, afraid I might fall apart completely in front of him.

"Tellwhat happened," he said softly, his tone gentle as his eyes searched mine for answers. "Please, say something." he urged, his fingers brushing against my cheek to wipe away a tear I hadn't realized had fallen. "Did someone hurt you?" I shook my head, unsure if I could speak without breaking down. He pulledinto his arms, his embrace comforting. For sreason, being in his arms calmed the chaos in my mind. All the shand pain from seeing Adrian with Nicole faded, replaced by a new sense of peace.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, I was in Gabriel's guest room, lying on soft, warm sheets. He had broughthere, putto bed. The thought warmed my heart in a pleasant way.

But the memories of Adrian crushing back, eating at me. I couldn't shake the image of him with Nicole. It haunted me, even now.

I sat up slowly, my body feeling heavier than it should, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. I couldn't lie in bed with those thoughts suffocating me.

My eyes landed on a neatly folded shirt left on the chair beside the bed. It was Gabriel's shirt-he must have left it forto change into.

Smiling softly, I slipped out of the dress I wore to go see that douche Adrian. I unclasped my bra and pulled on the shirt. It smelled faintly of Gabriel-clean, masculine, and comforting.

3/7 10:22 Wed, 19 Feb Chapter 30 Breathless The fabric was slightly oversized, stopping just right above my thighs, exposing a large part of my legs Desperate to distract myself, I made my way down the stairs.

Gabriel's deep voice echoed from the living room, pullingtoward it.

As I approached, his eyes shifted from his phone call, sensing my presence. 1 faked a grin in an attr to act tough but still hit a side table with my leg, sending a stack of books crashing to the floor "I'm sorry," I stuttered, kneeling to gather them up quickly.

"I'll call you tomorrow," Gabriel ended his call, his attention now fully on me. He crossed the room to helpup, his strong hands gently lifting me.

"Come, sit," he urged, guidingto one of his luxurious sofas.

"When I called earlier so we could talk, I heard your voice faint and shaky... I could tell something was wrong. I was scared something had happened to you." His hand tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I'm glad you're here with me. Now, tell me-how are you feeling?" His fingers brushed lightly against my cheek, sending heat flooding through me. But before I could relax into his touch, he pulled away.

"Better," I responded softly, my gaze locking with his. There was something different in his eyes this t-softer, more compassionate. A look I hadn't seen before.

"What happened earlier?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

4/7 10:22 Wed, 19 Feb Chapter 30: Breathless "I went to see him..." My voice broke off, the memory still fresh in my head.

"Your ex?" Gabriel interjected, his jaw tightening as his expression darkened. "Did he say something that upset you?" "We didn't even talk," I muttered, my voice shaky as the pain welled up inside. "When I arrived at his restaurant... I saw him with the swoman he cheated onwith. I guess... I lost it and ran away." Gabriel cursed under his breath. "Why did you go see him in the first place? What were you expecting?" His voice grew tense, edged with frustration.

"I... I don't know why I went," I admitted, feeling small under his scrutiny. "He kept calling, asking for a second chance, and I..." "And you believed him?” Gabriel scoffed, the disappointment clear in his eyes.

"I didn't know what to believe," I shot back defensively. "I thought maybe if we talked, I could get sclosure..." "Closure is a delusion," he retorted, his words cold. "The way he treated you, the lying, the cheating-that's all the closure you need." "I know that," I snapped, feeling belittled by his judgment. "But it's not that simple. I can't just switch my feelings off like that. It's... complicated." "Are you still in love with him?" His eyes bore into mine, demanding an answer I wasn't ready to give.

"I... I don't know," I mumbled, throwing my head back as my thoughts raced. Gabriel was forcingto confront emotions I had been too scared to face.

5/7 Chapter 30: Breathless "Do you want him back?" he pressed, his gaze never leaving mine.

"I don't know..." "Clairessa, you need to figure this out. You're either still in love with him, or you're not. You're either ready to forgive him, or you move on." "It's not that easy," I protested, my voice cracking. “He hurtso badly, and I want to let go, but I can't.” "Then you've already made your decision," he said softly. "Be done with him. You deserve better, and deep down, you know that."

"I wish it were that easy," I whispered, the pain of the past flooding back.

"To forget him, to to forged everything we shared. The future we were supposed to have... I thought we were going to get married... and now it's all gone." My words turned into a sob as Gabriel pulledinto his arms. His embrace was strong and comforting, and I felt myself melting against him. His scent filled my senses, intoxicating and warm. I pulled back slowly, our gazes locking.

Without thinking, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his, needing the connection, needing him to makeforget the pain, even if only for a moment.

"I want you," I whispered, straddling him, my eyes never leaving his. My fingers traced the rough stubble on his jaw, my lips hovering over his.

Gabriel inhaled sharply, his breath warm against my skin. “Clairessa, you're vulnerable. I don't want to take advantage of you," he protested, though I could feel the passion burning between us.

6/7 10:22 Wed, 19 Feb ( Chapter 30: Breathless "Earlier at the hotel, you kissedand wanted more," I whispered, my voice trembling yet bold enough to challenge him. “That tellsyou want this... so don't deny us this moment."

His gaze softened as guilt flashed across his face. "About that..." he began, his voice filled with regen wanted to apologize for acting out of character. I was out of line for kissing you and for how I treated you after You didn't deserve that."

Gabriel's eyes searched my face, sincere and waiting for my reaction as he pulled alightly away.

Theba se Forgive me," he said softly. "I let my emotions get the best of me, and I'll do my utmost to ensure it never happene again." I leaned in closer, so our bodies were touching. "Tonight, I need you to makeforget," I breathed. My lips brushed against his, teasing him, daring him. "Please..." His apology was heartfelt, but it wasn't what I needed at that moment.

"Touch me," I whispered. “Kissuntil I'm breathless and burning for you alone..." Chapter 31: I Want All Of You Clairessa's POV