Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

Gabriel's POV

Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

"Mr. Storm..." Clairessa's voice echoed softly through the intercom, and something inside me tightened. “Clairessa, my office. Immediately,” I said, my tone firm, my mood darker than I cared to admit.

Ever since that night at my house-the night I lost control and let the passion between us overtake me- she had made it a point to avoid me. She barely spoke to me, kept her distance, and buried herself in work as if nothing had happened. I should have been relieved. After all, I was the one who pushed her away, drawing a line between us that she now refused to cross. But instead of relief, all I felt was... emptiness.noveldrama

I missed her.

God, how I needed to see her. It was something I didn't even want to admit to myself. Yet every time she walked into a room, the atmosphere shifted. She was a burst of energy, a breath of fresh air in my otherwise suffocating world.

Now, she had grown cold-so distant that I barely recognized her. And it was my fault. I deserved her indifference, her coldness. But it didn't stop me from wanting her close.

I was playing a wicked, selfish game with her emotions—and mine. But I didn't care. Clairessa had gotten under my skin, into my system like a drug I couldn't quit.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Before I could answer, she walked in.

"Mr. Storm, you asked to see me?" Clairessa's voice was firm as she approached my desk. She wore a

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Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

gray pantsuit, her shirt crisp and white, her hair neatly tied in a ponytail.

She looked stunning, as always, but today, something was different. She seemed distant, detached—more than usual.

I narrowed my eyes, fighting to control the emotions threatening to surface. “Why did it take you over an hour to respond to my email?” I asked, leaning back in my chair, my gaze fixed on her.

Her eyes flashed with annoyance. “I was busy with other projects, Mr. Storm,” she replied curtly, her voice defiant.

The warm smile she used to grace me with was gone, replaced by a cold, stern expression that fueled the fire inside me. God, she was beautiful, even when angry. No-especially when angry. It infuriated me that I found her even more attractive this way.

She rolled her eyes, and my blood heated instantly. Was she trying to provoke me? The memory of her gasping my name that night came rushing back. I had been so close to having her, and I'd stopped. Why? I didn't even know anymore.

Her defiance made me ache to finish what I had started. I had been so close to having her, and I'd stopped. Why? I didn't even know anymore.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Clairessa. That's a warning," I fumed. For a moment, I thought I saw hesitation in her eyes. But she quickly recovered.

She had the audacity to roll her eyes again. “I didn't roll my eyes, Mr. Storm,” she retorted, her gaze unflinching. “You must have seen wrong."

What the hell? Was she doing this on purpose? Because it was working. The fire in her eyes made me want to pull her across my desk and remind her exactly who was in charge. But two could play this game.

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Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

“Don't get smart with me, Clairessa,” I warned, my tone hard. “There will be consequences?

I saw the slight tension in her shoulders, the way she straightened when she realized she might have gone too far.

"Have you worked on the brief I sent you?" I asked, shifting the conversation before I lost control completely.

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"I haven't gotten the chance," she crossed her arms. "I've been busy with other responsibilities that pertain to my actual job description."

I smirked. So, she wanted to test me today? Fine. “Enlighten me,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “What responsibilities?"

“I've been working on the new app designs for the launch,” she replied steadily, though the fire in her eyes remained.

"And how long have you been working on it?”

"Two weeks,” she answered. "The team and I are almost at the testing stage."

"Well,” I said, leaning back with a smug grin, "you're off the project. Effective immediately."

Her eyes widened in shock. "What? You can't do that!" she exclaimed, stepping closer to my desk.

“Oh, I can. And I just did,” I replied, wearing a cocky grin, watching her reaction.

Her fury only fueled me. “That's unfair!” she fumed. “I've put in so many hours on that project, and now

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you're just pulling me off it without any reason?"

“Clairessa, you're overstepping 1 cautioned, standing from my chair and walking toward her. “From now on, you work directly with me. You'll only handle tasks that I assign to you. Nothing else."

She stepped closer, her gaze looking onto mine with fury as she pointed a finger at me. "You want me to play assistant when I could be using my actual skills?"

I leaned closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume. "You'll fit into whatever role I choose for you. There are plenty of people who'd kill for your spot."

"Not me,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

"What was that?" I asked, though I'd heard her clearly, I wanted her to say it again.

"Nothing, Mr. Storm,” she said with a fake smile that made me want to kiss it off her lips. "I'll do my best."

"Make sure the report is on my desk before the end of the day," I commanded. "Not a second later. Or there will be consequences."

"I'll get it done."

“Good. And you'll also receive an updated job description soon. Your new position will require some changes. Be ready to work weekends and travel as needed."

"Will this new role come with a pay increase?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That would only be fair, wouldn't it, Mr. Storm?"

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Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

I couldn't help but smile. She was intelligent and knew her worth. It only made me want her more. "Of course. You'll receive details soon."

"I'll be waiting,” she responded curtly. "Can I leave now? The report won't write itself."

“You may go,” I said, watching her walk away. Her gray pants hugged her curves, every step teasing me with what I could have if I just gave in.

Just as she reached the door, I couldn't resist. "Clairessa," I called.

She turned, annoyance written all over her face.

“Get back here," I ordered, relishing the frustration that played across her features as she walked back.

"I won't accept any incompetence because of any... personal experiences we may have shared," I warned, my voice cold. "Are we clear?"

She frowned. “I don't know what personal experiences you're referring to. Last I checked, I just work for you. Nothing else."

Her denial made my fists clench. I was the one who played games with women-not the other way around. But she was different, and it made me desperate to have her.

“Clairessa,” I called calmly," It would do you well to remember, I'm the one in charge."

She said nothing, turned, and walked out of my office, leaving me standing there feeling frustrated.

But it wasn't just frustration, it was desire. She was driving me dangerously close to breaking my own

III

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Chapter 33: Dangerously Close To Breaking

rules, and i didn't know how much longer I could resist.

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