novelxo Chapter Dad By Oma 72
Chapter 72: Let Me Go
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Clairessa's POV I stood in front of the suite door, fumbling through my purse with shaky hands, trying to find the key card. Finally, I found the card and swiped it. The door clicked open, and I rushed inside. Once inside. I slammed the door behind me and leaned on it for a brief moment, trying to catch my breath. My heart. pounded in my chest as I gripped the door, ready to lock Gabriel out. I didn't care anymore that he was my boss. I wasn't going to let him continue playing these games with me-teasing me, making me feel something only to take it all away. But just as I shoved the door harder to close it, it stopped abruptly. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I looked down and saw his foot wedged against the door, keeping it from shutting. Slowly, I lifted my gaze and met his fiery eyes. Gabriel stood there, towering, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. His eyes burned with an intensity that both frightened and excited me. I knew I was no match for strength. Letting out a shaky breath, I released my grip on the door and turned, walking faster into the suite, needing distance from him. "Clairessa... we need to talk,” his deep, commanding voice rumbled behind me. "Stop!" he barked but I didn't slow down. I couldn't stop. I didn't trust myself to face him—not when my emotions were so messed up. I quickened my steps, scanning the suite for an escape, but I knew there wasn't one. The suite was large, but it only had one entrance, and I'd already backed myself into a corner. "You can't run from me," his voice was closer now, sending a shiver through me. Finally, I stopped near the window, my chest heaving as I turned to face him. "What do you want, Gabriel?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly from both frustration and the ache of wanting him. His jaw tightened as he stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. “We need to talk,” he repeated. “I don't want to talk,” I shot back, glaring at him. “I’m done with your games, Mr Storm.” “Games?” he let out a sarcastic laugh. “That's funny, coming from you. Do you think I don't know what you've been up to? Your sneaky little plan?” Panic gripped me as I wondered if he had found out about my revenge plan. The thought caused my palms to begin to sweat, but I forced myself to stay calm, meeting his gaze head-on. "I don't know what you're talking about," I retorted, my voice shaking slightly. He moved closer, his eyes narrowing. “Don't play innocent with me,” his voice was colder now. “You accuse me of playing games, but you're the one who's been toying with me all week." I swallowed hard, as he took another step closer forcing me to instinctively back up. My back hit the glass of the window, and I knew I had nowhere left to run. “You're running around with Daniel,” he accused, his voice rougher now. "Getting dressed up for him, letting him think he has a chance. You know exactly how that makes me feel.” Relief washed over me–he was talking about Daniel, not my revenge plan. But his jealousy and double standards made me angrier. "You're one to talk," I shot back, my voice rising. "You walked into the restaurant with another woman, all smiles and holding hands." "That's different,” he argued. "How?” I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “My dinner with Tracy was strictly business,” he gritted through his teeth. “But I don't think I can say the same about your little dinner. Daniel wants you, Clairessa. Don't you see it? Or do you enjoy letting him think he has a chance?” “So what if he does?” I challenged, my voice shaking with the emotions circling inside me. “At least he's honest and doesn't play games like you do.” “I don't fucking play games," Gabriel thundered. “Really?" I spat, my chest heaving. “Because after last night... I thought maybe-” “Last night,” he interrupted, his expression softening just enough to make me hold “I made a mistake. I apologize because it won't happen again." His words hit me like a punch to the gut. My chest ached, and I blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the rush of emotions. So, I was right. He regretted it.. "So it didn't mean anything to you?” My voice cracked, the hurt spilling out despite my best efforts to keep it hidden. "Don't ask me that, Clairessa,” his voice dropped lower. His hand rose to my cheek, his fingers brushing my skin softly, lingering like he didn't want to pull away. “When you already know the answer.” “Do 17" I whispered, my back pressing harder into the window as I fought to hold onto my anger, my pride, anything that would keep me standing tall. "You know what? Go back to your blonde replacement. The woman you clearly found to take my place. Just leave me the hell alone.” His jaw clenched, his dark eyes burning into mine. "Is that what you really want?" he asked, caging me with his body against the window, almost daring me to say yes.
my breath.
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11:14 Fri, 21 Feb -
Chapter 72 Let Me Go
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"Yes," I retorted quickly, though my voice was barely audible. "Leave.” His chest brushed against mine, his lips just inches from my face. His voice turned into a husky whisper. “Then stop looking at me like that.” “Like what?” I whispered, trying to sound defiant but deep inside I was falling apart. “Like you're daring me to touch you,” he replied, his voice raw and full of need. His eyes dropped to my lips, and I saw the conflict there-the war between wanting to walk away and wanting to give in. “...don't want..." My voice trailed off, my words faltering as my gaze dropped to his lips. They were full, inviting, and impossibly tempting, their deep red shade almost sinful. I bit my lower lip, desperately trying to fight the urge to close the gap between us and kiss him. Gabriel noticed. Of course, he did. His head tilted slightly, his dark, penetrating gaze locking onto mine, and a slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Really? His hand rested lightly over my chest, and his thumb brushed in a slow, sensual circle, feeling the erratic beat. Then why is your heart beating so fast? "And why do you keep looking at my mouth like you want me to kiss you?" My throat felt dry, and I opened my mouth to argue, to deny everything, but nothing came out. Every argument I had in my head suddenly disappeared. He was right, and I hated that he could read me so easily. "Clairessa," he murmured, his voice dropping lower, more intimate, as his fingers slid along my jaw. “If you really want me to walk away, say it. Say the words and mean them." I couldn't. My lips parted, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, my body caved in, and I leaned closer to him. His fingers trailed down my neck, his touch light but electrifying, leaving me trembling. “You can't, can you?” he teased, leaning in closer until his lips hovered just over mine. “Because you don't want me to leave. You want this." "Stop," I whispered, though it sounded more like a plea than a command. “Stop what?” he asked, his lips brushing against the corner of my mouth, teasing, tormenting me. "Stop making you feel this way? Stop wanting you? Because I can't, Clairessa. I've tried, but I can't stop I pushed harder against his chest, but it was like trying to move a wall. His body was so solid, so close. “Let me go, Gabriel,” I blurted out without thinking. The way his name slipped from my lips made him freeze.