Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

That sound she made while she moved over me... the low, needy moan that slipped from her throat.

Damn. It was all | could think about.

The teasing look in her eyes as she torturedwith soft, lingering licks-only to swallowwhole again like she

knew exactly how to destroy me. It was unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

And now? It felt like | couldn't function properly without her.

No matter how hard | tried to focus on Randolph, my mind kept flashing back- how | capart for her. How |

shouted how much | loved her like a man possessed.

Because | was possessed.

She owned every part ofnow-every nerve, every beat of my fucked-up heart.

There was no escaping her. No outrunning this thing between us.

No denying it anymore.

Iwas all in.

| clenched my jaw and looked away from my wine glass.

This morning, when | tried to talk to her about last night, | would've poured my damn heart out-if she'd let me.

But she played dumb. Lookeddead in the eyes and lied through her perfect fucking teeth.

It droveinsane. Worse-it lit that sburning desire to remind her body exactly what it felt like to be mine.

"Gabriel."

| blinked. Randolph had said my name. Twice, maybe more.

"Hmm?"

He smirked, settling deeper into his seat. "I was just saying... you seem distracted today."

| reached for the untouched scotch in front ofand forced a thin smile. "Not at all. Just thinking."

He chuckled knowingly. "You don't strikeas the type to get thrown off balance easily. But here you are clearly

somewhere else."

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

"Of course," Randolph said, swirling his drink. "I wasn't criticizing. Just observing. You're not the only one

juggling, Gabriel. And we both know the gnever stops."

My smile tightened. "What matters is that we have it all under control."

He raised an eyebrow. "Spoken like a man trying to convince himself."

| gave a sly smile and took a slow sip of my drink.

The last thing | needed was Randolph poking around in my personal life. This meeting had dragged on long

enough. | needed to cup with a reason to leave

-soon.

He kept studying me, then flashed a wide grin like he'd just thought of something clever.

"Maybe you need a break," he said casually. "Step away from the chaos for a bit."

"I'll rest when there's less at stake."

"Bullshit," he countered, chuckling. "You and | both know the stakes only get higher in this business. That's why

we have to force ourselves to slow down. Enjoy the little things."

Fair enough.

"You've got a point," | said, setting my glass down. "But my next vacation's not until the end of the year."

"That's too far.” He leaned back in his seat, swirling his drink. “You know, my fiftieth is coming up next weekend."

| looked up. "Is it?"

"You heard right." He grinned. "Half a century on this planet. | figured it deserves srecognition. Nothing over

the top, of course."

| gave him a look. "With you? | doubt that."

He laughed. "This time's different. Just one of my exotic hotels. Three days, starting Friday. Good food, live music,

a few industry friends. | want you there."

| leaned back. “I'd love to, Randolph. But with everything going on-meetings,

briefings I'll need to check my schedule before | confirm."

He leaned in slightly, voice light but pointed. "Con, Gabriel. | just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with your

company. The least you can do is show up to my

party."

| gave him a wry smile. "I'll do my possible best."

"That's corporate for 'I'm not coming," he teased. "Tell you what-bring your team. All of them. We're about to

launch anyway, and this gives us a chance to talk casually. Let loose. Connect without the suits."

He paused, then added with a smile that made my jaw tighten: "And bring the stunning lady with the peach

delivery. What's her nagain...?"

My shoulders stiffened.

"Clairessa,” he said smoothly. "Smart. Confident. Striking. | remember her. Bring her along."

The way he said her name... the way his voice dipped just enough to make it sound like more than a

suggestion...

A flash of heat surged through me. Jealousy. Fast and intense.

I shot him a glare.

He barely seemed to notice.

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

faces from your side, the better. Think of it as a little bonding retreat."

| hesitated. "Not sure that's a great idea."

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

your team decompress

before the pressure kicks in."

He raised his glass. "To smooth transitions. And smooth company."

| clinked his glass out of politeness, but the scotch barely registered.

My stomach had no room for anything but frustration-and fire.

My hands were buried deep in my pockets as | waited for them to walk in-Nicole, Adrian, Clairessa.

I'd made up my mind. We were all going to Randolph's birthday weekend.

It wasn't just about celebration-it was strategy. A move I'd learned to play over time, even when the timing

wasn't ideal.

Nicole walked in first, a wide grin plastered across her face like she already knew what | was about to say.

Adrian cin behind her, more composed, a little guarded as usual. Then Clairessa entered-stunning as ever.

Her eyes met mine for only a second before shifting away, pretending | wasn't there.

Still playing the avoidance game.

It annoyed the hell out ofand | had every intention of putting an end to it.

"I have an update," | said coolly, wasting no time. "There's been a change of plans."

Nicole's brows raised. "A change?"

| nodded. "Randolph is hosting his fiftieth birthday at his private resort. Three days. It'll double as a celebration

and an unofficial kickoff. We're going." Nicole gasped like she was the only one I'd invited. "Wait-Randolph's

private resort? You're serious?"

I didn't answer.

Adrian gave a small nod, thoughtful. He was pleased-I could tell even if he tried to hide it.

Clairessa blinked, clearly caught off guard... but also visibly impressed. Nicole clapped her hands. "Oh, that's

perfect! | was just telling the team we needed something like this-something to set the tone. Great call, Mr.

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

Clairessa's lead. Nothing more."

Her mouth opened to respond, but | cut her off.

"And that'll be all."

"But | thought-"

| shot her a warning look.

She swallowed whatever else she was about to say and backed toward the door.

"Of course. I'll start preparing."

"Do that."

Once she was gone, | faced Adrian.

| took a slow step forward, fixing my gaze on my son. "This is your last shot."

Adrian blinked. "What?"

"You heard me. If | have to worry about you, or pick up after you this

is it. | swear to God, Adrian, | will cut you off entirely. | mean it. Nomore

safety nets, including my home."

His eyes widened, a flash of fear breaking through the arrogance. That's what |

wanted. That flash of uncertainty-the beginning of a man who might finally take

things seriously.

"lI won't screw this up,” he replied quietly.

"I hope you don't," | retorted. "Now get out."

He hesitated, looking betweenand Clairessa. His suspicion was back, but |

didn't care.

| needed him gone.

| needed them all gone-except her.

The door clicked shut.

Finally.

Clairessa looked fucking

beautiful-standing s{if{ly bythe m

I

wingowhafhs crossed, The content

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her gaze locked on anything but me.

Like if she didn't look at me, she

could pretend the ight peforetdd n't

happened The Content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!

No. Not this time.

| reached out just enough to brush my fingers under her chin.

She flinched, but | didn't pull away.

I tilted her face toward mine.

So | said it low, right against her mouth. "Look at me."

Her eyes still refused to meet mine.

"Clairessa," | warned, my thumb brushing along her jaw. "Don't makemake

you."

Finally, her gaze lifted-reluctant, trembling-but | saw it. The emotions she'd

buried. The truth she didn't wantto see.

Vol

"We're not pretending last night didn't

happen,” | said. yn; garages! No