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

Gabriel's POV

Chapter 9: Caught Between Business And Desire

I pushed open my office door, feeling the tightness in my chest grow as I began pacing. I knew I was about to stir things up, and there was no going back. The team's presentations had been impressive, making the decision tough, but I'd already made up my mind. There was no need for a shortlist or further debate—l had chosen my winner.

Clairessa Hartwood.

Her presentation stood out, easily outshining Nicole's-the friend Adrian had introduced me to, asking me to consider her app since she worked at the company.

I hadn't yet placed Nicole on the team, wanting her to go head-to-head with whoever I chose as a final candidate. It was meant to be a favor to Adrian. Her idea for a global financial payment platform was solid bor posed too many challenges for Storm Innovations at this point. We needed something revolutionary but manageable, Clairessa's app, on the other hand, had the potential to reshape the business landscape.

It was clear I had to drop Nicole.

Adrian wouldn't be pleased, but this was business, not a playground for personal favors. Clairessa's app was a game changer, and I was ready to back it, even though a part of me resisted the idea of working so closely with her. I had been avoiding her for the past three months. She wasn't just a pretty face—she was a first— class software engineering graduate, the complete package of beauty and brains. Every time I saw her, something primal stirred inside me, tempting me to break the rules I had set for myself.

But nothing could happen between us. I didn't get involved with younger women, especially not those who worked for me. My rules were clear, and no matter how much I wanted her, I had to stay in control. Part of me considered taking the safer route with Nicole, but I couldn't deny the truth–Clairessa's app was exceptional.

I had been in this business long enough to recognize real potential when I saw it. This project could take months, maybe even a year to complete, and resisting her during that time was going to be difficult. But I was determined to stay professional, no matter how much my body desired her.

I paged Sandy.

"Hi, Sandy, there's no need for a shortlist of candidates. I've made my decision."

“Who is it, sir?” she asked, eagerness in her voice.

"Clairessa Hartwood. Send her an email. I need to meet with her by noon."

“Will do, sir... And if I may, I believe she's the right choice."

“Thank you, Sandy,” I replied, sinking into my chair. As I sat there, I wondered if I'd made the best decision for the company-or if I'd just opened a door to complications I didn't need.

Two hours later, my morning meetings were finished. I checked my schedule-it was time for my noon meeting with Clairessa.

My assistant's voice came through the intercom. “Mr. Storm, Miss Hartwood is here for her meeting. Shall I send her in?"

"Yes, please, send her in. Thanks, Tems,” I said, ending the call as I turned to face the enormous window overlooking the city. I heard the door open and her footsteps approach my desk, but I kept my back turned, letting the silence stretch between us. My office was a showcase of power-imposing, precise, and orderly, much like me.

"Good day, Mr. Storm. You asked to see me?” Her voice was soft, but there was a tremor beneath it that I couldn't ignore. I slowly swiveled my chair.

Chapter 9: Caught Between Business And Desire

I allowed myself a brief glance at her. She wore a navy-blue dress that clung to her slim frame, her brown hair falling in soft curls around her shoulders. Her makeup was subtle, far different from the woman I remembered from that night. It took everything in me to tear my gaze away from her body and focus on her face.

She was nervous, I could tell. Little movements, barely noticeable, betrayed her. Was it me making her anxiqus, or was it the news of her app? I decided to end her misery.

“Hello, Miss Hartwood,” I said, my tone stern, clasping my hands on the desk. “I'll keep this brief.”

She nodded, her eyes wide and waiting.

"Your app has been shortlisted as one of the innovations we might move forward with, but nothing is certain yet.” I kept my voice even, withholding the fact that she was the only candidate I'd chosen. I didn't want her thinking she was picked because of that night.

“Thank you, sir,” she replied, her smile fading almost as soon as it appeared.

I was shocked-no excitement, no relief, just a curt thanks. Didn't she realize the opportunity I was offering her? Anger flared up inside me at her lack of enthusiasm.

“Would that be all, sir?" she asked, her tone detached. I waved her off, dismissing her, but something in her attitude caught my attention. She walked halfway to the door before turning back and marching toward my desk. I leaned back, intrigued by her boldness.

“How can you sit there and act like you don't remember me?” Her voice was louder now, accusatory.

My expression hardened. How dare she speak to me like this? I fought for control, remaining silent as I watched her pace back and forth in front of my desk.

"Mr. Storm, I might have been drunk that night, but I remember you as clear as day. I know very well you're the man from the club who..." Her words trailed off, her angry gaze locked on me.

I waited, eager for her to finish, but she didn't. Instead, she glared at me, her eyes blazing. "Didn't that night mean nothing to you?" she questioned, her voice low and hurt.

"Miss Hartwood, you need to get a hold of your emotions and be careful how you speak to me,” I warned. It was clear that night had affected her as it did me, but I couldn't let her know how much I had thought about her and that night. In all honesty, I wanted a redo. I wanted her sober to feel what I was going to do to her body as I drove into her. Her outburst was igniting something primal within me. I wanted to bend her over my large desk and silence her with something other than words.

“And if I don't?” she challenged, leaning against my desk. My gaze dropped to her breasts pushing against the fabric of her dress. I had to mentally slap myself to focus.

"Miss Hartwood, if you value your job and this app you're so keen on getting funded," I rose from my seat, closing the distance between us, "you'll watch how you speak to me."

“I... was only... upset... because..." she stammered as I cut her off, my gaze cold, boring into hers.

"It doesn't matter how you feel,” I growled, taking another step closer, forcing her to back up into the chair behind her. "This is my company, and I'm the one in charge here. You'd do well to remember that every time you speak to me." My voice was harsh, biting. "Now, leave."

She tensed, her grip on the chair tightening as she fought to keep her balance. I was tempted to steady her but held back. This was her lesson to learn.

She found her footing and began to walk away when my voice stopped her in her tracks.

"One more thing,” I said sharply. “If you value your job, you'll never speak of that night again. You're not that special, and neither is your app. I can have you replaced within minutes. Understand that I'm doing you a favor here and focus on that.”

She turned back to face me, the nervous girl from moments ago replaced by someone fiercer, someone who met my gaze without flinching. “You're right... I won't speak of that night again. After all, I only used you to forget him.” Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "And judging by how my heart still beats for him, you did a terrible job, Mr. Storm. But hey, you're the boss, and I'm grateful to have been shortlisted. I look forward to learning from you," she added, giving me a sly smile, her tone clearly sarcastic, a direct jab at my ego.

The door shut behind her, and I slammed my hands on the desk, the fury and desire twisting inside me like a knot. How could she make me so angry and so hard at the same time? F*ck... She dared to say she used me to forget some *ssh** who hurt her enough to land her in that club, ready to sleep with a stranger. I wanted to drag her back in here, to bend her over this desk and remind her just how well I could make her forget.

I winced at the painful throb in my c*ck, memories of that night flooding back-how tight she was when I slid my fingers inside her, how her body had responded to mine. I wanted to f*ck her into submission, to teach her that no one used me. I was always in control. But I couldn't, and it was driving me insane.

She was off-limits, but the fire in her eyes said she wanted more too. That was the only reason she was so upset that I pretended I didn't know her. But I couldn't let it happen again. Clairessa Hartwood was off-limits, and I had to forget her.

"Forget her, Gabe," I muttered, trying to focus on the documents in front of me. But her image was burned into my mind, making it nearly impossible to keep her out of m