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

Chapter 117 Wrapped In A Towelnoveldrama

Clairessa's POV My fingers began typing before I could stop myself. Me: Hello, Gabriel. I apologize for disturbing your meeting, but it seems like there's an Aston Martin delivery from you. I only wanted my car back, not a new one. His response came almost immediately, as if he'd been waiting. Gabriel. Hey, sweet. Your tone..... you sound upset. I just thought your old car was overdue for a change. That thing was a safety hazard on wheels. But if you don't like this one and have something else in mind, we can swap it. My brows furrowed. Of course, he'd insult my car, just like Jess had. But it wasn't about the car. It was about what it meant. Me: It's not about liking it or not. I just think a car is too expensive a gift. A pause. Then another message. Gabriel: You don't think you're worth expensive gifts? I froze, my fingers hovering over the keypad. Why did he always do this? Always make me question my own words, as if I was somehow undervaluing myself? Me: It's not that... I just don't want this relationship to feel like it's about your money. A gift this big.... I could never return the favor. His reply was slower this time. The typing bubbles appeared, then disappeared. Then it appeared again. But when it finally came, it sent a shiver down my spine. Gabriel: I'm not asking you to return the favor. But if you're worried about my generosity, there are much better ways you can make it up to me. Want me to list a few?! groaned, my mind betraying me, filling my head with images of exactly what he meant. Me: Mr. Storm, this is serious. For emphasis, I added a few serious-faced emojis, hoping he'd take the hint. A few seconds later, his reply came through. Gabriel: Okay, Tigress. We'll talk when I see you tonight. And just so you know... that car looks damn good in your driveway. Almost as good as you'd look in the driver's seat. I let out a slow breath, my cheeks heating as I wondered how he knew what my car looked like in the driveway. Was he watching me? I glanced around, shaking my head. It was clear Gabriel wasn't taking the conversation seriously. I wanted to be mad at him... but I couldn't. This wasn't just a reckless, showy move-it was one of the most thoughtful gestures anyone had ever made for me. And damn it, he just kept topping his own standards, always pushing past whatever I thought was the limit of his generosity. That was the problem-how was I supposed to keep up? My phone was still in my hand as I stared at the sleek Aston Martin parked in my driveway. A part of me wanted to be firm, to refuse it outright. But another part- one I hated to acknowledge-felt touched. He hadn't just bought me a car. He had thought about me, about my safety, about giving me something better. Jess's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Claire, get off the phone-we're taking this baby for a spin!" I turned to see her practically vibrating with excitement, running her hands along the hood like she was already claiming ownership. “No. We're not," I replied, crossing my arms. She let out a dramatic huff. "You're such a buzzkill." I narrowed my eyes. "Until I speak with Gabriel, the car stays right there.” “Whatever. All I know is you're not returning this beauty. I can already think of all the places we could pull up with this," Jess squealed. I chuckled at her enthusiasm-her love for a car that wasn't even hers. Letting out a small sigh, I turned toward the house. "So you're just leaving me out here?" Jess called after me, sounding betrayed. I laughed but didn't turn back. If I stayed out there any longer, she might actually convince me to take the car for a spin before I even figured out what to do with it. Stepping out of the shower, I reached for a towel, wrapping it securely around my body just as a knock sounded at the door. I let out an exasperated breath. Of course, it had to be Jess-she had just left and probably forgotten something. Why wasn't she using her own key? The knock came again, firmer this time. Frowning, I tightened the towel around myself and padded toward the door, my wet skin still warm from the shower. I swung it open, ready to tease Jess about being forgetful, but my words died the second I saw who was standing there. It wasn't Jess. It was Gabriel. He stood there in a navy- blue shirt, two buttons undone, revealing his broad chest. The fabric hugged his frame, his rolled-up sleeves exposing strong forearms. His tailored pants accentuated his long, powerful legs. He looked devastatingly handsome. But what caught me most was the way his smug expression shifted into disapproval the moment his eyes dragged down, pausing at the towel wrapped tightly around me. His jaw clenched. "What are you doing here?" I asked, still shocked. He ignored my question, stepping forward with that quiet dominance that always made my pulse jump. I

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instinctively stepped back, and just like that, he was inside, shutting the door behind the is the frow you answer the door?" His voice was firm, slightly upset, as his eyes trailed over the towel masses around my bod "Practically naked?" His gaze burned into me, making my skin tingle in a way that had nothing to do with the warmth of my shower. I suddenly felt... naked. Ashamed. Even though I was wrapped in a towel Wick was ridiculous. Considering this man had seen me naked more times then i could count, had worshiped every nich of my skin with those hands, that mouth. And yet, standing in front of him now, wrapped in just as a sudden wave of self-consciousness rushed over me. I straightened my shoulders, feigning nonchalance Fre of all, I'm not naked-I'm wearing a towel. And second, I thought you were Jess," I said, Ing my chin. She per left, and I assumed she forgot something" I crossed my arms over my chest, gripping the towel fighter as his gaze lingered. "You, on the other hand, said you'd be here in the evening, I assured" "My susse, he interrupted, stepping forward. "I changed my mind. I couldn't wait to see you" That snug arrogance was back, but this time, it sent a delicious thrill down my spine. It always amazed me how he could shift from stem to intensely heated in an instant. I stepped back, but he followed, his body heat pulling me in just go change I murmured, attempting to step past him, but the moment I moved, his hand curled around my wrist, dragging me back against him. A low gasp escaped me as my damp body pressed against the crisp fabric of his shirt, the sensation sending a tantalizing tremor down my spine,