Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 290

Clairessa’s POV

The panic in his tone hit me harder than the words themselves. He was spiraling, every instinct gearing toward danger, toward protecting me, and I knew if I didn’t stop him now, he’d work himself into a storm he couldn’t climb out of.

I slid my hand down from his arm, forcing him to face me. “Gabriel, look at me,” I whispered. “Look at me.”

His restless eyes finally landed on mine.

“Tonight belongs to us,” I told him confidently, willing him to hear me. “Maybe Marco has been watching. Maybe he did follow us here. You’re right, he’s probably plotting something. But tonight was supposed to be different. It was supposed to be ours. After the scandalous week we’ve had, I’m not going to let him ruin it.”

He shook his head, his hand raking through his hair like he couldn’t let go of the thought. “You don’t understand. He’s dangerous, Rissa…”

“I do understand,” I cut in, firmer this time. I stepped closer, close enough that the streetlamp lit the flecks in his eyes.

“Look around. Do you see him? Do you see anyone?” I swept my hand toward the quiet street, the warm glow of storefronts, the occasional laughter spilling out from nearby bars. “I doubt Marco would show his face tonight after the beating you gave him. He’s probably somewhere nursing himself… dragging his sorry self back to life.”

I jabbed lightly at his chest, teasing. “My man can pack a punch. You literally had that guy scared for his life.” A little gurgle of laughter slipped out. “I’m not going to lie, when you strangled him against the wall, I honestly thought you were going to kill him.”

Gabriel smirked, then his hand shot up, cupping my face, his thumb rough against my cheek. His voice dropped, ragged. “Shit… if you didn’t stop me, I don’t know how far I would’ve gone.”

“Then thank God I did,” I breathed, a shaky smile tugging at my lips. “Otherwise, I’d be visiting you behind bars, and I don’t think orange would suit you.”

He huffed, not amused, but I softened, my tone shifting. “When I saw him, I was scared. And maybe I’m still a little shaken. But I’m choosing to move past it, Gabriel. Tonight, I just want it to be us.”

He shook his head, stubborn, eyes dark and searching. “You don’t understand, Claire. I need to protect you. He got to you minutes ago… in there.” His voice cracked slightly. “I can’t lose you. Do you hear me? Marco’s desperate now, and desperation makes men dangerous.”

“I believe you,” I murmured. “And tomorrow, we’ll face him together. But tonight…” I leaned up, lips ghosting over his, voice low and teasing, “…all I’m asking is that we take advantage of the now. Before I went into the bathroom, remember what you told me? You couldn’t wait to get me home. You couldn’t wait to be inside me.”

I pressed a soft, wet kiss against his lips, knowing it would provoke an instant reaction—and it did. His breath hitched, eyes darkening as he met my mouth.

“Seriously, Claire?” he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips despite himself. “I’m talking about Marco, and you’re talking about sex?”

I smiled against his lips. “You don’t want to talk about making love with me? Because right now… after watching the way you protected me… I’m so fired up and anxious. I feel like I could devour you. I want you, Gabriel. That rush, that adrenaline—I just want you.”

His laugh was low, incredulous. “You say the wildest things, sweetheart…” His hands slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him. “So what, you want us to make out here, on the streets of Miami? Anybody could see us.”

“I don’t care.” My eyes locked with his, heat sparking in my chest. “They’ve printed the worst things about me. About us. Let them. I want something for us. Just us.”

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