Falling For My Ex's Dad by Oma Green

Chapter 123: Burning For Him, Hiding From The Truth Clairessa's POV Gabriel sensed my hesitation and closed the distance between us, his strong arms slipping around my waist, pullingdeeply into his embrace. “What's wrong?" His voice was gentle yet probing, concern etched into his features. I forced a smile, hoping he wouldn't hear the panic rising in my chest. "Nothing... I just- I wasn't expecting this." "I know we agreed to keep our relationship private, but I thought it was time." A lump formed in my throat. Tfor what? "Don't you think that would be us moving too fast?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. His brows furrowed slightly. "Maybe... but I know what I want." He brushed his thumb along my cheek. "I never thought I'd say this to a woman or even feel this way, but I want you-and it isn't just about sex. I want to be with you for a long time, Clairessa. And I'm too grown to play games." His words melted my insides, breaking down every last defense I had. The affection in his eyes was undeniable... Yet, I didn't feel reassured. Instead, they terrified me. His intense gaze held mine, expecting, waiting for a response. Perhaps. I swallowed, my throat impossibly tight. "I... I want to be with you too." The moment the words left my lips, an overwhelming sense of dread crashed over me. I felt like a fraud. A liar. Gabriel wanted to introduceto his son. Adrian. My ex. A truth I had buried for months. My head spun. My heart pounded faster with each passing second. I needed to confess. I needed to tell him everything. Now was the time. If this relationship had any chance of surviving, I had to be honest. "I... haven't been completely honest," I blurted out, needing to say something before fear heldback. Gabriel's body stiffened. His grip around my waist loosened, and his expression bechard to read. God, this was it. I was going to lose him. He had made it clear-he hated lies. And I had been lying for months. His voice was calm, but I couldn't miss the commanding undertone. "Tellwhat you're hiding." I forced myself to meet his gaze, though fear gripped my insides. My mouth went dry. "I... I... wasn't working on Sandy's project earlier today." My voice was a subtle whisper. "I was out at dinner with Daniel." Gabriel's grip slipped away entirely. I saw the shift in his expression--the exact moment realization dawned. The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something colder, darker. "I wanted to tell you before," I rushed on, desperate to explain. "But I knew you wouldn't wantto go see him." His entire body went still, absorbing the weight of my words. "Why?" His voice was lower now, but filled with emotion. "Do you want to be with him?" "No. Of course not." I shook my head, my heart pounding. "I want to be with you." "Then why did you go see him, knowing how that would makefeel?" His voice was controlled, but I wasn't blind to the hurt beneath it. I opened my mouth, but no words cout. Gabriel exhaled heavily, running a hand down his face. When he finally spoke, his tone was firmer, laced with frustration. "So the best solution you could cup with was to lie about it?" I flinched. "It was a stupid thing to do, Gabriel. And I see that now. I lied because I was scared of how you'd react after the last time." My voice cracked. "The only reason I agreed to meet him was because I had been ignoring him for weeks, and I felt guilty." His jaw flexed, the tension in his shoulders visible as he processed my words. "Then what happened?" "We just talked," I answered quickly. "And he figured out I was with you. He said he would respect our relationship." Gabriel let out a humorless chuckle, but there was no amusement in his expression. "Piece of shit," he muttered under his breath. "Like he had a fucking choice." I reached for his arms, my fingers trembling, but he didn't move. "Gabriel, please... that was all. You have to believe me." His dark eyes locked onto mine, searching for any trace of deception. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke. "I believe you," he finally said. "But you have to promise never to see him again. Is that clear?” His hands found my face, his touch gentler now, pullingdeeper into him. But the authority in his voice remained. "You know the history between us now. Stay away from him." I hesitated for only a second. "I promise," I whispered. "I'll never see him again." Gabriel leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss that was soft yet filled with raw passion. I felt it-his trust, his emotions, the depth of what he felt for me. For a moment, I melted into him. Let myself believe everything was okay. Then he pulled away, his gaze intense, his voice deeper, more serious. "Clairessa... no matter how ugly the truth is, no matter how much you fear my reaction, you have to promise me-you'll always ctowith it. We'll work through it together. But don't ever lie to me." It wasn't just a request. It was an ultimatum. My chest ached, but I forced out another lie. "I won't," I murmured. “I promise." His hands instantly scoopedinto his arms, surprising me. “Gabriel...” His nleft my lips as he carriedtoward the bed, his hold strong, secure. "You need to rest,” he murmured, loweringonto the bed with uttermost care. “I'll take a shower. You must be exhausted." His lips brushed my forehead, lingering for a beat longer than necessary before he pulled away. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to sleep, but it was useless. My mind refused to rest. I had one chance to tell Gabriel the truth about Adrian. Maybe he would have kickedout of his home. Maybe he would have forgiven me. Instead, I confessed to my lunch with Daniel-a truth I had already planned to reveal. I used it as a distraction, a way to ease my guilt. Maybe I wanted to prove I wasn't completely dishonest. Maybe I just didn't want to feel like a liar about everything. Gabriel had just toldhe had strong feelings for me. That he was serious about us. Oh God... how long had I waited to hear those words from him? I felt the sway. I had fallen for him weeks ago, and now the thought of losing him was unbearable. A deep ache settled in my chest at just the thought. I couldn't risk it. I wouldn't risk it. Not tonight. Not on the night he had just confessed his deep feelings for me. I saw it in his eyes... Still felt the heat of his kiss on my lips, the way his hands held me, as if I was something fragile yet precious. Even though he was upset, he controlled his anger-for me. And I was still lying. I turned onto my side, restlessly shifting under the sheets. The sound of running water filled the room-Gabriel was still in the shower. Maybe I could go in there and tell him I had another truth to confess... Or I could slip inside, press my body against his warm, wet skin, and let him take me-again and again-until the only thing I could feel was him. Until his touch drowned out the guilt suffocating my mind. Until his hands, his mouth, his body erased every thought but us. A shiver coursed throughat the image-the heat of the steam, the slick glide of our bodies, the way he would grip me, take me, makeforget... Then, the water stopped. In an instant, I shut my eyes, feigning sleep-heart pounding, body aching, mind spinning. Heavy footsteps echoed toward me, each step sending a fresh wave of anticipation through my body.

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