Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel) novel Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

Gabriel’s POV 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

How’s the Gemia project going? Have you and Nicole come up with a solid plan yet? 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

I leaned back in my chair, waiting for her reply. The tension in my chest grew. I shouldn’t be this eager, but with her, I couldn’t help it. A soft chime broke the silence. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr. Storm, 

I apologize for the delay. I haven’t met with her since the boardroom meeting. 

Regards, Clairessa 

Her short, unbothered response frustrated me. Of course, she was being vague. She always tested my patience. My fingers flew across the keyboard before I could stop myself. 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

 

 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

CLAIRESSA, 

 

My orders were very clear. You need to put whatever issues you have with her aside and work together. 

Get it done. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

I hit send, hard, my pulse quickening. I wasn’t in the mood for this. Not tonight. She knew how to push me to the edge. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

I’m trying. We have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. 

Regards, Clairessa 

I could feel the indifference in her words. It only fueled my irritation. Why was she always so composed when I was losing it? I clenched my jaw, but I wasn’t done. 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

Good to hear. So it’s the weekend. Do you have plans? 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

As soon as I sent the message, I regretted it. What was I doing? Why did I care what she was doing in her 

O 

2/15 

FRA 

||| 

O 

く 

18:49 Wed, 19 Feb. 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

free time? But deep down, I knew the answer. It was clawing at me, burning beneath my skin. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr. Storm, 

What I do in my personal time is none of your business. 

Regards, Clairessa 

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Defiant. As expected. She knew exactly how to trigger something inside me–something I hated to admit was there. My pulse quickened again, anger and something darker coursing through me. 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

Have you reviewed your latest contract update? 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

I needed to pull this back into something more professional, something I could control. I couldn’t let her know how much she was affecting me. Not like this. 

 

Mr Storm, 

 

18:49 Wed, 19 Feb 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

I was just going through it before you emailed. 

Regards, Clairessa 

I smiled. Of course, she was. She wouldn’t miss the raise and benefits I’d included. But I knew she wouldn’t accept it easily. She always pushed back. 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

Good. Review it thoroughly and get back to me. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

I waited, my fingers tapping the desk with every second that went by. Why was I so restless? It wasn’t like I hadn’t dealt with tougher negotiators. But there was something about her response, something in her that had me gripping the edge of my desk. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

I reviewed it. Most of it looks fine, but a 400% raise? That’s way too much. Why? 

Regards, Clairessa 

Of course, she’d question it. She always challenged me, pushing me to explain myself. She didn’t understand, though. This wasn’t about the money. 

… 

… 

… 

OO 

1+ 

x+ 

FREE 

||| 

O 

< 

4/15 

18:49 Wed, 19 Feb 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

Because over the course of the coming months, I’ll be requiring a lot more from you. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

42% 

I hit send, knowing it would provoke her. She would take the bait, and sure enough, her response came almost immediately. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

I can’t accept a 400% raise. It feels like you’re trying to pay me off for that night at your house. 

Regards, Clairessa 

Her words hit me hard. Was that really what she thought? That I was trying to buy her? The heat rose inside me, my fingers hitting the keys harder than necessary. 

From: Gabriel Storm To: Clairessa Hartwood Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

If I wanted to pay you to become one of my sexual partners, Clairessa, it wouldn’t come through your official salary. Don’t insult me. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

+x 

+1 

O 

5/15 

FRES 

О 

< 

18:49 Wed, 19 Feb 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse. 

42% 

I didn’t care if my words were harsh. She needed to understand. This wasn’t about ownership or power. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood To: Gabriel Storm Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

I am not for sale, Mr. Storm. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

My jaw tightened. She always knew how to provoke me. 

From: Gabriel Storm 

To: Clairessa Hartwood 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

I never said you were. If you have any more concerns about the contract, share them now. 

Regards, 

Gabriel Storm 

6/15 

O 

x+ 

FRE 

||| 

O 

< 

Wed, 19 Feb 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

42% 

I needed to end this back–and–forth. But she wasn’t done yet. She had a way of getting under my skin, and I hated how much power she had over me. I needed to stay calm, stay in control, but she made it nearly impossible. 

F 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

Everything checks out. I’ll sign it soon. 

Regards, Clairessa 

That wasn’t enough. It felt dismissive, incomplete. 

+1 

x+ 

 

  

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

 ?

– 

The pause before her response felt like an eternity. When her email finally came through, it was like a punch to the gut. 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

Because I’m getting ready to go to a club. You asked about my weekend plans–there it is. 

Regards, 

Clairessa 

A club. The thought of her at a club, surrounded by other men, drove me mad with jealousy. 

From: Gabriel Storm 

To: Clairessa Hartwood 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

Clairessa, 

The Gemia project should be your priority. Clubbing seems like the last thing you should be focusing on 

right now. 

Best regards, Gabriel Storm 

O Q 

x+ 

O 

FREE 

CY 

O III 

9/15 

< 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

Her reply came fast and sharp, as if she had anticipated my reaction. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood 

To: Gabriel Storm 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

Mr Storm, 

42% 

I’m fully aware of my priorities, Mr. Storm. But since you’re forcing me to work with Nicole, I need to blow off some steam first. 

Regards, Clairessa 

Blow off steam? I couldn’t stand the idea of her needing an escape–especially one that didn’t involve me. 

From: Gabriel Storm 

To: Clairessa Hartwood 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

FRE 

||| 

O 

10/15 

18:50 Wed, 19 Feb 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

Clairessa, 

Which club is that? 

Best Regards 

Gabriel Storm 

I waited, anticipating her answer, but of course, she didn’t make it easy. 

From: Clairessa Hartwood 

To: Gabriel Storm 

Subject: Re: Project Update 

I don’t think that’s relevant, Mr. Storm. It’s my personal time, and I’m not obligated to share those details 

with you. 

Regards, Clairessa 

11/15 

O 

FA 

m 

O 

< 

18:50 Wed, 19 Feb & O 

Chapter 38: Following My Impulse 

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I could feel the tightness in my chest. She was testing my limits, and I was dangerously close to losing it. 

From: Gabriel Storm 

To: Clairessa Hartwood 

Subject: Re: Project Update