Clairessa’s POV
The interior of the jet was sleek and luxurious. The seats were made of soft leather, and there was plenty of space to stretch out. It felt more like an upscale lounge than an airplane.
I settled into one of the large chairs, watching as Gabriel spoke briefly to the pilot before taking a seat next to me.
Out of all the seats on the plane, he chose the one right beside me. My heart sped up again, his presence making me nervous. The warm scent of his cologne filled the air, making it hard to focus.
The flight attendant welcomed us aboard, and we buckled in. As the plane began to move, I started to feel anxious. It was my first time flying, and I could feel my fear building. I glanced at Gabriel, who seemed completely at ease, focused on his laptop. I, on the other hand, gripped the armrest tightly, trying to stay calm.
Suddenly, I felt his hand cover mine. I froze, looking up at him.
“First time flying?” he asked gently. I nodded, too nervous to speak, and shut my eyes again.
“You’ll be okay,” he said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. His calm voice and warm touch made me feel a little braver.
As the plane lifted into the sky, he leaned closer. “Open your eyes,” he said softly.
I hesitated but opened them, and the sight took my breath away. Clouds stretched below us, and the blue sky seemed endless. It was beautiful, almost magical. Or maybe it was the fact that Gabriel still held my hand that made it feel special.
A few minutes later, he let go and returned to his laptop. I tried to relax, slipping in my AirPods to listen to music. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
The sound of the flight attendant’s voice woke me. “Miss Clairessa, what would you like to have?” she asked softly.
My eyes shot open, and I realized Gabriel wasn’t sitting next to me anymore.
I focused on the flight attendant and replied, “Just a glass of juice, please.” She smiled and returned moments later, not just with juice but with a full spread of dishes.
“I didn’t order all this,” I started, confused.
“This is on Mr. Storm’s order,” she said with a polite smile.
I glanced at Gabriel, now seated farther away. He looked up, smirking. What the hell? Why the hell did he change seats?
I faked a smile back at the flight attendant and nibbled on a few things, not wanting to eat too much.
—
The plane touched down smoothly, and a wave of excitement washed over me. My first time in Las Vegas-the city of bright lights and endless possibilities-was finally here. As I stepped off the jet, the lights of the city sparkled in the distance, pulling me into its magic. Standing by the car was a tall, serious-looking man in a suit, his demeanor screaming “bodyguard.”
“Mr. Storm, welcome to Las Vegas,” the man greeted Gabriel with a firm handshake.
“Olly, good to see you,” Gabriel replied, sounding like they were old friends.
“Been a while, sir,” Olly nodded.
Gabriel turned to me. “Clairessa, this is Olly. He’s Sergio’s head of security.”
Olly gave me a polite nod, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you, Miss.”
We shook hands, and Gabriel motioned for us to get into the car. As we drove through the bustling city, I couldn’t help but admire the energy. Las Vegas was alive-neon lights, towering buildings, and an electric buzz that filled the air. Everything felt larger than life, like I had stepped into a dream.
Soon, we arrived at a grand resort called Gemia and Casino Resort. The name shone brightly, its golden lights reflecting off the sleek, modern exterior. It was breathtaking-luxurious and full of life. Gabriel looked up at the resort, with surprise and admiration he took in the massive structure.
As we stepped out of the car, a man in his early fifties approached us with a broad smile.
“Gabe! My old friend!” Sergio called out, pulling Gabriel into a hearty embrace. “It’s been ages,” he added.
“C’mon, Sergio. We may not have seen each other in years, but we talk often,” Gabriel replied with a faint grin.
“True, but it’s not the same as having you here in my resort,” Sergio replied, clearly excited. They chatted for a moment before Sergio’s eyes landed on me.
“And who’s this lovely young lady?” he asked, glancing between Gabriel and me.
“This is Clairessa,” Gabriel answered calmly. “She’s heading the Gemia project and works closely with me.”
Sergio looked me over, his expression approving. “She’s young, but I can tell she knows her stuff. You’ve always had an eye for the right people.”
“She’s more than capable,” Gabriel added, flashing a grin.
I stepped forward, offering my hand. “Mr. Sergio, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure’s all mine, Claire,” Sergio said, taking my hand and kissing it lightly. “I hope the flight was smooth?”
“Yes, thank you,” I replied politely.
“Glad to hear it! Gabe, I’ve been trying to get you to Vegas for years. It’s about time!” Sergio exclaimed, laughing.
“Better late than never,” Gabriel said, giving a small smile.
Sergio gestured for us to follow him inside. “Come on in. You’re going to love it here.”
Inside, the resort was even more impressive. High ceilings, marble floors, and glittering chandeliers set the tone for elegance. Sergio led us down a quieter hallway, away from the bustling lobby, until we reached a private elevator that took us to one of the top floors.
“This area is private,” Sergio explained as we stepped into an exclusive section of the resort. “Only my closest friends are allowed up here.”
He showed us into a lavish suite-with sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. The space was grand, yet cozy, like a world of its own.
“Gabe, this is all yours,” Sergio said, gesturing around. “But I didn’t know you’d bring Clairessa. There’s only one bed. I can arrange a separate room if needed.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Gabriel cut in smoothly. “No need, Sergio. We’ll stay here.”
I shot Gabriel a surprised glance, my heart racing at the thought of sharing the suite. He remained calm, as though it were no big deal.
Sergio arched his brow, amused. “Alright, Gabe. Whatever you say.”
He pointed out the private balcony, the fully stocked bar, and other extravagant features of the suite. “If you need anything, just let me know,” he said with a grin. “Make yourselves comfortable.”
After Sergio left, I turned to Gabriel, ready to protest, but his phone buzzed. Without a word, he stepped onto the balcony, answering the call in smooth, fluent French.
I stared after him, surprised. I had no idea he spoke another language. Gabriel always seemed to have more layers to unravel.
As I walked through the suite, I tried to process what had just happened. Sharing a suite with Gabriel was unexpected-and surely going to make my plans much easier. I couldn’t help but feel excited, though I knew I had to play it cool.
When Gabriel returned, I finally spoke up. “Mr. Storm, I don’t think this is appropriate. Sharing a suite with only one bed-”
“Nothing is going to happen between us if that’s what you’re worried about,” he interrupted calmly, bridging the gap between us. His intense eyes were now fixed on me.
“I didn’t think that anything would,” I lied, avoiding his gaze. “It just… feels unprofessional.”
His gaze softened slightly. “After what happened with Marco, I don’t want to take any chances. I don’t trust anyone here with your safety.”
“But the security seems tight. I don’t want to intrude on your space,” I argued, suddenly feeling guilty. Gabriel was worrying about my safety while I was secretly plotting my revenge.
“There’s no intrusion,” he retorted firmly. “I’ll be in meetings most of the time anyway. And this suite is big enough for both of us.”
“I… I’m not sure…”
“No more arguments,” he said, raising his hand and cutting me off. “I have a meeting with Sergio now. That’ll give you time to settle in. The suite is huge; there’s plenty of space.”
“Thanks, Mr. Storm,” I replied, feeling both flustered and warm as heat spread through my body.
He gave me a small smile. “I should be thanking you for trusting me,” he said softly, his eyes holding mine for a moment longer than necessary, sending a thrill through me. “Settle in, and I’ll send for you at 8 p. m. for dinner with Sergio.”
“I’ll be ready,” I responded as he left. I glanced around the room, finally absorbing how large the bed really was-it could easily fit four or five people. I chuckled, wondering what was on the mind of the interior decorator when they put the bed in the room.
The suite was like a mini palace-perfect and luxurious in every way. I couldn’t believe I was in Las Vegas, staying in such luxury. It felt surreal. I had always wanted to travel, but life always got in the way. Adrian had promised to take me on a trip once, but that was before I found out about Nicole.
For a moment, I stared out at the glittering lights of Vegas, trying to shake off the sadness, when my phone chimed. I glanced at it and froze.
Reminder: Maldives trip with Adrian-Birthday weekend.
My chest tightened. I had completely forgotten my birthday was just days away. All my attention had gone into the Gemia project, and I didn’t realize my birthday was in three days.
Adrian had planned the trip last year, promising we’d celebrate somewhere special. Back then, I thought he meant it. But that was before Nicole-before all the lies came to light.
I swiped the notification away, trying to push the ache in my chest aside. Adrian had hurt and broken me. I thought I’d be spending my birthday weekend with him, making memories that would last a lifetime. Instead, I was here in Las Vegas, wrapped in luxury I never imagined, and spending it with his father.
I scoffed at the irony of it all. But I wasn’t going to let the past hurt stop me because one thing was certain-by the end of this trip, Gabriel Storm would be in my bed.