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Book II - 24

Author: Margarette Grey
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

AUDREY

The next morning, Chelsea invited me for breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant. Apparently, my conversation with Gabriel last night was still bugging me.

We had already been in an avoidable situation, and I had wanted my boss ever since my first day at Stark Apparel. I was holding back because I thought it would be indecent. I wouldn’t want him to know that I was ogling him, but I wouldn’t deny that a part of me was thrilled having to know that he was interested in me too.

“Stark came back last night and asked me about you. I told him the truth, but maybe I shouldn’t have,” Chelsea stated, then ate a bite of her crepe. I told her about the incident last night with Stark, but not so much. And I wasn’t planning to, but then she was the only one I could talk to about it, or I’d be crazy otherwise.

“I’m confused, Chels. Stark is out of my league,” I professed.

“But he wants you. Gabriel Stark wants you! You should be happy. That man is every woman employee’s dream in our company,”
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  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II- 25

    AUDREYToday was the day we all had to finally say goodbye to Samuel. It’s like the pain I had tripled as I watched Anton putting the ceramic jar of his remains in the internment. Though I could no longer shed tears, my heart was broken into tiny pieces. The day was so serene that only the closest friends and relatives attended, but Dad wasn’t present. He locked himself in his room, and Anton couldn’t convince him to come.It was a beautiful day with clear skies and the sun, but I couldn’t appreciate it. I felt empty. There was no chance in this life that I’d ever see Samuel’s face or hear his voice again.“Audrey, wait!” Charles called from behind us and tried to catch up. Chelsea and I stopped.“Charles.”He was still panting when he reached us. “Can I speak with you?”“Yes, of course. What is it?”“I know it’s a bad time,” he breathed, “but can we talk?”“I was planning on giving this day a break, Charles.”“I know. I know, as I said, this might be a bad time but hear me out. This

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 26

    AUDREY“Are you ready? Got what you need?” Anton appeared at the door of my old room in the mansion in the afternoon before we left.“Yes, just a few things. Come in.” I packed my old books in my bag that I hadn’t had a chance to pick up when I left home. Anton came in and sat on the edge of the bed.“Hmm. This is Perry.” He picked up my brown teddy bear lying on top of my suitcase. “You carried this around when you were a little. You cried when I accidentally stepped on it.”I chuckled. “Mom’s first gift. I’m taking that,” I said.“And now you are leaving again. Aren’t you going to talk to Dad?”“There’s nothing to talk about with him, Anton. I have nothing to say to him.”“Stubborn man, is he? Yet you are keeping this house so that he could stay in here.”“Where else would he stay? He still calls this mansion his pride after losing everything.” I sighed. “He doesn’t want me in his life, I know the same goes with me, but he’s going to stay here without his children for the rest of hi

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 27

    AUDREYThe office was, as usual, welcoming in the morning and packed with early birds flocking around each other’s cubicles. I walked straight through the hallway, being greeted by colleagues, and some extended their condolences. Overall, it was the same environment I left with, but I missed the atmosphere. I missed being in the office, feeling the air conditioner, and the smell of newly brewed coffee in the pantry.I first poured a cup of coffee for Gabriel, expecting that he was already inside, given that I was already five minutes late.“Hi!” Someone appeared next to me that turned out to be a new face with brown hair and green eyes. He looked young and was wearing an intern ID.“Um, hi?”“You must be Miss Hopkins,” he said with a smile.“Yes, Mister…?”“I’m Noah, the new intern. Noah Stark. Nice to meet you, Miss Hopkins.” He reached out his hand to me, and I shook it. But what got me was his surname.“S-Stark, you said?”“Ah, yes. Noah Stark.”“Curious. Are you just the same name

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    AUDREYI understood the reason behind Gabriel’s outfit, the place where he brought me was the last thing I would expect. He took me to the coast of the Classic Harbor Line, where I found a beautiful view of the Hudson River. Jones was already waiting for him, standing by a fine-looking yacht.“Mr. Stark, Miss Hopkins, “ he greeted his boss, and Gabriel approached him with a pat on his shoulder.“Jones.” I smiled at him.“Is she ready?” Gabriel asked Jones, probably referring to the yacht behind him.“Whenever you are, Mr. Stark.” Jones gave way to Gabriel first, and he hopped onto the majestic boat, and then he reached out his hand to me.“Come.”“Are we riding that?”He cocked his head. “Yes. Give me your hand.”I clasped my palm with his, and while he was pulling me to him, Jones helped me step onto the deck, but he didn’t come after us,“Enjoy your sail, Mr. Stark, Miss Hopkins.”“What is going on? Are we really?” I cleared my throat. I was still confused. “Is this okay?”“Don’t wo

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 29

    AUDREY“What are those things?” Gabriel probed. “You see, I can’t understand you if you don’t communicate.”“I just can’t see myself engaging in any relationship, not with what I’ve experienced in the past. I’m so sorry, Gabriel.”He raised an eyebrow, confused. “Is a third party involved? Some ex-boyfriend, perhaps?”I looked away. How could he read through me? But Liam wasn’t an ex, no.“Is this silence your admission? Who is he?”“A person that still holds my heart.”Gabriel’s expression hardened. “You’re still in love with him?”“No!” I denied. “Not in love, no. I couldn’t say I was in love with him. I barely know him at all, but a memory of him is still holding on.”“You were not in love with this man, you are saying, but as I can see, you still haven’t moved on. I don’t understand this. Where is he now?”I brought myself up. I couldn’t tell Gabriel he was already dead because I didn’t want him to see through me. I didn’t want anyone else to know about my past. Liam was the night

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 30

    AUDREYWhile preparing the sauce, Gabriel was at the deck, grilling the fish and meat. Shortly after, I climbed up to the deck and arranged the table. I picked up a bottle of Sauvignon blanc. The combination would bring out brisk and earthy nuances. Then a flash of memory popped up in my mind again when I was sitting across from my father, who taught me a great deal about wines.I slid a glance at Gabriel, who was now only in a loose white t-shirt, but still managed to reveal the cuts on his ample shoulders and biceps while still on the barbecue. I suddenly ached to hold those muscles and cuddle around them. The scent of the grilled food and a delicious-looking man in one view was much more than a woman could ask for. Unable to wait any longer, I poured wine into the glass and guzzled it straight, then I drew myself towards him.“Audrey, I’m almost done—”I slithered my arms around his waist and embraced him from behind. My eyes fluttered, and a moan escaped my lips as I felt his war

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 31

    AUDREYGabriel’s place was just as grandiose as he was. We first took an elevator toward his penthouse on Fifth Avenue. The space was cultured with full gray & white veins in the Italian marble floors and a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that peered across the beautiful view of Central Park. His home was beautiful, like the man himself. His private space was warm and extravagant, and the walls were filled with gorgeous paintings of abstraction and landscapes but were never exaggerated. I understood his fascination with the arts. The tension inside me had become palpable. We’d been together alone for hours, but I was even more nervous now.“Your house is amazing…” I praised softly as if being in his home was a privilege. This was another glance at Gabriel’s private life.He pulled me to him and sandwiched me against his arms. “I’ve imagined this moment, Audrey,” he said softly. “I’ve pictured you standing on my floor, and here you are. I can’t wait to have you tonight.”Oh,

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book II - 32

    AUDREYAs promised, Gabriel brought me to his bedroom. He gently dried my hair with a towel and then let it fall on the floor afterward.“Gabriel…” I shut my eyes and drifted my hands on his chest up to his neck, then I traced the line of his jaws with my fingers. God, he’s so perfect. “Hmm,” he hummed. “You smell so good.” His hands moved to my waist, and then he stepped closer to snivel my hair while caressing my bare skin so tenderly.“I like how we smell the same.” I smiled at the small gap between our lips. I was utterly naked in front of him, so exposed and slightly nervous. I wanted to stare at his body too, but it was too bad he had wrapped himself in a bathrobe. “Am I making you nervous?” he asked, his fingers trailing the skin of my arms, teasing me back and forth.I held my breath. “A little.”“Then I probably didn’t make you comfortable enough. You have to get used to me, Audrey, because I don’t intend to stop touching you.”He lowered his head with mine, and possessive

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    ADAMI have to tell Bianca now.Damn it. It wasn't that hard. I could just let them take my site in Thailand, ask her parents to sign the transfer papers, and it’s all done. I just couldn't find the right time because I didn’t want to make a scene. I knew Bianca too well, and I knew that it wasn’t going to end well.I had to, though. Immediately. I couldn’t wait to get Julia back, especially with my possessiveness issue. I was always jealous. I wanted to keep her by my side and shove all those men away, even if it's my brother who was now dragging Julia to the dance floor.I clenched my fists.“Don't you want to dance?” Bianca said. She fucking couldn’t stop holding me in public. “Or do you want to get back to the suite?”“Bianca, please...” I moved her hands away from my neck. “Don't.”She sighed and drank another shot of red wine.“When are you going to stop making this harder for us? Hmm? Or maybe I could just tell Dad to let us get married right away? Isn't that what you wanted fo

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 35

    I let the running water flow continuously as I washed my hands, letting myself cool. I looked up and then looked at my reflection.What are you doing, Julia? Haven’t you had enough of this? Why did I have to be caught up in this situation all the time? I shook my head, then took a handful of water and wet my face.“You're marrying him?” a deep, dangerous voice abruptly spoke behind me. I looked back in the mirror and found Adam’s perilous stare. He was seething.“Do I need to get your permission?” I asked as I continued to dampen my cheeks.“Is that true what he said out there?”“Why does it matter to you?”“It does matter to me,” he said tightly. “You said you wanted me, but when I didn’t answer, you’re already running to Henry?”I dried my face with a napkin, then I faced him. “Then what is your answer, Adam? No matter what we do, we can’t be together.”“But you can't marry him.” He grasped my shoulders, shaking his head.“What made you think that I will? Now, please leave me alone

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 34

    JULIALouis ushered me to his table, and since I was already aware that Adam will be right next to us, I prepared myself not to look surprised when I see him with his ex-wife-slashed-fiancée. Why was our world so close? Why did I have to see him in every corner of the world?His answer to me last night was clearer than diamonds. He was not going to choose me. He would not break up with Bianca because they had a deal. There was no way he was going to cut their deal because his company was at stake. I was getting pissed with myself already. Should I talk about it with Henry?As expected, Adam and Bianca were there—only a few feet away from our table. Damn it, and she was wearing the same shade of dress as I was, but her hair coordinated more with her dress than mine.I almost wanted to scream. I tried not to look at them, but damn, I couldn’t help it. Adam was wearing a matching suit, and he was fine-looking as always. Unfortunately, they looked so good together. I did not want to appea

  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 33

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  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 32

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  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 31

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  • Bad Boy Billionaires   Book III - 30

    JULIAThese are the important documents we need for our trip to LA. Have you tried calling—” A knock from the glass door interrupted Luke from finishing his sentence. His secretary was standing at the meeting room door.“Excuse me, Mr. Alejandro. There's a visitor in the lobby, and he said it’s important. It's actually for Ms. Taylor, sir,” Ms. Craig informed.“For me?”Luke frowned as he gazed at me. “Expecting someone?”I shook my head. “Did he say his name?”“Oh, his name is Henry.”Henry. How did he know where to find me? “What did you say to him?” I queried. “We’re in a meeting.”“Ms. Craig, we're about to finish here,” Luke prompted. “Tell him to wait five minutes.”“Yes, sir.” She left.“It's okay, Luke. I could just meet him outside.”“Julia, it's eleven fifty-five. Take a break. Come to my office when you get back. And oh! Please contact Cavendish. I’ve got to tell him something about this project.” Luke grabbed the binders and stood up. He held the door open. “Julia?”“Oh, t

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