Forty-six

"What is it?" I ask Brandon who is on the seat across me, watching me as if his life depends on my next movements. My eyes don't leave the screen of my laptop resting atop the desk, I scowl without looking in his direction. "Brandon?"

The email with the invitation for my zoom meeting with other student body leaders stares back at me, the time on the lower part of my screen shows I have a few minutes until ten when we will commence but I don't want to spend another second talking to him. I am not the one who broke a promise to their spouse. He did this to himself.

Sunlight seeps in through the long, sliding windows, casting a shadow on the table. I take a bite from the leftover slices of pizza on the table, pizza he brought home last night but I couldn't eat because I was fast asleep. Asleep and hungry because

Locked Chapter

Continue to read this book on the APP

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Related chapters

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Forty-seven

  The invisible weight on my shoulders disappears at my teary confession, I stare at him through tear-filled eyes, afraid to hear his reply. I am fine with him not reciprocating my feelings right now but I can't deal with his outright rejection. His palm relocates to the back of my head, I sigh in relief when my cheek presses flush against his hairy chest.My heart feels less heavy, I feel safe in his embrace when he weaves his finger into my scalp to massage it and the warm feeling spreading throughout my chest assures me I did the right thing by telling him. He loves me too and if he doesn't, I can show him how.We separate at the beeping sound coming from my laptop, Brandon's hands lingering on my waist stops me from jumping off the table. The conflicted emotions on his face has me palming his cheeks, I place a kiss on his forehead which soon slides to the tip of his nose and eventually, his pouted

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Forty-eight

  "Your nipples are staring at me," Brandon says. "Anyone who cares to can see them."On instinct, my eyes lower to my chest, to my nipples stretching against the gold, thin strap satin gown I am wearing. I flash him a smile, cover the distance between us to smoothen the invisible creases on his tuxedo. He growls and grabs my wrists to stop me from palming his growing bulge, I giggle and throw my head back, he snickers. I love the effect I now have on him, it almost feels surreal to know that he hated me at some point."When you walk, everyone will see your thighs," he murmurs as my hands reach up to adjust his bow tie of the same colour with my gown. He frowns. "I don't like that."Pulling his lower lip between my teeth, I

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Forty-nine

  His wet fingertips start a sensual journey down the plunging neckline of my gown, I shiver when he flicks a finger over my taut nipple nearly poking out of my dress and shake my head. This is different from the clubs I have been to but I don’t want to leave."We’ll stay," my eyes wander to the stage, "this is my first time here." The adventurous part of me is excited to know what will happen next. "I have never been to a BDSM club," I palm his face and peck his plump lips, "thank you for bringing me. When does it start?"Brandon gives a subtle nod to the man with the whip. "Anything for you, wifey." I giggle and he shushes me with a finger pressed to his lip. In response, I lean over and lick that finger. "Wifey," he whines and I giggle again, I love the new pet name. "You might want to pay attention to the st

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Fifty

  I wake before Brandon, my heart hammers in my chest as I lean over to place a kiss on his lips. His eyelids flutter open, a look of recognition flashes across his face and he pulls me into his embrace to deepen the kiss. Throwing my leg over his, my body melts into his and I grind my pelvis on his hips, letting him explore my mouth with his tongue.We separate some seconds after to catch our breaths, I trace a line down the centre of his hairy chest, a content smile playing on my lips. Propping my jaw on his chest, I pout when I catch him staring down at me. His hand cups my butt through my robe, I sink my teeth into my lower lip without breaking eye contact. As inexperienced as I might be, I want to do so many wickedly delicious things to him, to learn every part of his body.

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Fifty-one

  On my toes, I place a kiss on his scar, he freezes. In seconds, my back connects with the bed and Brandon towers over me. His lips hover above mine, I palm his face and let my eyes convey all the emotions my mouth cannot speak. Taken aback by my reaction, he stares at me with a funny expression and the butterflies in my stomach scatter. I take advantage of his shock and flip us, giggling when he groans at the switch in positions.My lips descend on his neck, I assault his ear with kisses, all parts of his body my mouth can reach with our fingers laced above his head. Warmth spreads through me when he lets me lead the pace, succumbing to my unspoken request and I cup his cheeks to place a delicate kiss on his lips. My mouth lowers to his collarbone, I nibble the flesh there and his shivers has my toes curling. I moan into his chest when his fingers tickle my anus, trail my bu

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Fifty-two

  Minutes after we come downstairs to eat, I play with the cereal in my bowl, spinning the colourful brunch before raising a spoonful of it to my lips. Brandon chuckles at my sulking, I frown, how can he be so cool with leaving me here? He will be gone for a week. The thought makes my stomach knot, I stab the cereal and nearly chew the spoon off.Brandon pries the spoon off my hand, I don't realise my cheeks are wet with tears until he swipes at them. I sigh, it must be my period, I am being unusually emotional and over stupid things. He pulls me to his laps, I tuck my head into the crook of his neck and bawl my eyes out while he strokes my back until my cries quiet to sobs. I want him to stay.The massaging of my scalp causes me to moan. "If you didn't have school, we would have gone together, you know that, ri

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Fifty-three

  "I take it to mean you like my little surprise," he murmurs, amusement laced in his voice as his arms steady me and my legs tighten around his waist as our foreheads touch."Like it?" I scoff. "I love it." I palm his face and start another round of kisses. "I love it." Struggling in his arms until he sets me on my feet, I cover my mouth. "I love you."His chest puffs as I take a step back to inspect the car, he got me a freaking car. My baby got me my baby. I shriek and thump my feet on the ground, he chuckles as I circle the car, almost afraid to blink for fear of this being a dream. This is a physical manifestation of the car I saw in his tab when we were picking Danielle’s. I touch the Audi and beam.Excitement blooms in my heart, I can’t wait to drive Ma and Pa around town with this. I am sure Clary won’t stay mad at me for much longer if she’s allowed to drive this baby.

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   Fifty-four

  The diner bustles with activities as I make my way into the farthest corner away from the door. I sight Clarissa behind the counter, hair pulled tight into a sleek bun with her lips moving rapidly as she attends to a customer. The smell of pastries, plus the aroma of freshly made coffee and the noise of the diners have my nostrils flaring in delight. I tip my hat and inhale the air of deliciousness, a feeling of nostalgia creeping up on me.Settling into the only unoccupied booth, I cast one look out the window where people mill around in groups of twos and threes. Our school is a few minutes walk from here. My eyes narrow in on my car; my baby looking out of place in that spot between smaller cars. It still feels odd, almost surreal to know I have one. My fingers splay on the window, something warm stirs in my chest, I can't wait for our second ride as a couple.

Latest chapter

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and sixteen

  "You promised," he whispers. He lets go of me to run his hands through his hair. "You promised me, Elna. Your beginning, middle and end." Jumping to his feet, he folds his hands behind his head and murmurs, "You promised. You can't leave me. Baby, please."Unable to look him in the eyes, I bury my face into the pillow and continue shaking my head. I know the answer to his question now, I am so certain of it. Do I still want him? Yes, I will always want him, more than I have ever wanted anyone but I can't have him.Murder is murder and he killed his brother.And it hurts.It hurts every fibre of my being. I love him so much it hurts to think of a future without him. I don't think I can stop loving him but when I look at him, all I see is a killer. If I cannot look past his sins then I shouldn't be in his life. It will be our secret, it's not in my place to tell other people and I am fine with that. I wi

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and fifteen

  It is hard.Really hard.

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and fourteen

  He doesn't regret it. But he feels bad. What does that mean? I race down the stairs as fast as I can, my car keys dangling in my hand. Hopefully, I look sane with the way I hurriedly dressed and left. I need to talk to Clarissa but about what? Do I want to tell her what Brandon said? What if she calls the police on him? Will she do that? She won't.

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and thirteen

  I wake to amber eyes staring down at me. I flash Brandon a sleepy smile, he presses a kiss to my hair and I giggle, he must love my new shampoo. "You slept well?" I ask.He nods, placing another kiss on my temple. "I did, you?" he says against my skin and I hum in response, loving the wet kisses he litters on

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and twelve

  The next day, my phone is pinging with notifications. David shoots me a grateful text I don't reply, I am sure he doesn't expect one, we are not friends. My finger hovers over the delete option on his contact, I hesitate. It won’t hurt to have it so I save his number, something I had failed to do. Bored, I send Brandon an SOS and switch off my phone.Time to take matters into my hands.Bathed, shaved and clad in lace lingerie that barely holds my breasts and reveals my bump, I sit up, legs crossed while awaiting that click that will announce his entrance. He won't talk to me like a normal person and now, I am pissed. And horny. And frustrated.The click to signify his presence sounds, reverberating in the room. I shoot up from the bed as fast as a pregnant woman approaching her third semester can and saunter to the door, swinging my hips. Brandon eyes me from head to toe, the appreciative glint in his gaze is missing but I shrug tha

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and eleven

  Curiosity kills the cat. Satisfaction brings it back. It has to. That is the reason I am in this café, waiting for David after I made the spontaneous decision to see him. I pull my oversized tracksuit over my belly, trying and failing to blend in with the scanty crowd.A wave of nostalgia hits me when someone passes with a tray of fish and chips. I need to call Clarissa. I don't understand how we let life, thesis and coursework pull us apart but we need to meet. Sending her a short text, I roll my lip between my teeth while awaiting her reply. If she replies before David comes, I will cancel our meeting. She comes first.I shouldn't be here.That seems to have become my new mantra and each time, things turn out better than I expect. I hope it's the case today. Taking a swig from the water bottle on the table while I wait for the first person to show up, I try to push the nagging thoughts out of my head.

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and ten

  Seconds of silence pass, when Josh doesn't seem to be leaving, I ask, "Who is Brendan?""Our brother, Brandon's twin." I blink, my head spins from the sudden information and my thoughts crash to a stop when he adds, "He is dead." Josh's smile is pitiful, I don't know when I move to stand beside him. I pat his shoulder. "He died in an accident."Brandon has a twin, a dead twin. It's all I can think while my hand meets Josh's shoulder in an awkward show of comfort. He pries my hand off him with a smile I don't comment on because of how fake it is. I rub my hand against my hip. Brandon has a dead twin.Seeing how shaken I am by the news, Josh pushes me into his seat, I sink gratefully into it. I shouldn't have asked. My husband should have told me himself. "When did he die?""A while ago."I snap. "How long is a while ago?""Five years," he rep

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and nine

  Josh catches up to me before I reach the house, he offers me a smile, I shrug. None of this is his fault. We take a seat by the kitchen window, staring at the trio seated inside the gazebo. From our position here, we can't see their lips moving but I can't help wishing they will start a conversation. Talk to each other even if it ends in a screaming bout."Do you think they will reconcile?"Josh snickers. He hops to the fridge like he pays rent and returns with a huge chunk of cake. The leftover I had saved to munch on later because I can't resist anything sugary and his family didn't let me enjoy it. Fleeting anger surges through me, I close my eyes."Nope. Not a chance," he says. I turn to see him dragging another stool close to me.The poise and gracefulness he was forced to adapt when we were outside vanish when he gobbles the cake. I smile foolishly, this is the Josh I know. Slapping his knee, I mot

• Mr Reluctant Billionaire   One hundred and eight

  The gazebo is deathly quiet and the tension promises to suffocate us. Everything is going well, if you count the curt greetings from Brandon's snobbish parents. Queen Elizabeth doesn't hold a candle to Brandon's mother with her prim and proper manners, wrinkles and white hair cropped short. All she needs is a crown and I'll genuflect before her.Brandon's dad is an older beardless version of him with thinning hair. He is so quiet, the kind of quiet that allows his haughty wife freedom to speak to people as she pleases. A minute after exchanging greetings and I can already tell it was a bad idea to invite them.Seated beside Brandon, muscles tight and frustrated at my lack of release, I drum my fingers on my legs hidden under the table. He didn't have to punish me this way. I am pregnant, he shouldn’t leave me horny. One look at him shows that's the least of his worries.He is as tensed as I am, maybe even more and a wave of gu