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No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 42
Zephyra's POVI put the finishing touches on the interior plan I’m working on and try to keep my mind off the fact Lirael canceled on me this weekend. After all, as I told Freya, this is only meant to be casual. I need to take things as they come instead of investing too much time and effort on trying to figure out what’s going on in his head.Still, disappointment followed me around for the rest of the weekend after he called on Saturday morning and said something had come up. I’d been looking forward to seeing him.I draw one final line on the plan and click print. I’m unpleasantly aware of Jovan lingering on the far side of the room. I can sense his eyes on me, and I’m not sure why. He’s mostly kept his distance since our meeting in his office, apart from when he’s had something work-related to discuss with me.My stomach rumbles and I check the time. It’s well past lunch and I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. I head to the kitchen to get the salad I made this morning, but j
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 43
Lirael's POVI barely stop myself from flinging my phone against the wall. This. This is why I’m not interested in relationships. I tried to do the right thing, and look where it’s gotten me. I shove my chair back and stand, striding to the window and looking out at New York spread below me.Maybe it’s better if she ends it anyway. I’ve got too much going on with work at the moment, and spending so much time with one woman might be a novelty, but that was always going to wear off eventually.So why the hell does my chest feel so fucking tight? The way her voice wavered when she told me I hurt her had sliced right through my ribs and into my heart. When was the last time anything had reached that frozen organ?I brace one hand against the glass and stare down at the streets below. Looking down on everyone from up here normally makes me feel alive. It makes me feel in control. But it’s not working now.I need to get my mind off Zephyra and back where it belongs. As Nathan already hinted
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 44
Zephyra's POV“Are you going to be okay?” Freya asks as I gather my purse and get ready to head out the door. When she returned from work last night, she’d immediately known something was wrong. Probably because my eyes were red from crying. When I explained what had happened, she wrapped me in her arms and told me Lirael was an asshole who didn’t deserve me. Then she ordered in dinner and put on a thriller with absolutely no romance in it, and I managed to turn my mind off for a couple of hours.This morning, I’m prepared—if not exactly ready—to face Lirael and Jovan. The former I probably won’t even see, and the latter, well, I’ll just have to put up with his smugness.“I’m going to be okay. I won’t let a man as self-absorbed as Lirael Wright get me down. I just need to finish this project and then I’ll never have to see him again.”She comes over and gives me a hug. “Good for you. Just keep your head held high and ignore those assholes. You’re worth twice the both of them put toget
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 45
Lirael's POV When I walked past Raphael’s office after my meeting and saw Zephyra leaning over his desk, her ass cupped by her fitted dress, my jaw had clenched so tight I’m surprised the people walking next to me hadn’t heard my teeth grind together. What the fuck was my brother playing at? I’d been clear with him yesterday that he wasn’t to touch her, and the very next day he has her up in his office with her long legs and her tight skirt and her pretty green eyes. As soon as I’d gotten off the phone with him, I’d been out my door and making an excuse to talk to Samson about something, just waiting for her to come down the corridor. I should probably question why I’m acting so irrationally about this when I’ve already decided it’s for the best, but I won’t. If Raphael thinks I’ll let him have Zephyra, he’s sadly mistaken. She follows me into my office, and her sweet sunshine-and-wildflower scent teases me. A vivid image grows in my mind. In it, I turn and press her against the doo
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 46
Zephyra's POVI'm in my pajamas on Friday night, sitting in front of the television with a glass of wine and my tablet on my lap. Freya invited me out with her and her other friends, but I wanted to finish some work, so I declined.It’s been a week since Lirael apologized to me in his office, and we haven’t been together physically since. I’d expected him to ask me back to his penthouse that night, and I was fully prepared to say no. Not only because of my standing dinner date with Freya, but because I just wasn’t ready to jump back into bed with him straight away. He hadn’t asked, though. He’d kissed me at the door to his office, said he hoped Freya and I enjoyed our dinner, then told me he’d see me soon.I was grateful he was giving me some breathing space. But unfortunately, he’s been gone most of the time since then for work. And even though space was what I needed, I’ve had more than enough now. He’s due back late tonight, but we won’t see each other until tomorrow night. I’d be
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 47
Zephyra's POVLirael is pressing kisses down my stomach on his way to giving me a third orgasm when my stomach grumbles loudly. “Oh my god,” I say, throwing my hand over my eyes in embarrassment.He chuckles against my skin—a low rumble that has me looking down at him in surprise. I’m not used to such good humor from him.He meets my gaze, and there’s a sparkle in his eyes that wasn’t there when he picked me up. “Do I need to feed you before I can eat again?”I laugh and prop myself on my elbows. “It couldn’t hurt. What do you have in the house? I could make something for us?”He nuzzles his nose against my stomach. “I don’t cook, so there isn’t really anything. I’ll order something.”I reach down and tug on his hair until he looks up at me. “You don’t have a single thing in that massive fridge of yours?”He crawls up my body and presses his lips to mine, then says, “Some wine, bread, possibly a block or two of cheese. Nothing you can make a decent meal out of.” He sucks a nipple into
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 48
Lirael's POVI wake to something hot pressed against my side. My eyes fly open and immediately find the woman curled up next to me, her mass of dark hair draped over my arm, the rest of it partially covering her face. Her long, dark eyelashes flutter against her cheeks as she dreams.I’m not sure what came over me last night when I asked her to stay. No. That’s not true. I know exactly what I was thinking. I was thinking that I liked that she’d cooked for me. I liked that she’d laughed with me. I really liked what she’d let me do to her afterward. Having her with me after a long fucking week of work had felt good. More than good. I hadn’t wanted that feeling to go away.I hadn’t wanted her to go. And I don’t know what the hell to do with that.I slide myself away from her and out of bed. She makes a little whimper and curls into herself, and I want to crawl right back under the covers, roll her onto her back, and bury my head between her legs. My thoughts are all over the place right
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 49
Lirael's POVI drive Zephyra back to her apartment in my Maclaren so she can get changed. When she comes out dressed in a pretty blue sundress and high-heeled sandals, my fingers itch to slide the silky material up her thighs and sink into her. I’d love to take her back to my penthouse and spend all day in bed with her rather than go to this lunch, but appearances are all-important and our monthly family lunch must be maintained—a sign of our solidarity. It’s even more important after what Dad did.I start the engine, pull into traffic, and head toward my family’s estate in Westchester County.We drive in silence for a few minutes, the scenery outside the car window changing from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to leafy suburbs.Zephyra breaks the silence. “Will your brothers wonder why I’m there?” I glance at her, taking in the furrow between her brows. Considering I’d surprised myself when I invited her, I’ve no doubt my family will be shocked, but the last thing I want to do is make h
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No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 79
Zephyra's POVLirael continues, unperturbed. "Your company has been facing difficulties for a while now—mismanagement, apparently. Your shares are at the lowest price they've been for a decade. I saw you come in, and I decided now was the right time to make the call. So no, you don't have some investments for me. You are an investment. And unfortunately for you, as of," Lirael checks his watch, "ten minutes ago, you're no longer CEO of Apex Industries. My brothers and I will appoint one of our own people to take over first thing tomorrow."My father stares at Lirael, shock and disbelief warring on his features. "Y-You can't be serious. That's... That's preposterous."Lirael turns his back on him, dismissing the conversation with a curt statement. "Are we all done, ladies?" Mom stands up gracefully, and I follow suit, mirroring her movement. "Yes, thank you, Lirael," she says with genuine appreciation. "The meal was absolutely delicious."Lirael responds with a smile that lights up hi
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 78
Zephyra's POVMom reaches over the table and squeezes my hand, a gentle smile playing on her lips. I could get used to this, I think to myself, the warmth of her touch a comforting reassurance in the midst of the elegant ambiance surrounding us.I take a moment to look around the restaurant where we're dining tonight. It's opulent, even by Lirael's high standards. While he and I frequent such upscale establishments often, we've also developed a penchant for cooking together at home. Surprisingly, Lirael has proven to be quite the adept home chef. Our late-night grilled cheese sandwiches remain a favorite indulgence.Yet, tonight marks a special occasion—it's Mom's birthday. Lirael's thoughtful gesture of sending his private jet to whisk her away to New York for the weekend speaks volumes about his generosity. The fact that we're hosting her in one of Lirael's luxurious hotel suites, with all expenses covered, adds an extra layer of appreciation for the privacy and comfort we can offer
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 77
Lirael's POVHer hand reaches out, coming to rest on my chest, right over my wildly beating heart. The warmth of her touch seeps through me, comforting and electrifying all at once. "And I really, really like what I see," she confesses, her eyes locking with mine in a moment of shared vulnerability.Relief floods through me, a weight lifting off my shoulders as her words sink in. Without hesitation, I take a step closer to her, my hand instinctively finding its way into her soft hair, fingers curling around the back of her neck as I pull her gently toward me. The closeness between us feels natural, inevitable, as if we've been dancing around this moment for far too long."I like what I see too," I murmur, my voice low and intimate, filled with unspoken promises and desires."Is that so?" Her voice is a breathless whisper, anticipation hanging in the air between us.I nod, a smile playing on my lips. "Yes, it is. In fact, I don't just like what I see," I confess, my gaze never leaving
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 76
Lirael's POV "Of course," I reply without hesitation, a hint of hurt tugging at my words. Didn't she believe me when I assured her that I wasn't going anywhere? "And you're helping Mom plant beets?" Zephyra inquires, her gaze flickering to the spade in my hand. I glance down at my fingers wrapped around the tool. "It would seem so," I confirm with a faint smile. Zephyra descends the steps towards us, and the sight of her approaching leaves me momentarily breathless. The way she moves, the way the sunlight catches her hair, it's all so mesmerizing. "Zephyra, do you mind finishing this off while I get dinner started?" Beth interjects, her tone carrying a hint of mischief as she exchanges a knowing look with me. My lips quirk up in response to Beth's subtle gesture, understanding the unspoken message. Zephyra stands gracefully, brushing the dirt off her knees, and takes the trowel from Beth, settling down next to me.The air is filled with the sweet scent of sunshine and wildflowers
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 75
Lirael's POVI pull up outside Zephyra's mom's house and shift the car into park. The decision to rent a vehicle instead of relying on a driver feels like a small step toward independence, a gesture of my commitment to staying here for the foreseeable future. The sunset paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting warm beams of light through the car window as I sit and contemplate my next moves.Recalibration is necessary. The impulse to buy things for Zephyra's mom, while well-intentioned, feels like a misstep now. She doesn't need my money; she needs genuine connection and support. It strikes me that perhaps my efforts to provide material comfort were more about easing my own guilt than truly helping. Zephyra, given time and opportunity, will undoubtedly be able to provide for her mom in ways I can't.Yet, despite this realization, I haven't formulated another plan. Every idea I entertain seems to circle back to money, a reminder of the limitations of my solutions. For now, al
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 74
Zephyra's POVHis eyes darken slightly, a mix of frustration and longing evident in his gaze. "Because it's the only thing I can offer you—the only thing I can give you that you need," he admits, his voice tinged with desperation.I meet his gaze, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me as I shake my head slowly. "No, Lirael. It's not. I don't need your money or what it can buy me. A relationship isn't supposed to be transactional like that. It's about being with someone because you can't imagine not being with them. It's about sharing your heart and soul with someone, knowing they see you for who you really are, that they understand you in a way no one else can."His jaw tightens as he absorbs my words, a silent acknowledgment of the truth in them. "Okay," he finally responds, his tone subdued yet accepting.I'm taken aback by his unexpected acquiescence. "Okay?" I repeat, searching his eyes for any hint of defiance or argument.He nods, taking a step closer and gently brushing a stra
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 73
Zephyra's POVThe next evening, I return home after my jog, my feet stuttering to a halt as I pull out my earphones, my mind racing with questions about the unfamiliar car in the driveway. What the hell? My first thought is that Lirael's back, having driven himself this time, but I know that's not it. The shiny red car is brand new, untouched by the usual signs of a journey. It's almost surreal, like a prop dropped into a scene.I walk up the path, each step heavy with curiosity and apprehension, and let myself into the house. There he is, sitting on the couch just as he was yesterday, his dark head a stark contrast to the muted colors of the living room. Mom sits opposite him, her demeanor calm as she sips her tea.Taking a moment to compose myself, I drop my keys on the sideboard with a clatter, drawing their attention. "Please tell me that's your car outside," I say, my voice a mix of surprise and disbelief, directed at Lirael.He stands immediately, his deep blue eyes raking over
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 72
Zephyra's POVI parked Mom's battered old car in the driveway, the familiar creak of its doors bringing back childhood memories. Gathering the groceries from the back seat, I carried them up the path to the house. Before I can put the key in the lock, the door swings open, revealing Mom's warm smile."Hey, Mom," I greet her, my own smile fading as I notice the serious expression on her face. "I got all the ingredients you wanted, and I picked up some ice cream for dessert. Do you..." I trail off, sensing something amiss.She reaches to take the bags from my hands, her touch gentle yet firm. "Lirael's here," she says quietly.My heart almost stops at the mention of his name. "What?" I manage to utter, disbelief and a tinge of panic creeping into my voice."Yeah, he's here," Mom confirms. "But it's up to you if he stays."I throttle the feeling of betrayal that swells in my chest. Mom wouldn't have let him in if he hadn't given her a good enough reason. I just don't have a clue what tha
No Escaping the Billionaire's Desire 71
Lirael's POV The driver pulls up, and I sit there for a moment, absorbing the nostalgic aura emanating from Zephyra's childhood home. Despite its modest size, the front yard boasts meticulous landscaping, with a delightful array of flowers and shrubs thoughtfully arranged in beds encircling the welcoming front porch. It's a curious feeling. While I struggle to visualize myself growing up in such surroundings, I can easily conjure images of a young Zephyra, carefree and radiant, darting through the sprinklers on sweltering summer afternoons. I can envision her kneeling alongside her mother, their hands digging into the soil as they lovingly planted flowers together, or lending a hand to carry groceries up the familiar porch steps. These seemingly mundane moments, ones that Zephyra may have taken for granted in her youth, are now treasures I yearn to have experienced firsthand. Perhaps then, understanding how to be present for her and fulfill her needs would come more naturally to me.
