“I want to kiss you.” He stroked my neck slowly. “You are playing with fire,” I breathed.“Burn me,” he whispered.***The Malta elite society never interacts with the lower class. This did not stop art curator Wade Malkiel from falling in love at first sight with Vaughn Everette, the mayor’s son. But things did not go as planned, and Vaughn rejected Wade, so he vowed never to trust anyone and closed his heart to the feeling of love. He left Malta for Italy where he spent ten years until the ultimate demise of his godfather forced him to return home to Malta.His return to Malta catches everyone off-guard especially now that he is no longer the poor boy but a rich man whose investments span the entire elite society businesses.Will Wade be able to open his heart again to Vaughn after the heartbreak that ended in him leaving Malta? The Art Collector and His Billionaire Lover is created by Anna Baibe, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.
View MoreWADE'S POV A week later, Uncle Malkiel rushed to my office and said, "Sam Bexley has been arrested." I stood up and smiled. "Finally." He took the remote from my desk and switched on the TV. The headlines read 'BEXLEY ARRESTED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING'. There was a picture of Sam in handcuffs at a warehouse near the port. "They finally got him. I bet the pressure we put on the police helped." "The police commissioner is also under pressure. He will be resigning soon, taking into account how many bribes he took from Sam Bexley," Uncle Malkiel informed me. "We need to clean out every one of his cartels. That way we can have development in Valletta. I am glad this happened a day before the elections. It means we are headed for a landslide win.""The media has already predicted the win," Uncle Malkiel laughed. Later that night at the dinner table, Pa stood up and said, "I am so glad to have this family together. If it weren't for Vaughn and Wade, I would not have you all here. I
VAUGHN'S POVGetting home and taking a shower, I was deadbeat tired. The whole campaign and work combined were taking a toll on me. I never had time to spend together with Wade and I knew he was just being patient. I took my phone and sent him a text. 'Hurry home, Daddy.' Just to tease him and let him know that I had missed him. An hour later, there was no response to the text. I pouted and went downstairs to have a glass of wine with Pa. When I got to the kitchen, I found a worried Pa whispering something with Uncle Malkiel and Auden. I stood at the entrance and asked, "What did I miss?"They all jumped aside and when they turned to look in my direction, I immediately knew that something was wrong. "What is wrong?" I asked in a hushed voice. I felt fear gnaw in my body and my heart started beating so fast. They all looked away and then I raised my voice at them, "Someone tell me what is wrong." I knew that something bad must have happened. Elaine and Gideon came rushing
We arrived late at the Everette Hotel five minutes before the announcement. Uncle Malkiel and Auden smirked at us as Gideon's hearty laughter broke the ice. "How can you two be late for the announcement," Pa scolded. "We are sorry Pa," Vaughn supplied. "I warned you about drinking," I complained. Elaine shook her head. "Excuses, excuses. The media is here, so let us start." Within minutes, we all walked into the room full of journalists and cameramen. Mayor Everette was the first to take the podium as she greeted everyone. The room was also full of the campaign team and newly recruited party members. "I am proud to stand here today in front of the people of Valletta who put me in this office. It's with great enthusiasm that I declare my candidacy for the Senatorial seat." There were great cheers from the crowd. "I have served my tenure as the mayor and hope to continue serving you and developing Valletta. I know most of you will wonder why I am running on an independent
Driving like a madman through the streets of Malta, I kissed Vaughn's hand knowing well he had seduced me silly. I was rushing home to have my way with him. Vaughn laughed throughout the ride as his eyes sparkled with excitement. "You had better feign tiredness when we get to the villa. No chit-chat with anyone. We head straight to bed," I grunted."Wade, we need to eat. I'm hungry," Vaughn grinned. "Food later. I need to state my desires first," I admitted. "You are a b*stard, Wade," Vaughn laughed."Yet you love me," I stated. "You are right. I do love you," Vaughn acknowledged."How am I supposed to act normal when you say such statements," I mumbled as we entered the villa. Pa must have heard the car roaring in as he came rushing out as soon we got out of the car. Vaughn laughed and then warned, "Behave, Wade." He then embraced Pa as he loudly announced, "I missed you, Pa." Pa laughed and then pulled him into the house as I remained standing at the entrance willing m
The judge in charge of the case and the lawyers for Sam Bexley called for a private mediation session at the courthouse. We arrived at the stipulated time accompanied by Mayor Beth and Uncle Malkiel. Vaughn seemed distant and I held his hand to encourage him to put up a fight. The judge welcomed all of us as we sat opposite each other. Vera Bexley looked tired as her baby bump was now showing. My eyes blazed as she smirked at me, and Vaughn pressed his hand into mine to calm me down. "I would like to welcome you all for this mediation session. Both parties are here because Sam Bexley requested for it to be a closed private session. I will let them have the first go and then the Everettes will follow suit."We all nodded and then Sam Bexley's lawyers started the narration of how Vera made the mistake of kidnapping Vaughn and now that she was pregnant with his child, they hope we can mediate amicably. We all remained composed and silent until he finished his narration.Uncle Malk
WADE'S POVDisconnecting the call from Vaughn, I rushed to Uncle Malkiel's office. He took one look at me and said, "Don't tell me there is more trouble.""I suspect Sam Bexley has instigated the Everette hotel board members. They called for an urgent meeting to confirm if Vaughn plans to sell the hotel to me. I think that it's just a ruse since he wants to buy back the shares." "He is a true snake. Slithering all over the place," Uncle Malkiel."Do you think it's wise to transfer all my shares to Vaughn?" I asked."Not until we get the paternity test," Uncle Malkiel warned. "I want to squash him like a bug," I seethed."You will, don't be hasty," Uncle Malkiel advised."Fine, fine. I know you are being cautious. Thank you, Uncle." "Mhm. The new order from Venice has come in. We shall be busy. And your Pa is being secretive. I have not seen any of these three new paintings.""Ha-ha, that old man. But I'm sure he will wow us," I responded. Leaving Uncle Malkiel's office
"Vaughn, I am leaving for work. I will come home early, okay?" I nodded as I felt Wade's kiss on my forehead and pulled the duvet over my body. I was still sleepy and hummed as I heard the door of the room close.Hours later, I woke up, showered, and went down for breakfast. As usual, Eli was always extra when it came to taking care of the family with food. I found the maids had set my breakfast aside. I switched on my phone and messages came in, one after the other. I went to Vera Bexley's number, blocked it, and deleted all the messages. I was not ready to deal with a nuisance like her.I had breakfast while catching up on emails and messages. Elaine and Auden already sent the morning meeting notes. I smiled at how the family was efficient. Uncle Malkiel notified me that the medical team from Milan had arrived. I was up to date on everything that was going on.After breakfast, I settled into the garden and started planning for the Hotel merger. I researched the expansion to Go
VAUGHN'S POVI grinned as Wade went into the bathroom to shower. I walked into the closet and placed his clothes by the seat and then picked up his dirty ones and put them in the laundry basket. His temper had simmered, and it comforted me that he would not let anything come between us. It was the assurance that I needed after I lay on the bed calmly, deep in thought. I was glad when he walked into the bedroom. "What are you smiling about?" Wade walked into the room shirtless rubbing a towel on his hair to dry it. I blushed. "I remember placing a clean shirt on the seat."He winked at me. "Share your thoughts." He sat down on the bed."Part of my worry and concerns are you. I don't want anything to come between us," I confessed to Wade.He nodded and placed the towel on the bed beside him. "And the other part?" "Ma and Secretary Gavino's campaign. I know that Sam is using this tactic to delay us. And it seems he knows how much I value family. Which is why he played with my
*Three months later*We were all busy with preparations. Elaine and Auden had already come up with the campaign strategy while Damien, Secretary Gavino, and Uncle Malkiel created the five-year plan for the party. Pa hosted ministers and the Malta Elite Society dignitaries at the museum or at the Everette hotels as the party chairman.As we planned to work on the merger with the Milan Crown Jewel Plaza Hotel, Elaine embarked on a branding plan. Gideon joined Vaughn in the hotel as the vice president. We were all busy during the week, but never failed to have time for the family on Sunday with lunch and dinner. It was on Thursday afternoon when the police called Vaughn Everett to inform him that Vera Bexley was at the police station. She voluntarily surrendered herself when she arrived in the country. Uncle Malkiel and I joined Vaughn as we headed to the police precinct. We arrived and the commissioner's smirk was enough to make Uncle Malkiel murmur, "I have a bad feeling about thi
WADE'S POV"Pa!" I yelled from the garage. "We are leaving." It was my first day at work. The Malta museum and art gallery location offices were located an hour away in the capital city of Valletta. My cousin, Auden Malkiel, rushed and got into the beat-up truck, reversing from the garage as I impatiently waited for my father.Pa rushed down the stairs with a food container in his hand and handed it over. "Here is your breakfast. I want to make sure you have something to eat. Being a curator can be intense. Especially the long hours of training. I am thankful you got this job." "Yes, Pa." I had heard this speech for the past few days. But Pa was right. I was thankful for the job and hoped to make enough money to start my own art business. "Wade. You need this job. Reign your temper in from now on and be obedient. I know your feelings and stance toward the elite society, but a man must provide for the family and have his own money," he pressed. "Yes, Pa. I promise to be on my
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