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#Chapter 14: Beauty and Pain
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 15: Good Vibrations
AlmaraArthur had insisted on escorting me to the gallery so there I was, in a limo, again. I had never been in one my whole life and now it had been three times in less than a week. What had my life become?Arthur vacantly stared out the window, hands folded casually across his lap. I couldn’t help but watch him from my peripheral. As an alpha, he was so strong. He had to be, but I couldn’t help but wonder how much of that was an act.My sneaky studying was cut short when Athur’s phone started vibrating. I glanced down at it. Sofia’s name flashed across the screen and I raised my eyebrows. Arthur hadn’t mentioned once that she had contacted him since she departed the cruise shipIt rang and rang, but Arthur never moved. He didn’t even give the slightest hint that he knew that Sofia had called. Maybe he was too lost in thought?“Um…Sofia just called you,” I said, breaking what had been a comfortable silence.“I’m aware. I just don’t care. However, I do know that since I didn’t answer,
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 16: Difficult Assignments
The art gallery was smaller than I thought it would be, but that just meant it was more intimate, more exclusive. Only the best of the best would be displayed here and the pressure I felt threatened to overwhelm me. Why did Arthur think I could do this?He squeezed my hand as if he could sense my inner turmoil and I squared my shoulders in resolve. I had at least one person’s support and an alpha’s at that. That had to count for something right.Arthur led me through the revolving doors and I was greeted by a woman with short, flaming red hair. Her dark navy blue suit and bright hair contrasted with the white walls of the gallery. Even the warm smile she gave stood out.She held out her hand and I took it hesitantly. “Hello! My name is Molly. I’m the owner of the gallery and a long time friend of Arthur’s. You must be Almara. It’s a pleasure to meet you and I can’t wait to start working with you.”Everything about her radiated kindness and I could feel myself smiling back at her. “Yes
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 17: Unfamiliar Territory
Before I left the gallery on my assignment, Molly had given me a deadline. I had a week to get Noah Cunningham to agree to an exhibit. If I didn’t, I had no doubt that she would use my failure as an excuse to fire me, even if it would make Arthur unhappy.Since I didn’t have a car of my own, I had to take the bus to get to Cunningham’s estate. It took way longer than expected and I worried how Arthur would react if I came home so late. It’s not that he had given me a curfew or anything, but still…If he’s angry, tell him to buy you a car. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t already, Lily suggested and I balked. I could never make such a demand from him. That would be too much considering all he had done already.You’re potentially having his baby. No demand is too much, Lily argued, but I ignored her, focusing instead on the large house that was looming over me. The gothic architecture made it stand out. None of the other houses in the area looked anything like this.With my pulse rising
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 18: Starshinee
The smell of alcohol nearly overwhelmed me and I just barely managed to keep myself from coughing. Arthur sat at his desk, nursing a glass of whiskey. He watched me enter quietly.I carefully walked toward him, not sure if any sudden movement would upset him. But he remained in his seat, just watching me. There was no hint of ire in his expression.“Arthur, are you okay?” I whispered, knowing he would hear me. When I reached his desk, I stayed on the other side. If he did decide to come at me, I had room to defend myself.“Are you worried about me, little wolf?” he asked, his words only slightly slurring.“Of course I’m worried about you. Anyone would be,” I answer gently and he chuckles to himself, but not like he finds anything funny about what I said.“Not everyone. My father wouldn’t be,” he mutters darkly and I cock my head at him. Had something happened with his dad while I was away?“Are you drinking because of something he did?” I asked, starting to relax a bit more. I didn’t
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 19: Noah Cunningham
NoahThat woman is here again. The one that paints. She has been unnervingly persistent in the pursuit of Noah’s acceptance of the invitation that Molly Whitmore is once again trying to shove down his throat.It had been three days since the first time she came and every day was the same. She would ring the doorbell. Noah would ignore her. Then she would set up her art supplies like the yard belonged to her and paint the day away.At first it had been rather annoying. She’d mistaken him as a female and he was most certainly not a female. But try as he might, he could not stop watching her. And it was on the third day that his curiosity got the better of him.He’d left his house about thirty minutes before she was due to arrive. He had put on a cap and glasses to cover his features. If she wasn’t expecting him, then his eager disguise should work. Much like Clark Kent.When he had watched her paint for about 10 minutes, he meandered over to her, playing the part of a curious passerby.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 20: Mutual Pleasure
I scurried away, heading straight to the dresser where I knew they had stocked the lingerie. I pulled out a cherry red gauze teddy with matching lace thong. This should do the trick.I took a quick shower to rinse off any stray paint and put on the lingerie. I could hear Arthur moving around in the bedroom and the butterflies in my stomach took flight. I was suddenly nervous, but not in a bad way.I opened the door to find Arthur already in the bed, the lights dimmed. It gave the room a romantic golden glow. Arthur’s eyes roved over my body appreciatively that made things lower than my stomach clench.Arthur took in a deep breath and his pupils dilated. A shiver went through my body as I crawled on the bed toward him.“You look beautiful,” he growled and my face flushed. I’m sure he was just saying it because I was an ugly duckling next to Sofia, but the compliment still made my heart flutter.“Come here,” he demanded and I settled on top of him, my knees on either side of his waist.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 21: Caught in the Middle
Despite the argument Arthur and I had this morning, I was very excited for what the day would bring. It’s not every day that you get to work with one of your heroes. And that’s exactly what Noah Cunningham was to me.I had spent hours trying to recreate his work. There was just something about his paintings that drew me in. I was hoping that as his assistant, I would learn a thing or two from him.Arthur had insisted on driving me to Noah’s house today. I had told him he didn’t have to, but he’d shut me down fast. He was a man who was used to getting what he wanted and I didn’t want to stir up trouble after last night.A blush spread across my face as I thought of last night. Arthur raised an eyebrow at me, a knowing smirk turning up the corners of his lips. Sometimes I hated being a wolf. It wasn’t fair that everyone knew when I was turned on.“Just say the word, little wolf, and I’ll give you what you want,” Arthur whispered and I shushed him, covering my hands with my face. Was he
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 22: A Shocking Admission
AlmaraA week had already gone by as Noah’s assistant. Even though the first day had brought such a thick tension that I could have cut it with a knife, both men had been behaving rather nicely when they saw each other in the morning.Arthur always made a show of kissing me goodbye though. Noah took it all in stride, never once acting jealous which meant Lily had been wrong about him. I wondered if maybe he just liked riling people up for fun.While I was with Noah in the mornings, the afternoons were reserved for the gallery. There was much work to be done there to prepare for Noah’s exhibit. Sometimes he would accompany me to oversee the work, other times he trusted me enough with his vision to do it by myself.With Noah’s vote of confidence, my own confidence grew. He made me feel safe and secure enough to ask questions when I was unsure of things. Whenever I got his seal of approval on something, my heart fluttered in my chest. I didn’t know if it was because he was my hero or oth
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The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 249: The End of an Era
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 248: Home Repairs
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 247: Family Time
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 246: Reunited
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 245: Finally Over
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 244: In Hiding
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 243: Lead the Way
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 242: Surprise Attack!
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&
