All Chapters of Billionaire's Reluctant Girl: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

VIVIAN SCOTTAs I drove away from Alice’s apartment, my grip on the steering wheel tightened, frustration rolling through me like a storm. There was such a stark disconnect between the way her body reacted to me—soft, pliant, and inviting—and the words she used to push me away.She said she didn’t repeat one-night stands, yet every touch, every glance, every tremble in her voice told me otherwise. She wanted me, but she was scared and guarded. I could feel it in the way she hesitated, in the way her eyes betrayed her when she looked at me. It wasn’t rejection; it was her own battle.I sighed, running a hand through my hair as the city lights blurred past. I didn’t want to overwhelm her, not when she was fighting her own emotions. Letting things settle for a few days might be the best way forward, give her time to sort out whatever was holding her back.The thought of leaving her alone frustrated me, but I knew it was necessary. If I pushed too hard, I’d lose her—and the truth was, I w

VIVIAN SCOTTLeaning back in my chair, I watched the door Alice had just exited. The faint blush on her cheeks and the fire in her eyes replayed in my mind. She was a mix of boldness and vulnerability that fascinated me more than I cared to admit.Her curiosity about Serena hadn’t gone unnoticed. That flicker of jealousy—however fleeting—was intriguing. It wasn’t just the competitive edge I saw in her; it was something personal as if the walls she so carefully kept around herself had slipped for a brief moment.I reached for my coffee mug, letting my thoughts wander to her earlier defiance. It was different from the calculated interactions I usually had. With Alice, there was unpredictability, and that made her stand out. But beneath her bold façade, I sensed hesitation—the fear of letting anyone in.That hesitation was my challenge.I swirled the coffee in my mug, a slow smile spreading across my face. If Alice needed a reason to let her guard down, I’d give her one.Reaching for my

ALICE RILEYThe car rolled to a stop in the well-lit parking lot of a shopping mall, its sleek glass facade gleaming under the overhead lights. I glanced at Vivian, my brows furrowing slightly.“Why are we stopping here?” I asked, though I already had a guess.He turned off the engine and looked at me, a small, mischievous smile tugging at his lips. “You said you didn’t pack anything. This is where we fix that.”I blinked at him, caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. “You can’t be serious. It’s nearly midnight.”“I’m always serious,” he replied smoothly, already stepping out of the car. Before I could argue, he was on my side, opening my door like it was second nature.Reluctantly, I climbed out, the cool night air brushing against my skin. “You could’ve warned me,” I muttered.“And miss your reaction?” He chuckled, shutting the car door. “Come on. I’ll even carry the bags.”I shot him a skeptical look but followed him inside.The mall was quieter at this hour, with the us

ALICE RILEYThe morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. I stretched, my body still feeling sore from last night’s intimacy. My muscles felt tender, my skin still tingling from where his hands had roamed, his touch seared into my memory.The air carried the faint scent of him—an intoxicating mix of his cologne and the warmth of his skin. It was a scent I hadn’t realized I’d begun to associate with comfort. As I shifted, the sheets, soft against my bare skin, reminded me of how completely I’d given myself to him.Vivian was already up, standing by the window, wearing only a pair of shorts that hung low on his hips. His bare chest was bathed in the morning sun, each defined line of his torso catching the golden light. In one hand, he held a steaming cup of coffee, bringing it to his lips for slow, measured sips as his gaze lingered on the view outside.I simply watched him for a moment. There was something about the way he moved, the confidence wi

ALICE RILEYSilence took over the space between us as we sped away from the resort. The evening sky was darkening, and the soft glow of headlights illuminated the empty road ahead. I sat quietly in the passenger seat, sneaking glances at Vivian. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by something I hadn’t seen in him before—worry, perhaps even frustration. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, and his gaze was fixed on the road, his jaw clenched.It was strange to see him like this. Vivian was always in control, always so composed. Now, he looked like a man carrying the weight of something heavier than he wanted to admit.“Vivian,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “Are you okay?”He didn’t respond immediately, as if debating whether to answer or brush it off.Finally, he sighed, his voice quieter than usual. “I’m fine.”Fine. The word was unconvincing, and I could tell there was more beneath the surface. His eyes didn’t leave the road, but there was a flicker of something—