All Chapters of Caught by the Billionaire: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

With a groan, Alex closed the distance between us, his hand cradling the back of my neck as he claimed my mouth in a kiss that stole my breath. His other hand slid down my back, gripping my waist and pulling me against him, the warmth of his body setting me on fire.Our kiss grew more desperate, tongues tangling, teeth clashing, as we sought to devour each other. His hands roamed my body, his fingers tracing the line of my dress, finding the zipper, and tugging it down with a rough urgency. The fabric fell away, pooling around my feet, leaving me exposed in just my black lingerie.He stepped back, his eyes raking over me, the hunger in them making me tremble. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "So innocent."I reached for him, my hands fumbling with his shirt buttons. "I'm not innocent," I whispered, my voice a challenge. "Not anymore."With a growl, Alex picked me up, carrying me to the desk. He set me down, his hands moving to the clasp of my bra, releasing it wit

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. Alex's fiancée was Hartwell's daughter. The man we were trying to bring down had his claws in Alex in ways I never could have imagined."You son of a bitch," Alex growled, stepping towards Marcus.Marcus held up his hands. "Just pointing out the facts," he said, his voice smug.The rage in Alex's eyes was terrifying."You're engaged to Hartwell's daughter," I repeated, feeling the weight of the words sink in. "This is why you can't touch me, why you won't let us be together."Alex's jaw was clenched tight, his hands balled into fists at his sides. "It's a prison," he said through gritted teeth."None of it matters, Alex. What ever might have been starting between us, is over." With that I turned and made my way back into the mansion.The house was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the cacophony of emotions rushing through my head. As I walked through the hallways, each step felt heavier than the last.I made my way to my room, needing spa

After Hartwell's threatening words lingered in the air, I couldn't bear the VIP section's stifling atmosphere any longer. I pushed through the velvet curtains, needing the chaos of the main club to clear my head. My heart was racing, and my thoughts were a jumbled mess. As I weaved through the crowd, the strobe lights flickered, revealing snippets of scenes that played out like a twisted reality show.I'd been mistaken in thinking the main area was what I needed, and moving through the crowd like a wraith, I slipped into another hallway. Tucking my head, I began making my way down it when I stilled. Alex's voice, muffled yet unmistakable, came from within a room I hadn't noticed before. Curiosity and dread warred within me as I approached the closed door. The muffled sounds grew clearer with each step, until I could make out the unmistakable sounds of pleasure.My hand hovered over the knob, my breath hitching. I knew I shouldn't, but I had to see. I had to know. Slowly, I pushed the

The next few days were a whirlwind of job hunting and apartment searching. New Orleans had a way of swallowing you whole, but I was determined to find my place within its vibrant tapestry. The French Quarter's cobblestone streets had become my playground, each twist and turn revealing a new opportunity.One evening, as I was leaving a job interview, I felt a hand on my arm. I spun around, expecting Alex or one of Hartwell's men, but instead, I was met with the smiling face of a young woman with auburn hair."You're Elysia, right?" she said, her eyes sparkling with recognition. "Hi, I'm Lila. I work at the bookstore. I saw you looking at the book on the Quarter's history."I nodded warily, unsure if she had followed me. "Yes, I'm Elysia. How did you find me?""Oh, it's a small town," she said with a wink. "Everyone knows everyone's business. Plus, you looked like you needed a friend."Her candidness was surprising, but there was something about her that felt genuine. I found myself smi

I returned to the hotel, where I repacked my few belongings. Afterward, picking up Mac's cage, I spared a small glance around the room. In a way, I felt I was betraying the dingy hotel room, for it had provided me shelter when I'd needed it. But the thought of the apartment above the bookstore, washed away the sentimentality.Thankfully the bookstore wasn't far from the hotel, and it didn't take me long to reach it.Lila looked up from the counter as I entered the bookstore, a smile on her lips. "I see you got the place."I nodded, holding up the keys. "Thanks.""No problem," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just glad I could help."With a smile and a wave, I made my way up the stairs, Mac's cage banging against my leg with each step. When I reached the top, I crossed the short distance between the stairs and the door to the apartment. Afterward, unlocking the door, I pushed it open.As I stepped through the threshold, I was immediately met with the scent of Blue Fern and Citrus