A billionaire’s kiss

I woke up startled, the alarm ringing on the night stand. Groaning loudly, I took the alarm and threw it across the room, breaking it into pieces.

Then went back to sleeping in my soft bed. Soft? When did I have a soft bed? In puzzlement I jerked my eyes wide open and looked around, frowning at my unfamiliar surrounding.

Did I get kidnapped last night?

Slowly, I pulled the covers away and stood on my feet, stretching my toes on the cold tile. Then I jumped up in shock as a knock sounded on the door.

“Get ready. We’re leaving in 30 minutes”

I blinked. Who’s that? The voice was very familiar but I couldn’t put a name to it. So I strode to the door and opened it.

On the other side stood Ian Kingston, dressed in a black suit, tapping on his phone.

I gasped. “What are you doing here?”

Ian glanced up and frowned. “I live here”

“What-” I looked around, noticing there was absolutely nothing that could resemble Lexi’s apartment. Fuck!

“I’m still in your house?”

Ian nodded.

“Why?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“You slept on the pool bench and I didn’t want to wake you up”

“That’s nonsense. You should have woken me-” I stopped and narrowed my eyes. “If I slept on the pool bench how come I’m here?” I said gesturing to the bed.

Ian smiled. “I carried you sweetheart. Now get ready. We’re gonna be late”

“For what?” I shrieked.

“For the workshop. Our flight is at 4” He tapped on his watch. “and also pack your clothes from that garbage bag” He pointed to the bag at the corner of the room, in which I had stuffed my clothes earlier.

“Hurry up”

“Wait-” But he was gone.

Still in confusion, I managed to take a shower in a jaw dropping luxurious bathroom and got dressed into black pants and a light pink chiffon top.

I packed my clothes into a suitcase that I found inside the walk in wardrobe and a man in black suit came and took it downstairs, asking me to follow him.

I did as he told and wearily reached the Prescott’s parking lot, which had the most expensive cars in all of New York. My eyes were still trying to flutter close as I was too sleepily to get a good grasp of my surroundings so I paid a little less attention to things that doesn’t concern me. Like the cars here which I would die to see under normal circumstances.

The man loaded my luggage to the trunk and asked me to get in the car.

“Don’t kidnap me” I yawned.

“Miss Evans please get in the car”

“You don’t have to cover my eyes. I don’t remember roads” I yawned again.

“Miss Evans-”

“Hailey. Get in the car” I spun around as I heard a deep voice behind me. It was Ian Kingston, striding towards the car with Daniel beside him.

He walked past me and opened the car door. “Get in”

I scowled. “Stop ordering me”

“Get in please”

“Asshole” I muttered and stomped over to the car, climbing onto the backseat. Ian closed the door and walked around, getting into the car from the other side.

After Daniel sat on the passenger seat the man in black suit who was also the driver drove us out of the parking.

“So” I glanced at Ian but he was tapping on his phone. Right. “When’s this gonna stop?”

“When we reach the airport”

My brows creased, not understanding what he meant and when I did, I rolled my eyes. “Not the car. My gosh!” I groaned. “I meant us”

“I already gave you the answer numerous times” He said while still tapping on his phone.

“Why?” I turned to him, leaning my back against the car door. “Why me? Can’t you pay someone to be your fiance?”

“I don’t want to pay someone for the rest of my life”

Today’s reminder; Search the telephone numbers of mental institutions, ASAP.

“Why is it ’till death do us apart’ instead of just 6 months or 1 year?”

Ian tucked his phone inside his coat pocket and glanced at me with a really look. “You should stop reading those types of books Hailey”

“Answer me”

Ian stared at me for a while and then signed. “Fine” He said in defeat and leaned back in his seat to a comfortable position with his hands folded across his chest. “Well it’s ‘death do us apart’ because my parents aren’t going to stop forcing me to marry Melissa in just 6 months or 1 year. So I needed a permanent solution”

“And that’s me?”

“Yes”

I threw my hands up. “Why me?” You could have chosen someone you love to do this”

“I don’t do love”

I rolled my eyes heavenward. “Why does every fictional type men say that?” I shook my head in dismay. “Fine. Then tell me this” I turned serious. “Why didn’t you choose one of your ex girlfriends who you like to you know, reconcile with?”

“I don’t have any ex girlfriends Hailey”

I scoffed. “That is absurd. You must have dated at least once”

“No”

“What do you mean no? Who’s your first kiss?”

“You”

“You should have asked her to-” I suddenly came to an abrupt stop and glanced up at Ian. “Wait” My brows knitted. “Did you just say that I’m your first kiss?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes” Ian rolled his eyes, not liking the direction where this conversation was headed to.

“Are you serious?” I asked with my mouth hanging wide open.

“If I’m your first kiss-” I was still in shock. “does that mean you’re a virgin?”

“Are you mocking me, Miss Evans?”

“Oh no” I shook my head. “I’m just uhh just-” I searched for words. “astonished”

“Why?” Ian raised a brow.

“You’re 29 and also handsome and rich”

At that, Ian’s lips curled into a smile. “Thanks for the compliment anyways-” Asshole. “What about you Miss Evans? You’re 26 and haven’t had a boyfriend since college”

My jaw went slack. “How do you know that? And that-that’s because I’ve been saving up. I don’t have money to waste on dates”

“Exactly. Just like you I also have a reason”

“Which is, if I may ask?”

“I hate people” Ian stated firmly.

I blinked. “That’s it? You don’t date because you hate people?”

Ian sighed and looked straight ahead. “I find everyone who’s interested in having a relationship with me as clingy, bothersome people. And the last thing I need is a distraction from my work”

I wrinkled my nose “So how’s me being your fiance won’t be a distraction to you?”

Ian pursed his lips and pondered for a while. “That day I caught you at the elevator, I checked your work records. You never take a leave, you never miss a chance to work overtime, you try to get every bonus as possible. You’re a workaholic just like me” Ian turned his head and winked playfully. “Who says only opposites attract?” He grinned and I lost it.

Calm down Hailey calm down.

“Wow” I took a deep breath, still trying to control my temper. “So my unhealthy work routine is what got you interested in making me your fiance?”

Ian nodded. “That is one. But I also like your arrogance, stubbornness, your hot temper and specially the joy in punishing you for deceiving me”

I threw my head back and groaned. “For God’s sake, I just hiccuped. Stop saying I deceived you”

Ian smiled. “Well that led you to deceiving me”

“Please go jump into your pool and grow some brains”

Ian chuckled. “See, you’re perfect for me”

Calm down Hailey calm down.

We stayed silent for the rest of the ride but I caught him looking at me several times with an amused smile carved on his lips.

When we came to a stop, Ian looked out the window. “We’re here”

I looked around and noticed we were at the JFK airport parking. To the far left I saw several people gathered, pulling their luggages into a line.

I squinted my eyes to get a clear look and realised they were from our company. Thank God, I’m finally free from this monster.

I sprinted out of the car and waved at my friends, who stood by Lexi’s car. They waved back at me and as I was about to run to them Ian stopped me.

“I have a private jet. You can come with me if you want”

I forced a smile into my lips. “Nice offer but I’m going with my friends”

He nodded and came closer. “Fine, you can go with them. But I need this” Then he cupped my face in his hands and bent down, pressing his soft lips against mine, moving them in a swift passion that rendered me breathless as I stood frozen in shock.

Then he pulled back and smirked.

“Now that’s my second kiss”