The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

“I’ll be right back.” I ran away toward the bathroom.

Things happened so fast. Days ago, I survived life as Vanderford’s daughter and the CEO. No dramas-just work. I went home after work, put myself to sleep after dinner with my boyfriend, or a good movie with Neke. And here I was, opening my heart to a man, a stranger, who saved my life, and now, my fiance.

Despite my past and who I was, Striker never judged me as a spoiled brat billionaire’s daughter. Yes, I was a spoiled brat because I could get what I wanted if I wanted to. But that was not the case right now.

Dad switched the game. Everything had changed- it turned 360 in just a snap of his fingers. His fortune, my future, and my legacy depended upon the man a few feet away from me.

I blew my nose clean, washed my face, and removed the smeared makeup on my face. I pulled a clean towel and patted my face dry. Then I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked different than days ago, more mature, in a good way. And I saw a stronger me.

“How are you feeling?” Concern filled those eyes as Striker came from behind.

“Maybe we should make a pact not to ask me that again.” I put the towel down and turned around.

“I just wanna make sure you talk to me. And maybe I should change my approach, like, hey, Vanderford. Did you feed your cat?” That broke me to smile.

“I always wanted to have a cat.”

“So you’re a cat lady, huh?”

“I like dogs too.” I cupped his face. He looked handsome and smelled clean. I could look at him all day and never got tired of it. “That was the first time I talked about it that way. You really get to see the best in people. You are amazing, Cade. And I’m lucky to wear this ring.” I raised my hand to show him the engagement ring on my finger.

When he smiled and stared at me for long seconds, I showed my vulnerability in my eyes.

I tiptoed, and he got the cue as he placed his hands on my hips. I didn’t think twice. I shut my eyes closed and angled my face as I pressed my lips against his. He might have anticipated it since I made the first move-he sighed against my lips.

My heart hammered in my chest. My skin burned. My body came to life. I could feel every inch of his touch even though we were both in our clothes.

The first touch of our lips was feathery. When Striker moved his hands to my back, he parted his lips. I slipped my hands to the back of his neck and moved my lips against him. The kiss was light and sweet and passionate, the kind of kiss that made my toes curl. No rush. We were taking our time, exploring ourselves.

When his tongue sought entrance, I let him in. The moment our tongues touched, I couldn’t stop. I let go of a moan.

My fingers dug into his hair and clawed into his scalp. And I pressed my body against his-he was hard. Every inch of his body was rock-solid muscles against my soft ones.

Our tongues dueled. Our bodies pressed together. And we fit perfectly as if we were one.

With one long kiss, he pulled apart, kissed me on my forehead, and sighed, then hugged me tight again. “As much as I’d love to kiss you all night, I think we should take it slow.”

Disappointed, I nodded, biting my lip. My eyes were still closed, afraid to see the reaction on his face.

“Let’s go back to the couch.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him. “I think I’m heading to my room now. If that’s okay.”

He smiled. “Of course. Just let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks.” I rushed to get away from him. That was the warmest, sweetest, and toe-curling kiss I had in a while.

Even dating, I had a hard time going out there. If the guys wouldn’t ask me how I was doing after that incident, they looked at me as if I was about to break in just a tap of their finger. And I hated to see that look on their faces.

My life stopped for two years. Then Magnus came. We just bumped, and the last thing I knew, I was in his apartment.

I was scared, and it took me a while to get there, but I knew I had to fight that fear one way or another.

Magnus liked sex with lights off, but somehow, he understood me. Then he suddenly became a jerk, watching me like a hawk, got jealous over nothing, and started minding my body so much that I had to starve myself to please him.

I put the robe on and went to check the closet. To my surprise, there were some pajamas and undies in the drawer. I went to bed smiling.

LONDON: Thank you for the PJs.

I sent him a message. Seconds later, he replied.

STRIKER: You’re welcome.

Then another new message.

STRIKER: I enjoyed that kiss.

LONDON: I did too.

STRIKER: Good night, Vanderford.

LONDON: Night, Cade.

I replied before I put the phone down. I fell asleep quickly.

“I’m going to find you; you can’t run away from me again this time.”

“No!”I jolted to sit in bed in pools of sweat. My heart was racing as an overwhelming amount of fear rushed through me. Chills crawled down my spine. “No, no, no.” For a moment, I felt suffocated. I felt so cold I was shaking as I dragged myself out of bed.

My breathing was heavy. My knees were weak as I tried to hurry toward the door and called out for Striker even if I knew he couldn’t hear me. “Cade! Please help!”

I managed to get out, but my world spun as I limped to his room. My sight began to blur as I banged against the door. I twisted the doorknob. The universe was in my favor at this time-it wasn’t locked. “Cade?”

I must have woken him up. He caught me before I fell to the floor. I quickly snaked around his neck as I was so terrified my hands were shaking.

“London, what happened? Jesus Christ, you’re shaking. Just take a deep breath.” He scooped me up bridal style and took me to his bed.

“Light.” I did as he said, but it wasn’t helpful.

“What?” he asked, confused.

“L-light, p-please?” I darted my tongue out to wet my lips.

“Yeah, yeah. Sorry.” He seemed to panic, just like me. He was about to leave when I caught him on his arm.

“Don’t leave.”

“I won’t.” He took a remote from the nightstand and turned on the light. He then came to bed with me. “I’m right here.”

“I’m scared.” I curled into a ball beside him.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“I’m here with you. I know leaving you alone in an unfamiliar room was a bad idea. I don’t wanna pressure you into sleeping in the same bed with me.” He slipped his arm under my head and wrapped me in his arm.

I did a couple of deep breathing until my heart began to calm. I closed my eyes as a familiar smell hit me. I mentally told myself I was safe now and would be fine even if I could still see the black shadow behind my eyes.

“You’re cold,” he said to me calmly.

“You’re shirtless.” And in his boxers.

A few moments later, I started to get warm. My cheeks were burning.

“I’m just gonna get sweatpants and a shirt.” He loosened his arms around me.

“Don’t go,” I said, tightening my arms around him.

“Okay.” He pressed his lips on my head. “Tell me what happened.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Okay. Can I get you water?”

I shook my head. The dark image in my dream still lingered in my head, at the back of my lids.

“Do you need anything?”

I shook my head again.

“Do you always get nightmares?”

“No. When I’m under stress, yes.”

“You’re under-stressed?”

“Kind of.”

“Because of the wedding?”

“Things happened so fast around me. I feel like I’m falling into the dark.”

“I won’t let that happen, okay? We can get engaged for a few months. We will hire people to do the wedding planning and stuff. Just focus on your work and yourself. Let me handle things, and I’ll get help, okay?”

“I just wanna get it done.”

“I know. How about we get married in the courthouse or get a priest to marry us? I’ll get Neke as your witness, my dad on my side.”

“Do you really wanna marry me?” I asked in hesitation as I was too scared to hear his answer.

“Yes. I won’t propose if I don’t wanna marry you, Vanderford.”

“Then let’s get married in a courthouse. If Dad wants to be there, he’s invited. If not, I don’t give a crap. Let’s slap the marriage certificate on his face.”

“First, I will sign the prenup. I’ll meet him tomorrow.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I told your dad that I will. That’s not up for debate, Vanderford.”

I lifted my chin to meet his gaze. “I agree because I know I won’t win.” I pressed my lips into his.

“Good. And you won’t always win, Vanderford.” There was a humor in his voice that calmed me.

“We’ll say about that.”

“Sure about that? I am maybe sailing in uncharted waters here, but I aim to win.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“We’ll see about that sooner than later.” I got a kiss on my forehead. “Get some rest. Remember, I’m here. Not going anywhere as long as you need me.”

***

I woke up to the warm breath on my neck, an arm around my waist, and a hard-on poking on my butt. I should have been alarmed, but I felt a light feeling in my chest instead. Striker kept his word. He didn’t leave this time.

Striker must have felt that I was already awake. He was about to pull his arm when I held his hand, and my naughty side awakened. I dragged it up to my chest, on my breast. And I wasn’t wearing a bra underneath.

He replied to me with a groan, his length hardened further, poking deliciously, creating friction against my butt. I encouraged him as I let him cup and knead my breast and pushed my butt into his hard-on.

I was instantly wet, sensitized to his touch. My nipples puckered under his palm. His caress shot my skin to burn, and my chest was heaving when he did as I pleased. Then he went to my other breast, taking my nipple, rolling it between his fingers, and pinching down on just the right amount of pain.

I let go of a moan.

When he pressed his lips against the back of my neck, slightly biting, nibbling my skin, my clit pulsed, aching unbearably.

When I couldn’t take it anymore, I grabbed his hand, letting it slip inside my pajama bottom.

“Baby.” That was the first word he had said since he woke up.

“I want you.” I licked my lips wet. “Please, touch me.”