A billionaire’s kiss

Ian was soundly sleeping on my bed, one arm folded under his head and the other resting on top of the duvet. His face looked drained and exhausted, his lips paled. At the moment he seemed less like a CEO and more like just Ian in his white t-shirt and shorts.

Seeing him like this, I couldn’t make myself to wake him up. I knew I should but deep down I wanted him to rest and have a goodnight’s sleep.

You really hit your head Hailey.

And even though I wake him up it’s not like I can ask him to go back to his room where there’s a conniving half naked woman inside. I’ll talk to him in the morning. Just for today he can stay.

Glancing once again at his sleeping state I walked around the bed and found my luggage sitting next to the nightstand. I grabbed it and pulled my nightdress out of it. As I was about to go into the bathroom I spotted another suit case at the corner of the room.

Frowning, I strode over and lowered the suitcase, slowly opening it careful not to make any noise and on the inside I found shirts, ties, pants, suit jackets- Ian’s clothes.

I rolled my eyes heavenward. No way. Not happening. I agreed to let him sleep here for just one night, not anymore. I definitely have to talk to him about this tomorrow morning, as soon as he wakes up.

Nodding with determination I put the suit case back into place and strode to the bathroom to take a shower. But I couldn’t help thinking if Ian knew what Melissa was planning.

Really? Nah. He can’t be that wise. He’s Ian stupid Kingston for a reason.

After changing into my nightdress, I took a pillow from the bed and placed it on the couch by the window. Thankfully it was comfortable or else I would’ve thrown a bucket of cold water on Ian’s face and chased him out of the bed.

It’s your lucky day Kingston.

I turned to Ian and narrowed my eyes. “Just for today Kingston. Just for today. Next morning you better have a good excuse” I blew a strand of hair out of my face and plopped on to the couch, pulling a sheet over me.

How sad. I got a luxurious hotel room only to sleep on it’s couch. My pathetic life.

…

I woke up to a loud knock on the door.

“Hailey open the door!” Lexi’s voice came bellowing from the other side.

Groggily, I sat up and checked the time from my phone. It was seven in the morning.

“Hailey, open it” Then it was Brian knocking.

“I’m coming” I grumbled sleepily and ran my fingers through my hair, tidying it. Then stood up and strode towards the door.

Before I could even fully open it, my friends came barging in. “Ahhhh show us your luxury room!!!” Lexi squealed and sprinted inside. Brian also pushed past me, catching me off guard.

Then both of them came to an abrupt halt. “Omg Hailey” Lexi gasped. “you slept with someone?”

Perplexed, I frowned and turned to her. “What?” I followed her gaze to the bed and found someone sleeping on it.

What the-

I blinked in confusion trying to figure out what was going on and then last night’s memories came flooding in.

Shit.

Lexi moved around the bed to see who it was and before I could even make a move to stop her she pulled the covers back.

Both of them gasped.

On the bed was Ian, still sleeping, his face buried in the soft pillow. Sensing the covers were off he groaned and pulled it back up, turning to the other side.

Sweat trickled down my face, terror overtaking me.

Achingly slowly Lexi glanced at me. “You slept with Ian Kingston?” She asked in a slow, deadly tone.

Brian gave me the same accusing look and I felt like I commited the most horrible crime ever.

“N-no I didn’t” I shook my head pathetically.

“Then why the fuck is he here?” Lexi suddenly yelled and that ticked me off.

“Don’t scream” I scolded. “He’s still sleeping”

Both Lexi’s and Brian’s mouth fell open and I gasped realising what I just said.

“Did you just hear yourself?”

I took a step back in shock, my hand over my heart. “Don’t even start” I shook my head in dismay.

“So you slept with him or not?” Brian raised a brow and I snapped at him.

“Of course not and-” I grabbed their arms and dragged both of them out of the room. “Why on earth would I sleep with him? He was here before I even came to the room”

“Really?” Lexi wrinkled her nose. “Why did he sleep here though?”

“I don’t know” I shrugged. “I have the same question-” I furrowed my brows. “which I’m going to ask now. Bye” I shut the door in their face before they could pester me with more questions.

Then I strode straight to the window and opened the curtains, letting sunlight fall in.

“Rise and shine”

As the light fell on Ian’s face, he groaned and covered his face with his hand.

“Wakey wakey it’s seven in the morning”

He groaned again and pulled the covers over his head, snuggling back to the pillow.

Are you kidding me? I exhaled in frustration and stomped over, pulling the covers back. “I said good morning in two different ways. Now wake up!” I commanded.

Ian slowly opened his eyes. “What?” He mumbled in his sleepy raspy voice which by the way is very very hot. Focus Hailey focus.

“Now pray tell why you’re sleeping in my room?”

He sighed and closed his eyes again. “I paid for it”

“That-” My forehead creased. “is true” I admitted reluctantly. “But that doesn’t mean you can sleep in the room you booked for me”

“I can and I will” He mumbled.

“No you can’t. It’s not right to sleep in the same room with your employee. Your room is just next door. Why didn’t you go there?”

He let out a frustrated groan and sat up on the bed, his back leaning against the headboard. “First, you’re not just my employee. You’re my fiance” I opened my mouth to argue but he held a finger up, stopping me. “Second, I can’t go to my room when there’s a scheming bitch inside”

I blinked. “Wait. You knew?”

“Of course I knew. I have a spy in my parents’ house. My mother wanted to threaten me into marrying Melissa with that scheme yesterday” Ian snorted. “So pathetic of her”

I frowned. “Your mother did this?”

“Yes” He yawned. “Now let me go back to sleep. I set my alarm at 7. 15 and I don’t wake up before my alarm. Good night” He flopped back into the bed and pulled the covers over his head.

I scoffed in disbelief. Stupid Kingston.

…

I sprinted down the stairs in a hurry, looking over my shoulder several times to see if someone saw me. I got dressed before Ian and left the room as soon as possible so that no one would see us coming out of the same room. It would be hella lot of embarrassing if someone did. And that’s the last thing I wanted.

I reached the dining hall and spotted our marketing team seated near the tall windows facing the ocean.

I walked over to them and greeted the VP with a cheeky smile, who in return scowled at me. Then as I was about to pull a chair, someone else did it for me.

I glanced up in confusion and my eyes widened in horror seeing it was Ian Kingston.

He gave me a small smile and pulled a chair next to mine. Then he sat down on it, shocking everyone else at the table.

I gaped at him. Why the hell is he sitting here?

Lexi and Brian both exchanged glances and I could see everyone else doing the same. And the VP she was giving Ian the brightest smile ever.

“Mr. Kingston, we are pleased to have you at our table. It’s a nice morning, isn’t it?”

Ian didn’t reply and looked up at me, waiting till I sit down.

I forced a smile on to my lips and sat down next to him, feeling the daggers of our VP on my neck. The tension at the table was so high that I thought I would melt into butter.

“So Mr. Kingston” VP started with a smile. “Are you attending the trade show today?”

But Ian ignored her and kept staring at me, his eyes twinkling in awe.

I’m dead.

Realising Ian’s attention was solely on me, VP shot me a deadly glare. I gulped anxiously and shifted in my seat, eager to get out of here.

Thankfully before I could melt into butter waiters and waitresses of the hotel walked in, placing food on each table.

As they were done I took my fork to dig into my pancakes but one of the hotel staff approached us. “Mr and Mrs. Kingston” I paled. “Since you slept in the same room should we cancel the other room?”

I paled and paled, turning to a complete sheet of white. I could see the hideous glares everyone was giving me. And the look on VP’s face I bet she’d volunteer to go to hell if that means she gets to kill me.

“Sure that’s a good idea”

And I bet I’d volunteer too if that means I get to kill Ian fucking Kingston.

Then as the man left Ian started eating his pancakes like nothing happened.

Calm down Hailey calm down. Let’s be civil okay? No need to stab someone with a fork.

After a torturous breakfast I strode to the lobby to retrieve some of our stuff prepared for the trade show.

I reached the front table and was about to lift one of the boxes when someone unfamiliar circled their arms around my waist from behind.

I gasped.

“Heard they call you Mrs. Kingston”

Immediately I spun around, coming face to face with a man in a white tank and a leather jacket, his dirty blonde hair touseled, his lips twitched up as he smiled down at me.

“Who are you?” I asked incredulously.

He grinned. “Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does” I kept both of my palms on his chest and pushed him away, trying to get out of his grip but he didn’t move a muscle. “Get off me” I demanded but his grin only widened.

“I won’t if you don’t behave darling” He wrapped his other arm around my waist and tightened his hold on me, sparing me no space to struggle.

“What kind of sick bastard are you?” I pounded my fists against his chest in fury.

He chuckled. “Just a rich one darling”

I scoffed in disbelief and twisted in his arm, trying to get away but the man wouldn’t even budge.

I saw several employees from ATC and ENCOM passing by. But they didn’t do anything. They just whispered behind their hands about the fact that I was in the arms of another man. And that only ticked me off.

Then miraculously, through the corner of my eye I spotted Ian, approaching the lobby, tapping on his phone. And never had I ever felt this relieved to see him.

“Ian!” I shouted at the top of my lungs and felt the blond man stiffen against me. Then immediately, he released me and backed away.

Ian glanced up from his phone and I leaped into a run, my feet desperately taking me to him.

As I hastily reached him, Ian gave me a confused look and put his arm over my shoulder, holding me steady.

“Why are you running-”

“Ian” The blond man appeared before us. “Long time no see”

“Isaac” Ian looked surprised and so was I. Ian knows this pervert? “I didn’t know you would come”

“How can I not?” Isaac grinned. “I’m part of the ENCOM too”

Ian nodded. “It’s good to have you here. Then Ian glanced down at me. “Hailey, meet Isaac Wills, ENCOM chairman’s grandson” My eyes widened in shock. “And Isaac, this is my fiance, Hailey Evans” He introduced us but the last thing I needed was to be introduced to a pervert.

“Yes we met” Isaac smirked. “Didn’t we darling?”

At that moment I didn’t know what surprised me more. Was it the fact that Isaac fearlessly called me darling or the fact that Ian suddenly stilled?

“Why are you calling her that?” Ian growled, his chest thundering in rage.

“What?” Isaac chuckled. “I call that to every pretty lady”

“Not to her”

Isaac stared at Ian for a while and then threw his head back, laughing loudly. “You can’t be serious. I always call-”

“Not to her” Ian hissed, his eyes turning to slits in fury.

“Woow man” Isaac held up his hands in surrender and took a step back. “I didn’t know you get possessive over women”

Ian’s jaw tightened and he gritted his teeth. “Just woman” He corrected.

Shocked that he admitted it, I glanced up at Ian and saw how furious he was. Not wanting to anger him anymore I glanced back down, refraining myself from arguing with him.

“Fine” Isaac chuckled nervously. “You can keep your woman. And by the way, we have a yacht party this afternoon. Wanna join?”

“I have work to do” Ian answered, his temper slowly cooling down.

“Oh c’mon, are you really saying no to your old friend?” Isaac threw his hands up. “Even Mason is coming. I heard you wanted to talk to him about some new project. Why don’t you take this chance to do it? Saves you the trouble of flying back to California

Ian stared blankly at him, pondering on the thought for a while. “Fine. I’ll come”

Isaac grinned. “Good. Bring your fiance too”

My eyes shot up in horror. “No I can’t. I have to go to the trade show”

“Oh please” Isaac rolled his eyes. “Your trade show lasts for three days. Go for tomorrow’s one” He turned to Ian. “Tell her man”

Ian glared at him, not liking to be told what to do and then slowly he glanced down at me. “I’ll inform your seniors. Just come for today”

Before I could even open my mouth to argue Ian turned to Isaac. “We’ll come”

“Good” Issac smiled. “See you in a few hours”

…

The bright sun was glistening down on my floral white dress as I sat on a seat on the luxurious yacht, sailing across the Pacific. Sea gulls flew across the sky, the ocean buzzing with it’s dormant strength as waves roared and rolled, crashing against the cliffs towering above us.

Several girls in bikinis were sitting across from me, drinking glasses of champagne and giggling as Isaac Wills flirted with them, his hands wrapped around their shoulders.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation and looked towards Ian, who was sitting far away from me, at a table with Mason Lambert.

“So Hailey” I turned as Isaac called me. “How did you managed to make Ian fall for you? He’s usually the monk type”

I forced a smile into my lips. “Maybe you should ask that from him”

Isaac’s lips curled up into a lop sided grin and he leaned forward. “I’m very sad that I couldn’t get to you earlier. You’re too pretty to waste”

His gaze fell on my body and he wetted his bottom lip as his eyes lingered on my breast. Feeling uneasy, I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat.

I looked towards Ian again but he was too immersed in his conversation with Mason. I sighed.

“Wanna join?” I glanced up as one of the girls called me.

I raised my brows in confusion and without saying anything further the girls started removing their bikinis.

When they stripped into nakedness in broad daylight, I looked from one to the other in bewilderment.

“We’re going swimming. You coming?”

“Uh no” I shook my head awkwardly.

“C’mon have some fun” Isaac wiggled his eyebrows and I frowned in disgust.

“Sorry but I don’t want to”

Isaac let out a laugh and slapped one of the girl’s butt, signalling them to jump off the ship. And they did, one by one.

I watched them splash into the water and pop their head back up, laughing hysterically. Then I felt someone grab me by my wrist, pulling me to my feet.

“What-”

“Jump” Isaac dragged me to the railing and I struggled against his arms, trying to yank my hand back.

“No please no” But he didn’t listen and lifted me into his arms. “I can’t swim please don’t” He ignored my pleading and threw me off the ship.

I splashed into the water, my weight dragging me down. In panic I fling my arms about and thrashed violently, trying to come above but I was failing. Cold water filled my lungs and blood pounded behind my eyes. I gasped for breath, struggling to keep my head above water but the currents were pulling me back.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I pushed with my arms and legs but I could find no leverage, for all I knew I was dragging myself further down. My breaths were agonizingly painful and terribly short.

Then through my faint vision I saw someone else jump from the ship and swim towards me. The water swirled and I went under again but this time a strong hand grabbed me and pulled me above.

I was dragged towards the yacht and pulled upward onto the lower deck. Vigorously I retched the salt water out of my lungs and desperately gasped for air, clutching on to my throat. I felt the same hand that grabbed me, pat my back soothingly. “Thank god, you’re all right” Ian murmmed softly, his breaths coming out as pants.

After my breathing became steady Ian glanced up, violent anger raging in his eyes, turning them into a dark shade of blue. “WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING ISAAC? He barked furiously. “SHE SAID SHE CAN’T SWIM!”

“Hey man I’m sorry. I thought she was lying-”

“Shut up Isaac” Someone else said.

Then I felt Ian wrap a towel around me and pull me closer to his chest. “Turn the yacht around now!” He demanded.

“What? We haven’t even started the party-”

“I said turn this around now” Ian hissed through gritted teeth, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

I closed my eyes and leaned into his chest, clutching his collar. “Ian” I faintly whispered, feeling drained and exhausted.

“Shh. You’re safe now” He mumbled into my hair and pressed a soft kiss on my head before lifting me into his arms. Then he took me to a bedroom inside the yacht and laid me down on the couch.

He grabbed a towel from a rack and sat down next to me, drying my hair with it.

“I can do it” I tried to take the towel from him but he held it high, out of my reach.

“Just turn around and let me do it”

I sighed and did as he told. After using the towel he took a hair dryer out of a drawer and began drying my hair again.

“I can do that too”

“Just stay there”

“Your hair is wet too”

“I’ll dry it later”

From the side I stole a glance at Ian and saw how upset he was. His mouth was set into a hard line, his brows drawn together, his eyes intently focused on drying my hair but his mind lost elsewhere.

“What’s wrong?”

“What do you mean?” He tucked a loose strand behind my ear and set the dryer down.

“You look upset”

“You almost drowned”

“I almost drowned. Not you” I said to cheer up the mood but my attempt failed as Ian frowned at me.

“And that’s not a reason for me to get upset?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know”

Ian sighed. “I do care about what’s mine Hailey”

My brows creased. “What do you mean what’s yours-” I paused. “Do you mean me?” I asked pointing to myself in shock.

“Mmm” He smiled. “You’re mine”

Then he cupped my face in his hands, tilting my face upwards and pressed his lips on mine, moving them softly at first and then with swift gradation of intensity that rendered me speechless. Before I could come out of my daze he pulled back and leaned his forehead against mine.

“Only mine”

.