Falling for My Billionaire Best Friend

BASH

I am frustrated. That’s what I exactly feel right now. I walk away from Trinity, frustrated.

The moment her door closed behind me, I felt I was helpless. I release an exasperating sigh. Running my fingers on my hair, I walk away without looking back because once I look back, I know myself, I will knock again, and this time I’ll grab her head and press her against the door and kiss her to release all my frustrations away.

I meet Edmund waiting for me at the parking lot wearing a goofy smile, but he doesn’t say anything. A song by Collective Soul is playing when I enter the car.

“Shut off this fucking song, Edmund!” I fasten my seatbelt. Our gazes meet at the rearview mirror. He changes the song to a pop song saying something like I’m without your kisses. I’ll be needing stitches. I roll my eyes.

“Seriously, Bash. What’s the scowl for? I thought you and Miss Mallory had talked?” he asks while driving out of the parking lot.

A song by Papa Roach blares through the speaker.

“I don’t think it’s any of your business, Edmund. Don’t stick your nose to my personal business. You’re too old to be nosy.” I look out the window.

The weather starts getting cold, but that doesn’t stop the people from walking their dogs as we pass along the residential area. The leaves start to pile under the trees on the sidewalk.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I visited places with my family and grandparents. We took pictures, but it didn’t get me to even take a closer look at my surroundings. I’ve seen beautiful places. I’ve met beautiful people, but none really got my attention. I have never been observant like this, and it makes me chuckle.

I shake my head for my amusement. Perhaps I have only an eye for one person?

I went out with friends like a normal college boy, dated girls, but I had only one serious girlfriend, and now I have none.

***

Stripping off my clothes, I walk to my bathroom to take a cold shower. My skin shivers as soon as the water drops on my bare skin. I ignore how cold it is. I squeeze my eyes shut when my mind lingers on to a certain redhead, and I’m instantly hard.

Shit! I’m not supposed to think of her like this—of fantasizing her. I shouldn’t be a boner, but when I think of Trinity, my heart thunders on my chest as well.

I walk down the stairs to my kitchen to grab something to eat when my doorbell goes off. My hair still slightly dumps, and I just toss my shirt on my shoulder. That must be Lizzy because she left a message for me asking how did my meeting with Trinity go.

Before I reach the door, it already swings open. Mom and Dad with Lizzy walk like they own my penthouse.

“What if I’m walking naked around here?” I ask, walking closer to them.

Mom’s smile widens and squeezes me into a hug. “I’ve seen you naked, Baby Bash.”

“When I was a baby, and now I’m a grown man, Mom. And stop calling me baby,” I demand.

“You’re still our baby, Bash. And stop scowling every time your mom calls you,” Dad says.

I move to Lizzy who’s busy with a phone call. I kiss her on her cheek.

“Why are you here, guys?” I walk to the living room and put my shirt on.

“Wow! When did you get a tattoo?” Mom’s surprised voice makes me stop.

Shit! I’m in trouble. Nobody saw this except Trinity and Edmund, and now my family.

“And you have K’s name tattooed on your back, baby Bash,” Lizzy says with a wicked smile on her face.

“I was drunk when I got this, and I can barely remember what happened that night. So whatever in your head, Lizzy, don’t go there,” I reply flatly because I know her. She won’t stop until I admit that I was drunk because of Trinity.

“It looks good on you, although, I don’t see you as a tattooed guy. It looks cool, though,” Dad agrees, slapping my back.

“What can you say, baby?” Dad asks mom, slipping his hand around my mom’s waist. She smiles at him, kissing him on his lips.

Jeez! These two, even in front of their children. I cough, and Lizzy giggles. I cock my brow on Lizzy.

“You’ve never been in love if you find that gross, Bash.” Lizzy grabs my arm, squeezing it.

I roll my eyes. “Whatever.”

“So, how did the meeting go?” Mom asks after we settle on the couch.

I sit beside Lizzy. She leans her head on my shoulder.

“She’ll be back.” I shrug.

Mom and Dad give me a look that they’re waiting for more.

“What?” My brows raise quizzically.

“That’s it?” Dad asks.

“Yeah,” I reply, and my parents are exchanging looks.

“We want details, Bash,” Lizzy demands, elbowing my side.

I roll my eyes. “What details? She agreed to work with us. That’s it. There was a guy when I went there, I thought—” I stop talking when somehow I get their attention.

I raise my brows. “Is that really why you’re all here? Wanna know the gory detail?” I stare at them one by one. “Unbelievable. What’s with all of you and Trinity?”

“Then who is that guy?” My sister ignores me. Instead, she asks back.

“Whatever you guys are thinking, stop it now. Nothing is going on between me and Trinity. We’re best friends.” Really? nothing is really going on?

“I know, and we’re not doing anything. We’re here just to know if you were able to convince Kiara to come back,” Dad says dismissively.

I’m not convinced, though, and I can feel that there’s a hidden agenda in all of these, or am I just overthinking?

“I know you and K are just best friends because the last time I checked, K was asked out by Ranjiv,” Lizzy responds, picking up her phone in her purse.

My chest constricts. My jaw clenches. I feel the blood rushing through my veins. “Who the fuck is Ranjiv?” I feel my parents’ gazes on me.

“Language,” Dad scolds.

Lizzy doesn’t answer my question. She’s busy tapping on her iPhone’s screen.

“Sorry,” I say silently, but I’m cursing under my breath.

Lizzy flashes her phone screen on my face, showing the photo of Trinity and a man who looks like an Indian wearing a black suit and tie.

He’s maybe in his mid-twenties with shiny black hair, deep-seated eyes, and olive skin—a typical Indian look. But what makes my blood boils is his arm is wrapped around Trinity’s exposed shoulder. She’s wearing a black strapless ankle-length gown. Her hair is fixed up into a stylish bun. They’re both smiling brightly.

“Who’s that bloody wanker, Lizzy?” I ask, demanding an answer.

She raises her well-trimmed brows and gives me a why-do-you-care looked. “It’s not that Trinity needs your permission if she wants to start dating, Bash.” She sits straight, crossing her arms over her chest, and faces my parents. “You don’t sound American anymore.”

“That’s not an answer to my question, Lizzy. Trinity is your best friend too. I’m sure you two share everything, especially when it comes to guys,” I demand answers, and I am beyond pissed.

“It’s about time for Kiara to move on, Bash. If that guy treats her well, then let her date him,” Mom says softly.

“So, they’re dating?” I ask slowly, but I sound disappointed. Panic grows in the pit of my belly. I’m afraid to hear the answer because I know I’m not going to like it.

This is what you got for leaving her alone for four years! If you just told her how you felt she might be with you until now, you, damnarse! I mentally berate myself. My brows meet, and I have nod glumly, though my heart doesn’t agree with my brain.

***

I sit on the stool at the Night Stalker club own by Pyke’s parents. He’s my second cousin from Dad. A mid-twenties with a fake blonde guy is serving another customer three seats apart from me. Then he comes to me to get my drinks. He has a lip ring, nose ring, and brow ring, and has tattoos all over his forearms. It looks good on him though, then I remember my tattoo on my back.

“What can I getcha, Bash?”

My brows arch. How does he know me?

“How did you know my name?” I ask, my brows raise quizzically.

“I’m the one who inked your back. You might not remember me because you were wasted, and you collared me to ink you,” he explains. “I’m Kyland, by the way.” He extends his hand.

I grip it for a handshake. “Thanks! You did a great job,” I say sincerely.

He smiles, nodding. “Lucky girl,” he says after placing a cold beer bottle for me.

“Lucky girl?” I ask.

“Trinity?”

My mouth gapes. Someone’s tap my shoulder before I can answer Kyland.

I glance over my shoulder. “Xandry!” I stand up from my stool, giving Xandry a brotherly hug with a clap on his shoulder. Xandry is uncle Phoenix and Aunt Sam’s son. He’s a few months older than me and works at his dad’s business.

“You came alone?” he asks, sitting on the empty stool beside me. He leans his left elbow on the bar counter while his blue eyes scan the crowded full of women. He’s a legs spreader, that’s how his twin Saphoera named him.

When I left for the U. K, I know Xandry was a playboy, but overprotective when it comes to his twin sister Saphoera. They share the same shades of blonde hair, blue eye, same facial features. Although Saphoera is a foot shorter than Xandry’s six feet and three inches tall, I’m an inch taller than him.

“Yup. Dean is with his family, and Pyke is busy upstairs. Our parents were still there in the VIP lounge. The girls are having girls’ night at Lizzy’s apartment,” I answer.

He looks at me like he wants to say something, but he sips his beer instead. My eyes fix to his bruised knuckles.

“What happens to your knuckles, Xandry?” I ask though I know the answer already.

He chuckles, putting the beer down. “I beat that guy’s face to a pulp.” He smiles with pride.

I shake my head in amusement. He’s so overprotective of Saph, but Saph loves to annoy and provoke Xandry.

“Poor guy,” I say slowly.

“He deserves that, Bash. I warned Saph to stay away from that ass, but she didn’t listen, and I know Saph, she’s not serious about dating him. Then I found out that asshole has another girlfriend. So when I got a chance to corner him, I punched his face in front of his girlfriend. Good for him. I’m sure they broke up already,” he explains and looks satisfied with what he did.

My stomach churns when I remember that Ranjiv dude is wrapping his arm around Trinity’s shoulder. I grab my beer and drink all the content in a gulp.

“Slow down, Bash.” I hear Xandry’s voice.

I shrug my shoulder helplessly. “Go pick up that girl, Xandry. I notice that girl in skimpy red dress keeps staring at you.” I move closer to him while gesturing my head to the blonde woman in a skimpy dress. I know Xandry will not leave this place without a woman in his arms.

“You notice her?” He smirks.

I nod, smiling. “I thought she’s into you?”

“Not interested. I have somewhere else to go.”

“Sure, man.” He nods, still wearing a smirk on his face. 

***

I blow a breath after pressing Trinity’s doorbell. I told Edmund to go home and not to wait for me. He was adamant to wait and sleep in the car, but after threatening his job, he finally agreed.

I press again when I didn’t hear the sound of footsteps towards the door. I feel my heartbeats skip a bit. What if she’s already sleeping? Or what if she won’t let me in and shoo me away? What if? I Stiffen when I hear the door unlock.

“Bash?” Trinity’s sleepy voice makes me blink. She opens the door wider while rubbing her right eye with the back of her finger. Her bedhead proves that she’s already sleeping. She’s only wearing a gray baggy shirt with her college logo printed on it. Her long legs are in full view with her bare feet, and deep red painted toenails.

“Coming or not?” she asks, and that almost startles me from checking her out.

I swallow when my eyes land again on her now very prominent braless tits. Even with her shirts on, I can see the little buds react, perhaps from the cold weather.

“Um, you don’t mind?” I barely recognize my own voice, and Thank God, she’s able to distract my thoughts, and that makes my gaze shifts up to her beautiful makeup-free face.

She smiles. “You shouldn’t have come here if you care or if I mind or not.” She grabs my hand, causing the electricity to rush through my entire body. There is something powerful and pulls us closer together, that binds us—the intensity of our connection.

I feel hot, and my cock is on full alert. I can’t help but grip her soft and warm hand in return. I’m afraid this strange feeling will disappear with her hand. I follow her inside, and she closes the door behind us.

Her apartment is dark, only the streetlight that illuminates through her windows into her living room provides us light and won’t cause us to bump each other. My hand is still linked with hers as we walk through the narrow hallway that separates the living room and maybe her bedroom. It’s dead silence that I can hear my own breathing and my own racing heartbeat.

I pull her hand back that makes her stop to halt and almost bump her body into me. It’s almost dark in here, but I can see the surprised look on her face as she stares up at me. Her breathing warms my neck at how close we are. I release her hand, cup her face, making her gasp.

“Trinity,” I whisper with a hint of frustration. She’s about to say something, and that’s the moment I want. It gives me a chance for my lips to press against hers.

Jesus! Her lips are so soft, and it feels impossibly real. She grips my arms in surprise, perhaps. I move my lips slowly, tentatively, and chastely. I release my left hand from her face placing it at the back of her head while bending down to have my full access.

She tastes so sweet, and if this is how Trinity tastes like, then she’s so addicting and mind-blowing. Why did I wait for so long to kiss her if she tastes like this? If I only knew.

I place my free hand on her back to let her body press against me. This kiss is overwhelming. My cells awaken, my muscles clench, my cock throbs, and my body heat radiates to her. My heartbeat never slows down, in fact, it’s beating wildly that might break my ribcage. I feel her body press against mine, and she pushes herself further. And damn, she’s kissing me back, and it encourages me to deepen the kiss.

I find myself pressing her against the wall that causes something hanging on it to shake. I stroke my tongue between her lips, and she opens to me freely which gives me access to slip my tongue into her mouth. She just tastes sweeter and better, and I want more.

There is something inside me that stirs, that I haven’t felt anything like this before. Desire? Longing? Love?

All of the above.