Page 65 of Seduced By a Billionaire

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? You seem to be the only one hung up on my money. Let me ask you this, if I weren’t rich would you stay with me?”

“That’s not fair. How would I know. It would certainly be easier that’s for sure.”

“There, you just answered it.” Kyle got up and went to the bathroom to grab his boxers.

Seeing him standing there naked and bent over pulling up his briefs made her heart turn over. She knew he was hurt but she couldn’t explain her feelings. “Kyle I’m not trying to punish you for something you had no control over. It’s just that the inequality of our situations puts me at a disadvantage. It’s probably impossible for you to understand. For one you’re a man and therefore judged on a completely different playing field and two you’ve always had money and power.”

“Money yes, power no,” he said quietly.

“Societally, you’ve always had power, that’s not to say you’ve always felt powerful.”

“You say tomotto I say tomato.” With eyes narrowed he said, “I’m going downstairs for a shot of whisky. Then maybe a dip in the pool to cool off. You want to join me?”

“No thank you. I’m going to go to sleep.”

“Fine.” He stomped out of the room, leaving Ella to wonder what the hell just happened. She felt like she just suffered a whiplash. How could things have gone south so quickly. She was tempted to return to her own bedroom but that seemed childish, so she got under the duvet cover and turned on her side; reaching for the bedside lamp, she switched it off. Soon she fell into a restless slumber.

Sometime much later she awoke to Kyle slipping into bed beside her, turning on his side with his back to her. She could smell the bourbon and figured more than one shot was involved. She felt hurt and lonely. She had hoped that when he returned to bed, he would have cooled off and come to his senses. Apparently not. Spoiled brat. She sighed.

“Are you going to pout all night?” Ella asked quietly.

“Who’s pouting?”

Ella rolled over to face him and snuggled up against his back. He stiffened for a moment then softened and relaxed into her. “Goodnight,” she said kissing him on the back of his neck and slinging her arm around his waist.

“Night.”

The following morning, she woke up to the sound of Kyle taking a shower. She lay there, still half asleep, missing the warmth of him next to her. She rolled onto her belly and buried her head in the pillow. Hearing the water shut off she glanced through the open door of the bathroom and watched him towel off.

What a magnificent creature he was. Every girl’s fantasy. She admired his broad shoulders and sculpted back; his defined muscles taut as he vigorously towel dried his hair. His ass,oh my God, his hamstrings. Warmth pooled in her belly. He glanced in the mirror and met her gaze. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes flickered with some emotion he was determined to keep to himself.

“You’re up early,” she ventured.

Silence.

“I guess you’re not talking to me?”

“You’re pretty quick,” he snapped.

“He does speak. Kyle…”

Kyle interrupted her, “Ella I don’t want to hear it. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear. I guess I was no more than a fuck for you. I get it. You’re afraid of losing yourself. You’re afraid of being hurt again. I get that, but what I don’t get is your lack of courage. Why not try facing your fears instead of running from them.”

“Who’s the one running now and last night?”

Kyle shoved a leg into his jeans, “I invited you to join me.”

Ella sat up covering herself with the sheet, “Yes, you did—after you tried bullying me to go against my own better judgement.”

Zipping his jeans, he said, “And after you told me I’m a sexist pig that would never be able to understand.”

“I said no such thing!”

“It’s what you didn’t say. I can read between the lines babe.”

“Apparently not. Hey, I’ve got an idea, why don’t you go out and buy me some expensive jewelry, that might convince me.”

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