Page 12 of Tempting My Billionaire Master

“Alright,” I said, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

As I watched him work, a part of me wanted to forget my escape plan and just give in to the warmth of his presence.

Ethan soon presented me with a simple yet mouthwatering feast. He’d made a hearty vegetable soup, a fragrant pasta dish, and a fresh salad using the bunker’s limited supplies. What truly caught my eye, however, was the expensive-looking bottle of wine he’d uncorked.

“It’s great,” I said as I took a sip, savoring the rich and velvety taste. “Is this another one of those eight-dollar bottles?”

Ethan smirked, shaking his head. “No, Chloe. This one’s closer to eight hundred dollars.”

“Eight hundred?!” I nearly choked on the wine, my eyes widening in disbelief.

“It’s ok,” he said, smiling at my reaction. “When I stocked this hideout, I figured if I ever had to stay underground, I might as well have good wine to keep me company. But now… now I have something better.” His gaze softened as he looked at me. “I have you.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I teased despite the warmth flooding my cheeks.

His cooking was delicious and warm food helped calm down my nerves, but the idea of escape still lingered in my thoughts. Though I had to admit that being with Ethan like that made the captivity almost bearable. Almost.

“Thank you for dinner, Ethan,” I said sweetly, batting my eyelashes at him. “But I think it’s time for me to contribute, too. This place is a little dusty, I’ll deal with it.”

“Chloe, you don’t have to do anything. Just relax and let me take care of you,” he replied, his green eyes softening for a moment.

“Come on, I won’t be able to truly enjoy myself here if I know I’m not pulling my weight. Besides,” I added with a mischievous grin, “exploring the place will help pass the time while we’re cooped up in here.”

Ethan hesitated, but eventually nodded. “Alright, if that’s what you want.”

“Thank you,” I purred, giving him a quick peck on the cheek before setting off on my impromptu cleaning mission.

I found a duster in the pantry and started my exploration under the guise of tidying up. The first room I came across was Ethan’s study, its walls lined with rare books and an antique leather-topped desk taking pride of place in the center. I traced my fingers over the spines of the books, as my eyes scanned for any signs of a hidden exit, but I couldn’t find any.

Next, I ventured into the kitchen area, a small but functional space where Ethan had worked his culinary magic earlier. Stainless steel appliances gleamed in the dim light, and I couldn’t help but admire his resourcefulness in creating such a delicious meal with the limited provisions. I supposed the ventilation shaft connected this room to the surface, but it was too small for me to crawl through.

Continuing my search, I stumbled upon a small private cinema. A huge plush red velvet divan faced a screen that took up almost the entire wall. It seemed like the perfect place to lose yourself for a few hours, but I couldn’t afford to get too comfortable—not when my freedom was at stake.

Finally, I found myself in the bedroom, and my breath caught in my throat. It was a sensual haven, dominated by an enormous bed swathed in luxurious linens. The soft glow of the bedside lamps cast a warm, inviting light over the room, and I couldn’t help but imagine what it would feel like to have Ethan’s strong arms wrapped around me as he claimed my body on that sumptuous mattress.

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, I scanned the room for any possible escape routes, but found none. Frustrated, I made my way back to the main hall, where Ethan was waiting for me with a glass of wine in hand.

“Did you find everything to your liking?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“Very much so,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light despite the growing desperation gnawing at me. “But let’s just say I won’t be running out of things to clean anytime soon.”

Ethan chuckled, handing me the wine. “Well, at least you’ll be occupied. Cheers to making the best of our situation.”

“Cheers,” I echoed, clinking my glass against his before taking a sip of the velvety liquid.

“Chloe, I need to do some work in my office,” he said, gesturing towards the study I had just explored. “I won’t be long, but if you need anything, just call out and I’ll be there.”

“Of course,” I replied, trying to mask the glee in my voice. “Work always comes first.”

He gave me a reassuring smile before disappearing behind the door. Seizing the opportunity, I tiptoed back to the trapdoor that had brought us into this underground hideout.

To my surprise, it wasn’t locked. My body was filled with excitement and anxiety as I considered my options. If I were to escape now, Ethan would likely notice almost immediately, giving him ample time to catch up with me. I needed a plan to buy myself more time—and the cover of night seemed like the perfect solution.

“Are you ready for bed?” I asked Ethan when I found him later, still engrossed in his books and journals. “I think I’ll sleep on the couch in the main hall.”

“Absolutely not,” he replied firmly, not even looking up from the page he was reading. “You’ll sleep in the bedroom.”

“Excuse me?” I bristled, feeling my temper flare at his presumptuous tone. “You can’t force me to sleep with you!”

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