Page 22 of Kinks of a Billionaire
Tension twisted between us, weaving its invisible rope until it wrapped around my chest tightly, making it hard to breathe. My knuckles turned white, but I refused to avert my eyes as the moment stretched into eternity.
“Fine,” he finally agreed, and my breath left me with awhoosh. “But you’re getting some sleep first. We’ll go before dawn.”
“Okay.” I would agree to anything right now as long as he didn’t leave without me. Well, almost anything.
“And I’m carrying you to my car, then to the hotel room, and then back to the car. If anyone tries anything, I’m shooting first and asking questions later.”
His words should have made me feel nauseous, but they didn’t. For better or worse, Royce made me feel safe.
“Agreed.”
Chapter 10
Royce
Iremained by Willow’s side while she slept, observing the bruises and marks on her face. Fury flickered in my chest all over again, eager to beat the crap out of Stuart, end his life—except for the damn promise I made.
From the moment Willow told me about her pregnancy, a burning ember of resentment found its way into my heart. I hated Stuart, but I hated myself even more. And then there was this overwhelming feeling of guilt. If it wasn’t for me, he would have never met her. I should have never allowed the assface to get close to Willow.
I’d never felt such fierce affection for any other woman. I’d never wanted anything to be mine so much that it fucking hurt my chest. Yes, I knew there was a laundry list of reasons why wanting her was wrong—she was having a baby that wasn’t mine, she was my baby sister’s best friend. There was also no way she was into the kinky shit I was, and would probably be disgusted by me if she ever found out. But I couldn’t make myself stop caring for her. If she’d let me, I’d worship her until my dying breath.
As the morning crept and dawn neared, true to my vow, I woke Willow up and carried her to my car.
I flicked a glance her way, at her small form slumped against the leather seat of the Land Rover. Thankfully my brother-in-law had left his car during one of his visits, so I took the liberty of using it this morning. It was a more comfortable option for Willow than my sports car, not to mention safer.
She was fucking beautiful, wearing a pair of leggings that belonged to my sister and the white dress shirt I’d worn to her party. Even with bruises marring her usually flawless skin, Willow was a fucking vision to behold. Her lush dark curls framed her plump cheeks, and something tugged at my heart. It was always like this with her, and I’d been a fool to miss my chance.
She was mine, and that baby growing inside her should have been mine. I’d let time slip away, and I had no one to blame but myself. What a fucking fool I’d been.
Over the years, no matter where in the world we were, something always drew us back together. I was too stupid—and too blind—to see she had a hold on me.
It wasn’t love. It couldn’t be. However, itwasa maddening feeling that refused to ease.
Willow’s gaze slid over to me as I shifted gears, making my way to the hotel. The anger ignited in my chest every time I thought of that fucker Stuart, and every mile that brought us closer to our destination heightened it.
My hands curled so tight around the steering wheel that the leather cracked in protest.
“Royce.” Her whisper was enough to cut straight through my fury. Our gazes locked for only a moment, but a knowing gleam shone in her eyes. “You’re mad. I’m mad too. But please don’t be reckless.”
I hid a smile at how well she knew me. “I promise, but it’s about time someone taught that fucker a lesson.”
“Agreed,” she answered, nodding. “To a degree.” After a heartbeat of silence, she continued, “And please don’t pull the big-brother scolding tactic with him.”
My good mood faded at her words. The fact that she’d refer to me as a brother irked me.
“Big brother?” I said, my voice eerily calm.
She offered me a tired smile. “You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t know.” She was never one to hold back, so I kept my expression neutral as I added, “You’ll have to enlighten me.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Please don’t lose your temper. You’ve always been overprotective and it’s what I like about you, but I don’t want you to end up in trouble because of me. Stuart made his bed, it is time he lie in it. However, not at the expense of your freedom.”
“Do you want any kind of support from him in terms of?—”
“No.”
A cursory glance at her confirmed she meant it, and my expression softened. “And your… his…yourbaby?”
