Burning Ice

Chapter3

May's POV

My jaws fell open once more. I might not be able to recognise Edward Spires on sight since he rarely appeared in public, but Kate was different.

She was a popular model and actor who practically thrived on public attention. And wealth. Lots and lots of it. Anyone who knew Kate knew she was the most materialistic woman there is in Riverdale.

But here she was, divorcing her billionaire husband according what the news said.

However, as the reporter continued talking, it soon became clear to me. Kate had filed for a divorce, and she was demanding for a share of Edward's assets that would basically reduce him to a millionaire.

It was ridiculous, but the way the court case was going, it was likely she was going to get it.

The desolate image of Edward sleeping on the bed flashed into my mind as well as all those pills and wine on the dresser.

It all suddenly made sense. Edward didn't look like a playboy, yet, here he was, making love with a strange woman.

I blushed as I thought of it. I had come expecting rough, detached s*x. Instead, I'd gotten passionate lovemaking.

It seemed this man wasn't in the right state of mind. If I left him, he might harm himself, especially if he took any more of those pills. He needed company.

I dropped my handbag on a stool by the door and stopped to remove my stilleto.

"Why aren't you leaving?"

The deep voice I had gotten used to sounded in the room, making me lose my balance. I nearly fell, but managed to balance myself using the stool.

I looked to see that at some point, Edward had woken. His eyes were fixed on the television where the reporter was still reciting the latest developments in the divorce case.

"Have you been awake all these time?" I asked.

He grinned in a way that set my heart fluttering.

"Since you pushed my arms off you. You wanted to leave, but you seem to have changed your mind. Why?" he asked.

"Well, I…" I stammered, cheeks burning. "You looked… well, you looked like you might…" I trailed off, unsure how to phrase my concern without revealing I'd seen the pills.

Edward raised an eyebrow, his amusement clear. "Might what?"

"Like you might…" I took a deep breath. "You seemed really troubled last night. All those pills and…" I waved vaguely towards the dresser.

His smile softened slightly. "Ah, those. I couldn't bring myself to take any of them, so I just left them there,"

My relief was so sudden I almost laughed. "Oh. I thought…"

"Thought what?" He tilted his head, his gaze searching mine.

"That maybe…" I hesitated, then blurted, "That you might be… thinking of hurting yourself."

The amusement vanished completely, replaced by a surprised look. He chuckled, a low, warm sound. "Hurting myself? Why on earth would you think that?"

"The news…" I gestured at the television. "Your wife taking everything. It just seemed…"

"Like I was on the verge of a breakdown?" He finished my sentence, his voice losing its amusement.

"Well…" I mumbled, feeling foolish.

He stood up and walked towards me, his movements slow and deliberate. My breath hitched as he stopped close, his eyes holding mine.

"You shouldn't believe everything you see on television, May," he said softly. "But…" He hesitated, then continued. "Thank you. For… caring."

The warmth in his voice sent shivers down my spine. Maybe I had misjudged him completely.

He trailed a finger down my cheeks, his gaze holding mine so tightly I thought I might lose my breath.

"I didn't know whores cared for their client that way," Edward said, still trailing his finger up and down my cheeks.

It was very distracting, especially when combined with this peerless brown eyes and devilishly handsome features. But I managed to collect my thoughts.

"We do!" I said, not knowing whether to sound indignant or forthright.

Edward smiled.

"Only you're not one." he said.

I stared at him, wondering what he meant. He chuckled at my confusion, then quickly became serious.

"You're not a w***e," he said, looking me straight in the eye.

"I'm not?" I blurted out, surprised by his bluntness. Inside me, I panicked. Was he going to get annoyed and feel like the hotel shortchanged him?

"Are you trying to wiggle out of paying me, Mr. Billionaire?" I asked, finally settling for indignation.

It was ironic. Imagine me being indignant at being told I wasn't a w***e. But I couldn't afford to lose that money and let my mother die.

A wry smile played on his lips. "No. I will pay. But before I got married, I played around a little. Believe me when I say you're the furthest thing from a w***e I've ever seen. What's your story?"

A blush crept up my face, and a warmth I couldn't identify washed away the false indignation.

But…did I dare trust him with my story? But the genuine curiosity in his eyes prodded me on. There was no judgement, just curiosity.

And it occured to me that perhaps, this man can be the miracle my mum needs.

Taking a deep breath, I launched into my story. My mother's heavy drinking and drug taking. Her kidney failure. The medical battles she's fought since then. The need for a kidney transplant. The growing medical bills. The time the doctor had given her to live.

As I spoke, my voice cracked, and when I saw the genuine sympathy in his eyes, I completely broke down.

Edward took me in his arms and let me heavy and cry till the weight was off my chest. He didn't speak, just rubbed my back gently.

At last, I stepped back from the warmth of his solid chest and wiped my eyes.

"Sorry for that," I told him, a little embarrassed.

"It's alright," he said, and sounded like he meant it too. "I admire your tenacity in doing whatever it takes to save your mother." he paused.

"May I make you an offer?" he asked suddenly.

I looked up at him.

"What?" I asked.

"Be my girlfriend," he dropped the bombshell.

My jaw dropped. A gold-digger fantasy from the bar suddenly felt frighteningly real. "Your girlfriend?" I stammered. "But I'm…"

"Not a gold-digger," he finished, his voice firm. "I saw the way you looked at me last night. It wasn't about money, May. There was something else there."

His words sent a blush creeping up my neck. He was right. There had been a connection, a spark that transcended the initial arrangement. But could this be real? Could a billionaire like him genuinely be interested in someone like me?

"What's your answer?" he asked when the silence stretched on too long.

I took a deep breath.

The chance to help Mom, combined with the undeniable pull I felt towards Edward, made the decision surprisingly easy. A genuine smile bloomed on my face.

"Alright," I said, a hint of nervousness tinging my voice. "I'll be your girlfriend."

Edward's smile widened, and before I knew it, he was leaning down, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was both tender and electric. The world around us seemed to fade away, and for a moment, all that existed was the feeling of his touch.