The Billionaire's Rebound Wife (English)

TWELVE

Chapter 12

"Good morning."

The moment I woke up, a heavy weight settled in my chest, but hearing his voice felt like a sharp tug at my heartstrings. I took a slow, deep breath and pushed myself up, leaning against the headboard. I pulled the duvet tightly around me, suddenly very aware that I was still completely naked under the sheets.

"How long have you been up?" I asked, my voice steadier than I felt.

He let out a lazy yawn as he sat up and mirrored my position. I couldn't help but glance at him. "A little while."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked immediately, cutting my eyes toward the wall clock. I winced slightly as the room did a slow tilt… it was a nasty combination of exhaustion, hunger, and the lingering sting of the drinks from last night. "It’s late."

"Nah. I was enjoying watching you sleep."

I froze. I bit my lower lip as I took a sharp breath through my nose to keep my composure.

I closed my eyes for a second before looking back at him with a mask of cold indifference. "Can I charge you extra for that? You stayed way past your welcome," I said flatly.

From where I sat, I watched his forehead crease instantly. His jaw tightened, and he let out a harsh, frustrated breath. "You’re really thinking about money first thing in the morning? Right after you wake up?"

I wanted to snap back that money wasn't actually what was on my mind. I was thinking about last night…

But of course, I couldn't let him see that… he’d probably think I was angling for round two. No way. Never again. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

I wasn't an i***t. After he moaned his ex-girlfriend’s name last night instead of mine? I was done.

Fool me once and we’re done.

"What else should I be thinking about? Since you’re still here, I assume you’re ready to pay—"

"Who said I wasn't going to pay?" he cut me off, making me roll my eyes again. He tried to lean in closer to my face but I jerked back. "Why are you being so cold? I just want a kiss."

I shot him a look and arched an eyebrow. "A kiss is worth a hundred bucks per five seconds," I bargained.

He shook his head, looking half-exasperated, half-amused. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he moved in anyway. Without another word, he claimed my lips again. I kept my hands firmly at my sides, refusing to touch his neck because I was terrified I’d cave into the temptation all over again.

"That was twelve seconds," I said the moment our lips parted, breathless. "But fine, let’s call it ten. The extra two seconds are on the house since you’re actually a decent kisser," I joked, giving him a dismissive shrug.

The corner of his mouth twitched, his gaze still fixed on my lips. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't look at me like that unless you want to run up the tab. A thousand dollars is already a lot, Lieutenant Fontanilla."

"Let’s make it eleven hundred then."

I opened my mouth to protest but before I could get a word out, he smothered my lips with another kiss. He cupped the back of my neck, pulling me into him, and kissed me like there was no tomorrow. I was so caught off guard that I completely lost count.

Without realizing it, I started kissing him back. I had no idea if it had been fifteen seconds or fifty; all I knew was that I was melting into him.

But then, the memory of him calling out his ex's name last night slammed into me like a cold bucket of water.

I shoved him away to break our contact. I looked toward the wall, biting my lip to keep my emotions in check. I couldn't stop the thought from creeping in... that maybe he was only kissing me because I reminded him of her.

I set my jaw and adjusted my posture. "When are you giving me the cash? I don't want it through a bank transfer; my aunt monitors my accounts. Do you have it on you—"

"Is money seriously the only thing in your head?"

He closed his eyes tight, looking genuinely pissed off. What was his problem? Why did he care so much about what I chose to prioritize?

"You just lost your virginity last night, Kaia," he remarked quietly.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat feeling like lead. "So?" I asked, playing it off.

"So? That’s all you have to say?"

"W-what else do you want me to say? I lost it…okay, fine. But what’s it to you? It’s not even a big deal! Did the first girl you were with make a federal case out of it? No, right? So why are you getting angry?" I snapped. I turned away and slid out of bed, keeping the duvet wrapped around me like a makeshift robe. I couldn't help but wince as a sharp ache shot through my thighs.

Damn.

Despite the pain, I forced myself to stand tall. I had to show him I was fine, that last night was nothing… even if, deep down, it felt like everything.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.

"Why do you care?" I challenged, turning my back on him again. I started picking up my clothes from the floor, my cheeks burning. God, this was embarrassing.

"I-if you’re done waiting for a standing ovation, you can get dressed and leave. If you have the cash, leave it. If you ran away from me without paying, I’m reporting you for fraud," I joked weakly.

He groaned. "Do I look like I’m broke to you? Of course I’ll pay. I’m not a runner."

I gave a half-shrug. Trying to pull on my underwear while holding up a duvet was a circus act and the soreness wasn't helping. I winced again as I stepped into them.

Shit, that hurts.

I bit my lip as I breathed through the discomfort. Once I felt steady enough, I let the duvet drop to the floor, leaving me in just my underwear.

"What are you still waiting for? Don't you have a job? A life?"

"Why are you in such a rush to kick me out?" he countered.

I exhaled loudly and rolled my eyes before facing him. I heard him give a low whistle when he saw me. I glared, but he just smirked. "You look better that way."

I arched an eyebrow, looking down at myself. "What way?"

A mischievous glint entered his eyes. "Naked," he replied with a wink.

"You're a jerk."

He laughed. "Oh, come on. It’s not like you weren't enjoying my body last night—"

"Jerk," I cut him off. "Are you leaving or what? I need to shower."

He leaned back against the headboard, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Can I join?"

I gave him a death stare. "I’m satisfied with the eleven hundred. If you want to hop in, the price jumps to two thousand... interested?"

He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You’re expensive. I might have to pull some overtime for that," he laughed, and I couldn't help but crack a smile too. "What if I sold myself to some other women just to pay you—"

"Shut up," I interrupted, rolling my eyes. "As if anyone would buy."

His mouth fell open in fake offense. I gave him a wide, smug grin. "Excuse me—"

"You’re excused. Go home," I cut him off again. "I’m getting in the shower, so get out. I feel disgusting," I added without thinking.

I felt gross mostly because of where he... ended up last night. God, it was humiliating.He held up his hands like a criminal surrendering… even though he was the cop. He was laughing as he looked at me. "Alright, alright, I’m going. But I don't really want to go home yet."

My brows knit together. "You just said—"

"Do you want to grab breakfast? I’m craving donuts." He wagged his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.

Why was he in such a good mood? He wasn't usually like this. Was this just how he acted after s*x? He was being so weird.

"Pay me first so I can actually afford the breakfast you’re talking about. I’m broke," I said boredly.

He chuckled for the hundredth time and pointed to his discarded jeans with his chin. "My wallet’s in there," he said, staying firmly planted on the bed.

I rolled my eyes and walked over. I picked up his pants, half-expecting him to be joking. I mean, who carries that much cash? But when I pulled out the wallet, it was surprisingly heavy.

My eyes went wide when I opened it. It was packed with cards and a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills.

"Do you want to take the whole thing or—"

"Why do you carry so much cash?" I asked, genuinely shocked. I grew up with money but even I never carried a roll like this. "Aren't you afraid of getting mugged?"

He laughed softly. "Come on, Kaia. I’m a cop. Who’s going to try and rob me? They wouldn't get far," he said with a smirk.

I exhaled. Right. Point taken.

"I’m only taking half. You can owe me the rest. And just because I said 'later' doesn't mean I’m forgetting. You owe me," I clarified, pulling several hundreds out.

I swallowed hard as I counted the money. Once I had five hundred, I tossed the wallet back to him. He caught it effortlessly. Fast reflexes. Figures.

"So, breakfast?" he asked again.

I sighed and shrugged. "Wait for me outside. I’m showering." I tucked the cash into my nightstand drawer and turned toward the bathroom. "Lock the door on your way out so no one walks in while I’m in there," I reminded him.

As I reached the bathroom door, I saw him start to pick up his clothes. I took a deep breath and closed the door behind me. I immediately faced the mirror.

I ran my fingers through my hair, my hand trailing down my neck... to my chest. I sighed when I saw the marks Dylan had left behind.

"So this is what a hickey looks like?" I whispered, tracing them with my fingertips. I shrugged. "Not bad. But how the hell am I supposed to cover these up?"

I stepped into the shower, taking much longer than usual. Everything still ached, and I was meticulous about scrubbing my skin. I had been too exhausted to clean up properly last night.

When I finally stepped out, Dylan was gone, and the door was locked just like I’d asked. I was mid-lipstick application when my phone started buzzing. I frowned and picked it up. It was Belle, my grandmother's caregiver back home.

"Hey, Belle? Is everything okay?" I asked, still looking at my reflection.

"K-Kaia? Are you in the city? Because... I..."

My heart dropped into my stomach. She sounded like she was hyperventilating. "Is something wrong?"

"It’s your grandma, Kaia. She... she had a heart attack."