Villainess on Ice

Chapter 18

I woke up with Kai’s arm around me. It was a different kind of feeling.

I blushed, recalling what happened the night prior. He was truly an attentive partner and a much more gentle man than I bargained for.

He was truly night and day when compared to Damon.

“Good morning,” his husky voice snapped me from my thoughts. I blushed again, recalling last night.

“Good morning,” I managed to squeak out.

“Well, aren’t you something,” he said, snuggling closer and placing a kiss on my neck. “Where is that confident, no-nonsense lady from before last night? The one who puts fear in the hearts of others.” He let out a chuckle at the end.

“I am still here,” I struggled to get out of his grasp, but it proved fruitless. I just remained still until he let it pass.

“Kai,” I called out his name, which he just hummed to. “This doesn’t change anything between us. It’s just s*x. Nothing more,” I spoke, clarifying where we stood.

I didn’t want him misunderstanding anything. I didn’t want him thinking there could be more between us.

He just let out another chuckle at my words, this one softer than the last.

“You are always so cold, Elara. But I don’t mind,” he spoke, his voice deeper than before. “I don’t care what you take me for. I am willing to wait until you are ready.” What was his problem? I was trying to push him away, and he was holding firm like a leech.

“Then you will wait a long time,” I spoke coldly. I didn’t want him trying to break down the walls I put up.

He sat up. The sheets slid down his waist, bringing a perfect view of his abdominal muscles.

He placed a hand on my face, forcing me to face him. I stared into his sea-green eyes. “I don’t care what title you place on me.” He leaned in, his breath fanning my face, his lips just a hair away from mine. “Just as long as I get to be with you is fine by me. I will wait as long as it takes to be with you, as long as your heart may need to heal before you give me a chance to cherish it.” With that, he pressed his lips on mine.

It was everything I wanted at that moment and more. I knew I was done for. How could I ever escape now?

**

I had spent the next couple of days with Kai and his friends, refusing at first, but they just roped me in.

Mostly sharing teasing remarks about our supposed secret relationship and then winking at me, promising to keep it a secret.

I still didn’t understand what they meant, but just let it go.

I was already close to the Voss estate. I wanted to remain there for another few days. I didn’t want to return back to the school just yet.

I recalled the last moment spent there with Kai.

~Flashback~

“I guess this is it,” Kai said, opening my door for me to step inside.

“Yep,” was the only word I could muster. I glanced at his forearm as he opened my door, and my face instantly exploded with heat.

He passed his phone toward me. I didn’t understand the meaning behind it. I just looked at him with a questioning expression.

“Your phone number. I don’t have it,” he explained, his hand never retracting as he held his phone out toward me.

“Don’t randomly spam me with annoying texts, or else I will block you,” I warned coldly, snatching the phone from his grasp as I inputted my phone number.

“I won’t. I promise,” he said, grinning like he just won a prize.

“I agree to work with you,” I uttered, passing him his phone as he fidgeted with it.

“Huh?” He looked up in confusion, slightly taken aback by my statement.

I lowered my voice so he could only hear me. “I agree to working with you on getting to the bottom of this illegal betting ring,” I explained. His face circled through different emotions before settling on something that seemed pleased.

He stretched out his hand for a handshake. “That’s wonderful. I look forward to working with you, partner.” He emphasized the word partner, bringing back his earlier words on being my partner.

I ignored it and got in, closing the door as I did so.

“We are not partners. I choose to work with you because of my own reasons,” I said coldly. He just smiled, ignoring my words.

“Text me when you get home.” I drove out, starting my journey back home. I saw him waving through the rearview mirror until he became a blur.

~Flashback ended~

I parked and got out.

I had work to do. That was the reason why I came here instead of heading straight toward school.

The moment I stepped into the foyer, I was greeted with my father talking with another man. They weren’t aware of my presence just yet.

“—You can count on it going well, Mr Voss,” the man said, shaking my father’s hand.

“I am rest assured that what I asked for would be treated with the utmost priority,” Father said.

What were they talking about? This doesn’t seem like a regular business meeting. Everything about this screams shady as hell.

“Yes sir, you—” he was speaking.

“Welcome home, Young Miss,” a maid materialised out of nowhere and curtsied toward me, moving to take my bags. Her words alerted my father and the other person of my presence.

What the f**k was her problem? I glared daggers at her.

Both men stood stupefied by my presence, moving to separate, turning to face me both with panic before plastering on fake smiles.

“Elara, what are you doing here?” My father was the fastest to recover and the quickest to question.

“Can’t a daughter come see her father anymore or am I banned from visiting my own home?” I sneered. The other man looked visibly uncomfortable.

“Mr Voss, I should be heading out. It was good speaking with you.” He bowed respectfully before seeing himself out.

Father frowned before walking toward his home office. I followed soon after.

Once we were inside I shut the door before confronting him.

“So after everything I warned you about you still refused to listen and continued your illegal betting business. That man was associated with them, wasn’t he?” I snapped. I couldn’t believe him. How could he be so foolish?

“Watch how you address me,” he glared at me, his eyes holding a look of annoyance. He wasn’t denying my accusation, which meant it was true.

“I would address you like a fool because you are one.” I was livid at his audacity to focus on the wrong thing.

“Do you realise that if you get caught or this leaks out not only would the Voss name be affected but you could go to prison too?” He wasn’t seeing the bigger picture. He was too naive to see what I was seeing.

“I already told you none of this could leak except you open your big mouth and tell someone,” he replied.

I was already tired of his idiocy. I really needed to make sure I handled everything concerning this.

I needed to make preparations earlier than I did in the future with my last-minute arrangements.

My siblings’ lives mattered more.