Billionaire Betrayal: The Secret She Buried

Chapter 001 RILEY'S POINT OF VIEW The night air felt like a chilly slap against my skin. Above me, the sky of Malibu stretched endlessly, with stars strewn about like shattered glass. Behind me, I could still hear Ethan calling my name as if it had significance. It didn't. No longer. "Wait, Riley! Come on, baby, let's discuss this! I didn't even turn around. My heart slammed so hard against my ribs that it hurt as my heels clattered quickly over the stone path. My mask slipped from my fingers and fell like a dead leaf as I yanked it off. Behind me, the party lights faded into hazy hues. I felt like screaming. We had planned this as our engagement night. Ethan and I were engaged. A fairytale. I had discovered him with Lila instead. Lila. My companion. When I entered, her lipstick was still smudged on his mouth. Never in my life had I hated someone so quickly. I blinked away the tears that burnt my eyes. I was not going to cry over him. Not this evening. I needed air, space, something. I experienced a crushing sensation in my chest. I stumbled through the garden, past drunk guests and fake smiles. I didn’t know where I was going until the beach’s smell hit me. The smell of cold water and salt hit me. Like my heart, the waves crashed. "Misplaced?" A voice. deep, rough all around. I whirled. Half-hidden in the shadows, a man stood. His tall suit clings to his body like sin. His face was mostly hidden by a mask, but those eyes—damn, those eyes. "I avoid chatting with strangers." "All right. I don't either. I should have been frightened. In the darkness, I encountered a stranger. However, my fear didn't start for some reason. It might have been the wine. or the sadness. Or perhaps he had a voice that sounded as broken as I did. "Had a bad night?" he enquired. "The worst." "The same." His gaze never left mine as we stood there, waves hissing in the darkness. He said, "Want to put it out of your mind for a bit?" I ought to have declined. ought to have left. My heart, however, had other ideas. "Yes." Waiting, he extended his hand. No name. No assurances. Just a helping hand. I accepted it. Like a man who knew how to use them, his fingers were rough and warm. The beach house sat silently, lights off, and alone at the edge of the shore. He opened the door as if it were his own. Perhaps it did. Perhaps it didn't. I didn't give a damn. The world dimmed inside. Just him. Just now. I didn't even hold out. With my lips pressed against his and my fingers tugging at his jacket, I collided with him. His kisses were intense and fervent, reminiscent of a storm. His kisses were fierce and intense, akin to a tempest. As if he needed it to breathe. One by one, clothes fell to the ground. His hands chased away the cold air that bit my skin, making each touch even hotter. He whispered against my throat, "God, you're gorgeous." "Avoid saying things you don't mean." "I mean it." I didn't think he was real. However, I desired to. The sheets were cool against my back as the bed embraced us. His mouth met mine once more, stealing both air and senses. Every touch pulled me under. I forgot the world, the party, and Ethan with every kiss. I couldn't remember how much time had passed. His presence enveloped me. He touched as if stopping would cause him to shatter. His rough, slow hands left heat trails as they moved down my body. I needed more, so I arched into him. Words were irrelevant. Just the way his lips moved over my skin, as if he was trying to commit it to memory. I muttered, "Say something." His once-stormy eyes softened as he gazed down at me. "You have a homely feeling." Trying not to cry, I bit my lip. It was foolish. I had no idea what his name was. The world became hazy with tangled limbs, breathless groans, and heat. We were completely engulfed by the night. I was already putting on my dress when the light from the dawn peeked through the curtains. I had trembling hands. With his face obscured by shadows and his hair in disarray, he stirred in bed. "Remain." Just one word. It was as silent as a whisper. However, it struck me more forcefully than anything Ethan ever said. "I am unable to." I reached for my mask and my heels. It felt like my heart was breaking in two. I didn't let him stop me. simply lay there and observed. I went outside. My skin was pricked by the cool air. The world seemed to be mocking me as the waves grew softer. My mind whirled. I didn't understand why my body hurt. I was aware that I would never see him again. Excellent. That was the strategy. Something twisted in my stomach, though, as I staggered back to the road. A strange, tight pull. I touched it. Most likely nothing. It couldn't be anything. Could it? I ran after giving the beach house and the man inside one last glance. I would discover it wasn't anything four years later. It was all of it. What on earth was that, man?