Under The billionaire's contract

Chapter 14

~Chloe

When the knock first sounded on the door, I didn't bother getting off the couch because I was currently elbowed deep in scooping my ice cream and pizza combo, and at this juncture, nothing was worth putting down for. But when the knocking persisted, I forced myself up, feeling a slight pang in my belly which must have come from vomiting half the day.

You know, most women finished with morning sickness and nausea after the first two months. Not me, I still woke up every day feeling like I had the flu.

Brushing my hair out of my face, I walked to the front door, silently praying it wasn't my landlady coming to get me. I heaved out a soft exhale and opened the door and one look at the person standing in front of it made my stomach churn in a not-so-pleasant way.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, I-" he started but paused when his eyes lowered to my chest. And then his brows c****d up inquisitively. "Why are they like that?"

I looked down at my sweater and my cheeks burn crimson red. My n*****s were taut and perky and it wasn't intentional.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say they are happy to see me."

His words made me snap my head up to him.

"No, they are not. My breasts are sore and extremely sensitive right now."

The twist of his lips told me that he didn't believe a word I'd uttered. He clucked his tongue. "Well, I guess they must have been sore and extremely sensitive too the last time we hooked up.'

"God, you're an asshole." I held the door and tried to shut it in his face but his foot had already wedged it.

"I thought we established that fact already?"

He placed his hand on the door and pushed it back open again.

I honestly couldn't deal with him right now. I exhaled deeply. "Can we stop talking about my t**s and focus on why you are here or how you even found my house?"

He ignored my question and poked his head through the door. He smelt good by the way.

Sinfully good. "Can I come in?"

"No"

He moved closer, too close, which made me step aside, unintentionally allowing him to enter.

Dammit.

I watched as he scanned the small room. It didn't take long for dread to settle on his face. "So this where you live huh?".

I closed the door behind me with a small bang.

"Got a problem with it?"

"Certainly. This isn't a good environment for my child." His eyes caught the pizza wrap and bowl of ice cream on the couch.

Crap.

"Pizza and ice cream? You've been eating junk?"

In my defense, it was the only thing I could stomach without running to the bathroom. Plus, I craved it unusually these days.

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

He turned around and pinned me with a smoldering look. "You better watch your smart mouth, Hope. As long as my child is in there, whatever you do is my business."

"Yeah, I got the memo." I rolled my eyes and walked over to plop down on my bed. "Can we skip to the point where you tell me why you are here?"

"I came to discuss things concerning the wedding. I've arranged for the ceremony to be held in San Francisco, Grace Cathedral".

"Why San Francisco".

"I applied for a license there so my family can take part in the wedding."

"So we're going to be reciting our vows? Sacred vows?"

"They'll be meaningless. I told you from the beginning how this was going to be. I sure as hell don't have any intention of being a husband".

The nerves. "To be fair, I don't like you either."

"Then we understand each other." He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small square jewelry box. "Put this on.

I opened the box and eyed the modest-size diamond solitaire engagement ring.

I took the ring. "This is quite an unusual engagement ring," I observed, sliding it onto my left ring finger. Surprisingly it fitted perfectly.

"It's an heirloom." He told me, surprisingly unaffected.

"Then isn't it suppose to be meant for your true love?"

"It doesn't matter. I don't attach meanings to these things." He cleared his throat, staring at my finger for a second. "We'll marry in a week."

My brows pinched together. "Why so soon?"

"I can fit it into my schedule now and considering how many months in you are, I think we can both agree that we need to rush things up before that," he nodded to my belly, "becomes hard to hide."

He had a fair point.

"Everything is already arranged," he continued.

"Your mother's community home is hosting a charity fundraiser tomorrow night, we'll both attend and I'll make an official press release right after that. And there is one more detail I forgot to mention last time we met."

"What?"

"The terms of our arrangement are to be kept private. As far as the rest of the world will know, this will be a marriage based on love."

"Love?" I nearly laughed right at his face. "Who's going to believe that we're in love?"

"I think we can be convincing enough."

"And how do you know that?"

"Planning. I am a businessman, Chloe, I didn't get to where I am by being a deadbeat."

I couldn't prevent my eyes from rolling in exasperation. "Did you get there by resorting to blackmail to get what you want too?"

His smile was stiff. "I wouldn't consider it blackmailing since we're all getting something we want out of the deal."

I sighed and leaned forward, my sweater slipping down my shoulder in the process. "Well, I guess you have it all figured out." I instinctively reached up to scratch the itch on my left shoulder. "So what do you-"

When I looked back up, his gaze had darkened ominously and they stayed glued to my shoulder.

"Where did that come from?"

I immediately stopped scratching and readjusted my sweater. "I got bit by a mosquito."

He raised his eyebrows at me as if he didn't believe me.

"I get these allergic reactions whenever I get bitten by mosquitoes," I explained, hoping it would soothe his curiosity but the ferocious look on his face only grew worse.

"You have allergies and yet you let yourself get bitten?" His tone dripped acid. Heck, why did he even care so much?

"I accidentally left the windows open while sleeping yesterday."

"Why would you take such risks?"

"It was an accident."

He stepped closer and pulled my sweater down to inspect my shoulder. His brows creased. "This looks like it needs medical attention. It's red." He grabbed my hand and pulled me up. "Come, I'll take you to a clinic."

"Stop, I'm fine." I yanked my hand away from his and pulled my sweater back up before my breast popped out. "It'll wear off in a few days."

He didn't look convinced. "This isn't something to be taken lightly, Chloe".

God, that condescending look on his face was starting to annoy me. "Stop acting like you care, Killian. I said I'm fine and this doesn't affect the baby."

"For your information, I do care. And I can not trust you to take care of yourself. You should move in with me".

I moved back as though he'd spat on my face.

"No freaking way."

"Why?"

What the f**k? Was he being serious right now?

©

"Because I barely even know you."

His face was blunt. "Well, you knew me enough to f**k me. Look where that got us both."

I clenched my fist. "That was different. Having casual s*x and living together are two very different things

"Bullshit." He spat.

"No way, forget it. It's not right to move in with you until we're married."

He c****d an incredulous brow. "Since when did you become traditional?"

"Since you asked me to move in with you."

"Fine then, we'll marry tomorrow because I'm not letting you out of my sight."

I felt flummoxed. "No way!"

"Dammit!" He snapped. "Don't you ever get tired of detesting me?"

"Don't you ever get tired of giving me reasons to?!" I snapped back.

"God, you talk too much." He hissed, his eyes lingering on my lips for a moment.

I took a step forward, daring him as I blurted out my next words. "And there's nothing you can do about it".

The air tensed between us. I swallowed the lump in my throat and watched him, still daring him.

Then he moved, walking towards me, his large, muscular physique imposing as he dipped his head forward, hot breath dancing over my parted lips.

"Don't dare me".

"Or what?"

His eyes darkened.

"Or I'll f**k you right here and now".

My body's reaction to his threat was nothing short of sick. Shivers ran down my spine but I struggled to keep up my composure as I c****d my chin up and spat. "I dare you."

His eyes turned a shade darker. "Sure you're not going to regret saying that?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you going to make me?"

"Matter of fact, I am." His arms snaked around my waist and pulled me flushed against his chest.

My heartbeat sped up.

"Aryan, what are you - " he grabbed my face and planted his mouth on my lip.

My eyes widened.

Sweet Lord.

His lips descended on mine with a hunger that I felt tingling across every inch of my body, sending my blood pumping, my legs clenching, and my slit aching.

I clung to his shirt, unable to do anything but accept and return every stroke, every nibble, every suck. I was so lost in his hard caress that my surrounding became a blur and I should've stopped when my front door creaked open but I didn't. He had me at his mercy and I couldn't do a damn thing but drink what he offered.

But then my front door shut and footsteps approached me. "Hope why isn't your door.... what the heck!"

It was Scott.