THE BILLIONAIRE’S RETURNED LOVER

THE MORNING AFTER

A chill brushed over her spine and she snuggled closer to the source of heat next to her, groaning as the cold seemed to follow her anyways. Compelled, she opened an eye to see a deep blue sky.

Funny, she didn't recall buying wallpaper like that for her room. Lazily she yawned and turned her back against the warm body next to hers. In response, an arm draped around her stomach, pulling her closer.

"Mhmm." She sighed contentedly. Having a snuggle buddy was wonderful- Wait!

Her eyes, both of them flew open and widened as she realized the sky wasn't a wallpaper. She was outside and it was dawn! She gasped in horror as events of the last night plagued her and as if scorched by fire, she wrenched out of the arm around her, struggling to her feet.

"Oh no no no." She whispered, taking in her unclothed state and a very naked Eli sleeping before her. "Oh God no. What did we freaking do?!'

Frederick was barely cold in his grave and they'd gone ahead to have s*x like depraved siblings. She glanced around furtively as she reached for her clothes. Had anyone seen them? What the hell would happen now? She had not been thinking. She doubted Eli did too.

Eli stirred before her, stretching an arm to seek her. Without thinking, she turned on her heels and fled to her room.

*****

"Are we leaving after breakfast?" Ivory asked casting a furtive glance at the door. Her body tingled as memories of the night before assailed her. She had to get the hell out before anything crazier happened.

Because that was what last night was. Crazy. Shuddering, she clutched the robe around her tighter hoping they would leave soon before Eli woke up. She could never look him in the face. Heck, she couldn't even look her Mother in the face.

Last night should never have happened.

"Pass the pepper Ivory. If you're going to just stand there then leave the kitchen." Her mother chastened and she sighed.

"What's with the cooking mom? It's like nine in the morning. The guests have left anyways."

She didn't exactly count as a guest, she had spent her childhood with the Carters anyway.

Madeline Stars threw a glance at her daughter and shook her head. "I want breakfast to be ready before Stella leaves."

Ivory paused mid grin and frowned. "What does that mean? Stella doesn't live here?"

A sombre expression settled on her mother's usual joyful face and Ivory felt a kick against her ribs. Just what had happened during those three years she was away? Why did it seem like everything and everyone she once knew had changed?

"She moved out two years ago." Her mom explained.

"I didn't know. Why didn't no one tell me? What happened?" Ivory demanded, her frown deepening.

Madeline shrugged. "The house is Eli's now. What happened isn't my story to tell Ivory. Frederick's Will will be read tonight. We can stay behind to know what's there."

The house was Eli's. Eli owned the freaking mansion. Somehow that felt daunting and rather scary and Ivory felt herself panic a little. She couldn't stay there for another whole day without bumping into him! What would she say? What if he regretted it as she did?!

"Mom I can't stay here. I don't have spare clothes and I haven't been home since I arrived. The hotel I lodged in was great and all, but their bathroom was horrible." She pursed her lips in disgust at the thought. "How about we go home, I'll change and then we can come back for the Will-"

"No!" Madeline yelled shocking her daughter and herself. Her wide eyes slowly receded to normal and she gave Ivory a nervous smile. "I mean- I packed some of your clothes. You can check them in my room."

That was weird. With narrowed eyes, Ivory searched her mom's face wondering what her outburst meant. Why would she need to pack clothes? Their house was just a few blocks away. Something smelled fishy.

"Mom-"

"Breakfast is ready. Go have a bath or something. " Madeline shooed.

"Mom!" She growled.

"Mommy!" A cheery voice cut her short and she turned to see her little brother, Henry bounding towards them. He was a small lanky figure who looked nothing like her or her mother but meant everything to them. "Ivy!"

Unable to resist, she crouched to her feet catching him into her arms and twirling him around. His giggling made her giggle.

"Well good morning little man." She chuckled tapping his nose as she slowly stopped spinning.

The five-year-old laughed. "You'll make me puke Ivy."

"Yeah drop the kid down." Her mom muttered trying to pull Henry out of her arms. Ivory glared at her mockingly before setting Henry on his feet. The boy giggled-he giggled a lot- holding his hand behind him and rocking on his feet.

"Guess where I was all morning Ivy, Guess!"

She grinned at him. "Where?"

And at that moment she felt a fourth presence in the room. Looking up from her brother, her eyes settled on the man who stood by the door, his intense green eyes boring holes into her. Her lips dried and she stared frozen and unashamedly at him.

He was shirtless. His golden skin was marred by several claw marks and bruises. A blush spread across her cheeks as she recalled clutching him the night before, grabbing onto his shoulders in the heat of passion. His hands were rough against her skin as he palmed her. The taste of his mouth still lingered on hers and hungrily she licked her lips.

Eli's eyes followed the movement and darkened. The emotion in them knocked the wind out of her and as if by invitation, he took slow measured steps towards her. His muscles rippled with each step he took.

Yes. Her body cried and unconsciously she arched in eagerness, wishing they were alone in the kitchen. Wishing he would strip her night dress off, like he did the night before, and pound into her slowly against the counter until-

No! Her mind disputed. Have some shame Ivory!

Her face burned and she looked away, feeling tears sting the corners of her eyes. She'd lost her mind for one night and ruined fifteen years of friendship.

"With Elijah!" Henry cried startling her out of her thoughts. She blinked down at him rapidly, confused at first then alarmed as Elijah drew closer.

"W-What?" She stuttered. Eli had gotten so close she could feel the heat of his skin run like tendrils over hers. Her n*****s hardened and poked and begged to be noticed by him. Throwing a glance at him, she gasped when she saw his eyes were trained on them.

Oh God no. She had to get out of that house. Last night had been a mistake she wanted to repeat. But she couldn't. They couldn't.

"Look what we made!" Henry, oblivious to the tension that prevailed in the kitchen, bragged with shiny blue eyes. He held up a wooden miniature bird.

"Aww, it's pretty Henry." She gushed. It wasn't a professional work of art, but it was beautiful.

"Like you." Henry grinned and her heart stuttered when she heard Eli hum in agreement.

"Come on Hen. Let's go check on Stella together." Her mother said grabbing Henry's hands and before Ivory could blink twice, she had disappeared from the kitchen.

"Traitor." She mumbled and gasped when Eli shifted impossibly closer until he stood before her, rubbing the back of his head.

"Hey," he mumbled, his ears and cheeks were tinged pink as he stared at her.

"Hey," she whispered in response, wishing the earth would swallow her whole. What would she freaking say? Last night was crazy good, thank you, let's never do it again? I hope we can and will always remain friends?

"Are you okay?" He asked, "Nothing's broken? last night was..."

She swallowed and shook her head. "I'm whole and healthy." She chuckled nervously.

"That's... Cool." He murmured. She heard him take a deep breath and felt her stomach drop. "Ivory..."

"Uhm I think I hear my mom calling!" She yelled. "See ya!"

And like a coward, she dashed out of the kitchen.

***

A nervous look at the clock told Ivory that it was six in the evening. Exhausted from having to dodge Eli all day, she sunk deeper into the sofa she sat on and tried to pretend he wasn't looking at her.

But he was.

He had for the past ten minutes since she planted her butt three sofas away from him. It was funny how the day before he had barely glanced at her. Now, she felt she would combust from the heat in his eyes.

The mood in the living room was sombre. Elijah, Stella, Madeline, Henry and her sat before Frederick's Lawyer who cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Before I read the will, There's a mandate, Frederick Carter had demanded to be read before everyone here today. It is directed by Elijah Carter and Ivory Stars. "

Ivory snapped upright on hearing her name. Frederick left a mandate for her?

"Eli and Ivory, " The lawyer read. "This is supposed to be some formal letter sort of thing, but considering I'm breathing through a darned respirator, Formal letter be darned.

Ivory, I don't know why Oxford appealed to you. I wish you had stayed close, I would have loved to spend these moments with you. Elijah is no fun to be around and he sucks these days. Doesn't even laugh when I crack jokes anymore."

Ivory gave a sad laugh, wiping the tears that streamed down her face. Frederick Carter had always been silly. He couldn't even do a proper mandate.

"Remember that wooden cottage I grew up in? Took you guys there when you were just as tall as my hip, we sat and fished and sang those old songs. It was fun."

Ivory glanced at Eli and saw him burying his face in his palm. Yeah, it had been fun. It had been an old cottage and it was falling apart, but they had so much fun there that day.

"I'm asking this favour, as a father and your best friend, I want it renovated. It has been my dream to do so for a while, but cancer sucks. The blueprint for a new cottage should be designed by you two and I want the building supervised by my favourite children too. Ivory, Eli, I love you guys. I love you so much, my respirator gets all jacked up when I think about how much you've both grown, it's ridiculous. I hope the cottage will be homey and beautiful and the home of your dreams. It's all I want and wish for."

When the Lawyer finished reading, he glanced up, looking in her direction. "This is the favour Frederick Carter asks of you both. To finish his dream project."