“I need to teach you a lesson for defying me,” Beau says, and in an instant, my leg drops down. He puts his other hand on my waist and lifts me off my chair. Landing perfectly on him, my eyes widen once I feel him against me. “Yes, darlin’, you are the reason for it. And tonight, you are going to satisfy it.” He holds me down, hunger in his eyes. “I’ll do no such thing,” I say, resisting the urge to grind my hips against him. My already is pressed against his hard length, and I find myself wanting to pull it out so he can fill me up to the hilt and make all my dreams a reality. “Oh, you will, and you are going to enjoy it.” **** Delilah Stephen is a young architect trying to make a name for herself without Daddy’s help. She is so close to achieving her goal when something unexpected happens. The investor meant to make her dreams a reality turns out to be someone Delilah wishes never to see again, Beau Williams. He is a handsome billionaire with a dangerous family. He broke Delilah’s heart seven years ago and is now back to win her. Delilah passionately hates Beau, so he has his work cut out for him. She refuses to forget the past, but Beau doesn’t give up. He will stop at nothing to make Delilah feel something for him after so many years. But for how long can he keep trying, and will he ever succeed?
View MoreStanding up from my chair and walking to the window with a cup of coffee, I look out and take in the scene before me. Many cars are trying to beat traffic and make it to work in the city of Austin. A crowd of people swarms the sidewalk heading towards the various buildings in the center of the city. I take a deep breath as the morning sun shines on my face. A ring sounds, snapping me out of my thoughts. Setting my coffee mug on the table, I pick up my phone. The caller ID reads Daddy with a crown emoji beside it.
“Hello, Dad,” I say, answering the phone.
“How are you, Delilah? Are we still on for lunch today?”
“You saw me before I went to work this morning,” I reply, shaking my head and smiling. I can’t believe he’s worried about how I’m doing.
“It doesn’t matter. A lot can happen in an hour or two.”
“Really, Dad?” He’s nothing if not protective. If the man had his way, I wouldn’t work at all, but it hasn’t always been like this. We only became close after my mom died and I moved to the states from Nigeria to live with him. My parents were divorced, so I lived in Nigeria with my mom until she passed when I was fourteen. But once I was here, my dad quickly made up for lost time, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
“Yes, really.” He chuckles before continuing, “But did you still want to meet for lunch? I forgot to ask you before you left the house this morning. I need to know if I should reschedule my meetings or not.” Dad works as a mechanical engineer and sits on the board of Tesla, so he’s able to adjust his schedule.
“If you can make it work, I’d still like to meet. I want to discuss my proposal with you before meeting the investors later.” A group of investors are coming into my office today. With the help of my dad and my best friend, I have managed to build a successful architectural firm in just three years. Now, my plan is to expand my business into real estate development. As an architect, I only design houses; I don’t build them. I want to develop and sell. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible with the right set of investors. And I’m up for the challenge.
“No problem, dear. I’ll have Jeremy pick you up from your office.”
“No need to send your driver; I’ll meet you there.”
“Alright, see you later dear, bye,” he says, hanging up the phone.
Despite myself, I can’t help the smile stretching across my face as I look through my proposal once more. This is going to be a huge step, both for the company and for myself. Something big is going to happen today, I can feel it. And I can’t wait.
***
I finally make it back to the office after spending more time than I meant to at lunch with Dad. I was so focused on pitching my proposal to him I forgot I also had to be on time for the actual meeting. I rush into the room, hoping the investors might be late and my absence won’t be why the discussion hasn’t started.
“Oh, thank God. They haven’t arrived,” I say, walking into the mostly empty boardroom.
“You are fortunate,” Camila—my best friend and partner—says, turning around in her seat as I enter. I’d met Camila in college, and shortly after graduating when we were twenty-two, we’d started our company— D&C Inc. She’s my partner, but her skillset is altogether different. Camila is an engineer, and a brilliant one at that. I couldn’t imagine working without her. Though we both bring something different to our company, we always make a point to sit side-by-side during any meetings to show our level of authority is equal.
Getting comfortable in the chair beside hers, I notice how she’s adjusting her appearance, using her phone’s front-camera to see herself.. Her hand fluffs her black hair and she lightly pinches her cheeks making them rosy before smacking her lips against each other to spread her light pink lipstick.
“Why are you checking yourself out, Camila? We are about to have a business meeting, not a double date.”
“I know, but have you seen the man coming to negotiate? He’s hot. I have to look my best, and so do you.” Camila tries to undo a few of my top buttons.
“Why are you trying to show off my cleavage?” I slap her hands away from my blouse.
“If I can’t win his heart, maybe you can. It’s long overdue for you to get a boyfriend,” she says, moving to fix my hair.
“Don’t you have a boyfriend? And besides, there is no way I would date one of our investors. It wouldn’t be professional.”
“Danny and I broke up last night.” A hint of sadness seeps into her tone.
“Again?” I ask, frowning.
“Yeah.”
“How long has it been this time?” Camila and her boyfriend never stay broken up for more than a few days. It’s an endless cycle of breaking up and getting back together. I don’t know why my beautiful friend wastes her love on such an idiot. I hate Danny with a passion. He’s an arrogant bully who takes my friend’s feelings for granted. I wish she would see that he is not worth her time and leave him for good one day.
“It’s only been a day, but I believe we’re truly done this time.”
“Yeah, and I am fair-skinned,” I say, rolling my eyes and gesturing towards my obviously dark complexion.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m serious; we broke up for real this time. I am not going back to him, even if he begs me.”
“Whatever,” I huff.
“I am ser—”
“Miss Stephen,” my assistant interrupts, poking her head through the door.
“Yes?”
“They’re here, ma’am.”
“Oh,” I say, standing as she opens the door further to usher everyone inside.
Camila also stands, and we approach the door together, but my skirt snags on something as I’m walking. Bending down, I try to remove it without causing the fabric to rip. I successfully untangle my skirt from the edge of the table without ruining it, thankfully. It’s high time I get new boardroom tables.
I lift my head, my hand stretching out to greet the investor but stop moving mid-way. Blinking rapidly to make sure my eyes are working correctly, I look at the man in front of me, and all I can think is what a sick joke the universe is playing on me right now. Anyone else among the billions of people on this earth could be here today, but it just had to be him. Are you kidding me?
His stunning gray eyes light up as Camila speaks to him. I watch as a smile spreads across his face the more Camila tries to make him comfortable. His dimples begin to show even with the slightest curve of his lips. A wave of pain goes through my heart the more I look at him. He hasn’t changed one bit. His eyelashes are still the longest and fullest I have ever seen in my life, and the way they fan his face—Oh, Lord. He finally notices me, and I watch his plump, red lips pull into a smirk once they take in the shocked expression on my face. He steps closer, moving past Camila, but I can’t move an inch. I just stand in place, waiting for him to get to me.
“Hello, darlin’, it’s been ages. Did you miss me?” He asks, filling the room with that broad southern accent of his.
When I hear his voice, the feelings I’ve held at bay in my heart all these years come back in full force, and without thinking, I lift my hand and almost land it hard across his face. Tears of anger build in my eyes as he holds my right hand in the air.
“Still feisty as before. I’m not surprised,” he says, the smirk on his face growing wider.
“Get out.” I pull my hand from his grasp and point toward the door.
“Ch—”
“Don’t you dare call me that.” I cut him off before the word leaves his mouth.
“Lilah, what are you doing?” Camila asks, rushing to my side. I’m sure she must be wondering why in God’s name I would speak to our investor like this when I know we need him to make our dream a reality.
“I’ll explain later, but right now, he needs to leave.”
“Why? Do you know him? Did he do something to you?” She asks, looking between us, confused.
“Did he do something to me?” I repeat, laughing dryly. “I think I should let Mr. Beau Williams answer that himself.”
“Mr. Williams,” Camila says, turning around to face him.
“I forgot to mention during our meeting that I am Delilah’s ex-boyfriend.”
Camila’s eyes widen, and she meets my gaze. “He’s that Beau?”
“Yes, let me introduce you. Meet Beau Williams, my ex-boyfriend,” I say, glaring at him. I can’t believe he showed his face after what he did. I feel like killing him right now.
One Year LaterI stare at Beau’s handsome face as he sleeps soundly beside me. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that we’re finally together. I softly peck his lips before slipping out of bed, making sure to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake him. I pick up my purse and walk to the bathroom with it. Opening my handbag, I take out the object I’ve been hiding from Beau since I bought it yesterday.How wonderful will it be if the result comes back positive?I take the pregnancy test, then set the timer on my phone and wait impatiently in the bathroom. Beau will be so happy if I’m pregnant. We haven’t been trying to have a baby, but I know he’ll be pleased regardless. We’ve spoken about starting a family one day, so I know it’s something we both want.After what feels like an eternity, the timer on my phone goes off. I pick up the test and see two lines. I’m pregnant.“Two lines!” I scream. I can’t believe it. It feels like a dream come true. I know this isn’t the first tim
I walk out of the elevator once it reaches Axel’s floor. After we landed in Chicago, Tamara and I immediately came to Axel’s apartment complex, while Beau went to the hotel with our bags. The plan is to meet him there later. Speaking to Axel couldn’t wait. His mom even texted me to say she’s worried about him.He hasn’t shown up to work the past few days and is shutting everyone out. His mom, my Aunt Caroline, tried talking some sense into him but it didn’t work. She’s hoping Tamara and I will have better luck. So much so that she even met us in the lobby to give us her set of keys to his apartment in case Axel wouldn’t let us in.Just as we’re about reach his door, I stop in my tracks. “Camila?” I say, shocked to see her standing there. She didn’t tell me she was coming.“Hi Lilah, Tamara,” she says, her voice low. She doesn’t look good. There are bags under her eyes, and her nose is red. She’s obviously been crying. If I hadn’t seen her without makeup before, I don’t think I would e
Thirty minutes later, we’re flying to Chicago in Beau’s jet. I had planned to come check on Axel even before Beau and I worked things out, and once I explained to Beau what was going on with Camila and Axel, he agreed that we should go. Axel has refused to answer any of my calls the past three days, and Camila has been worried sick about him.I would be a lot more upset about the situation if I didn’t have Beau’s support. I still can’t believe we’re here together. It’s like a dream. I touch his face to make sure it’s real.“I’m sorry again for everything I did while I was pretending to have lost my memory.” Beau says, placing his hand over mine.“There is nothing to be sorry for. I know you didn’t want to hurt me. I’m sure it must have pained you to do it.” I run my other hand through his soft curls. I’ve missed doing that.“You can’t imagine, my love. My heart was pierced every time I hurt you. I am truly sorry.” He stares into my eyes, and I can tell he means every word.I smile sof
DELILAHI stare at myself in the mirror and blow out my cheeks. Beau’s getting married today. I don’t know what I thought would happen, but I didn’t think it would ever get to this point. Looking at my dress in the mirror, tears fill my eyes as it’s not the dress I had hoped to wear on Beau’s wedding day. It was foolish for me to have agreed to stay when he asked me. I must have been possessed because only a fool would stay and watch the love of their life marry someone else.Using my hands, I fan myself and take deep breaths to calm down. I don’t want to ruin my makeup. Since I already agreed to stay, I might as well see this to the end. I’m picking up my purse to leave when someone knocks on my door. I go to open it, wondering if Tamara changed her mind about meeting me downstairs and needs something before we go. But Tamara isn’t who’s standing in the hall.“Beau?” I say, shocked.“Can I come in?” he asks, smiling.Why is he smiling? And most importantly what the hell is he doing h
I play with my glass as I watch Hannah rub herself against Beau, who doesn’t seem to be enjoying her company very much, but that doesn’t matter. He’s still marrying her. I’m going to have a drinking problem by the time this wedding is over. The rehearsal dinner is tonight, and it’s going horribly for me.Everyone keeps talking about how they’re such a good match for each other. I’m already imagining how awful tomorrow will be. I can’t believe I agreed to stay. What the hell was I thinking?The only reason I decided to come tonight was because I was hoping to get a chance to talk Beau out of getting married, but all I’ve done is drink.I finish my fifth glass of wine and call the server over for a refill. My alcohol tolerance has increased recently, and I don’t want to think about how much drinking I must have been doing lately for that to happen. After my glass is refilled, I go to take a sip, but someone grabs it from my hand.“I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” Beau says, holdi
“Gin and tonic,” I say to the bartender as I take a seat. The dive bar I found close to the airport seems as good a place as any to wait to check in for my flight.I try not to think about Beau as I down my drink but it’s hard. The last time I was out drinking because of him was the night we created our baby. Our poor child, they never got to see the world.I throw back the rest of my drink and ask for another. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get drunk and miss my flight, but one more won’t hurt.While on my second glass, I’m surprised to see Beau walk into the bar. He takes a seat at one of the booths, joining a man I haven’t seen before. What is he doing here? Even if he wanted a late-night drink, there are bars closer to the estate.I’ll have to get closer to them to figure out what’s going on. Taking a seat in the boot opposite theirs, I drop my head and use my hair to cover my face. It’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I can’t help it. Beau shouldn’t be here, and I know if I were to walk o
Blindly, I stare at the ceiling and ponder Jenny’s words. I still can’t believe she threatened to kill my father. I have never felt more hopeless in my life.I can’t bear to watch Beau marry someone else and not do anything to stop it, but I also can’t risk my father’s life. There is no debate, I won’t risk my dad, but the price to keep him safe is a hefty one. I will have to live the rest of my days without Beau. My life is incomplete without him. I don’t even know how I’m going to function.Fresh tears escape my eyes and stain the pillow. I just wish there was a way I could be with Beau without losing my father in the process.My head turns when I hear the door opening. I was too shaken to move after speaking to Jenny, so I’m still in the room where Hannah’s wedding dress is. I wipe my cheeks and sit up to see who’s coming inside.“Yennefer,” I say, surprised. How did she know I was here?“Found you at last.” She smiles and closes the door behind her.“You were looking for me?” I as
The following morning, I sneak onto the Williams’ estate to see Nana. Harvey says her bad days have been outnumbering her good, and she might be gone any day now. That’s why, even though Edward and Jenny will have my ass the moment they see me, I’m risking it. I don’t want to miss what might be my last chance to see her. She means a lot to Beau and has always been nice to me. I don’t even want to think about how he’s faring with her diagnosis, but he might not be struggling that much since he doesn’t have his memories. I hope he gets them back before it’s too late. I can’t imagine how torn he would be if he doesn’t get them back before she’s gone. He’d be devastated.I spent all night thinking of ways I could help Beau recover his memories. I wondered which memory we shared would be most important to him. We’ve made many memories together, but I think the shared loss of our child is the most significant. Unfortunately, I had already told him about that one, and it didn't do the trick.
“What are you reading over there?” Charles asks. It’s been a few hours since we took off. Charles apparently doesn’t care that I’m his sister’s enemy and has been talking to me for most of the flight. I think it’s because he has an interest in me, but I might be wrong.“A romance novel,” I reply, switching off my phone screen and turning to face him.“You’re a romance fan?”“Yes, I am.”“So, you must be waiting for your prince charming to rescue you then?”“No, I’m not.”“But you’re a romance fan?”“Yes.”“I’m confused,” he chuckles.I laugh before speaking. “I love romance novels, but not the typical kind you might be familiar with.”“Hmm, let me guess, you’re into dark romance,” Charles says, smirking.“Yes, I am.” I smile. “How did you know?”“Once you said it’s not the typical type of romance, dark romance was the next thing that came to my head. So, tell me your favorite book and why it’s your favorite.”“I don’t have just one favorite. I love too many.”“What if you had to choos
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments