บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire's Mask (A Dark Steamy Romance): บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

A few days later, I haven’t decided, but all I can think of is our conversation that night. I perform my usual routine like a robot, but my mind is elsewhere. Brandon and my answer to his question, Oliver is still missing, my growing mixed feelings for Cassius, Pauline’s status in Brandon’s life, and last but not least, the card Jason left days ago.I spoke to Mom the other day about Jason, and she indeed saw them right after I left Lawrence.“Hey, Mom, um, this is about Jason...” I bit my lip, then chuckled nervously. “He found me here in New York, and I’m sure he’s with the rest, Chris and Arianna. Have you perhaps met them there? It’s kind of impossible, right? Since they were suddenly gone... And...” I sighed. “I’m asking just in case it was you....”“Honey, I wanted to surprise you,” she told me excitedly as if their sudden farewell hadn’t bothered her before. She cried when they left too.“Did they tell you why they left?”“Oh.” She clicked her tongue. “I told you many times. Th

ALAYNAI am like a sheet of paper in his arms, and he lays me on his bed while kissing my neck, my fingers tangling in his hair. We are both breathing hard, yearning, and can’t get enough of each other. This is something I always wanted but never got the chance to have.We can’t stop kissing, sucking, and licking each other’s mouths on the softness of his bed—Brandon exudes power, control, and voracity, like a hungry lion eating its prey. The slurping sounds he makes are driving me insane. We smell of sex with our sweat mixing up. I’m already losing myself in his world.My lips break from his, and I moan as his hand cups my pussy. “I like how you taste here, but I need to feel you again,” he says in a low, raspy voice.“Mm, you’re still dressed,” I mention, biting my lip, my eyes fluttering. “I want to see you.”Brandon raises his torso a little and chuckles. “Easy there, lioness.” He then steps out of the bed and displays his perfect build, his muscles flexed and defined. He runs his

ALAYNAAs Pauline expected, Brandon has just finished his workout and is looking luscious in a black muscle-cut tank top and slim fit gym shorts. His arms and shoulders are glistening with beads of sweat. His body has defined cuts with enough bulk on his biceps and pectorals. How can he look so glorious in everything he wears? My fingers suddenly itch to rub his arms, his wide chest, and his stomach.This man. How could I not fall in love with him?I avert my eyes to the food and place the dishes on his dining table by the window.“Good morning. I have your breakfast. But it’s not on your list, by the way.”He moves over to me, still panting, and kisses my cheek. “Good morning. When did you ever follow the list?” he jokes, smiling. And God, even if he’s covered with sweat, his natural masculine odor and mild soap smell are divine.I pout. “I follow the list, you know, but I’ve added some variation.”“Doesn’t matter. I always love your cooking.” He disappears into his closet and comes

ALAYNAIt’s usually quiet in the house, but unlike yesterday, I don’t have bitterness for breakfast. Casey has online classes, Cassius is at work, Ms. Lennie is busy ordering the maids around, and Pauline... Well, I don’t care to know what she is doing. On the other hand, I’m not sure how to tell them Brandon, and I reconciled.Brandon promised he would be early tonight, and I wish to surprise him with a new dish. I choose to believe him for now, for us, since that’s what trust is all about. He wants me to give it, and I’ll try again. This is better than wondering if there’s a future for us every day. No matter what Pauline says about their relationship, I will wait for him. Our present is all I should care about.In the afternoon, I try to make grilled chicken gnocchi. It’s an Italian version of gyoza or dumplings, but I use the chicken’s skin as a wrapper to retain the smoky flavor of the chicken when I grill it. I stuff it with mashed potatoes, minced garlic, ground chicken meat, g

ALAYNAJason holds out his hand and grabs Brandon’s. I glance back and forth at the two men who seem to know each other.“Have you met?” I ask.“I work for him,” Jason answers.“He works for me,” Brandon says simultaneously.A beat passes. “Oh, wow. Small world, huh?” I frown, feeling a knot in my stomach because it’s weird. Suddenly, the atmosphere becomes decidedly colder.I clear my throat. “Well, this is really a surprise.”“I’m surprised about it myself,” Brandon says and shoots a glare at me. Maybe he’s slightly mad because I let my visitors in without his permission. I’ll just explain it to him later.“Anyway, dinner is ready. Do you want me to take dinner to your room first?” I ask Brandon.He leans toward me, not minding our guests. “I’ll join you.”Now, that is even more astounding. “Really?”“Hmm.”Ms. Lennie comes in as if she’s been waiting for the right timing. She approaches Jason and Arianna, ushering them to the dining room. I am about to follow when Brandon pulls me