Richard deepened the kiss by pressing her body to his. Slowly, he released her lower lips and met her gaze briefly.“I wish I could have every fibre of you right now,” he confessed in a breathy tone.A small smile tugged at the corner of Bella’s lips as she rested her face on the crook of his neck, letting her hot breath fan his neck.“It’s cold out here,” she reminded.“My bad,” Richard confessed. “I forgot to turn on the heater.” Right as he said that, he released her from his embrace to turn the heater in the car.Winter was truly not the best season to pounce around without warmth and he had totally neglected that with his need for her clouding his senses.Returning to his initial position in the back seat, he gathered he in his arms as his fingers found the hook of her bra to undo it. But at the dying minute, Bella clutched his arms, stopping him.“You won’t let me see them?” he asked with a hint of teasing in his gaze. She shook her head in denial. “Not today.”Richard’s

“What took you so long?” Bella’s mother inquired worriedly as soon as she stepped inside their apartment.“Oh… we talked about work. We have an annual company party coming up next month,” Bella replied.Although Bella lied about the conversation, of a truth, there is an ongoing plan for an annual dinner in their company.Bella’s mother gave her a casual look before dropping the matter.When no one was looking her way, Bella licked her lower lips and let out a sigh of relief.She was lucky to have checked herself properly in the mirror inside the elevator to arrange every misplaced strand of hair before coming up to her parent’s apartment. “You helped with the dinner, go ahead and have your bath I will take care of Isla for the night,” Mrs. Smith encouraged, ushering her to her bedroom.Bella smiled. “Thanks, Mum.” She was happy to get another load off her since she couldn’t wait to have her bath after Richard made her drip wet like never before.She was already uncomfortable

Bella could sense that her parents had been talking about her, and she didn’t even want to find out about it.She had a feeling that it would be a trap, so she poured herself an orange juice in a glass and left. “Do you think she heard us?” Bella’s mum asked her father a few seconds later. He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”Just to be sure, Mrs. Smith waited for a while before nudging him by the shoulder. ‘What do you think about Richard?”“How?” Mr. Smith asked, raising a questioning brow.“I mean, him and Bella together. I have noticed how he always honours our invitation for Thanksgiving dinner when he has his own family he can spend time with. I think he likes her.”Mrs. Smith’s conclusion gave her husband the same idea that Richard might like their daughter. “But do you think Bella sees him in the same light?”Mrs. Smith shrugged. “We will have to find out by sounding her out.”***Just as planned, Richard went home to see his aged parents with his convoy.Since th

Since Richard returned to LA from visiting his family, he hasn’t seen Bella outside work. They have both been very busy with work and meetings, especially with the planning of their company’s annual dinner night.At the same time, Richard’s birthday was coming up soon and Bella was very keen about making that special day memorable for him so on this particular weekend, she hosted a Girls Night at her penthouse and invited her best friends over.She needed help with ideas on how to surprise Richard on that day. And because she had good friends who were at her beck and call; willing to help her out with whatever she needed, they answered her call immediately.With open arms, Bella welcomed her friends in. Isla had already gone to her grandparent's place for the weekend, so the women had the entire penthouse to themselves for the night.“Someone has fallen deep in love with a certain billionaire!” Venita giggled as her gaze strayed to the dinner spread across the kitchen island.E

By the time Richard joined Bella at the dining area, the pink on her cheeks had completely disappeared.Bella didn't want to think if he was teasing her or meant business earlier, running for her life was first in line."I told my parents about you when I went to visit them," Richard revealed as he forked a piece of grilled fish into his mouth while peering at Bella.Hearing that, Bella's spoon paused in mid-air. "You tole them about me?" She questioned as she could feel her heart beating hard against her chest.If Richard mentioned her to his parents, she was afraid of how they reacted but before she could take her thoughts and her insecurities too far, Richard put her at ease with further explanation."I didn't like… mention your name, but I let them know I was dating someone and they are interested to meet," he clarified."Oh…" Bella heaved a sigh and continued with her dinner. "You almost scared me."Richard didn't ask why since he was aware of the reason. "They are already so old