All Chapters of Claimed By The Billionaire At The Altar : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

KIMANI I got to our bedroom first and didn’t hesitate. My skin still smelled faintly of chlorine and sunshine, and I wanted it gone. I headed straight for the bathroom, shedding my towel and swimsuit along the way. The shower came on with a familiar hiss, steam already beginning to rise as warm water poured down. I stepped under it, sighing the moment the heat hit my shoulders. Muscles I didn’t even realize were tense slowly loosened, the steady rhythm of the water washing away the remnants of laughter, splashes, and sun. I tilted my head back, letting the water run through my hair. My mind drifted lazily—Ava’s dramatic shrieks, Alaric’s rare, carefree smile, the way the afternoon had unfolded without pressure or plans. It felt unreal how calm everything was. How right. I reached for the body wash, lathering it between my palms, inhaling the soft scent as I worked it over my skin. The bathroom fogged up quickly, mirrors blurring, the world shrinking to warmth and white noise

KIMANIFor a moment—maybe longer—no one spoke.Alaric just stood there.His gaze locked onto me with an intensity that made the rest of the room fade away. The lights, the mirrors, Enrique’s dramatic posture, Amanda’s quiet smile—it all blurred. It felt like it was only us, suspended in a pocket of silence that hummed softly between heartbeats.His expression wasn’t dramatic. No exaggerated reaction. Just quiet, undone awe.The kind that made my chest tighten.I shifted slightly under his stare, suddenly hyper-aware of myself. “Alaric?” I said softly.He didn’t answer right away.Instead, he took one slow step forward. Then another.Ava cleared her throat loudly. “Okay! Nope. Pause. Rewind.”Alaric blinked, like he’d just remembered how to breathe. His eyes flicked to his sister, then back to me, his mouth opening as if he wanted to say something—anything.“You—” he started, then stopped, shaking his head once. “You look—”“Stop,” Ava cut in sharply, holding up a hand. “She hasn’t eve

KIMANI When we sat, Alaric gave a small nod to the people closest to our table. The executives, it was subtle and effortless. A quiet acknowledgment that somehow carried weight. Heads dipped back in return, polite smiles exchanged. I followed his lead, smiling too, and was met with warmth instead of scrutiny. That was when I really looked at the table. It was… excessive. Platters of food stretched across the surface like a curated feast—mini entrees, elegant finger foods, fresh fruits arranged like artwork, desserts I was pretty sure belonged in a five-star pâtisserie. It looked less like a table and more like a private buffet station. I leaned closer to Alaric, lowering my voice. “Why is our table so filled up?” “I don’t want you walking away from me to eat,” he replied easily. “You can sit here and get whatever you want.” I raised a brow, amused. “Is everything on this table? What if what I want isn’t here but over there?” I subtly pointed toward the main buffet stat

KIMANI I woke to warmth. Not just the soft, early-morning kind that seeped through the curtains, but the steady, unmistakable warmth of another body pressed close to mine. An arm was draped around my waist, firm and possessive even in sleep, anchoring me in place. For a second, I didn’t move. I just listened. The room was quiet—no city noise, no footsteps in the hallway. Only the low hum of the air conditioning and the slow, even rhythm of Alaric’s breathing behind me. His chest rose and fell against my back, solid and familiar, and I felt that small, involuntary smile curve my lips. Last night came back to me in gentle flashes. The lights. The music. The way he looked at me like the world had tilted slightly in my favor. And then the car ride. The massage. The way sleep had taken me without asking permission. I shifted carefully, testing how awake he was. His arm tightened instantly. “Don’t run,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep, lips brushing the back

KIMANI Ava and I were halfway through a Christmas movie neither of us was truly paying attention to. The lights in the living room were dimmed, the tree glowing softly in the corner. A bowl of caramel popcorn sat between us, already half empty because Ava had absolutely no self-control. “She is not ending up with him,” Ava muttered at the screen. “He lied in the first ten minutes.” “It’s a Christmas movie,” I replied. “He’ll apologize in the snow.” Then I heard footsteps. I turned my head instinctively. Alaric stepped inside, shrugging off his suit jacket, his presence alone shifting the energy in the room. Even relaxed, he carried that quiet authority with him. His eyes found mine almost immediately. And softened. I smiled without thinking. He walked over without a word, leaned down, and kissed me. Not rushed. Not dramatic. Just warm. Familiar. When he pulled away, I noticed someone standing a few steps behind him. I blinked. Because the man looked li