The Billionaire’s Cook のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 41 - チャプター 50

CoralineWe caught up over ice cream, talking about anything and everything under the sun and it felt good being reminded I wasn’t alone in this world.“Marcus mentioned something about a launch event you’re accompanying him to?” Ash said when we got back to the apartment.“I haven’t agreed to it yet but he’s trying to use my affiliation with Mr. Castelli to his advantage.”She looked thoughtful for a second. “You know you don’t have to do whatever he says just because you feel bad that he’s going through a rough patch.”I nodded. “I know. I won’t.” She knew me too well.A smile suddenly brightened up her serious mood. “Let’s go for a spa day tomorrow. Mani-pedi, facials, waxing. It’s going to be fun.”I gripped her hand with a giddy smile of my own. “That sounds perfect.”By the end of the weekend, I was in much lighter spirits than when it began. I still had sex dreams about Alessio, always waking up with my fingers in my pussy, my body slick with sweat and my own release, but I was

AlessioI stared at the numbers projected on the screen in front of the wide conference room.“What do we think?” My pen tapped rhythmically against the surface of the table. My board of directors were seated in the chairs across from me, studying the figures and shuffling through the paperwork spread in front of them.“The risk is too high.” One of them spoke up. Victor Lang, my Chief Investment Officer. “We should step back and wait until they need us more than we need them.”“Not a good idea.” Mr. Kensington, my Head Strategist said, dispersing the murmur of agreement that had started to rise. “That will only invite competition.”“A buyout at this stage will cause public scrutiny.” Victor countered. “There’s reputational volatility involved.”I sighed and leaned back, making the calculations in my head, weighing the risks against the potential upsides.“How long?” I finally asked, directing the question to Victor.“Not long. A few weeks at most and then we can proceed with minimal

CoralineMy heart was pounding like crazy.My hand was tucked in the crook of Marcus’s elbow as we both walked past the suited security detail into the private club venue where the launch party was taking place. I had no idea how he made the guest list since it was an invite-only event but my mind wasn’t too focused on that.I was hoping with all my heart that plan A worked. Because although the logic behind Marc’s territorial speech made sense, I didn’t think it was going to work with Alessio.The man wasn’t even talking to me anymore. I had tried again this morning when I was making him his breakfast but he had sliced me with such a sharp, lethal look that I had almost choked on the words I was attempting to say.Why on earth would that kind of person get jealous when he sees me on another man’s arms? He was more likely to completely pretend like he didn’t know me. So really, the only option we had here was for Marc to give a mind-blowing pitch that he would have no other choice but

AlessioShe wanted me. There wasn’t a single doubt about that now.I was waiting in the kitchen the next morning when the main door beeped open, casually leaning against one edge of the island so I was the first thing she saw when she made her entrance.She halted in her tracks when she appeared in the doorway, looking startled by my presence.“Uh… good morning.” Her voice came out hesitant, like she wasn’t sure I was going to respond.I nodded slightly to acknowledge her greeting.Heat bloomed in her cheeks as her eyes roamed over my casual clothes. My linen shirt was completely unbuttoned, giving her more than a little peek at my naked chest.She swallowed. “I take it you’re working from home today?”I nodded again and crossed my arms over my chest, keeping my eyes steady on her squirming form.“Okay, I’ll just get started on breakfast then.” She attempted to move past me but my voice stopped her in her tracks.“I think we have something to talk about, don’t we, Coraline?”Her eyes

Coraline I couldn’t believe how stupid I had been.What did I think? That he wasn’t going to find out I lied? How on earth did I forget the man had done his research on me already and must have surely known Marcus was Ash’s boyfriend and not mine?I unlocked the door to the apartment and stepped inside, my body strung tight and wound up from unreleased tension.But why had he given Marcus his business card when he was aware we were playing him? Was that a trap or had he been actually genuine?Raising my head, my thoughts scattered when I found Ash seated on the couch and knitting a glove. It was a habit of hers she indulged in when she needed to get her mind off something.“Ash?” I slowly approached her, concerned now because she was also supposed to be at work. “What’s wrong?”She looked up at me with red-rimmed eyes. “I broke up with Marcus.”My eyes widened and I fell into the couch beside her, huddling close to pull her in for a comforting embrace.“Oh Ash…”“It’s been a long tim