All Chapters of The Billionaire's Ultimatum: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

68 Chapters

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

XAVIER I should step back, I scolded myself as my heart began to race. Just looking at her had me this riled up, and I couldn’t risk taking it any further than I already had. I should just let her get her water, help her back to her room if she needed it, and maintain the professional distance we’d both agreed on from the beginning. Earlier today, I’d been so tempted to just lean in and kiss her—no hesitation, no second thoughts. I’d been that close to doing it, but thankfully, Marcus’s perfect timing had come to the rescue. Because of him, I’d managed to stop myself before I made a mistake—a mistake driven by emotions I couldn’t seem to control. How could I forget myself so easily? How could I be driven to do the wrong thing when I knew better? Laura had been through hell. More than the average person should ever have to endure. She didn’t need anything more weighing on her. She didn’t need me being confused and attracted to her, adding complications she shouldn’t be handlin

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

XAVIER I tried to speak but the words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t bring myself to say it, I knew I couldn’t but with the way Laura was looking at me with those eyes that saw past all my armor, past all the carefully constructed walls, straight through to the parts of myself I’d spent years hiding.And I found I couldn’t lie to her. Not anymore at least.“Because somewhere along the line, this stopped being just a contract,” I admitted, my voice low and bare, each word feeling like I was pulling it from somewhere deep inside my chest. “You stopped being just a means to an end. You became—”I struggled to find the right words, for something that could actually capture the complexity of what I felt. Everything I’d been denying and everything I’d been running from.“You became important,” I continued, my hand still pressed over hers where it rested against my racing heart. I was more than certain that she could hear it.“It was like you—became mine. Not in an ownership sense but in

CHAPTER FIFTY THREE

XAVIERI never saw myself as a weak man—I never let things get out of hand, especially in situations I knew I had control over.But now… why did it feel like I had no control over my own body?All I could think about was Laura, here in my arms…admitting that she wasn’t confused, that what she wanted was me.Giving me the permission—the assurance—to make her mine in every way possible.The feeling was overwhelming. It seeped into every sense and nerve-ending, until I was completely overtaken by it.By her eyes, bewitching in the darkness. By her soft lavender scent, laced with the faint trace of disinfectant and gauze. By her lips—soft, subtle, and carrying the taste of whiskey.How could something so small hold so much power over me?My hands tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against me as I captured her mouth again. The kiss was deeper now, more demanding, all the careful control I’d been maintaining dissolving into desperate need.Laura’s hands found their way to my back, h

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

LAURA I’d never felt more certain about anything in my entire life.Every touch of Xavier’s hands, every press of his lips, felt like coming home and catching fire all at once. Like I’d been waiting my entire life for this exact moment without even knowing it.When he pulled back slightly, his hands moving to the hem of my tank top, his eyes met mine in silent questioning.I knew what he was asking and I answered by lifting my arms, helping him pull the fabric over my head.The cool air hit my skin but I didn’t feel as self-conscious or afraid as I thought I might. Instead, I felt seen and desired and absolutely safe—a combination I didn’t know was possible.I hadn’t really dated much in my youth.Xavier’s eyes traveled over me slowly, reverently, like he was trying to memorize every detail. His hands followed the path his gaze had taken, calloused palms warm against my skin, tracing the curve of my waist, the dip of my ribs, the racing of my heart beneath his touch.“Beautiful,” he

CHAPTER FIFTY FIVE

LAURA His hand slid slowly between us, touching me in ways that made stars explode behind my eyelids, and just when I thought I couldn’t get enough—I cried out. This was more of a scream of pleasure than a moan. The sound is muffled against his shoulder, my body responding to him in ways I’d never experienced before. “That’s it,” he murmured encouragingly, his fingers gliding over my thighs with practiced ease. “Let go for me, Laura. I want to feel you.” I was trembling now, my whole body wound tight around him like a spring, climbing toward pressure I could feel building but couldn’t quite name. Xavier’s other hand cupped my face, his thumb brushing across my lips as he watched my expressions change in satisfaction. I could tell that he was learning what I liked and what drove me wild. “Look at me,” he commanded softly. “Keep your eyes on me and only me.” I forced my eyes open, meeting his dark gaze, and the intensity there was almost too much to bear. He was watching

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX

LAURA I woke up to sunlight filtering through the blinds. I groaned, turning my head to avoid the soft rays, still wanting a few more minutes of sleep. But the moment my eyes landed on who lay in front of me…my breath caught. Xavier, sleeping right next to me. I almost forgot I wasn’t alone. Any remaining traces of sleep vanished instantly. My gaze drifted over his sharp features, now softened by the morning light. His full, arched lips were slightly parted as he took slow, steady breaths, his broad chest rising and falling. I’d never really noticed how long his eyelashes were until now. Xavier really was handsome—pale skin, perfect features, the perfect body. Every girl’s dream guy. And somehow… he ended up with me. And just like that, everything came rushing back. Heat crawled up my neck, my hands flying to my mouth in shock as flashes from last night flooded my mind. Every touch, every movement, every word—the softness, the wildness… all of it returning tenfol

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

XAVIER As I continued digging into my food, I couldn’t help but watch Laura closely from across the dining table. I’d always had a habit of just staring, observing, reading body language, and by far, she was the main object of my attention. She was laughing at something Lucas said. It was a small laugh—the kind that slipped out before you had the chance to decide whether to let it out or not—and it lasted maybe two seconds before she dropped her gaze back down to her plate. “Hmm,” I murmured, twisting my fork in my hand, barely paying attention to the contents of my plate anymore. Laura seemed…different. My eyes narrowed as I continued analyzing everything she did from behind my coffee cup, breaking eye contact now and again so I wouldn’t come off as obvious. She was struggling. That much was evident. She had her hair down, she’d put on a clean overall, she was sitting up straight and engaging when someone spoke to her—doing everything a person does when they want

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT

XAVIER The silence lasted for maybe three seconds then in a blaze of barely concealed excitement— “Really?!” Her voice came out louder than she meant it to. I could tell by the slight way her expression shifted afterward, like she was embarrassed at how much she’d given away. I crossed the room. My hand found her face, my palm soft against her cheek, thumb brushing along the edge of it— and she leaned into it like I was her safe haven. “Really,” I said. “Pack your things. We leave in an hour.” Her smile came slow. It started somewhere in her eyes, moved down, and by the time it reached her mouth it was the brightest, most genuine thing I’d seen all morning. I thought about every security concern Marcus had outlined—every clause, every unconfirmed threat—and if I could set it all aside all over just to see that smile again, I would. An hour and forty minutes later, we were loading into the SUV. The twins had claimed the back seat the way twins always did—without a si

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE

LAURA I watched the city blur past, the calm soundtrack filling my ears, and I felt a surge of relief when Xavier said we’d go back. I wasn’t sure if he’d just noticed on the spot or if he’d been planning it from the moment he rescued me, but either way, I was grateful. I hadn’t felt safe in that place for a second—it all reminded me too much of Alexie and Jennifer, of the torment they’d put me through from the very moment I was taken. I knew the bad dreams wouldn’t just vanish, but never would I have thought that I’d become so paranoid. Every shift, every little sound, made my heart rate spike, sweat dribbling down the back of my neck. But the moment Xavier mentioned returning to the penthouse, back to the bustling city and away from that dark, isolated nightmare, it felt like sunlight bloomed inside my chest. The SUV finally rolled into the estate, and Laura and Lucas could barely contain themselves. They practically tumbled out of the vehicle. “Home sweet home! Wooo-hooo

CHAPTER SIXTY

LAURA That evening, Juniper showed up at my bedroom door with several bags in her hand and a bright knowing smile. “Girls’ night,” she announced, pushing past me into my room. “Xavier’s going to be busy all evening long and there’s no one else here anyway, so I figured you could use some company.” She pulled out face masks, beauty supplies and sparkling wine from one of the bags—clearly this had been planned. “Did Xavier put you up to this?” I asked suspiciously. “Nope. This was all me.” Juniper grinned. “Though he did seem relieved when I told him I wasn’t going back to my place just yet. I think he feels guilty that he has to get back to it just as we arrived.” It all still felt weird—surreal was more of the word for it. Just a moment, I was being dragged out of this very place in a rush and didn’t even have a room and then suddenly, I was back with a clay mask on my face and grape wine in my glass. And for the first time in forever, I had a real friend. Someone who

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