All Chapters of Love Unexpected, The Billionaire's Disguise : Chapter 41 - Chapter 45

RYANThe drive to the mansion was thick with quiet, electric tension. Neither of us spoke. The leather interior felt heavy with everything we weren’t saying. My hand never left hers; my thumb stroked slowly over her knuckles while my other hand guided the BMW through the glowing grid of the city with practiced ease.When we finally pulled into my private underground garage, the silence tightened even further. I killed the engine and turned toward her in the dim overhead light.“Claire.” My voice was low. I caught her chin gently between my thumb and forefinger. “If you’re tired… if you just want to sleep… tell me now.”She leaned into my palm, eyes dark and clear.“I’m not tired, Ryan,” she whispered. “I don’t want to sleep.”A rough exhale left me. The last of my restraint cracked.Within minutes we were inside the house. The moment the doors opened into the foyer, I didn’t give her a chance to look around. I cupped the back of her neck, pulled her against me, and took her mouth.Thi

CLAIRETwo years had passed since Ryan and I officially started dating. Though our relationship was far from conventional, often going weeks without seeing each other in person, he made a point to call me every single morning and night without fail.After that night at his house, life pulled us in relentless directions. I threw myself into making up for years of lost time, attending every class, sitting for major examinations, and working late into the night with Madam Antonia to perfect my sketches. It was exhausting. Because I had been deprived of a proper education growing up, I had to build my foundation entirely from scratch. Fast-tracking a diploma meant skipping grades and enduring endless all-nighters, but my own stubborn determination, coupled with Ryan's quiet, constant encouragement, kept me moving forward. Now, only one final examination stood between me and my certificate.​Through all the pressure, having a man like Ryan made every sacrifice worth it. He was managing a m

After a while they finally climbed out of the bathtub. Ryan wrapped a large towel around Claire and dried her off with slow, lingering strokes before tending to himself. Once they were both dressed, Claire in a soft, modest dress and Ryan in a simple black shirt and trousers, he let out a long, dramatic sigh.“I hope you’re happy,” he muttered, pulling her against him from behind as she stood at the mirror. “Our perfect afternoon is about to be completely ruined. All because someone decided to invite an unwelcome guest.”Claire rolled her eyes, already used to this side of him. The childish complaints, the exaggerated sulking, should have been irritating, yet somehow it only made him more endearing.“It’s only for today,” she said gently.“You don’t know that,” Ryan muttered, still pouting. “We both know your family are leeches. Once they find a comfortable place to latch on, they won't let go.”“Then after today we go back to the brownstone. Or your place,” Claire replied calmly. “Wh