Fallen 25_HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance)

CHAPTER 0025 

 Meadow’s POV:

 The first mistake I made the next morning was thinking that I could function like a normal human being.

 The second? Walking into that damn kitchen.

 I hadn’t gotten enough sleepst night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him–his head between my thighs, his mouth, his voice, the way I shattered underneath his tongue. The entire experience lived under my skin now, pulsing low and steady in every single nerve.

 So I did what I always did when my brain refused to settle. I went looking for caffeine.

 Wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a tank top, I padded down the staircase and into the kitchen. My eyes felt heavy, and I hadn’t looked in the mirror yet, but I was sure my hair looked like a bird’s nest.

 I walked over to the kitchen counter, and there it was.

 The enemy. 

 The sleek, modern, way tooplicated espresso machine.

 I stood in front of it, blinking like it would suddenly start working out of pity because I had no idea how to work this thing.

 “Okay,” I whispered to the machine as my eyes scanned it. “You make coffee. That’s your only damn job. Please don’t make me lose my mind today.” 

 I poked a button. Nothing. Turned a dial. Still nothing. Great. I was already humiliatedst night by my own body, and now I was about to be humbled by a non–living really fucking expensive appliance that probably cost as much as this damn ring on my finger.

 I was just about to try again when I heard it.

 The sound of the front door opening and then closing. Footsteps, slow and–God help me–</bmanding, heading towards the kitchen.

 And just like that, my body froze. I didn’t need to look to know it was him. I mean, who else would it be?

 When ric Ashford stepped into view, I almost choked on my own saliva.

 He had on a ck tank top and a pair of matching jogging shorts that I tried so hard not to nce at. His dark hair was slightly messy, skin slick with sweat. And those tattoos…

 Those goddamned beautiful tattoos that covered his entire left arm.

 He barely even spared me a nce as he moved across the kitchen, heading straight for the fridge.

 God. 

 “Good morning,” ric said, voice still thick from the run… or maybe from sleep. I couldn’t tell which, and my brain wasn’t functioning well enough to analyze.

 “M–morning,” I squeaked. Like a fucking squirrel on helium.

 Yeah, that’s how high–pitched my voice came out.

 He raised an eyebrow but didn’tment. Instead, he pulled the fridge open, pulling out a bottle of water. I hated that I was watching his every move, but I couldn’t stop. He unscrewed the cap and downed the entire bottle of water within seconds!

 “You’re not supposed to-“I found myself starting to say but I cut myself off.

 Way to make it fucking obvious that I was watching him like a stalker.

 “Not supposed to what?” ric asked as his brows pulled together in question.

 I shook my head, stuttering. “N–nothing.”

 “Not supposed to what, Meadow?” He asked, tonemanding as his gaze swept over my body from

 head to toe.

 And all of a sudden I regretted not looking in the mirror before I left my room.

 “Um,” I shook my head. “Drink water that fast. It can lead to hyponatremia and cause your sodium level to …” I trailed off as ric started to step toward me. I looked away, clearing my throat. “…or you know, just make you bloat. I’m rambling, sorry.”

 Way to be a fucking nerd, Meadow.

 ric’s mouth twitched in amusement. “I assure you, Meadow, I’m far from being bloated or getting intoxicated by something asmon as water.”

 As if on cue, my eyes dropped to his stomach–his very hard, beautifully sculpted stomach and abs. ric stopped in front of me, tilting his head, and when his hand reached out, I stopped breathing.

 But it wasn’t to touch me. It was to reach around me and press a button on the espresso machine.

 And then it whirred to life like it had just been waiting for him all along.

 This close, I could feel the heat wafting from ric’s body. He smelled so good. So damn good.

 “Next time,” he murmured near my ear, “Try turning it on.”

 And then his fingers brushed my arm as he pulled away, and a traitorous gasp escaped my mouth.

 A single shiver ran through me as I turned around to re at the blinking lights of the machine like it

 had personally betrayed me.

 Behind me, ric chuckled–a low, smug sound that sent a current straight to my core.

 “What?” he asked, voice dark with amusement. “You suddenly lost the ability to speak?” He paused, his hand barely brushing my hip. “What happened to the girl who desperately wanted me to fuck herst

 night?” 

 I choked. Literally choked on nothing.

 Heat rushed up my neck, into my cheeks, and I spun around so fast that I nearly knocked into him.

 ric was too close. Way too close. Eyes unreadable as he gazed at me, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me and was daring me to admit it.

 I opened my mouth to fire back some snappyeback, but nothing happened.

 I was lost for words.

 ric’s smirk deepened.

 “Thought so.”

 And then he stepped away from me.

 “Now,” he said, “I seem to remember you saying you’ll sign whatever I wanted you to sign.” He paused, narrowing his eyes at me. “And I hope you haven’t changed your mind on that front, Meadow. I’d hate to think I gave you the best orgasm of your life for nothing.”

 I shot him a re.

 But the truth was that I’d thought of it. Multiple times. And even after I made that decision to myself, I still ended up thinking about it some more.

 And so I replied, “You didn’t. I meant what I said, ric. I’ll sign the contract.”

 The look he gave me was appraising. “Good. Does this also mean you’re saying yes to the revenge I n to carry out on your behalf?” He leaned in. “Not that I care about your consent. I’m already very pissed at Tyler and your sister, and once I make up my mind to ruin someone’s life, I never take it back.”

 I swallowed, feeling a rush of guilt at the fact that my sister was probably drugged up in a mental hospital while I was here, making coffee.

 “About that…” I started. “How long are you going to keep her there?”

 ric raised a brow. “For however long it takes her to realize her wrongs.”

 Yeah… that probably meant that Juniper would be there till eternity.

 I ran a hand through my hair.

 “Meadow-”

 “I want you to let her out,” I finally said.

 ric’s narrowed into slits. There was a full minute of silence, and then, “What did you just say?” 

 I swallowed, looking away from him. “I’m sure she’s learned her lesson, ric, so just-” 

 “No.” His voice was firm and curt, devoid of any emotion.

 “Excuse me?” I sputtered.

 “You heard me, Meadow,” ric said sternly. And then, without waiting for a response, he turned away

 from me and made his way out of the kitchen.

 Leaving me feeling stupid and insane for the request that I just made.

 But I couldn’t me him. Maybe there really was something wrong with me. But I couldn’t help it.

 I couldn’t leave my sister there.

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Fallen 25