A Billionaire Next Door

Ch. 6 - The Titan's Shadow

MILES

I walk through the red carpet, paparazzi asking questions as usual, followed by the clicking of cameras. I don't pay them any attention. I step through the doors that lead into the gala, heads turning to my direction, hushed chatter as I walk past. The gala is probably worth enough to fund whatever charity they're holding it for, the crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, and laughter that echo wealth.

Moments later, a shadow forms when a woman walks into the gala with camera lights chasing her from outside into the ballroom. As she walks more into the events, the doors shut, and more heads turn in her direction. Lights from inside the hall shine brightly on her, revealing her face. It's Kaitlyn Rhodes. She commands attention with each step she takes. Whispers fly around, not letting the noise fill her head, she continues with her walk, which allows her slender legs under the cover of the dress she has on, to peek out into the world. She looks breathtaking. The blue dress, which hugs her curves; the swerve of her hip from her waist is massive, and the hourglass shape of her body showing more than ever. The gold choker she has on brings out the sweetheart neckline of her dress. The waiter passes by her, she picks up a glass of champagne, and does a cheers gesture in my direction, indicating she caught me staring at her, skimming through every inch of her body with my eyes, wondering how it would taste under my lips. Thoughts of her pinned against a wall with my lips exploring her body pass through my head before I even get the chance to think about it. I imagine her red lipstick on other places, but her lips. "This proposal is just business." I remind myself, trying not to let physical attraction cloud my judgement. Men shift in their seats, their eyes lowered with lust, mouths telling otherwise as they talk about the scandal. Women envious of her as they roll their eyes failing to keep the attention of their sorry excuse of a date. Kaitlyn still doesn't look away; she maintains eye contact, as recognition, and as a reminder, she's not one to back down. Her enthusiastic self only makes the game more interesting.

She walks past my table, making her way up the stairs, eyes glued to her, but she doesn't budge, doesn't flinch; she continues walking until she disappears into the doors. Eyes return to wherever they came from, as did the voices increase, which in this case means gossip. A few minutes later, I follow in the same direction. The library doors are cracked open at the end of the west wing of the corridor. Through them, I catch a glimpse of her silhouette, exposing her back to me. She's staring out into the city through the tall windows, covered by the cold silver of the moonlight. 

I shuld turn away. I should give her the space she so desperately desires to have. But I do. My body moves on instinct, hunger, before reason can interfere. The door shuts behind me with a soft click. She doesn't turn. "Stalking me already, Mr. Howard?" She says, her voice still as she continues at the sight of the city.

"You walked in here knowing the room would burn for you. Don't be suprised I followed that fire." I step closer, my breath heating up on her neck. 

"Careful Miles, fire burns." She replies, the words struggling to come out of her mouth as she turns to face me 

"I'm not scared of a little fire. I built an empire from it." I reply, moving inches closer to her. 

"Prove it"

Two words that tug on my restraint, it feeds on my hunger, my desire and ignites the already present spark between us.

I give in.

My lips crash onto hers. Her red lipstick smears against my mouth as she kisses me back. She tastes like champagne with a hint of rebellion, the kind of mix any man would go crazy for. My lips go lower into her neck, kissing and sucking, not long enough to give her a hickey, but long enough for pleasure. My hands grip her waist, unable to tell the difference between silk and skin underneath it. She gasps into my mouth when I press her against the shelves. "You think you can control this, don't you?" I ask, mumuring against her skin.

"I don't think, I know."  Her breath shaky, giving her up.

My hands trail down the slit of her dress, fingertips brushing upher thigh. She inhales against my neck. I take my time skimming upward, savouring the little sounds she makes. I inch higher and higher, grazing lace, her hips twitch betraying her. 

"You like playing with fire, Kaitlyn?" I whisper, dragging the words across her ear. She bites down on her lips, trying not to give me the satisfaction. But her body betrays her again when I slide the lace aside, fingers finally touching heat. She gasps, nails raking down my chest through my shirt. Her head falls back against the shelves, lips parting as I stroke her slowly, deliberately, each motion designed to unravel her.

"Say it," I growl against her throat. "Say you want this."

She rolls her eyes at me "I'll never give you those words"

Defiant. Stubborn. Perfect.

I thrust a finger inside her, slow, deep. Her sharp inhale breaks her mask for a fraction of second, and I feel her tighten around me. Another finger joins, stretching her, preparing her, making her moans spill louder now, uncontrolled.

Her hand fists in my suit, dragging me closer as though she hates herself for needing the contact.

"God, Miles..." she breathes, voice cracking on my name.

"That's it," I murmur darkly, pumping harder, curling my fingers just right until her body shudders against mine. "Let it go."

Her thighs tremble around me, her hips rolling helplessly against my hand. She bites into my shoulder to stifle the cry that wants to escape, but I hear it anyway. I feel the release ripple through her as she comes undone against my fingers, her walls clenching, her breath shattering in uneven gasps.