Page 8 of Chained By Fate (Dark Billionaires: Vegas #1)

But it was the breathtaking tattoo adorning his upper body that truly captivated me.

A magnificent dragon coiled its way across his skin, its intricate scales shimmering as if alive.

The creature’s serpentine form started at his shoulder, winding around his bicep and across his back.

Delicate cherry blossom petals intertwined with the dragon’s body, a striking contrast of power and beauty.

The dragon’s emerald eyes seemed to bore into me with a fierce intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

I found myself utterly transfixed, my plate of food forgotten as I drank in the sight before me.

Matt caught my stare and raised an eyebrow. “Like what you see?”

Heat blazed through me, a treacherous flush creeping up my neck. I quickly averted my gaze, cursing the reaction. Damn my overactive hormones for finding this arrogant bastard so undeniably, unfairly attractive.

I forced myself to focus on the duck confit.

“Enjoying the food, I see,” he rumbled, his voice a deep purr that did nothing to cool my rising temperature.

Seizing on the chance to regain my composure, I shot back a cheeky grin. “Best meal I’ve had in ages. Who knew billionaires had such good taste?”

A rich laugh rolled off him in response. “I’m glad you approve.” He prowled closer, eyes glinting with wicked promise. “Now be a good boy and clean up after yourself. There’s a spare toothbrush in the bathroom for when you’re done.”

I held his heated gaze for a beat, then gave a flippant little salute. “You got it, boss.”

With that, Matt turned and made his way to the bedroom, leaving me to finish my meal—and attempt to ignore the way my pulse raced at the thought of using his toothbrush… his bathroom…

I watched as he climbed into bed, turning off all but one light—the one over where I sat eating. He stretched out like some predatory cat, and I had to shake my head to clear it.

Once every crumb was gone, I gathered the dishes and loaded them back onto the serving cart to be collected later. After brushing my teeth—and steadfastly avoiding thoughts of how Matt’s mouth might have tasted—I padded back out to the living area, exhaustion weighing heavily on me.

From the bedroom, I could hear the even cadence of Matt’s breathing—already out cold.

I considered climbing into that massive bed beside him, just to see the look on his stupidly handsome face, but the couch would be safer—and far less tempting.

With a resigned sigh, I settled in among the plush cushions, letting the gentle sound of Matt’s sleep lull me into my own well-deserved slumber.

I woke up feeling like I was wrapped in a cocoon of pure bliss, soft sheets and a mattress that felt like it was crafted by angels. For a split second, I wondered if I had died and gone to heaven. Then reality crashed back in.

Hold up—this wasn’t the couch I’d crashed on last night.

I bolted upright, eyes wide. I was in Matt’s bed. Not just any bed— his bed. My heart pounded as I scanned the room for signs of the brooding billionaire. The other side of the bed was empty. My heart kicked up a staccato beat as I took in the luxurious surroundings. How the hell did I end up here?

Panic gripped me as visions of Matt carrying my sleeping form flashed through my mind. I shuddered, both at the thought and the tantalizing image it conjured. Get it together, Andy.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I noticed the folded note on the nightstand. I snatched it up and read: Stay put and order whatever you want from room service. My men will bring your things by later this afternoon.

Well, wasn’t that just peachy? I let out a heavy sigh, the paper crumpling slightly in my grip.

Great. Now I was officially playing house pet for Mr. Billionaire himself.

The arrogant prick probably thought I’d obediently heel like a trained dog.

Since leaving wasn’t an option—not with his henchmen shadowing my every move—I decided to shower and make the best of my enforced captivity.

Minutes later, scrubbed clean and wrapped in one of those fluffy hotel robes that felt like a hug from a cloud, I dialed room service. If Matt wanted me to stay put, I’d make sure he regretted it—at least financially.

I grabbed the room service menu, scanning the listings with a mischievous glint in my eye. Why order one meal when I could have them all? Brunch, lunch, dinner—I wanted the full nine-course affair.

“I’d like to order,” I began, my tone all business.

“Of course, sir,” the voice on the other end replied politely.

“Let’s start with the lobster bisque,” I said, pacing back and forth, “followed by a Caesar salad, extra anchovies.”

The list went on: filet mignon, truffle fries, an entire cheese platter, a mountain of sushi rolls… By the time I’d finished, I’d racked up enough dishes to feed an army—or at least severely dent Matt’s wallet.

Within the hour, a dizzying array of dishes arrived, filling every available surface with mouthwatering platters and flutes of sparkling champagne.

I started with the sushi rolls, savoring each bite as if I were judging a high-stakes culinary competition. Then came the bisque—rich and creamy—and the salad so crisp it practically snapped with each forkful.

As I munched on a particularly divine piece of fish, the door swung open with the kind of dramatic flair that only someone like Matt could pull off. He walked in, looking every bit the smug billionaire, his eyes raking over the gastronomic battlefield before him.

“Well, well,” he purred, his lips quirking into an amused smirk. “Look who’s making himself right at home. Having fun, my little puppy?”

I nearly choked on my food at the condescending pet name. Quickly washing it down with a sip of champagne, I shot him a defiant glare. “I’m nobody’s puppy,” I retorted, keeping my tone as biting as possible.

Matt simply chuckled, sauntering over to pluck a sushi roll from one of the plates. He popped it into his mouth, that maddening smirk never wavering as he chewed. “I’ll give you this—you’ve got decent taste.”

The fact that he didn’t seem angry at my extravagant ordering only stoked my annoyance. I set my plate aside with a huff. “You can’t keep me locked up in here forever, you know.”

A dark brow arched. “Is that so?” Matt sank into the chair across from me, exuding an air of supreme confidence. “And who’s going to stop me?”

I leaned forward, unflinching despite the heat flaring in his stormy gaze. “I’ll go insane if I’m cooped up in here indefinitely. I need to get out.” My eyes searched his face, pleading. “I promise I won’t run.”

For a long moment, Matt simply studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded. “Very well. I have a proposal for you.”

My interest piqued despite myself. “What kind of proposal?”

His gaze raked over me with undisguised hunger. “We both know what I want from you.”

My cheeks flushed hot as his meaning sank in. “You’re an ass,” I growled, my jaw clenched.

He leaned in closer, crowding my space until all I could see were those stormy gray eyes. “Is the idea of being with me really so off-putting?”

I swallowed hard, struggling to ignore the rapid pounding of my heart.

Was it, really? A treacherous part of me knew there was an undeniable spark between us, a simmering attraction I couldn’t fully ignore no matter how much of an arrogant ass he was.

But the thought of intimacy, of sex, made my stomach churn with nausea as flashes of Herbert’s cruel hands roamed over me.

“It’s not that,” I muttered, feeling my face heat up under his scrutiny. Desperate to change the subject, I blurted out, “What happened to Sean?”

“Nice try at deflection.” Matt rose from his seat in one fluid motion, stalking closer until he loomed over me. My breath hitched as his fingers curled beneath my chin, tilting my face up to meet his heated stare. “Don’t worry, pet, I’ll be gentle. I won’t eat you up all at once.”

A shudder ran through me at his words, both terrifying and thrilling all at once. I pushed him away with shaky hands, feeling utterly cornered by this man who seemed to enjoy toying with me.

“Stop it,” I demanded, hating how breathless my voice sounded.

Matt just chuckled softly, the sound sending another shiver down my spine. In a flash, he closed what little distance was between us, muscular arms snaking around my waist to yank me flush against his chest. I held my breath as he leaned in, his lips a hair’s breadth from mine.

“Look at you,” he murmured. “Trembling like a scared puppy.”

I braced for whatever came next—half expecting him to devour me whole. But instead of the forceful kiss I’d feared, his lips pressed gently against my forehead.

“So cute,” he whispered against my skin before planting another kiss there.

Before I could react further, a series of knocks echoed through the room, shattering the tension and drawing both our gazes to the door.

Matt sighed, muttering something about timing and annoying interruptions before finally releasing me. He stalked to the door, his broad back cutting an imposing figure as he opened it.

In filed his men, carrying my belongings. The sight of my bags stuffed with clothing, my wallet, my cell phone, and most importantly, my laptop made me practically jump with relief. My heart did a little jig; maybe this nightmare wasn’t entirely hopeless.

“Thanks,” I muttered as they dropped the bags at my feet before shuffling back out.

The moment the door clicked shut, I tore into my stuff like a kid on Christmas morning.

My fingers brushed over the cracked screen of my old phone and then reverently touched the sleek surface of my laptop.

My entire life was in that device—my business plan, app design, and codes—everything Sean hadn’t managed to ruin yet.

I picked up the laptop, hugging it to my chest like a lifeline.

My fingers flew over the keys, punching in my password with a fervent urgency.

As the screen flickered to life, I let out the breath I’d been holding.

There, nestled safely within the digital confines, was my life’s work—the app I’d been coding night and day to bring my business dreams to fruition.

A chuckle dragged my attention away from the familiar lines of code. Matt stood there, his lips curved into that ever-present smirk as he eyed my laptop with a gleam of amusement.

“What’s so funny?” I snapped, clutching the device even tighter.

He shook his head, tsking softly. “Just imagining some scrawny little thing like you as the next tech mogul.”

My jaw clenched at the condescending jab. Ignoring him, I picked up my phone. There were no messages, but that wasn’t surprising given its recent absence from my life. As I was scrolling through old texts, Matt whipped out his own shiny phone.

“Let’s make this easier,” he said, tapping his device against mine. A soft beep signaled our phones syncing contact details. “There,” he purred, looking entirely too pleased with himself. “Now I’ll always know how to reach my favorite little pet.”

Anger flared hot within me. I moved to delete the new contact, but Matt’s hand clamped down on my wrist with surprising strength, halting the motion.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warned, his voice low and laced with quiet menace. “Unless you want me to put one of those cute little ankle bracelets on you.” His grip tightened infinitesimally. “You know, the kind that keeps puppies on a very short leash.”

My breath caught in my throat as I stared up at him, caught in his steely gaze like a moth in a spider’s web.

For a long moment, neither of us moved, the tension crackling between us like a live wire.

Then, just as abruptly as he’d grabbed me, Matt released his hold and stepped back, the corners of his lips quirking upward once more.

“Good boy,” he murmured, giving me one last lingering once-over before turning on his heel. “I’ve got business to attend to this afternoon, so try to stay out of trouble, hmm?”

With that parting taunt, he sauntered out, leaving me fuming and contemplating just how much trouble I’d be in if I smashed one of his designer vases against the wall.

But that wouldn’t solve anything. For now, I’d have to play along—and bide my time for when I could turn this situation around in my favor.

I glowered at the closed door for a long beat, willing the solid wood to spontaneously combust with the sheer force of my glare.

When it remained stubbornly intact, I let out a frustrated growl and hurled the phone across the room.

It smacked against the opposite wall with a satisfying crack before clattering to the floor in a rain of plastic shards.

There. Let Matt try putting a dog collar on me now.

Slumping onto the bed, I pulled my laptop closer, running my fingers over the worn keys. This—coding, creating—this was my escape, my one constant amid the chaos. Whatever Matt’s game was, I wouldn’t let him take that from me.

With a determined set to my jaw, I immersed myself in the familiar streams of code, letting the digital world sweep me away from my stark reality—if only for a little while.