Page 69 of Contract of a Billionaire

“Branka and I can take a cab,” I chimed in. “To my place.”

“No.”

I blinked. He did not!

Did he realize he had no say in either of our lives? We were both adults and have been living on our own for the past four years. Well, Branka got an infusion of her brother’s cash but still. He couldn’t boss her around like that.

“That’s okay, Autumn,” Branka chimed in, probably sensing the tension in the air. “Why don’t you come to our place?” Her question sounded hopeful. I wanted to say no; I needed to say no. “Please, Autumn.”

With a heavy sigh and knowing I was making a mistake, I replied. “Yeah, sure. For a little bit.”

I took a step to follow them when Alessio’s voice stopped me. “I’ll take you.”

My head snapped his way. “That’s not necessary.”

“Yes, it is.”

My jaw clenched. “I will not ride with you, Alessandro,” I gritted.

I realized my mistake at once. Nobody called Alessio by his full given name. Branka watched us, curiosity and amusement in her eyes. Sometimes she reminded me so much of her brother, it wasn’t even funny.

“We have things to discuss,” he claimed, his voice calm and collected.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to go discuss it with someone who fucking cared. But I didn’t. Instead, I just glared at him. Pissed off at him for being so calm. Pissed off at myself for being so worked up within minutes of seeing him.

“I have a sports car so it’s probably better that you ride with Alessio,” Byron chimed in. Fucking traitor.

“That’s settled then,” Alessio concluded with a smirk.

“I’ll see you there,” Branka murmured, pecking me on the cheek.

Branka and Byron walked away, leaving me standing face-to-face and alone with Alessio.

Harder, harsher Alessandro.

One thing was clear. Staying away from Alessio for four years wasn’t long enough. I hadn’t forgotten him and I still missed him. Despite that I hadn’t forgiven him. I couldn’t. Not that he ever asked for forgiveness.

This invisible force, pulling me towards him would be the end of me. Even after all of this time, memories of the two of us were bittersweet.

We stood close enough that his unique spicy sandalwood scent invaded my senses.

For the past four years, I tried to forget his touch. His smell. His rough hands. His burning desire. The sweet nothings he’d whisper. But it was all a lie.

The man I fell in love with didn’t exist.

He stood unmoving, like a stone statue. As if he was waiting for something. But his eyes burned with words that I understood only too well. Except, his gaze deceived me. I couldn’t afford to fall into his trap again. The stakes were higher.

I went to take a step back, to put some distance between us. One moment there was space between us and the next, he thrust a rough hand into my hair and titled my head back. A soft gasp slipped through my lips and my eyes widened.

His other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against his body. Before I could utter a single word, his mouth descended on mine. He was just a breath away and my body buzzed with that familiar feeling. The parts of me that were dead for four years came back to life. Like drops of rain in the desert.

My mouth parted and his lips touched mine when reason slammed to the forefront of my mind. My palms came to his chest and I took a step back.

“No.” Such a simple word, yet it held such power. Yes, I said it, but it didn’t stop disappointment from washing over me.

The feral, possessive look in his eyes sent a shudder through me. I knew how he kissed. Hard. Rough. Savage.

“You want this, Autumn,” he claimed with longing in his voice. Or maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. “I want it. Just let it happen.”