Page 65 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Rocco sighed. “That’s a start. Thank you, Isla.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, then glanced at me. “Goodnight, Adelina.”

“Night,” I murmured.

She collected her bag and went to the elevators. When the door closed with her inside, Rocco stood up.

“Fuck me,” he snarled and pushed his hands back through his hair. “Now a lawsuit, public bullshit, and all because…” his voiced trailed off and he flicked his gaze at me.

A knot tightened in my throat.All because of me. I bolted from the room before the tears could come.

“Where are you going?” Rocco called to my back and followed me into the bedroom.

My eyes went to the bed, and I gasped. A box of condoms was on top of the duvet. Xander hadn’t forgotten, but now I wanted more than anything for it to disappear.

“I…it was just… I thought maybe if…” I babbled. My heart thudded painfully in my chest, my mouth suddenly dry. I hated how my words tangled themselves, half-hoping he would understand, half-fearing he wouldn’t. Heat flushed my cheeks in shame, leaving me exposed in a way I could hardly bear.

His handsome features darkened with infuriation. “You bought condoms?”

“I didn’t buy them; uhm, I asked Xander for them.”

“Was that what our celebrating tonight was all about?”

“I thought if we both wanted—”

“What webothwanted? You didn’t askmewhat I wanted.” He met my eyes, a brief, searching hesitation in his gaze. It wasn’t just sex I was desperate for. The comfort was what I needed from him, even if I struggled to say it out loud. “I…it wasn’t just only…yeah. I hoped.”

“You know I’m upset, and I asked for some time to process what you did on your own. Now, instead of giving me that space, you’re pushing me, even though I gave you space when you needed it.”

I swallowed hard. He was right, and I could see my selfishness so clearly.

“Let’s forget it. I’ll put them away,” I muttered and moved toward the bed and the package, and I had to pass him to doit. I made it a few steps before his hand closed around my arm, pulling me to him. His touch was firm and electric, igniting a shiver that raced up my skin. My breath caught, my body taut as it molded to him, betraying me with the wild clash of fear and longing.

“But you can’t forget it. Even mad, you want it because I’ve spoiled you.”

Anger rose inside me, and I glared at him. “I’m not spoiled by you—”

“You most certainly are.” He was close enough to feel the rush of my breath, the tremble of need.

“I know you, Adelina. You want me so bad that you shook your ass in my face, begging me to take a taste, and I didn’t know what I wanted more: to spank you for doing a public show or fuck you silly.”

“That’s not what happened,” I hissed between clenched teeth.

“Oh, it is.” His hand slid up my hips. “Dance dirty for me again without the audience. I’ll even fuck you while you’re mad. You don’t care how you’re used, as long as you get fucked. Right?” His tone was coarse and full of sarcasm, but what he said wasn’t a lie. I wanted to show him what he had, that I was sexy and desirable.I’m so stupid.

He moved his hands over my ass. “You look innocent, but you’re the opposite. Greedy. I’ve spoiled you, haven’t I? Say it.”

“Just leave me alone,” I whispered, the words brittle and false even as I spoke them. A jagged ache curled in my chest, exposing my lie. Part of me craved distance, to let my shame fester in peace, but another part, louder and desperate, yearned for him to throw me on the bed and fuck me. The war inside me left me aching, silently pleading for him to hear the fear beneath my words and hold on tighter.

“We both know you don’t want me to.” He moved even closer, and I could feel the rise and fall of his chest with every breath,the hard lines of muscle beneath his shirt pressing against me, the sharp, spicy ginger of his scent. But it wasn’t only his body that I needed. It was his attention and care that I couldn’t live without. I obsessed over it. He had ruined me. Hell, he’d undone me completely. But none of it mattered if he couldn’t get past what I’d done.

“What do I have to do for you to forgive me?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Nothing…”

He kept talking, but his words faded into static. I shoved at his chest, wriggling free as he released me. Fleeing to the bathroom, I slammed the door behind me and locked it. My back pressed hard against it as I gasped for air between ragged sobs.I can do nothing. He’ll never forgive me.

Bang. Bang. Bang.The door pounded, and Rocco shouted, “Adelina. Did you hear me? Open this damn door now.”