The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

“So you’re not a jealous type?”

I rolled my eyes. “What’s your point, Cade?”

“Interesting.” Was he trying to annoy me? Well, then he started to get under my skin.

“Will you stop it?”

He smirked at me, squeezing my thigh a little. “I kinda like it when you are unbothered, but for guys like us, sometimes, we want to make sure our girls care for us.”

“Gee. There are other ways to determine whether we care about you. What might your ex have to say about it?”

“I lost my virginity in my junior year?”

“Wow.” I stared at him for a while.

“In college, Vanderford.”

“What?” She looked surprised.

“Yeah.” He wasn’t even ashamed to admit it.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“I wish I was. Remember my picture with Dad?”

“You and your braces?” She grinned.

“Yes. Well, I still had it until sophomore. Imagine Cade, tall, skinny, and studious with braces, minus the glasses. I was basically a nerd. I only gained muscles when I enlisted myself.”

“You? Skinny?” She arched a brow in disbelief.

“Yup. Maybe even if we bumped into each other at the time, you wouldn’t even give me a second look.”

“You’re mean.” I smiled because he would probably be right. “I went to a private school in high school.”

“Of course you were.”

“A private all-girls school.”

“Oh.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I lost my virginity-”

“I don’t think I wanna hear it.”

I laughed at him. “When I was twenty-one.” Those words somehow stiffened his back. “Before it happened, no one touched me.” I held his hand on my thigh.

He sighed in relief. “My first was with a girl who was in a bet.”

I tried hard not to laugh but couldn’t hold it much longer. I barked into laughter. “Lucky her.”

“She had no idea because I watched porn. So I somehow know what I was doing.” He joined in laughing with me.

“Well, I fell into another jerk.”

“I don’t wanna hear it, Vanderford. Truly.”

“It’s okay. I wanna tell you.” I held his hand and kissed it. “I’m happy that you told me about it. I have liked this guy since high school. He’s from boys, and I’m from girls.”

“Another rich kid.”

“Yeah. Then we finally went to the same university. His sister was my friend. It was her birthday party. So I could get in the club, drink alcohol, then things led to another.”

“Hmm.” That was all he said.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Thanks for telling me. Appreciate it, Vanderford.”

“How many exes do you have?”

He looked down at me. “I had one serious relationship. Almost two years. She broke up with me when I decided to join the Marines. She doesn’t like to date a military guy.”

“Do you still two talk?”

“I know where this is going.” He chuckled. “No, Vanderford. Not interested in her anymore. I have you, and I have only an eye on you.”

“I told you I don’t get jealous. If I won’t sleep with you throughout our marriage, will you sleep with another woman?” My heart went wild.

“No.” Well, that was quick. “Will you?”

“No. Even if with my permission?”

He eyed me suspiciously with brows arched. “It’s still cheating, Vanderford. We’re married. Why in the hell would I sleep with another woman if I had a wife?”

“Because you wouldn’t get it from me.”

“My question is, do you wanna sleep with me?”

“Of course, I do if you want.” I was slightly taken aback by his question. I rolled my eyes and folded my arms over my chest.

“We both know the answer, Vanderford. I like you, and I know you like me. And I care for you. I will treat you as how a wife should be treated. I will provide all your needs with everything I can.” He parked in front of a modern cottage house.

“Where are we?”

“Where I came from.”

I was even more confused by his answer. I climbed out of the car and looked at the house before us. I noticed an old playground with swing sets.

“I would still open a door for you, my future wife.”

“I know, but you don’t have to treat me like a client.” I smiled. “I’m your fiancee now.”

“I just wanted to open the door to my fiancee. That’s all.” He planted a kiss on my cheek and whispered, “You’re beautiful.” He went to open the trunk.

“Striker!” A woman in her sixties rushed in our direction with a big smile on her face.

“Avana.” Striker met her halfway and gave her a big hug. “How have you been?”

“I was happy to receive your call yesterday.”

“Sorry I wasn’t able to visit you quickly. Things have been pretty hectic.”

“It’s fine, dear.” Then she noticed me. “Hello, dear.”

“Avana, meet my fiancee.”

“You’re engaged?” The sparks in her eyes were delightful to watch. “Oh, my Lord. Thank you. Hi, dear. I’m Avana.”

“I’m London. Nice to meet you, Avana.” I offered my hand, but she came to give me a big hug.

“Oh.” I chuckled.

Then two women joined us. Their names were Jodi and Martha. Striker went to the trunk and pulled out some boxes. Jodi and Martha came to help carry the boxes.

“I’ll help,” I suggested.

“They can handle it, dear. Let’s head inside.”

“I’ll be there, Vanderford.”

I went with Avana. When I entered the house, a few pairs of eyes were on me. I blinked at the sight. These were kids around five to ten years old. Then I realized this home was an orphanage.

“What will you say, kids, when we have visitors?”

“Good afternoon, ma’am,” they said in unison.

“Hello. Good afternoon.” I waved my hand.

“Hey, kiddos.” Striker came in carrying three boxes all at once.

“Just put them in the dining. Thank you, Striker.”

When Striker came back, most of the kids went to hug him on the legs. “Okay. I know you missed me. How long has it been? Six months?” He ruffled everyone’s hair one by one.

“Okay, that’s enough, kids. Give him some breathing space,” Avana said. They all went to another room, probably the library or playroom.

We settled on the dining table. Jodi served us some refreshments and left us just me, Striker, and Avana. When they started chatting, I rose to my feet and grabbed my glass of sweet tea. I looked through the window and imagined Striker playing out there.

I checked the room. The kids were reading and playing with some puzzles, and others were coloring on coloring books. I left before they noticed me, wondering where these kids were from. I went back to the dining. Striker was handing an envelope to Avana.

After we bid goodbye, I felt half of my heart left in that house.

“You’ve been silent.”

“How long you’ve been helping them?”

“I did as I could, even a small amount, and visited them once and a while. One of the reasons why I couldn’t stay longer overseas is because I promised myself I would come and visit them whenever I could.”

“I’m proud of you. Dad was right. You are a good person, and not everyone sees that.” I smiled. “I wish I could kiss you right now.”

His smile was wicked. “Looking forward to that.”

“Dad helps me keep that building. His foundation gives some donations. When Princess Carlott found out last year, she started donating.”

“I was surprised she followed me and sent me a message.” I giggled like a schoolgirl. “I can’t believe I just chatted with a princess.”

“She was rebellious before she met Langston.”

“Really?” My eyes widened.

“You won’t believe it if I tell you she lived here for three years, worked as an executive assistant, punched her boss, then worked for Langston. That’s how they met.”

“Like in some romance novels.” I beamed at him.

“Yup. Her Highness went to other countries and planted trees. She’s very devoted to reforestation, a huge advocate of climate change.”

“She’s a wonderful and empowered woman.”

“So do you, Vanderford.”

After he sent me back to my office, he left. Reed was the one to send me home, and I hadn’t heard from him since then.

After dinner, I received his message that he’d be coming home late. I went to study when my mind went to the orphanage house. I wanted to help, even in a small way. I sent an email to our advertising department.

“Vanderford, are you in there?” I thanked God he was home.

“Come in.”

When he emerged from the door, he was still wearing a smile, even if he looked tired. He came to me and planted a kiss on my head. “Hey.”

“Where have you been?” My question stunned me, but I couldn’t take it back anymore. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer that.”

“I want to. I was in the hospital earlier and then went to the firm.”

“Wait, what?” My voice was filled with worry. “You were in the hospital. Are you okay? Why didn’t you call me?”

“I’m fine.”

I stared at him, waiting for him to tell me more.

“Oh.” He smiled. “I just went to donate blood.”

“You donated blood?” I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this man before me was beyond amazing.

“I have a rare blood type, so I’m donating as much as possible.” He barely finished his words. I was already cupping his face and kissing him so hard. The world faded around us, just us. He instantly kissed me back with the same urgency. He tasted orange. I didn’t like orange juice much, but I didn’t care. All I wanted at this moment was to kiss this man and make him feel he meant so much to me.

One moment I was on my chair, and the next thing I knew, I was on his lap. My heart beat fast and steady. My hands went down to the rippled of his abs. God, he was hard everywhere, even his now growing erection nudging between my thighs deliciously.

Our kiss became deep, like there was no tomorrow. Then he pulled away just enough our lips barely met.

When I cracked my eyes open, he was smiling. “I should donate more blood often.”

“And donate kiss more often.”

“The last time I checked, you donated kiss to me.”

I smiled as I cupped his face and pressed another kiss on his lips. “You deserve more, Cade.”

“I got enough. You’re more than enough, London Vanderford.”