Chapter 131 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 21

Chapter 131 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 21
—Amira—
My breath came in shallow, broken waves as I took in the water dripping down his hair… down to his chest and hard stomach.
Oh, my gosh. Those muscles. They were ripped like perfectly baked vanilla... so inviting for a lick!
Yummy.
How could one man be this hot?
My legs pressed instinctively, the ache sharpening in my core—hungry, hidden, and alive.
No, I shouldn't be looking. But I couldn't look away either.
Not with the way his shorts clung to him.
I ran back to my room and dashed into the bathroom.
My hands trembled as I peeled my clothes and stepped under the shower.
Finally. Just what I needed.
The water beat against my skin, cold and steady. But it didn’t wash the memories of him—his scent, his heat, everything.
Damnit it.
I was here on business.
Nathaniel Rivera was a complication I couldn't afford. My nemesis.
So why did my body refuse to listen? Why couldn't I just stay away from him?
Groaning, I tilted my head back and let the water stream down my face. 
By the time I stepped out and threw on a towel, I was calmer. 
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. 
Grandma.
I answered, “Hello.”
“Amira. I called earlier, but your number wasn't connecting. How's everything?”
Last night, I'd informed her about the trip.
“We were on a flight to France,” I said.
Mama choked. “What?” she coughed.
“Sorry, Mama.”
“How could you go to France? You don't have a visa nor an international passport.”
“My passport and visa were expedited,” I explained. “Everything was cleared this morning.”
Her tone softened. “This your oga. I hope you thanked him very well.”
I beamed. “Yes.”
She chuckled. “So… when will you introduce me to him?”
“I–I can't make promises, Mama. But I'll try.”
She giggled. “Alright. Talk to you later.”
“Bye, Mama,” I said and ended the call.
A knock sounded on the door.
I adjusted my towel and opened it, only to come face-to-face with a steward.
“Hello.”
She curtsied, a practiced smile on her lips. “Dinner is ready. Mr. Rivera is already seated.”
I gulped. “Thank you very much.”
She nodded and walked away. I shut the door again and approached my luggage. This time around, I slipped into the racy panties and a silk dress. No bra.
My heart pounded.
I walked to the vanity and loved my reflection.
Oh, Amira. You're looking for trouble!
I bit my lower lip as I doused myself in my perfume, then headed out. Barefoot.
My feet patted against the marble floor.
I rounded the corner and sighted the dining room. Exquisite as I'd imagined.
“Do you enjoy keeping me waiting?” he drawled, as I stepped into the room.
Nathaniel Rivera sat at the head of the table, looking as dangerous as ever.
He'd changed into charcoal slacks and a crisp, white shirt slightly damp at the collar from the pool. Hair still damp and a glass of water in his hand.
I swallowed hard. “I didn't realize you were counting —again.”
A housekeeper showed me my seat, and I settled in.
When I looked up, his gaze was locked on my chest, then lifted to meet mine.
“Careful. I have no intention of eating two meals tonight.”
“Does it make it hard for you to concentrate?” 
He looked away. “The last time I checked I wasn't the one running away from a pool scene.”
My cheeks burned. 
Of course, he'd seen me fleeing. This was his house. 
If only I could teleport back to my room and hide my face under the pillow.
“I–I wasn't running.”
He met my gaze again, amusement crossing his eyes. “Sure.”
“Don't you trust me?”
“I do. That must be why you showered and suddenly changed into new clothes.”
“Are you always this arrogant?”
“I have a problem with someone who always lies to me. And that includes you, Amira.”
Guilt prickled at my chest. 
All he wanted was for me to always open up to him. But how could I trust him, a man always toying with my feelings?
I took a deep breath and stood.
“I think I've lost my appetite.”
Nathaniel was faster.
He caught up with me before I could even step away from the table.
The air tightened around us.
I looked into his eyes and instantly hated how my knees wobbled.
“Stay,” he murmured. “I didn't mean to upset you.”
Silence followed. A beat too long.
I shook my head. “How long are we going to be condoning this?”
“We'll talk about this after the meal. I promise.”
Something unspoken passed between us.
We sat again in our chairs.
Nathaniel gestured at the domestic staff, and they served us a tantalizing three-course meal that pulled me in.
Twice— I lifted my gaze from my plate and caught him looking at me.
“Bon appetite.”
“Merci,” I replied.
We shared a grin and went back to our food.
Time drifted into a blur.
Nathaniel finished first.
When I finished, he walked to me and offered me his hand.
“Shall we?”
I looped my hand around his and stood.
He took me to his bar. He popped a bottle of champagne and poured it into two glasses. Then gave me one.
“Here—”
“Thank you.”
We clinked glasses and took sips of our drinks.
Nathaniel settled in the chair beside mine.
The fire in his eyes dimmed for a split second.
“I grew up having everything I ever wanted. My parents made sure we lacked nothing.”
He paused, his brows creasing. “Then I met you. History was made when you turned me down.”
“That night I met you here, I felt cornered. Like I literally left the States so I could forget about you only to run into you again. And my heart wasn't getting the memo. I just wanted you to feel a little bit of what you've put me through.”
“I'm so sorry, Amira.”
Tears pooled in my eyes.
I fought them back and sipped my drink.
“You wouldn't understand.”
“Make me.” He pleaded, searching my eyes. “I want to understand you.”
Should I tell him about Sammy?
I gulped a mouthful of my drink.
“I once trusted someone who betrayed me.”
“My ex, Sammy. He kidnapped and trafficked me to the States so I could make him some money.”
His brows furrowed. “Hold on. You were trafficked to the States and forced to dance?”
“Yes.” My voice cracked. “I worked for one, Mr. Nobody.”
“That's not a real name.”
Yes. He used it as a disguise so no one would know his true identity.”
“He'd abduct girls and have them working as his strippers. He was evil.”
Nathaniel pulled out his phone. “What's the name of your ex-boyfriend?”
“Samuel Adebanjo.”
He tapped away on his phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Sending his name to the FBI.”
My breath hitched. How could I have forgotten how powerful the Rivera name was?
“At least, I've got my freedom back.” I shrugged. “I'm in a better place today, thanks to you and your company.”
“That bastard deserves to be behind bars.”
I'd never seen him this angry.
“Now I understand why you couldn't pay your grandma's bills. They took all the money from you.”
I nodded.
He smiled and lowered his phone into his pocket.
Then he took my hand. “I promise, no one will hurt you again. They'll have to go through me first.”
I blushed. “You don't have to.”
“I love you, Amira,” he said, and kissed my hand. A shiver coursed down my spine.
I sipped my drink. “Tell me a little about yourself.”
“I'm a triplet. We were born in Port Harcourt. I have a younger brother who's in college.”
“Wait! You were born in Nigeria?”
He smiled. “I'm Nigerian by birth.”
“Wow.” I gasped, twice. “I—I had no idea.”
“My mother had just relocated from the States when she found out she was pregnant. Then, she worked for Allwell, not knowing her boss was related to the very one-night stand she was fleeing from.”
I blinked. “I don't understand.”
“It's a long story.”
“Her boss?”
“My great-grandmother, Veronica Allwell.”
“Your great-grandmother? Is she still alive?”
Nate grinned. “They say old money is an elixir. Both my great-grandmothers are doing very well for their age. I could only hope I share in their good genes.”
“Of course.”
We shared a chuckle.
“I’m sorry for hurting you,” he said, his voice low. “If you give me another chance, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it right...being better and protecting you.”
Warmth spread through me.
“I—I don't know what to say.”
“Say nothing.” 
He lowered his glass and stood, then lifted me onto the counter.
“Nate!” I squealed.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he murmured. “Just stay with me. That’s all I need.”
He took my glass and set it down on the table. Then kissed my jaw, my neck.
A moan slipped from my lips.
“I’ve never wanted to protect something the way I want to protect you,” he added, thumb brushing my wrist.
“I love you too, Nate,” I said. “I always have.”
His eyes darkened with an indescribable hunger. He cupped my face.
“You don’t know what it means to hear that from you.”
He captured my lips in a heart-stopping kiss. Heat pooled in my belly.
I squirmed as he trailed gentle kisses down my neck, until he captured my breast underneath the material of my dress and sucked.
I gasped. “Nathaniel.”
He continued, sucking, licking from breast to breast until my nipples were taut with pleasure. My breath came in short waves.
Nathaniel pulled back and also panted. 
“Now's your chance to run,” he husked. “Because once I begin, there's no going back.”
I swallowed hard... He was giving me a chance to choose even though my heart had already decided.
I curled my fingers into his shirt. “I want this. Now.”
A primal growl left his lips before he grabbed my waist and pulled me to him.