The Billionaire's First Glance (eBook)

A Steamy Billionaire Wedding, Dark Family Secrets and Dangerous Obsession

Jane Lexington (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
210 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-104852-2 (ISBN)

Infos

It was meant to be a contract marriage. Instead, it feels like destiny.
***             ***                ***
Amelie Cavanaugh has survived more than most-losing her parents at eight, escaping foster care at fourteen, and fighting her way to Columbia University. But when her younger brother collapses during a football game, the overwhelming medical bills leave her desperate for a way out.
Enter Dr. Nathaniel Carrington Michaels-ruthless billionaire CEO, heir to a powerful empire, and a man under pressure to marry or lose his legacy. Their chance meeting in a hospital café sparks an obsession, and soon Nathan offers Amelie a dangerous bargain: her brother's future in exchange for her vows.
The marriage contract is supposed to be cold and simple. Yet passion ignites where there should be distance, jealousy cuts too deep, and every touch blurs the line between fake relationship and true love.

✔But when long-buried family secrets surface, threatening to destroy them both, Amelie must decide: is Nathan her salvation-or her downfall?

Book 3

Textauszug

Chapter 111: Can We Talk?

Nathan’s POV

I was pacing the room while Amelie was in the shower. Should I really tell her I love her tonight? Is it the wrong move? She literally just got out of a traumatic experience. Maybe it would be too much for her to handle. What if she didn’t feel the same way? Would she still want to marry me? Fuck. I hadn’t even thought of that before. My thoughts were interrupted by Amelie walking out of the bathroom in her robe. She was towel-drying her hair, and I couldn't believe that such a mundane thing was sexy.

“How was the shower?” I asked.

“It was AMAZING,” Amelie replied. “Definitely in the top five of showers.” She giggled and scrunched up her nose.

Fuck. She is so cute that it's almost painful.

“I had Trudy pack up a bag for you. It will be on the plane tomorrow morning,” I stated.

“Nathan, you didn’t have to do that,” Amelie chastised me.

“Amelie, when we get back to New York, there is going to be paparazzi,” I advised. “I thought you might want to change.”

“I guess you’re right,” she smiled.

“Amelie, can we talk?” I requested.

“Aren’t we talking now?” she giggled.

“Touche,” I chuckled. “No, seriously.”

“Of course, Nathan,” Amelie said, walking over to me.

She smelled of honey and floral scents. I took a deep breath of her scent and closed my eyes.

“Are you ok, Nathan?” Amelie asked.

“You just smell so good,” I responded.

“I know, right?” Amelie replied. “The shampoo and conditioner are fantastic.”

“I just want to know if you are still happy with our arrangement,” I said, then ran my hand through my hair.

“Absolutely, Nathan,” Amelie answered. “Are you not happy?”

“No, I’m thrilled with it,” I declared. “You are the easiest person to get along with. I really enjoy our time together. In fact, I. I mean…” I ran my hand through my hair again.

“Oh God,” Amelie covered her mouth, ran for the bathroom, and slammed the door.

“Amelie, are you OK?” I said and ran to the bathroom door.

“Nathan, do not come in here!” Amelie screamed.

I could hear her being sick.

“Amelie, I’m coming in,” I informed. I slowly opened the door.

“I don’t want you to see me like this,” Amelie said, hovering over the toilet.

“Amelie,” I walked over and pulled her hair back. “I want to take care of you.”

“Ugh, this is so embarrassing,” she sighed.

“Do you know what’s wrong?” I asked.

“I think I’m too hungry,” Amelie said, looking up at me.

“What?” I stared at her, puzzled.

“When I don’t eat for a long time, it makes me sick,” Amelie replied.

“When was the last time you ate?” I questioned.

“Breakfast. I had a yogurt,” she replied.

“Amelie,” I scolded. “You have to eat more than yogurt in a full day.”

“I know,” she said, looking over at me with her big doe eyes. “I’m sorry, Nathan.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” I said. I stood up and walked over to the sink. I ran the hot water and wet a facecloth. “I care about you a lot, Amelie. I just want you to take care of yourself.”

I walked back to her and crouched down. I started wiping her face. She looked so innocent, pure, and helpless at that moment, but I knew she was as strong a person as I’d ever met. I felt so privileged that she let me see that side of her.

“Thank you,” Amelie whispered.

“Do you still feel sick?” I asked.

“I feel a bit better,” she responded. “I’m really hungry, though.”

“Ok, just stay there and give me a couple of minutes,” I told her.

“I will,” Amelie stated. “I’m actually feeling a bit dizzy. So I don’t want to move.”

I left the room and went out to the living room. I called our butler, Antonio, and ordered a bunch of food. I also told him to hurry it up.

I knew Amelie skipped meals in the past. I didn’t know that she was still doing it. I want her to be happy and healthy. I’m going to call up Dr. Yvonne and mention it, just in case.

I headed back into the bathroom. Even sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, feeling sick, Amelie was breathtakingly beautiful. I felt the urge to tell her I loved her, but she deserved to hear it when she was feeling better. I guess I'll bite my tongue until the wedding day.

Amelie’s POV

Nathan reached out to me and scooped me up in his arms.

“Amelie, you feel so light,” Nathan stated. “Have you been eating regularly?”

“I might have missed a couple of meals,” I said shyly, which was a lie. I hadn’t been eating much due to the stress. Even when I did eat meals with people, I was mostly pushing my food around on the plate to make it seem like I was eating.

Nathan placed me down on the couch in the sitting area and sat beside me. He ran his hand through his hair. I knew this meant he was stressed.

“I’m really sorry, Nathan,” I expressed.

“Don’t apologize,” he replied. “I need you to be healthy. I need you to stay strong. I care about you, Amelie. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I blushed. “I’ve just been so stressed lately.”

“You know you can tell me anything. I’m here for you,” Nathan stated.

“I know, and I appreciate that,” I replied. “But what I’d appreciate more right now is a burger.”

Nathan let out a hearty laugh.

There was a knock at the door right at that moment. Nathan headed to the door. A well-dressed man walked in, pushing a cart.

“Good evening, Dr. Michaels,” he said. “I have your order.”

“Thank you, Antonio,” Nathan replied and slipped some bills into his hand

“Thank you, sir,” Antonio said. “If you need anything else, let us know.”

Antonio left the room and closed the door.

I stood up, walked over to the cart, and lifted one of the cloches.  A big, juicy cheeseburger greeted me. I smiled. Nathan knows me so well, even after this short whirlwind “romance.”  I internally squeal to myself.

“I know it’s not a burger from Bob’s, but it looks pretty good, huh?” Nathan spoke.

“It’s perfect, Nathan,” I smiled at him. Almost as perfect as you are, Nathan, I thought to myself.

Chapter 112: Press Conference

Nathan’s POV

After eating last night, both Amelie and I were exhausted. We snuggled into bed, and Amelie fell asleep almost immediately. She definitely had a trying day and deserved the rest. I ended up staying up a bit and working on my phone. Amelie was lying on my chest and snoring like a little kitten. Amelie’s Instagram now has up to 110,000 followers. Many people are leaving RIP comments since the rescue hasn’t been announced yet. Roy said they would be announcing it at 9 am tomorrow. He asked if Amelie could be there, but I don’t know if I’ll tell her. I also messaged Dr. Yvonne and asked if she could make an after-hours call to the apartment. I explained the situation, hoping that she could make an exception. Finally, I contacted the bakery to ask if they could bring the cake testing to our penthouse as well. Then I finally went to sleep.

Amelie’s POV

I slept like a baby. I was so comfortable and so warm and toasty. Then I realized why. At some point in the night, I had stripped myself out of the robe I was wearing, and I woke up this morning as naked as the day I was born. Nathan’s body enveloped me. His right arm circled my waist, and his left arm was bracing my chest.  The worst part was that I didn’t want to stop him from holding me. I lay there, enjoying the touch of his skin against mine, the warmth of his hands, and that delicious, masculine scent of cedarwood and cinnamon.

I decided right then and there that I would lie there until he woke up. I want to see his reaction to the situation, to see if he craves my touch as much as I crave his.

About 10 minutes later, he stirred. He snuggled into the curve of my neck and sighed.

“Good morning, kitten,” he mumbled.

“Good morning, wolf,” I joked.

“That’s Big Bad Wolf to you,” Nathan teased.

Then I felt his body tense, and he jumped out of bed.

“OH MY GOD, AMELIE!” He shouted and then turned around. “I am so sorry! Nothing happened, I swear. I promise.”

I pulled the sheet up over myself. “I know Nathan,” I said. “Don’t worry about it. I must have gotten hot in the night and stripped off my robe.”

I got up and put on my robe. “I’m covered. You can turn around,” I advised.

Nathan turned around, and a noticeable bulge was visible in his boxers. Very noticeable. I’d like to take credit for it, but it was probably morning wood.

I quickly changed the subject. “What time is the flight?” I asked.

“The plane will be here at 10:00 am,” Nathan replied.

“Oh no, I totally forgot about Dr. Yvonne,” I exclaimed.

“No worries, I texted her last night. Dr. Yvonne will be at the apartment to see you at 5:00 pm. Additionally, the cake artist will arrive at 7:00 pm for a cake tasting.

I smiled widely, walked over to him, and gave him a warm hug. “How did I get so lucky to have such an amazing fake fiancée?” I giggled.

“Guess you just hit the jackpot,” he replied. “There is one other thing. Roy said they are having a press conference at 9:00 am. He wants you to be there. I understand if it’s too traumatic.”

“No, I think it would be good closure,” I...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 4.9.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-10: 0-00-104852-X / 000104852X
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-104852-2 / 9780001048522