The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 109

Aveline

I followed Luna's gaze and felt my heart do an uncomfortable flip. Sure enough, Orion was slumped forward in the booth where I'd left him, his dark head pillowed on his arms. Even from a distance, it was clear he was dead to the world.

"Well, well," Laurent said, moving to get a better look. "That is indeed Orion Blackwell, and he appears to be thoroughly intoxicated. That's quite unlike him—the man usually has legendary self-control."

A strange mixture of emotions washed over me as I stared at Orion's unconscious form. Annoyance, because he'd gotten himself into this state. Concern, because despite everything, I couldn't help but worry about him.

"He's completely wasted," I said, my voice tight with frustration. "The idiot can't even handle his liquor properly, and yet he had the nerve to act so... so out of control earlier. He kissed me!" The words burst out before I could stop them, my cheeks burning with a mixture of rage and bewilderment.

"What a lightweight," Luna agreed, but Laurent's reaction was completely different from what I expected.

He broke into a knowing grin, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "Ah, so Orion finally couldn't resist showing his true feelings! I wondered when he'd stop being so restrained around you."

"What?" I stared at him in disbelief. "Laurent, this isn't funny! He was completely out of line!"

"Oh, but it is amusing," Laurent continued with that infuriating smirk. "The great Orion Blackwell, always so controlled, finally letting his guard down enough to make a move. I'd say that kiss was rather telling, wouldn't you?"

"Don't you dare!" I snapped, giving him a sharp punch on the arm. "This isn't some romantic comedy! He was drunk and completely inappropriate, and he said all these strange things I couldn't even understand. It's not like him at all—he's never lost control like that before!"

The memory of that kiss flooded back, making my stomach flutter in a way I absolutely did not want to analyze. The way he'd looked at me with such intensity, like he knew something I didn't. The possessive words he'd whispered that made no sense. And that kiss—desperate, consuming, like he was trying to claim me.

"I mean, what was all that about?" I continued, more to myself than to them. "The things he said, the way he acted... I've never seen him like that. It's like he was a completely different person."

Luna stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Aveline, you know we can't just abandon him like this. What if someone tries to take advantage of him? What if he gets sick?"

"Fine!" I said, throwing my hands up in frustration. "Fine, we'll make sure he gets home safely. But only because he's Ryan's father, and that sweet little boy doesn't deserve to lose his dad to alcohol poisoning. This has nothing to do with... with anything else."

But even as I said the words, I knew I was lying to myself. The truth was, I couldn't stop thinking about that kiss. About the way he'd held me, the intensity in his eyes, the strange words he'd spoken that I couldn't understand.

"Of course not," Luna said with a knowing smile. "Purely professional concern."

"Exactly," I said, lifting my chin defiantly. "Professional responsibility. Nothing more."

Laurent chuckled. "Then let's go collect your 'professional responsibility.' Though I have to say, this is not how I expected my evening to end."

The three of us made our way back into the bar, where Orion was indeed unconscious. It took all three of us to get him upright and moving, and despite my anger, I found myself being extra careful with his head as we helped him into Laurent's car.

When Orion mumbled something incoherent and shifted toward me in the back seat, I didn't push him away. Instead, I let him rest his head against my shoulder, my mind racing with questions I couldn't answer.

Why had he kissed me like that? What did those strange words mean? And why couldn't I stop thinking about it?

The drive to Orion's penthouse was brief, but every minute felt charged with unresolved tension. Laurent kept shooting me amused glances through the rearview mirror, while I tried to ignore the familiar scent of Orion's cologne and the way his weight against my shoulder felt oddly comforting.

Mitchell was waiting at the entrance, relief flooding his features when he saw us helping his employer out of the car.

"Oh, thank goodness," he breathed. "Mr. Blackwell never drinks to excess—this is completely unlike him."

"Well, tonight was apparently full of surprises," I said dryly as we transferred Orion's weight to Mitchell and another staff member.

"Ms. Reeves," Mitchell said formally, "I cannot thank you enough for ensuring Mr. Blackwell's safety. This is far beyond what anyone could reasonably expect from you."

"It's fine," I replied, though my voice came out more strained than I intended. "I was just looking out for Ryan's interests."

Mitchell studied my face for a moment. "Perhaps you would consider staying in one of our guest rooms tonight? You appear to have had quite a bit to drink yourself this evening. I could arrange for some sobering refreshments."

The offer hung in the air, and I felt Luna and Laurent watching me with obvious curiosity. Going home meant facing my grandmother's questions about my disheveled state. It meant lying awake all night replaying that devastating kiss, wondering about those cryptic words.

But more than that, I realized with a start, part of me needed answers. I needed to understand what had happened tonight, why Orion had acted so unlike himself. I needed to know what that kiss meant.

"You know what?" I said finally. "That's actually not a bad idea. I could use some time to clear my head."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I said, giving her a quick hug goodbye. "Thank you for tonight. And Laurent," I turned to him with a pointed look, "we are definitely discussing your European expansion delays over lunch this week."

"I look forward to it," he replied with a grin. "Though perhaps next time we can arrange a reunion that doesn't involve carrying unconscious billionaires around Manhattan."

After they left, Mitchell showed me to a beautifully appointed guest room. The space was elegant and comfortable, with French doors opening onto a balcony overlooking the city.

"I'll have some food and coffee sent up shortly," Mitchell said. "And Ms. Reeves? Mr. Blackwell will likely have quite the headache in the morning. If you're planning to have words with him about tonight's events... you might want to wait until he's recovered."

I turned to face him, surprised by his perceptive comment. "What makes you think I'm planning to have words with him?"

Mitchell's smile was knowing. "Experience, Ms. Reeves. In my years of service to this family, I've learned to recognize when someone has unfinished business with Mr. Blackwell. And after tonight's display, I suspect you have quite a lot to discuss."

With that diplomatic observation, he left me alone with my thoughts.