The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 150

Orion

I was sprawled across Ryan's bedroom floor in my pajamas, halfheartedly moving a plastic T-Rex around while my son provided an elaborate narrative about dinosaur politics. It was barely eight o'clock, but after the day I'd had, I felt like I was running on fumes.

"And then the Stegosaurus told the Triceratops that he couldn't be king because his horns were too pointy!" Ryan declared, making swooshing sound effects as he crashed two dinosaurs together.

I nodded absently, my mind wandering to that strange text I'd sent Aveline earlier. It had been an impulse—part genuine curiosity about whether she'd actually follow through on our ridiculous arrangement, and part expectation that she'd respond with some cutting remark about my presumption.

What I hadn't expected was her response.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see her message: **Actually, I'm driving past your place right now. Turns out I do have some 'needs' that require your particular expertise tonight.**

*What the fuck?*

I must have made some kind of strangled noise, because Ryan looked up from his dinosaur battle with concern.

"Daddy, what's wrong? Don't you like the dinosaurs anymore? You look all weird."

"No, no, the dinosaurs are great," I said quickly, trying to school my expression into something resembling normalcy. "I was just... thinking about work stuff."

Ryan stood up with the serious expression he wore when he was about to deliver some profound five-year-old wisdom. "Are you thinking about Miss Aveline again?"

I nearly choked on my own saliva. "What? No! Why would you—"

"Because you get that same face when you think about her," Ryan said matter-of-factly. "Like you're happy but also scared. Like when I really want ice cream but I think you might say no."

*Jesus Christ, when did my son become so perceptive?*

"I was thinking about..." I scrambled for a plausible explanation while getting to my feet. "About how late it's getting. You need to get ready for bed soon."

Ryan glanced at his dinosaur-shaped clock with obvious skepticism. "Daddy, it's only eight o'clock."

"Yes, but..." I was already backing toward the door, my mind racing with the implications of Aveline's text. "Growing children need at least ten hours of sleep for proper neural development and optimal growth hormone production."

Ryan blinked at me. "What?"

"Sleep makes you smart and tall," I translated, then practically fled from his room. "I'll be back to tuck you in!"

---

Safe in my own bedroom, I stood in front of my closet having what could only be described as a mild panic attack.

*What the hell do you wear for a fuck buddy encounter?*

I'd never had a fuck buddy before. All my previous relationships had been either serious emotional entanglements or one-night stands that happened organically. This planned, casual arrangement was entirely foreign territory.

*Should I be naked when she arrives? Fully dressed? Something in between?*

I pulled out several different options—regular pajamas, a casual t-shirt and jeans, even a dress shirt—before settling on a black silk sleep shirt that was technically sleepwear but showed off my physique in what I hoped was an attractively casual way.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I immediately felt ridiculous. The shirt was definitely more revealing than my usual sleepwear, hugging my chest and arms in a way that seemed almost... calculated.

*This is stupid. She's going to think I'm trying too hard.*

I was in the process of pulling the shirt over my head when I heard a knock at my front door.

*Shit.*

There was no time to change now. I quickly ran my hands through my hair and went to answer the door, finding Mitchell standing there with Aveline beside him.

"Miss Aveline said she had some urgent business to discuss with you," Mitchell said with the kind of carefully neutral expression that suggested he knew exactly what kind of 'business' he was facilitating. "I took the liberty of bringing her up."

I nodded stiffly. "Thank you, Mitchell."

"I'll make sure Ryan doesn't... interrupt your meeting," Mitchell added with a meaningful look that made me want to throttle him. "You two take all the time you need."

I shot him a death glare, but he was already walking away with what looked suspiciously like a satisfied smirk.

The moment the door closed behind him, Aveline slipped past me into the room, immediately taking control of the space in that way she had. She closed the door firmly behind her and leaned against it with a smile that was equal parts amused and predatory.

*This is really happening. She's actually here for...*

"That shirt really does show off your assets," she said, settling herself on the edge of my bed like she owned the place. "Nice definition in the chest and arms. Very... accessible."

I felt heat flood my face as I realized she was talking about the deliberately sexy sleepwear I'd chosen. "I couldn't find anything else to wear," I lied.

But even as the words left my mouth, I noticed the pile of rejected clothing options I'd left on my dresser—clear evidence of my fashion deliberations. I quickly swept them into my closet and slammed the door shut.

"Aveline," I said, trying to regain some semblance of authority over the situation, "you realize how disruptive it is for you to just show up here unannounced? And if Ryan sees you, how am I supposed to explain—"

"But you're the one who sent the invitation," she interrupted with that maddening smile. "Your text was very... stimulating. Really got my engines running, if you know what I mean."

The way she said 'stimulating' and 'engines running' made my mouth go dry.

*Get it together, Blackwell.*

"Fine," I said, throwing up my hands in defeat. "Tonight was my idea, so I'll deal with the consequences. Let me find you something comfortable to change into, and you can use the bathroom to freshen up. I'll... locate some protection, and you can stay the night. Do you prefer firm pillows or soft? And what would you like for breakfast? I can have Mitchell prepare whatever you—"

I was cut off by the sound of Aveline bursting into laughter.

"Is this how you treat all your fuck buddies?" she asked between giggles. "Overnight accommodations, morning meal service, pillow preferences?"

I felt my face burn with embarrassment. "I don't know the protocol! I've never had a fuck buddy before, okay?"

"That's... actually really sweet," she said, and for a moment her expression softened into something almost tender.

Then she stood up and moved toward me with that fluid grace that always made my brain short-circuit. Before I could react, she'd slipped her arms around my waist from behind, pressing her body against my back in a way that made every nerve ending come alive.

"About that need I mentioned," she murmured against my ear, her breath warm against my skin. "I think it's time I was direct about what I want."

My body responded instantly to her touch, heat pooling low in my belly as her hands splayed across my chest through the thin silk.

"Tell me," I managed, my voice coming out rougher than intended. "Whatever you need, I'll take care of it."

I felt her smile against my neck just before she reached down and gave my ass a firm squeeze that made me gasp.

"I need you to investigate Hartwell Industries," she said, her voice still low and seductive despite the completely unexpected words. "Past, present, and future. I need you to keep very close tabs on that company."

For a moment, my lust-addled brain couldn't process what she'd actually said.

*Wait. What?*