The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 16

Aveline

The sound of footsteps getting closer sent pure panic shooting through my veins. I had exactly thirty seconds before I came face to face with the man I'd sexually assaulted, and I was going to die of mortification before that happened.

"Oh!" I said suddenly, way too loudly, backing toward the door. "You know what, Ryan? I just remembered—my grandmother has a doctor's appointment this afternoon and I completely forgot! I have to go right now!"

Ryan's face fell instantly. "But Daddy just got home! Don't you want to meet him?"

"Next time!" I said, already halfway to the door. "Definitely next time! I'll call Mitchell to reschedule!"

I was practically speed-walking down the hallway now, my heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest. Ryan's little feet pattered behind me as he tried to keep up.

"Miss Aveline, are you sure you're okay?" he called, confusion clear in his voice. "You're walking really fast!"

"I'm fine! Just running late!" I lied, not slowing down.

I could see the main entrance ahead—freedom was within reach. Just a few more steps and I could escape this nightmare, go home, and pretend this catastrophic coincidence had never happened.

That's when a tall figure rounded the corner directly in front of me.

I slammed into him at full speed, bouncing off what felt like a wall of solid muscle. The impact sent me stumbling backward, my balance completely shot, and I was about to hit the marble floor hard when strong hands caught me, pulling me upright and against a broad chest.

For a split second, I found myself pressed against him, his arms wrapped around me to steady me, and my brain short-circuited completely.

It was him.

Definitely, absolutely, unmistakably him.

The same dark hair that had been tousled against hotel pillows. The same sharp jawline I'd traced with my fingers while he was unconscious. The same broad shoulders that had felt so solid beneath my hands when I'd been on top of him, taking what I wanted while he was too drunk to stop me.

My face went from pale to burning red in about two seconds flat.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice deep and concerned as he helped me regain my footing. "Are you alright? I didn't see you coming around the corner."

His hands were still on my arms, steadying me, and the contact sent a jolt of recognition through my entire body. These were the same hands that had weakly gripped my thighs that night, the same fingers that had dug into my hips even while he was barely conscious.

The same man who'd been magnificent even while too drunk to remember his own name.

Heat rushed through me—part shame, part horrifying physical memory—and I could feel my face getting even redder. The way his shirt stretched across his chest, the casual strength in the way he'd caught me, the subtle scent of his cologne mixing with something that was purely him...

*God, what was wrong with me? I was having physical reactions to my assault victim!*

I pushed away from him abruptly, maybe a little too forcefully, because he stumbled back a step, surprise flashing across his handsome features.

"I'm fine! Completely fine!" I babbled, immediately feeling guilty for shoving him. "So sorry about that! You must be Ryan's father! Hello! Hi! Nice to meet you!"

I stuck out my hand for a handshake, then immediately regretted it because touching him again was probably not the best idea when I was already having flashbacks to... other touching.

"I had so many things I wanted to discuss with you about Ryan's development," I continued in a rush, "but I just realized I have a family emergency and I really need to leave right now!"

Mitchell appeared from seemingly nowhere, taking in the scene with raised eyebrows. "Miss Aveline, is everything alright? You seem rather... flustered."

"Family emergency!" I repeated, probably too loudly. "Very urgent! Must dash!"

But before I could make my escape, Ryan's father reached out and gently caught my arm.

I nearly jumped out of my skin, certain he'd recognized me. This was it. He was going to call me out right here in front of Ryan and Mitchell. He was going to demand to know why I'd assaulted him in his hotel room. He was going to—

"I just wanted to thank you," he said, his voice warm with genuine gratitude. "I'm Orion, Ryan's father. What you've done for Ryan... Mitchell told me about the other day. I haven't seen him this happy in years. Your work has been exceptional."

*Oh. He was thanking me. Not arresting me.*