The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 172

Aveline

"What are you implying?" I shot back indignantly. "Do I seem that desperate to you?"

Then I let my voice take on a teasing edge, unable to resist the opportunity to deflate his ego just a little. "Besides, considering how exhausted you look lately, I doubt you'd have the energy for anything else anyway."

The cocky expression on his face immediately deflated, and I could see him struggling between wounded pride and grudging amusement.

I gestured toward the insulated containers I'd placed on his table, my tone becoming more businesslike. "I don't do anything without good reason, Orion. I was worried my ally might collapse from sheer exhaustion before he could win this war." I moved to unpack the food, the rich aromas immediately filling his office. "So I brought reinforcements."

"Thank you," he said with genuine gratitude, immediately reaching for one of the containers. As he opened it to reveal the carefully prepared pasta, his expression softened with something that looked almost like relief. "God, I haven't had a proper home-cooked meal in days. Everything's been takeout and vending machine coffee."

He began eating with the focused intensity of someone who'd forgotten what real food tasted like, and I found myself oddly touched by his obvious appreciation.

"You're really throwing yourself into this ally role," he said between bites, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with interest. "You do realize that being allies means sharing risks, right? Win or lose together. If I fail, you could lose everything. Aren't you worried about being collateral damage?"

I stood up and began pacing his office, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor. "But if you succeed, I get to share in the spoils."

"Oh really?" His fork paused halfway to his mouth, genuine curiosity replacing his casual tone.

"Your company has always been incredibly profitable," I said, turning to face him with a calculating smile. "But the stock ownership is saturated with the same old players. Laurent and I have been looking for the right investment opportunity." I leaned against his bookshelf, studying his reaction. "If you can eliminate the parasites in your company—your uncle and Charles—their shares will need to go somewhere. We'd be very interested in acquiring them."

Orion set down his fork and leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. "So you're finally admitting you're Laurent's business partner. Not just his 'friend.'"

I shrugged with deliberate nonchalance. "I never hid anything. You just never asked the right questions."

His laugh was rich and genuine. "A wealthy, intelligent partner who personally delivers dinner and helps me with childcare. What more could a man ask for?" He resumed eating with obvious relish, finishing every last bite with surprising speed.

"Were you really that hungry?" I asked, genuinely surprised by how quickly he'd devoured everything.

He stood up slowly, rolling his shoulders and rubbing his face with both hands. When he looked at me again, his expression had shifted to something more serious, almost vulnerable.

"Everything tastes better when it comes from you," he said quietly, his voice carrying an undertone that made my pulse quicken.

"Flattery will get you nowhere," I said, but I could feel heat rising in my cheeks.

He moved closer, his movements deliberate and predatory, but there was something else in his expression—a shadow of uncertainty that I rarely saw from him.

"After this is all over," he said, his voice dropping to nearly a whisper, "there's something I need to tell you. Something important."

I felt my breath catch, suddenly very aware of how close he was standing. "You could tell me now."

"No." He shook his head firmly, though his eyes never left mine. "Right now, my focus has to be on eliminating our enemies. Isn't that right, ally?"

I busied myself gathering the empty containers, trying to project an air of indifference even as my heart rate accelerated. "By then, I might not be interested in hearing it."

He stepped even closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body, smell the familiar scent of his cologne mixed with something uniquely him.

"What I have to tell you," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear, "might change everything between us. Take us to a completely different level."

My hands stilled on the food containers as his words sent electricity through my nervous system. From parent-teacher conferences to whatever this complicated relationship had become to business allies—what else could there possibly be?

But even as curiosity burned through me, I forced myself to maintain composure. I finished packing up the containers with deliberate efficiency, very aware of his eyes following my every movement.

"Well," I said, my voice slightly breathier than I'd intended, "I suppose we'll just have to see if your confession is worth waiting for."

As I headed toward his office door, I could feel the weight of his gaze on me, could sense the unspoken promise hanging in the air between us. Whatever he wanted to tell me, whatever new level he was talking about, it would have to wait.

But the anticipation was already driving me crazy.