A Billionaire Ex - Short Story Collection (Volume 5): A Billionaire Ex, #23

By Alexia Austen

A STEAMY BBW BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE SERIES

A Billionaire Ex - Book 13

Jack's eccentric actions only serve to confuse Maria further, but in the midst of their increasingly turbulent courtship, Maria loses something else important. Was Maria really able to leave Jack behind, or was she just telling herself a lie?

A Billionaire Ex - Book 14

Both Maria and Jack find themselves at crossroads. Maria, who is afraid to admit her feelings, and Jack who is coming to terms with his own. As an opportunity lands in Maria's lap, she decides to take advantage of it, but will Jack just stand by, and watch her go? Would he allow her to leave his life just like in the past, or would it be different this time?

A Billionaire Ex - Book 15

Maria and Jack begin their romance in earnest, but in the midst of fluttering feelings, news of Jack's company struggling reaches Maria's ears. Would they find their happily ever after?


FULL COMPLETE SERIES AVAILABLE NOW
 

• Volume 5 of 6
• 14,500 words
• Intended for mature audiences only due to explicit content.

The complete series is also available to purchase as a novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexia Austen
• Release date: Apr 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507029848

Book preview

A Billionaire Ex

Part Thirteen

Chapter 1

We stood on the rooftop in silence, our coffees in our hands. There was a slight breeze. The sky was unclear, and obscured any view of the stars. Jack just stared upwards, lost in thought.

Why did Simon come to see you? I said. Was he here to ask if he could borrow some money?

He wasn't, said Jack. I asked him if he could stop by.

Why?

About the loan, I didn't know. All the debt you accrued to help fund my research. I didn't know that you had to work so hard to pay it all off.

What my mum said must have been weighing on your mind. Just forget about it. I'm the one who didn't tell you about it.

Why didn't you tell me about it?

I thought you were still struggling. I had no idea you'd succeeded like this.

I laughed, but Jack only looked at me with a solemn expression.

Just because... I said. I didn't want to come see you, ask you to pay back the debt, and blame you for it all.

You must've really resented me.

Resent? No, I didn't. I made the decision to marry you, so I think I figured the end result was also my responsibility.

Don't you regret it?

I don't think so. Even if you had become successful to pay back all those debts, I doubt anything would've been different for me. Because all the money in the world couldn't bring back our hope. I think that's as far as were meant to go.

Maria, I...

I walked forward and took a deep breath.

The air is nice tonight, I said. But there isn't a single star in the sky.

It's supposed to rain tonight, said Jack.

Really?

As if on cue, a strong shower started. Within seconds, my clothes began to get wet. We both ran from the rooftop, and towards Jack's apartment. Jack insisted I came inside upon seeing how I looked.

Why did it have to rain all of a sudden? said Jack.

I'm fine, I said.

Come here. Sit down for a moment.

I said, I'm fine.

Just sit down.

Jack ran towards the closet, and started to look for something.

I got up from my seat. I told you, I'm fine.

Jack came back with a towel, and began to wipe my hair.

Look at you, you're not fine.

He dried my hair the best he could, and then started to pat my shoulders and my chest. I shrugged him off me, noting how he was getting a bit too close. He apologised, and carried on slowly. I took the towel off him.

Just get me an umbrella, I said.

I'll take you home.

I can take the bus.

Why are you wearing such a thin white blouse when it's raining outside? said Jack.

I thought the weather was going to be nice, and clear today.

Wait until your clothes are dry first.

Forget it, I said. You're overreacting.

I walked past Jack, but he held onto my shirt, and it ripped off my shoulders. I looked down to see that my body was all exposed, and could only glare back at him. Jack apologised, but his eyes were fixed on me. It was only then I noticed how handsome he looked with his hair wet, and the water dripping from his neck, to his chest. I could see the outline of his body through his wet shirt.

I'm going to make a mistake again, said Jack.

What?

I walked backwards as Jack approached me. I understood what he meant right away, but I couldn't allow that to happen again. If we kept on going like this, we'd both end up where I didn't want. We were just confused with our feelings for each other, and I was at odds with his family. If there was one thing I was sure of, it was that they were adamantly against me.

I bumped into a wall, and found myself having nowhere to go. Jack placed his hands on the wall either side of me. He leaned in, a mere inch from my lips. The way his hair fell across his face, and how deep his blue eyes were, made me weak at the knees. I found myself lost in them. Without realising, I felt his lips softly touch mine. But I didn't resist. I didn't want to. Not in that moment that I tasted him again.

Jack ripped off his shirt, without letting go of my lips. My hands slowly drifted upwards across his defined abs, and