The Billionaire’s Creed

ADLEY

Madelyn was sweet. I really admired her. She was the type of woman who could be your best friend, mother, and enemy. But if she liked you, she treated you like her own. I couldn’t even imagine how she raised Mykel to be a good person when they had nothing.

“Do you enjoy your work?”

We just had our spa, and I felt so much better. I felt rejuvenated. I should not have taken for granted the stress and exhaustion I had before the flight-they all vanished into thin air.

“My grandpa hates my job, but I love and enjoy what I do. That’s how I met your son again.”

“He told me. He asked Sax to call the cab company and ask the address of the last person the driver sent.”

“Really?” I was surprised.

“He asked Sax to lie that you left something in his apartment.”

I giggled. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Mykel loves challenges and is very committed.”

“I think he got that from you.”

“You have a big heart, Adley. Does his past bother you?”

“Which one?” I smiled.

“He came from a low-income family and a playboy.”

I shook my head. “Social status is just what I saw on a person. What I want is what I see in that person.”

“Do you still hate Mykel?”

This time, my smile faded. “I don’t hate Mykel. I disliked his approach, cockiness, and maybe his view and opinion on relationships, but who am I to judge? I mean, we all are different, and I should go to the bottom of it before I make my judgment. And I was wrong.”

“Then why don’t you two give it a try? Be in a real relationship like dating. You know, boyfriend, girlfriend.”

“Do you realize that we are already married?” I chuckled.

“Well, start by getting to know each other.”

“You two are too close. I hope he isn’t a tell-all type of guy.”

Madelyn waved her hand off. “No, no, no. We don’t do that. He’s a mama’s boy, yes. I hope it doesn’t bother you, but he’s a man, and I’d rather stay away from his sex life stories.”

I shook to laugh. “I don’t know. Despite our rocky start, I truly trust Mykel. I feel like I can be safe with him. Don’t worry. I’ll look after him even if he’s a fully grown man.”

“Are you two still talking about me?” My heart pounded hard to hear his voice behind me. Then a kiss on my cheek followed. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey, a fully grown man.”

He went to kiss his mother too. “Hey, Mom. How’s the spa?”

“It was fun. How about you?”

“My wife’s gonna kill me, but we went on a hele-tour.”

“Really?” My eyes grew wide. “How was it?”

Mykel looked at me, his eyes twinkling, his lips curving up. “It was amazing. I don’t wanna force you into coming with me. We’ll get there soon.”

“As long as you had fun.” I placed my hand on top of his, squeezing it a little.

We enjoyed light conversation during our lunch. Then our topic shifted.

“Wait. You were never in cheerleading?” He stared at me. His eyes were enormous as if he was finding it hard to believe that I never chose to be a cheerleader.

“No. But I was on a volleyball team. Let me guess, football?”

He chortled, shaking his head. “Because I’m tall and handsome.”

His mom was amused.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“You still marry me.”

“Yeah, the story of my life. Tell me about it.”

“You’re right. I was on a football team. I also play Lacrosse.”

“And women.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He laughed out loud. “See, Mom?”

“You two get along so well.”

“Did you also tell her I audition to be a stripper?”Well, this is interesting.

Madelyn rolled her eyes at his son.

“What? Really?” I was holding his arm, waiting for him to share. “Like Channing Tatum?”

“I did once. When they called me to start, I chickened out.” His lips curled into a crooked grin.

I admired his determination and his hard work to make ends meet. Mykel was living proof that with diligence, dreams did come true.

After our lunch, we headed to the harbor.

“You’re leaving already?” Since Elise was not around, I felt like I was the rose among the thorns with all the testosterone around me. Sometimes, I wanted girl time. Blaze and I were different. I took him everywhere and never refused.

“I have to go back, darling. I just wanted to meet you. That’s why I flew right away, but I can’t stay here for long. I’m also running a business.”

“When will I see you again?”

“Anytime, darling.” Then she called his son. “Bring her to me when you both are not crammed with work.”

“Sure, Mom.”

“Take care of each other, okay?” She hugged me and whispered, “He’s falling for you. Take care of his heart, Adley.”

My breathing held. My heart nearly stopped. I was speechless as I stared at Madelyn.

She was joking. I knew she was.

It’s highly unlikely.

This couldn’t happen so fast.

When she smiled, I felt like I had already missed her.

***

We only exchanged a few words since we boarded the yacht he rented. The sudden change of air bothered me. I wondered what had gone wrong. He had a few moments talking with his mom then his mood shifted. I had no idea what it was all about, but when we boarded, there was a deep frown on his face.

“We didn’t have to come here if you didn’t feel like too.” I couldn’t take the silence between us anymore.

He idled the boat, looking devastated. “I’m sorry for being a terrible companion. I’d been planning this since we planned to get married, then here I am, ruining everything.”

“Do I get to know what’s going on?”

We went near the platform, and he held my hand. “Come with me. Take a seat. Let me apply sunscreen on your back.”

“I already applied earlier,” I refused. What I was more interested in was his feelings right now.

“Baby, I pay attention when it comes to you. You missed some parts, especially your back.” I couldn’t agree more. Considering my fair skin, I was prone to sunburn.

For a moment, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Adley, I’m not gonna touch the off-limits area.”

“Maybe I want you to touch me.” I pursed my lips as I turned around.

He laughed. “Don’t tease me.”

“So you went through my things, huh?”

“We didn’t have time to come back to the house to pack. So yeah.” The first touch of his palm on my shoulder made me stiffen. A shiver raced down my spine, and I held my breath for a moment as his hand went down to my lower back.

He was true to his words, though-there was nothing sexual about it, yet I felt the flutter in my chest, and I was anticipating something more.

His talented hands were mere inches from my butt, and all I could think was to see his restraint crumbling and taking advantage of this situation. Maybe I’d indulge myself and give in to our sexual tension. It was hard not to when I could feel his hands on my skin, and we were on a beautiful island, yet I was still under a dry spell.

“Relax.”It’s hard when I can feel you on my flesh.”You have lovely skin.”

“Thank you. Did you also check out my vibrator?”

He paused when he reached just above my waist. “You don’t have one in your luggage. And so what if you wanna pleasure yourself? Though, I can volunteer.”

My needs soared. The ache between my thighs worsened. My patience was running thin. With each rub of lotion, my skin was burning, melting against his palm.

Then his hands were gone. When I turned around, he was gone as well.

“Fine. Have it your way.”

The ocean was lush blue, clearer as the sky above us. I could feel the true serenity in the vast and endless horizon.

I realized I really missed a lot of things. I missed life in general.

I held my breath and jumped into the ocean. Even the deep water was clean and peaceful. It was the best feeling as if I had left my baggage behind-when you didn’t have to worry about the world around you, just embracing the calmness under the sea.

I tried to open my eyes, and small fishes were swimming freely through the deep blue sea.

I gasped. My body jolted as a strong arm wrapped around my abdomen, securing me tight and rising me to the surface.

“What the hell?” I tore myself free and turned around. “What are you doing?”

He swiped away his hair covering his eyes. A deep frown deepened on his forehead as he looked worried. “Don’t ever leave my sight without telling me!”

“Wow! Yet you left while you were applying sunscreen on my back.”

He glanced away, breathing deeply. “You could have just told me you wanna swim.”

“Well, that’s why we’re here, and I’m in swimwear, Mykel. And you’ve been moody since we sailed.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If we wanna make this work. You should also share whatever is going on with you. I’m sorry I dragged you into my mess, but I also want to help.”

“I promise I will tell you.”

“Sure.” I swam away from him. I realized how fast I started to care deeply for him. I might not be in control of my feelings anymore, and it scared the hell out of me.

As I dived deep, I let the ocean take care of my problems for a while. Mykel was beside me, asking me if I was okay in a diver’s sign.

I showed my fingers that I was okay before I got out. I let myself float on the water, and Mykel did the same. I now realized he was shirtless. My gaze fell to his broad, solid chest. Even underwater, I could see those amazing pack abs, and I couldn’t deny those packages steered my interest further.

I ignored the stupid flutter in my belly and had to look away for a moment before my thoughts went filthy for the second time.

When I looked back, he was already sitting on the platform, showing off those notches above his hips.

Mykel had been watching me drool over him. Great. I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Nice one, Adley.

“Baby, the sun is gonna set soon. Come on up.”

I agreed as it started to get dark.

We waited for the sunset with our red wine.

“One of the happiest moments I had,” he said softly.

“Me too.”

“I don’t want to ruin this moment, but I know you want to know. My father visited my mother. He wanted her to convince me to meet him. He even invited Mom over a dinner.”

“How did your Mom take it?”

“She can’t decide for her son anymore. She said, If he declined, it means he’s not ready.”

“She’s a great mom. You’re lucky, Mykel.”

“Lucky to have such good women in my life. I get that she gave you that necklace.”

I smiled as I rested my hand on my chest and started to fiddle with the pretty solitaire diamond necklace Madelyn gave me. “How did you know?”

“It has been with her for over three years. That’s one of the first things I gave her. I brought her to the jewelry store, and the first thing she noticed was that necklace. I bought that for her, but she didn’t want to wear it. She told me that one day, she will give it to someone special to me.”

“I’m honored.” I laid my head on his shoulder. “Thanks for sharing it with me.”

“To more memories to share.”

“I drink to that.”

We watched the sunset in peace. This moment was definitely unforgettable.