HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION(An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 18

CHAPTER 0018

+25 BONUS

“A week,” she said flatly.

My blood ran cold and I jolted up, ignoring the pain in my head. “What?”

But then, Nova smirked. “Kidding. It’s only been a few hours. Apparently, you had a concussion, and you passed out,”

I swallowed. Nova pulled the chair closer to my bed and took a seat, and then she leaned forward, her brows furrowing in worry and something else that I recognized as anger.

I looked away. “How did you know I was here?”

“Nuh–uh,” Nova snapped, shaking her head. “You’re not going to ask the questions here. I am. And you have a lot of bloody explaining to do, Meadow. But first, how are you feeling?”

I leaned back into the bed, heaving a sigh.

“Not great. My head hurts, and I’m pretty sure Juniper pulled some of my hair from the scalp.”

Nova’s nostrils flared and her eyes started to water but she blinked repeatedly. “I’m so pissed at you right now, you have no idea.” She ran her hand through her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me she was back?”

“It’s been a crazy weekend, Nova. I can’t… I was going to tell you but I didn’t know where to start-”

“Yeah, you probably should’ve started with the fact that you got married.” My breath caught but she continued. ” Or maybe the fact that Tyler cheated with Juniper.”

“You know about Alaric,” I breathed.

“Duh.” Nova rolled her eyes. “Who do you think contacted me and told me you were in the hospital? I have been worried sick, Meadow. I’ve been trying to reach you for three damn days, unable to sleep a wink, and you were busy getting married to a fucking billionaire? I thought something bad had happened!”

I shut my eyes. “Nov-”

“And then you get back,” she choked out, then cleared her throat. Nova was easily emotionally overwhelmed.” And you move into his house, and you don’t call to tell me that Tyler and Juniper are a thing, and you go to that damn apartment. Alone. Fuck!”

She sprung to her feet, turning away from me.

“I was going to tell you, I swear. There just wasn’t enough time.”

“Well, I’m here now!” She snapped, turning to face me again. “So tell me. I want to know every single thing that happened over the weekend and how the fuck you ended up with a big ass rock on your finger.

“Okay.” I let out a shaky breath, the ache in my chest spreading as she sat back down on the chair and took my hands in hers, waiting for me to talk.

And so I told her. Everything.

Well, everything except the part where I was thirsty for sex. So thirsty that I had asked him to take my virginity- which was one of the reasons I agreed to marry him.

The only reason, actually.

Until last night happened.

CHAPTER 0018

+25 BONUS

I kept my voice low and flat, afraid that if I let too much emotion slip through, I’d fall apart all over again. Nova sat through most of it, her eyes wide and face pale. She blinked only once when I mentioned the contract, and again when I admitted I never actually planned to sign it—but wasn’t sure anymore.

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And when I finished, she didn’t say a word for two long, torturous minutes.

And then- “So, let me get this straight.” Her voice was quiet. Damn dangerous. A pissed off Nova was not a nice- to–be–around Nova. “You ran to Las Vegas to get married to that fucking bastard, caught him fucking Juniper, met a man you didn’t know–same man who called me. And now you’re wearing his ring and living in his house?”

I nodded.

Nova’s nostrils flared. “Meadow. What the actual fuck.”

A strangled, awkward laugh escaped me. “Yeah. That about

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Nova looked like her brain was overheating. She rubbed her temples as if she was physically trying to reboot.

“And this Alaric guy… he just offered? Like ‘hey, wanna marry me so I’ll ruin your cheating ex for you?”

I swallowed. “Pretty much.”

“And he’s like… sane?”

“Did he look insane to you?” I asked, arching my brow.

Nova shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t met him. I just got a call saying that you were in the hospital and just a brief explanation.” She heaved a sigh. “But when I got here, I didn’t see him. All I had was his name and all I’ve been doing since I was waiting for you to wake up was googling him. The guy is a fucking billionaire, Meadow.”

Her eyes were wide with wonder as she shook her head.

“I know,” I muttered.

Nova ran a hand through her hair. “Fucking hell, I can’t take this. But at least he’s not the reason you’re in the hospital. Where the hell is Juniper?” she asked, the sides of her mouth pulling down into an ugly scowl.

I stiffened.

“I swear to God,” she muttered, rising from the chair. “If I find her first-”

“Nova, don’t,” I said quickly. “Seriously. Just let it go.”

Those words burned my tongue as I said them, and I suppose I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

Nova whirled around. “Let it go? Meadow, she tried to fucking kill you. And Tyler? He–he tried to-” her voice cracked and she bit down on her lip. “They can’t walk free like that. They can’t just-”

“Who says they’re walking free?”

Both Nova and I froze, turning toward the direction those words had come from. That voice. That deep, sultry voice.

My savior.

My husband.