The Billionaire’s Secret Heirs (Celine and Hunter) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

-HUNTER-

I woke to an empty bed and the faint sound of voices drifting from the kitchen. For a moment, I just lay there, savoring the remaining warmth of Celine’s presence beside me.

Last night had been perfect.

We had talked for hours, watched old movies curled up on the couch, and when she had fallen asleep against my shoulder, I had carried her

to bed.

She had pulled me down with sleepy hands, whispering that she wanted me to stay.

I had held her all night, listening to her breathe, feeling the quiet changes in her body as our child grew inside her.

Groaning, I reached for my phone. 7:30 AM.

I had a board meeting at ten–something I used to look forward to, the joy of planning and negotiation. Now all I could think about was getting back home to Celine and Caesar.

Christ, how had I changed so much?

The voices from the kitchen grew clearer as I padded toward the living room in my sweatpants. Celine stood at the island with Clara, the housekeeper Caroline had recommended.

Clara was in her forties, efficient and kind, and thankfully, Celine seemed comfortable with her.

“Good morning, Mr. Reid,” Clara said with a warm smile when she spotted me.

Celine looked up from the pastries she was rolling, flour dusting her cheek. “Did you sleep well?”

“Better,” I said, meaning it. Better than I had in months, actually.

Clara excused herself to attend to other tasks, and I moved toward the kitchen, drawn by the sight of Celine in her element.

“What are you making?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

“Trying a new recipe for apple turnovers. I found it in one of those cookbooks you bought me.” Her face lit up with enthusiasm.

“I think I’m getting the hang of the pastry dough.”

I reached for one of the finished pieces, and she swatted my hand away.

“Hunter! They’re not ready yet.”

“Just a taste,” I said, grinning at the way her nose scrunched when she was annoyed. “You look pretty when you’re angry, you know that?”

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the smile she was trying to hide.

Moving behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her back against my chest.

The off–shoulder beige sweater she wore exposed the elegant line of her neck, and I couldn’t resist pressing my lips there,

“Hunter,” she breathed, but didn’t pull away.

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Chapter 160

My hands slid beneath her sweater, finding the soft skin of her thighs. She shivered under my touch, and I felt that familiar surge of

possessive hunger.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice slightly breathless. “Caesar might walk in. Or Clara…”

“Making sure you’re working properly,” I murmured against her neck, my thumbs tracing small circles on her skin.

“You’re distracting me.”

“Good.” I took another bite of the pastry, savoring the sweet flavor. “These taste incredible. You should think about opening a pastry shop instead of going to art school.”

She turned in my arms, eyes wide. “Really?”

“Really. Your pastries taste sweet…” I grabbed her chin gently, tilting her face up to mine. “Just like you.”

Before she could respond, I captured her lips in a kiss that was hungry, desperate, five days of missing her poured into the connection.

She melted against me, her hands fisting in my shirt.

“Ewwww! Mommy and Papa are doing the muah muah!”

We sprang apart as Caesar’s voice rang out from the doorway. Celine’s cheeks flushed pink, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his disgusted

expression.

“You were spying on us, buddy,” I said, scooping him up and tickling his sides. “That means you’re getting the tickle punishment.”

Caesar shrieked with laughter, squirming in my arms. “No! No tickles!”

“Boys, no playing in the kitchen,” Celine said, but she was smiling. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”

Breakfast as a family.

The words should have terrified me–I had spent my entire adult life avoiding exactly this kind of domestic scene.

Instead, it felt like coming home.

We sat around the small dining table, Caesar chattering about his plans to build a rocket ship, Celine teasing me about my messy hair, me stealing bites of her food just to see her reaction.

It was chaotic and warm and perfect.

When it was time to leave for work, I found myself reluctant to go.

“I need to stop by the mansion to pick up some files,” I told Celine as I adjusted my tie. “Probably won’t be back until after six.”

“How are Sally and the other staff doing?” she asked, and something wistful crossed her face. “I miss them. I miss the mansio too. I still haven’t gotten used to staying here.”

I understood. The penthouse was safer, more secure, but it wasn’t home the way the mansion had become for her.

“I could take you and Caesar to visit when work slows down,” I said.

Her face lit up. “Really?”

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“Really. Though I’m not sure all the staff will be thrilled to see you.” The words came out harsher than I intended. “Some of them were.. fes

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Chapter 160

than welcoming when you worked there.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “But Sally and Marcus were kind. And Mrs. Peterson always saved extra cookies for Caesar.”

I kissed her forehead. “We’ll go soon, I promise.”

“Oh, Caroline and Blake are coming over later to discuss bachelor party plans,” she said as I headed for the door. “Is your cousin happy? I mean, really happy?”

I thought about Frederick, about the way his entire face changed when he talked about Caroline. “I’ve never seen Caroline this happy. She really loves him.”

The words made me wonder–if I proposed to Celine, would she say yes? Would she want to spend the rest of her life with me, officially, legally, forever?

The thought should have scared me. Instead, it made me want to rush to the nearest jewelry store.

“Have fun with the wedding planning,” I said, kissing her once more.

As I walked to my car, my eyes automatically scanned the area. The woman I had noticed yesterday was back at the café across the street, somewhat hidden behind a newspaper.

Something about her presence made my skin crawl, but I forced myself to dismiss it. I couldn’t suspect every stranger of being a threat.

The board meeting dragged on forever, filled with quarterly projections and budget allocations that normally would have held my attention.

Today, all I could think about was getting home.

I was reviewing contracts in my office when my assistant announced that my mother was here.

Eleanor swept in without waiting for permission, impeccably dressed as always, her expression carefully uninterested.

“You could call before just stopping by,” I said without looking up from my laptop.

“Why should I do that? I’m your mother.”

There was no point arguing with her logic. Besides, I was glad she was here….it saved me the trouble of tracking her down.

“You’ve been busy,” I said, still not looking at her.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean requesting Celine’s medical records. Meeting with her while I was away.” Now I did look up, my voice dropping to the tone I used in hostile negotiations.

“It seems my warning about backing off from my family didn’t sink in.”

Eleanor’s mask slipped for just a moment, revealing something cold and calculating underneath.

“Mind your tongue, Hunter. I’m still your mother, and I won’t have you disrespecting me because of some lowlife maid who got herself knocked up.”

The casual cruelty in her voice made my blood boil. “Don’t ever call her names again.”

Chapter 160

“I’ll call her whatever I like. And you need to start behaving like the man fraised instead of this lovesick foot

I stood slowly, my hands flat on the desk. “Is your aim in life to make me miserable? Do you hate seeing me happy? Because! honestly can’t understand your obsession with controlling my love life.”

“Of course I want you happy,” she said, but her tone suggested otherwise. “With the right woman.”

“And what makes you so sure Celine isn’t the right woman?”

Eleanor’s smile was sharp as broken glass. “She took the two million dollars I offered her. She was after your money all along

“You forced that money on her,” I said coldly. “Whatever threats you used pushed her to take it. That’s on you, not her.”

“She’s beneath you, Hunter. You need someone on your level, someone who can think and move in your world.”

“You mean Mia. Your perfect choice.”

“Yes. And you should be grateful she’s such a kind, forgiving person. You humiliated her at that disaster of a tea party, but she’s still concerned about you. Still asking about you.”

I sighed, knowing this conversation would continue until I ended it definitively.

“I’m sure Mia is a great woman. Perfect, probably. But I don’t love her, and I never will. She’s nothing more to me than the woman you’re trying to force on me.”

Eleanor’s face flushed with anger. “Hunter…..”

“Give up on your stupid dream of controlling my life,” I continued, grabbing my jacket.

“And if you ever try to hurt Celine or my family again, I’ll never forgive you. This is my last warning, Mother. The next time, I cut all ties.”

I was halfway to the door when Eleanor’s voice turned venomous behind me, but I didn’t stop to listen. I had better things to do than waste time on her manipulations.

I unlocked my office door and stepped into the hallway, only to find Mia Blackwood standing there like she’d been waiting.

Shit. How long had she been there? How much had she heard?

“Eleanor?” Mia’s voice was a shocked whisper as she spotted my mother behind me.

“I don’t have time for this,” I said, moving to brush past her. “Excuse me.”

“Hunter, wait.” Mia’s voice stopped me. “I know I’m the best fit for you. I can see it, feel it. You just have to give me room, and you’ll see it

too.”

I turned to face her fully, making sure my voice was clear and unmistakable. “My heart is already occupied, Mia. There’s no room for anyone else. Find someone who can love you the way you deserve. It’s not me.”

“You’re overthinking this,” she said, stepping closer. “I believe in fate, and it’s never wrong. I won’t give up. I’ll be standing by your side soon. The belief in her voice sent a chill down my spine, but I didn’t have time to analyze it. Ihad to get home to Celine.

The penthouse was quieter when I returned. Clara was just leaving, and she informed me that Caroline had taken Caesar shopping and Celine was taking a bath.

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I made my way to the small study I had set up, trying to focus on work, but Mia’s words kept echoing in my head

The certainty in her voice, like she knew something I didn’t.

A gentle knock pulled my attention from the laptop screen. Celine stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame in a way that made my mouth go dry.

She wore a flowing dress that hugged her curves perfectly, her hair pulled up in a messy bun that left her neck exposed.

She looked like every fantasy I had ever had.

“Clara said you were back,” she said, walking toward me.

Without hesitation, she settled onto my lap, her arms wrapping around my neck as she peered at my laptop screen.

“What are you working on?” she asked.

“Boring work stuff,” I said, but my attention was entirely focused on the way she felt in my arms, warm and soft and perfect.

“I want to know.”

“Really?” I looked at her skeptically. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I launched into an explanation of quarterly projections and market analysis, watching her face grow more confused with each technical term.

“See?” I laughed. “I’m sure you have no idea what I’m talking about.”

“Actually,” she said, tilting her head thoughtfully, “I just realized you’re very handsome when you talk business. And sexy too.”

The bold statement hit me like lightning. “You’re getting good at flirting with words.”

She smiled, starting to stand. “Don’t overwork yourself. I should start dinner before Caroline gets back with Caesar.”

I caught her hand, pulling her back down. “I’m lucky,” I said, the words coming out more serious than I had intended. “Lucky to have met someone like you.”

She studied my face with concerned eyes. “You’ve been acting weird since you came back from London.”

“Really?” I pulled her closer. “Maybe I just really, really missed you.”

Caroline stayed for dinner, filling the apartment with her usual energy and laughter.

She and Caesar were planning elaborate bachelor party scenarios that involved everything from treasure hunts to rocket ship rides.

“You’re going to spoil him,” Celine told her, but she was laughing.

I watched them together–my cousin, the woman I loved, the son who was mine in every way that mattered….and felt something settle deep in my chest.

After Caroline left and Caesar was tucked into bed, I stood at the window looking out at the city lights.

“Mia, you’re wrong,” I said quietly to the empty air.

Celine appeared beside me, slipping her hand into mine. “Did you say something?”

I turned to face her, taking in her beautiful face, the way she looked at me like I was everything she’d ever wanted.

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“Just thinking out loud,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips. “We’re meant to be, you know that? You and me. Forever.

The words hung between us like a promise, like the beginning of something that would last the rest of our lives.