Claire: The Forced Virgin Of The Billionaire

“I’m expanding your palate, and your horizons,” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.

She wiggled hers back at me, “Mmm hmmm. So you’re off on a business trip?” she added.

I scrunched up my face, “Yeah,”

“Unpleasant business?” she asked, then she said, “Or should I not ask?”

I shook my head, “I’m just not looking forward to leaving you at home. I’m thinking I should take you with me.”

“Really? Why? Where?” She looked excited and the idea of her being happy to come with me instead of having time without me felt good. Real good.

“Yeah, it’s too soon for me since the security breaches at home to feel comfortable so I don’t know that I’d be all that productive unless you were with Dare. But he’s too wrapped up with work s**t to be your bodyguard 24/7. I’m vetting a few of my senior guys and will make a decision soon about rotations for security for the house. And I’m not sure I want to be without you.”

She blushed and smiled at me.

“So, tomorrow maybe after we see your friend and her family we can go home and pack for Vegas.”

Her face lit up, “Vegas?”

I nodded. She clapped her hands and then was suddenly downtrodden.

“What?” I asked.

“I’m 18. Vegas isn’t fun unless you’re 21.” She pouted.

“Unless you’re a high roller.” I said, smirking, “No one will card you when you’re with me, baby girl but you already know that.”

Her smile returned. She took a sip of her Japanese green tea and then started to scratch at her chest. I leaned forward because I could see big blotchy hives across her neck and cleavage. She was looking a little pale.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. I hope nothing we ate had any shellfish.”

She didn’t look good at all.

“You’d better go make yourself puke, Claire. Now!” I waved the waiter over as she dashed to the bathroom. I tried to talk to the waiter but he kept telling me No to the shellfish question. Clearly she was having a reaction to the food.

I burst into the bathroom and she was sitting on the floor beside the toilet in a cold sweat and she looked like death warmed over. f**k!

I pulled out my phone and called 9-1-1. They were too slow so I called back from the jeep and told them nevermind as I’d carried her to my jeep and sped down the highway to the hospital five minutes away and then carried her in myself, losing my s**t until they rushed out and got her on a gurney. She’d still been conscious but she was covered in hives and she told me her heart was racing.

By the time she was stuck with a needle, stable, and admitted in the little country hospital, I’d found out the restaurant’s miso soup’s secret family ingredient was clams. The hostess had originally had no idea because it was a ‘secret’ recipe and the waiter was a f*****g bonehead.

Claire’s POV

I slept. Azriel was yelling at nurses to make sure I had more pillows, more blankets, etc., etc. He was like the worst den mother I’d ever seen.

I was getting out of here today, the doctor feeling like I had everything under control, and he told me I needed to carry an epi pen with me all the time. I’d always found it easy to keep my allergy under control because I never ate in fancy places where they didn’t understand you when you asked them about their ingredients. Now things were obviously different.

Azriel told me, this morning, we’d go back and relax for the day at the loft, if I wanted, and then we’d go home tomorrow and pack for the trip to Vegas. The quiet of the loft sounded good to me and maybe then seeing the bright lights and sin city would be fun. The only place I’d ever been was Florida that once and the idea of travel really appealed to me.

My hospital room door opened and it was Rose and Cal. I felt my heart constrict. Did Azriel know they were here? Where was he? Rose quickly hugged me and Cal stood behind her.

“How are you, Claire?” Cal asked. Rose dabbed her eyes with a tissue in her hand at the sight of me.

“I’m fine, don’t worry. Good as new.” I wanted to ask them where Lily was but knew better. They were probably scared for her safety after she took off on her own to help me escape from the mafia…. They must’ve sent her back home. But the fact that they were here for me was more than enough. It gave me a sense of family, no matter how demure.

“I know you’re fine from the allergic reaction but what about everything else?” she asked, her eyes landed on my hand and widened at the sight of the engagement ring.

“Actually, I’m really good.” I tried to reassure her. I had to oversell it so that they’d just back off. Plus I

was

pretty good, all things considered, “Things are working out after all.”

She opened her mouth to speak but I stopped her, “Seriously. I’m good. I think Azriel and I are getting married in a few weeks and I’d like you to both be there.” I smiled at her.

Her mouth dropped open and she looked at me like I was a puzzle to her.

I looked to Cal and as I said, “I hope you’ll consider doing the favor of giving me away? If it’s not too much to ask,” The door opened and Azriel walked in with his hands in his pockets. He didn’t look surprised to see them. I let out the breath I’d been half holding.

Cal looked back at Azriel and then to his wife. He looked a little perplexed but like he was trying not to show it. Rose was giving Azriel an evil eye.

“Maybe before then we could get a rain check on that lunch or brunch idea. So you can get to know Azriel?” I said quickly.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle, Claire. Thank you but wouldn’t you rather your own Dad. He’s—”