Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 100: Snuggling

Chapter 100: Snuggling

"But seriously, I’m still shocked anyone could be that bad at dancing," Ashley said for what felt like the hundredth time since they left the bar.

Lorenzo drove into his compound and parked.

"How long before you stop taunting me about this?" He asked as they stepped out. He came around the car to find Ashley swaying on her feet.

"For as long as I feel the pain of losing that all-expense-paid weekend getaway to those couples," she pouted at him like a grumpy rabbit, then staggered past him toward the house.

He couldn’t help but smile as he followed, her heels in hand. She had so little tolerance for alcohol.

"You know, I could take you on as many weekend getaways as you want... no prize needed."

Ashley slurred without looking back. "I—" she belched. "I want the one that comes with the prize."

After forcing him to order a cocktail with her, she’d roped him into joining the couple challenge later held at the bar. To convince him, Ashley had downed two shots of whiskey. Dancing in front of everyone like some kid trying to win their favorite candy had been embarrassing—but also the most fun he’d had in a long time. And now, she was tormenting him over the loss.

"Why’s that one so special?" he asked, amused, as she stood at the foot of the stairs, staring like it was a mountain.

She counted the four steps out loud before finally climbing the first. It was hard not to record her—so he did, hoping to show her once she sobered up.

"Because it’s free," she said, as if that explained everything. "I mean, who doesn’t love freebies?"

Lorenzo chuckled and caught her waist just as she stumbled on the third step.

"Careful, princess," he murmured, trying to get his phone back into his pocket.

Ashley’s dreamy eyes met his—and to his surprise, she burst out laughing like a maniac. His brows lifted. What on earth was so funny?

"I thought you loved to carry me, huh? Now’s a good time," she said between giggles.

Lorenzo shook his head and scooped her over his shoulder, hands steady on her hips. Ashley giggled all the way inside, drumming her hands against his back. Too bad he couldn’t use his phone anymore. He made a mental note to install cameras in the house after tonight.

She was crazy when drunk, and he loved every bit of it. The past few hours had been the happiest he’d seen her in a long time, and he wished he could keep her just like this.

Later, after they’d both showered and slipped into bed, Lorenzo took her hand and after a slight pause, kissed it.

"I wish we had more nights like this," he said softly. "But I’m afraid things won’t be the same once we talk about why I left."

Ashley blinked slowly, her heart racing—and not just from the alcohol. The shower had sobered her up just enough for the fear to creep in. Her stomach twisted.

Lorenzo gently rubbed her knuckles, then kissed them again. Butterflies stirred in her belly.

"Let’s not talk about it tonight," she whispered.

Their eyes locked, and this time, she didn’t miss the flash of relief in his. And somehow, that made her even more afraid of what he was about to say.

"Are you sure about that?" he asked, searching her face. Her heart pounded louder.

She was tempted to say they could just forget everything—the past, the pain. They could start over, like he wanted, and make more memories like tonight. But deep down, she knew avoiding it wouldn’t erase it. Sooner or later, it would come back to haunt them.

"Yes. Let’s just get some sleep, and in the morning... we’ll talk before work," she said finally.

Lorenzo’s thumb brushed gently against her cheek before he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. He wanted to do more than an innocent kiss, but maybe slowing down was best—for now.

"Can I hold you while we sleep?"

Ashley swallowed hard, hesitating. How was she supposed to survive a night in his arms without giving in to the urge to have him kiss more than just her forehead? It had already been torture holding herself back since the bar.

Now, he was dangerously close. He smelled so good—like safety, like home. If she really wanted to keep things from going too far again, they should probably sleep facing away from each other. Even this closeness was a risk. But she couldn’t help craving it, wanting more of him.

"Yeah... you can hold me," she whispered.

Lorenzo didn’t wait. He flipped her gently and drew her into his arms, her back against his chest, his grip firm, like he couldn’t risk letting her go. He was grateful she’d agreed to delay the talk. He’d feared the night might end in distance instead of this warmth.

Ashley’s pulse quickened. She looked so small against his big frame—and she loved it. It felt too good. Neither of them said a word. They were both afraid to break the peace, knowing deep down that it might be the calm before the storm.

Ashley replayed the night in her mind, a smile tugging at her lips. So many embarrassing moments that made her laugh—like Lorenzo’s mortified face when she dragged him into the couple’s challenge, his stiff attempts at dancing, the way he’d reluctantly agreed after she let him order her some whiskey, the ridiculous amount he’d paid the band just to entertain her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so free... so happy.

Lorenzo was deep in thought too, listening to her breathing until it softened into an even rhythm. Then he pulled her closer, kissed her hair, and finally let himself drift off as well.

*******

Inside the Harrington’s mansion:

"Why did things have to get this bad before I’m told about customers suffering food poisoning from my restaurant?!" Christian barked into the phone, not caring that it was midnight. "One job, one simple job—and you couldn’t even do it right!" His hands trembled with rage and frustration.

"Sir, we thought we had it under control. The situation wasn’t serious, and it only happened a few hours ago," the manager’s panicked voice explained.

"I want every worker in the conference room before 6 a.m. tomorrow. Down to the cleaners," he demanded. "And you’d better pray I find out who’s behind this. Or else everyone, including you, will pay far more than just the losses once you’re all fired!" He slammed the phone down, cutting off the call.

"Baby, please... you have to get some sleep. You need a clear head for tomorrow," Kayla said quietly from a corner.

Christian whipped around to look at her, his face tight with anger. "Did you say a clear head? How can I think clearly when my companies are crumbling?!"

"I—I know it’s hard, but..."

"But what?" He cut her off. "Enough, Kayla. Enough! You can go to bed if you want. You know nothing about business. The one company I gave you to manage—what did you do with it? You let it ruin while you sit here squandering the rest of my money!"

"Why are you bringing that up now? How is this my fault?" Kayla snapped, resting her hands on her waist.

"Maybe if you made yourself more useful, none of this would be happening," Christian retorted.

"How could you even say that?!" She screamed, her vision blurring as her eyes filled with tears. "After everything I’ve done for you. The last mess you got yourself into, have you forgotten that I’m the reason you got out of it uncaught?"

Christian snorted and stormed past her, slamming the door behind him.

In the study, he opened a new bottle of whiskey, taking a long drink as he made a series of calls, trying to salvage the damage. But nothing was working. The relentless calls from investors only made his frustration worse. The feeling of powerlessness twisted in his chest. He hated it. He hated not being in control.

After a while, he slumped in the chair, shoulders slacked as he stared blankly ahead. Someone was behind this—someone who wanted to punish him. But who? And why stop at just four? What if they planned on coming after the rest later?

He lifted the whiskey bottle again, drinking deeply before slamming it back down onto the desk. His first guess should’ve been Lorenzo, but he doubted the bastard had that kind of power. If not him, then who?

Just then, both of his phones rang at once, jolting him out of his thoughts. His pulse quickened as he dreaded looking at them. His head throbbed, making him feel slightly dizzy. Of all the emotions, fear was the one he hated most. Fear meant weakness, and he couldn’t afford to feel weak.

When he finally summoned the courage to look, he saw it was only his attorney and Gabriel.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.