Chapter 60

They were silent during the twenty-minute drive. It was only when Sam pulled into an underground parking area that Chan realized they were at The Harrington.

She was about to ask why they were here of all places, but she decided to hush her mouth.

Once again, Sam took her hand and led her to the elevator. There she noted they were going up to the fortieth floor. She wondered if he was taking her to his office. Were they going to talk about their feelings like a business contract? Of course, that was stupid, and she knew it.

The door dinged open, and Chan dreaded what was to come. They were going to have a serious talk after all. She, however, didn't know what else there was to talk about. He could have just told her, yes, their relationship during the previous few weeks was merely a fling and it was now over and he'd be going into a serious relationship with Nina.

Chan blinked in confusion when they walked past the door to Sam's office. She was about to tell him so when they came to another, the one next to his office. There Sam swiped his key card and opened the door.

He led her in, and Chan was surprised indeed to find the place was actually a hotel bedroom. No, more like a penthouse.

Conscious that now was the time to get everything over and done with, Chan moved to pull her hand from Sam's, intending to free herself. He, however, wouldn't let her go.

"Sam," she begged.

He wasn't listening to her. Without a word, he led her through the luxurious living area to the bedroom beyond.

When he shut the door and finally let go of her hand, Chan stared wide-eyed at the place. It was exquisite and full of luxury, a large king-size bed, soft, classic furnishings, sofas and armchairs, plush Persian carpet, marble wall columns, and expensive paintings and art wares. It also had a breathtaking view of the city beyond. It was getting dark now, and the city lights had just begun to flicker on.

When she returned her attention to Sam again, she noticed he'd loosened his tie, and his eyes were dark.

Suddenly, her stomach fluttered, and her heart raced. She licked her lips, and before she could utter a word, Sam had her in his arms, his lips against hers. His hand held her tight at the back of her head as his lips hungrily ravished hers.

"Mmm..." Chan groaned as she felt her body warm and melt into him.

When Sam pulled back, his eyes were even darker, and he had a luscious smile on his face. "I love you, Chan, and I'm going to show you just how much."

Chan felt her body quiver in both shock and delight. She licked her lips. "But—"

He cut her short by kissing her again. His lips were firm and hot. When he managed to tease her mouth to open for him, he plunged in his tongue and wildly and passionately explored her.

"Mmm..." Chan groaned. She was so weak and hot, but she felt wonderful.

Still kissing her, Sam bent, picked her up, and carried her to the king-size bed. There, he laid her gently onto the softness of the mattress and kissed her even more passionately.

Chan felt like her world were bursting with this wonderful sensation. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, moaning and groaning, her body writhing beneath his.

When Sam terminated the kiss, moved back, and stared down at her, he noted she was flushing. And damn, she was exquisitely beautiful.

"I love you, Chan," he said, cupping her face. "What you saw earlier between Nina and me was a misunderstanding. I have no feelings for her. Never have and never will. Ever since Sarah's death, I've never fallen in love with any woman, no one like I've fallen for you." He chuckled as Chan stared up at him, tears in her eyes.

"I think I fell in love with you that first time I saw you at the Thursday market. I've never stopped thinking about you since that day, wondering how the hell I'd ever find you. When I saw you in the club, I knew I was given a chance, and I wasn't going to let it go to waste." He rested his forehead on hers and chuckled softly. "Oh, Chan. I want you to know I love you. I want you to know how it hurt right here." He grabbed her hand and placed it against his chest where his heart was.

Chan spread her palm flat on his muscular chest, feeling the thumping of his heart. She gazed up at him, tears blinding her eyes as she tried to control her emotions.

Sam continued. "It bloody hurt here when I couldn't see your face. Hell, it feels so wonderful here, too." He pressed her palm against his heart, his hand warm over hers. "When I see your face... When I see your smile... When I hear your voice... You make me the happiest man alive."

Chan licked her lips again. "I... I didn't know."

Sam chuckled at her blunt statement. "Well, now you know." He kissed her hard on the lips, telling her just how much he loved her, just how much she meant to him.

When he moved back, he said, "I want you, Chan. Please have a serious relationship with me. You and me together. A couple."

Chan blinked, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn't believe it. She just couldn't. Sam was asking her to be his girlfriend. To be in a serious relationship with him.

"I..." She began. "I might disappoint you."

Sam shook his head. "You'll never disappoint me. You're already wonderful as you are now."

Chan closed her eyes for a moment. "That's not it. I... I'm afraid, Sam. I... I have a past. You don't understand."

"I don't care about your past. I love you, and I want you. That's all I care about."

"What if I'm not pure? What if I'm a freak?"

Sam shook his head. "I'll take everything: you, your past, your insecurity, and your freakiness." He chuckled, his eyes twinkling.

Chan felt hope, her heart bursting with wonderful delight.

"I love you, too, Sam," she confessed. "Since that day at the market. I don't know why or how. I didn't even get to see your face properly... I don't know. I just know I've fallen for you. Please, Sam, be patient with me. I'm... I'm so afraid of this." She kissed him gently on the lips. When she pulled back, her eyes begged him to understand. "I'm so afraid of our passion, of..."

"Sex?"

She nodded. "And love and my past and everything..."

Sam kissed her forehead gently in return. When he was done, he said, "I'm a patient man, Chan. I'm here for you. I want you to trust me."

Chan stared at him long and hard. She saw the unconditional love and compassion in his eyes, and her heart swelled with wonder. The feeling of belonging and being loved overwhelmed her so much as she gasped and buried her face against the crook of his neck.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm being silly. I don't know why I behave like a child."

Sam cupped her head there against him, a smile on his face. He knew, deep down, this woman he loved was still a child, frightened of something he had yet to find out and craving love. She thirsted for love, and Sam was only too happy and willing to give it to her.

Chan nodded. "I trust you."

It was permission; Sam knew and didn't hesitate to grab it with both hands.

He kissed her, his lips pressing hard, his tongue wildly and passionately exploring her mouth, showing her just how much he loved her.

Chan groaned, her mind going numb with this exquisite feeling as she let herself go, let herself be made love to by the man she'd been craving since the first day she'd met him.

* * *

Number six of Bay View Avenue had a huge red sign in the front of the house that said SOLD on it. Dave Moore narrowed his eyes in suspicion as he cocked his head to one side. He flicked his gaze to the other houses along the street. They, too, had prominent signs of SOLD in the front yard.

"What the fuck?" he muttered under his breath. "What the fuck?"

It was then an elderly man walked past him. He quickly took action and called out. "Excuse me. But is this house sold?"

The gentleman looked at him for a moment and nodded. "Not just this one." He indicated the rest along the street of Bay View Avenue as well. "But all of the ones on this block."

"What?" Dave couldn't help voicing his confusion. "Every single one on this block?"

The stranger nodded. "Hmm. It's the Harrington Group. They're going to build another hotel and resort here. Well, you gotta hand it to them. They sure know a good spot when they see one." He returned his eyes to Dave. "Are you interested in this house? You're too late. Besides, there's no way you can beat their price. It's around a couple of million, so I've heard."

"Wow!" Dave said. "Those girls really got a great deal for this old shit."

"What?" the elderly man asked.

Dave shook his head. "Nothing. Thanks."

"No problem," the man said. "Have a nice day."

Dave nodded as the gentleman continued on his stroll.

Dave whistled in awe. "Chan, sweetheart, where the fuck are you?" Then he cocked his head to one side. "We both know you can't hide from me. We both know I'll find you sooner or later." He licked his lips in anticipation. "Game on."

* * *

Sam and Chan's love story continues in The Billionaire's Passion, which is available on Amazon, Google Play, and Apple iBooks. Please simply go to those ebook stores and search for The Billionaire's Passion along with my author name which is Alexia X (or Alexia Praks).

The Billionaire's Passion is also available on Radish Fiction under premium. Simply go to Radish Fiction (app) and search for The Billionaire's Passion or my user name which is AlexiaPraks (author name Alexia X).

You can also visit my author website at alexiaxbooks.com where I post regular blogs, vlogs, and more.