Chapter 1 No.1

Bryce's POV

I pull the car to a stop when I am in the driveway. I unfasten the seat belt, step out of the car with my briefcase and a smile on my face. It is unusual of me to be home this early but I am here because my fiancee is around.

She called to inform me she is in the house and I left the office in excitement. I can't wait to see her. She has been away from New York since last month and I miss her so badly. She has the keys to my home, even though I have tried to convince her to move in before we discuss the wedding date but she is adamant and I have no idea why she doesn't like the idea.

I take long strides towards the front door and pull the door open. Conor meets me at the door with a smile.

"Welcome, boss", he bows his head in greeting, taking the briefcase from me.

"Thank you."

"Ma'am is inside, she was about to leave when I told her you just drove in", he informs me and I raise a brow.

She wants to leave? Why?

I grab the briefcase back from him and hurry upstairs. I don't want him to go into my room or interrupt anything. I came home, anticipating a bit of romance from my fiancee whom I haven't seen in one month.

Where the hell is she hurrying to, that she can't be patient enough for me to get home?

I step on the last staircase and sigh deeply, letting go of my tie and breathing heavily.

I am beginning to have a bad feeling about Ariel's call for me to come home and her sudden desire to go. I look down at my suede shoes nervously, thinking of the possible reason for the call.

After ransacking my brain for a while with no answers forthcoming, I take a step towards my room and another with a pounding heart.

I love Ariel and I don't want her to behave like the rest of the girls. My mother had always told me to be focused and when I am successful, women will come in tenfold, wanting him.

But it isn't true in my situation. I am successful, I am the youngest billionaire in New York but I have trouble keeping a woman.

When I met Ariel, it was love at first sight. We met at a party and ended up in bed. She was so sweet. I told her I loved her and we began to date. I proposed to her three months ago and I am hoping she isn't here with any bad news about our engagement.

The door opens and my sweet girl comes into view. She is a brunette with beautiful green eyes and long sexy legs. I have always been intrigued by her, her sense of dressing, her gait and confidence, and her fearlessness. She is in a tank top and high waist short skirt, her hair is in a loose bun and she is holding a black purse.

Her lips curl into a smile as I watch her.

"Welcome home, Bryce", she speaks softly, as I pin her with an intense gaze, trying to figure out my answers before she can answer them for me.

Her lips are shining and calling to me. When I feel my hard-on, I walk close to her and take her lips. I am filled with a sense of misgiving, coupled with my arousal. I have been anticipating this since she left and here she is, I can't wait to take her.

My lips are on hers as she gasps. I bite her lower lips, earning a soft moan from her. Her moans are pulling me to the edge and I know if I don't go in, I can have her right here by the doorway.

I yank at her top, wishing it will tear into pieces, giving me the chance to touch her most sensitive area. I know the right places to touch to make her climax.

"Bryce", she pushes me away from her, panting heavily. My eyes interlock with hers and I can see it all, the answers.

Her eyes squeeze shut and she stammers. "I ca...me..to see you about something."

I have never seen Ariel this uncomposed and full of fear. Her dialogues are always poignant and witty.

"Let's go in", I say, trying to calm my raging beast and my heaving cheat. I wish she can let me have her for the last time before she breaks the bad news to me.

"No, let's talk here", she contradicts me.

I exhale deeply and look away. My hard-on isn't making me think well. I wish to get done with this so I can go out, to somewhere I can relieve my distress. She isn't helping me.

"I'm sorry, Bryan", she begins to fidget with her fingers, looking down and I almost laugh. She should get done with it already.

"I can't marry you."

"Why?" I ask her sharply. She is surprised that I am not shocked at her revelation. I would have been shocked if I hadn't seen it all in her eyes. But her eyes speak volumes of what she wanted to say, I saw the fear and doubt.

"I just can't. I'm sorry", she walks past me but I am quick to drag her back, fuming in anger. We face each other.

"You should have a genuine reason for doing this, what the hell is wrong with you?" I find myself shouting at her. I am angry and devastated.

I have never been this angry with Ariel. I get angry easily but in Ariel's case, I am a different person because I love her. I wonder why I have refused to read in between the lines all along with her constant travels out of New York. She always tells me it is work-related but I don't believe her, now I know my instinct was right all along.

"Do I need to have a reason to decide what I want to do with my life?" She barks at me. The aloofness is back.

"I see", I tap my feet in annoyance.

"I am not just interested in all of this, I am not ready to settle down with you. Do I need to...."

"Is that why you are here?" I ask her.

She seems taken aback that I am asking her with a calm voice. She lowers her eyes and answers. "Yeah."

"Thank you", I say and open the door to go in.

"Bryce", I hear her call but my only response is the slamming of the door in her face.