CHASED BY TWO BILLIONAIRES

Prologue.

Elena's POV

"Who's Elena Kingston?" The question hung in the air and my breath hitched. Why would the CEO's PA be looking for me? I wondered, getting quickly to my feet.

"Me," I raised my hand hurriedly, getting to my feet. I could feel my insides tangle into knots as everyone's eyes were on me.

"You're needed in the CEO's office," the PA, a slim haughty woman everyone called Clara said. "He's going to be taking over the 'Houston Project,' she revealed a piece of shocking news.

"I..." the words lodged in my throat and for a moment all I could do was stare. I quickly caught myself, rushing to pack the files I'd worked on through the night before I rushed out of the office behind her.

I clutched the project file tighter, and my fingers felt damp against the smooth leather as I followed the PA through a maze of glass walls and neutral décor.

One month. That's how long I'd been here-long enough to blend into the background, unnoticed, unbothered. Just the way I wanted it.

"His office," Clara said, stopping abruptly. "He'll be overseeing the project with you. He's waiting for you," she glanced at me.

I nodded, my throat tightening. I hadn't had reason to meet the CEO yet but whispers about his ruthlessness had reached every corner of the building.

I rolled my eyes secretly. Perfect. Exactly what I needed-a demanding boss breathing down my neck.

I pushed the door open.

He was seated in his chair with his back facing me, his eyes fixed on the impressive skyline view.

"Good afternoon, sir," I said, trying to make my voice sound as professional as I could.

Silence greeted me. Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and stepped forward, placing the file on his desk. "This is the report on the-"

"Quiet," he snapped, cutting me off. I froze, my heart skipping a beat and I wondered if I'd done something wrong.

I saw him raise his cell phone to his ear, he was on a call? I hesitated for a moment before I turned to leave, not wanting to listen in on his conversation.

"Did I ask you to leave?" I paused, the familiar voice freezing me to the spot.

My breath caught as I turned. The chair rotated on its wheel, revealing the face of the CEO.

Him? The sight of him knocked the air out of my lungs and I could feel the blood drain from my face.

How could it be him? I wondered, my gaze fixed on him. The man I'd sworn to forget. The man I once called my husband.

What was he doing here? Last I remembered he was working at his father's company.

I quickly arranged my features to be cool and calm. I didn't want the fear and shock that gripped me to sip through my expressions. I was no longer the woman he knew months ago. "Your PA asked me to present the project details to you," I forced myself to meet his gaze squarely.

"You..." his eyes widened with shock. "What games are you trying to play, Elena?"

Before I could respond, he stood and rounded the desk, grabbing my wrist.

"Sir, what are you-"

"Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me with your actions?" His voice was heavy with a bitterness I hadn't expected.

"I..." I hesitated for a split second contemplating what next to do before I yanked my hand back, my mask of calm slipping back into place.

My thoughts were a mess and in a state of panic, the words, "I don't know what you're talking about. We've never met before today," trailed off my lips instinctively as a means of self protection.

I had started a lie I had to see through to the end.

His lips twisted into a smirk, one that sent shivers down my spine. "Really?"

Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine. The kiss was searing, infuriatingly familiar, and I bit down hard. He pulled back, wincing, and the sound of my palm striking his face echoed through the room.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, chest heaving. I was careful to keep my expression disgruntled but I secretly felt happy at the feeling of slapping him.

He deserved it... And more.

"What..." His expression faltered-confusion and disappointment flashing briefly before he masked it. "You really don't know who I am?"

"No," I moved away from him, wiping my lips. "Why did you do that sir?"

"You..." Damien shuddered, his expression changing. "You may leave," he said finally, his tone hollow.

"Yes," I turned quickly, relief washing over me as my hand gripped the door handle.

"Wait."

I froze, glancing back. His eyes were sharper now, calculating. "I want you in my office tomorrow morning with additional details on the project."

"Yes, sir."

I left without looking back, my mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts.

My pulse was still racing when I reached my desk. But I'd made up my mind. If my leaving had shaken something in him, I wouldn't let it affect me. He made his choice long ago, and I wasn't about to fall for him again.

I would keep up this act. I would act like I didn't know him.

But the lingering burn of his kiss and the look in his eyes told me this was far from over.

Chapter 1: The Wedding

One year, six months earlier...

Elena's POV

My body felt numb as I stood before the mirror, the satin gown clinging to my gown and my beautiful reflection stared back at me.

But my thoughts weren't here, I didn't feel anything much less feel like a woman who was about to get wedded.

This wasn't the wedding I'd imagined for myself. My dream wedding, and my expectations, are all down the drain. No tears of joy, no love. Just cold, calculated business.

"Elena," Cassandra's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Everyone is waiting for you, stop wasting time in front of that mirror," my step-sister's voice was cold.

She couldn't wait to be rid of me I thought, my heart already numb.

I didn't respond, my eyes meeting mine in the mirror, the sadness in my eyes couldn't be masked however much makeup I applied.

"Elena," Cassandra groaned, appearing behind me. "It's your wedding day and as your DEAR sister I'm happy for you," she held my hand. "You should be happy," her faked concern made my stomach crawl.

My lips trembled as I stared at her. "I know you and your mother had a hand in this, sending me off to marry the illegitimate son of the Landon family."

Cassandra's smile slowly disappeared and she let go of my hand. "And so what, Elena? It's too late now. Dad already agreed to the arrangement."

She smiled again suddenly, her eyes filled with fake concern.

"Oh and I heard your soon-to-be husband is quite ugly, but you shouldn't concern yourself with that after all you're doing this to save our family," she added before stepping out of the room.

I was about to retort when someone walked in. Father. His eyes were cold when they met mine.

Albert Kingston, the man who had raised me with more expectations than affection, had orchestrated this day. He believed he was saving our family, but in doing so, he had sold me off-bartered my future for the survival of the Kingston name.

"It's time," he said, his voice low and firm.

I nodded, my throat tightening. It was too soon. I wasn't ready for this, but what choice did I have?

My family was drowning in debt, and this was my life raft. A marriage to Damien Landon. He was a stranger, but soon, he would be my husband. How ironic.

I adjusted the veil over my face, willing my legs to move as I took Father's arm. The door to the chapel opened, revealing a small gathering of people-mostly business associates of my father, some from the Landon family, none of them here for me.

My heart sank further when I spotted Damien as he stood at the altar. He was tall, with a dark, brooding presence. His eyes were cold, indifferent. I wondered if he even cared who I was. Was this just another business transaction for him?

I scanned him as we approached, and my brows shot up in quiet surprise when I saw him up close. He was handsome, his suit was impeccable and his hair didn't have a strand out of place.

Everything about him screamed power, but it was a lonely kind of power. The kind that keeps you isolated, and distant I thought.

With his looks, Cassandra must have been boiling.

His eyes didn't have any change as I walked up to him, his expression unreadable. For all I knew I was no different from a random engagement, a tick off his calendar.

Maybe he was just as much a prisoner of this arrangement as I was.

I looked down, not able to meet his gaze. Everything about this just felt wrong.

I didn't raise my head even when the priest began to speak, his words like a faint background noise I couldn't listen to.

I silently blinked back tears as I glanced at the small crowd of strangers who'd come to witness the wedding.

I wished my mom was still alive, maybe she would have stood on my side and stopped this wedding.

"...for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health..."

The vows continued. Damien said his part without hesitation, his voice deep and steady. "I do," his voice reverberated within me, reminding me how final this was.

I was next. The words stuck in my throat as I tried to speak them, my gaze glued to the floor.

"I... I do," I whispered, barely loud enough to be heard. But it didn't matter. The deed was done.

The priest turned to Damien. "You may now kiss the bride."

I stiffened. He didn't move right away, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then, with mechanical precision, he lifted my veil and leaned in. His lips brushed against mine in the briefest, most impersonal kiss I'd ever felt.

There was no tenderness, no passion. Just obligation. But even in that brief moment I felt something but I couldn't place my finger on it.

The ceremony ended, and the guests began to leave. Damien turned to speak with one of his associates, already disengaging from me.

I watched him for a long while, wondering if this was what my life would be like from now on. Silent. Distant. But maybe it was for the best I thought, that way it would just be me and my daughter Lily, as it had always been.

Father approached me, a satisfied smile on his face. "You've done the right thing, Elena. The family assets are now guaranteed..." he drawled, launching into gibberish about how the marriage benefited the family.

As if he hadn't just traded my life's happiness for his own benefit.

I forced a tight-lipped smile, the bitterness burning in my throat. "Of course, Father. I'm glad you're happy."

He didn't even hear the sarcasm in my voice, too busy shaking hands and congratulating himself on securing the family's future. I felt invisible. Just another pawn in a game that wasn't even mine to play.

Damien finally turned toward me as the crowd thinned. He gave me a curt nod, his jaw tight. "We'll leave soon."

I nodded back, unsure of what else to say. His words weren't cruel, but they weren't kind either. It was just another task on his to-do list. Marry the Kingston girl. Secure the merger. Keep everything in order.

The car ride to our new home was suffocating. We sat in silence, the tension thick between us. The weight of the day crushed down on me, and I wondered if he felt it too. If he ever felt anything at all.

"Mom you told me that wedding days are happy days but you look sad," my daughter said breaking the silence. She'd sat wide-eyed throughout the ceremony, only now regaining her voice when we were alone.

"Sweetie mommy is just tired from the celebration," I forced a smile, and I ran a hand through her blonde curls.

She was just five years old and the last thing I wanted was to tell her I was forced into this marriage.

The car soon slowed to a halt and my eyes met the towering building of the mansion outside. This was my new home.

"Elena," Damien snapped me out of my thoughts. My name felt weird coming from his mouth and for a moment I thought I could see something in his eyes, a flash of feeling. But it was gone before I could be sure.

"This is your home," he began, his voice cold. "Just make sure you stay in the compound grounds, clear it with me first before doing anything."

His eyes strayed to Lily who was still in the car. "Make sure she doesn't spoil anything," he nodded. Without waiting for me to say anything, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Ouch! My heart ached as his words, full of orders and restrictions flowed over me like water.

I stood there for what felt like an eternity, staring at the space where he'd just been. My husband. The man I barely knew, and yet was bound to forever.

This was it. This was my life now.

And God, how I hated it.

Chapter 2: No Change

Elena's POV

It was 11 pm when I finally eased onto the couch, I'd just finished putting Lily to bed. My lips curled for a brief instant when I recalled all the stories she had to say about her new classmates at school. There was a soap opera playing on TV at that moment.

I just wanted to relax for a moment. I hadn't seen Damien at all today. Not like I'd been seeing him a whole lot in recent months, he was always out for work and back late at night.

The thought had barely left my mind when Damien staggered through the door of the lobby. He looked like a total mess, his usually sharp suit, disheveled, tie askew, and eyes glazed with anger.

"Damien?" My eyes widened as I called out hesitantly. I'd never seen him like this. His eyes looked dim as he stared at me.

"Ele-," he murmured some unclear words under his breath.

I rushed to help him inside the living room. His entire body reeked of alcohol, he looked nothing like the cold domineering Damien, he looked drunk.

'Why would he be drunk?' I wondered. Damien didn't strike me as someone who let himself get out of sorts like this. 'Did something happen?'

"Damn you, Margaret," he cursed under his breath and my eyes narrowed. Margaret was his stepmother, 'Why would he be insulting her?'

"Sshhh," I cooed, trying to calm him down. "It's alright,wh" I whispered, unsure if he heard me as I struggled to help him.

Most of his weight was on me. I suddenly regretted telling the maids to head to their quarters early. They would've been of help here.

By the time we reached Damien's room upstairs, my back was drenched in cold sweat.

His room was dimly lit and we barely made it to his bed without tipping over. I dropped him on his bed and helped get his shoes off his feet.

"What-" Damien mumbled something under his breath as he lay, sprawled on the bed.

I sighed as I stood over him. I moved to the side, trying to get his entire body up on the bed when I slipped. I yelped as I crashed into him, landing on his chest.

Oh no! I froze as Damiens's hands curled around me. I could feel my heart racing, and I felt the heat of my body rise.

"Damien, mov-" I tried to struggle out of his grip but suddenly his lips crashed onto mine, laying claim to them.

He hovered above me, his long hair fell over his sculpted face. His kisses got strong and intense, his hands gently slipped underneath my dress fondling my breasts.

Despite myself, I could feel a ball of growing desire rise in my belly. 'This was crazy,' I thought, wanting to push him away, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Deep down I knew I wanted him to have every inch of me. I wanted this.

Damien peppered my face with heart-burning kisses as he slowly took off my dress and then my underwear, spreading my legs with his large hands.

I barely held back a moan when he slid his finger gently into my pussy, slowly rubbing my clits in a circular motion. My moans grew louder as he slowly increased the pace.

I badly wanted him inside me. And I wanted him now.

"Damien," I moaned his name, my hands rubbing the small of his back. My hands reached out, desire pushing me on and I unzipped the fly of his pants, my fingers trailing on his strong chiseled chest.

"Fuck!" He groaned as I placed my hands on his dick.

His eyes were dark and wild with desire as he stared at me. "You want it right?" his deep hoarse voice did things to me. Sinful things.

I didn't answer, my lips finding him with an urgency that shook me.

Damien's lips left mine and he roamed lower, lavishing my breasts with attention. I nearly saw stars when his lips sucked hard on my nipples.

I moaned, my entire body vibrating as his tongue traced down my torso. I felt his hot breath and wet tongue on my pussy licking every inch of my clits, my legs vibrate as I grabbed the sheets.

Damien paused, his dark eyes meeting mine. "You taste so much like her," he whispered, his voice thick with desire.

'Wait, what?' Those words brought me back to my senses. I felt as though I'd just been slapped across the face and all my desire disappeared in an instant.

No matter how handsome he was he had practically treated me as non-existent and now he was even thinking of another woman.

Before he could get his dick inside me I pushed him off my body and put my clothes back on.

"Where are you going?" He asked but I ignored turning my back to leave.

"I didn't give you permission to leave," he snapped as I felt his arm wrap around my waist pulling me into him. His sculpted body that filled me with delirious desire felt like a cold icy realization now.

I was still a stranger to him. Another convenience and the thought I'd nearly given in to him filled me with shame.

It was a struggle to get out of his grasp but I couldn't let myself be used by him.

"Good night Damien," I said shutting the door behind me and locking it. I ran straight for my room as the tears I tried to hold back came rushing down.

****

The next morning, I got up early, it was a Friday, and I wanted to prepare Lily's food box.

My mind was restless and this was my way of getting my mind off things. I decided to prepare bacon, eggs, and cheese biscuits with fruit smoothies, one of Lily's favorites.

I tried to shake the thoughts of Damien away, focusing on preparing the rest of the meal.

Firstly he treated me like air, then he tried... successfully at that I thought, to get into my pants only for me to realize he'd been thinking I was someone else.

What was worse than that?

I was distracted as I moved and my elbow bumped into a bowl of hot water sitting at the edge of the counter. Before I could react, it tipped over and was about to pour all over me.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms that grabbed me, pulling me away from the danger. I gasped as my back collided with something solid and warm-Damien. He had moved so quickly getting me out of the way. I didn't even hear him enter the kitchen.

"I..." my words lodged in my throat as I met his gaze, my mind going black.

But then, just as quickly, he let go and took a step back, the connection between us severed. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice a little breathless. I tried to lighten the mood with a smile. "I, um, actually made something-you can have a bite if you like," I said gesturing toward the food I was preparing.

My heart hoped that he might soften, just a little. Instead, his eyes narrowed, a cold look spreading across his face.

"Like a bite of you?" Damien's eyes bored into mine coldly. "No thanks," he muttered.

'What!' The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My smile faded and my chest tightened with disappointment. I bit the inside of my cheek, struggling not to show how hurt I was.

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me standing there, feeling small and foolish. I stared at the door long after he was gone for what felt like hours.

"STUPID. Stupid, stupid, stup... Elena," I said to myself trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

I turned back to the counter, determined to push these feelings away. Damien wasn't worth it.

But why did I feel this way?