Free Wicked: Billionaire Rules (Alpha Billionaire New Adult Romance) by Nikki Snow

my head went numb. Who was Celeste? Was that Leo’s baby? Was this what Clive had warned me about? The realization that Leo hadn’t once used protection with me, flooded my mind. I gripped my chest as my heart thudded against my ribcage.
    What had happened to this girl? He’d never said anything about a child. I slipped the picture in my pocket and grabbed a pair of scissor looking things from the top shelf.
    “Did you find them?” he asked from the back of the greenhouse.
    “Yes,” I said, my voice shaky. I walked toward him, questions running through my mind. I handed him the shears and drew back. I wanted to ask him who Celeste was, but my voice caught in my throat.
    He clipped the Rothschild orchid and handed it to me. The five thousand dollar bloom stood in my hand, but all I could think about was the girl named Celeste and her child.

19
    “ I ’m taking you to Europe,” Leo said, standing in the kitchen as he poured hot water into a china teapot.
    The Rothschild orchid graced a crystal vase on the dark granite counter that stretched between Leo and me. My heart raced. I’d stuffed the picture of Celeste into my pocket and hadn’t found the courage to say anything about it yet. His announcement about Europe caught me completely off guard. He poured green tea into a china cup and slid it across the counter to me.
    “Europe? I don’t have a passport…” I said, lifting the cup. I drew a long breath through my nose, smelling the soothing scent of the fine green tea.
    “That isn’t a problem. I’ve already had one made for you.”
    “What?” I asked, my head reeling. How in the world could he have a passport made for me without my knowledge? The whole idea practically gave me a panic attack.
    “Money talks, pet. Now, drink your tea. I’m going to fuck you soon.”
    I gulped, not knowing what to think. Part of me thought that maybe I was in danger. The other part of me, the twisted part of me, liked it. “But what about school?” I asked.
    “Not a problem. I’ve already made excuses with your professors. You can do your assignments online, if you find the time, that is.”
    “I can’t just go to Europe with you.”
    He skirted around the counter, slid his hand up my back, and gripped my neck. His smooth hand was warm and firm against my skin. I felt instantly aroused, moisture flowing between my legs.
    “Why not?” he asked, his voice deep and smoldering.
    “I… just… can’t,” I said, enjoying the game of defiance.
    “I told you I’d pay you twenty thousand for your time. You will come with me to Europe. I have plans for you there.”
    “Twenty thousand, in advance. Directly deposited to my bank account, or I don’t go,” I said, finding my backbone.
    “Ah, my little pet has found her voice.” He gripped the back of my neck harder and drew me into a deep kiss.
    I broke away and studied his fierce blue eyes. “Do we have a deal?”
    “Indeed. I’ll have the money transferred by this afternoon.” He gathered me up and carried me out of the kitchen. I wrapped my arms around his neck, feelings of arousal and shame mingling in my stomach. I kept telling myself that what I was doing wasn’t prostitution. But deep down, I knew I was selling myself for money. Maybe I liked my sex being bought. Maybe I wanted him to treat me like a whore.
    My face flamed hot, and I buried it in his chest. He marched up the stairs and deposited me on the massive bed.
    “Take off your clothes,” he said, loosening his tie. I gazed up at him, still stunned into silence. A sinking feeling dropped through the bottoms of my feet. I couldn’t say no to him. His words compelled the darkest part of me and awakened my dirtiest desires.
    I slipped quickly out of my clothes and sat in front of him, completely bare as he looked down at me. I blinked several times, trying to make sense of it all. My anticipation buzzed as I gazed down at the bulge in his pants.
    “Lie down and spread your legs.”
    I gulped and