Love Game With The Rebel Billionaire

I also laid out a shirt, shorts, and boxers on the small couch. He needed to change.

I couldn't help but wonder why Ash drank so much. Was he dealing with something serious? Is he thinking about something?

"It's none of my business," I muttered. "Just help him out and leave."

"Sapphire..." he murmured as I unbuttoned his polo shirt.noveldrama

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry. I'm not planning anything inappropriate. Don't flatter yourself."

Even drunk and with his eyes closed, I could see the smirk spreading across his face. He even grabbed my hand, which I smacked away.

My movements were anything but gentle. Serves him right for getting drunk and bothering me.

"What? I'm so disappointed," he mumbled, opening his eyes. "I want you to do something bad to me."

I froze and swallowed hard. His lustful gaze coursed through me, igniting a heat I couldn't ignore.

This isn't good. I didn't come here to lose control.

But his eyes were so inviting.

I've been with countless men over the past five years, letting them touch me, please me. Yet no one ever made me feel the way Ash does. Only he drives me crazy. When it comes to him, I lose all my restraint.

It's always been him.

"W-What the fuck are you talking about?" I tried to mask my feelings with anger.

However, that facade crumbled when he suddenly sat up and pulled me onto his lap.

Without a warning, Ash kissed me. I moaned hard as I tasted the alcohol there.

"Ash-"

"Sshh," he stopped me from speaking.

His kisses trailed down my jaw to my neck, teasingly light, as if he wanted me to beg for him.

And I would.

I clung to him, my legs wrapping around his waist as my hands gripped his neck. I was so ready for him, but as I was about to remove my clothes, he stopped, and I heard soft snores by my ear. "Great," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice as I laid him back down on the couch.

I continued undressing him and cleaning him up. It wasn't difficult-I'd seen his body before, but it still ignited something in me.

As I finished, I dressed him in a black t-shirt and shorts.

"What did you do to me, huh?" I chuckled softly, wondering who was more intoxicated-him or me?

Smiling, I planted a kiss on his forehead, knowing he wouldn't remember this. "I love you, Ash..."

But to my surprise, he murmured back, "I should hate you, but I love you. I still do..."

I shook my head. It should be my line. I should be the one forgiving him, so I really don't understand where his frustration and hatred was coming from.

I don't want to cause a scene here, so I stood up and attempted to leave.

However, my glance moved at a picture frame by the door. I froze, and I finally understood why Ash thought he should hate me.

The picture consists of Ash with someone else, taken in the same garden as my mom's photo with Simon, Silver, and Clyden from years ago.

Ash was smiling genuinely, while a man of nearly the same height had his hand resting firmly on Ash's shoulder.

At the bottom of the picture, a caption read: Azrael and Ash.

It seemed like someone had printed those words and pasted them on the photo-perhaps to ensure he wouldn't be forgotten.

Fear enveloped me as I reached out to touch Azrael's face in the picture. His picture was enough to resurface the terror I had tried so hard to bury over the years. Decades were not enough to erase the memories of what he had done to me.

"It was him..."

Azrael and Prince. They are the same person.

So that's why he was so powerful back then; he's a part of the Coleman family.

"Prince," I whispered softly, my thoughts drifting back to a photo I'd seen at Mason's house during our college days.

It was almost identical to this one, except his face wasn't visible back then. Now, every memory is coming back to me.

My life had already been dark because of the circumstances I endured, but there were even darker moments I tried to suppress.

Moments when Prince forced his way into my life, whether I wanted him there or not.

***

Ten years ago...

"Fucking shit," I muttered as I adjusted my shoe inside the bathroom.

I had twisted my ankle earlier while walking, and for a moment, I thought the heel had snapped. Thankfully, it hadn't. Walking barefoot would've been the last straw.

I tried to make my days as tolerable as possible, avoiding people as much as I could. But no matter how much I tried to stay out of trouble, people found ways to torment me. Like today.

Someone poured cold water over me, and much to my bad luck, I have an injured ankle. I grimaced as my soaked uniform was now reeking of a bad smell, yet I didn't have any choice but to leave the bathroom in this state. I stepped out of the bathroom, shivering as the cold wind hit me.

I was heading toward the school gate, resigned to skipping my next class, when a guy suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the shower room used by the varsity players.

"Take a shower and use this," he said, handing me a paper bag.

I hesitated but took it afterward. Inside was a black t-shirt and black leggings. This isn't the right time for me to refuse any help.

For the first time, someone had come to my rescue.

"I'll handle the teachers," he said, noticing my confused expression. "I can testify that someone poured water on you."

I still didn't feel safe around him, but at least I could escape this humiliation.

"Did you see who did it?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I don't, but I can make that person confess what he did. Trust me."

I don't know why, but I chose to trust him. "Sure, Prince."

***

When I finished drying my hair and changing into the clothes he gave me, I stepped out of the shower room.

Prince was leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets, looking annoyed. His presence radiated dominance, enough to make anyone tremble.

"Thank you," I mumbled, trying to walk past him.

But he grabbed my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.

"Don't you want me to save you?" he asked, his tone serious.

His gaze felt like it pierced my soul-not romantically, but threateningly.

"If this keeps up, you won't be able to handle it," he added. "Are you sure you can keep studying when almost everyone here wants to hurt you?"

I yanked my wrist away. I didn't like how he made me feel even more terrified. My life was already filled with fear; I didn't need him adding to it. "Who are you?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

"I told you before. You can call me Prince," he said with a smirk.

"And why do you want to help me?"

"Because I'm interested in you."