A billionaire’s kiss

Ian’s Pov

“I’m in Spain bitch!” Hailey shouted, jumping down from the last step of the private jet.

I shook my head in dismay and climbed down, putting on a pair of sunglasses to cover my eyes from the bright sun.

“Mr. Kingston welcome to Spain” The old man at the bottom bowed to me. “Your car is ready”

Behind him there were three of my cars parked, waiting for us. “Thank you Mr. Gonzalez” I put an arm around Hailey’s shoulder and tugged her closer. “Meet my fiance, Hailey Evans”

Mr. Gonzalez gave her a bright smile. “Nice to meet you Miss Evans”

“Nice to meet you too”

He smiled again and glanced back to me. “Would you like to go to the hotel first or-”

“Hotel” I answered.

“Alright” He opened the car door to the middle one and I clasped Hailey’s hand as we climbed in.

I leaned back in my seat, heaving a sigh in exhaustion but Hailey who was still brimming with energy twisted in her seat and glued her face to the window as we drove out of the airport.

I stared at her with a small smile on my lips, admiring how gracefully her floral white dress hung to her delicate body, sliding down her narrow waist to her knees. Her vibrant hazel eyes gleamed under those long velvety eyelashes, her dark brown hair flowing, cascading down her shoulders. Her red lips that tasted strawberry sweet when I kissed them twitched upward as she stared at the city coming into view.

She was the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, both inside and out.

“Creep”

“What?” I asked, coming of my daze.

She turned. “You know, one can see from the corner of their eyes right? And I saw you gawking at me. Creep”

A laugh escaped my lips. And of course the detail I forgot to add, this beautiful woman has a very sassy mouth.

I smirked. “But what else am I supposed to do when there’s such a beautiful woman sitting next to me?”

A blush crept up her cheeks and she grinned. “Aww that’s so sweet but you’re distracting me”

I raised a brow. “From what?”

“From checking out hot Spanish guys”

I rolled my eyes. “Please. I’m more handsome than any of them”

“Please stop. You’re making my ears bleed”

I huffed out a laugh and shook my head.

As we arrived at the hotel Hailey sprinted to our room and jumped on to the bed.

“My gosh, this is so comfy!” She cried out.

I took our bags from the bellboy and carried them inside. The room had a large bed where Hailey now sprawled, a balcony with chairs to sit on and tall windows overlooking the waves rolling ahead, crashing on to the boulders.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I placed the bags down and walked to the dressing table, removing my watch.

“Wanna go see the city?” I asked.

“Hell yeah but give me a minute. This bed is too comfortable to let go”

I looked at Hailey from the mirror and saw her eyes fluttering close, a content sigh escaping her lips.

I smiled and walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge. I stared at the vast sea in silence, watching the waves roll and crash, the sea gulls roam above. The sounds of the city below were barely a whisper but the hum of the sea echoed in my ear. Calm and serene.

“Come here”

I turned to Hailey and she was patting on the bed next to her. “If you need a nap” She said.

I shook my head. “No I’m fine”

“Then you better drag me out of bed because half of my brain has already decided on spending the rest of my life here”

I chuckled. “Alright then” I stood up and grabbed her hands, hauling her to her feet. “Get ready for a city tour” I tapped her nose and Hailey stuck out her tongue.

A soft laughter vibrated in my chest. “Let’s go”

We took the elevator to the lobby and just as we stepped out of the entrance Hailey started running, dragging me with her.

“Hailey what the-”

“Why are you so slow? Faster faster!” She ran, pulling me with her.

“Aren’t we taking the car?”

She turned her head and wrinkled her nose. “You’re so boring”

She dragged me and we went further into the city of Barcelona, mingling with the buzzing crowd.

Hailey finally came to a stop and spun around, looking at the city in awe. “So beautiful” She closed her eyes and tilted her face up, inhaling the air. The bright sun kissed her face and her dark brown locks glowed, making her look like an angel.

“You come here often?” She asked.

I tucked my hands inside my pockets. “Not to here. I have villas in Madrid and Valencia. I go there time to time”

Hailey glanced down at me with wide eyes. “You have villas in Spain?”

“Hmm”

“Jeez how rich are you?”

I smirked. “Very very very rich”

Hailey grinned. “Sharing is caring”

I bit my lip to suppress my laughter. “Never heard of that” I teased.

Hailey frowned. “Stupid Kingston”

I chuckled and put an arm over her shoulder. “You realise, you just have to ask and I would give my everything to you”

She cocked a brow in amusement. “Even your helicopter?”

“Ahh except that”

Hailey clicked a tongue. “See, naughty Kingston. You gave me false hope”

I grinned and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. Before her I was a quiet man, never bothered talking to anyone nor showing any emotion. I had no joy in life. But now with all our teasings and jokes, the way her presence lightens my mood I’ve been the happiest man ever.

“Want an ice cream?” I asked and she nodded excitedly.

We went to an ice cream parlor nearby and bought a mint chocolate chip ice cream for Hailey and me, a simple vanilla.

We held hands as we walked side by side in the road, eating the ice cream. I finished mine fast but Hailey took time devouring it.

“You have meetings all day tomorrow?”

I cocked a brow. “Why? You’ll miss me?”

She snorted but I could see some sadness glinting in her eyes.

I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll come back as quickly as possible”

“Okay”

Hailey finished her ice cream but still there were some remaining on her upper lip. An idea crossed my mind. I suddenly pulled Hailey to my chest and her eyes widened. But before she could say anything, I leaned down and flicked my tongue over her upper lip, licking the mint chocolate. “Mmm tasty”

Her cheeks heated and I continued to press my lips on hers, slowly kissing her. “I should’ve also bought the mint one” I said between small kisses. “Much better than vanilla”

Her lips slowly twitched upward and she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me down as she kissed me back. “Mmm I have to agree” She dragged her tongue over my bottom lip. “Vanilla is mediocre”

I smiled. “What else do you want to eat fiance?”

“I’m not hungry now. But I’d love to eat spicy tonight”

“You sure you can handle it?”

“Oh please. Don’t underestimate me”

“Alright then but what do you want to do now?”

Her eyes flicked in wicked delight and she pulled back. “Want to run again?” She gave a challenging brow.

I gave an equally challenging smirk. “Don’t drain my energy too much sweetheart or else I might disappoint you tonight”

Her jaw fell wide open and I bit my lip to stifle my laughter.

“Asshole” She pushed me back but her smile didn’t fade. “I’m gonna run alone. Shoo” She stuck her tongue out and started running but I quickly caught up to her and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her back to me.

“Not so fast sweetheart” I kissed the crook of her neck and Hailey giggled.

“Stupid Kingston”

I smiled and kissed her neck again. “Your stupid Kingston”

…

I folded my arms across my chest and watched Hailey practically cry.

“So spicy” She sniffled and wiped her tears.

I raised a brow. “You’re the one who asked to make it extra spicy”

She drank a glass of water. “Still don’t regret it”

The dark sky loomed above us as we sat in a restaurant by the beach. Moonlight glistening on the pounding waves while the wind howled as it whipped past the waves, bringing a taste of the ocean with it.

Hailey ate the last of her food and groaned, blinking back her tears. “I think I burned my tongue”

“And still don’t regret?”

She shook her head with a smile on her lips. “It was worth it”

I snorted. “Let’s go if you’re done” I stood up and extended my hand to her. She took it and I pulled her to her feet.

“Let’s come here again, before we leave tomorrow”

“So you can burn your tongue again?”

She beamed. “Mmm”

I smiled and dragged her out of the restaurant. As we came back to the main road we walked in utter silence, the low whistle of wind howling, tossing my hair every bit and then.

Hailey turned in all directions, gawking at the city that came alive at night, the bright lights shimmering against the night sky.

I tugged her closer and her lavender scent invaded my nostrils with the blowing wind. I closed my eyes and a sigh slipped my lips as I inhaled her calming scent.

“Ouch” She yelped and my eyes sprang open

“What happened?” I asked in worry and Hailey bent down, wincing as she removed her heels.

“I think I twisted my ankle. I’ve been running with heels all day”

I let go of her hand to scoop her up. “I’ll carry you”

She backed away, wrinkling her nose. “Eww not bridal style”

“Then what style do you wa-” Before I could finish my sentence she jumped onto my back.

“Piggyback style”

I blinked in shock and then chuckled. “As you wish m’lady” I gripped the back of her thighs and hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist and placed her chin on my shoulder.

We walked for a while in silence but a question I’ve been curious about came to my mind.

“Hailey”

“Hmm”

“Was it your dream to work in a company instead of becoming a lawyer like your family expected you to?”

“It wasn’t my dream”

“Then what is?”

Hailey was silent so I slightly angled my head to her. “What is it?”

“I can’t tell you”

“Why?”

“Because it’s so embarrassing. You will laugh”

“I promise not to laugh”

“Then you will cringe”

“I will not cringe”

She stared at me for a long moment and then took a deep breath, bracing herself. “My dream was to become a CEO of my own company”

My eyes widened. “Really?”

“Don’t laugh”

“I’m not. Actually I admire it. You have to dream big to go big”

“Yeah but it’s a dream that will never come true”

My forehead creased. “What if I help you?”

“I don’t want to become rich from your money Ian”

“No it’s not like that. I will give you a small amount to start your business and introduce you to some people, then the rest is up to you”

“Don’t give me false hope” She smiled faintly.

“I’m serious this time”

“Liar” She muttered. “Did you want to become a CEO?”

I shook my head. “No it was my brother’s role”

“Then what did you want to become?”

I sighed. “I don’t know. I just…I just wanted to live a quiet life”

Hailey was silent for a moment before asking, “Do you regret what you are now?”

“At first yes but not now”

“Why?”

I smiled, glancing at her. “Because I met you”

“So cheeky” She giggled and buried her face in my neck.

I carried her all the way up to the hotel and turned my head to say that we’ve arrived but she was already sleeping, her head resting on my shoulder, her face buried in my neck.

I smiled and took her up the elevator to our room. I gently placed her down on the bed and ran my fingers along her jawline, caressing the tender skin.

Everyday I’d spent with her a feeling I promised not to have filled inside me.

When she smiles my heart leaps a beat.

When she kisses butterflies erupt in my stomach.

When she touches my heart hammers in my chest.

And this feeling I didn’t deny it, I embraced it.

And this feeling had a name.

And I knew what it is.

I smiled, tucking a loose strand behind her ear.

I love her.