The billionaire's only desire-Chapter 98: lies and cuddle.

"Dalton," Maya tapped his arm. "You’re zoning out."

"Sorry, I just... you’re so beautiful, Maya."

Maya laughed shyly. "Have you seen your face in the mirror, Mr. Black?" she teased, flirtatiously. "You’re so gorgeous. I was completely captivated by your looks the first time I laid my eyes on you ."

"I see," Dalton didn’t know how to react; this was one of those times he wished he could smile to express how flattered he was, but he didn’t know how to smile.

"You have been smitten with me since the very first day we met?"

Maya snorted. "Don’t be so full of yourself. I thought you were handsome and all, but oh boy, you were quite intimidating, like some evil villain. I was so scared of you that I hoped our paths would never cross again, but it seems destiny had other plans. You found me lying on your kitchen floor. Funny, isn’t it?"

Dalton’s face creased into a frown. "Evil villain, huh?"

Does she think he is a bad person? So evil that he is unworthy of becoming her husband? She might reject his ring. He can’t help but feel insecure. If she believes he is too much of a bad guy to be her husband, then he will stop being the "Company Eater," stop using dubious and ruthless means to take companies from others. And become a good person for her.

"Do you think I’m a bad person?" he asked.

Maya shook her head vigorously. "No, you’re not. You are kind, sweet, caring— the best boyfriend I have ever had."

"You think I’m kind?" he is furthest from being a kind person.

" I have many attributes, but kindness isn’t one of them. I’m not a kind man, Maya."

Maya laughed incredulously, as if what he said was absurd. "But you helped Peter, the homeless guy, get a job."

Dalton set down the piece of turkey spinach wrap. He was full and done eating. He gave Maya his full attention. "I did that for you."

"But you have a charity foundation; that’s being kind," Maya argued.

"I’m not being a philanthropist. I just have too much money to spare."

"Hmm," Maya folded her arms across her chest in a vexed manner. "Don’t diminish yourself. I know you are, in quotes, Dalton Black—a man feared by all. I know people think you are ruthless businessman who steals people’s businesses and puts their employees out of work. They think you have killed, tortured, blackmailed, and done a lot of immoral stuff to amass the wealth you have. But I don’t care; you are a good man to me."

A weight was lifted from Dalton’s heart. "I don’t care what others think of me. If you say I’m a good man, then I’m a good man." He needs to marry this woman quickly.

Maya grinned. "Yeah! That’s the spirit!"

Then she suddenly frowned. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I know about Vico. He is the owner of Venus City, and he made me a part-owner."

"Really," Dalton chose to pretend he had no knowledge of that. "Yeah," she sighed, lines of frustration creasing her forehead. "I don’t know why he did that. I thought it was because my stepfather invested my mother’s money in that place, but Valentina said there was another reason."

"What is the reason?" Dalton asked. He could feel beads of nervousness trickling down his spine. He didn’t like this conversation.

"Maybe he knows I’m your girlfriend and he did that to provoke you," Maya assumed.

"You are right that’s the reason." Guilt immediately crept into his chest. He hated doing this, lying to the woman he loves, but he has no choice. He has to keep this secret from her.

Maya fumed. " I hate that bastard , Vico. He’s trying to use me to hurt you."

She pauses as if her mind is wandering. "Vico was the man behind this, right?" She comes to a realization. "He’s the one who manipulated me into ..... shooting you. " She shudders.

"Yes," Dalton cannot deny it.

Her face abruptly hardened, her eyes gurgling like a storm. "Fight back. Show him how powerful you are."

Dalton’s eyes widened slightly, taken aback by her rueful words. "I will. I won’t let him get away with this."

"Okay." The expression on her face returned to normal.

"Oh, Charlotte is working for Vico now."

"I know."

Maya’s brows knitted together. "You do? And you’re cool with that?"

"I’m not."

Her eyes flamed with jealousy. "But you allowed her to visit you the other day. Haven told me she was here."

"She won’t visit me again. I’ve put a restraining order on her, so she is forced to stay away from me."

"Good, I don’t want her near you. Not even in the same vicinity," Maya pouted.

"She going to stay away from me."

"Okay," she smiled with glee, and Dalton felt content. He wished she would always smile like that. He would eliminate anyone who tried to steal her beautiful smile, even if a woman like Charlotte tried to hurt him.

"Could you put the food away, please?" Dalton politely requested.

"Sure, what about the quinoa salad?"

"I’m full."

"Oh, okay." Maya lifted the bed tray and placed it on the tablestand beside the bed.

"Sorry for interrupting, but I’m administering your medication," the nurse who served Dalton lunch returned.

"Alright,"

The nurse injected the medication into the IV. "All done.."

"Do you like quinoa salad?" Maya asked the nurse.

The nurse nodded her head slowly.

"Great, you can have it," Maya said as she handed the quinoa salad to her.

"Looks yummy. That will be my lunch. Thanks!" The nurse smiled grateful.

"I will be back in the evening." The nurse took the bed tray along with her.

"Come here," Dalton gestured. "I want you to be closer." His voice was low, timber.

"Aww.....Okay." Maya sat down on the bed.

"Lay by my side," he urged, sounding almost pleading.

"I don’t think that’s advisable. I might accidentally touch your wound," she grimaced.

"You won’t," Dalton shifted to give Maya space.

Maya snuggled in, lying on her side and resting her head on Dalton’s shoulder. He curled his right arm around her like a blanket, while Maya’s arm was around his waist. Their legs intertwine. They tangled together in the hospital bed, without a care that someone might barge in and see them.

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