The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 33. A Tease Or A Test?

"Fuck," Nicolette whimpered as she covered herself with the gown.

It was light, transparent, and offered very little comfort to her aching heart. She bit her lip, trying to stop herself from screaming in frustration.

She buried her head in her palms, shame racing through her, tightening her chest.

She had kissed Alaric. She had let him touch her, and worst of all, she had shown him he could have her, only to be tossed aside like a used rag.

"Fuck," she groaned again, tapping her temple in frustration.

She had been willing. Like a child tasting candy for the first time, she had opened up to him, despite his words, despite his actions.

He had shown her who he really was—mean, dominant, and... in control.

Her cheeks burned as she remembered her anticipation. She had been waiting for his tongue to explore her body, only to be pulled out of pleasure with the most angry, the most disgusting, look on his face.

She stood up and tossed the gown onto the floor, her breasts dangling as she did. It was this stupid gown! It had told Alaric a different story, and even then, she had gone along with it.

She had allowed herself to be carried away.

Realizing she couldn’t blame the gown, but her raging hormones, she sighed and picked it up, threw it on the bed, and walked to the bathroom.

She sank into the tub, dipping her flowing dark hair into the water, hoping it would calm her nerves.

So much for no intimacy, right?

Minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom feeling better. As she walked back into her room, there was a knock at the door.

She stiffened at first, afraid Alaric was back.

Then annoyance surged through her.

He was back? To finish what he started?

She had given herself so easily. But that wasn’t going to happen again.

She turned toward the door, her mouth curling into a frown. "Go away."

"Oh," came the reply from the other side.

It wasn’t Alaric. It was Anna.

"Anna?" Nicolette asked.

"Yes, ma’am."

Nicolette shivered with embarrassment as she quickly walked to the door and opened it. "I’m so sorry."

Anna looked flushed as she nodded several times. "It’s okay, ma’am," she said with a small sigh. "Your friend is on the line." She stretched out her phone.

"Oh," Nicolette gasped. "Thanks," she said, accepting it.

"You’re welcome, ma’am. I’ll be back in five minutes," Anna said, then turned to leave.

Nicolette brought the phone to her ear as she locked the door. "Suzie?"

"Lettie. You said you would call me back," Suzie said, her voice high with worry. "Are you good?"

"Sorry I didn’t call back. I got... carried away. But I’m good," Nicolette replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she sat on the bed.

Her vision was filled with Alaric, the way he had looked at her when he first entered the room, like he had truly wanted her.

What changed? Why come all the way if he was going to tease her?

Or was it a test?

She cleared her throat, shaking the memory away. "How are you? How’s Walter?"

"We’re good, babe. I was just worried about you," Suzie said, her voice soft with concern. "How are you?"

"Alive," Nicolette said firmly. "I was chased all over town by my father’s men."

Suzie gasped. "Your father is insane!"

Nicolette huffed. "Tell me about it."

"I saw his announcement about your marriage to Lucian Crawford," Suzie said, shock in her tone.

Anger coursed through Nicolette so fiercely that it drained every trace of desire from her chest. "He called me his heir, as if he had ever treated me like one."

She tapped her forehead, the anger giving way to a headache.

"I saw that and I was shocked," Suzie replied with a mirthless laugh. "One would think he’s the best father in the whole world."

"He’s so selfish," Nicolette said, clenching her jaw. "He doesn’t care about anyone."

Right then, she wished she could see Lucian Crawford and tell him herself—Ronald didn’t care about anyone but himself and his pocket.

Suzie sighed. "What are you going to do now? Everybody’s talking about it."

Her chest squeezed. "I’m getting married tomorrow—officially. I’m debunking that news with my wedding photos."

"Oh girl!" Suzie cheered, laughing. "I love that!"

Suzie’s laughter softened her heart and she sank into the bed, laughing too.

"You’re a clown, Suzie," she said, her stomach tightening with giggles.

"He needs it. He needs to know you’re not playing either," Suzie said, and then her laughter faded. "What’s Mr. Allens saying about this? How does he feel?"

The question brought all the emotions Nicolette had tried to bury. She sat upright, shame welling up in her.

"Good," she answered dryly. "He’s already making plans."

"Cool. Then why are you sounding so down?"

Leave it to Suzie to notice everything.

Nicolette sighed. "I kissed him, even though I shouldn’t have, because he extended the contract for six more months—all because he paid Craig Walsh," she blurted out, barely pausing for breath.

"Whoa whoa! Calm down, missy. I understood none of that. Who is Craig Walsh?" Suzie asked, clearly confused.

Nicolette sighed. "So," she began, "Robert owes someone named Craig Walsh."

"That scumbag!" Suzie snapped.

"I had no idea. And I was the guarantor, so I was taken away."

"Oh God, when I find that lowlife, I’ll squeeze his neck until he’s out of breath!" Suzie said sharply, and Nicolette didn’t doubt her for a second.

"I don’t know how Alaric found me—but he did."

"I called him," Suzie said. "Sam called me, told me you were taken away, and I called Mr. Allens."

"So that’s how he found me," Nicolette murmured. "Anyway... he paid off the debt—"

"He paid off Robert’s debt?" Suzie interrupted.

Nicolette’s stomach sank. Technically, it was because of Robert that she was in this marriage for another six months.

"And you kissed him? Tell me about it," Suzie’s eager voice pulled Nicolette out of her thoughts.

"It... was embarrassing," Nicolette admitted, shame creeping in again.

"Oh Lettie. I’m sorry," Suzie said gently. "Did he..."

"He just stopped," Nicolette replied, her cheeks heating up. "He..." she trailed off, remembering the anger and disgust in his eyes as she had embarrassedly parted her legs, vulnerable and hopeful.

"I’m so sorry, Lettie," Suzie said, taking over the conversation. "I... will see you tomorrow, right?"

Nicolette knew Suzie was changing the subject on purpose, and for that, she was grateful.

"Yes," she said softly. "We’ll see tomorrow."

"Alright then. Let me let you sleep. Love you, girl."

"Thank you, Suzie. My regards to Walter."

"Take care," Suzie said, then the call ended.

Nicolette sighed and collapsed on the bed.

What a day.

After Vivian’s massage, Anna had brought in a plate of potatoes and steak, along with the pink gown.

The gown will help you sleep better tonight, Anna had said.

But instead, it had led to a steaming moment she didn’t know how to recover from.

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she reached for it.

Anna was there with a smile. "All done?"

"Yes," she replied.

Suddenly, she heard Alaric snap at someone. "That’s my decision!"

Nicolette froze as she handed Anna the phone.

Who was Alaric yelling at?

It wasn’t her business, and she was ready to go inside and ignore it—until he spoke again. "Nicolette stays!"

She looked at Anna, who gave her a shy look before quickly leaving.

Curiosity got the best of Nicolette, and she quickly changed into the gown she had worn from her house and followed the voices.

She traced them to the living room, and was shocked to see Alaric, Clara, and Violet.

They all turned to her sharply, and her cheeks flushed pink.

"Hey," she said, trying not to show her anxiety.

Alaric looked at her. For a split second, something warm flashed in his eyes.

Desire, Regret, Maybe both?

Before it was masked with coldness. She swallowed hard, refusing to let it hurt her.

"What will it be, my dear son?" Clara asked, her eyes gleaming with mischief, her mouth curved into a smirk.

What were they talking about?

Why was Violet here, sitting so comfortably?

As if hearing her thoughts, Violet shifted on the couch and scowled at her.

Nicolette looked away, confusion building inside her.

Alaric breathed. "Fine. But immediately after the wedding, she leaves."

Who leaves?

Clara laughed, her eyes burning with disdain as she looked at Nicolette before turning to Violet. "You heard that, Violet. Take in your bags. Your husband-to-be says you can spend the night."

Nicolette’s stomach dropped.

Alaric had invited Violet?

She looked at him, searching his face for answers, but his expression was unreadable as he rolled two boxes inside.

Violet followed Alaric, grinning behind him.