The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 41. She Smelled Like Cherries And Flowers.

"Fuck," Alaric groaned softly as he rolled on the floor immediately after Nicolette walked out.

His heart was still pounding fast, but he felt better—relieved, even. He counted to ten, waiting until he was capable, waiting until blood had been supplied to every part of his body before he propelled himself upright.

"Damn," he groaned again as he sat up. His vision blurred for a moment as blood rushed into his head.

He paused, waiting and waiting until he felt better.

He was going to kill Violet when he saw her.

She was going to regret doing this to him.

But then again, her stupid action had brought Nicolette one step closer to him and for that he couldn’t be entirely mad.

He opened his eyes, and his mind flooded with all the events that had just happened.

"Fuck," he chuckled, his heart fluttering with excitement.

Even though he had no control of his nerves, he had been present. He had felt everything. He had enjoyed everything. His only regret was that he hadn’t been able to participate, aside from the moans and release.

His eyes landed on the couch, and he saw the water stain on it. He leaned in, sniffing Nicolette’s gold.

Damn. She smelled like cherries and flowers.

And he just wanted to lie there, to breathe in her climax, to live in her pleasure for him.

He had to continue this when he was a lot better. Definitely.

With excitement in his veins, he staggered to his feet and tottered to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill snapping him back into control.

He cleaned up, dabbed his face with more water, and dressed properly.

Time to resume this wedding.

His stomach fluttered as his eyes fell on the diamond band on his ring finger. He was married, and it felt weirdly exciting.

He brushed his fingers through his hair and stepped outside. The instant he entered the hallway, he heard a loud noise.

"No!"

It was Nicolette, and it sounded like she was in pain. He followed the sound and was shocked to see his mother and Violet standing over her.

She crouched on the floor, her hands wrapped around her body—naked.

"What the hell?!" he thundered.

Clara and Violet turned sharply toward him.

He stormed over, ignoring the faint thud at the back of his head. Clara was holding her wedding dress, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Alaric," she said softly.

He yanked the gown out of her hands and tossed it at Nicolette. "Put that on," he said before turning to his mother. "You’re becoming a problem, and I’m running out of fucking patience," he said, his voice cold and firm.

Clara stepped back, a flash of fear crossed her face before she repositioned herself, keeping her chin up. "How dare you speak to me like this?" she said firmly, though her voice wobbled.

He was angry, but the remaining aphrodisiac in his system held him back from reacting fully.

He turned to Violet, his voice echoing in the hallway. "I could kill you right now, you know."

"Because of this tramp?" Clara gestured to Nicolette, defending Violet as usual. "She has her claws inside you, Alaric. She’s controlling you."

"Of course she has her claws in me! She’s my wife!" he snapped, the force of his anger making him stagger slightly.

He pressed his lips together, trying to stop himself from collapsing. "I don’t want to ever see you again," he said, pointing to Violet.

Violet stared at him, her eyes scrutinizing him before something clicked. She turned quickly to Nicolette, who was now fully clothed, and then back to Alaric.

Her mouth twisted as she raised her hand. "You..." she gasped, pointing from Nicolette to Alaric. "You... did it," she said, her voice breaking.

"Did what?" Clara asked, confused.

Violet clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes welling with tears as she ran away.

"Violet!" Clara called and then turned to Alaric. "What did you do?"

"You should ask her," Alaric replied flatly as he moved over to Nicolette. "You good?"

She nodded, her cheeks turning pink as she dropped her gaze to the floor.

"Alaric, I am disappointed in you!" Clara flared. "You pick... this... thing over me? Your mother?"

Alaric groaned. Oh Lord. He wanted to yell, to express himself freely, but he couldn’t.

Even though he had released some of the aphrodisiac, he could still feel traces of it in his system, and it was driving him insane.

Clara didn’t seem to understand his pain. She mistook his silence for defeat and pressed on. "I didn’t raise you up this way! I taught you better!"

He clenched his fists as he found his voice. "You should leave my party as well."

Clara gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "I am your mother! You don’t get to control or talk to me like you talk to others. You should—"

"Fucking leave!" he roared, his voice sharp and commanding.

Clara gasped again and scrambled away.

Alaric groaned, his head spinning, his heart pounding. Blood rushed into his head, and he staggered, falling to his knees. He groaned again, shutting his eyes to the pain.

"Alaric!" Nicolette cried, rushing to his side. She placed his head on her lap. "Are you okay?" she asked, panic filling her voice.

"I’m okay," he replied softly, trying not to scare her. He wanted to open his eyes, to look into her beautiful eyes, but he just couldn’t. So he lay there. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Her hand combed through his hair, and he felt every nerve in his body react to the touch.

"You need water," she said gently. "Let me go get it for you."

He didn’t want her to go, but she was right—he needed water.

She laid his head gently on the floor and stood. "Don’t move."

He wanted to make a joke, but he was too weak, so he gave her a thumbs-up instead. He waited, his ears sharpened to listen to any movement.

Some moments later, Nicolette returned.

She lifted his head slowly. "Open your mouth," she said softly.

He obeyed.

He expected water, but instead, he tasted cake.

"The sugar is for stamina... to help you get better... after..." she said, clearly blushing.

He opened his mouth again, and she fed him another bite.

Oh God.

He was fighting the urge to lick her fingers. He knew that would remind her of what had happened, and he wasn’t sure what her response would be.

Enjoy it or fight it?

He wasn’t sure. And he didn’t want to take that risk. Not when he still needed her touch.

He took a few more bites of cake, and slowly, his senses returned. He sat up properly and opened his eyes.

Nicolette’s brown eyes glinted with concern before she looked away.

"Here," she said, passing him a bottle of water.

He took a deep swig, washing down the cake. Moments later, his body relaxed completely.

They both got to their feet, with Nicolette helping him to his.

He adjusted his shirt and looked at her. "I’m sorry about my mother’s—"

"It’s okay," she interrupted, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her eyes gleamed with annoyance, and guilt twisted inside him.

"I should have done more than—"

"It’s fine, Mr. Allens," she said again, interrupting him.

Back to that damn formality.

He cleared his throat. The silence between them turned awkward. "Congratulations on the..."

"Yes," she said, her brow furrowed. "You too."

Alaric swallowed, unsure of what to say. "And thank you for..."

She stepped away, her cheeks flushed. "Yes. I should..."

"We should—"

Richard joined them in the hallway, confusion written all over his face. "Hello?"

Nicolette’s blush deepened as she quickly walked away, almost running.

Alaric scratched his chin. Ah, great. That wasn’t awkward at all.

Richard moved closer, his confusion growing. "What happened?"

"You don’t want to know," Alaric replied, anger boiling inside him.

He should have handled Violet and Clara better. Now he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had disappointed and offended Nicolette.

"I need a drink," he muttered as he headed down the hallway.

Richard followed him. "Are you sure you’re alright, Alaric?"

Before Alaric could respond, his phone chimed with a message. He pulled it out and checked it.

There was a video attached to the message from an unknown number.

He tilted his head. Who the hell was it?

He read the message before playing the video:

"You know what to do if you don’t want this to get out."

His confusion deepened as he played the video.

It was a camera angle clip of him sneaking into Ronald Voss’s house.

"Shit," he cursed.

"What happened?" Richard asked from beside him.

Alaric handed him the phone. "Ronald Voss just threatened me."