The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 66. Needed Him.

Nicolette made her choice.

Alaric knew the moment he saw her face, the resolve in her eyes made it clear. She had chosen to speak to Jake. Of all the people in the room, it was Jake she had approached.

He clenched his fists as he paced around the room.

He was back in the same suite Nicolette didn’t want him to stay in.

The same suite where she had found out about him and Alexa.

The room was a disaster. Food was scattered everywhere. Liquids spilled, flower petals strewn across the floor. The gifts he had gotten her were shattered, torn from their boxes.

Still, he couldn’t even be angry about it. He was partly to blame.

His anger faded, leaving only guilt behind.

Nicolette had every right to be upset.

It wasn’t his fault things had escalated. Neither was it his fault she hadn’t given him a chance to explain.

He shook the thought away, stripped his wet clothes and stepped into the shower. When he got out, some of the emotion had slipped away, and his thoughts became clearer.

He walked into the closet, pulled on a casual top and jeans, and sat on the edge of the bed. Then he dialed Tom’s number.

Tom picked up almost instantly. "Hello, sir."

"Hey Tom," Alaric said, his voice strained. "My wife is at the bar with someone. I want eyes on her. Let me know what she’s up to."

He would have loved to continue the honeymoon for the sake of the media, but Nicolette wasn’t talking to him and if she did, it was going to be awkward.

He needed to know if Nicolette was going to overstep her boundaries with Jake. Maybe out of spite.

He ran a hand through his hair, jealousy tightening his chest.

"Understood, sir." If Tom had found it weird, his voice didn’t show that.

"We’re leaving tomorrow," Alaric added.

He was supposed to leave the hotel because of Alexa, but now, he couldn’t wait to leave because of Jake and Nicolette.

No way was Jake forcing a relationship with Nicolette. Alexa was still unstable, and he didn’t trust Jake to put anyone before his sister, if the case warranted.

It had happened before. Alaric knew.

"Are we booking a new hotel?" Tom asked, sounding unsure.

"No. We’re going back to New Orleans."

"But sir... the honeymoon isn’t over," Tom said, his voice laced with hesitation. "We’ve still got a whole week. What about the media?"

"Make something up," Alaric interrupted. "Provide them with an excuse if this leaks."

"Understood," Tom said, sounding far from convinced.

"Alright."

He ended the call and laid back on the bed. The honeymoon had started so beautifully, but now he couldn’t handle the distance between him and Nicolette.

A while later, Tom called back. "She’s still drinking and laughing with Jake."

The words cut him deeper than he had expected, and he just wanted to storm into the bar and drag Nicolette out.

But he held himself back.

He hoped desperately that she would make the right choice and walk away.

But thirty minutes passed. Then an hour, and nothing changed.

Eventually, Alaric gave in to the painful realization that Nicolette might actually be enjoying herself.

He lay motionless on the bed until he heard the door open.

"Oh yeah," Nicolette sang. From her voice, he could tell she was drunk.

He sat up quickly and walked to her. "Hey."

"Hey," she said, giggling uncontrollably.

He glanced at his wristwatch. It was 1:34 am.

"You came in late," he murmured.

"Yeah," she mumbled, climbing onto the bed without removing anything.

He rushed over. "You can’t sleep like—"

Too late. She was already snoring.

He sighed, then gently removed her shoes, and adjusted her on the bed. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

He perched on the edge, brushing hair from her face.

She was beautiful.

A little annoying, but beautiful.

He exhaled, then lay on the other side of the bed. His heart ached just from being close to her again.

God, he missed her.

Alaric turned to face her, and laid still on his side until it was morning.

He stirred awake and sat up. Nicolette was still sleeping, though her snoring had stopped.

He knew she might be angry to see him, so he showered, dressed in a black suit, and quietly left the room.

Outside, he spoke to the bodyguard at the door.

"Good morning. Have the room cleaned and place a cup of coffee on the table before she wakes up."

"Yes, sir." The bodyguard nodded.

Alaric then made his way to the open-air restaurant, where he got some peace and quiet. He ate a plate of cannoli with coffee until Tom found him about an hour later.

"Good morning, sir," Tom greeted. He was neatly dressed in a sharp blue shirt.

"Morning, Tom."

"We’re all set, sir. Ready to go."

"Alright," Alaric nodded. "Let Nicolette know."

Tom left, and Alaric took a deep breath.

He hadn’t thought about how seeing her sober would feel, and now the thought filled him with dread.

He got up, adjusted his jacket, and headed to the lobby.

Outside, his team was waiting. The car was ready.

Then moments later, Nicolette stepped into the foyer. Her hair fell softly across her shoulders, and she wore a flowing yellow gown. She was smiling at everyone—until her eyes found him.

Her expression shifted in an instant. His stomach churned, but he braced himself for her words.

But Nicolette didn’t even say a single word, she just walked straight into the car.

He followed, sliding in beside her.

"Good morning," he greeted but was ignored.

He shifted slightly, trying again. "How’s the hangover? Did the coffee help?"

She turned, her eyes narrowing. "How did you—" She stopped. Then her eyes widened. "You! I told you not to come back!"

"Where else was I supposed to stay?"

Her anger surged. Quick and sharp. "Anywhere but there! You couldn’t even respect my decision!"

"That’s not true," he said, trying to remain calm. "I wasn’t in the best state of mind. I didn’t think—"

"You didn’t think," she scoffed, punching the air. "You’ve been doing that a lot, Mr. Allens."

The formal name stung, making his heart clench. He fell silent, not wanting to show how much her words hurt.

"I didn’t ask for much," she continued bitterly. "But then again..."

The venom in her tone scared him. He couldn’t meet her eyes, let alone explain himself.

So he just stayed quiet, hoping her anger would thaw with time.

But by the time they reached the airport, she still hadn’t spoken another word.

"Nicolette..." he said softly as they boarded the plane.

She tensed but didn’t turn around.

He swallowed, the unexpected pain tightening his chest.

How does he even get her to listen to him?

They settled into their seats across from each other.

When the captain’s voice came over the speaker, Alaric saw panic plastered across Nicolette’s face. And then he remembered her fear of flying.

He rushed to her side. "Hey."

She didn’t resist. She simply clung to him.

He wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her hair, glad that she needed him now.

She placed her thigh on his to create room, and when his hand fell on them, she shuddered.

"I... need a distraction." Her voice was barely audible as she trembled in his arms.

His head swirled with possibility.

What could be a better distraction?

The answer surged into him almost immediately.

But he buried it. She probably didn’t need his fingers inside her.

He pulled her closer, and she lifted her legs, her center on his thigh. She buried her face in his neck, her touch sending a jolt of shivers through him.

The captain announced takeoff and Nicolette trembled even more. He wrapped his arms protectively around her.

"I’m here," he said softly, kissing her hair.

"Touch me," she whispered, her voice silky against his neck.

Alaric’s body jerked at the intensity in her voice, but he needed no further conviction.

Yet, he knew he didn’t deserve to touch her, not after everything. But her needs destroyed his restraint.

Guilt fought desire in his chest, but desire took over—louder, harder, claiming victory.

One hand held her steadily, while the other slipped under her.

She moaned, grabbing his neck as his fingers thumbed her clit.

She needed him.

And that made him glad.

His finger traveled inside her, finding, exploring. She gasped, reaching for his lips, pressing herself against his fingers. Her body coiled under his steering.

He plunged in with two fingers.

And just as the plane steadied in the air, Nicolette shuddered fiercely, spilling into his hands.