Kinks of a Billionaire : A Friends-to-Lovers Romance (Billionaire Kings Book 5)

Prologue

Ikneed my boyfriend in the balls—hard—and grabbed my purse.

“You fucking…” he wheezed, but I didn’t wait to hear the remainder of his words. I bolted out of his room as he doubled over in pain, my pulse roaring in my ears while my brain chanted stupid, stupid, stupid. I shouldn’t have come, but I never could have fathomed Hudson would get so handsy. So violent.

I ran from the manor, overflowing with drunks and debauchery, holding my ripped shirt together. It wasn’t until my feet hit the wet grass that I realized I’d forgotten my shoes. I pulled my phone from my purse, tripping over the flat ground in the process.

Coming to a stop at the lookout, I gripped my phone tighter. The pounding rain soaked me to the bone as I looked up at the lightning scattering across the gray sky.

The storm cast an ominous glow over the Bethesda skyline, and if I squinted, I could probably pinpoint where the apartment I shared with my best friends sat in the distance.

There were probably worse things than being stranded an hour from home in the middle of a storm while wearing a torn-up shirt and having to call your parents for a ride. But right now, I couldn’t think of a single one.

Standing on the grassy hillside, I could hear laughter and music coming from inside the home, the party still in full swing. After my boyfriend—ex-boyfriend—attempted to manhandle his way into my panties, I kneed him so hard his howl could have been heard all the way in Virginia.

I couldn’t stop shivering, my teeth chattering both from the cold and my deep-seated anxiety. Tears stung my eyes as I hovered my finger over my mother’s number. She would be so disappointed, but I was out of options. I couldn’t call Sailor because her sister, Anya, was due to have a baby any day now. She might be my best friend, but I wouldn’t let her risk missing the birth of her niece or nephew. Aurora had an internship she’d just started, so she would be tied up until at least ten o’clock, which would mean standing outside this godforsaken estate for another three hours. No way.

I mentally scrolled through my options, but I knew there were none. I’d have to bite the bullet and call my mother if I didn’t want to stay by myself, alone, in the middle of nowhere after dark.

Just as I was about to press the call button, a name flashed across the screen, and my heart stopped. I scrambled to answer before my brain could process my motions.

“Royce,” I murmured into the phone, my voice quivering. I’d never been happier to hear from my best friend’s brother who I’d had a crush on since my first year of high school. There were so many days and sleepovers we’d had at Aurora’s place, her gorgeous brothers overseeing it. But none of them were as gorgeous as Royce with his bad-boy vibes.

“What’s wrong?”

My defenses instantly flared. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

“Your quivering voice is a pretty good indication.” It didn’t surprise me he’d caught on to my inner turmoil. Royce had a sixth sense for trouble, and he’d known me and my friends to get into trouble once or twice. “Besides, I can tell when you’re lying and upset.”

I sighed in resignation, pinching my brow.

“I… I went to this party. With a b-boy.” My stuttering was embarrassing, but the fact that I put myself in such a stupid position was even more so. “H-he… t-tried… and I didn’t w-want?—”

Thunder boomed, shaking the ground, and I whimpered, searching for any possible shelter other than the damned house I just came out of. The wind swept through, bending the branches of nearby trees.

“Where are you?” I winced at the anger in his tone, but I told him anyway. I had nothing to lose at this point. The raindrops splattered, making my words tremble. “Drop me a pin with your location. I’ll come and get you.”

My shaky fingers made it a nightmare to pull up the app, but I managed to eventually. I dropped the pin and heard a beep on his end. Screeching tires followed right after, telling me he was more than likely breaking one—or a few—traffic laws.

“Y-you got it?”

“I did. Stay on the phone with me. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Th-thank you,” I murmured, my teeth clacking. Aurora’s brothers were the most reliable; they’d always had the ability to put us girls at ease growing up. Yes, they were overprotective and a tad scary at times, but I wasn’t going to complain about that in my current desperate state. “How come you called?”

A rustling noise came from his end just as the rain began to ease, turning into a soft drizzle.

“Aurora and Byron are on the way to the hospital. Anya’s having her baby.”

My eyes widened in horror. “Now?” I shrieked.

Byron was Aurora’s brother, but he took care of all of us. When Sailor’s sister, Anya, got pregnant, he didn’t judge. He didn’t coerce her to tell him who the father was. He just ensured the best OB/GYN in the D.C. region had tended to her. The Ashford name had opened a lot of doors for him, and he never hesitated to use that benefit to help others too.

“Yes.”

“Where? Did someone call her sister?”

“Sailor is at George Washington University Hospital with Anya.”

Regret washed over me. Yet another reason why I shouldn’t have been at this stupid party.

“I promised I’d be with her,” I rasped.

“You will. She’ll likely be in labor for a while. You know Byron—he probably wants to ensure Anya has everything she needs while in the hospital.” Silence followed as shudders rolled down my spine. I tried to center myself, peering around and working on spotting something I could see, hear, or smell. I noted the dusk grays were quickly turning into twilight darks. The damp leaves under my feet felt cold and rough. “I promise you, Willow,” Royce said, “you won’t miss it.”

I let out a long breath. Royce had never let me down before. One thing that all of Aurora’s brothers had in common was that they never broke their promises. Suddenly, fatigue came over me and I walked back over to the curb and sat, hugging my small purse to my chest.

“Thanks for coming for me,” I breathed.

“So, who’s this boy?”

“Hudson.” I’d hate that name forever. “He’s an idiot.”

A bright beam of headlights appeared in the distance and I rushed to my feet, my heart tripping in hope. A sleek black Bugatti came to a screeching stop in front of me, the fumes from his engine dissipating as the wind carried them over the hill.

Royce jumped out of the still-running car, wearing his black leather jacket. I slumped with relief. Royce was a genetically engineered tank stuffed inside a designer suit—or a leather jacket, it depended on the situation. Today he’d opted for the latter—the choice I secretly loved more than his designer suits.

My relief was short-lived. He took one look at me and narrowed his eyes, and I could see enough from the glow of his headlights to know they darkened in warning.

He was enraged, and the force of his fury was so palpable I could taste it in the air.

“I’m okay,” I said through the gravel in my throat, wrapping my arms around my torso.

With a clenched jaw, he came around the car and slid his jacket off.

“Here, put this on.” When I didn’t move, he hooked the heavy leather onto my shoulders and wrapped it tight. He opened the passenger door. “Stay in the car, I’ll be right back.”

He gently nudged me into the seat, then slammed the door.

A frustrated noise left me and I reached for the door handle, opening it. “Royce, what are you doing?”

He didn’t even slow his stride. “Hudson!” he roared as he approached the manor, his voice echoing with the thunder rumbling through the sky. “Get your ass out here or I’m going to blow this fucking house to ashes.”

My stomach dropped and I sprung out of the car.

“Royce,” I called out, running after him.

The front door opened and Hudson appeared with a few of his friends at his side. He always felt braver with his buff sidekicks. I barely had time to blink before Royce punched Hudson, sending him falling onto the marble floor of his foyer.

“Holy shit,” I whispered, clutching his jacket. I always knew Royce was protective, but it had always been directed toward his sister—never at me. And right now, he was acting like he was about to go on a murderous rampage.

Hudson’s largest friend came after Royce, but before he could land a hit, Royce shoved him to the floor like he weighed nothing. Eyes on the whimpering guy, Royce dropped down to straddle him, unleashing punch after punch. More of the party trickled out from various rooms and corridors to witness the savagery.

Just as a few more guys were about to attack Royce, I screamed, “Behind you!” and Royce pulled out a gun and pointed it at them. “Oh my G-God.”

Using both my hands to grab Royce by his bicep, I attempted to pull him up off the nearly unconscious guy. “He’s not worth it. Let’s just go.”

Instead, he landed another blow to the man while keeping his gun pointed at Hudson and his buddy.

“We’re not done. These fuckers are still breathing.” Royce sounded unrepentant. I continued yanking his arm until he finally let me drag him away, his breathing hard and his eyes burning. “You see this woman?” he roared to the entire audience. “She’s under my protection. Nobody hurts her. You lay a finger on her without her consent and you’re dead. I will end you. Do you understand?”

And for the remainder of my college years, not a single boy on campus dared to touch me.

Royce

After our detour to the hospital, I brought Willow back to my penthouse.

Anya was in a panic, Sailor was distraught, and I convinced Willow it was best to give them some space because we weren’t helping either one of them by hovering around. Byron handled the hospital like a champ and eventually managed to convince Aurora to do the same. We’d all agreed to meet back at the hospital once the baby was born.

Willow and I walked through the door of my penthouse when the clock struck midnight, the adrenaline from the night making it impossible to settle down, let alone sleep. Heat poured through my blood having Willow in my penthouse. We’d crossed paths many times over the years, but it was never in my private home. An unfamiliar soft flame flickered in my chest, but I smothered it down. This was my baby sister’s best friend. Off-limits. She belonged firmly in the friend zone because I liked her—a lot—and she’d be around for many years to come.

So, after a shower, we popped in a movie and she sipped on beer, trying to relax. I knew her mind was on Anya, but I tried my best to distract her. In a friendly kind of way.

By the time three o’clock rolled around, she”d had one too many beers.

Willow looked up at me with a lopsided grin. “I should probably go. Aurora’s probably back by now.”

“She’s with Byron. Anya and Sailor are still at the hospital. Stay the night,” I suggested. She wasn’t yet twenty-one, so I couldn’t risk her getting caught publicly intoxicated—especially underage. Besides, it was my fault. I put on the first movie and the second one, and with two bowls of popcorn as our only sustenance, I allowed her buzz to grow into a full-on hammered state. “Besides, you’ll need someone to drive you once visiting hours come around.”

“Thank you again for tonight.” Willow hiccupped. “I hadn’t thought the night would end so well. Anya’s about to have a baby. I’m single.”

She scooted closer to me, and the delicate scent of citrus mixed with a vague earthy undertone seeped into my lungs. For some reason, my mind drifted to the serene image of a rolling green hill, a single willow tree dancing in the breeze. I internally shook my head. She was too young, barely of age. Totally not my type.

Yet, my dick jumped in excitement at the mere thought of driving inside her.

Shit, bad idea. A fucking bad idea, Royce.

The second movie finished and we lingered on the couch, watching as the credits rolled up the screen. From my periphery, I could sense Willow fidgeting, looking like she was about to burst.

“You okay?” I finally asked her, turning my body slightly to face her. Even in the dim light, I could see her cheeks turning redder than I’d ever seen them. “Willow, you’re acting weird.”

She hiccupped again. “I’m drunk.”

“I know. But that’s no reason?—”

Before I could finish the sentence, she grabbed the cotton of my shirt, leaned in, and pressed her lips on mine. They were warm and soft, the alcohol on her breath mixing with my own. She moved her mouth against my closed one, darting her tongue out to lick my bottom lip. It was unpracticed and awkward at best, but it sent fire into my veins.

I sat up and tightened my grip on her as I thrust my tongue inside, tasting the sweet sin that was so uniquely her. She kissed me back, writhing against me, her perky tits pressing against my chest.

Our breathing turned frenzied, and her hand came to rest on my groin. I jerked, and the lustful fog cleared. I pulled her back by a fistful of her dark hair, her sparkling eyes a myriad of blue, gray, and green.

“Why did you stop?” she blurted out, her gaze fixed on mine.

“You’re drunk.” She must have blinked fifty times, trying to process the meaning behind my words.

“Aren’t you attracted to me?” She leaned closer, her lips skimming my neck. Fuck, the girl was easily addictive. But too damn young for me. “I know you only do no-strings-attached sex. I’m okay with it.”

This time she stunned my ass into silence. Of course I was attracted to her, but no-strings sex with her would be a slippery slope.

“We spend too much time together to just have casual sex,” I reasoned. Willow, Sailor, and my sister were inseparable. They lived together. They partied together. Hell, they didn’t even keep secrets amongst each other. Fuck. “We’re friends.”

I could see Willow’s expression fall. I almost wished I was hammered too. It would make the awkwardness of this conversation easier to bear.

“We can sleep together and stay friends.” Her voice was barely a whisper, her cheeks turning crimson. Her eyes were glazed and wanton. It’d be so damn easy to give in, consequences be damned.

“You’re too good for this,” I grunted. “Too good for me.”

She shook her head. “I’m not asking you to marry me. Or write sonnets. It’s just sex, Royce.”

The earth started to spin faster, temptation staring back at me, wide-eyed with swollen lips. I was pretty good at handling alcohol, but this was new. I’d never reacted like this to anyone suggesting a casual fuck.

“I don’t want things to be weird between us when it doesn’t work out. Like I said, you’re too good for a one-night stand.”

Her shoulders slumped further.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She exhaled, then licked her lips. “I just wanted… hoped you’d take my virginity. Since you’re so experienced.”

I sat up.

“Virginity?” I repeated shocked. “And who the hell told you I’m experienced?”

She stood abruptly, waving her hands. “Come on, Royce. Everyone knows you’re a playboy. Everywhere you go, girls fall all over themselves for you. So why won’t you sleep with me?”

Silence stretched, unnerving and jarring. “You want me to pop your cherry, and you think it would mean nothing to me?”

I rose and started to pace, trying to convince myself to keep my distance from her despite how aroused I was. She deserved better than me and my questionable sexual proclivities.

“Willow, you deserve better.” My voice deepened, and I hoped she’d hear the sincerity in it. Her next words told me she didn’t. “Please don’t tempt me further.”

“You’re right. This was stupid.” She smiled, and this reaction had me reeling even more. “I’m obviously drunk. Friends?”

“Always.”

“Let’s never bring this up again. Okay?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

We didn’t speak of it again.

The events of the next morning would forever be remembered for a different reason. Willow”s life—all our lives—was about to be flipped upside down by Anya’s death and a newborn baby boy.