Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 821 The sensitive touch made Nick let out a low, muffled groan. He shifted his gaze slightly, a faint blush coloring his face. "Mm." "You... why did you hide it here?" Khloe's ears burned as she asked softly. She pulled his hand away and lifted his shirt, reaching inside to retrieve the tracker. Nick's exposed skin was marked with scars-remnants of his recent injuries. Khloe's hand lingered over his chest, and he trembled slightly, tears glinting in his eyes like shattered starlight, shimmering faintly.

He whispered, "If there's any real danger, I'll protect you with my life first. At least it buys time until help arrives." Khloe knew him well enough to understand-he never left anything to chance. She didn't speak, carefully removing the tracker, her hand unconsciously lingering on his firm chest, moving downward. She traced every scar, every trace of pain, wanting to memorize it all. Her gentle touch made Nick feel both comforted and hypersensitive. He called her name again, quietly. Khloe, unwilling to leave him wanting, moved her hand back and pressed into his embrace.

---- "No more injuries, understand?" she murmured, her breath soft but steady. Nick nodded solemnly. By the time Lucas lit his third cigarette, Nick and Khloe emerged, fingers interlaced. Khloe was tall and slender, but standing next to Nick's broad frame, she seemed almost delicate, her usual presence subdued. She looked entirely different from the image Lucas had seen online-but somehow, they were perfectly matched.

Even with Nick's pale face and Khloe's lack of makeup, just standing side by side, they looked breathtaking, whether against the splendor of a luxurious mansion or a ruined building-they were a scene in themselves. Lucas, momentarily dazed, didn't notice Khloe had already greeted him. "Get in the car. We'll leave here first," he said. Khloe nodded, glanced at Nick, and was swept into his embrace. A smile tugged at her lips; she felt lighthearted, wanting only to stay with him. She barely even bothered to check on the people she had hired-they were still settling payments with Lucas's help.

These helpers weren't professional bodyguards-just local fruit ---- farmers. Khloe had been following some charity projects in Goldmont City, and this year's orchards had suffered heavy losses. Seeing the news, she had donated on behalf of the Morrison Group. When she needed people she'd never met for this emergency, she contacted them through the donation channel-they agreed without hesitation, eager to help Nick and her in any way they could. After retrieving Nick's belongings from the farmers, Lucas brought them to his villa.

The staff had been prepped in advance, readying a room for the couple-more elaborate than their wedding suite. It was late, and Lucas didn't want to intrude on this reunion. He quietly had everyone leave them alone. As soon as Khloe closed the door, she turned-and Nick pressed her back against it, their lips meeting in a heated kiss. Time apart had only intensified their longing. After surviving life- and-death separation, they wanted to fuse completely, their desire burning through restraint.

1 Though Nick's body hadn't fully healed and was already exhausted, his desire for her remained fierce. Khloe, however, stayed rational. She reminded him of her pregnancy, keeping them from taking the next step. She pulled back slightly, brushing her lips against his and ---- murmuring, "By the way... you should let Grandma Loretta know about your situation. She's been worried sick."