The Billionaire's Smile Book 2: His Desire

I was standing at the end of our bed, my eyes fixed on the open suitcase. I had begun packing for Elliot and myself—his usual sharp shirts and custom-fit pants neatly folded inside. But my hands froze when I saw the soft gray blanket spread over the bed.

It seemed so welcoming, so soothing, yet it felt out of place. There was nothing soothing about the upcoming weekend.

The idea of meeting Elliot’s family stirred a sense of unease in my stomach. His words from the previous night echoed in my mind: “They’re terrible people. Promise me you’ll listen to everything I say. Never leave my side. And don’t let them mess with your mind..”

I wasn’t certain what I was getting myself into, but Elliot’s cautious tone and the shadow in his eyes were enough to tell me it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. I wrapped my cardigan tighter around myself, my gaze wandering back to the suitcase.

What was I supposed to wear to a house filled with people Elliot himself didn’t trust? They were his family; I should have hoped they would like me, but the only emotion I felt toward his family now was fear.

The soft sound of the door opening pulled me out of my thoughts, and I looked up to see Elliot entering the room. He had just come out of the shower, a towel hanging low around his hips, revealing the V line of his body.

Water droplets clung to his bare chiseled chest, reflecting the light and making his skin shimmer. His damp blond hair was tousled in a way that made him look effortlessly handsome. I sighed, not even trying to hide my admiration.

He smirked, catching me in the act.

“Like what you see, Dr. Duppont?”

“Always,” I responded, my voice soft but sincere.

His playful expression faded as his gaze swept over me, his brow furrowing slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied, quickly looking back at the suitcase.

“Helena,” he said firmly, stepping closer. “You can’t fool me.”

I felt his warmth before I looked up again. He was standing right in front of me now, the tension in his shoulders easing as he cupped my cheek. His thumb brushed over my skin, grounding me.

“I’m worried,” I confessed quietly. I could never lie to him.

Elliot’s gaze softened, his thumb pausing mid-stroke.

“About them?”

I nodded.

“They’re not your problem,” he said gently. “They’re mine.”

“But I’ll be there, Elliot. I’ll see them. I’ll…meet them. And I don’t know what to expect. I should hope they like me, right?”

He chuckled and leaned down, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss that was as reassuring as it was tender.

“You’ll be fine,” he whispered against my lips. “They might be snakes, but they’re not foolish. They won’t dare mess with you when I’m there.”

The kiss deepened, his hands sliding down to my waist and pulling me closer, and his tongue explored every corner of my mouth. His touch was slow, deliberate, like he was trying to distract me from my worries—and it was working.

I let myself get lost in him, my hands sliding up his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and the dampness from his shower. His hands kept our bodies together, making me long to feel the warmth of his skin on mine.

He tilted his head, his lips finding that sensitive spot just beneath my ear, and I gasped softly, my fingers curling against him.

“Elliot,” I whispered, my voice trembling with equal parts desire and anxiety.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes a shade darker than usual but still filled with concern.

“You don’t have to go, but if you do, you don’t need to worry about them, Helena,” he said, his tone firm. “I’m not proud of who they are—or what they’ve done—but you and I are a team. Nothing they say or do will come between us.”

I searched his gaze, finding not just honesty but something deeper. Determination.

“Promise?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Promise,” he said, sealing it with another kiss—this one slower, softer, and filled with reassurance.

For a moment, the weight on my chest lifted. I let myself believe that we could handle whatever lay ahead together.

After Elliot left to take a call, I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at the packed suitcase. Despite his reassurances, my nerves hadn’t eased. Meeting his family felt like stepping onto a battlefield without knowing where the enemy fire would come from.

I picked up my phone, thumbing through my contacts until I landed on my dad’s name. After a couple of rings, he picked up.

“Helena, darling. How are you?”

“I’m doing okay, Dad. The clinic’s keeping me busy, but I’m managing,” I responded, attempting to sound more at ease than I actually was.

“You only call me ‘Dad’ when something’s bothering you,” he observed with a knowing tone.

I couldn’t help but smile at his insight—it was both comforting and a little frustrating.

“Elliot and I are heading to his family’s place this weekend. They’re going over his grandmother’s will, and… I think he’s not looking forward to it.”

“Ah,” he responded, his voice taking on a cautious note. “So, his family isn’t exactly the warm, welcoming type?”

“Quite the opposite,” I confessed. “He’s shared a bit—his mom’s a social butterfly, his dad’s aloof, and the rest are…complex. He struggles to even discuss them.”

My father exhaled deeply.

“Helena, you’re a strong woman, but remember, you don’t have to give your energy to people who don’t deserve it. If they’re anything like you’re describing, they might not make things easy for you.”

“Elliot promised he’d look out for me,” I murmured. “But I want to look out for him too. He doesn’t have anyone else in that family who genuinely cares for him.”

“That’s because he has you now,” Dad said softly. “But if things get too much, don’t hesitate to call me, alright?”

I smiled.

“I will, Dad.”

“And Helena,” he added, his voice firm, “don’t let anyone there make you feel like you don’t belong. They don’t know the amazing person you are. But I do.”

I fought back tears, his words providing me with a strength I didn’t know I needed.

“I love you, Dad.”

“Love you too, darling. Good luck.”

By the time I ended the call, Elliot had come back into the room. He’d changed into a fresh shirt, and his face had regained some color.

“Ready?” he asked, his voice steady but with a hint of reluctance.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I responded, reaching for the suitcase.

Elliot took it from me, his fingers brushing against mine.

“I’ve got this,” he whispered, and I knew he was referring to more than just the luggage.

The drive to his family’s estate was silent, the anticipation of what was to come filling the air.

Elliot was deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the window, while I tried to keep my nerves in check.

As we approached the grand gates, I caught my breath.

The estate was enormous, the kind you’d see in glossy magazines, but it felt more intimidating than welcoming.

“Home sweet home,” Elliot murmured as the gates creaked open.

The car slowed as we approached the massive mansion, its towering stone exterior overlooking immaculate gardens.

It was stunning, but it lacked warmth—just like Elliot’s descriptions of the people who lived there.

He exhaled deeply, his usually steady demeanor showing slight signs of strain.

I turned to him, placing a hand on his arm.

“Elliot, are you okay?”

His jaw clenched before he answered.

“Before we go in, there are a few things you need to know about my family.”