Billionaire's Passionate love

Ethan's POV

"Go and prepare these reports again," I shouted, my gaze fixed on my employee, who had turned a sickly shade of pale under my scrutiny.

Who did they think they were? That they could make a mistake and I would simply bear with it? King Enterprises had not reached such heights because of fools like him; it was built on my hard work-the sweat and blood I had poured into this company over the past four years. For four long years, I had worked my ass off, and today, I have finally brought my company into the ranks of the top three in the world.

I was Ethan King, believed to be a ruthless billionaire who would do anything to secure a deal. How true that was, especially now, as I searched desperately for a wife just to satisfy an investor. The man thought I was unsuitable for the project simply because I was young and unmarried-claiming he couldn't trust a man without a family. How foolish of them!

"Why are you looking at my face?" I shouted again, casting a cold, piercing look at my employee. "Just go and prepare the file again."

"But sir, it's just one mistake," the man stammered.

"One mistake?" I raised a brow, the air in the room turning frigid. "You know one mistake can change a person's life forever. Now, go and change the word. I want the new file printed within five minutes, otherwise, pack up your table and leave my office. One second late and you will be fired," I warned him.

Well aware of my reputation, he snatched the files and rushed out of the office as if he had fire on his tail. I knew he would be back within the time limit. I leaned back in my chair, attempting to relax, and returned to my work.

Exactly four minutes and twenty seconds later, the same employee knocked and entered the office, breathing hard.

"Sir, the final reports," he panted. I nodded, taking the reports from his hand only to discard them immediately into the dustbin. His face went ashen as he watched his hard work hit the trash.

"What?" I yelled. "Did you expect I would be waiting for you to deliver them? I already mailed the figures myself. Now go and do your work. This time, no mistakes, or you know the consequences."

With a wave of my hand, I dismissed him. He left with a hung head while I continued to work, using the labor as a passion-or perhaps a distraction-to forget my past. I needed to forget the bloody history that still haunted my nights, and I needed to forget her, the one I had loved so passionately.

"What was that?" I rolled my eyes at the sound of my best friend Dylan's voice.

I often questioned why I had given him the position of Vice-President when his only real job seemed to be giving me lectures about my behavior toward the staff.

"What do you want now?" I asked, my voice dripping with irritation as I tried to ignore his presence.

"Stop ignoring me," he sighed. "You know why I'm here. This isn't right, Ethan; the way you treat your employees like they're slaves."

"For your information, I pay them, and it's my right to demand perfection," I gritted my teeth. "They have no right to run to you just because they were punished for their own incompetence."

"But it was just one freaking mistake, and you made him redo the whole thing for nothing," Dylan raised his voice, hitting a topic that was far too sensitive for me.

"Just shut up, Dylan!" I yelled, slamming my hands onto the desk as I stood up. "You know very well that one mistake can take a life! You know how my life changed because of one error, so don't you dare take his side or call it a 'small' mistake!" I pointed an angry finger at him.

He sighed visibly and shook his head in disappointment. "Until when, Ethan? Until when will you keep feeling guilty for a mistake you never actually committed? How long will you punish yourself with this lifestyle that doesn't even suit you? How long will you act like this heartless jerk?"

He yelled with frustration, but I simply turned back to my laptop.

"Are you hearing me?" he shouted, snapping his fingers in front of me. "Don't act smart. I know you're intentionally ignoring me."

He tried to force a word out of me, but I remained silent, focused on the screen.

"If you're finished with your little performance, leave my office. I don't have time for your bickering," I dismissed him again.

"You..." he gritted his teeth. "Fine. Now I'm actually happy you gave me the duty of finding you a wife. Just wait and watch, Mr. King. I will find a wife who will bring my old friend back."

He left the office, huffing and puffing. I shook my head once he was gone. His warning felt hollow; there was no one in this world meant for me. No one who could understand me, let alone love me. I was a heartless, cold man. Whoever married me would only regret it; they wouldn't change me.

"Sir, Mr. William is waiting in the conference room," my personal assistant informed me. Without a second glance at her, I left the cabin and headed toward the meeting.

I felt a dark satisfaction noticing how my employees shivered as I passed their cubicles. I also noticed the flirtatious smiles from some of the women, which I returned with a cold smirk. I loved the effect I had-men feared me, and women threw themselves at me.

After hours of meetings, I left the office late at night and went directly to the club, just as I did every night. I took my usual booked seat, and the bartender served my daily strong drink. I gulped it down, desperate to numb the miseries of my life. My eyes scanned the dance floor until I noticed a woman in a sexy red dress.

"Hey, sexy," I whispered into her ear as she danced. I wrapped my arms around her waist, turning her toward me. She smiled, pushing her chest against mine.

"I like that," I commented, my eyes trailing down. I leaned in, trailing wet kisses against her skin. "You're so hot, babe." I pinched her hip, and a moan escaped her lips. That was it. I was done waiting. I pulled her against me, and she wrapped her legs around my waist.

"Let's give you some pleasure, mister," she whispered breathlessly, kissing me hard. I let her dominate the kiss as I carried her toward my private, reserved room.

Once inside, I pushed her roughly against the wall, tearing her dress apart in one swift move until she was only in her red lingerie.

"Someone is in a hurry," she giggled. I didn't reply. I freed myself and entered her hard and fast. She moaned like a cat, her fingers digging into my skin. Her heels dug into my back, but I didn't care; the pleasure was a distraction. I threw all my frustration into her, position after position. I didn't care if it was pleasure or pain for her; she was just my dose for the night. After three hours of using her to release my demons, I finally fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep.