Page 32 of Christmas with Billionaire's Runaway Bride

Her measured words offered a glimpse into the depth of her emotions. I nodded in understanding, grateful for her honesty and giving her the space, she needed. Claire continued, "I understand that your parents have their expectations, and it's a significant decision for us. I just wish we had discussed it together before you made such a commitment."

Regret gnawed at me as I realized the oversight in not involving her in the decision-making process. "You're right, Claire. I should have talked to you first, and I'm sorry for that," I admitted, a tinge of guilt coloring my words.

She nodded, her expression a mix of understanding and concern. "It's not just about the wedding. It's about us, our relationship, and what we both want."

The weight of her words settled in the room, and I realized the gravity of the situation. The conversation had shifted from the specifics of the traditional wedding to the broader questions about our future together. The vulnerability in Claire's eyes mirrored my own uncertainty about what lay ahead for us.

"Claire, my love, I hope you truly understand how sorry I am," I began, a genuine plea in my voice. "I couldn't just sit there and watch as I lose you. I'm willing to do anything to keep you by my side, even if it means marrying you."

As I spoke, I noticed Claire's eyes welling up. Walking over to her, I enveloped her in a comforting hug, assuring her that we would navigate this together and that, no matter what, I would be there for her every step of the way. In that emotionally charged moment, we found ourselves confronting a situation we had been trying to avoid for a long time. Despite the circumstances, Claire looked even more beautiful, exuding understanding and intelligence.

Then came the words that struck a chord within me. "Dev, do you know why I have a difficult time being okay with everything that is happening?" Claire's voice held a vulnerability that I hadn't fully grasped before.

"After my mom died, it's like I lost my father too because he remarried immediately. And let me tell you, my stepmother never liked me. She doesn't like me till now. I've had a hard time growing. I've never had choices that were mine. Every decision was made for me. So, forgive me if I take a little more time to make this kind of decision. I feel like I'm still trapped in the same kind of life that I was trying to get away from."

Her words echoed with a deep sense of longing for autonomy, for the ability to shape her own destiny. Overwhelmed with empathy, I took quick strides towards her, wrapping her in an embrace. Unable to contain the surge of emotions, I pressed a kiss to her lips, a shared warmth that bridged the complexities of our pasts and the uncertainty of our future.

We had only ever gone as far as making out but this time round, our emotions took the better of us. Before, Claire had made it clear that she wasn't a virgin but I was. She never gave me any kind of pressure. I pulled her onto my lap and continued kissing her. Her hands were delicate on my skin and she could also tell my hesitation.

"You don't have to do this." She whispered after a while and connected our foreheads together.

"I want you so bad. My only problem is my lack of experience. Please bear with me." He replied as his hands continued roaming around my body.

"Are you sure about it? If you are not, we can stop here, I am fine." I said.

Just guide me this once. I need to know what you like and how you like it." He whispered and took my lips into his. That is all I wanted to hear. I was already wet and my body was calling out to his. I could feel the full length of his erection and he was huge.

As we were still making out, I help him out of his clothes as he does mine. His eyes widened with amazement as he saw my bare chest but he was still hesitating. I rocked and rubbed my crotch to his bulge and he froze. I took that opportunity to guide his hands to my boobs. I moan out loud and he growls too. It doesn't take time for him to gain confidence and take over the situation. He delicately took my nipples into his mouth while the other hand worked on my other boob. I moaned again as the pleasure waves hit throughout my body.

I took the next step and guided his hand towards my abdomen. We skipped my crotch and go to my inner thighs the went up to my crotch. Dev gasped when his hand came into contact with my dripping pussy and it was evident that he was even more excited and horny. I showed him how I liked my clit to be played with and massaged and learned pretty quickly. When I was sure that we both could not take it anymore, I aligned his manhood with my pussy and lowered myself onto it. Dev laid back and grabbed my ass, gluing me into place and even pushing his manhood into me. I noticed him closing his eyes and trembling from the intense pleasure and I take over. I do that in order to control the situation and prevent him from cuming too fast. I rocked into him but each time I noticed him getting closer to the end, I would slow down and focus on kissing and caressing him all over. After a while of this, he took charge, carried me to the bed and laid me on my back. He then parted my legs wide for him and teased my pussy a little before pushing his manhood into me. He doesn’t waste time and soon enough, his thrusts are quick and deep. He gave me one deep thrust and froze as he released his juices into me.

That was the first of many. That day alone, we made love four times and Dev seemed to have gained a ten-year experience in one session. He was able to make me orgasm and even pushed us to try new positions, something that I was sure would not happen for a couple more weeks.

Chapter Thirty-One

Something New and Difficult

With my parents having returned home, a sense of control over a part of my life lingered. The looming expectation of visiting India after the semester added a layer of complexity, especially as Claire and I navigated the evolving dynamics of our relationship. As our intimacy deepened, Claire expressed her willingness to explore the path of marriage.

In the lead-up to our journey back to India, the anticipation weighed on us. The semester's end marked a crucial juncture, and by the time we boarded the flight, Claire appeared more at peace with the decisions we had made. Yet, beneath her calm exterior, I sensed lingering turmoil. Claire, despite agreeing to our plans, grappled with a range of emotions.

In retrospect, I realize I wasn't as supportive as I should have been. Impatience colored my reactions to Claire's moments of uncertainty and mood swings. Instead of understanding her perspective, I threw fits and failed to provide the comfort she needed. The topic of marriage, with its intricate cultural nuances, became a source of tension between us, overshadowing the joyous anticipation that should have accompanied planning such a significant event.

As we landed in India, the air crackled with a mix of excitement and tension. The intricacies of our relationship journey took center stage, and the path ahead seemed laden with both promise and challenges. The moments leading up to the impending ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of unspoken tensions, hinting at the uncharted territory awaiting us.

In the month leading up to the ceremony, doubts crept into my mind, fueled in part by a meeting orchestrated by my parents with the girl they envisioned as my future partner. The timing felt too deliberate to be a coincidence, and the realization that my parents were still attempting to interfere in my relationship with Claire left me bewildered.

The encounter with the alternative prospect left me questioning the pace at which I was moving with Claire. Seeing her in that moment of grace and transformation triggered uncertainties within me. Regrettably, my confusion manifested in mistreatment towards Claire. Despite her kindness and understanding, I subjected her to bursts of anger, often talking to her in a demeaning manner and, at times, using her family background to belittle her.

Amidst this turmoil, I committed the gravest mistake of my life during an argument. In a fit of rage, I told Claire that she deserved not to feel loved by her parents and disclosed that I had invited her parents to the wedding – the very individuals she did not wish to see. It was a moment of extreme regret, and I am not proud of my actions. This marked a turning point, where the fabric of our relationship began to unravel, and the seeds of discord were sown.

The shadows of my misguided behavior cast a pall over the days leading to the ceremony, creating an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. The month that was supposed to be filled with joy and anticipation became marred by the growing cracks in our relationship, leaving a trail of heartache and remorse in its wake.

Two days before the wedding, a palpable distance had settled between Claire and me. Despite her attempts to project a facade of control, I sensed the turmoil beneath the surface. Every effort to get closer to her was met with a barrier, and it became evident that I had been breaking her heart.

I overheard a conversation between Claire and my aunt, where she confided about the profound changes she observed in me and the mistreatment she felt from everyone around her. It was a painful revelation of the impact my actions and my family's treatment had on her. Her words echoed with a profound sense of betrayal, and she questioned why she still clung to our relationship despite the hardships.

The gravity of Claire's internal struggle struck me, and I should have released her at that moment. However, my selfish desire to keep her to myself clouded my judgment. Claire's words to my aunt about her self-worth and the way she viewed herself resonated deeply. It served as a stark reminder of the damage I had inflicted on the person I claimed to love. The weight of her enduring the mistreatment while clinging to the hope of our relationship underscored the profound impact of my actions and the imminent consequences that loomed over our impending wedding.

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