Текст книги "Seduce me if you dare: Alpha Billionaire Romance"
Автор книги: L. N. Pearl
Соавторы: S. K. Lee
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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 4 страниц)
5 – Lila
I walked into the club on shaky legs, the handsome billionaire still in his car and hopefully headed out of my life. A long sigh left me as I slipped past Clay and turned to press my back against the wall.
"You okay, L?" Clay poked his head into the club and lifted an eyebrow.
"Yes, just met my match in life I think. I'm scared as hell and ready to pack up and move states just in case I run into him again." I smiled and shook my head.
"Wow. Lucky guy. You wanna cab or you staying for a while?"
"I'll take a cab once he's cleared the front. I don't want him seeing me." I pursed my lips and tried to breathe through my nose slowly. My heart was racing at the memories of how incredibly right it felt to be in his arms, to have him empty himself inside of me.
I groaned and closed my eyes. Fuck. It had been incredible. I pressed my head to the wall behind me resisted the urge to run out into the road and beg him to stop. He wanted my number and I wanted his, but it would only lead to heartache. It always did.
Besides, he had his shit together and I was just getting started. He wasn't looking for a girlfriend with a brain, anyway. He’d want a pretty little tart he could prance around town and fuck with no strings attached.
"Hey, L. Cabs here and your boyfriend is gone." Clay chuckled and reached for me as I walked back out into the late evening.
The breeze picked up and I found my center quickly. Smiling at the handsome bouncer, I waved and walked to the cab, got in and dropped my head back as I murmured my address.
The night had been beyond amazing. My handsome lover was beautiful, charming and dominant, and the chemistry between us had been consuming, insane. Dangerous. Who knew that sex in a dark alley could be so… exciting?
There was something about him that drew me in, and threatened to drown me if I wasn't careful. Leaving without giving him my number was my best bet, and yet it was one of the hardest things I had done of late.
Having him asking for my digits left me melting on the inside and wanting to snuggle up to him. So, why had I refused to let him take me to his place? It would have been incredible to spend the night in his arms, to smell his sheets and feel the softness of his lips along my neck and shoulders as we cuddled up.
"Because your dumb ass would have fallen in love like you do every time," I grumbled.
"What's that, Miss?" The cabbie's voice pulled me from my ponderings.
"Oh nothing. Just bitching at myself about falling in love."
"It's the best thing ever." The older man smiled in the rear view mirror. "Falling in love that is."
"I'm not so sure I'd agree, but I'll keep my negativity to myself." I chuckled as he readjusted his mirror, and I was alone with my thoughts once more.
Leaving my handsome lover only to head home to a quiet, cold and lonely apartment seemed like the dumbest decision I could have made, and yet I had to protect myself. I was determined to treat men the way they treated me, and falling for them wasn’t how it worked. Not anymore.
It doesn't matter how much you want him. You'll want the next one too. Love and happiness is for the birds. Lust, sex and passion. That's all I want now. Period.
***
I slept like shit, my dreams filled with the sexy bastard from the club. He haunted me, forcing my body toward a state of constant desire. Lust pumped through me at the mere thought of him. Some part of me wanted to throw caution to the wind and find him, but how?
"No. You're good. Shut up about it," I grumbled at myself as I parked my small Honda in the large parking garage next to our downtown building. I grabbed my briefcase and checked the small mirror above my head one last time before getting out of the car and walking toward the elevator.
A handsome guy in a three piece suit held the door, his eyes all over me, though the ring on his finger said they shouldn't be. Men. I would never understand them in a hundred years.
I walked out of the parking garage and pressed my hands to my thighs to keep the knee high black skirt I wore from flying up and showing everyone the scrap of panties I had on that morning. My boots rose up to my knees and my sweater was fitted and professional. My boss was insanely particular about looking attractive but professional. It had taken me a year, but I finally had it down after pin-balling around between the extremes of slutty and dowdy for months.
I actually liked the new look. Made me feel a little more grown up and mature.
"Yeah right." I rolled my eyes and pressed the large glass door in front of me as a smile slipped onto my lips.
My best friend and coworker, Jessie, waved wildly from the small coffee shop on the bottom floor of our massive building. I walked toward her, picking up my pace just a little and trying to decide if I was going to tell her about Mr. Richie Rich.
She had been in a serious relationship for forever, and it was actually working out for her. Me, not so much.
"There you are. I was starting to think you were going to stand me up." Jessie smiled and stood, pulling me into a tight hug as if she knew I needed it. We had been friends since elementary school, and she knew me better than I knew myself most days.
Her copper locks were pulled back in a ponytail, but a few wayward curls had come loose. I fixed them quickly for her and tried to avoid the probing stare I got from her light hazel-colored eyes.
"Spill." She sat down and nodded toward the extra cup of coffee on the table between us. "That's for you."
"Thanks. I need something to eat. I'll grab a muffin." I started to leave, but she leaned over and grabbed two bags from beside her.
"Already got it. Your favorite." Her smile was warm and welcoming, and I relented. I was telling her everything. I always did. She was the voice of reason when I needed one, even when it hurt like hell to hear it.
"I love you." I took my seat and pulled out the pumpkin muffin, grateful for the ridiculous amount of pumpkin-flavored madness that occurred every fall.
"You should. So, tell me about last night. I assume you were at the club?" She took a sip of her coffee and lifted her eyebrow at me.
"Yeah. I met a handsome billionaire type. Stupid expensive car, smelled like heaven, offered me a ring." I shrugged and bit into my breakfast, taking time to ignore the world and enjoy the luxury of such goodness.
"And... how do you know what type of car he has? Did he talk about it all night?"
"Um, no. We, well… you know.” I picked up my coffee as her mouth dropped open.
"Lila. Shit. You could have been hurt, kidnapped, or dumped in an alley."
"Oh, he put a hurt on me all right," I smiled trying to suppress a naughty giggle, and shook my head. "No berating me. Seriously. I want to have a little fun and get it out of my system. James was a dick and totally ruined my life. I'm not ready to trust men again or give them anything but a blow job here and there."
Jessie laughed as her cheeks turned a vibrant shade of pink. "God, you're like a hooker."
"Jealous?"
"Hell yes I'm jealous. We made soup, snuggled and passed out on the couch." She rolled her eyes and took a bite of her own muffin.
I held back my response and ignored the dull ache in my chest as I pictured her evening. I remembered those nights. Snuggling and planning a future with someone you stupidly believed when he said he loved you.
Stop it. Fuck him. Fuck all of them.
"New subject. The bank denied yet another loan request from me." I let out a short puff of air and took a bigger bite of my breakfast, hoping to save myself from having to speak for a few minutes.
"No. Really? That's horrible. What do they want from you? You're young. How could you possibly have successful business history on the books yet? Shit. Everyone has to start somewhere." Jessie's voice grew louder as she ranted.
I took another quick swig of her coffee and laughed. "I know. It's all good though. My portfolio is just getting better and better. Soon they won't be able to deny me. I'll have my spa in the next few years and then I can quit working for other people and start building my own future."
"I wish I could help. I would if I could."
"I know that, silly. It's going to work out. This job I have now is paying the bills and I get to spend most of my day with you. Playing matchmaker when you don't believe in love anymore sucks horse dick, but whatever..."
"Horse dick... really? Great image to give me to think about all day. Thank you." Jessie chuckled and rolled her eyes.
"It's only fair. I'm thinking about it, so you should too."
"You are not. That's disgusting." Jessie tapped her fingers on the table as realization rolled over her face. "Oh. The guy last night was hung?"
"Like a horse." I laughed so hard at the look on her face my coffee almost came out of my nose. It was good to start my day off with someone that loved me. Most likely the only someone.
6 – Asher
I couldn't get her out of my mind, but sitting around the house figuring out how to find my naughty Cinderella without even so much as a glass slipper was out. I had too much to do and honestly it was time to find someone to actually join me in life, not just for a night. But shuffling through a bunch of greedy neurotic women sounded like hell, so I would simply do what most men with my financial status did... I'd hire an elite match making agency.
I was scheduled for lunch with the owner of one of the top ranked agencies, and though I really wanted to cancel and go back to the club looking for clues on my girl instead, I had a thing about missing appointments. I didn't want people wasting my time, so I tried like hell not to waste theirs.
Pulling in front of the upscale restaurant in Beverly Hills, I waited for the valet to come over before getting out of the car. He smiled and tried to act less excited than he was about driving my Maybach. I chuckled and gave him a warning look before walking into the restaurant.
The smell of the ocean filled my senses and I breathed in deeply, glancing around and enjoying the wall to wall fish tanks. It would be nice to take the boat out one more time before winter hit. The beautiful creature from the night before would look good lounging on the deck, her tanned flesh on display for me to see, to touch, to...
"You must be Mr. Harrington?" The host moved toward me, a polite smile on his face.
"I am. I'm here to meet..."
"Me." A rather attractive middle aged woman moved up beside the young man and extended her hand. "Gisele Markum. Nice to meet you Mr. Harrington. I have a table for us near the back where the sunlight comes in beautifully."
"Ah, perfect." I nodded to the host, took my menu from him and followed the woman to our table. She was known around the city as the match maker, but like any good business owner, she had quite a few good employees working for her from what I had read. I wasn't sure I was comfortable really letting her into the depths of my desires for the type of wife I wanted, but the lunch would soon tell all.
I pulled out her chair and waited until she was seated to take my own.
"A gentleman. I like it." She smiled and reached up to run her hand along her heavily sprayed blond hairdo.
"My mother raised me right, I suppose." I smiled politely and stifled my thoughts about fucking a hot woman in the ass in the back of my car the night before. My mother would keel over, as any self-respecting mother should. What was I thinking?
I was supposed to be moving toward becoming a better man. Getting married, making amends to those that I'd hurt. The last thing I wanted was to end up like Geoff, and have nobody show up at my funeral.
The image of the gorgeous girl from the club brushed across my mind as I envisioned that day. She was in a black dress, her hair pulled back tightly with strands of grey running through it. Her tears were real and heartfelt in my mind, her body more frail and bent over as she cried in the small sanctuary.
Need filled me and I realized that it was her. The woman I met the night before was quite likely the one I should have been looking for today, not some quick fill in distraction.
"Mr. Harrington?" Gisele touched my arm and I blinked a few times.
"My apologies. Long restless night. Guess I was a little more nervous about today than I imagined." I forced a chuckle and glanced down at my menu. After ordering, I turned my attention back to the match maker, though it felt like a bit of a waste after coming to the conclusion that I was going to go look for the girl who'd been the first to steal my breath away... ever.
I'd only exchanged e-mails with Gisele thus far, so it was interesting to see her in person. Especially seeing that her left hand bore no wedding ring. Not that everyone wore rings in the twenty-first century, but how odd would it be to have a match maker that wasn't matched? I was still debating between her firm and one other, but leaning heavily toward her due to the fact that her firm was established both in the US and internationally. I wasn't beyond finding a match with someone from a foreign country. Something about it almost felt exotic, or forbidden.
"I bet. One can only imagine the life of a wealthy bachelor." She laughed and I couldn't help but find it pleasant.
I smiled and lifted my hands. "Well, obviously it's not all that great or I wouldn't be here, right?"
"Very true. Tell me about yourself and about your ideal woman. I'll be taking notes, but please don't hold back or be uncomfortable. We're interested in finding the perfect fit for you and your lifestyle, so I might make suggestions here or there. Just be candid as I'm not in the business of wasting your time, or my own." She smiled and I nodded.
"Right. I'm thirty-five. I've never been married and honestly never thought I would be, but something changed a little while back and it was compounded through more recent events. I don't particularly like relationship commitments, but I'm ready to grow up a little and move past my own concerns for the hope of a future with someone."
"That's great to hear. Tell me about her. The woman you would construct for yourself."
The image of my girl from the club slipped into my vision. "Physical attributes or everything else?"
"Everything else first. Physical attributes are important, but I bet if you found everything else you were looking for, the physical desire would be there just because of respect, commonality and shared interest. You'd be surprised."
"I bet so." I picked up my glass of water, wishing like hell the wine would hurry up and get there. I needed to forget the woman from the night before or this would be a bust. If it was meant to be... it would. Focusing on the task at hand, I started to list off the things I wanted. "I'm not interested in gold diggers, though I would think they are something you guys can sniff out quickly."
"Absolutely. They are a bit of a hassle, but I assure you we are very thorough in our interview and review process. We work hard to avoid that scenario, but like with anything, we might get a bad grape in the bunch from time to time." Gisele gave me a knowing smile.
"Very true." I pulled my napkin into my lap and took a piece of the warm bread on the table between us. "Mature in attitude, but not age. I guess above twenty-five, but no older than me. I want someone with a bit of humility. No bitchy spoiled women, please."
"Dime a dozen," Gisele murmured.
"Exactly. I want her to work or be actively involved in something beyond herself if she's wealthy from inheritance. Generous, not self-centered." I took a bite of the bread and thought through my response.
"Making my job quite difficult, hmm?" She gave another cheeky grin.
"I'd have it no other way." I smiled back. "Let's see... never married and no kids, but willing to build a family in the future."
"Physical attributes? Give me your deepest desires."
"Right. Physically fit and in good shape. Very feminine with good taste in fashion. She's comfortable with her body. I'd prefer her to be a brunette and have medium sized breasts. I'd love for her to be adventurous in bed, and know how to tell me what she wants and when."
"Anything else?"
"Yeah... I met this bombshell last night that gave me the slip. Can you find her, take a picture of her and put her on your list of possible suspects?" I laughed and Gisele did too.
"I wish it were that easy, but any woman that gives a man like you the slip isn't going on the list. We're looking for someone willing to commit. That doesn’t sound like the girl you speak of to me. Right?" She leaned back and pressed her fingers to her lips as she watched me.
"No, she's not." I let out a sigh and shrugged. "So tell me how hard this is going to be, and what kind of timing we’re looking at."
"Well, it's not too terribly hard, just a little bit time consuming. I don't have anyone like this right now on our listings, but what I'd like to do is enjoy lunch with you and then we'll head over to my office. It's just across the way. I have several match makers in my employ. I'll assign you to one of them and we'll get you two together for a quick visit. Does that sound like a plan?"
"So I'll be working with her instead of you?" I lifted my eyebrow, not sure I was comfortable with laying my needs out on the table in front of just anyone, and not thrilled about being passed off to an underling.
"No. You'll be working with both of us. Or, I'm happy to just keep you under my wing if you prefer? I can play middle man and have my employee help out a little without you ever having to deal with her." She looked up at the server with a smile as he delivered the food.
"No, it's good. What's the woman's name?"
"Lila. She's fantastic at what she does. I think you'll find her pleasant company for your journey ahead."
"Lila. Beautiful name." I nodded and picked up my fork. "Good. Let's head over there after this. I'm ready to move forward and need to do it before I get cold feet and run like hell."
Gisele laughed. "You wouldn't be the first and you surely won't be the last."
7 – Lila
The muffin and coffee didn’t quite hold me, so it was an early lunch at the small Greek shop down the street just before twelve for me. I took my time walking back, trying like hell to stop thinking about the handsome guy from the night before, and failing miserably. Why the hell hadn't I asked his name? Then it least I could moan it when I masturbated later that night. Ugh
I let out a long grumble and walked back into the building, less than thrilled with the prospect of spending the rest of the afternoon talking to influential men with way too much money and not nearly enough hair.
Love isn’t something you can buy, people! But these guys did. Every day.
Maybe that's what I should do. Just line myself up with a rich guy with a big dick and be done with it.
I rode the elevator up and stopped by the receptionist’s desk to check out the calendar before going back to my office. The intern who manned the front desk was out on her lunch break, which was great with me. That girl got on my last nerve, as it were. Gisele definitely hired her as eye candy and nothing else.
I flipped the appointment book to the right date, wondering why in the world it wasn't already there by now, but ignoring my inner grumbling.
"Nothing on the books. Perfect." I would be able to spend the afternoon surfing for new real estate and dreaming about my future, which was far better than being stuck in the present where everything tasted good, but seconds were just out of reach.
I stood up and turned to walk to my office just as Gisele leaned out of her door.
"There you are. I have someone I'd like you to meet. A new client." She smiled professionally as if the old man was watching her.
"Great. I'll be right there. I've just come back from lunch, so let me..." I motioned toward my teeth and she smiled.
"Perfect." She disappeared back into her office and I stifled a groan. So much for my plans. I checked my teeth and put on a little more lipstick, a dull pink this time, before walking back down the hall. Why she couldn't get Jessie to take another client was beyond me. I had a list of them already that I was still working on. Lining them up with the right women wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
Men had unrealistic expectations. Kind, giving, big tits and a submissive spirit. Firstly, those girls didn't exist, and if they did... they weren't signing over their lives for an aged playboy who couldn't get an erection and forgot how to floss his teeth years ago.
I shuddered at the thought as I stopped by the door. Poking my head in, I focused on my boss and not the guy, whose back was to me. "I'm here. Sorry for the wait."
At least he's young.
"No problem. Lila, this is Asher Harrington. He's going to be a new client of ours." Gisele gave me a very specific smile that said, 'win him over at any cost'. It was a look I had seen too many times.
I turned and extended my hand as the gentleman seated in front of my boss turned my way, extending his. We froze and the world seemed to stand still as well.
No fucking way.
The smile that tugged at his mouth told me quite clearly that he wasn't taken by surprise. Had he hunted me down or was this some fucked up coincidence?
"Nice to meet you..." He tilted his head and shook my hand a little longer than was appropriate.
Damn, those hands had felt so right on my body the night before. I glanced down before jerking my gaze back up to his and tugging my hand away. Heat rose up my chest and coated my cheeks, making it damn-near impossible to hide the fact that something was racing through my mind.
"Lila Jackson." I jumped in just as Gisele started to. "Nice to meet you, Sir."
"Sir? No need for formalities. From what I hear, you and I are going to be fast friends." He glanced over to Gisele, but I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "Right Gisele?"
"That's right. He's going to be working with both of us, but I'd like for him to start with you. You have room for another client on your plate right?" Gisele cleared her throat and I turned to face her, trying to find the air that seemed to have been sucked out of the room.
"Yes. I do. I'm happy to help." I turned back toward him as he spoke again, his cockiness doing nothing but adding to the internal dilemma I was facing.
"Perfect. Nothing I like better than fitting on to a pretty woman's plate." He winked and Gisele laughed.
"Well, at least we know he can flirt. No need to train him on ways to woo a woman, I bet," she added.
"Nope. He's got that part down pat." I glanced from him to her and back to him. "So you're looking for a wife. A committed relationship?"
"That's right. I need someone beside me to rule the world. I haven't found the right girl just yet." He shrugged and gave me a convincing frown.
Gisele laughed again and moved up beside us. "Though... he thought he snagged a good one last night. But apparently she got away."
I turned my attention back to him as my eyes widened. Surely he didn't tell my boss about our sex-capade. Certainly not.
He shook his head no, his eyes telling me that he hadn't spilled my secrets just yet. I didn't like this. There was no way this shit was a coincidence.
"So, Lila. Beautiful name by the way. It fits you perfectly." He brushed his hand down the front of his black shirt and slipped it into his slacks pocket.
Damn me if I didn't follow the movement. Desire punched me in the gut and spread out along my nerve endings as if gasoline had been poured on a small flame deep inside of me.
"Thanks. Let’s get back to you, though. This is all about you." I smiled and extended my hand toward Gisele. "Do you have a file started on Mr. Harrington’s preferences? I want to make sure we find just the right woman to help him take over the universe."
"I do. Make copies for me and then I think Asher would like to interview you before bringing you onto the project, is that right, Asher?" Gisele placed the folder in my hand and crossed her arms over her chest.
"That's correct." He looked at me and winked. "How about we go grab a cup of coffee and talk?"
"Sure. Gisele can come with us too. There’s actually a great little place right downstairs in the main lobby. We don't have to go anywhere." I shrugged, trying to play off the screaming in my head that I should run… fast. This man was everything I wanted in my life and then some. I was done with men though, and it didn’t matter how hard this bastard pushed and prodded, that wasn't changing. I wasn't offering up anything more than a hot night of sex these days. My heart was my own and I was going to be sure and tell him that the minute we were alone. I wasn't interested and even if I was... I'm not. Just not.
"I would love to, kids, but I can't. I have an international call in fifteen minutes." She shrugged and moved back to her desk. "Have him take you down to the Starbucks at the edge of the street. His car is wicked hot. You'll love it. I know how you are about fast cars and the smell of leather."
My cheeks burned again as I glanced toward Asher, threatening him with the narrowing of my eyes. And why did his name have to be Asher? What a hot name to moan and whisper in a moment of passion? Why couldn't it be Bartholomew or Herbert?
"You will love the car. It's spacious and comfortable. Most chicks dig it." He chuckled, enjoying himself far too much.
"Well, if you insist, but remember... your days of showing chicks the inside of your car are almost over. Marriage is a serious, life-long commitment." I blasted him back, especially enjoying the way he visibly paled at those words.
"I'm quite aware, but until that day comes... let's see if you dig it." He moved toward the door and held it open for me as his eyes moved down the length of my body, leaving me feeling rather undressed and underdone. "Gisele, thank you for your kindness today. I'm sure Lila will fit perfectly beside me for this journey."
"Me too. She's the best I have. Be gentle," Gisele called out as Asher closed the door behind me and chuckled.
"She doesn't know you at all, does she? Be gentle. You never told her that you liked it rough?" He growled the last word and took my hand into his as I slapped at him, unable to keep myself from chuckling at his jovial persona.
"Stop it," I mumbled and pulled my hand from his. The smile on my face almost hurt, but I couldn't let it sink down into my heart. He was looking for a wife and I was there to help find her. I just had to remember one thing.
I wasn't her.
