Bait: Alpha Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (15 page)

“What is this?” she asked softly.

“It was my great grandmothers. It’s a family tradition to pass on to the new bride to welcome her to the Banks family. Normally, it’s given to the bride on the day of the wedding, but I wanted to see how it looked on you.”

“I can’t wear this,” she gasped as her hands flew to her neck. “It’s a treasured family heirloom. And I am not treasured family.”

“Yes, you are.”

She put the jewelry back in the box and set in on the nightstand. Tears were in her eyes when she patted the spot next to her. “Come here.”

I swallowed. This was man up time. Time to tell her how I feel. “You mean more to me than you’ll ever know,” I said. “I want you to know this is more than just a business deal for me. I care about you…”

She put her finger on my lips. “Shh.”

I pulled her on top of me and flipped onto my back, pulling her up my body until I closed my mouth on a dusky nipple, sucking hard. Licking, teasing, biting and then soothing it, over and over as she whimpered.

Running my hand slowly down her stomach and between her legs, I found that sweet spot again. I explored every inch of her folds, circling slowly around her clit before plunging a finger deep inside. It made me so hard to feel how wet I could make her. How much her body wanted me in spite of her brain’s logic. Her hips bucked every time I flicked her clit with my thumb.

“Do I make you feel good?” I asked.

“Oh, Nolan,” she purred, reaching for more pressure. Fucking my hand. “Don’t stop. Please.”

I flipped our positions until she was on her back and slid down the length of her body, kissing her silky skin everywhere. There were still little beads of water that hadn’t been soaked up by the bedding and I sipped those along the way.

Nestled between her legs, I put my mouth on her sex, loving the slick heat and the way she bucked underneath my tongue. Charlie squealed and lifted her bottom. Ever closer. I licked and teased her clit. She continued to squirm and clutch the sheets as I thrust two fingers inside and pulled her clit into my mouth, sucking hard. She cried out as release rocked her body.

“Holy shit, Nolan!” she panted. “I need a minute. I’m seeing stars here.”

I did that.

I joined Charlie in bed and laid my head on the pillow, shutting my eyes for a moment. I felt her lips on my chest, kissing me. Sweet butterfly kisses that started at my abs and moved slowly lower. God. I’d dreamed of this moment since the first time I’d laid eyes on her. Those lush lips wrapped around my cock. And it was about to happen. I squeezed my eyelids shut because I just wanted to feel. To see right now would be too much.

The first touch of her lips and tongue caused me to twitch upward. It was exquisite. Whenever Charlie and I were together like this – shit – nirvana. Like we’d been doing this for years and knew each other inside and out. I’d never been this in tune with a woman.

She wrapped those perfect lips around my cock and went deeper and deeper, humming and moaning as she took me all the way. I began to rock my hips as she tugged and sucked, using her hands to stroke me. My balls tightened and I knew I was close. Too close.

I finally peeked down and saw her with her glorious hair swirling around me in a halo of silk.

“I need to be inside you, Charlie,” I croaked, not recognizing my own voice. “I want to fuck you until you beg me to stop. I won’t stop until you’re screaming my name.”

She just kept going, didn’t even look up. I reached down and pulled her hair away from her face so I could see her even better. Finally, her eyes locked with mine and she released me, sliding up my body to my lips. Our mouths smashed together in a collision of passion and desire.

I wanted her on top of me. Riding me. Sliding up and down my throbbing member until I exploded inside her. She seemed content to deepen our kiss when I was simply on fire and I couldn’t wait another second. I grabbed her tapered waist and lifted her. Higher. Until my tip was positioned at her sleek wetness. I waited, enjoying the heat and moisture. Wanting to savor that perfect moment when I dropped her.

I leaned forward, taking her left breast in my mouth and suckled it. She moaned and cried out as she sank down. My cock filled her completely. Hmm. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t think.

I could only
feel
.

“That’s my baby,” I whispered as I finally found my voice. “You know exactly what I need – how I need it. Harder, Charlie. Faster.”

“Oh, Nolan,” she moaned, her eyes closed.

I reached up to pinch her erect nipples. “Come for me, Charlie. Now.”

My own orgasm was building as I drove into her one last time, her release causing me to follow. The gripping sensation was exquisite. I never wanted it to end. I never wanted to let her go.

I wouldn’t let her go.

“Oh god, Nolan!” Charlie moaned one last time, collapsing on top of me.

I tried to catch my breath as I pushed a piece of hair away from her forehead. Kissing her on the lips, I loved the taste. Salty, sweaty, sexy. It was incredible.

“Are you ready to go back to the party?” I said, hating to say the words.

You’d think I’d pinched her, Charlie bolted up so fast, her eyes wild. “I don’t have anything to wear!”

I pointed to the mound of fabric draped over an occasional chair that faced the fireplace. “Over there.”

She slowly made her way out of bed and walked over to the chair. I heard a rustling of fabric as she picked it up and examined the dress. “What is this? No way. Valentino! How… when did this arrive?”

“Birdie brought it up with the food and jewelry box,” I explained. “I asked her to raid my mother’s closet for a dress. I figured you were both around the same size.”

“This is absolutely gorgeous! It even has the tags still on it.” She twirled the navy blue dress around, inspecting every inch. “But I can’t wear something your mother bought. She already hates me.”

“Why not?” I slipped out of bed and went to her. “I think she would rather you wear the dress than nothing at all. Besides, in a bizarre way, she caused the whole damn thing with her warped guest list.”

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Charlie asked, still clutching the designer dress to her chest.

“Positive. My mother may be a tyrant when it comes to certain things, but she would never say or do anything that would put her in a bad light. I’m sure word has traveled through the entire party about ‘winegate.’”

“I need to get my purse,” she argued. “Touch up my makeup. My hair must resemble a rat’s nest.”

“Already taken care of. It’s over there,” I nodded toward the desk.

“Is there anything you haven’t thought of?”

I grinned. “Probably not.”

She leaned forward and kissed me. “Give me fifteen minutes.”

***

“Well, there you two are finally,” my mother exclaimed as we made our way back to the party, which was still in full swing. She paused for a moment and looked Charlie over. “It seems that you two have been busy. Her cheeks are flushed, Grantham.”

My dad gave me a wink as he puffed on his cigar. Either for fucking Charlie or pissing off my mother. Probably both.

“Father, this is Charlene de Monaco.” I introduced the two. “Charlie, this is my dad, Grantham Banks.”

Charlie shook his hand. “Please call me Charlie.”

“Nice to meet the woman who stole my son’s heart,” my father said, kissing her hand. “I’ve been keeping tabs on the office. Everyone tells me what a difference you’ve made since coming to work with us.”

“It’s been a challenge,” Charlie admitted. “But I love what I’ve been doing.”

“I know Nolan keeps you on your toes,” he said with raised eyebrows. “I guess it’s like they always say, ‘like father, like son.’”

“Yes, that is true,” she answered.

“What do you think about the housing project?” my father asked. “Will we be able to get all the necessary paperwork done in time to open by next holiday season?”

Charlie nodded. “I hope so. As soon as the land is closed, I’ll start preparing the documents needed to begin construction.”

“Well, there’s the happy couple,” a booming voice said behind us. I felt a slap on my back.

“Raminsky,” I said. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“I wouldn’t miss the engagement of my godson! I told your mother that I was cancelling my anniversary trip so I could be here.”

“Well, this is surprising and completely unnecessary,” I said as I was engulfed in a bear hug. “But I’m glad you’re here just the same.”

“Charlie!” Raminsky gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for the two of you.”

“Thank you,” she said, returning his warm greeting.

There was a commotion near the terrace. Everyone turned to see what was going on.

“… I know they’re here.”

“We have every right to report on…”

“What is all this?” my mother asked walking toward the noise.

A knot formed in my stomach as we made our way outside. Whatever it was couldn’t be good.

A mob had formed outside the apartment building. From above, we could see reporters gathered around waiting to pounce.

“Nolan?” my mother asked. “What have you done now?”

Charlie speared me with a glare in silent agreement. But, I’d been good since we’d gotten engaged. I hadn’t done anything that would warrant the press to stalk my engagement party.

“Send someone downstairs to see what the problem is,” my mother said through gritted teeth. “Someone with tact and discretion. I will not have them ruining this party.”

“I’ll go,” Charlie said.

“I’m coming with you.” I wrapped my hand around hers.

“Have security go with you,” my mother demanded. “I want these vultures off my property.”

“I can’t get them off the sidewalk, Mother. It’s public property.”

“I don’t care,” she said as she pointed a perfectly manicured fingernail over the balcony. “Do what you need to get them out of here.”

The ride down the elevator was quiet.

“I didn’t do anything…” I began.

Charlie squeezed my hand. “Whatever it is, we’ll take care of it together.”

“If things get out of control for whatever reason,” I addressed Kenny, who was part of the family’s security team, “I want you to radio for the car to meet us at the service entrance.”

He nodded.

“You think it’s that bad?” Charlie asked as we stepped off the elevator.

“I like to be prepared for anything,” I answered. “It’s been a philosophy that’s helped me out a lot in the past.”

Charlie’s eyes widened, but she nodded her support. I took a deep breath and held tightly to her hand as we made our way to the front door. I hoped the girl who tried to falsely claim a paternity suit against me hadn’t drummed up another story. That’s all I needed, some redneck with a baby bump slayed all over every gossip rag from New York to Los Angeles.

“Good evening, folks,” I addressed the growing mob of media. “As some of you may know, tonight is our engagement party. I would hope that–”

“Charlene,” one of the reporters interrupted, “is it true that you’re already married?”

What the fuck?

Charlie’s entire body tensed as she dropped my hand, pulling away so quickly her nail raked my skin. I looked at her. Her complexion had turned ghostly white and she was visibly shaken. Her damn knees wobbled like her patellas had been removed.

This couldn’t be happening. Not my Charlie. Not my perfect Charlie, who made me feel whole. She couldn’t be a big, fat, fucking liar out for a piece of me just like everyone else.

“It’s our understanding that you were married to Rex Gooding from Long Beach. Is this true?”

“Did you know about this, Nolan?” another reporter shouted

“Why would you accept a proposal from Mr. Banks? Bigamy is a felony in the state of New York,” said yet another.

The questions shot across the street, down the sidewalk and through both of my ears like fireworks across the night sky.

“Is this true?” I looked in her eyes.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times. “It was – I think – a mistake. I had no idea…” Charlie brought up a shaking hand and wiped away a tear.

I grabbed her slim shoulders, turning her until she was facing me. “Are you – are you married to someone else?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know. I’m sorry, Nolan.” She turned and ran back inside, just left the situation.

Left me.

“Nolan! Did you know about this?” another reporter fired at me. The mob had circled, making it hard for me to breathe.

“No more questions,” I said, trying to muscle my way out. “I need to speak with Charlie.” I turned to Kenny. “Get us back inside. Quickly”

Kenny put his arms out and pushed through the crowd. Moments later, we were back in the foyer. Charlie collapsed on the wrought iron bench by the elevator, out of view of the reporters that still milled around. Her face was covered by her hands.

“Give us a few minutes,” I told Kenny and blew out a breath.