How to Seduce a Billionaire (28 page)

‘I’m fine, thanks. I just didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. I’m not complaining though. You just surprised me. Where are you?’

‘I’m in the back of a limousine, going about as fast as we legally can down the motorway.’ There was a smile in his voice, and Jess could see it in her mind’s eye. Almost unconsciously, she drew her sketching pad towards her and fished around for her ever-present pencil. ‘Where are you?’ His oceanic eyes would be twinkling now, and she started to rough out the shape of one. She always started with the eyes.

‘Sitting at the kitchen table, drinking tea and eating those fabulous biscuits you sent.’

‘Are you alone?’

Jess’s heart thudded. God, how she wished she was alone in her room, with the door firmly shut. Cathy had swept out, to give her privacy to talk to Ellis, but it wasn’t the sort of privacy she suddenly needed.

‘Cathy’s around. She just went into the other room for a moment. I think she’s planning on taking a bath.’

Ellis laughed softly. ‘Mm … a bit too risky for anything risky then?’

It was, really. ‘What on earth do you mean?’ she said, knowing exactly what he meant.

‘Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you, sweetheart. I’ll wait until I’m tucked up in bed in my wicked London sex lair before I do something about the way your gorgeous voice makes me feel.’

‘Ellis!’

‘Sorry … I’m a pig, aren’t I?’

‘No, not a pig. Just a bit … a lot more than I’m used to.’ She paused, then hurried on. ‘But I’ll get there.’

Why the hell had she said that? It suggested that she was assuming there was more ahead between them.

‘You will indeed, Ms Lockhart, if I have anything to do with it.’ The smile in his voice was a seductive grin now. Jess focused on the sketch that was forming on the paper, to stop herself doing something very silly. ‘But seriously, I phoned about next weekend. I’ve been looking at my schedule. I’ve a got a couple of crucial things with people who are only in town then, but my evenings should be free. Why don’t you come down here and visit Bluebeard in his London lair? Maybe you could take in some galleries during the day, and we could meet up in the evenings … Have dinner … maybe have dinner brought in … so we’ve more time to spend experimentally in bed.’

It was all so matter of fact, but still the way he spoke made her want to be there. Right now. Tucked up in that bed, in Bluebeard’s lair as he called it, doing, well, doing whatever. Jess imagined some sleek, white, penthouse space, with a bed a mile wide and multi-million dollar views over London. She’d no idea exactly where Ellis’s apartment was, but she pictured a vista of the river, and a jewel-box of night-time lights. A beautiful sight, but no match for the man in that notional white bed with his epic body and his erotic imagination.

‘Don’t fancy it?’ His voice sounded slightly less assertive in the tiny speaker, as if he was nervous about her response. He was a man of limitless wealth and power but these little instances when he didn’t quite act like the all-conquering hero were strangely bewitching. His humanity and reality somehow managed to make him even more of a fantasy figure than ever.

‘Oh yes I do. It’s just that I’m not used to making travel plans on the hop. I’m not a particularly spontaneous person, you know?’

‘You’re spontaneous with me. You’ve taken chances with a very strange and arrogant man, Jess. You surrendered your virginity to me when we barely knew each other, when we’d only met a day or two before.’

He was right, but it just didn’t seem like that. When she thought about it now, it was almost as if he’d been destined to be the one. That they’d been fated to meet and make love, even if there’d been no hint of it almost until the moment it had actually occurred.

‘Yes … yes I did. You really must be Bluebeard, seducing me in a whirlwind like that. Who knows what you might do if I agree to come to London.’ Her heart trembled, and so did much of the rest of her, especially the intimate zones. The vision of that vast acreage of white bed appeared again, with herself at the centre of it, her hands bound, secured to the brass bed-head with electric blue ropes. Wow.

‘But you’ll come?’

‘I should hope so,’ she shot back.
No doubt about that, with you.

‘Oh, I can guarantee it. As often as I can make it possible, gorgeous one.’

She was drawing his mouth now, that plush, beautiful shape. It could be so velvet-soft, yet so muscular and ruthless. Her sex fluttered, and in that other image, the London one, she saw him crouched between her thighs, kissing her core.

‘Are you in the Mafia, Mr McKenna, because you’ve just made an offer I don’t think I can refuse?’ She was talking nonsense, he’d shaken her up so, with just a few casual words.

‘Don’t refuse it. Come to London. I don’t want to wait any longer than that to see you.’

But it’s only temporary. In a few weeks you’ll move on. You’ll be nice about it, but we’ll be over.

It would be so much less painful to quit now, but still she said, ‘Okay … I’ll get on the internet and book a train ticket.’

‘Don’t be absurd, Jess. I’ll arrange for one of the company jets to pick you up at the local airport, and a car to get you there. You’re a very special woman and you deserve nothing but the best.’

It was an exciting thought, but crazy, really.

‘Don’t be daft. I can easily get the train. It doesn’t take long these days.’ She started to fill in a little of his dark, designer stubble as a frame for his divine mouth. Hair was something she’d always found tricky to interpret, but somehow it seemed easier when she was drawing Ellis. ‘Just think of the rainforests, sending a jet just for one person. It’s a kind thought, but it’s not exactly environmentally sound, is it?’

‘You’re wonderful, Jess,’ he said softly, ‘but how about a compromise? I book your train tickets, first class of course, and the car to pick you up. Would that be agreeable to your eco sensibilities?’

Jess laughed. It would be lovely, actually. She’d only travelled first class a couple of times in her life, but the sense of specialness appealed to her romantic nature. So this would be a treat that she didn’t have to feel too guilty about, something within the realm of the achievable for someone like her.

Unlike Ellis, who was still a creature of pure fantasy, even though their bodies had joined, and the sweat of their couplings had blended.

‘Very agreeable,’ she said, shaking her head to bring her back to some semblance of normality. Sometimes where Ellis was concerned, she just lost it. ‘Shall I be ready at Friday teatime, after work?’

‘Take Friday off.’

‘I can’t. I can’t just keep taking time off at short notice.’

Ellis chuckled again. ‘Oh, I think you’ll find that you can. You can do anything you want, Jess. You’re golden. You could not turn up for work for a year, and you’d still be able to go on drawing your full salary and benefits.’

‘Oh, Ellis! What must the bosses think? They’ll know that we’re … um … having a thing.’ Her pencil scratched off to one side, making a very weird shape. She quickly flipped to the eraser end and started correcting. ‘It’s very embarrassing.’

‘You shouldn’t care, Jess. You … you’re a superior being. You shouldn’t worry what a bunch of tin-pot managers think about you.’ He paused, and she could almost see him frowning. ‘I’ve told you before … You shouldn’t be working in an office anyway. You should be pursuing an artistic career. You should take a degree course, the one you missed out on, at the very least. I could …’

‘No! Let’s not talk about this. I’ve told you. I’m happy with drawing and sketching as a hobby. I enjoy it better that way.’

‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. I’m pushing and being controlling, aren’t I? Hazards of the job, I guess. I’m used to making things happen.’

It was Jess’s turn to laugh. ‘You can say that again … and in some ways … most ways, I like it. Believe me. But I’m used to doing my own thing too, my own way. And it’s probably not a good idea to get out of that habit. You know what I mean?’

She had to keep things real. Somehow. Because they’d go back to being real again, soon enough.

‘I understand. I admire you for it.’ He sounded sincere, but that didn’t mean he still didn’t want his own way, she guessed. ‘But if you ever want any kind of assistance, in changing careers, I’m here for you Jess. I stand by my friends.’

Friend, and currently friend with benefits. That was all she would ever be. Why, oh why was she wanting more when she knew the score with him?

‘Thank you, Ellis. That’s a wonderful offer, and I’ll keep it in mind. But I don’t want to change the status quo at the moment.’ Oh yeah, all that talk about letting life pass her by, and now she was dismissing a brilliant opportunity out of hand. But she knew the real reason … the ephemeral nature of this relationship. She always had to be mindful of that. ‘I’ll take a day off on Friday. But a proper day off, from my allocation. No funny business.’

Ellis laughed. ‘Oh, don’t you worry, there’ll be plenty of “funny business” but I understand what you mean. I’ll set up your travel arrangements and text you the details.’ He paused, and she could almost feel him switching gear, and imagine the wicked twinkle in his eyes. ‘Now, seeing as I have you on the phone, what are you wearing? Underneath, I mean …’

He couldn’t resist it. He’d been feeling so horny since he’d left her at the door, and in such a mixed up, contemplative mood. Guilt. Desire. Hope. Hopelessness. Julie. Jess. All had circled in his mind, over and over, while at the same time, the caveman part of him had focused again and again on the sublime pleasures he’d shared, and planned to share again, with Jess Lockhart.

‘Ellis …’ Her voice was husky. She was trying to be reproving, but not really succeeding. He recognised that note in her voice, a certain timbre, the hint of a laugh. Even though she knew she ought to tell him she wanted nothing to do with his nonsense right now, he knew she was on the same page, sexy and willing.

‘Oh, indulge me, woman. It’s over two hours since I touched you and I’m going crazy here.’ It was true. He was rock hard. Aching. There wasn’t much he could do about it right now. Even he couldn’t bring himself to masturbate in the back of the Bentley, speeding down the motorway, despite the fact that the windows were dark tinted and there was a privacy barrier between him and the chauffeur. It just seemed a bit tacky, a bit out of control.

But at least he could imagine Jess in a more private scenario. Properly alone, so he could direct her in a little movie that he could replay later to himself as he lay in his bed, in his apartment, high over London.

‘But I told you … I’m in the kitchen. Cathy is around.’ The words were a protest, but her voice was more velvet and full of excitement than ever.

‘Then go to your room, you wicked girl. Do as you’re told.’

‘Are you trying to order me about, Mr McKenna?’

‘Yes, that’s exactly what I’m doing.’ His heart thudded. God, his sex thudded too. This was going to be so tough, but so worth it.

‘Very well,’ she said, ‘I’m on my way up.’

There were a few moments of semi-silence, with just the impression of motion, faint footsteps, a soft thud, thud, thud, then the opening and closing of a door. Bless the woman, she’d done just as he’d said. She was only playing the game, though, he knew, not really following orders. She was only doing exactly what
she
wanted. She was sexy and empathetic; she’d
chosen
to go along with him.

‘I’m in my room. Alone. I’ve turned the key.’

‘Good girl. Now … what
are
you wearing?’

He’d imagined that little silky turquoise robe of hers – and nothing underneath. There was a longish pause, and he guessed that she was deciding whether to lie and fabricate, or just tell it like it was.

‘White jeans, tee shirt, bare feet.’

‘Delectable, but I’m more interested in what’s underneath that.’

‘White bra and knickers, both cotton with a little bit of lace trim.’

‘Gorgeous, and very virginal.’

‘Not any more … thanks to you.’ Her voice was delicious, provocative.

Did she regret it though, he wondered. Giving that great gift to a man who wasn’t the Mr Right she’d waited for so long. Better not go there, and get heavy. He’d had enough of heavy thoughts. He needed the lightness and pleasure of sexual jousting with a woman who could instinctively give as good as she got.

‘It was my pleasure to relieve you of that burden, Ms Lockhart. You should be grateful.’

Across the miles and the ether, he could feel her momentary and instinctive feminist indignation. It seemed to crest, then he imagined her wry smile, a shake of her head, making her silky hair flutter. Men were idiots, but smart women like Jess Lockhart were prepared to indulge their ridiculous ways.

‘I am, Mr McKenna. I am. I’m very mindful of the fact that you’re a super-stud and I’m very privileged to have had the benefit of your massive … sexual expertise.’

‘Careful, madam.’

‘Sorry.’

‘I don’t think you are, but you could at least try to show it by taking some of those far too many clothes off for me.’

‘Okay.’

‘Does your phone have a decent speaker?’

‘Yes.’

‘Well then, put it on speaker and set it close by while you strip off … and tell me what you’re doing while you do it.’

A moment passed, and when she spoke again, the quality of her voice was different, more echoing, telling him that she’d obeyed him. ‘The phone’s on the bedside table, and now I’m taking my tee shirt off.’ He heard a tantalising rustling sound, soft fabric brushing against soft skin, and perhaps the faintest slight whoosh of her hair again as it settled back to her shoulders. He wasn’t sure he could really hear all that, but it was good to imagine it.

‘Are the curtains drawn? Perhaps there’s some pervert in a bedroom across the back from you, watching you take your clothes off?’ As his memory served, there wasn’t actually any way anybody could overlook her, even with the curtains wide open, but the pervert was right here in this car anyway.

‘There’s nobody looking in.’

‘Imagine there was. How would you feel? Would it turn you on to know a stranger was admiring your body?’