Romance: Loving The BillionBear: BBW Bear Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 3) (2 page)

He managed to maintain his calm, cool, and commanding demeanor when he stepped out of his office, but it took a great deal of work. The second he saw her, he was so distracted that he almost forgot what to say – and that made him angry. He didn’t like losing control. She was stunning. No, breathtaking. No, there were no words for it.

The woman who stood in the reception area very much looking like a deer caught in the headlights, was like nothing he had seen before. She had blond hair that had been done up smartly in a French twist, her big green eyes gave her an innocent look. She had fair skin and delicate features. But, that’s not what really got his attention. It was her curves and the way her business suit hugged them. They were…delicious. This gorgeous, curvy woman was unlike anything he had ever seen before and it was certainly appealing to his animal side.

While his voice said one thing, commanding her to get to work, his mind was somewhere else completely.

He imagined ripping that suit jacket off and hiking her skirt up. In his mind’s eye, she was sitting on her desk, tossing her head back while he licked, kissed, and even nipped that porcelain skin.

He wanted her. He wanted her the second he saw her.

He leaned over her shoulder to show her how to use the computer system and access his schedule. The close proximity and his heightened sense of smell meant he could detect everything about her.

She had used coconut shampoo. Her light perfume reminded him of berries in the forest during the autumn. And, then there was her natural scent – feminine, sexy, and so attractive he could barely keep from kissing her savagely.

Her voice broke his spell when she said “Ok, sir, I think I understand what you need me to do.” She had gotten over her apparent terror and was now all business. She seemed almost standoffish. Definitely not a response he was used to getting from women. Usually they fall all over themselves to get in his pants.

This one was different.

This blond, curvy goddess acted like he was just the boss and she was just the employee. He didn’t know how he felt about this.

---

“No, I am not going to get fired. Calm down.” She typed quickly into her cell phone and then sent the text to Carlie. She knew she shouldn’t be texting at work, but this turn of events wasn’t something she could keep to herself. Carlie responded almost immediately.

“Barend is…interesting I know. I warned u! Don’t be rude!”

“Me rude? I’m not the rude one! He is”

“Ames, I mean it. He’s not what he seems. U behave.”

“I am! I can’t lose this job or I will have to go back home.”

Amelia tossed her phone back in her purse. “Not what he seems.” Carlie said that twice. What the hell did that mean? Because what he seemed to be was:

Arrogant

Rude

Condescending

Bossy

Incredibly Attractive

Sexy

Drool-Worthy

Ok, her list of derogatory words didn’t go the path she wanted. “Shake it off Amelia,” she scolded herself. He was a jerk and she had no intention of letting his smoldering good looks get to her. But, she couldn’t completely ignore the tingling she felt deep down, low in her belly when he walked by her desk.

And, it didn’t take Amelia long to notice a few other things about her new boss. He rarely ever talked to his employees. He preferred that Amelia leave written memos or email him rather than actually talk to him. There were times, too, when he would just lock himself in his office and no one would see him for hours.

What was going on with this guy? What was the mystery he was hiding? Why was he so rude? And, why did sometimes she get the impression he was like some kind of a callous, wild animal instead of being a decent human being?

Amelia knew she needed to keep her job, so she tried her best to brush off the strange vibes she got about her new boss and focus instead on the work. But, she couldn’t help from wondering. She was too curious of a person to leave it alone. She would find out what he was hiding, she told herself confidently.

She also tossed her pen down. Writing all these memos was B-S. She was his personal secretary and that meant he was going to have to talk to her. She wasn’t going to try to convey everything on a written scrap of paper. Nope. Not her. So, she gathered up everything she needed to go over with him, pulled herself up to stand as tall and straight as she could, and then marched in his office.

Chapter Three

“Mr. Kensington, we need to discuss some things that need your approval.”

He grunted, but didn’t look up from the documents he was reading. Seriously? Did he really just grunt? Ugh!

“Mr. Kensington. Just a few moments of your time, please.” She tried to sound more commanding.

He made a big to-do of sighing and then looked up. “Yes, what?” As soon as his eyes locked with hers, she got nervous.

“I—I need to get your approval on these.”

“Fine. Sit down and quit standing there. It makes me uncomfortable.” His mind was wandering again.
“No, come over here and straddle me in this chair.”

“Ok, um, well, there’s the proposed meeting with Stonegate Properties. They want to meet with you next week.

“Do I have room in my schedule?” and in his mind, “
I want to rip that shirt off you.”

“Yes, sir.” Her cheeks turned slightly red and she looked down at the papers in her lap. Did she somehow sense what he was thinking? Was he showing it too much?

“Ok, well, let’s get that set up. It’s a big client.” – “
I want to be buried deep inside you…hear you moan as you take all of me.”

“I will get right on that sir, and then, there’s the charity event tomorrow night. You still haven’t RSVP’d. Do you plan on attending? I can send the card back immediately.”

He grunted again. He really hated these types of events. They were supposed to be raising money for underprivileged kids or disabled veterans. Somehow, they always ended up being about who could one up who with their donations.

“Yes, fine. I will go.”

“Ok, sir. I…ummm…well, do I need to RSVP for you and a guest?”

A thought entered his head.

“Yeah. For two. Why don’t you go with me?”

“Umm, what? Me? I…”

“Have you ever been to a charity gala, Amelia?”

“No sir. They don’t quite have those things in our city.” She laughed just a little. He had not yet heard her laugh. And, strangely, he found it very appealing. It was sweet, like a little silver bell ringing.

“Well, then you should be my guest. It will be an experience to say the least. Or, are you not free?”

“No, I’m free…”

“Well, then it’s settled. You are going. Do you have something to wear? If not, take the rest of the afternoon off and go shopping.” He reached in his pocket for his billfold. “Here.”

“Oh, sir, no I can’t take your money.”

It was his turn to laugh. “Company credit card. Company event. The company can pay for it. And, I would venture to guess you don’t have the funds to buy a nice dress right now?”

She reached across the desk and took the card from his outstretched hand. For a second, their fingers brushed and electricity shot through him so strongly that he almost flinched. She must have felt it too because she blushed again. Her porcelain skin showed even the slightest tinge of red in her cheeks. It was so attractive.

“Ok, sir. Thank you. I will see you tomorrow.” She got up and hurriedly left the room.

As soon as Amelia was out of the room, Barend leaned back in his chair, shifting uncomfortably. He was hard. Very hard. Throbbing hard. And obviously, he couldn’t just jump at his secretary. What if she wasn’t interested in him? Or, even worse, what if she was and she couldn’t handle his secret? He would have to tell her eventually. She would see eventually.

Was she worth it?

Yes. It would seem so.

Was this more than just animal attraction?

It most certainly was building into something else. He didn’t know what, but something. It was a new feeling for him. Everything had always been just physical with every woman he had taken to bed.

Did he want to fuck her?

Yeah, hard. Fast. But also sweet. He wanted to have her any way he could.

Oh god. Did he really just ask his secretary to go to a black tie event? This very much seemed like he was crossing a lot of lines. Not company lines – he wasn’t worried about that since he owned the place. More like his own lines.

He didn’t date women like that. He definitely didn’t date women that seemed like they may stand up to him. This was new territory for him. He wasn’t completely sure what he was thinking or even if this was a good idea at all.

---

She walked out of Barend’s office.

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. What am I doing? Why would I do this? He’s so damn hot, I can’t even think around him. Did I really just agree to go to a gala with him? Oh, god.

Her mind was running 90 to nothing. She couldn’t stop panicking. This incredibly hot man just asked her out. But he was the boss. What was she thinking? It really seemed like a bad idea. But that little voice in the back of her mind – the lustful one – had something else to say altogether.

Oh, honey, you know what you want to do with him. You know you would hop right into bed with him given half a chance. That body…well, you haven’t seen it all, but you can imagine.

As she rode the elevator down from the building, she chided herself. She really hated this man. He was snotty, rude, and inconsiderate. She didn’t want to sleep with him. No, not at all.

She whipped out her phone and speed dialed Carlie.

“Hey, meet me at…well I don’t know. Where can I get a dress for a black tie gala?”

“Wait, what?” Carlie was taken off guard…and she sort of sounded like she had been asleep…at two in the afternoon.

“I need a dress. Where do I go? And you have to go with me. I don’t know how to shop.”

“Ok, ok, The Department. It’s downtown on 59
th
. I will be there in 20 minutes. And YOU have a story to tell me!”

Amelia hesitated. Did she want to tell Carlie this? She was still shocked she had even agreed. Good god, what had she gotten herself into. “I’m going with Barend…Mr. Kensington.”

“WHAT?” Carlie shouted so loudly in the phone Amelia had to hold it away from her ear.

“I’ll tell you about it while we shop, ok?”

“AMELIA” Carlie was still shouting.

“I’ve got to hail a cab. See you there.” Amelia didn’t give Carlie another chance to shout at her. Instead, she clicked the end call button.

Otherwise, the conversation would have went on and on and she would never be able to get a cab.

---

“What do you think?” She stepped out of the dressing room in a silky red dress. It hugged her curves and fell smoothly to the floor. It had a nice, plunging neckline but not so deep that she felt like she was showing too much. That was actually a big deal to Amelia. With all of her curves, anything too low cut was nearly obscene.

“I like. Barend will like too” Carlie snickered. It had taken Amelia 15 minutes to tell Carlie the story and then to convince her that there wasn’t anything going on between her and her boss.
Or was there?

Then, her friend went into full fashionista mode, helping Amelia pick out a whole selection of dresses to try on. She was pretty sure that both were immediately in love with the red dress though.

“I don’t care what Barend thinks, really!” Amelia sighed.
Oh, but she did
.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I think that one wins. Let me go find you some shoes!” Carlie sprung up and took off before Amelia could say anything else.

At the same time, Amelia heard her phone ping from the dressing room. She rifled around in her purse, pulled it out and found a text from none other than Barend.

“Speak of the devil” she whispered to herself and then opened the text.

B: Did you find a dress?

A: Yes, sir. I did.

B: Picture.

A: You will see it Monday.

B: I need a picture. How can I know you picked something appropriate?

A: I’m offended Mr. Kensington.

B: It’s Barend.

A: Ok, sir.

B: Stop with the “sir.” We are the same age.

A: (picture) This works? Carlie’s looking for shoes.

B: Breathtaking.

A: Sarcasm doesn’t suit you.

B: I’m not being sarcastic.

“Ok I found these two. I think silver looks best, don’t you?” Carlie bounded up holding out two pairs of heels. And Amelia dropped her phone quickly, blushing. Had she just been…flirting…with Barend. Her friend, unfortunately, noticed it immediately. “What’s up Ames?”

“Nothing, nothing. Just a text from the boss. Something about…a meeting.”

“And you blush over meetings?”

“I’m not blushing!”

“The lady doth protest too much. I thought you hated him?”

“I do hate him! I told you that. He’s rude and condescending.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Which shoes?”

“The strappy ones.”

Amelia gasped when the lady behind the counter gave her a total price.

“That will be $972.25, ma’am”

She turned to Carlie. “I can’t. That’s too much. I can’t pay that.”

“Good thing you aren’t. Now give the nice lady the credit card.”

“Carlie. I.”

“Amelia, believe me. Barend gave you that card for a reason. This is a very public event. He can’t be seen with someone wearing anything but the best. Frankly, I won’t be surprised if he says you went too cheap. Just buy the damn dress!”

Amelia handed over the card feeling a little like a chastised child.

She supposed that Carlie was right, but wow, almost a thousand bucks just for a dress and shoes? Unreal. She never, ever would wear something that cost that much money back in her hometown. This felt bizarre or otherworldly. Definitely not something Amelia had ever experienced in her life.

And, then, there was that text conversation. Was Barend flirting with her? Why was he complimenting her? There wasn’t a hint of the arrogant, rude billionaire she was used too. As soon as she parted ways with Carlie, she checked her phone again, and sure enough, there was a text from him.

B: Did you run away with someone in the men’s department? In that dress, no one could turn you down. If so, I will need my CC back.

A: No, of course not!

B: It was a joke, Amelia
.


Did he seriously just type a smiley?

A: I had to pay. I feel as if I have taken advantage of you. It cost too much.

B: Haha, I am sure I will be ok. How much did you spend?

A: $972.25. I’m sorry!

B: That’s all?

A: That’s all? That’s almost $1K!

B: So?

A: You really don’t care do you?

B: Not at all! Hardly a drop in the bucket. You are fine…in more ways than one.

First bragging about being rich and then another flirty compliment? He really confused her.

A: Ok, then I have what I need to attend the gala.

B: Not quite. I will bring the rest tomorrow morning.

What the hell did that mean? What was “the rest?”
While she was thinking about it, her phone pinged again.

B: Stop by La Perla too.

A: Excuse me?

B: I expect my dates to be dressed perfectly. That means the right undergarments too.

A: That’s a bit none of your business.

B: Wrong. It is my business. Besides. I want to spend all night imagining what’s under the red dress. ;)

Two can play this game, she thought.

A: How about if I wear nothing?

B: As appealing as that sounds, Miss Perry, the right light and others will see through that dress. I wouldn’t like that.

A: I have perfectly fine underwear, thanks.

B: An expensive dress deserves an expensive foundation. Go to La Perla and use the card.

She huffed. Fine! She would go buy fancy underwear too. Why not? He was insisting and she wasn’t paying.

A: You aren’t getting pictures.

B: Well, that’s unfair. If I am paying for them…

A: The Company is paying for them. Now, I have shopping to do. See you tomorrow.

B: See you tomorrow, Amelia.

It’s the most the two had talked since she took the job, and it was very unprofessional to say the least. How did she feel about that? She should be offended, right? She wasn’t though. She liked it. But, that made no sense because she hated him. But…maybe not so much. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as she thought.

It’s all so confusing!

Chapter Four

She was standing in his office in just lacy, French blue undergarments – a matching bra and panties. She was still wearing smart black heels like those she wore to the office everyday.

“What shall we do…Mr. Kensington?” She spoke in a smooth sultry voice he had never heard before.

“Take down your hair.” He growled while unbuttoning his own shirt and letting it drop to the floor behind him. The fly on his pants was already undone and his erection strained against his boxer briefs.

She reached behind her head and pulled out a couple of pins then shook her head. Her blond hair cascaded loose, falling below her shoulders.

“Like this?”

“Yeah.” His voice was raw with want. “I want to take you now. Bend over the desk.”

“Yes, Mr. Kensington.” There was something about the way she said his name that made him want her more. She lithely walked to the edge of the desk, bent forward and splayed her hands across the polished wood.

“I’m ready for you.” She whispered.

He stepped out of his shoes and dropped his pants and boxer briefs at the same time. His rock hard erection sprang loose. He had wanted this for a long time now. Stepping behind her, he used his knee to nudge her legs further apart. Then he ran his hand over the curve of her ass before smacking it lightly. It wasn’t a hard slap at all, but the surprise still elicited an “oh” from her. It drove him wild.

He quickly hooked his fingers in the French blue lace and ripped the panties down her legs. His fingers traced their way back up her inner thigh to that place. She was warm and silky, and oh so wet for him.

She moaned as his fingers circled her most sensitive area, and she began moving her hips in rhythm. Pulling his hand back, he lightly sucked on his own thumb. She tasted incredibly sweet. He would taste her more soon, he vowed, but right now, he wanted to be inside her.

“Are you ready, Amelia?” His voice was guttural, animal like.

She slid her hands to the side of the desk and gripped tightly. “Fuck me Barend. Please.” She begged. That was all he needed to hear. Grabbing her hips, he didn’t take it slow. Instead, he slammed into her, pushing her against the desk.

“Ah!” She lifted her head up off the desk enough to toss her beautiful blond hair over her shoulder, she cried out.

He settled into a hard, raw, pounding rhythm. This was not making love. This was animal. This was sex at its rawest, and it felt incredibly good. Using one hand on her hip for leverage, he reached forward to grab a fistful of that glorious blond hair. Tugging just enough to hurt and feel good at the same time. He continued slamming into her, and he felt her grow warmer and wetter. She was close. Her knuckle turned white gripping the desk.

“Barend. Oh, god. Barend. Don’t stop. Oh!” Her voice was rising in crescendo with each word. And he quickened the rhythm until she spasmed around him. Writing on the desk, she climaxed powerfully…unlike any woman he had ever had before. She called out his name and then collapsed back to the smooth wood. He felt himself quickening too and he too exploded into climax.

Then, he woke up.

He was covered in sweat. His heart was racing. While the sheet had pulled down to his waist – he must have been writhing around in bed – there was a noticeable bulge beneath the thin cotton.

Sure, he had sex dreams before. Sure, they had been pretty hot before. None, though, had ever been that realistic. None had left the lingering feel of her skin. None had left him feeling like he had truly just been inside her.

Yeah, he wanted Amelia – bad – and now he was taking her to an event. A little part of him hoped that things would go the way of his dreams after the gala. But a voice in the back of his head was saying
no, you want more.
What was that about?

Barend had only been in one long-term relationship and that ended years ago when he got cheated on. After that, it was all superficial, all physical. Now, the voice in the back of his mind told him he wanted more. He wasn’t completely sure what to do with that or how to handle it.

He sat in bed thinking about this new and unique situation. The way he saw it, he had three paths:

A.
                
Bed Amelia the night of the gala and possibly kindle up a nice physical attraction from time to time.

B.
                
Start an actual relationship with her.

C.
                
Be a jerk to her so that she wouldn’t get the wrong idea. It would mean not getting to fuck her, but it would also mean he didn’t get too tangled up with something he didn’t want…or did he?

Normally, A would be the answer. It’s what he had done with other women he took to bed. Of course, he had reverted to C a few times too when women got a little too clingy.

But, for some reason, his mind kept steering him toward B. Of course, the animal in him really, really wanted to ravish her in the limo. He had to tamp that part of himself down. At least it wasn’t a full moon or anything.

We’ll just see how the gala goes tonight,
he told himself.

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