Seduce me if you dare: Alpha Billionaire Romance (The Secret Matchmaker Book 1) (4 page)

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."

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
.