The Billionaire’s Desires Vol.12-13 (20 page)

There are five of us around the elegantly set table. The email sent a few days earlier didn't mention how many people were invited, and I didn't take the time to find out. Big mistake. Stuffed into my new maxi dress – maxi in length, mini in width – I try to remain dignified and not completely break down. Smile and restrain my murderous impulses. There are five of us: Kate Monroe has come with her husband, Peter Lenz. Vadim King has brought his Barbie doll, Grace Montgomery, and then there's me, Alma Lancaster, alone with no shield to hide behind. I am officially an old maid. It's time I adopted a cat... or twelve.

Grace doesn't speak a word of French, so conversation is in English. That's fine with me – one of the advantages of being born in a Franco-English family is I'm 100% bilingual. While Kate and Peter tell us about their latest holiday in Sri Lanka, my eyes wander and are struck by Miss America's perfect proportions. It's no secret, Grace's success is not due to her acting talent. It's more her supermodel face and goddess body that have got her where she is. I'm not jealous. I don't want what she has. Well, except maybe one thing. The way Vadim looks at her. I'd like to gouge his eyes out...

Is that going too far?

He planned his little trick well. He watched with glee when I arrived – last – and realized it was an intimate – very intimate affair. He took his time watching my consternation, lifting his glass in my direction and looking me straight in the eye, as if to say the torture was just beginning. He was also sure to let his bimbo kiss him while I watched, aghast. He took so much pleasure in making his relationship with Grace official, just to set me into a rage. While I boil silently to myself, the other guests are completely under the spell. We are only eating the appetizer and I'm already trying to find an excuse to leave. Too late: a little irritating voice starts talking to me...

"And you, Alma, you don't miss California too much?" Grace asks."I don't know how you stand it. Paris is so boring!"

Caught off guard, I jump and my knife skips across the table. Bright red, I try to retrieve it while Vadim plays to the gallery.

"Grace, be careful what you say in front of Miss Lancaster – she's a bit on the sensitive side. California was obviously too exotic, too dangerous for her. Her heart has always remained in France..."

"So true!" I say, a bit louder than anticipated."Paris is authentic. It's a modern city, and yet full of history. It's such an exciting cultural breeding ground. I feel at home here. And may I remind you that France is the birthplace of cinema! What can I say, The United States couldn't hold onto me, I didn't feel comfortable there..."

Take that, King!

"I agree that Paris is very charming, but personally, I miss New York," Kate says while Vadim stares daggers at me.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I recommend the chef's special?" the waiter announces in his penguin suit. He's even more dressed up than in the ritzy place he works.

"The 'chef' recommends caution," Vadim mutters, giving me another evil glare.

"I'll have the coq au vin, please," I say without skipping a beat.

"Typically French, no surprises, no risks," my CEO comments.

"Keep your opinion to yourself – I'll have the same!" Grace scolds.

Victory...

The conversation continues, and luckily Peter and Vadim get into a debate that I don't have to participate in. Probably intimidated by Kate, Grace turns to me, asking me pointless questions and making superficial comments, like a sixteen-year-old. Granted, she probably isn't much older than sixteen... I'm relieved to see I was right: the starlet is pretty as a rose, and wouldn't hurt a fly, but she's not exactly a rocket scientist. Far from it. Thinking that Niagara Falls is in Brazil? I'll let it slide. But believing that President Obama is a Republican? Unforgivable.

I'm digging in to my"citrus zabaglione and champagne sorbet" when a pop song starts blaring from someone's phone. Not the least bit embarrassed about interrupting our dinner, Grace pulls out her phone, and answers loudly. Vadim doesn't seem to appreciate the interruption and whispers something in her ear. The young woman sighs loudly, gets up and walks away, swinging her hips. All eyes are on her. Kate and Peter don't say anything, but they are obviously offended. I think my manager and I are going to get along... While the couple launches into a discussion about the dangers of new technologies, my CEO watches me attentively. I maintain eye contact, swearing not to look away. He's definitely handsome. That hasn't changed. His beautiful skin, his lively, penetrating eyes, his impish grin, those perfectly aligned teeth... I would happily eat him as a snack. But we just finished dinner. And I'm not hungry anymore.

Open your eyes, Alma... It's what you've been waiting for!

A few minutes later, Grace races back in, perched on her wedge heels. Upset by her mysterious phone call, she explains that she has to leave right away, chastely kisses her billionaire, bows to us and disappears. Vadim doesn't insist she stay, nor does he get up to walk her out.

One down...

Half an hour later, the Monroe-Lenz's follow suit, and head home, after toasting to King France's success and thanking the CEO for the"marvelous dinner". Marvelous is not the word I would have used, but what does it matter? I use their departure as a pretext to gather my things and get ready to go.

"Where do you think you're going?" Vadim asks, as I push my chair out to get up.

"Home. Do I need to ask your permission?" I ask, ironically.

"Stay put, I haven't finished with you yet," he orders, smiling lazily.

While I'm tempted to disobey, just out of principle, I don't object. I've been waiting all week to be alone with him! Even though he's been toying with me all evening, I can't resist him.

The Vadim King effect...

"I'm all yours," I say, trying to appear confident.

"What did you think of the dinner?" he asks, staring hungrily at me.

"What do you think? You could have spared me the spectacle. You and Grace, right under my nose..."

"You could have spared me that dress. I hadn't been planning on undressing you with my eyes all evening... Hadn't been planning on wanting to jump on you all week, either!"

"Vadim, can you tell me what you're doing? What are you playing at?" I ask, my voice breaking.

"I'm obsessed with you, Alma. Whatever I do, I can't stop thinking about you."

"So why is it always hot and cold with you, then? It's not fun. It's exhausting. Make up your mind. Now."

"Let's see... Have an affair with the woman who broke my heart, or fire her so I'm no longer tempted to kiss and undress her every time I see her."

"Your first option depends on me as well. I would have to agree to it. As for the second, it would land you in court."

"Who's the guy that answered your phone when I called your place last night?"

"You called my apartment?"

To tell me what?

"Yes, and apparently you were out... But the man I'm referring to was indeed present. Who is it?"

Hiro...

"And how is that your business?"

"Answer me!"

"You're banging Grace Montgomery, if I'm not mistaken?! Why shouldn't I have the same rights? You enjoy your freedom. Let me enjoy mine!" I fire back at him, outraged."If you want to be with me, if you want to be exclusive, all you have to do is ask..."

Vadim doesn't seem to appreciate being put in his place. Did he really think I was going to let him manipulate me without putting up a fight? That was the old Alma. He doesn't know the Alma I've become. I hold his wrathful stare for a few long seconds, without wavering. This silent duel may last hours but, however long it takes, he will not win. Finally his features relax, his eyes soften and a faint smile is visible on his lips. King bites his lip and runs his hand through his shiny hair. He gets up. Our connection is broken, I'm angry with myself for the way I reacted. He said he was obsessed. Those were his words. I've been dreaming of hearing them, but my ego ruined everything. The night is over, we're going to part ways... indefinitely. Tomorrow he'll have forgotten everything and we'll work together without sharing anything. Like strangers.

"Miss Lancaster," he murmurs in a warm voice, pulling out my chair.

He stands behind me, leaning slightly forward, his muscular arms caressing my bare shoulders. I stand up robotically, caught off balance by this attentive gesture. Then I turn toward him. Our sudden intimacy goes to my head, and gives me the courage to throw caution to the wind. I want to kiss him, bury my face in his neck, hold him against me – I want him more than anything. I don't care about my pride anymore. It doesn't matter who's right or wrong. I want to enjoy the present while there's still time, and Vadim seems to have the same idea. With his eyes still staring into mine, he tenderly strokes my cheek, takes my hand and leans in to whisper words I cannot resist...

"Come back to my place?"

About four hours later, I'm woken up by screams in the next room. Probably the living room. Or the small parlor off the living room. I have no idea. I didn't get the chance to take the tour of Mr. King's suite. After hopping out of the taxi, we flew up to the top floor of the luxury hotel, our mouths magnetized to one another, our feverish bodies entangled. Then Vadim lifted me up and carried me across the entire – enormous – suite and set me down on his royal bed. We made love passionately, oblivious to the consequences and what tomorrow would bring. My last memory is from about an hour ago when I was curled up lovingly against him, drifting off to sleep.

I can't really tell if there are moans or screams coming from the next room, but I think I recognize Grace Montgomery's high-pitched voice. Vadim is not in bed with me, so I presume he's with her. And it sounds like he's not having a nice time. Then I realize something that makes me go cold: I'm the"other woman," the mistress, the slut with no shame who just slept with someone else's man. I should be mortified, but I don't feel even an ounce of guilt. My lover was very clear: He and Grace did not commit to anything exclusive, and they are"seeing each other" without any specific attachments involved. I've finally found him again after all these years. I'm not about to let him get away. Vadim is not a one-night-stand, or a brief, lukewarm affair. He never has been and never will be.

I get out of bed, my legs still shaking from our unbridled lovemaking. I throw on his white shirt that's crumpled on the floor and tiptoe toward the door. It's open a crack, but not enough for me to see the two actors tearing each other apart on the stage. No image, only sounds...

"How dare you do this to me! Tonight of all nights?!" The blonde is shaking between sobs.

"Grace, could you please tell me what is going on?"

"You just screwed another woman in our bed, that's what's going on!"

"You agreed to my conditions. You knew it could happen. What difference does it make that it was tonight?"

"It makes all the difference! It changes everything!"

Why?!

"Why?"

"Because I just found out..." she says, unable to continue.

What?!

"What?" he encourages her, more calmly.

"I'm pregnant! And it's yours, Vadim! Pregnant with your baby!" she screams.

...

Everything comes crashing down. Time seems to stand still. I feel dizziness come over me, and I become dangerously wobbly, I want to scream and sob at the same time. Vadim is going to be taken away from me, I can feel it. Grace is carrying his child. He can't remain indifferent. It's always been his dream to be a father, to start the family he never had. But I won't be the one to make it come true for him. I'm going to lose him. For good.

"Are you... sure?" he asks, his voice cracking."Grace, everything is going to be okay. Whatever happens, I'll be there."

He's in shock, as predicted. Vadim can wear his authoritarian, unfeeling mask all he wants. He may be hardened from a tragic childhood, but he has a huge heart. If what Grace is saying is true, he will not let her down. He'll assume his responsibilities.

"You want proof, you want to see the paper?! You don't have to pity me or lie to me. I get it. I've already been replaced!"

"Grace, wait!"

"No! As long as she's here, and you're with her, don't come near me! What do you see in her anyway? What does she have that I don't?"

"Grace, calm down! Alma and I, it's... complicated."

"It's me or her, Vadim!"

"Grace..."

"Me or her!"

My heart is going to beat right out of my chest. I'm stunned, disappointed, in agony. Without waiting to hear his answer, I lunge at my clothes and get dressed in a hurry. I can't breathe, there's no air. I need to get out of here, run away. To survive, so I don't have to hear the name he's about to say. I need to save myself. Or at least what's left of me.

Coming soon!
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