The Billionaires Mistress (15 page)

“As do you Ryan” she had whispered. Trying not to let him see how her fingers shook as she had held grimly onto the stem of the glass, willing herself to calm down, finally managing to give him a small half smile.

“How have you been?” she had managed, seeing a small twitch of his mouth.

“You mean since the day you ran out on me?”

Jenna had run her hand along her brow, feeling suddenly warm and uncomfortable.

“I didn’t run out on you Ryan” she had bit out, her voice tinged with pain.

“Please let’s not go there”.

Her eyes meeting his, seeing as he had looked solemnly down at her, before moving forward and plucking the drink from her fingers had deposited it and his on a passing tray. Before she could say anything, he had hooked her arm in his and moved towards the dance floor.

“Let’s dance”.

He had whispered into her ear, as Jenna had found herself moving not sure what was happening, the feel of his arm on hers causing all kinds of memories to resurface, her whole body tingling.

“I ...I think I would rather not”.

She had finally managed, as he had swung her around, his arm moving around her waist, holding her to him. Jenna had only just managed to move her hand between them to gently lay her fingers on his chest, keeping some space between the two, seeing as his wonderful mouth had curved into a small smile.

“I think you at least owe me that Jenna”.

He had murmured softly against her hair, as determinedly she had held her head down, not prepared to look into his face, to see those wonderful dark eyes, that mouth that had kissed her so often. Holding herself as stiffly as possible, she had willed the music to end, feeling with every note her bodies desire to fall harder in against him, biting her lip to stop the groan from leaving her treacherous mouth.

For a few seconds they had moved together in silence, both lost in their own thoughts before his voice had once more fanned the small hairs on her ear making her shiver.

“I was surprised when Tom told me you would be here tonight”.

Jenna had shrugged her shoulders softly, not wanting to talk, still feeling so shocked from his presence, cursing herself for letting him pull her onto the dance floor.

“I felt bad having to contact him, only to ask a favour”.

She had heard Ryan chuckle.

“Same old Jenna, never wanting to put anybody out, he was so happy to hear from you........he missed you”.

Adding more gently, “I missed you”.

She had felt as his hand had flattened against the base of her back, his fingers softly stroking her skin, sending tremors shooting throughout.

“Please don’t do that” she had whispered huskily, feeling as he had stopped.

“You used to like that” he had muttered softly, his head pulling back slightly, his cheek moving along hers.

Pulling herself free she had finally looked at him, her eyes haunted like those of a trapped deer.

“That was a long time ago Ryan” she had said, moving backwards off the dance floor, as he had followed her, once more taking her by the elbow.

“We need to talk” he had said, his voice serious, as he had tried moving her towards the exit. Shaking her arm free she had once more stepped away from him.

“No........we don’t .........we have nothing to say to each other Ryan.......please just leave me alone”.

With that she had slipped between a few other guests, putting as much distance between them as was possible.

It was with relief that she had finally seen Craig, talking to a tall attractive older man, both men deep in conversation, and she had quickly moved over towards him. As she had approached he had excused himself for a second moving forward to meet her, smiling at her, his eyes growing concerned to see how pale she appeared, her eyes flicking around the room in panic.

“What’s wrong Jen?” his voice full of the concern his face showed.

“Please Craig.......I have to go”.

She had looked at him pleadingly.

“Please no questions.......just make some excuse for me ............I can’t stay”.

He had frowned with real concern, having never seen her like this. Jenna was the ultimate in chic cool and calm, nothing threw her, nothing fazed this woman, but now she was a mess, barely holding it together.

“Ok...of course” he had taken her arm.

“We’ll go right now”.

She had shaken her head.

“No Craig........you have to stay........you have to talk to Silverman”.

She had seen as he had paused, biting his lip in indecision before looking more sure.

“I will find another way Jen........whatever is going on .......you come first. I will take you home”.

Jenna had felt the love for him swamp her.

“Oh Craig...that means so much to me...but no. I promise I will be fine.......I just can’t stay here...but you have to. Please stay”.

She had looked at him with determination, before he had finally given her a small smile.

“OK, but only if you let my car take you home”.

She had given him a relieved grin.

“Deal”.

As they had walked towards the door she had paused as Craig had gone to retrieve her coat. Nervously looking around the room, not sure where Ryan was she had prayed he would return quickly just as Tom had once more appeared beside her.

“Are you leaving?” he had asked in surprise, seeing as she had smiled weakly back at him.

“Yes.....sorry bit of a headache”.

Tom had looked around as though looking for somebody, before sighing and looking once more at her.

“Jenna........Ryan is here ...I know he wants to talk to you”.

His name had instantly brought everything crashing back down onto her as she had felt the smile drop from her face.

“Yes......I saw him Tom.........we said our hello’s.....please leave it at that” seeing as he had waited for more.

“I’m sorry.......I really have to go” she had finished, taking her coat that Craig was holding out to her, Craig smiling warmly at the superstar singer.

Tom had looked surprised, then more determined.

“Oh no you don’t Jenna.........you are not going to disappear on me again”.

She had given a small chuckle shaking her head.

“As if I would dare”.

He had smiled, before demanding her home phone number so that he could organise to meet her for lunch.

With that she had moved with Craig to the exit and the waiting car. Giving him a small kiss on the cheek, whispering gently into his ear she had wished him luck with Silverman, squeezing his hand reassuringly, before turning and leaving.

In a corner of the room Ryan Trudeau had watched all that had gone on. He had smiled softly at the way Tom and Jenna had so quickly fallen into the way they had always been together. Seeing the other man bringing her jacket had caused his mouth to set, a small frown on his handsome features.

His eyes had again slid over her, once more admiring just how beautiful she looked. She always had he thought to himself, his mind remembering her glorious body, seeing how little she had changed in the past four years, as the red cocktail dress she wore clung to her supple curvatious figure, a small groan rising within him.

Quickly taking a drink of the golden whisky he held tightly in his hand, letting it burn its way down his throat, his eyes had followed her as she moved to the door. When she had moved against the man beside her and kissed him on the cheek, he had felt the rush of heat and jealousy flood through him, scolding himself, knowing that in the past four years there must have been many men in her life.

As she had left the hall he had felt a relief to see the other man not accompanying her, his eyes following him as he had moved back into the room. He had watched as the man had talked animatedly with one of his top managers Silverman, Ryan remaining back taking in everything. Silverman was a shrewd intelligent man, his ability to hide his feelings legendary; however, even Ryan could tell that he was interested in what was being said. As the conversation between the two men had ended, they had shaken hands before Silverman was pulled away to another group of men, Ryan Trudeau keeping his focus very much on the other man.

He had seemed dejected, upset and had quickly downed a whisky, before making for the exit, his features down-cast.

Moving over to meet his Manager, Ryan had known that Silverman was nervous of his being there. He should have been in Australia, the man confused as to why he had felt the need to come to the party. However, he had smiled warmly at him.

“Ryan, good to see you”, Ryan returning the smile, shaking his hand.

“How are things going Allan?”

He had asked conversationally, the other man moving from the group pulling him conspiratorially to the side.

“Something I wanted to talk to you about actually”, Ryan raising an eyebrow questioningly.

“The contractors rule. You said that you only wanted well known companies on the approved list”.

He had nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“Well I have just been talking with someone, man called Craig Johnston, a very impressive man. He really has a handle on the local perspective, and I was wondering if you could bend that rule. I have a good feeling about him, and would like to run with it”.

Ryan had felt his insides warm happily, knowing exactly who he was talking about, a plan forming in his mind, a plan that would see Jenna Long in his company for a whole week-end.

Looking at Allan Silverman, he had smiled.

“Yes, I met him briefly. Allan, if you feel that he is worth the risk....then by all means add him to the list. I have complete trust in your judgement”.

He could see the pleasure this brought to the other man, although he did only speak the truth.

“Can you make the arrangements to have him invited to the retreat this week?”

Beginning to leave he had turned back as though having forgotten something.

“Oh and he was with a woman, a Jenna Long, I chatted to for a bit, make sure that she is invited too, she impressed me a lot......but make sure they don’t know that I had anything to do with it. This is your show Allan”.

With a disarming smile he had finished, “I am really looking forward to seeing you in action”.

Allan Silverman had smiled back, the thought that Ryan Trudeau was coming to the retreat, suddenly not so bad. He was well known for liking to see his people in action before they were promoted, Silverman suddenly feeling very happy about the planned retreat, especially knowing that the venue was to be held in one of Ryan’s loveliest estates.

That night Jenna had tossed and turned in her sleep, her mind not allowing her to fully rest as she had dozed. Visions of Ryan had flooded her head, her body feeling the rush of desire and yearnings that had always existed between the two. He had not changed in the past four years, still as handsome and masculine as ever, shivering as the memories of how he used to hold her had pushed their way back into her mind from the dark recesses she had banished those thoughts to so many years ago making her groan.

Hearing the bell ring, she had stirred groaning softly, her whole body feeling so tired from her disturbed sleep. Rising from the bed she had pulled on her housecoat, sleepily making her way to the door before peering out of the small peep hole, pulling the door open seeing Craig stood there.

He had swept into the apartment, his whole being bursting with excitement.

“Oh my God Jenna.......you won’t believe what happened”.

Moving silently behind him, she had allowed him to fill the kettle pulling cups from the cupboard as he had blurted out his news.

“After you left last night.......well I have to say I thought that maybe I had blown it......Silverman was adamant that only those from the big agencies could apply for the contract. But I kept at him, doing what you said...pushing home the personal aspects... the fact that local connections would be more welcome in this climate”.