The Billionaires Mistress (17 page)

“And I know that over the next few days we are going to build friendships and links together that will ensure that this project is a huge success”, his handsome face smiling, oozing that all too familiar charm and assurance that she had known so well.

“So please enjoy all my home has to offer, and if there is anything that you need, then please do not suffer in silence but ask one of the many staff in the house. We want you to have a week-end to remember”.

As he had sat down, there had been a ripple of applause, before once more the conversations had filled the room with sound. Jenna could only look down at her plate, her whole being in turmoil, her eyes staring hauntingly at the silver cutlery before her. She had been thankful that they were seated in the centre of the long table, at which forty other people had sat.

Craig had turned to look at her.

“Ryan Trudeau” his voice had been contemplative.

“Is he any relation to Tom Trudeau” his intelligent eyes taking in the look of panic in Jenna with surprise. She had nodded her head, lifting her spoon shakily as a plate of steaming delicious smelling soup had been placed before her.

“Yes.......his brother” she had finally managed, seeing as Craig had looked at her with interest.

“So do you know him too?”

Jenna had flicked a look over to where Ryan sat, his attention held by the stunning blonde beside him, feeling the cold stabbing pain of jealousy filling her, as she had chided herself for her reaction. Putting the spoon back down quickly she had moved in even closer to Craig, her voice full of panic and pleading.

“Craig, please I am begging you, whatever happens tonight, do not leave me alone........ever”.

Craig had looked back at her, his features showing stunned surprise.

“What is going on?” he had finally asked in a half whisper.

“Jenna you look like you have seen a ghost”.

She had raised a hand to his lips to silence him, an intimate action to those watching, to Ryan Trudeau whose eyes had grown harder.

“Please Craig ...no questions ...please”.

He had nodded down at his friend, his expression full of concern. Jenna was no drama queen, no young woman given to emotional outbursts. She was calm, level-headed, but right now she looked like she was barely holding things together, her fingers visibly trembling as she had once more tried to pick up her spoon.

“Does this have something to do with Ryan Trudeau?” he had whispered back, his head close to hers so that nobody else would hear.

With a small whimper of pain, she had looked into his eyes.

“Please, please, please.... don’t ask” she had begged, as with a small nod, he had agreed, determined to pick up the conversation later. The fact that she seemed to have some relationship with Ryan Trudeau that he was not aware of sending signals of alarm through him.

“Fine......but later we will talk Jenna” he had finished, his voice brooking no argument, as with a small nod she had agreed, relief filling her that Craig would not let her down.

The dinner had been wonderful, but Jenna had eaten little, her stomach feeling so sick with having Ryan so close, the panic at his sudden appearance still filling her. As they had finished their final course Ryan had risen, inviting all the assembled guests to join him back into the living room, where she could hear the soft music starting to play.

This had been the time she dreading most, knowing that it was inevitable that they would eventually come into contact with the man whose presence was affecting her so dramatically. She had considered feigning a headache, but knew that this would only be postponing the inevitable, and with a determined movement had risen, taking Craig’s arm as they had moved into the large living area with the others.

Once more the two had moved around the room, chatting and laughing with the other guests. A small area had been set aside where many of the guests were moving to dance to the sounds of the small string quartet who were playing romantic music, most of which Jenna had recognised. He had gone to a great deal of effort she realised, knowing from years before, that he always told her the secret to business was ensuring that he provided the best of everything for his guests. Waiters had moved around the throng, ensuring that drinks were readily available, and Craig had commented on how wonderfully the whole evening was going, Jenna nodding miserably, her eyes again scanning the room to ensure that she knew where Ryan was at all times.

As Craig had led her to the floor to dance, she had smiled her thanks, leaning in against him for support, feeling as he had given her a squeeze of encouragement, whispering comfortingly in her ear.

“You are doing great ...I don’t know why...but you are doing great”, making Jenna chuckle for the first time since they had sat down to eat.

“Thank you Craig” she had whispered softly rising on tip-toes to ensure that nobody close by would hear her.

As the dance had ended, he had taken her hand, moving back into the main area, Jenna gasping as Ryan had moved before them.

Craig had felt as Jenna’s grip had tightened in his, her hand shaking as he had looked down on her with concern, before looking over at the handsome man before him.

Ryan Trudeau had extended his hand out to Craig, the smile on his face genuine and sure.

“It is nice to meet you Mr Johnston” he had said, as almost instinctively Craig had taken his hand back shaking it firmly.

“As it is to meet you too Mr Trudeau” he had returned “But please call me Craig” seeing as Ryan Trudeau’s lips had twitched.

“Only if you call me Ryan” he had smiled back, Craig nodding in agreement.

She had watched the exchange, trying hard to calm herself seeing as Ryan’s gaze had shifted to her, a gentle look coming to his eyes.

“It is good to see you again Jenna” he had said softly, Craig watching the exchange, knowing without a shadow of doubt that there was real history between the two.

“You too Ryan” she had finally managed, her hand moving once more to hold Craig’s arm, seeing as Ryan’s eyes had followed her actions.

“So...” he had said, looking once more at Craig.

“Do you two work together?”

As Craig had opened his mouth to confirm their relationship, he had felt as she had squeezed his arm painfully.

“Actually Ryan, Craig and I are engaged”.

For once the self assured look of Ryan Trudeau had seemed to slip as he had stared at her in shock.

“Engaged?”

His voice disbelieving as he had looked back at Craig, who was watching her intently, before Ryan’s professional front had once more re-asserted itself. Looking down at her hand, he had frowned.

“No ring?”

Jenna had looked pleadingly at Craig for help, Craig smiling as he had taken her fingers into his, his tone low as though telling the other man a secret.

“Well.....I only just asked her” he had grinned “and we have not had time to look for a ring yet” lifting her fingers to his mouth.

“I want this lady to have the ring of her dreams” his eyes looking lovingly into hers.

Jenna could have hugged Craig for playing along, smiling back at him with real adoration in her eyes.

Beside them, Ryan Trudeau had given a smile which did not reach his eyes as he had congratulated the pair, before turning stiffly and moving to another group of people who had welcomed him with genuine affection.

Finally it was time for the groups to move to their rooms, and with relief Jenna had moved up to their bedroom, sighing with relief as the door had closed behind them. As the lock had clicked, Craig had turned to her, his features solemn.

“OK...........spill”.

He had said, his tone determined, as Jenna had stepped forward, sighing softly as she had moved to sit on the large couch.

Slowly she had told him the tale of how she had met Ryan and Tom, seeing as his eyes had grown wide.

“You told me that you were not the girl in the video!!” he had cried out as she had looked at him.

“I just didn’t want anybody knowing about my past” she had replied softly “he broke my heart Craig” she had whispered with such hurt, that he had pulled her into his arms hugging her reassuringly.

“I’m sorry Jenna.......so sorry”, seeing as tears had risen to her eyes.

“Do you still love him?”

Jenna had shaken her head.

“No.......no I don’t love him, but I just don’t want to talk to him again....he hurt me so much”.

Craig had looked down at her carefully, his expression doubtful seeing the way she had reacted to just the sight of the man, but knowing that it was not his place to comment.

“Well, you can count on me to keep you safe” he had whispered softly giving her a kiss on the top of her head, Jenna nuzzling into him thankfully, feeling as small tears had found their way down her face, Craig patting her arm in a fatherly way.

“Now time for sleep” he had grinned rising and moving back into the bathroom, Jenna knowing that he was giving her time to pull herself together, loving him so much.

Wiping away the tears she had been glad that there had been a mistake in their room booking, knowing that it would keep Ryan away and give credence to her story, thanking whoever was looking after her.

That night Jenna had tossed and turned, sleep evading her as she had played over the events of the previous day and night. For the first time she had questioned how they had gotten themselves added to the contractor list, remembering how she had been expected to join him, asked for specifically she had remembered. Without a doubt she knew that Ryan had orchestrated everything, wondering why he would bother, her mind once more going back to the night he had told her to leave her key on the table, the hurt once more filling her.

As the morning light had filtered through the window, the dusky half light of dawn becoming lighter with the sound of the morning chorus filling the sky, Jenna had finally given up on sleep. Rising she had pulled on a bikini, wondering if she could take a quick swim in the large pool to the side of the building, before throwing on a sleeveless shirt and gypsy skirt over them. Going to pick up a towel, she had felt less like swimming and more like walking, sighing as she had moved out of the room, making her way down the silent corridors to the front door. She had been surprised to find that the door had not been locked, wondering if the cleaning crew had already arrived, but seeing nobody else, her tired mind just thankful that she could move out into the warm morning air.

For half an hour she had wandered aimlessly around the grounds of Ryan’s home, admiring the natural beauty of the area, sighing enjoying the feel of the sun on her body. She had remembered his previous estate, the last place they had spent time together, wondering if this was the ‘larger’ estate he had had his eyes on, sighing at how perfect a setting it was. Looking at her watch, she had decided to make her way back to the room, feeling the need for a shower and not wanting to be caught wandering out on her own that early in the morning, especially not by Ryan, who she knew to be an early riser.

As Jenna had turned the corner of the building, sighing deeply, she had still felt so restless, her hope that the walk would have calmed her down proving fruitless as she had turned into the driveway stopping short at seeing Ryan performing some cool down exercises, having just completed his morning jog.

Wearing only jogging pants and a vest, his hard body still showed the fine film of sweat from his run and caught off guard she had felt the instant awareness and desire for him that had always been there.

Gasping, her whole body had stiffened, seeing as he had also frozen, before standing straighter as he had turned to face her. Panic had thudded into every part of Jenna as she had started to slowly move backwards, spinning around and half walking half running made her way into the wooded area needing so badly to get away from him. She had only managed to reach the first of the large trees before she had felt his hand on her arm, pulling her around to a stop, his handsome face so serious.

“You can’t avoid me forever Jenna”.

He had spat out, his fingers digging painfully into the flesh of her arm, as she had stared back at him, reminding him once more of a trapped animal as she had tried in vain to pull her arm free.