Whatever He Wants

Dedication

 
     
I’d like to thank my readers for their
continued support of my work. Writing has always been my passion and I
appreciate the emails, shout outs and awesome reviews that mean the world to
me. You guys give me the motivation to keep going.

 
     
To
Nia
for
keeping me on track making sure I don’t slack off. Thanks girl!!

 
     
Deidra, thank you so much for your
encouragement and making me laugh.

 
     
And most importantly, to
my partner, lover, best friend and husband.
I love you. Thanks for
putting up with the late nights, the crazy mood swings and helping me make this
story happen.

 
     
This is a work of fiction. Names,
characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or
are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to
actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely
coincidental.

 
     
All trademarks, service marks, registered
service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein
for identification purposes only.

 
ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED

 
Copyright © 2013 Eve Vaughn

 
Electronic book publication April 2013

 
     
With the exception of quotes used in
reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any
means without permission from the author, Eve Vaughn.

 
     
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or
distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be
scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means electronic
or print, without the author’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement
without monetary gain is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5
years in Federal Prison and a fine of $250,000. For more information regarding
the government’s stance on copyright infringement
visit :http
://www.fbi.gov/ipr. 

       
A broken spirit…

 
     
Having suffered through an emotionally
abusive childhood, self-doubt constantly plagued the shy and reserved Noelle
Greene. When she finds herself at a crossroads in her life, entering into a
relationship is the last thing on her mind…until she meets James. She soon
finds herself in over her head when James makes an offer not of love, but of
convenience.

 
     
A
fractured soul…

 
     
James Rothschild has one goal in life: to
be powerful enough to overshadow his shameful past. In order to achieve his
goal he clawed his way to the top of the business world, associated with all
the right people, and dated women with impeccable pedigree. When he meets Noelle,
she’s just what he’s looking for...in a mistress.

 
     
Noelle is consumed by James’ commanding
presence, and immediately falls for him. Though she’s willing to give him
whatever he wants, will James realize Noelle is exactly what he needs before
it’s too
late?                                              

       
“Come
out with us tonight, girl. You can’t stay holed up in your ivory tower all the
time.”

 
     
Noelle ignored her cousin’s sarcasm.
Simone meant well but she simply didn’t understand how things were. She
wouldn’t have minded hanging out but things were complicated right now. James
expected her to be here when—or if he arrived. And the couple of times she
hadn’t been, he’d made his displeasure known. He hadn’t been around lately but
he never told her of his comings and goings. It was a pattern they’d fallen
into, he’d show up when he felt like it and she’d be at the penthouse, eagerly
waiting. As pathetic as it was, she lived for those moments they were together.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. James—”

 
     
“Can bite the big one.”
The irritation in Simone’s voice was clear. “You’re a grown-ass woman, why do
you need to ask his permission to hang out with your cousin?”

 
     
Noelle tensed upon hearing such hostility
directed toward her lover. “I don’t have to ask his permission for anything.
And I go out occasionally. Did it occur to you that I just don’t want to go out
tonight?”

 
     
Simone snorted. “Do you hear yourself?
Occasionally?
You’re not a dog to be let out. Can’t you see
this thing you’re involved in isn’t healthy? You deserve so much better, girl.”

 
     
Noelle squeezed her eyes shut. Hearing
criticism of any kind was a tough pill to swallow but when it involved her
relationship with James it hurt like hell. This wasn’t the first time Simone spoke
disparagingly about James but tonight the cut seemed a bit deeper. It came on
the heels of seeing James in the society section of the newspaper with the
stunning redhead Noelle had met previously. The article focused on their newly
announced engagement. 

 
     
Noelle tried to tell herself it didn’t
matter. After all, he’d never offered her anything more than what she had:
a luxurious penthouse, a closet full of expensive clothes, jewelry,
access
to his black card and credit accounts at all the top retail stores
in the city. Some would say she was no better than a highly paid whore but in
her mind there was a huge difference. She didn’t stay for the gifts. She stayed
for the man and she desperately wanted James to see that.

 
     
Noelle took a deep breath. She didn’t want
to exchange angry words with her cousin who had always had her back. “Look
Simone, I know you don’t like him and that’s your prerogative not to but it’s
my decision to be with him and I wish you’d respect that.”

 
     
“Whether I like him or not has nothing to
do with it. How he treats you is quite another. I don’t like that shadowed look
in your eyes when he hasn’t bothered to visit you in days, or the way you act
like
it’s
Christmas when he does. He treats you like a
possession, so no I don’t like him but I like even less what he’s doing to
you.”

 
     
“You’re basing that on the two times
you’ve encountered him? That’s not exactly fair is it?”

 
     
“I have eyes, Noelle. It doesn’t take more
than once to see the dynamic between the two of you. I’m the only family you
have in the area but he acted as though you were committing a crime for
inviting me over. If a man really cares about you, they’d have a vested
interest in getting to know your friends and family.”

 
     
“He had a long day.”

 
     
“There you go making excuses for him.
Stop. I know when I’m not welcome somewhere and he made me feel very unwelcome.
I was more disappointed when you didn’t say anything about it.”

 
     
 
James had never come right out and said she
wasn’t allowed visitors but he did mention Noelle was to be available whenever
her needed her to be to be. Noelle hadn’t given it much thought then but the
memory made her face flame with embarrassment.

 
     
 
“I’m sorry you felt unwelcome.”

 
     
“I don’t need you to apologize; I just
want you to see what you have with James isn’t good for you.”

 
     
“Well, it’s my life to sink or swim with
isn’t it? And as far as kept women go, I’m not doing so bad right?” 
Noelle had attempted to inject as much nonchalance into her voice as possible
but knew she’d failed miserably.

 
     
“I hate when you put yourself down like
that. You’re still the sweet little Noelle I know and love. But that bastard—”

 
     
“He’s not a bastard.”

 
     
“I call it like I see it. He keeps you
under lock and key, yet he only sees you when it’s convenient for him. He
treats you like dirt.”

 
     
“No he doesn’t.”

 
     
Simone sighed loudly into the receiver.
“Then explain to me why you’re scared to come out tonight and have a good time.
I know you Noelle; those fancy clothes and expensive baubles don’t mean a damn
thing to you. Hell, every time I’ve admired something you’re wearing you nearly
bust your ass trying to give it to me.  What is it about this guy that has
you so sprung? It’s like he’s a puppet master and you’re allowing him to pull
your strings.”

 
     
Noelle flinched. She didn’t like having
her relationship so thoroughly dissected, especially when just about every
arrow hit its mark. “That’s not true. James and I just have an understanding.”

 
     
“Does this understanding include him
dating the right kind of woman in public and his dirty little secret behind
closed doors?”

 
     
Tears stung the backs of Noelle’s eyes as
her stomach twisted in knots. “You don’t understand.”

 
     
“Then make me understand. Make me
comprehend what you see in this guy? Sure he’s gorgeous, and rich, but how
great can he be when he won’t even be seen with you in public. Right now you’re
just his side piece but you’re worthy of being put first.”

 
     
Noelle hastily wiped away a stray tear
that escaped the corner of her eye. “It’s not that simple,” she whispered. Even
as she argued, she knew what her cousin said was true.

 
     
 
“Yes it is. He’s using you as a convenient lay
while he dates someone he deems as acceptable for
all the
world to see. I know it sounds harsh but I’m telling you this because I love you
and I’m tired of seeing you hurt over this prick. What about your dreams? I
know the hell you went through with my mom and brothers and those little digs
they made and how they treated you like you were less than the phenomenal
person you are. Just because they didn’t think you were good enough to be
anything other than some hypocritical deacon’s wife doesn’t mean you shouldn’t
aspire to be better for yourself.”

 
     
“Have you thought that James makes me
happy? Look, at least he’s not that disgusting old pervert Aunt Frieda tried to
pawn me off on.”

 
     
“And I’m proud of you for walking away
from that hot mess of an engagement but you’re still chained to some man who
expects your world to revolve around him. But truthfully, this thing you’re
involved in now is worse. At least that little troll was willing to give you
his name. Can you say the same for James?”