A tiny moan escapes her and that’s the end of my control.
I grab her, pulling her close, our tongues dancing as my fingers tighten in her hair. Her hands slide over my hips, her nails digging in. I bite her lip and she responds, pressing hard against me and dragging my shorts down. I growl, lust taking over as I pull her skirt to the floor. She steps out of it, her fingers lightly trailing my shoulders, before I stand, and she’s crushed against me again. I bend my knees and lift her, kicking her skirt out of the way and taking two long strides toward the full length glass window. I want her against a hard surface, and I don’t care who sees.
Her head bangs against the glass a little and she moans, her mouth finding mine, our tongues twisting and curling together. Our ragged breathing fills the air, my fingers yanking her underwear to the side as I stroke myself, getting ready to dive in. I hook my arms under her legs, holding her in the right spot as she clings to me. With a grunt I shove myself inside and she responds open mouthed and gasping. We move as one, her shoulders pushing against the glass, grinding our sex together, heightening every sensation.
She pants and I claim her mouth, roughly thrusting in and out, bending my knees to go deep. Jessa twists her fingers in my hair and pulls back, our moans coming together as our excitement builds. She bites my lip hard and I growl against her, leaning back so my fingers can slide between us. I make contact with her wetness, putting pressure in her perfect spot and she throws her head back, a keening sound coming from deep in her chest. She pinches her own nipple as she comes and seeing that sends me over the edge. I bury myself as deep as I can and grind against her, my mouth finding hers again.
We slide together for another moment, coming down from the high as we stare into each other’s eyes. I lick her lip, her tongue meeting mine, while a deep sigh bursts from her.
We’re sweaty and slick.
And once again I want her.
Chapter Sixteen - Jessa
God. That was amazing. I’m lying on my back, unable to move, like someone in a movie, paralysed and wide-eyed with a stupid grin on their face. I hope Cross doesn’t roll over and look at me until my feelings are under control. I never knew crazy anger-fuelled sex could be so good.
Before the tingling in my fingers disappears, he rolls over and snuggles against my side, his arm thrown possessively over my stomach.
That’s unexpected.
Our against-the-window sex left me sore and wanting more, and we quickly moved to my bed where Cross made sure he pleasured me in all the best ways.
I thought he’d get it out of his system, then rush to his computer to start the long process of sorting out what’s going on with his accounts. He’s not moving though, instead snuggling his face into my hair. My eyes dart around, still the only part of my body capable of movement.
What’s going on between us? And why do my insides curl up like that when I consider that word?
Us.
“What are you thinking about?” His deep voice goes right through me.
I almost lie then decide it’s no use. He’s seen me naked. Heard me cry out his name. Watched my eyes roll back in my head, no doubt, and had his mouth places I want it to be again. I might as well tell the truth.
“I’m considering the benefits of angry sex over sad sex. I think I prefer angry sex.”
He laughs and slides closer. “I’ll take all the types of sex, as long as they are with you.”
My eyes widen and my heart kicks up a notch. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“I don’t.” He lifts his head and puts his finger on my chin, turning my face toward his. “I definitely do not.” His lips are as soft as the first time they pressed against mine—was that really only two hours ago? He kisses me, and somehow, it’s full of care—and promise. “I could kiss you all day. Can we stay here all day?”
“It’s night.” I laugh as he growls in my ear. “You also have plans to relocate tomorrow, if I’m not mistaken.”
“You’re coming with me, right?”
“I’m thinking about it.”
Cross raises his head, surprise showing clearly on his face. “I didn’t convince you?”
“You convinced my body. Just not my brain.”
He grins and kisses me on the cheek before rolling onto his back and pulling me into his chest. “I love the way you phrase things. How you’re always thinking. Worrying.” He shakes his head and runs his hand over my hair. “What do I have to do to convince your gorgeous brain?”
“I’m not too sure. I think I have to convince myself. What exactly happened here tonight?” I move onto my stomach and lift my head, resting my hands on his chest and putting my chin onto the back of my hands. “What happens tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow we go to Vegas.” He smiles and I’m reminded of a movie star. He has that look of confidence in his grey eyes.
“And then?”
“Then we do more of what we did tonight.” He grins. “We can stay in the room for the whole week if you like. Or see a movie. Gamble. Shop. Helicopter over the strip. Whatever you want you can have.”
“Hmm.” I’m not getting the answer I need, but I don’t know what that answer is anyway.
Do I want him to declare his undying commitment to me? No. Not after a few days spent together, and then a few hours of passion. No matter how good I feel right now, or how mind-blowing said hours were.
Am I looking for a promise that this is a one-time thing so we can be free of any pressure? No. The thought of never having him again—of not being with him—is enough to encourage tears.
I’m confused.
Things between us moved fast, and I’m not convinced we didn’t fall into bed because of stress. Whether his or mine, I’m not sure either.
Basically, I have no idea what just happened, or what I want to happen next.
Damn.
“How about this?” Cross is used to offering solutions to problems, that much is clear. “Let’s go to Vegas and see where this leads. A holiday fling, if you like.”
“A fling?” I turn the idea over in my head. I’ve never had a fling. I’ve always known exactly what, and who, I wanted.
“Yes.” He pulls away and leans onto one elbow. “You should know, though, that I want it to be more than that. I know you have some details to work through in your head, so I’m prepared to leave it for now. But I could see this being more.”
“If things go well between us.” My words hang in the air and Cross frowns. “And you get your more. What does that look like?”
Chapter Seventeen - Cross
“I should warn you; it’ll be different when we go home. I’ll be different.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m a lot more discrete when I’m home. No expensive hotels, no private helicopters unless it’s absolutely necessary. I work long, long hours. I eat at my desk and rarely have time for dinner.”
“I don’t care about any of that fancy stuff, but do you mean we won’t go out together in public? Will we be a secret?”
“No. I’m messing this up. I don’t want you to be a secret. I want you to meet my friends, and my mum, and Reg if she ever gets around to marrying him.”
“That was a wedding conversation you had with your mum the other day?” Jessa chuckles.
“It was. Reg asked her to marry him on Valentine’s Day and she’s still making him wait for an answer. It’s so frustrating and she’s freely admitted it’s because she doesn’t want to have to redo her will.”
“Wow. She sounds like an independent woman.” She kisses my chin. “Are you sure you’re that different at home? You’re wearing a twenty five thousand dollar watch. Don’t people notice that stuff?”
“Not usually. How do you know about watches?”
“It’s my job to notice those things. Was my job. You were wearing it at our first meeting, so I guess you wear it everywhere.”
“I do.” I shrug. “It’s my own middle finger to the world. A tiny thing tha
t reminds me of who I am, without shouting it too loudly. Except to nosy investigators, of course.”
“Of course.” Jessa wraps her arms around my neck. “Will you be a dick at home?”
I squeeze her tight and kiss her cheek. “That brings to mind so many jokes, but no, I won’t be a dick. I just think you should know when we continue our holiday fling into the real world, there is some discretion to be had.”
“Would you rather we end it?” Her arms loosen and storm clouds settle in her eyes.
I’m having none of that, though, and I pull her against me. “Absolutely not. When I suggested a fling, it was to make you feel better. I didn’t mean it for me. I plan to take you home.”
Her eyes are quick to clear. “Oh, so you tricked me.” I laugh and she scowls. “I’ll have to remember that. Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just be the same guy on holiday and at home? To put the effort aside to keep whatever it is under wraps. To stop attracting the suspicion of people like me. Doesn’t it get harder and harder the longer it goes on?”
“I had this conversation very recently with some of the guys, but it’s not actually about us hiding our money. Each of us seems to have our own weird reason for needing the details to be kept private. We aren’t really the share it all on social media types.”
“Explain it to me so I understand.”
“You believe me, right? About all of us paying tax where we’re required.”
“I do. I didn’t at first, but I do now. Everything I’ve seen tells me you’re telling me the truth.”
“Okay, good. So, for Everett, who stands to inherit if he marries, it’s about control. He hated being controlled by his family while they dangled money over his head, and he’s decided it won’t ever happen again.”
“Even if he gives up a fortune that could change lives?”
“Even then.”
“How about everyone else?”
“Well, I’m speaking out of turn, of course. But for Sayer, I know he doesn’t want to be seen as the same kind of man as his dad. His dad is a media mogul who keeps a mistress and child in another city from his wife. Everyone knows about it.
“Cole wants to always be considered for gritty roles, the real meaty stuff, and he doesn’t think that will happen if the public sees that he’s made smart business decisions and can buy anything he wants. It doesn’t go with the image he wants to portray.”
“Plenty of actors start a production company and make their own movies. Trust me, we see all those deductions they sneak through on their tax. He could easily do the same. That’s a dumb reason to keep a secret.”
“Ahh, but movies take funding and unless he wants his fortune tied up in production costs, he needs to continue to raise funds. There’s a limited amount of money to go around, especially in quiet times, so public information about what he has access to could affect his ability to secure funding.”
“Hmm. Seems complicated.”
“It is, as you’ve seen. We’re not going to all this trouble to avoid paying taxes or sneak past the guy at the airport raising money to build a new children’s ward in the hospital. We all make our own donations, but we keep it quiet.”
She smirks. “Well, I can confirm that. We see those deductions too. I can never reconcile charity donations that are large enough to purchase a house.”
“I was the same at first. But the government allows us to deduct them for exactly that reason. Where else can you get six figure donations but from a company or individual that will receive a benefit at tax time?” She shrugs and lays her head against my shoulder. “I don’t mind paying tax, truly I don’t. I just want to pay my fair share. I’d even pay a little more if some of the red tape could be removed. I swear if it were easier to run a business, I’d like the tax office a lot more than I do.”
“Even though they fired me.”
“No, not after that. But you know what I mean. You and I wouldn’t have started out at war if I didn’t have such a hang up about bureaucracy.” I put my hand out and she raises hers, our fingers matching up. My hands are enormous compared to her tiny ones, and it perfectly sums up our relationship. I’m the big bad corporate master, and she’s the small quiet achiever, fighting to make sure everyone gets their share.
Well, she was.
Now she works for me.
After a romantic week in Vegas, I’m never going to let her go.
* * *
The End
The Billionaire’s Spark
I hope you enjoyed The Billionaire’s Duty. I always hate waiting for the next book in a series to be released, but you’re lucky - The Billionaire’s Spark is on preorder! You can grab it today on the site where you purchased this book!
La La Land. The best and worst place to keep a secret…
* * *
Cole Grant is at the top of his game. Adored in Hollywood, and pursued by women everywhere, he's made savvy business decisions in his acting career and now he's enjoying the spoils. With his little black book bursting at the seams, he can't help but win the game he agreed to play with his friends.
* * *
If he can't get a date for the biggest 4th of July party in history, the rest of them might as well give up and go home.
* * *
Melody Aimes is just starting out in Hollywood. She's worked her whole career to land a leading role like her latest opposite Cole Grant. She's got stars in her eyes, a brain between her ears, and a plan to set herself up for a comfortable life. The prestigious 4th of July party is the next step in her master plan and she needs to attend with someone memorable. Someone cutting edge.
* * *
Will sparks fly between Melody and Cole? Or will Melody discover that fame doesn't always equal fortune?
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The Steamy Sensations Books
Can’t get enough of the Secret Billionaire’s Club? Don’t worry, there’s ten books coming this year!
The Billionaire’s Heart
The Billionaire’s Luck
The Billionaire’s Treat
The Billionaire’s Duty
The Billionaire’s Spark
The Billionaire’s Club
The Billionaire’s Scare
The Billionaire’s Feast
The Billionaire’s Gift
The Billionaire’s Surprise
* * *
The Secret Billionaire’s Club is part of a multi-author project called Steamy Sensations Holiday Love. Check out the other steamy stories HERE.
* * *
10 authors have joined forces to bring you ten steamy holiday shorts. Make sure you look for these other books for Valentine’s Day:
Liz Durano
Melissa Stevens
Callie Vegas
Liz Gavin
Ja’Nese Dixon
Josie Bordeaux
Terra Kelly
Nick Danes
Heather Young-Nichols
* * *
Enjoy the whole series today!
Also by Tracey Pedersen
Finding Sweet Love Series
All At Sea
All Afloat
All Adrift
All About Us
* * *
One Week Love Story Series
Seven Days To Me
Seven Days To Us
* * *
Married This Year Series
Married This Year
Simmering Love
Adventures In Hiring
Ticket To Ride
Married This Christmas
* * *
Men About Town Series
Tap That!
Tempt Me!
Tight Ass!
Thigh High!
Turned On!
Tinsel Time!
* * *
Famous Love Series
Contracted For Love
Contracted For Life
* * *
The Secret Billionaire’s Club Series
The Billionaire’s Heart
The Billionaire’s Luck
The Billionaire’s Treat
The Billionaire’s Duty
The Billionaire’s Spark
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The Billionaire's Duty: Secret Billionaire’s Club Page 7