Fascination: (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #9): A Friends to Lovers Romance

by Ainsley St Claire

  “I think I let the perfect woman fall between my fingers.”

  “Let me know when you’re ready, but don’t wait too long. You’ll find you may miss a great one.”

  Chapter twenty-nine

  Mason

  I pick up my ringing phone. “Hello, Cora. Please tell me you have news.”

  “We’ve located Adam, and he’s currently in custody.”

  I can’t help but be jealous that I couldn’t have been there. I often think about what I’d be doing if I weren’t head of one of the largest venture capital funds in the Bay Area, and these days I think I would’ve been in law enforcement. A lot of what I do centers around solving puzzles, and with this case lasting over five years, a small part of me will be missing it. But only a small part. “That’s fantastic news. What can you tell me about it?”

  “Once Evelyn was arrested, Adam went underground. We’d learned he had a very expensive drug habit, so we tapped our resources with SFPD and Detective Lenning to see where he was buying, and thankfully we found him.”

  “Drug habit? Given when we knew him, he was in great physical shape, that’s actually surprising.”

  “It was painkillers. They’re a nasty group of drugs.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “We negotiated with Annabelle’s attorney. She went in wired, and he admitted to setting her up and bullying her.”

  “I’m really glad to hear that.”

  “We’re releasing her in the next few days.”

  “What?” How can that be? She stole from us and handed over confidential information that was shared with all our competitors.

  “Mason, before you get too upset, I want you to know that Adam didn’t target you exclusively. He was part of a much broader network. With his help, we’re going to take down over a hundred different people across the US who are blackmailing and destroying companies.”

  “You mean the Robin Hood Party?”

  “Partially. We were able to connect Adam to over fifty open cases we have across the bureau.”

  “What about the poisoning?”

  “That was actually Evelyn. She had a key to your place and knew your housekeeper’s schedule. She’d been gaining access to your condo and when the toothpaste was taking too long, she began doctoring your food.”

  I sit back hard in my chair. “I can’t believe this.”

  “I know it’s tough, but I’m happy to say we’re packing up the big conference room and moving another case in for us to concentrate on.”

  “I’m sorry you have to do that.”

  “I guess it’s job security. Is that too tasteless?”

  “Um, just a little.”

  She laughs. “Mason, you’ve built a great company, and you’re full of compassion and smarts. Now go marry that woman of yours and enjoy all that life has to offer.”

  I grin. “That’s my plan.”

  Chapter thirty

  Mason

  Concentrating at work has been really difficult today. Last night, I waited for the master jeweler at Harry Winston to arrive with engagement ring options. I know what CeCe would love—tasteful and conservative—and I want a huge rock on her hand so it’s obvious to every man who thinks he can look at her that she’s taken.

  My phone rings and the caller ID tells me it’s my mother. I’m not sure I want to talk to her; I don’t want her to put a damper on my excitement. As soon as it rolls to voice mail, it begins to ring again. It’s her signal that it’s an emergency.

  I pick up the phone with a sigh. “Hello, Mother.”

  “Mason, my love, what are your plans today at lunch?”

  “I’m not sure I can get away for lunch today, Mom. With everything that’s going on with our hacker and everything else, it’s crazy busy here.”

  “Sweetheart, Michael and I’ve decided to get married, and his friend who’s a judge has some free time at lunch. Do you think work could wait a few hours and you join us, then we head to lunch afterward?”

  “You’re getting married?”

  “I know we’ve only known each other for a few months and it seems sudden, but I can’t help it. Michael’s the one for me. We really click.”

  “Mom, I don’t know anything about this man.”

  “Mason, you know I love you. You know you were the center of my universe, but I also know that as you get more and more serious with CeCe, you don’t need me as much. Michael needs me. He’s been widowed for a long time, and we’re ready to settle down. We love each other dearly.”

  I just hope he’s not going to take her for a ride. “You’re getting married today?”

  “Yes. If you can talk CeCe into joining us, we’d love to have you there.”

  “Mom, I love you. I’m going to do everything I can to be there. What time is your meeting with the judge?”

  “At twelve o’clock, when the judge recesses from his trial. He’s Michael‘s childhood friend.”

  “I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I can’t speak for CeCe, though. No promises there.”

  “I love you, sweetheart.”

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  I disconnect the call and then call CeCe. “Hey, I know you’re waist deep in crap with everything that’s going on, but my mom just called, and apparently she and Dr. Frieman are eloping at noon.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope. She’s crazy about him, and I just need to hope he isn’t after her for money. Would you like to go to a wedding with me today?”

  “I’d love to. Noon? Where are they meeting?”

  My cell phone pings. That’s timing. “It looks like it’s with Judge Thomas Garcia at city hall, room 29E.”

  “You’re kidding. I know Thomas. He sits on our board at the women’s shelter.”

  “Great. Come see your friend from your volunteer life, and we’ll be witnesses to my mother’s ceremony.”

  “I look forward to it.” In a low voice, she says, “I’d prefer a lunch sometime that maybe includes an up close and personal look at that marvelous third leg of yours.”

  “We can do that any night you’re up for it.”

  My mother isn’t the best with finances, so I’ll still give her a small allowance so she has some money she can spend without her new husband freaking out. I’ll try to accept that she has someone who might look after her and keep her company.

  I remember Jim emailing me his file, but I haven’t looked at it with everything going on. Opening it up now, I look at Michael’s background check. Nothing really comes back as strange. He’s as he said, a urologist here in San Francisco. He has a thriving practice, some decent money in the bank, and owns his home outright in Pacific Heights. Maybe this isn’t such a bad thing for my mom. Maybe she’s right—I don’t need her anymore, and she wants somebody who needs her.

  I’m wrapping up my morning, getting ready to leave, when my cell phone pings with a text from CeCe.

  It’s actually a picture, and my eyes almost pop out of my head when I open it. She’s dressed in a white merry widow negligée with thigh-high stockings. Her hair’s covering her face, but I know it’s her. Holy crap is she beautiful.

  CeCe: I thought maybe I should wear this to the wedding today.

  Me: I hope you’re planning on wearing something else over it.

  CeCe: Yes, but maybe later, you can unwrap it yourself.

  Me: I fully intend to.

  CeCe: See you in a moment.

  Me: You know I’m going to have a raging hard-on at my mother’s wedding, right?

  CeCe: Okay, I’ll go back to my normal panties and bra.

  Me: Don’t you dare. I plan on unwrapping you later.

  The ceremony is really quite lovely. Judge Garcia tells everyone how he remembers CeCe tirelessly working on behalf of women who are homeless with addictions or running away from abusive relationships.

  “It’s a group effort,” CeCe reminds him.

  Then he tells us how he met Michael when they were awkward
fourteen-year-olds.

  “The girls wouldn’t look at us twice in those days,” Michael shares.

  “They look at you now?” Judge Garcia ribs him.

  “I got this beauty to look at me, and somehow I convinced her to marry me, so hurry up before she changes her mind,” Michael jokes.

  “I’m not going anywhere, but I’m afraid my son is important, and I want him to be able to see this. I’ve only loved one other man in my life, and that was his father. You’re making me the happiest woman in the world today.” Mom gives him a big kiss on the cheek, leaving a giant red lipstick stain. It’s perfect for today’s event. I’ve never seen my mother so happy.

  Judge Garcia performs a very touching ceremony. CeCe is in a dress that looks like it’s from the 50s with a formfitting top and a full skirt that goes below her knees. I lean in and whisper, “Are you still wearing what you sent me earlier?”

  “You’ll have to wait to find out,” she says with a mischievous grin.

  Michael motions me aside. “I know we don’t know each other well, but I love your mother very much. I’m so glad you could be here, Mason.”

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  “I promise I’m going to make your mother very happy. I know she gets an allowance from you, but if you want to stop that, you certainly can. I have the means to keep her in the way she wants to be kept.”

  I’m taken aback by the offer. “She has expensive tastes,” I warn.

  He shrugs. “I bought into Sandy Systems on the day they went public. I also bought in on Oracle and Salesforce. I may not be as wealthy as you, but I think we’ll be just fine.” He kicks at a spot on the floor with the toe of his shoe. “I was saving it for my children, but my Elaine and I weren’t lucky enough to have them. And since you don’t need any money, I can spend it all on your mother.”

  I pat Michael on the back. “Don’t let her know too much. She doesn’t budget well.”

  “I want to give her whatever she wants.”

  “Honestly, I’m really glad she’s going to be close. I plan on proposing to CeCe before too long, and we want kids, so you both can enjoy them—that is, if you want grandkids.”

  “I adore kids. And nothing would make me happier than being a grandfather.”

  Maybe my mother has finally found the guy who’s perfect for her in every way. She deserves a happily ever after, and I believe Michael Frieman is hers.

  Chapter thirty-one

  CeCe

  There’s a knock at my office door. Mason walks in with my favorite lunch—clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. “I have a feeling you haven’t eaten yet.”

  “Have I told you how I feel about you recently?”

  He nuzzles my neck, “No, but you can show me.” He brings my hand to his hard rod, and I stroke it through the fabric of his pants.

  “You are a man of many surprises.” My mouth finds his, and our tongues do their aggressive dance until I’m dizzy with lust and desire.

  “I have a surprise for you at home tonight,” Mason promises.

  “Should I wear anything special?”

  “I’d say with what we’re doing, clothing is optional.”

  “I can’t wait.” The idea of Mason naked and above me, below me, in front of me, or even behind me sends jolts of excitement straight to my core.

  When I finally arrive home, Angela has set a beautiful table with candlelight in the sitting room off my bedroom. Dinner is covered and waiting for us. I spot the chocolate raspberry cake, and I can’t help but dip my finger in the frosting. Mmmm, it tastes so good. I can’t wait to dive in.

  Mason messaged me that he was leaving about the same time I was, and Jack Reece told me they weren’t quite home yet. I run into my closet and pull out the white merry widow outfit that I took the picture in. It’ll be just the two of us, and while I’m not sure it’s the most becoming, he seemed to like it.

  I hear him arrive and yell, “I’m upstairs.”

  I pose like I think a Victoria’s Secret model would and wait for him to find me.

  Walking into the bedroom, he stops short. “Fuck me.”

  “I think that’s the plan, isn’t it?”

  He nods. “You look positively stunning, and I’m going to undress you slowly and fuck you hard tonight.”

  “Promise?”

  I see a tent in his pants, and I can’t wait to take him in my mouth. “We’re going to eat first. It’s going to be hard watching those nipples straining behind that corset, but we need to celebrate in more ways than just sexual.” We head into the sitting room, and he uncovers a plate of oysters on the half shell. “Come sit down. I want to feed them to you.”

  I sit down at the table with only the candlelight flickering. He seductively kisses me before licking my lips, and I quiver with anticipation. Dipping his hand into the corset, he plays with my nipples. “Lean your head back.”

  I do as I’m told and he tips a raw oyster into my mouth. A little bit of saltwater runs down my neck, and he licks it away. I watch him feed himself an oyster. “Do you want another one?” he asks.

  “Please,” I breathe.

  He rubs his fingertips against the outside of my panties as he tips the oyster in and then nuzzles my neck. “You’re already wet.”

  “I’m wet for you,” I moan.

  “I want to cool you down, because we do have a few more courses to enjoy before I fuck you senseless.”

  He uncovers a plate of balsamic glazed chicken with asparagus. Picking up an asparagus stick, I move it in and out of my mouth, sucking all the juices away, and he moans. If he can torture me, then I can torture him—though he’s still dressed, of course.

  We only half eat our meal. My foot is between his legs, massaging his balls and rubbing his swollen cock. I know he’s trying hard to concentrate on his meal, but I can’t take it anymore. Getting down on all fours, I crawl forward, slowly licking my lips and concentrating on what’s hiding in his pants. “Pretty please,” I beg.

  His answer is part moan and part groan. I unbuckle his belt and pull his pants open. He stands and lets them pool at his ankles, and I help him remove his shoes and discard his pants. His cock is standing at attention and I shudder with delight, my panties soaked. I want that cock in my mouth, and I want it now.

  I flick my eyes up at him as I press my tongue flat against his base before slowly dragging it up the full length.

  “Jesus,” he gasps.

  I trace over the slit at the top and then twirl my tongue around the entire head before starting again, licking up the front and swirling around the ridge on the underside, teasing him, making him wish he was fully in my mouth. I use my saliva as a lubricant and then gently pull his flesh up and down with my hand until I finally dip my head, stretch my jaw as wide as it will go, and take him in my mouth. He lets out a deep moan in response.

  Slowly I lower my head, taking him in inch by inch as his fingers dig into the hair at the base of my neck. Knowing I have him so hot makes me want to give him more. With one hand following the motion of my mouth up and down his now-slick cock, I gently cup his balls with the other, moving them slowly toward his body. They tighten under my delicate touch, and I loosen my grip.

  My main work is done with my mouth, though, and I savor every taste, keeping my lips and tongue firm against him, releasing only to lick him at the tip. He’s such a delicious treat, more satisfying than a chocolate raspberry cake could ever hope to be. Each time my head dips down, I take more of him in my mouth, marveling at how loose my throat has become, that it can take much more than I ever imagined.

  “God, CeCe,” Mason groans, his fingers fully tangled in my hair as he takes over, guiding my head at the pace he wants. I move a little faster, my mouth stretched wide as I moan at the feel of him deep in my mouth. I pause and pull back, giving his dick quick kisses up the side before taking it back in as deep as I can, Mason’s hand gently pushing the back of my head for me to continue. His breath comes in gasps as I quick
en my pace, one hand still holding him firmly.

  “Don’t stop,” he gasps, but I wouldn’t even if the house was on fire. “I’m going to come,” he announces.

  I rub at my center, wanting a release when he sends warm ropes of cum deep down my throat. His grunts are hardly contained as we both climax, his hand falling from my head to my shoulder before he braces himself on the arm of my chair, panting for air.

  I slip him out of my mouth and wipe my thumb across my lips.

  “You’re going to pay for that,” he warns.

  “I can take whatever you give me.”

  “We’ll see about that.” He smiles. “Let’s finish our dinner and find out.”

  We continue our meal as we talk about our days and various things going on as we attempt to return to normal in our work lives.

  When he places the chocolate cake in front of me, I lick my lips. “I can think of a few things we can do with this cake.”

  “You’re going to be punished. Just eat your cake.”

  When I take a bite, my teeth hit something hard. It’s round, heavy, and has some sharp points. I take it out of my mouth and look at the engagement ring covered in chocolate raspberry cake.

  He shrugs. “I told you I had a plan. Then you had to go and be your sexy self, and it derailed me.”

  I giggle. “Well, what am I supposed to do with this?”

  “Caroline Michelle Arnault, when I met you almost six years ago, I fell absolutely in love with you. You are beautiful on the inside and outside. It took us almost five years to find ourselves together, and in that time we became great friends, which only made my love for you grow. I’m hoping we can spend the next sixty years together. I promise to love you despite the paparazzi, our crazy lives, and my overbearing mother. Will you marry me?”

  I’m so happy, I can’t contain myself. “Yes, I will marry you, Mason John Sullivan.”

  His kiss lights me on fire, and I can’t stop the excitement.