She shakes her head.
I lift the glass to my lips and take a sip. “So: let’s see if I’ve got this right. Basically: your spineless husband has taken nearly half a million of my money and can’t pay it back. Out of the goodness of my heart I told him he could lend you to me for a month in exchange. It seemed like a good idea to him. You obviously agreed. I drew up a contract and he promptly sent you to me, but now that you are here, you have decided not to … perform.”
She swallows hard. It sounds bad put like that. “I’m just playing by the rules of the contract you wrote,” she croaks.
“Perhaps I expected more … fair play from you.”
“You expected fair play from me after you concocted such a sordid and unfair arrangement?”
“We all have our illusions,” I say mildly.
She looks at me warily. “We have an impasse. What now?”
I shrug. “I guess, you can go home.”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Of course. I never say what I don’t mean.”
For a second she looks dumbfounded, then she starts babbling. “Oh, thank you. Thank you very much. I … I’m so sorry if I gave you the wrong impression at the restaurant. It was never my intention.”
I take another sip. “No problem.”
“Also I didn’t mean it when I said kissing you would be repulsive.”
“No?” The sound comes from deep inside my chest.
“No, of course not. I was just nervous. You’re not repulsive at all. In fact, you’re a very good looking man.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Well.” An unnatural laugh erupts from her mouth. “Well, I suppose, I better call a cab.”
“No need. My driver can take you back,” I tell her smoothly.
“Oh, that would be really kind of you. I’m really sorry that Nigel lost all that money in your club.”
“Hmmm.” Every time I hear his name come from her lips I want to smash something.
“Don’t worry,” she assures, her eyes huge, “he won’t ever be back there again. I’ll make sure of that. He’s going to go into treatment. Gambling is an addiction, you know.”
I watch her force herself to stop talking.
“Well, I guess, I better go look for your driver. I know the way out so I’ll just … Once again, thank you. I’m really grateful to you.” She starts moving towards the door. “Goodbye, Mr. Smirnov.”
“Goodbye, Star. Don’t forget to tell Nigel to be careful.”
She stops in her tracks and turns around slowly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I walk across the long drawing room to a window at the far end and gaze out of it. One of the gardeners is tending to the hedges in the distance. They do a good job those men. I make my voice sound disinterested. “Well, obviously, I’ll have to sell his debt on, and there is no telling how the buyer of the debt will decide to collect.”
“You bastard,” she snarls. “You did this on purpose.”
I turn around and raise an eyebrow. “Did what?”
Her eyes glitter with hatred. I stare at her, surprised. She is even more beautiful than I thought, and something feral jerks inside me. I can’t wait to make her submit to me. Tame her. Make her beg.
Make her mine.
“You made me believe that you were going to let me go,” she accuses.
My gaze is steady. “I’m not stopping you. You’re free to leave.”
“How can I leave if you are going to sell the debt to another criminal?” she cries.
“I told you, Star. To completely cancel the contract and wipe out the debt you only have to do one thing.”
“What’s that?” she demands.
“All you have to do is prove that you don’t want me.”
“Don’t want you? Does it look like I want you?”
“Prove it by kissing me.”
“I hate you.”
“Be careful, Star.”
“Why?”
“Because of what’s on the other side of the coin.”
“Love?” She laughs harshly. “To start with I could never ever love someone like you. But even that is beside the point because I already love someone. My husband!”
“That’s okay, little butterfly. I don’t want your love. All I need from you is your lust.”
“Are you deaf? I don’t want you.”
“So grit your teeth and kiss me, and you can return to the man you claim to love so much.”
“How about I detest you so much it would make me sick to kiss you.”
“So leave and let Nigel take his chances with another moneylender. See if he will be kinder. Perhaps you can grace his bed instead?”
She stands there glaring at me, her chest heaving.
I put my glass down. “Well, what’s it to be? A kiss? Leave Nigel to the wolves? Or submit sexually to me for a month?”
She stands there shaking with emotion. “What? Just one kiss?”
“One kiss.”
Chapter Sixteen
Star
His eyes betraying nothing but indifference. Yes, I’d like to use your body for a month, but it wouldn’t bother me too much whether you stayed or went.
But my hands are shaking with terror.
Not fear of him, but of my own unnatural desire for him. It’s the kind of craving I’ve never known before. Until now I never suspected there could be such a need for another human being. A stranger.
Of course, I love Nigel. I love him deeply. My love for him feels as warm and comfortable as an old blanket. Makes me safe. I know I can trust that love to last until I am grey and wrinkled.
What I feel for this cold-eyed monster is raw and dangerous. Even from where I am standing I can feel the waves of sexual tension coming from him. Like heat from the Mediterranean sun. Heating up my blood. Making me feel hot and strange.
One kiss?
I’m already hanging on to the edge of the cliff by my fingernails. Barely able to sustain the pretense that I find him repulsive. If I kiss him I will tumble away into the dark abyss waiting below, and everything will be lost. Everything. My plans. My lovely house. My garden. My birds. My yellow room. The stack of little romper suits with the shop tags still attached to them. I cannot sacrifice all that for this blind lust. I just cannot. The lust will die away, and I will be left with nothing.
I will have children with Nigel.
I will grow old with him.
I will not give that up for this worthless pleasure. Never.
I walk towards Nikolai and look him in the eye. “I will not kiss you. You are not my lover. You bought the use of my body for a month, and that’s all you’ll get from me.”
“I accept,” he says quietly.
My belly clenches with excitement. Have I just made my deal with the devil? I lift my chin proudly. “Now what?”
A slight movement twists those sensuous lips. I think of them on my body and I have to suppress a shiver of need.
“Now, we eat. I’m hungry.”
“Well, I’m not hungry,” I say, even though I’ve not eaten all day.
“Then you can watch me eat,” he suggests coolly. His startling light eyes remain aloof and completely expressionless.
Unable to think of a single thing to say in reply I stare at his mouth.
“Perhaps you’d like to change first?”
“I won’t bother.”
He takes his cell out of his suit pocket, touches a couple of buttons on it, and says, “Send Celine in.” He drops his phone back into his pocket. “Celine will take you to your room, show you how everything works, and help you to choose an outfit.”
“I said, I didn’t want to change for dinner,” I say tightly.
His eyes gleam with a glimpse of something savage, but his voice is pleasant. “I think you’ll find that we will get on much better if whilst you are here you remember never to question, or deny my wishes.”
There is a soft knock on the door.
“Co
me in,” he calls, not taking his eyes off me.
I drag my gaze away. A woman about my age is standing at the doorway. She smiles deferentially at us.
“Show Miss Minton to her room, please,” he says without taking his eyes off me.
Three impressions hit me at once. The weirdness of being called Miss Minton after five years of being Mrs. Harrington. The feeling of unease that someone you did not even know existed until a few hours ago knows so much about you. And the irritation that he wouldn’t acknowledge my marital status.
“Of course, Mr. Smirnov,” Celine says immediately.
I force my legs to move and start walking towards her. My gait is wooden and stiff. She smiles politely at me, and I realize that it would have been awkward if he had introduced me as a married woman when it must be obvious that I am here as some sort of temporary mistress. I leave the room without looking back.
“Since we haven’t been formally introduced, I’m Celine Bradford, and I’ll be your personal assistant during your stay here.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Bradford.” We start walking up the grand marble staircase.
“Please, call me Celine,” she says immediately.
“All right. Then you must call me, Star.”
“I love your name.”
“Thank you.”
When we reach the top, she waves her palm out to the left of us. “It’s just this way.” The corridor is wide, with a carpet running down the middle of it. There are many doors leading off it. My room is the first one.
She opens it, and oh, my goodness me, it is like something out of a storybook. The wallpaper depicts climbing roses. One wall is taken up by a massive, dark-wood, four-poster with a dusky rose canopy. There is a gorgeous armoire with painted panels and a cream antique day bed. Tall doors lead off to a balcony.
Celine goes ahead of me and opens the armoire. It has a few items of clothing hanging inside it. She turns to me. “They are all in your size. After you choose something, I’ll help you with your hair.” She smiles. “I’m actually a trained hairdresser.”
“Oh! Have you worked here long?”
“No. I was hired last week to assist you.”
My eyes widen with shock. Wow! He hired someone especially for me. And the confidence! He was so sure I’d come. “What are you supposed to do for me?” I ask softly.
“I can turn my hand to almost anything. I can help with your hair, press your clothes, bring you breakfast in bed, take instructions for special meals, run general errands like getting your favorite magazines, or driving into the village for anything you need. Whatever that makes your stay here more comfortable and pleasant, I guess.”
“I see.”
I walk over to a window and look out. My room is front facing and opens out to a balcony that stretches along the main part of the house. Elegant stone balustrades edge it. From where I am standing I can look down and see the cars on the gravel car park, the long winding driveway, and a view of the wonderful ancient trees dotting the grounds.
“Would you like to pick out a dress for tonight?” Celine asks, breaking into my thoughts.
I turn around, and she smiles brightly.
“I guess so,” I say dully.
“Great,” she says enthusiastically with another big smile. It is clear she is trying very hard to please me and I start to feel slightly sorry for her. She is just trying to do her job.
I walk towards her and decide that I will not make her life difficult. None of this is her fault.
Chapter Seventeen
Star
Standing next to Celine, I rifle through the small collection of outfits.
There are seven items, and I can tell even without looking at the labels that they are all uber expensive. It is also quickly apparent that they are all extremely sexy. A mix of plunging necklines, backless designs, daring slits.
There is a beautiful silver mini dress that Rosa would love, and a clinging, silk pantsuit I wouldn’t be caught dead in, but there is also a long, black dress with a deep-plunge, wraparound halterneck.
“Great choice. Very classy,” Celine approves.
I undress quickly.
“You won’t be able to wear a bra with this.
I ditch my bra, and pull the daring dress up over me. Celine ties it at the back of my neck, then comes around the front to stand a couple of feet in front of me.
“It suits you perfectly,” she says with a satisfied nod.
Then, she crouches down on the floor, and pulls out a shoe box from the bottom of the armoire. “How about these Jimmy Choos to go with your dress, hmmm?” she asks, lifting up a beautiful pair of gold textured lamé sandals trimmed with sleek, black leather. The heels are at least four inches high.
“Okay,” I approve.
She puts them on the ground, and I slip my feet one at a time under the cross-over straps while she fastens the ankle buckles. They fit perfectly. I don’t ask her why they do. I just file it away as information that needs clarification.
She stands up and grins. “That was easy. Now, how would you like to wear your hair?”
I shrug. “Whatever you think is best.”
“I would suggest something plain and Grecian.”
“Fine.”
I sit on the bed while Celine does my hair. She works quickly, fluffing it, braiding it, and adding a gold-leaf comb on one side.
She stands back and eyes me critically. “I think we’ll keep the look plain. Maybe just red lipstick and black eyeliner?”
I shrug again.
I can’t help feeling I’ve lost control of the situation. I feel like a doll, or one of those courtesans in the olden days. The way they used to be dressed by servants and made up before they were taken to the King to be deflowered. Celine opens packets of cosmetics and paints my eyes and lips.
“All done. Come and have a look,” she invites.
I walk over to the mirror in a daze. My first reaction is to gasp. That’s not me. I’ve never done my hair like that, and I can’t remember the last time I painted my eyes like that or wore such a deep red on my lips. Worse, there is so much of me on display, as the neckline ends almost at my belly button. I take a step closer and I actually sway, as if I’m dizzy or drunk.
“I think you look beautiful,” Celine says.
I catch her eyes in the mirror. “You don’t think it’s a bit slutty?”
Her eyes widen. “No, I don’t. Not at all. You look incredible. I promise you, Mr. Smirnov will be very pleased.”
“Will he?” I find myself whispering.
“Yes,” she says firmly.
I frown.
“Would you like me to escort you to the dining room?”
“Where is it?”
“Next to the room where we met.”
“In that case, I’ll find it myself. Thank you for your help.”
“Okay.” She walks to a tasseled sash hanging next to the bed. “I’m in a room down the corridor. If you need me just pull on this. It will ring in my room.”
I thank her again, she wishes me good night, and slips out of my room. I turn back towards my reflection. With a start of surprise, I realize that I have not thought of Nigel once since arriving. I quickly take my cell out of my purse and call him.
He answers on the first ring. “Oh, thank god, you called. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry. Are you all right?” His voice is distraught and urgent.
“Yes,” I say walking towards the mirror.
“Where are you now?”
I stare at my dolled-up self in the mirror. “In the bedroom that’s supposed to be mine during my stay here.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“Downstairs, I think.”
“Have you met him yet?”
“Yes, as soon as I arrived.”
He exhales sharply. “Was he … all right with you?”
“Yes.”
“He didn’t … do anything to yo
u, did he?”
I bite my lip. “No.”
“Oh, Star. I can’t believe that you’re there. That my stupidity has caused this. I don’t know if I can take much more. I’ve been pacing the floor ever since you left. I’ve never been alone in this house without you in the evening and it’s horrible. I’m so fucking lonely.” He makes a sobbing sound.
“It’s okay, Nigel. If we get through this we’ll be stronger for it,” I say the platitude automatically, without believing it.
“Promise?” he sniffs.
“Promise,” I lie. There is a different creature in the mirror staring back at me. That is not Star. That is someone else who has been hiding inside me all these years. In my heart, I know, that nothing will be the same again.
“What are you going to do now?” he asks.
“I’m going down to dinner.”
“With him?”
“Yes.”
“And after that?”
I say nothing.
“Oh God,” he chokes.
“Perhaps it might be better if we don’t talk about that part of this arrangement again, Nigel.”
“You’re right. I’m being selfish. This must be so difficult for you. Will you call me later? Before you go to sleep.”
“I’ll try.”
“Please, Star. Please. You must find a way to talk to me again tonight. I won’t be able to sleep. I won’t be able to do anything. I’m a total wreck.”
“Okay, I will.”
“I love you. I never knew just how much until this evening.”
“Yeah, I love you too.”
“Think of me, Star.”
“All right then.”
“Don’t let him take you away from me. Think of me even when you are with him.”
I feel a surge of anger and I force it down. “I’ve got to go, Nigel.”
“I love you,” he cries desperately.
I don’t answer him. Staring at my own reflection blankly, I hit the disconnect button. What will be, will be. I take a deep breath and walk out of my bedroom. As I come down the stairs I see a shadow fall on the bottom step. Nikolai Smirnov is standing there looking up at me. He has changed into a dark suit and a snow-white shirt.
Submitting to the Billionaire: A Dark Billionaire Romance Page 7