The Billionaire's Desire
Page 1
The
SEDUCTION FACTOR
Book 2—The Billionaire’s Desire
Scarlett Avery
Copyright © 2015 by Scarlett Avery
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.
Scarlett Avery / Absolutely Naughty Publishing
Edited by RJ Locksley
Proofread by Chrissy Becker
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. This book is for sale to adults over 18.
The Seduction Factor / Scarlett Avery.
ISBN 978-0-9938604-9-2
Foreword
I can't thank you enough for purchasing this sizzling read.
I’m absolutely passionate about what I do. Once I start writing, I just can't stop.
It's taking me a whole lifetime to get to the point where I’m able to live out my dream every single day.
The captivating stories and the enigmatic characters live with me throughout the writing process. I think you'll quickly notice how much care and attention I put into each one of my romance novels.
Another thing you’ll discover about me is how much I love my readers!
To thank you for buying this romance novel, I’d love for you to lose yourself in even more sultriness, sexiness and seduction!
When you sign-up today, I’ll send an exclusive
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Sign-up TODAY! www.RomanceBooksRock.com
***
The Seduction Factor Series
Book 1—Casual Encounter
Book 2—The Billionaire's Desire
Book 3—Broken
Book 4—Love Tangle
Book 5—Sinful Desires
Book 6—Always & Forever
***
BOOK 2—THE BILLIONAIRE’S DESIRE
Chapter One
I didn’t think I was ever going to make it to work this morning. I had to muster up all the will power I possess to get dressed and cram my exhausted body at the back of a New York city cab instead of emailing my team to let them know I was going to work from home.
I look like crap. Not even Yves Saint Laurent makeup can help this face.
I cannot believe how tired I look. The fluorescent elevator lights accentuate the bags under my eyes.
I refuse to admit I’ve not been able to sleep since leaving Nikolaj’s place. I’ve been avoiding his text messages and his phone calls because I think it’s best if we leave things as they should be—two unattached people who met in a foreign city and enjoyed each other for a few days. End of story.
Get it together. This is going to be a brutal day.
I stand in front of my Manhattan office with a hand on the door handle wondering how I’ll survive this day. I give myself a quick pep talk before opening the heavy glass door. The minute I step inside my office, my receptionist turns my way and gives me a beaming smile.
“Good morning, Ciara. You look fabulous as always.”
“Good morning, Jody. How were things while I was away?”
“Everything was smooth as usual, but since the team that accompanied you to Toronto arrived yesterday, it’s been crazy. I much prefer being busy over bored,” she says before picking up a new incoming call.
“I’m going to my office,” I mouth.
Suddenly, I hear my name and pay more attention as I keep on walking. “Ms. Herrera is not in yet, but I can surely leave her another message that you’ve called, sir. Yes, I promise I will communicate you really want to get in touch with her.”
I stop dead in my tracks.
Why would the receptionist say I’m not in yet when I’m standing in front of her? She doesn’t know about Nikolaj, so she can’t be screening his calls.
“What was that about, Jody?”
“This Spanish guy has called so many times since you’ve been away and he’s camped here for a few days. I have a feeling it’s a big European contract, but Meghan will brief you on things.”
“This I need to hear. Please ask Meghan to come to my office in thirty minutes so I can find out more about this mystery man,” I say, opening the door to my office.
“Oh, Ciara…”
“What happened to my office?” I look at Jody in shock.
“You’ve never been so popular! About twenty minutes ago an army of delivery people showed up with all of these beautiful flowers. I’m not sure who your secret admirer is, but you’ve obviously made quite the impression on him,” Jody says in a chipper tone.
“Oh my God, they are so beautiful.” I have a suspicion who might be desperately trying to get my attention.
“They are gorgeous, but wait until you smell them. I’ve never smelled anything more fragrant in my life. Enjoy the flowers!”
I close my office door and admire the wall of white flowers with a little touch of yellow.
Is Nikolaj responsible for this?
A tiny gold box lies on the table in my office and I walk over to pick it up. I undo the black bow and lift the lid.
A note!
Dearest Ciara,
I may be gone for two weeks, but I’m determined to invade your space to make sure you don’t have time to forget me. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of your beauty and I hope these flowers reflect how much I long to see you again. I’ve selected these plumerias because their scent reminds me of the sweet smell of your silky skin. Perhaps I’ve now caught your attention and you’ll finally return my calls and my text messages.
Nikolaj
God, he’s a persistent one. I guess ignoring him for the past seventy-two hours hasn’t been a big enough clue.
Nikolaj has been texting and calling me since I left his place after a weekend of torrid sex. He thinks he said something to offend me and he’s apologized a million times, but that’s not it. He was demanding things of me I couldn’t give. I don’t get close to the men I sleep with and I don’t allow them to get to know me. I mean, what’s the point? Men always end up breaking your heart.
I never thought I would recover from Luke Elliot Rutherford, but when I did, I promised myself to date like a man—all sex, no commitments. I don’t allow myself to even like a guy, because it’s a sure descent into hell.
It’s been so easy for me to stick to my dating rules and treat men like commodities for my pleasure, but there’s something different about this guy…
I didn’t run away. I prefer not to deal with unnecessary shit. Whatever.
I toss the card on the table and walk to my desk, determined to make this morning as productive as I possibly can. I open my MacBook Pro laptop computer and dive into my emails, pretending the bouquets don’t distract me.
Focus. Don’t let him affect you.
I open a series of emails and try to get to work. I see the words, but my mind is so preoccupied it’s impossible for me to make sense of anything.
Get over it. It was simply another weekend of debauchery with a sexy guy you don’t have to see ever again.
I get up and walk to the table to grab a pile of décor magazines, hoping the pretty photos will distract me. I leaf through the pages of the glossy industry bibles, but I’m unable to forget Nikolaj.
Damn him. These are magnificent flowers and they smell divine.
I refuse to admit it, but secretly, I’m touched by this attention and by the fact he’s unwilling to give up.
I grab my phone
and call my receptionist.
“Jody, on second thought, please ask Meghan to come to my office in an hour. I need extra time to sort a few things.”
“No problem. I’ll buzz her right now, she’s in a meeting with a new vendor in the boardroom.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you letting her know.”
I look at my Ballon Bleu Cartier watch to make sure it’s not too late to call Tokyo.
It must be ten-thirty at night there since it’s nine-thirty in the morning here. I’m sure it’s not too late to get in touch with him.
I grab my iPhone and text him.
Can we chat? Are you busy?
He responds immediately.
I guess you received the flowers if you’re the one initiating a text message. ;-)
-----
You’re funny. Yes, I did get the flowers. They are lovely. Thank you. I’m touched.
-----
It’s my pleasure. Plumerias are beautiful, but nothing can match you as far as I’m concerned. Let me call you now. I’m dying to hear your voice.
My phone rings and I answer immediately.
“How are you, Nikolaj?”
“Much better now that you’re talking to me again.”
“Seriously, you’ve outdone yourself with these flowers.”
“I needed to convince you those days we spent together in Toronto were more than just sex. You didn’t have to run away, you know. We could have talked about it. I can’t tell you how bloody frustrated I am by the fact you’ve been ignoring my attempts to get in touch with you.”
“I’m not good with talking, Nikolaj. The types of relationships I usually have don’t require much.”
“Neither do mine, but you’re an eloquent woman, Ciara. That was more than you not being uncomfortable with talking, but I’m not going to pressure you more because I’m so thrilled we’re on speaking terms again.”
How can I tell him I’ve been running away from every relationship I’ve been in for the past seven years since Luke dumped me and broke my heart in a million pieces?
It suddenly hits me. “Wait a minute, how did you know where to send the flowers?”
“It took you a while,” he chuckles. “I asked my assistant to look up Ciara Herrara, New York City, lighting designer. Since I knew you were leaving Toronto on Monday, she was able to call your office yesterday to confirm we had the right person.”
“Clever. Did you also ask your assistant to write the little note?”
“No. I wrote it myself. It’s personal. It’s between you and I. I emailed the florist the message I wanted to include and my assistant took care of sending the flowers to you. I would have delivered them myself, but I thought it might be a bit outrageous to fuel a plane to deliver flowers.”
“You’re so sweet, and I agree, the plane thing might have been much,” I say, amused.
“I’m glad you like the little token of my affection, but I’m sure men have showered you with more opulent gifts than flowers.”
“It’s not about how much the gift cost. It’s about the attention. You could have sent roses like any other guy, but you picked a rare flower. They smell like heaven. You could have asked your assistant to send a canned note, but you took the time to write it personally.”
“I love giving meaningful gifts.”
“How’s Japan?” I change the subject before it gets too personal.
“Tokyo is an amazing city. This is not my first time here, but every time I return, I’m always amazed how orderly this city is.”
“I haven’t been yet to Tokyo, but I’ve heard it’s an incredible city. On the other hand, I’ve been to Hong Kong many times and I’ve also been to Nepal a few times.”
“You must come to Tokyo. For a designer like you, it’s an oasis of creative ideas. You’ve been to Nepal? Did you like it?”
“I didn’t expect I would, but I fell in love with the country and the people.”
“I feel the same way. It’s a magical place and I always come back so grounded.”
“Same here. The vibe transforms me.”
“Look at that. Another thing we have in common.”
He’s incorrigible.
“How’s business? I’m facing a brutal week.”
“I’m getting myself ready for a marathon of meetings, which makes this conversation so much more meaningful to me,” he says in a low voice.
“Oh.” His comment takes me by surprise.
“Ciara, we can keep talking about banalities like business and Tokyo or I can tell you how much I’ve missed you. Don’t tell me you texted me just because you have good manners. At least be honest enough to admit you’ve been thinking about me.”
“Okay, you’re right. I am happy to hear your voice.”
“Was that an admission?” I can hear the mockery in his voice.
“Partially.” God, my heart is beating so fast right now. I can deal with raunchy phone sex even at this early time of the day, but this intimate conversation is new to me.
“When are you coming back to Toronto?”
“We… I mean…”
Why am I so nervous?
“You might want to try that again, love,” he says, amused.
“The entire team needs to be back in Toronto to start the Toronto Bishop hotel job in about two and a half weeks.”
“I didn’t ask about your team’s itinerary, Ciara,” he says in a deep smoky voice that raises my temperature. “I asked when you were coming back, sweetness.” His voice is so sensual. “Are you still there or have I lost you again?”
“I’ll be in Toronto a few days after you arrive back from the Far East.”
“I much prefer your second answer. Can I see you again when you get back to the city?”
Jesus, it’s as if I’m in a steam room here. My body is overheating and my throat is so dry. I want to believe Nikolaj is another random guy happy that I made him come like no one before me, but this conversation is too heavy.
“Nikolaj, you do realize you’re a foreigner living temporarily in another country?”
“I own a private jet. I can fly wherever and whenever I want. You’re going to have to find a better excuse. You’ll be in Toronto for the next few months doing work for this client of yours and when you’re back in New York, I can fly in or I can send over the jet to fly you to Toronto. I want to see you again and if you weren’t so stubborn, you’d come out and admit you feel the same way I do.”
“Stubborn?”
“What else would you call it?” His question silences me. “Ciara, the ball’s in your court. You already know how I feel.”
“It sounds complicated. I like things simple.”
“It’s only going to be complicated if we make it that way.”
“God. Nikolaj…” I’m torn.
“Listen, if you don’t want to see me again, I’ll accept defeat, but I want to hear the words come out of your mouth.” I’d be lying if I told him I didn’t want to see him again. “Can I see you again when you get back to Toronto?”
“I’d like to see you again.”
“You’ve made me a very happy man. I have to run now, sweetness. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, talk to you tomorrow.”
I sit, staring at my iPhone, still unable to believe I said those words aloud and meant them.
I need to talk to someone about all of this before I lose my mind.
I need a woman’s opinion on this and it can’t be my sister’s. Sofia is an eternal romantic who will have a heart attack when I tell her I spent two full nights nestled in Nikolaj’s arms. She’ll most likely weep at the fact that I’m ‘changing my ways.’ I know she loves me deeply and I know she wants what’s best for me, but she keeps forgetting how different we are. Nah, I need the opinion of my fiery, edgy blonde friend who doesn’t allow men to rule her world.
I need to text Harley.
Harl, I’m back in town. I have so much to tell you. Let’s have drinks tonight.
&nb
sp; I hear back from her immediately.
Honey, you’re back. I cannot wait to see my favorite Amazonian beauty again. What time?
-----
What about seven-thirty at Ava Lounge on the rooftop of the Dream Hotel?
-----
You’re on! Perfect location on this beautiful day. I’ll see you tonight. I also have a lot of new stuff to share.
-----
Okay, I’ll catch you later.
-----
See you. God knows I could use a martini right now, and it’s only ten-thirty in the morning.
-----
I hear you, Harl.
* * *
“Knock, knock. Ciara, can I come in?”
I’m still looking at my phone when my assistant Meghan pops her blonde bob around my door at the same time as she’s knocking to come in. “Of course.”
“How was the weekend in Toronto?”
“It’s been great,” I answer fighting off a smile. “So it seems a lot has happened during my absence.”
“Indeed, but nothing as exciting as you getting these beautiful flowers. There must be at least twenty-five bouquets in this room. Someone is trying hard to catch your attention.”
“Yes and it worked,” I say, winking at her.
“I don’t know of any woman who is unmoved by flowers.”
“You’re right. So please do share. Who is this Spanish guy who has been calling the office and camping at the reception area?”
“Oh, yeah, the guy who won’t take no for an answer.” Meghan rolls her eyes. “This guy, James Echev, is a businessman from Barcelona and he wants to talk about creative ideas. He said he saw a feature in the British papers earlier this year and he’d love to connect. I didn’t know the firm had been featured in the British papers.”