Unwrapped by The Billionaire

by Joanna Nicholson

  “I’m not bad once you get to know me.” Eric tried to hide his wedding ring digging into his skin. He could only hope that the symbol of love would not deter this young creature from pursuing more of their banter.

  “That’s a matter of opinion.” She brushed past him, purposely touching the fabric of his pants below his waist.

  Losing him in the crowd would’ve been like taking candy from a baby, but she didn’t want to lose the hold she had over him. The taste of his aura made her hungry to learn more, but she wasn’t going to be obvious about it.” Claire had on a purple suede jacket and the eyes of those prospective suitors would be drawn to her like a moth to the flame.

  Window shopping was a natural high and a pastime that Claire could never get enough of. The market was abuzz with electricity and the sound of proprietors making their sale gave her a necessary jump start.

  “I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but the price is firm. I know the quality of my merchandise and you can’t find anything better at these prices. I’m practically giving them away as it is. You’re robbing me blind. Should I close my eyes and let you take whatever you want?”

  “You wouldn’t be here unless there was some wiggle room in the price. Nobody in their right mind would price things at market value. There’s always going to be a markup and you can’t convince me otherwise.” They shared a knowing glance. This dance was meant for two people to play.

  “I am offended by the accusation. I’ll try and meet you halfway, but don’t take my generosity as weakness.”

  “I’m not accusing you of anything. This is your life and I won’t condemn the way that you handle your business. I will give you $10 for this one and not one penny more. It’s more than fair and you’re still going to make a profit. You claim these are one of a kind, but being manufactured from China doesn’t exactly instill confidence.” Claire dug around under the fabric until she found the hidden tag.

  “You do drive a hard bargain and I’ll even throw in another one as a bonus.” The money was a mere pittance of what he would need to bring his family over from Iraq.

  “I might look like I fell off the back of the turnip truck, but I can assure you that you won’t be able to pull the wool over my eyes. There are only a few here who legitimately are using their own hands to make what they are selling. You are not one of the few. Quality doesn’t come from mass manufacturing from sweatshops overseas.” She handed over the $10 bill and then felt the shadow of someone familiar behind her.

  “I don’t know that much about you, but maybe I can rectify that over dinner. I don’t normally go out of my way to approach strange women in the market. There’s just something about you.” Eric’s main purpose for coming down here was to haggle with those in the business of doing just that. He had no interest in something of the female persuasion.

  “It bothers me that a married man like you feels like you have a chance with me. Take your pompous blue blood attitude and waste your time with someone else. I’m not that gullible to fall for your charm and dimples.” Claire gave him a tongue lashing with a cheerful smile on her face.

  “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I don’t go out hunting for available women. I’m married to a woman of considerable taste and refinement. I’m going to share with you a little secret.” He moved within earshot to be heard quite clearly over the noise of the crowd.

  “Before you say something that you’re going to regret, I have to say that you are barking up the wrong tree.” Claire stood her ground with her arms crossed defensively. She wanted there to be no mistake about her being some kind of home wrecker.

  “I would like to know you and all I’m suggesting is to have a bite to eat with me. What harm could there be?” He said. “I know you might see me as a cad and I feel like I have to prove to you the kind of man I can be. Have dinner with me. Give me an address and I’ll have a car pick you up at precisely 7 p.m.” He could tell that she was fighting her natural instinct and then her address suddenly appeared on the palm of his hand.

  Chapter Three

  The white stretch limousine was easily a focus for those of curiosity. They would want to know who was behind the tinted glass and have their phones ready to secure their 5 minutes of fame.

  “I can’t believe you convinced me to do this. You don’t know how many times I was about to pick up the phone and tell you to go straight to hell. It would serve you right to have your wife show up unexpectedly.” Claire was wearing her secret weapon. The Donna Karan little black dress had the subtlety of a Mack truck running down a small sports car.

  “I never put a gun to your head. You could’ve said no at any time, but you didn’t.” They were sitting at a red light on their way to an exclusive restaurant catering to those who liked privacy.

  “I would be remiss if I didn’t say that you certainly know how to dress to impress. The Armani suit was something, but it doesn’t even compare to the tuxedo. Not many men can wear a bow tie, but you pull it off.” Claire had a string of pearls draped around her neck gleaming underneath the lights of the limousine.

  The smell of champagne was on their breath and they were having a few cocktails before dinner. It loosened them up and made them susceptible to more than just words. The caviar was a nice touch.

  “I haven’t worn this in over a year.” He remembered the last time and how he stole the room with one glance. His attention to detail with the cuff links and the pressed material had made him a noteworthy attendant. He wasn’t the only one.

  His wife mingled amongst the crowd at the fundraiser carrying a conversation from one to the other. She was quite adept at reading a room and immersing herself into a conversation without anybody realizing her interruption.

  “It still looks like it fits and the material is quite soft to the touch.” Claire proved her claim by running her hands down over his chest. Remarkably, he was well put together and there was something of a desire to see him without his clothes.

  “It’s not a good idea to be poking the bear unless you want its claws.” He grabbed her and held her wrists with the grip of a lion applying his teeth to his prey.

  “Such forcefulness can be foreplay in the right hands. I would be very careful and you might be close to the fire.” Claire felt powerless and the look of determination in his eyes brought their lips a little bit closer.

  “I have a firm hand in business and sometimes it translates into the bedroom. There is no better feeling than making an acquisition. I get hot and bothered. Touching you like this brings back that feeling 100 times over.” Eric saw that she was breathing heavily and her chest was rising and falling with each labored breath.

  “You might have found my Achilles’ heel without even trying. I like a man who takes what he wants. It has been a long time since anybody has shown me the kind of man that can leave me breathless with anticipation.” She could smell his aftershave and it made her smile while closing her eyes to the fragrance assaulting her nostrils.

  “I would like to take a moment to say how sexy you look tonight. The dress is a design that is only seen in high-end boutique windows. I don’t know that much about fashion, but I have some unique insight. We haven’t even discussed what you do for a living.” He knew the subject of occupation was going to come up eventually and decided to ask the question.

  “I’m a realtor for very exclusive properties with $1,000,000 price tags. I specialize in foreclosures and those properties on the water. Living in paradise is a prerequisite for those with money. I wonder if you have any interest in setting up some viewings. I have a few tricks up my sleeve which you might find appealing.” Claire pulled out her phone and brought up several listings overlooking the ocean with one catching his eye. She saw the way that his pupils dilated.

  “It’s been a long time, but that one seems familiar. I could swear it’s a place that I have spent a fair amount of my childhood. I never thought there was a way to pry it from my friend’s family’s hands.” The wall of windows
with the white painted façade was nothing without the wooden steps leading down to 200 feet of private beach.

  “I could easily give you a tour of the place tomorrow morning. I have the keys and the view from the master bedroom is to die for,” Claire said. “The bathroom is a wet dream for a woman of refinement. The oasis of the quaint claw tub with a skylight above is a perfect ambiance for romance.” She had him on the hook and was using the bait of the property to reel him in.

  “My wife is away on family business. It wouldn’t be the property for her, but I can’t say the same thing for myself. I think it might be a good idea to cut this evening short. Dinner will have to wait. I know you’re disappointed, but I will make it up to you.” He had spied a text message from Jack and his attention was needed elsewhere.

  “I’m not disappointed and I’m quite anxious to get my hands on the commission of selling that property. I can be quite tenacious. Think of a Pitbull and then you might have a good idea of how hard I’m going to sell you on the place.” Doing her due diligence and finding something familiar was easier than expected.

  “I wouldn’t get your hopes up and the property will have to sell itself. I’m just not sure it’s a good idea to delve into acquisitions concerning real estate at this time.,” Eric said. "I could be convinced, but only if this place ‘blows me’ away.” There was an unconscious double meaning behind his words.

  “I can assure you that this property is something that will take you by the throat and never let go. The previous owners are on an extended vacation in Europe with their family. I have received multiple offers, but the owners have been unwilling to budge. I’m sure with the right offer they will jump at it, but it’s going to have to be something quite the eye opener.” Claire was sipping from her champagne glass and still feeling the phantom touch of his fingers gripping her wrists.

  The image of being manhandled into submission using the silk scarves that she had acquired at the market was immediately blazing in her mind. Struggling and looking up at her captor with those bedroom eyes was going to become something of an obsession.

  “I can be quite generous if given proper motivation. A woman of your persuasion can probably make me do things against my better judgment,” He said. “I feel like I shouldn’t look directly at you or risk having my eyes burning out of my skull. I’ve never been in a position of being tempted by somebody quite like you. That’s not an insult.” He couldn’t help but admire her curves.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Learning about a potential buyer is half the battle. I like to think that I bring to the table a lot more than other realtors. A personal attention to detail is something that I aspire to. A hands on approach is not something that I shy away from.” She was feeling the bubbles of the champagne tickling her nose and the intoxication of the liquor was making the temperature rise a few degrees.

  “It’s very difficult to sit beside you and not want to touch you inappropriately. I want to savor every minute in your presence. I regret this evening and I can only imagine what the rest of the night had to offer. I’m already kicking myself about this damn merger with…” He felt so comfortable with her that he almost spilled the beans. Eric had already warned his people about loose lips and here he was about to commit the same cardinal sin.

  “That sounds like it has a story behind it. I’m not going to pry and it’s really none of my business. I hope that is not a hardship, but maybe you can drop me off back where you picked me up. It’s such a waste to wear such a knockout dress and have no place to go. I might have to go out and I find myself a fresh piece of ass to take to bed. Boys my own age are only after one thing and will lie through their teeth to get it.”

  “I have the same problem and you might not think so, but women tend to become quite transparent when they are looking to cash in on their pot of gold. They are gold diggers and they don’t even care that I’m wearing a wedding ring. I know how hypocritical that sounds considering the circumstances.” He kept looking at his phone and getting the sense of somebody playing a dangerous game to get his attention.

  “I feel a little sick to my stomach for even taking you up on your offer. It might be a good idea to keep things civil without the entanglement of getting physical. We can treat this as a strictly professional relationship. You have acquired my services to find you a property.” Claire was shutting the door on the possibility of romantic overtures. It was going to be interesting to see how he was going to handle this obstacle.

  “I can’t say that I’m happy about this latest turn of events. I look forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve. If this is the same property I’ve come to know and love during my childhood, then selling it is not going to take much effort on your part. It is a lot of money for something I really don’t need.” They arrived back at the restaurant where she had waited patiently for him to collect her.

  “This evening didn’t go according to plan, but I think it’s for the best. There’s no reason to pout and we are going to see each other quite extensively in this search. They say that you should never buy anything without making comparisons. I will show you a couple of other properties before we make our way over to the one that has you bouncing like a kid in a candy store.” She was bending over in a compromising position at the window.

  “I haven’t seen the place in quite some time and it looks like it has gone through some major renovations over the years. I could see potential in every room and I was prepared to make an offer before getting shut down by his parents,” Eric said. "They said, as much as they appreciated the offer that there was no way they could ever let it out of family hands. I don’t know what made them change their minds. It doesn’t seem like them, but circumstances change on a dime. They might be desperate for cash.” He took her hand and gave her a kiss like a gentleman.

  Claire fanned herself with the other hand. “I don’t need this drama in my life. If only you didn’t have that damn ring around your finger. I guess there is truth in the saying that the good ones are either married or gay.” She heard the incessant buzzing of her phone and looked down with a sneer of dissatisfaction on her face.

  “I look forward to the next time I see you, Claire. I will be ready bright and early tomorrow morning unless something comes up at the last minute.” He seemed to recall there was no discussion about what he did for a living. He had no problems throwing his money around and it wasn’t like he was going to be able to take it with him.

  As the car rounded the corner, she picked up the phone and pressed the signal to receive.

  “Everything is on schedule and I hope that I can put this to bed quickly. There’s a beach in Mexico with my name on it.” She didn’t even give him a chance to make any sort of rebuttal and closed off communication with what felt like somebody punching her in the stomach.

  Chapter Four

  “I have to say that you have gone out of your way to make this trip as pleasant as possible. The three properties had promise, but I’m not sure it’s exactly what I’m looking for. We both know that I’m going to have to get approval from my wife. A happy life is a happy wife or maybe that is just something that has been repeated so often that it becomes a way of life for some.” He stepped from her silver Lexus with the smell of Corinthian leather.

  Claire was dressed in a white form fitting ensemble with oversized designer sunglasses to complement the outfit.

  “You don’t seem like a man with a lot of stress in your life at the moment. I can only assume that you were able to fix things last night when you departed quickly.” Claire was nudging him for information, but doing it in a way that seemed perfectly natural and innocent.

  “I had to make some concessions, but they were worth it. Never trust somebody to do something for you that you can’t do yourself. I try to delegate, but sometimes I have to be there in person to oversee things. It’s the nature of the business I’m in. I suspect that if anybody would understand it would be you.” Eric looked at the property and the differences from what he remem
bered were like night and day.

  “I admit that working for myself has been a pleasure. I don’t have anybody to tell me what to do and I make my own hours. Of course, I have to cater to my client, but I enjoy what I do for a living. It’s almost better than sex. Chocolate can be a woman’s guilty pleasure, but it’s the dollar signs that does it for me.” Claire had her white purse over her shoulder and it was big enough to handle all the paperwork needed to finish the deal.

  “I have all this money and I’m not happy. People envy me and wonder what it is like to live in my ivory tower. Money doesn’t make you happy, but I would rather be flush with cash than without.” In the right light, he could see that she wasn’t wearing any underwear with her high beams ready to pierce the lining of the dress.

  “I do like what money can buy and my bank account is not even near what yours is. I make a good living and acquisitions like this one can make my month.” Claire opened the door and the classic black and white motif greeted their eyes.

  “I like what they have done with the place and it has this modern touch of class. There was only one sliding glass door in the back. It has been replaced with a wall of windows taking advantage of the view. The crashing waves and the white sand beach are worth millions of dollars. You never did tell me the price tag. Not that it matters.” Eric felt like he was transported to a different time where things were simple. Fun was the only thing that mattered.

  “I do like the look I see in your eyes, Eric. You’ve gotten lost in old memories. There are a lot more memories that can be made. Don’t you think that you deserve a place that you can call your own? This can be yours for the low price of $20,000,000. It’s the steal of the century. It’s not even listed on the open market and you’re getting in on the ground floor.” Claire slid open the doors and the sound of the water crashing against the shore were causing her to question what she was doing.