Just like Grey (Series ONE Complete Set): Billionaire Romance

by Jessie Cooke

  “Oh that’s terrible.”

  “Yeah, it was bad and I felt sorry for him. But, he taught me a valuable lesson.”

  “What was that?”

  “Don’t help assholes.” I’m not sure if that was supposed to be funny or not, but it made me laugh again. His outlook on things was so different than most peoples…and so honest that it was actually refreshing. “I helped him apply for Julliard. I helped him write his speech and I even helped him write a song for his audition.”

  “Oh, that was so nice of you.”

  “Yeah, I guess. But I soon regretted it. Jesse got his audition the day before mine. He didn’t sing the song I helped him write.”

  “What did he sing?”

  “The song I wrote for myself.”

  “That ingrate!” I was really appalled. Axel laughed.

  “You said it. He got the scholarship and a few years later when I was kicking ass in the recording industry his agent tried to get me to sign him. I told him I didn’t care if he was the next big thing since the Beatles…he could go fuck himself.”

  “Oh Axel that’s a terrible story. I don’t like him now either. I’m going to tear up his autograph!”

  He looked pleased. “Thank you,” was all he said.

  I know that when you have lunch with your boss, it’s not supposed to be the best time you’ve ever had…but the truth was that it was. The food was amazing, the conversation was funny and stimulating and informative…and the company was as yummy as the food. Do I feel guilty lusting after another man while my unsuspecting boyfriend waits at home for me every night? Absolutely…but can I help how I feel? What I can control are my actions and I’m not going to act on my feelings. Besides, it’s not like Axel doesn’t have about a million other choices anyways. Society women, actresses, models, singers…what would he want with a secretary?

  I was about to turn into the parking garage at the office when Axel suddenly said, “Oh damn it!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I have a meeting at one…which is in fifteen minutes and another at three. I left the file for the one at three at home in the penthouse.”

  “Would you like me to go pick it up for you?” I didn’t know if he would want me in his house, but I wanted to help.

  “Would you? That would be great!” I parked the car while he wrote down his address. He handed that to me and then reached in his pocket for the keys. I heard him jangling them while I read the address and then he handed me a ring with three keys on it.

  “The black key is for the penthouse elevator; take it up to the 22nd floor. The silver one is to the front door.” There was a gold key on the ring also, but he didn’t mention that one. “The file is on the coffee table.”

  “Okay, I’ll be back soon.” He started to get out of the car and I said, “Hey Axel, thank you for lunch and everything. I had a great morning.”

  He smiled at me. There was no lust or mockery of any kind in his eyes. It was just a sweet, genuine smile. “Me too. Thank you for going with me, and thanks for listening to my sob story.”

  “It wasn’t a sob story. It’s a story you should be proud of. It tells me you’re a good person with a good heart. I’ll never listen to another Jesse Lee song as long as I live.”

  “Thank you,” he said with a wink. I watched him walk into the building. He always moved with such purpose. Shaking my head at myself, I pulled back out into traffic and headed for his apartment. He of course lives on the Upper East Side in a high rise at 1st and York. I knew the building, but I’d never been inside of it. When I pulled up in Axel’s car, the valet looked surprised.

  “I’m only going to be a few minutes; I have to pick something up for Mr. Maxwell.”

  “Of course, Miss.” He took the keys to the Aston and I went up to the door. The doorman smiled and said,

  “You’re going up to Mr. Maxwell’s apartment?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take the elevator on the right side.”

  “Thank you.” I walked into the lobby and almost gasped. The walls were marble…white and gold, and the ceilings reached up thirty feet or better and opened in a skylight. The furniture was all white and the carpet is so plush I felt like I was being sucked down into it. I suppose that’s why you could also hear a pin drop. There wasn’t a sound at all.

  I took the mirrored elevator up to the 22nd floor and stepped off into another quiet, serene world. The walls of the lobby here were glass and all of Manhattan was in view. It was gorgeous. Axel’s penthouse was the only one on the floor. I let myself in and again as I stepped over the threshold, I gasped. The living room was flooded with sun from the two giant windows on one wall, and had built-in-wall shelves covering the other. Those shelves were filled with awards and photos of Axel receiving awards and photos with actors and actresses and musicians and even politicians. The décor was ultra-modern and the dining room table sat next to a glass door that led out to the large balcony. I could see the file on the table…but I just had to see the rest of the place. I went through a swinging door off the left of the living room. It was a spacious kitchen that looked to be equipped with every new, modern appliance available. The counters and floor were granite and everything else was stainless steel. It was so clean that it almost hurt your eyes to look at it.

  I left there and peeked out onto the balcony. There was a built-in stone barbecue pit, a full set of outdoor furniture and a Jacuzzi. God, it would be so nice to sit in that Jacuzzi at night and look out across the lights of the city. I went down the hall and found the master suite. The bathroom was all solid white marble and there was a Jacuzzi tub as well as a walk-in double shower. His bed was huge…California King, I suppose. The comforter was a plush-looking green down comforter and the rest of the furniture was thick oak that looked handmade. I went across the hall and tried the door to what I thought was the extra bedroom…it was locked. I looked at the gold key in my hand. I tried to tell myself no, but temptation got the better of me. I slid the key in the lock…but it didn’t do anything. This wasn’t the key to this room. Damn!

  I started to walk away and then like a small child who couldn’t control their impulses I kneeled down and tried to look through the keyhole. I couldn’t see a thing. With a resigned sigh, I went back to the living room and picked up the file folder. As I picked it up a magazine fell out from underneath it. When I bent down to pick it up, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. The front of the magazine was black and gray and it said, “Fifty Shades of Gray Bondage Gear and Accessories.” I stood there just staring at it for a long time. I had almost convinced myself to put it back and not look inside when something that looked like an invoice fell out. Yes, I know that I’m the nosiest woman alive…I picked it up and unfolded it. The list of items was enough to cause a tickle way down deep in my core:

  Fifty Shades of Grey No Peeking Blindfold Twin Pack

  Fifty Shades of Grey the Pinch Nipple Clamps

  Fifty Shades of Grey Christians Tie

  Fifty Shades of Grey Please Sir Flogger

  Fifty Shades of Grey Hard Limits Universal Restraint Kit

  Fifty Shades of Grey Soft Limits Deluxe Restraint Wrist Tie

  Fifty Shades of Grey Spank Me Please Spanking Ruler

  Hard Limits Universal Restraint Kit

  New Fifty Shades of Grey Twitchy Palm Spanking Paddle + 4 oz. Anti-Bacterial Spray Toy Cleaner

  I stood there staring at this list that totaled hundreds of dollars with my mouth hanging wide open. Axel had alluded to the whole “spanking” thing…but I really thought he was just kidding. But then there was the 50 Shades of Gray book in his desk…and the hand cuffs…and now this. Damn it! Now my panties are soaked…what in the world is wrong with me?

  I put the invoice back in the book and returned the book to the coffee table before I left. With shaky hands I pushed the button for the lobby. When I got downstairs my wild imagination thought that the doorman and the valet were looking at me with knowing smiles…what did they know? Tha
t I’d snooped? That I’d found an order for Axel’s BDSM supplies? Or maybe, that it had really turned me on.

  I worked on controlling my breathing all the way back to the office. I was pretty much back under control of all my faculties as I stepped inside Axel’s office…but as soon as I saw his face, my heart began to hammer against its cage.

  “Did you find them alright?”

  I forced a bright smile and said, “Yes, right where you said. Here you are.” I lay the file on his desk and then handed him his keys. He reached into his pocket and pulled out one almost identical to the gold one…only it was red. As he slid it back on the ring he gave me a mischievous grin.

  “Your apartment is lovely,” I told him in a shaky voice.

  Fondling the red key with his thumb and forefinger he said, “I’m looking forward to showing you the rest of it.”

  11

  Axel

  “Holly!” I bellowed. I suppose I could use the intercom…but most of the time I prefer to bellow. It makes me sound important.

  “Yes?” Holly popped her head in the door. She looked damned happy this week. I wonder why that is. She and I haven’t had sex yet…nothing else should be making her walk around all day with that goofy…so fucking sexy…smile on her pretty face…literally all the time.

  “What time is Samantha Daniels supposed to be here today?”

  “At eleven.” It’s ten now. That would give me plenty of time to tie her up and tickle her with a feather… “Was that all?” she asked.

  “Yes. Thank you.” She turned to leave and I said, “Holly?” She turned back around. She was still smiling. “Are you and your boyfriend coming to my party tomorrow night?”

  “Yes. We’re excited. We wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Good. Did you make sure we’d have an open studio when the Daniel’s girl comes in?”

  “Yes. We’re in 2C.”

  “Good. Why are you so happy?” Shit! Did I say that out loud?

  She looked at me like I was crazy…she does that a lot. “Excuse me?”

  “I’ve just noticed that you seem extra happy this week. I think it’s great. I just wondered if something was going on that you’d like to share.” She blushed. I was afraid of that. This is about the boyfriend. It’s been three weeks. I’m doing a shitty job here of making her want me. I’m going to have to amp up the sex appeal or something. Something needs to be amped up. I’m losing her.

  “I’m not sure what it is,” she’s lying. “I’ve just felt really good lately.” She’s having more sex. Damn it!

  “Well good for you,” I told her. I looked back down at the spreadsheet on my desk and waited for her to leave and close the door before I looked back up. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s not like I couldn’t get on the phone and call a hundred women…at least half of who could be here by noon. Three weeks…no sex. It’s a new record, not one I strive to break. I’ve even been turning down play parties. It’s like she’s infected me. It’s just not fair…I’ve been looking for my Ana for years. When I finally find her she’s in a monogamous relationship with some goofball. Just my luck.

  I moped around the office, not getting much done until ten-forty-five or so and then I did my best to shake it off before opening the office door. As soon as I saw her beautiful face, the funk was back. She was not only still smiling…she was on the phone with…Him! I stood quietly where she couldn’t see me and listened.

  “It’s all in the wrist,” she was saying…with a giggle. “They are not loaded! Aw, poor baby. Okay, if I win the roll tonight, maybe I’ll let you pick the activity. Yes, so you win either way.” Another giggle. “You’re right, we both win. I must get back to work. Yes baby, a hard toothbrush, chopsticks and rubber bands…” She laughed. “Fine, get Chinese food too, but get extra chopsticks then, I don’t want Kung Pao all over my nipples.” She whispered that. “I love you too. See you tonight.”

  After she ended the call she sat the phone down and stared off into space with that silly grin on her face. She’s making chopstick clamps? What happened to my vanilla girl? I want to be the one to teach her. This is bullshit!

  “Oh…Hi Axel,” she said, looking startled. I saw her contemplating how long I’d been standing there almost as if I was inside of her head. I smiled and she blushed a deep scarlet. There’s my girl.

  “Hello. Are you ready to go hear this little girl sing?”

  “You want me to go down with you?”

  I want you to go down on me. “Of course. I’d like to have a woman’s opinion as well as my own.”

  She looked pleased, locked her desk and we went down to the third floor. I saw Samantha Daniels as soon as we stepped off. I remember her being pretty…but when I met her she was still on the farm. She was “farm pretty” with no make-up and her hair in long braids. This girl was New York hot. Her hair was wavy and it fell to her waist. It’s dark, which I love. Her eyes are a deep blue and her lashes are dark and about a foot long. Her skin looks like cream and begs to be touched…and that figure…hot damn!

  “Samantha! So good to see you again.” She smiled and the dimples on either side of her mouth deepened. She held out her hand and I took it in both of mine. I didn’t shake it, I just held onto it and after several seconds, I let my thumb trace along the side of it before I let go. “You’ve done a lot of growing up,” I told her as I raked my eyes over her perfect form.

  She giggled. “It’s so good to see you again too, Axel. Thank you so much for taking the time to see me. As far as the growing up goes…I’m nineteen now, actually closer to twenty.”

  “I can’t wait to hear you sing,” I told her, placing my hand on her shoulder. I know that I can be a shit sometimes…but desperate times and all of that. I pretended that I suddenly remembered Holly was there. “Oh! I’m so rude. Samantha, this is my assistant Holly.”

  Samantha smiled with those cute little dimples again and said, “I’m pleased to meet you, Holly.”

  Holly seemed to be forcing her smile as she said, “Me too, Samantha.”

  “Okay, we should get started. Do you have an instrument or do you need to use one of ours?”

  “I was just going to sing a Capella for you, if that’s okay?”

  She’s brave, I’ll give her that. Most people who get in on an audition with me…and those are very few…want an instrument to shave the rough edges off their singing. I glanced at Holly to make sure she was paying attention and then I rested my hand on the small of Samantha’s back and led her towards the studio door. She was warm and she smelled good. I was using her to make Holly jealous…but my cock wasn’t aware of that. I felt him beginning to build a tent in my slacks.

  Once I had Samantha all set up inside the studio, I met Holly back in the control room. I saw her eyes flit to my crotch. Was that jealousy…or disgust that I saw in her brown eyes? Maybe a little of both. I smiled at her and took a seat behind the sound panel.

  I put on the headphones and said, “Can you hear me, Samantha?” She nodded and gave me a thumbs up. “Okay sweetheart, whenever you’re ready.” I saw her take a deep breath…actually, I rather enjoyed it. Her little breasts rose and fell and without even giving thought to making Holly jealous, my tongue came out and licked along my bottom lip.

  “She’s a child!”

  I looked at Holly, not even sure that I heard her say that. “What?”

  She looked embarrassed, like she hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “I’m just saying…she’s kind of young for you to be…looking at like that.”

  I laughed. “She’s legal. Besides, you’re not much older than her…I look at you like that. I appreciate a beautiful woman.” Holly rolled her eyes. I smiled again. I love this.

  “Okay, I’m ready,” Samantha said into my head-set. I gave her a thumbs up, slipped off the headphones and switched on the sound so that Holly could hear her too. Samantha might look like a teeny-bopper but when she opened her mouth what came out was pure, sensuous woman. She was singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallel
ujah. It’s not a song I’ve ever been impressed with before…but today, I was impressed. To say her voice is beautiful is to make the grossest understatement ever made. It’s clear and soothing…yet powerful at the same time. It was one of those voices that you wished would never stop. It was one of those voices that would make me not just a famous producer someday, but a legendary one. I had chills.

  12

  Holly

  I had already decided not to like this girl…the second that Axel gave her a lustful look. But, when she opened her mouth…Jesus, I don’t even have words to describe it. I’ve always liked that song, but as many versions as I’ve heard of it…I’ve never heard one like what came out of her mouth…with no music to boot. Damn it! I won’t even be able to lie when Axel asks me what I thought. I glanced over at Axel’s face. If ever he had a look of reverence in his eyes, it was now. I worry about myself sometimes since I took this job. That look on his face made me wish that I could sing…or do anything that would warrant that look. Jesus, I just finished making plans for sex play with my boyfriend and here I am wishing my boss would give me a lustful look. I’m a sick woman.

  Samantha finished and Axel turned to me and said, “So?”

  “I’m speechless,” I said, honestly. “I want to say it was beautiful…but I need a stronger word.”

  Axel smiled. I love it when his smile is just for me. I’ve learned already to tell the difference. The one for me is soft and very…un-Axel-like. “My thoughts exactly. You have a good ear.”