Power Play - A MFMMM Reverse Harem Billionaire Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 6)

by Layla Valentine

  “Yes, sir,” I said. “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  He then hung up on me. One of my editor’s many delightful habits. Once he saw this story, billionaires having sex parties with famous models, oh he was going to rue the day he’d underestimated me.

  Fueled by indignation, I started working immediately. I set my print of Monet’s Water Lilies down on the ground so that I had a blank wall. I then stole some of Kelsie’s string. She liked to knit and stuff when she had some down time. She’d made everyone she knew, including me, ugly Christmas sweaters. Kelsie wasn’t even Christian, she was Jewish, but that wasn’t about to stop her from knitting everyone glitter-infested sweaters with dancing snowmen and Rudolph noses and tassels and a goddamn partridge in a pear tree.

  Anyway, I stole some string from Kelsie’s immense pile of it and then a bunch of tape and some tacks from our toolbox. It probably would have been better if I’d had a proper whiteboard for all of this, like detectives in those crime shows, but I didn’t have one and I wasn’t about to go out and buy one or Kelsie would never let me live it down. Instead I just used the blank wall.

  The hours passed quickly once I opened my laptop and got to work on the research. I could clearly picture the women in my mind’s eye, and could vaguely recall the other man I’d seen, who was first in the Jacuzzi, and then the one who’d been getting a blowjob on the couch.

  Obviously, it was easiest to get information on Jason, the twins, and Liam, since I had their names. I saved Liam for last, although I wasn’t sure why. I had his first and his last name, and so he would have been the easiest person to research. But I just…didn’t want to. Not just yet.

  So I started with Jason. A quick internet search for “Jason stunt double” got me what I wanted.

  He had been right about being the black sheep of his family—it looked like his two brothers and his parents were all involved in his family’s historic motor company. It looked like Jason had managed to piss them off even further by advocating for renewable energy and condemning cars that used fossil fuels. There were quite a few articles about it. I wondered if this was a petty family feud or if Jason truly believed in saving the environment.

  He’d also been in his fair share of scandals. There was a DUI back from when he was in college. He hadn’t even finished college, dropping out to pursue his stunt double career. He’d gotten injured while BASE jumping a couple of years ago, which apparently wasn’t a rare occurrence for an extreme sport that involved jumping off of high places while wearing nothing but a glider suit.

  If Jason’s fondness for extreme sports wasn’t enough, he’d also been photographed with pretty much every gorgeous famous woman in the world. There was that one country singer—supposedly the single on her latest album was about Jason—and that actress who’d recently split from her husband, and quite a few models, and even a prima ballerina. Turned out his favorite hobby was big-wave surfing, with none other than Liam.

  All right, so Jason was the typical bad boy. And an adrenaline junkie, as he’d admitted to me. I put the information up on my wall and printed out a picture of him to go with it. Out of any of them, Jason definitely best fit the image I would think of if someone told me a billionaire was hosting sex parties on his yacht. He clearly was out to chase his highs and have a good time and didn’t care how many hearts he broke or what kind of reputation he got along the way.

  Luckily, researching Jason led me to the two men that I didn’t have names for: Tim Pryor and Michael Goldberg. They looked pretty boring, actually. They knew Liam and Jason, they were rich, and that seemed to be it. There were rumors that Tim Pryor and his girlfriend, an heiress, were supposed to be engaged last summer, but then they’d broken it off. I made a note in my timeline on the wall—was that when Tim had started getting in on the sex parties?

  Next, I looked up Cody and Cameron. Turned out their last name was Ingram and they hailed from London. They were the cofounders of a line of luxury, boutique hotels under the name of Ingram International. All of their hotels looked gorgeous, and I wondered if the brothers might have had a hand in designing the interior of Liam’s yacht.

  From what my research suggested, the twins were probably in town to open a Santa Barbara hotel. I made a note of that on the wall as well. Was it because of the hotel that they’d met Liam and Jason, or had they already known them and that was why they’d decided to build in the area?

  And whose idea was the sex party originally? That would be an important part of my story. I was inclined to think Jason, as he seemed like the type, but Liam had been far from shy with me. Maybe it had been his idea.

  I finally gave into temptation and looked him up. Liam Myer, thirty, CEO of Health in Hand, a healthcare technology company. It had been started by his father twenty years ago and Liam had taken over three years ago, when his father had passed away.

  The articles about it were heartbreaking. Liam’s mom was a professor, as he’d told me, and they’d lived a pretty normal life despite the wealth they’d accumulated. Judging from the pictures of the funeral, his father’s death had broken Liam’s heart.

  Whether his father’s death had inspired him or he was already driven, Liam had propelled the company to even greater heights of success. He’d taken his own fortune from the millions to the billions and become one of the youngest billionaires in the United States. It looked like he had grown up right here in Santa Barbara along with Jason, and had stayed true to his roots despite a couple of articles hinting that he’d been pressured to move the company headquarters to a bigger city like New York or Chicago.

  I put all of my information up on the wall. Hmm. As far as I could tell, Liam had led a pretty quiet life up until he’d taken over as CEO. He’d gone to Harvard Business School, so he’d clearly been well educated. But I couldn’t sniff out any details about a girlfriend in all of those years.

  A story was starting to shape itself in my head: young CEO, missing his father and struggling with the pressure of leading a company right out of the gate, fills the hole in his life and combats his stress by hosting sex parties.

  It made sense, at least to me. Having sex with gorgeous models in an environment that he could control would help Liam to relax and boost his ego, and serve as a good substitute for the love he didn’t have time to get from a girlfriend. In the business world, he could easily fail, but in the world of his sex parties, he was king.

  Setting my computer aside to get up and stretch, I looked up and realized it was dark out. Shit, when had that happened? I was still in my nightgown and everything.

  I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a sandwich. I’d only had coffee all day and my stomach was growling at me. Then I went back into the bedroom to make my wall into something that looked a little less like a conspiracy theorist’s weekend project and more like a cohesive map of people and timelines.

  Then there was a knock at the door.

  Crap. I grabbed everything off the wall and shoved it all underneath the bed. Real classy, Gabrielle, I thought to myself.

  I had no idea who could be knocking. Kelsie wouldn’t knock. None of my other friends would stop by without texting or calling me first about it. Did Kelsie have someone coming over that she’d forgotten to mention to me?

  I hurried to the door, completely forgetting that I was just in my nightgown until I put my hand on the door handle. Well, too late to back out now.

  Chapter 9

  Jason

  When I woke up the day after the party, there were two things on my mind.

  First, coffee.

  Second, who was that Gabi from last night?

  This wasn’t the first time I’d met a new girl and been intrigued. Especially when it was a girl who was so delightfully submissive and sensitive.

  I could still feel the phantom memory of her trembling in my arms on the dance floor and the way she’d wriggled in my lap. If only the damn twins hadn’t interrupted us, I’d have taken her upstairs and made good on every
single promise I’d whispered into her ear. It was so easy to imagine her spread out and at my mercy, begging for me.

  I sat up and looked over at one of the three gorgeous women lying in bed with me. I’d find out who this Gabi was in a bit. First, there was no reason not to satisfy myself with one of these willing beauties.

  We pulled into the harbor shortly afterwards, and Liam took the Avalon back to its usual dock near his beach house.

  I, unfortunately, had to work.

  This was why we should always have these parties on the weekends, I thought, sitting through endless safety briefings for the film I was due to start work on. So that I don’t have to down six cups of coffee just to concentrate because I’d drunk and fucked myself silly the night before. Luckily, I was pretty used to it.

  Still, I couldn’t get that Gabi out of my mind. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn’t gotten the chance to actually have her. I just couldn’t stop thinking about her.

  Finally, after the last briefing wrapped up, I caved in. I called Liam.

  “Hey man, what’s up?” he asked. As CEO, he could afford to take the day off and was probably lounging out on the beach.

  “You remember Gabi?” I asked, cutting right to the chase.

  Liam snorted. “How could I forget?”

  I grinned. “I take it you two had some fun?”

  “Twice,” Liam said, groaning at the memory. “I’d have kept her entertained all night if she’d let me, but she took the speedboat and went back early.”

  “She went back early?” I frowned. That was odd.

  “It was probably because she was worried I’d figure out that she wasn’t really invited.”

  “What?” That made me stand to attention. “She wasn’t invited? How’d she get on?” This could be bad news for all of us. If this story about the parties got out, it could ruin our reputations, not to mention those of the women we invited along.

  The idea made me sick.

  “I have no idea how she got there,” Liam admitted. “But she was gorgeous and dressed for it and I thought it’d be fun to have her in the mix. I was a little bored before I met her, to be honest with you. My heart wasn’t really in it.”

  I’d noticed that, but I hadn’t known how to bring it up. “You didn’t seem your usual self,” I confessed. “Was work still weighing on you?”

  Liam was always a little paranoid about work. He didn’t want to fail his dad’s memory.

  I could remember Mr. Myer well. He’d been a good dad to Liam growing up and I’d often wished secretly that he was my father rather than having to deal with my own family and my own stiff, distant dad. I was always trying to tell Liam that his dad would be proud of him no matter what, but Liam didn’t see it that way. His dad’s company meant everything to him.

  “Maybe,” Liam said. I could tell he didn’t think that was the case. “I think I just…” I could hear him huff in frustration. “I need something new. Something’s missing.”

  I thought for a moment. “You could try paragliding or something with me next time I go. Maybe you just need a bit more adrenaline in your life. Something that tells you, ‘Hey, I’m alive.’”

  Liam snorted. “No thanks. Skydiving once was good enough for me.” That has been my gift to him for his eighteenth birthday.

  I could tell that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore, so I switched topics. “So, this Gabi. Think there’s any way I could get in touch with her? Did she give you her number or anything?”

  “I take it you want a turn?” I could hear Liam’s grin through the phone.

  I saw no reason to hide it. “The twins interrupted before I could seal the deal.” I paused, thinking. “Liam, we need to find her anyway. She knows too much now. What if she was sent by someone? What if this ends up in the papers?”

  “You should have seen her last night,” Liam countered. “She wanted it so badly, she’d have let me do whatever I wanted to her.”

  “I know.” I could remember how she’d whimpered and begged me to take her, agreeing to whatever I’d told her. My pants started to feel tight. “But we have to make sure.”

  “Well, since you are rather good at getting people to do whatever you want…” Liam’s voice trailed off and I grinned. I knew what he was going to say even before he said it. “Why don’t you pay her a little visit?”

  The idea of having Little Miss Gabi strung up and at my mercy made heat shoot straight through me. I had to press the heel of my hand down between my legs to relieve a little of the pressure. “But how do we find her?” I asked.

  Liam laughed. “I paid Charlie extra to find out what address she gave her cab driver when he dropped her off at the docks. He sent it to me last night.”

  I grinned. “You sneaky bastard; bribing the speedboat captain.”

  “What can I say, I like to know things.” Liam sounded a little distant and then I heard my phone ding with a text. “There, I just sent it to you. Go ahead and employ your…special talents. Find out who she really is and who sent her.”

  There was nothing I’d like better.

  “You can count on me.”

  “Thanks,” Liam said. He sounded a little tired. “I appreciate it.”

  “Anytime.”

  I hung up and immediately plugged the address that Liam had sent me into my phone. First, I stopped by my house and got my briefcase. I’d ordered it because it looked exactly like the one that I used when I had contract meetings. But while my suitcase for meetings would hold papers and contracts for signing, and also sometimes my résumé and head shots, this suitcase held other things. Things that were going to make the delicious Gabi scream my name.

  Turned out Gabi lived in Isla Vista, a bit of a drive, but not too bad. I got there around sunset and parked along the street. I had no idea which unit was hers, but fortunately everyone’s names were on the directory out front. A woman with her baby was exiting as I walked up, so I held the door open for her and then slipped inside.

  My skin was itching with anticipation. Soon, I’d finally get Gabi exactly where and how I wanted her. I had no doubt she’d eagerly obey me, given how happily she followed my orders last night.

  My desire was so strong I knew I’d have to work hard not to just fuck her the moment I got my hands on her. I needed to have patience so I could take my time and make her completely fall apart. Especially if I was going to use this to get information out of her.

  I knocked on her door and waited. I heard the sound of someone scrambling around inside and checked my watch. Obviously, she hadn’t been expecting visitors. I could hear her frantically cleaning up the apartment to make it presentable.

  The door swung open and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Gabi was wearing a pale lilac silk nightgown…and nothing else.

  She stared up at me, her mouth falling open. “Jason,” she stuttered.

  “Gabi,” I replied.

  I let my gaze roam over her body. She was as gorgeous as I’d remembered. The nightgown didn’t even reach her knees, and the lack of a bra meant I could see her nipples pressing up through the thin fabric. So much of her lovely skin was on display. And, unlike last night, her hair was down. I could easily slide my fingers between those strands and pull, use it to guide her head where I wanted it.

  “I’m sorry, I just… I wasn’t expecting anyone.” She looked down at herself, obviously self-conscious, then glanced back at her apartment as though a mess might have sprung up while her back was turned.

  “I can leave, if you’d like,” I said. “I just wanted to spend some more time with you.” I let a smile slowly slide across my face. “We never did get to finish our little game last night.”

  “I…” Her voice trailed off and I could see her gasping for breath. I stepped closer and tucked some of her hair behind her ear, letting my fingers trail along her skin.

  Gabi shivered and took a step back, gesturing for me to come in. “Of course,” she said, her voice wavering in that way I loved—arous
ed and trying to hide it.

  I closed the door behind me and set my briefcase down. “Lovely apartment,” I mentioned. It was a pity that I was only wearing a T-shirt and jeans. If I’d been wearing a suit, I’d have had a tie handy to use on her. No matter. My briefcase had plenty of supplies.

  Gabi was shifting a little, looking hopeful and unsure all at once. I knew what she must be feeling. She wanted this, but she didn’t know how to act in order to get it.

  I loved seeing someone was like that. It meant that I could take over and tell them exactly what to do.

  I crooked my finger at her. “Come here.”

  Gabi’s eyes widened, but she obeyed. When she got close enough, I put my hands on her hips, feeling the silk of her gown. Gabi gasped and her hands settled on my chest instinctively.

  “For one thing,” I pointed out, “We never even got to kiss properly.”

  I slid a hand into her hair, just like I’d wanted to before, and used it to tilt her head up. Gabi let out a tiny moan, but I didn’t kiss her on the mouth. Not yet. Instead I started kissing along her neck.

  Gabi wriggled against me. “Jason,” she panted. “Jason, stop teasing.”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I’m not sure if you’ve earned it.” I pulled back so that I could look her in the eye. “Do you want to earn it?”

  Gabi nodded.

  “Then what’s the first rule?” I asked her. “You remember…”

  “Sir?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Good girl.”

  She gave a shiver when I used that term. I smiled down at her.

  “So how about this.” I moved my hand to cup her ass and she shivered again. “You tell me exactly what you want me to do, and I’ll do it, but you have to be very specific. Think you can do that?”

  Gabi nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  “Very good.” I smacked her ass playfully and Gabi gave a little jump, then moaned. “Now tell me, what do you want?”

  “I… I want you to kiss me,” Gabi admitted. “On the mouth.”