Chapter Fourteen
Joseph sat in the weak winter sunbeam as it streamed through his living room window. Thoughts of the burglary and of Gerald Springer’s phone tapping churned in his mind – he was sure there was a connection, but he couldn’t figure it out. Why had the police been so dismissive?
He sighed and shifted his weight on the couch. He should’ve gone with Eleanor – what if Matthew turned nasty? But she’d insisted it was something she wanted to do independently, promising to call if she needed backup.
He’d told the guard on the door to let Eleanor come up whenever she wanted, and he was trying to kid himself that he wasn’t sitting here waiting for her to return, but as the knock at the door came, he sprang to his feet and relished the blissful jab of adrenaline that always arose when he saw her. He strode over to open the front door, and threw his arms around her.
“Hi!” she said into his chest.
He tightened his embrace. “How did it go? Did he hurt you?”
“No, no… I think it was more an ego thing, you know? ‘You can’t walk out on me’, type thing.”
Joseph stepped back to inspect her. She looked so beautiful in this winter twilight, with her coat undone, revealing a button-through dress. She was holding a suitcase and she seemed tough yet vulnerable – looking more relaxed now that she’d ditched the suit. He realised he’d never seen her out of a suit before. Other than when he’d stripped her out of it himself, of course.
She gazed into his eyes. “Thank you for giving me the courage to do it. I have no idea where this is heading with you, but I needed to get Matthew out of my life and you helped me do that.”
“I’m proud of you, sweetheart.” He took the suitcase and led her inside. “So what did you tell him? I’d love to have seen his face! Did you tell him about us?”
“No, because I don’t know if there is an ‘us’.”
He kissed her and pulled her close. “I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you, Ellie. I want you to be mine. I can’t stand the thought of any other man touching you. That’s how I feel.”
“But I have to share you with all those adorning fans?”
“Of course not. It’s still early days, but one thing we Quinlans know is that cheating is never okay. I’ve had fun with groupies – I won’t lie – but it leaves me cold. When I’m with you… I’d never hurt you, okay.”
Eleanor rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you for saying that. I like you a lot too – have done for a long time.”
“Well, you’re only human, babe.”
She laughed. “Can I stay here tonight?”
“Course. I was hoping you would.”
“I’ll find an apartment tomorrow. I was paying Matthew rent to live there, so I–”
“Wait, your fiancé was charging you rent?”
She winced. “Yeah. He’s pretty money-grabbing.”
“He’s asshole. You can stay here as long as you need to, okay. No obligations.”
“Thank you... Any news from the police on the burglary?”
“Nah.” He caressed her face. “But enough of this talking. Let’s go to the bedroom and celebrate the fact that you’re mine.”
He swept her off her feet, which made her laugh, then he carried her to the bedroom, where he lowered her onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her passionately. She groaned with arousal, vibrating sweet tingles onto his lips as the kiss increased in intensity. Joseph leaned his weight into her, encouraging her to lie her head down on the pillow.
“I need to taste your sweet pussy.”
Eleanor’s body writhed. “Oh god…”
He gazed into her beautiful blue eyes and kissed her hungrily, then he reached down and unbuttoned her dress, pulling it open and exposing her braless breasts, which were plump with arousal.
He stripped off his shirt, knowing she enjoyed seeing his toned torso, then he rested his body weight on one elbow and lay by her side – sucking a rock-hard nipple and savouring her feminine softness and gorgeous taste. Eleanor arched her back and pushed her breast into his mouth, already starting to lose control. Seeing her writhe at his command surged Joseph’s body with animal desire, making him want to fuck her hard and fast.
“I need to get you nice and wet for me,” he said.
She gasped and smiled into his eyes, then he reached down and ran his fingers over her soft stomach and down to her silky panties, where he fondled the material covering her pussy – which was now soaking wet with arousal.
Joseph relished the sight of Eleanor’s curvy body, which was still half-covered by her unbuttoned dress. Still lying by her side, he probed his fingers into the top of her panties, causing her body to shudder with lust at his touch, making him feel dominating and in control. He gazed into her half-closed blue eyes, which were full of passion. Her face was possessed by him; she was at his mercy.
“I need to lick you into a frenzy,” he said.
She grinned, lost in pleasure. He kissed her hard on the lips, then started to make his way downwards, sucking her nipples and nibbling her stomach on the way. He lowered his face between her thighs and probed his tongue into her panties, finding her throbbing clit, which he flicked with his tongue-tip, causing Eleanor’s fists to grip the duvet with desperate desire. Joseph reached up and ran his fingers along her thigh, then eased them inside her, savouring the feel of her warm tightness. She thrust her hips and rubbed herself against him.
Joseph glanced up and saw that Eleanor had now closed her eyes and was smiling up at the ceiling, losing herself in the moment. He loved to be able to do this for her; to utterly possess her body and mind – ensuring that even her thoughts submitted to him entirely. He peeled off her panties, then resumed his position, increasing the speed of his tongue on her clit, and firmly pressing his fingers against her G-spot, rubbing fast – which caused her to groan with delight. She pushed herself further into his face. The sweet taste of her pussy in his mouth and the feel of her tightness around his fingers made him suddenly desperate to fuck her hard.
“You’re ready for me now,” he whispered. “Time for me to join in.”
He withdrew his fingers and grabbed a condom from the nightstand then quickly put it on, feeling his cock strain with desire at the prospect of fucking that tight little body hard and fast. He shuffled back to the bed and stretched his face down to kiss her on the lips – lowering himself over her, as if he was doing the downward part of a press-up. Eleanor turned her head and kissed his bulging bicep, making him feel proud of his toned body. And what a fucking sexy body she had…
Joseph rested all his weight on his arms and kissed her, sucking her earlobe and biting her neck, then – still kissing her – he reached down and grabbed his cock, guiding it towards her wet pussy. She gasped as he eased the tip of his cock inside her.
“Let me take care of you, babe,” he whispered.
She sank her head back into the pillow and threw him a grin of delight, so he eased his cock further inside, thrusting his hips and taking them both towards the delicious climax. She twined her arms and legs around him, pulling him closer, and he rubbed his toned pecs against her breasts, knowing that the nipple stimulation would enhance her joy. He ground his pelvis into her – scooping his hips under, and relishing the gorgeous feel of her tight sweet pussy.
A beautiful grin appeared on her face, making him feel like the king of the world. But then she opened her eyes and whispered, “Wait, Joseph. I need to change position.”
“Why?”
“I can’t climax in missionary position.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “Sure you can.”
“I never have before. You said you wanted me to have pleasure every time… so I’m just telling you.”
“You’re with me now, babe. I’ll make sure you come, no worries. Trust me.”
He suddenly thrust hard, giving them both a strong jolt of desire. Joseph reached around and eased his arm under her hips, tilting her pelvis upwards so s
he could rub her clit against his abs while he pounded her pussy hard with his cock. He eased his other arm under her shoulders, causing her back to arch, then he pressed his toned pecs against her breasts, covering her quivering body with his own. He dropped his head to bite her neck, making her moan with delight.
“Yeah, you’re my lioness,” he grunted as he thrust. “And I’m taking you for mine. You’re mine.”
Eleanor ground her hips strongly into him as she gasped and groaned, then her body suddenly tensed and froze. She coiled her arms around his back and pulled him closer, as he continued to thrust deeply, sensing her orgasm was about to let rip. And then it came – the guttural groan of a wild animal, losing herself in total abandonment – one wave, then another and another. His own pleasure was forgotten momentarily as he watched the fireworks exploding inside the beautiful woman beneath him – her head dropped back and her mouth grinned with delight. Getting her to lose control like this was his challenge, and he was proud and delighted to see her enjoying it so much. He knew it would do her good to let go entirely; to groan as loudly as she wanted, knowing no one was around to hear. He continued to pound her hard, enjoying the feel of her pussy contracting with each pulse of pleasure that struck her, pulling him deeper, not letting him go. He felt himself come deep inside her, losing himself in his own pleasure and feeling his mind and body combine with hers. His eyes scrunched up and he let out a couple of grunts, then he opened his eyes and saw that Eleanor was now slowly coming back to reality. Her grin took up most of her face, and she looked childlike – content and fulfilled. There was a deep connection between them that he’d never experienced before with any other woman. She seemed to have lost herself in him; and – he had to admit – he was under her spell. They made eye contact and they both laughed.
“Wow…” she whispered.
He kissed her on the nose. “Told you…”
She giggled and reached up to run her fingers through his sweat-drenched hair. “You’re amazing,” she said, shaking her head. “I hate to say it, because you’re already so full of y–”
He kissed her on the lips. “Shh… it’s okay. Don’t…”
She dazzled him with a beautiful smile. “Okay.”
“Come here,” he said, lying down to hold her in his arms.
She kissed him on the lips and snuggled into his chest. He held her tight and listened to her breathing, hoping she was falling in love with him. Shit… how had she managed to get so far under his skin, and why had he let her?
She kissed his toned pec.
“Okay, Ellie?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m a bit nervous about meeting your family.”
“Don’t be. I’ll tell them you’re my girlfriend and they’ll understand what you mean to me. I know they’re gonna love you as much as I do…”
Her body tensed. They both knew the ‘love you’ line had been a figure of speech, but now that it was out there, it was expanding to fill the entire room.
She propped herself up on her elbows and kissed him on the lips. “What were you saying earlier about your brother Dylan being involved with Russians?”
He ran his fingers through her long hair. “It’s complicated. I’m not really supposed to talk about it.” He chuckled and kissed her on the nose. “Especially not to the press!”
“You can trust me, Joseph. You were right about everything. It is wrong to try to drag other people down simply for money or entertainment. What right have I got to ruin people’s lives?”
“I’m glad I made a difference with you.”
“See, one person can make a difference.”
They shared a smile. He sighed. “It’s complicated, the situation with Ivan.”
“You said he was on the run?”
“Yeah, he’s living in the UK. Basically, he invented a device… I don’t fully understand it myself, but it would’ve threatened the oil barons because it could provide clean energy. Anyway, he got in trouble with some Saudis, so he destroyed it… there’s a woman he’s in love with who he was worried about. Kidnappings and all that. So he faked his own death. But she doesn’t know he’s really alive and he misses her so much.”
“And this is Ivan?”
“Yeah.”
“And Dylan?”
“Well there was a little piece of the blueprint for the device left so Dylan got involved with some Russians who’d stolen it. But that’s all smoothed over now I think.”
“It is pretty complicated isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into!”
“Well, I’m really looking forward to meeting them all.”
“I think Ivan will be joining us on Skype, so you’ll meet him too. My other brother Adam knows all about it, obviously. And so do their girlfriends. You’ll really like them all.”
She sat up and stretched. “Well, we don’t want to be late so let’s get ready. I grabbed some clothes for tonight and I – Oh shit. I think I forgot my make-up bag. I’ll need to pop back and get it – have we got time?”
“We’ve got time, but I don’t want you going back there. Not now Matthew’s had time to think about all this. He might turn nasty.”
“But I need my make-up.”
He gazed at her in awe. “No you don’t – you’re a natural beauty.”
She kissed him. “That’s very sweet of you, but I’m not meeting your family without it.”
“Why don’t you just buy some more? I’ll pay.”
“At this time of night? And besides, it’s taken me years to perfect my collection – I’ve got exactly what I need. I’ll get a cab and be back here before you know it. I won’t speak to Matthew – he probably won’t even know I’m there – like usual. Everything will be fine, I promise.”
Chapter Fifteen
Eleanor climbed out of the cab and jogged up to Matthew’s apartment, with her mind overflowing with elation. Having this fling with Joseph was thrilling. Pride fizzed through her body, mixing with her post-orgasmic glow. How many women in the country would want to be in her place right now? And remarkably Joseph seemed to be saying he liked her for more than just the physical. Somehow she’d seized his attention. In the last few days she’d realised that he had a tough and cool exterior, but his heart was full of a desire to love and be loved – just like most people. And perhaps they could have a relationship if this dating thing worked out? But whatever happened, she was thrilled to know she was now standing on her own two feet – away from Matthew, and – as from tomorrow – away from News Scape. She didn’t know how she was going to make it as a journalist, but she’d do it somehow because it was her dream. And this time she’d make sure she did it by staying true to her values.
She quietly turned the key and let herself into the apartment, hoping to avoid bumping into Matthew. Perhaps if she quickly darted to the bedroom and grabbed her make-up bag, she could skirt past his office door without him even realising she was back. Then she’d be free.
But as she stood in the warm wide hallway, she sensed a strange atmosphere smothering the air. She stood still and listened. There were strained male voices coming from the living room. Matthew was shouting, but she couldn’t make out the words. Her heart pounded with tension – she felt like an intruder. She knew she should just grab her make-up bag and leave. But it sounded as if something bad might be happening in there, so she allowed her curiosity to propel her forwards.
She pushed open the door, and her body rippled with shock as she spied Matthew sitting on one of the huge couches with Gerald Stinger. Fear slammed into her like a ten-ton truck. What the hell was he doing here?
Both men glanced up at Eleanor and the space warped between them. Gerald had paused in the middle of taking off his coat – indicating that he’d only just arrived.
She glued her feet to the carpet in the doorway. “Gerald – I’m beginning to think you’re stalking me?”
Stinger grinned like a reptile. “No, no… but I did come to see you, Eleanor – I kne
w you were coming back here.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How?”
“Let’s just say I have ears everywhere. I also know all about Ivan Quinlan’s little secrets… That was interesting, wasn’t it? How nice of Joseph to tell you everything.”
Terror gripped her as realisation dawned. “You were eavesdropping?”
He chuckled smugly. “I didn’t tell you about my most favourite way of getting information from a target, did I? Just bug them for it.”
Oh god! He’d heard everything… Joseph talking about Ivan… them making love. Her trembling voice came out a whisper. “You bugged Joseph’s apartment?”
“Correct. Well, I didn’t actually do it myself, of course. But let’s just say I knew about that break-in before it happened.”
“You arranged the burglary?”
“Oh, Eleanor, don’t look so shocked. This is tabloid journalism. My friend wasn’t able to find me anything useful when he broke in, so he planted a bug and let Quinlan do the rest. I only wanted some dirty gossip about him sleeping with groupies or something, but what a sensational story I actually got.”
Eleanor forced herself to remain calm, but her mind raced – desperately searching for a solution. Stinger clearly intended to tell the world all Joseph’s family secrets, and Eleanor refused to let that happened. But Stinger wasn’t the sort of man you could order about. She needed to get him on side; stoop to his level. Play the game.
She hardened herself. “I don’t know what you think is going on here, Gerald, but I’ve been tracking Joseph for days now, hoping to use him for my front-page scoop. I’ve forced my way into his private life and into his affections, taking the time to gain his trust. This is my story and I won’t let you take it from me.”
Stinger stared at her with a smug expression plastered over his smarmy face. It was like being a hunter who’d spent hours tracking a now half-dead gazelle, only to have it stolen by a pack of hyenas. Not that she really was planning to use Joseph for her own gain, of course. But that’s how it was for Stinger. Cold and callous. Joseph really was just a piece of meat for people like Stinger to fight over, wasn’t he? With no regard for how he felt.
The Billionaire's Revenge: Billionaire Brothers Billionaire Bachelors (Tycoon Billionaires Book 3) Page 11