by Marie Kelly
With a muttered curse she had pushed the painting closed once more, and had ran out of the study to once more head back up the stairs. Reaching the top of the hallway she had made to go along the corridor back to her own room, but had gasped with shock as she had heard noises coming from that direction. With a small curse she had run in the opposite direction, suddenly finding herself with nowhere else to go trapped at the end of the hallway. Looking frantically around she had moved to quietly pull open the last of the doors praying that the room would be empty.
As she stood with her back to the door in the darkness, with her heart beating like a drum, she had heard the tell tale sound of someone sitting up in the bed, as her heart had sank like a stone in her stomach. With shock, a light had gone on, flooding the room with light, and with relief she had seen Drake looking at her with surprise, his eyes still blurry as they tried to adjust to the light, his hair tousled from sleeping.
“Mia, what the hell are you doing” he asked taking in the way she was dressed and standing in a blind panic against the door. She had lifted her hand for him to be quiet and to kill the light, as he had complied, once more plunging the room into darkness, as she had opened the door a crack to see what was going on in the hallway. Mia could see Jake and his two security men moving down the corridor, Jake obviously angry at something.
“Find her” he had hissed at the men as he had begun to knock on the doors, moving into the rooms as they were answered.
She had suddenly became aware of Drake standing behind her wearing only a pair of silken pyjama bottoms his face solemn as he had taken in the scene and the way she was panicking
“They must be looking for you” he said softly, seeing the way she was frozen with fear, and with a firm voice he had taken control of the situation
“Take off your clothes and get into bed” he said, his voice strong and sure
Mia had looked at him with horror snapping her out of her reverie
“I am not going to bed with you” she had whispered angrily back at him, her eyes flashing
Drake had looked back at her with annoyance
“Would you rather they found you outside your own room” he said “Somehow, I don’t think your boss is going to mind finding you here…it’s the only way” he had added “unless you would rather take your chances with them”
Quickly Mia had kicked off her shoes, as she had heard a knock on the door, pulling her top, bra and leggings off before jumping into his bed, her arms going around her legs to hug them as her hair fell around her protectively
Drake had not even looked in her direction as he had called
“What do you want” his voice sounding annoyed
“Drake we have to come in, there has been a break in”
The unmistakable sound of Jakes whiney voice could be heard through the door.
He had waited a few seconds before moving back over to the door and opening it
Jake had looked at him his face full of apologies “I’m sorry, but we had better search your room…. In case” he added
Drake had looked at him with annoyance and a grim determination
“I don’t think so Jake, nobody has been in my room all night except…” his voice had stopped, as he had let the door open slightly wider allowing Jake to see Mia sitting up in the bed with the sheet wrapped around her top
“If anybody had tried to slip in here…we would have known about it”
Jake had looked at him apologetically, taking in Mia’s presence there, as he had smiled
“Sorry to have disturbed you” he spoke before stepping back and allowing Drake to close the door behind him.
As the door had closed Mia had thrown herself backwards feeling the relief flooding through her entire body.
“Thank you” she had whispered as he had come over to join her, his face grim as he hunched down at the side of the bed to look her in the eyes.
“Ok Mia, what the hell is going on” he had said softly “You barge into my room at 2.30 in the morning in a blind panic being chased by Jake and his henchmen” he bit out
“I think now that I deserve to know what is going on… don’t you”
Mia had looked at him, her whole face torn by her need to keep her secret and her desire to share it with him
“Did you ever think that perhaps I could help” he had added softly, seeing as with that she had sighed her large blue eyes solemnly holding his as slowly she told him the story of Adam and Sarah.
“I know that it is in that safe” she had moaned her eyes looking up at the ceiling “I just know it”
“So now you’re a safe breaker” he had said with a small hint of laughter in his voice, as she had giggled gently
“Not a good one… my friend gave me some training…. But I just couldn’t figure out how to open that one… not without the numbers”
She had sighed softly
“I’m so sorry to have dragged you into all this Drake” she said gently as he had stood back up beside her at the side of the bed. For the first time she had taken in that he was naked from the waist up, and she had found herself staring at his wonderful torso, so muscular on the shoulders and arms with rough hair splattered on his chest. She had seen the long lean contoured hardness of his chest and the way his stomach muscles led down to a v at his hips. She had looked away as she felt the desire for him filling her once more, before he had caught her look, feeling very much the same knowing that she wore nothing in his bed. Seeing how beautiful she looked with her soft warm blue eyes looking up at him her long dark hair framing her beautiful face and soft silky skin he had looked around for something to take his mind off her, aware of his own body’s reaction.
Seeing her top lying on the floor he had picked it up passing it too Mia, as she had thanked him pulling it back on, with a little confusion in her eyes.
“It’s OK Mia” he replied “But you know that you can’t go back to your room now don’t you”. Mia had nodded softly, with a grin adding
“I trust you Drake”
Hearing her say this had sent strange sensations through him, knowing how hard it was for her to trust people.
“Good, so can I lie down beside you” he asked seeing the fleeting look of concern cross her face
“Promise, I just want to sleep…and maybe talk” he said gently, seeing the look of acceptance from her as she opened the sheets for him. Slipping in beside her he had fought hard to control the sudden desire to take her in his arms as he had done that afternoon, knowing that neither of them would be able to stop if he did.
Lying down beside each other, Drake had spoke softly in the darkness
“So have you always been a dancer, or did you have a life before that” making Mia chuckle, a soft noise which sounded so pleasant to his ears, as she told him about her law degree, and how she had given up the chance to work with one of the most prestigious law companies in the capitol to help her sister and Adam.
With a soft sigh he had been impressed, instantly recognising it as the company he used, wondering if they had always been destined to meet as she had given a small sad sigh “I don’t suppose they will want to hire an ex-pole dancer now”
“I could put in a good word for you if you like” he offered, frowning at the realisation that he had broken his own rule not to use his connections for a woman’s gain, realising that for her he would make an exception. However, she had replied softly
“That’s really kind of you Drake… but I really would rather do this myself..I hope you don’t mind” she said as he had smiled in the darkness
“What about you” she asked softly “apart from being an incredibly rich and wealthy person, who has interests in florists, what else can you tell me about Drake Trent”
He had laughed at her mocking tone, but shrugged his shoulders
“Not much to tell, I spend my time moving around the world looking after my hotel interests”
Mia had given a small whistle “Wow, your right… not much to tell… no
family, ex-wives, children” she asked
Frowning in the darkness he had shaken his head “nope… nobody” the realisation suddenly hitting him. Although he had more wealth than anybody else he knew, for the first time he had suddenly felt alone. He had never cared before; always busy with his work, but now for some reason this thought had bothered him. Pushing the feelings to the side he had looked over at her
“What about you…. Any ex-boyfriend, ex-husband…. Children” he asked noting how silent she had suddenly become, her silence suddenly worrying him
“I was engaged once” she said softly much to his surprise
“Was” he asked gently pushing her for more information
“About a year ago. His name was Ben” She paused for a second before continuing “Ben was killed by a drunk driver while he was walking home… we lived together” she had said so sadly that he had lifted himself onto his side to look down on her
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to upset you”
Mia had looked sadly back at him, suddenly wanting to put her hand up to his cheek to take away the look of guilt on his face. Biting her lip she had held her arm still
“It was a long time ago” she said softly before giving a soft yawn as the tiredness had suddenly swamped her
Seeing this, he had lain back down
“Go to sleep Mia” he whispered softly, as her eyes had closed and she had fallen asleep beside him, her soft breathing so pleasant to hear beside him. With a small frown he had lain beside her for several moments more, playing back everything she had told him. Feeling complete respect for the young woman beside him, the way she had sacrificed her own promising career for her sister and her determination to make it on her own. Drake Trent had never met a woman like Mia and he struggled to understand all the emotions churning around inside him before falling asleep himself.
The next morning Mia had woken, finding herself cuddled into Drake, her head on his shoulder her arm resting on his waist as his arm had rested around her shoulders, holding her in tightly against him.. Looking groggily around herself with confusion as to where she was, she had felt a strange sudden pleasure at being in his arms, not fully understanding the feelings coursing through her body but aware of the way she was reacting to his closeness.
Feeling her stirring he had woken aware smiling gently down at her
“Good morning” he said softly against her hair
Raising herself to look down on him she had smiled, looking down at his handsome face, suddenly feeling such a strong need within her as she had leaned forward to gently touch his lips with her own.
Drake had moaned a masculine animal sound at the back of throat as his hands had snaked around her, one at her back and the other holding the back of her head as he had deepened the kiss. Mia had kissed him back the passion within her rising like a tidal wave with her need for him at that moment.
As he rolled over taking her with him, he had covered her body with his own hearing how she had moaned gently against him, her hands running up his back in a way which was sending shivers throughout him. With all the will power he could muster Drake had pulled his mouth from hers, hearing as she had whimpered for his return feeling how he held himself back
“No Mia, I promised you I wouldn’t” he said “Not here” he groaned his eyes tortured as he pulled himself from her with the last piece of resolve he pocessed. As her eyes had opened she had looked up at him, her eyes so confused as she had reached up her hand to caress his cheek so gently that he had groaned again with a raw need for her unable to stop himself as his head had moved back towards hers just as a soft knock on the door had broken the spell between them
“Breakfast in 40 minutes for anybody interested” a soft voice called, making them both fall back laughing. As they had recovered she had moved from the bed pulling on the rest of her clothes, before blowing him a kiss and leaving his room to quickly return to her own, unaware of Jake watching from the corner of the corridor.
30 minutes later as she left her room, showered and washed, Jake Black had caught her before she could enter the dining room.
“A word Mia” he said indicating that she should follow him into his office. Mia’s heart had begun to beat wildly, what if he knew, what if someone had seen her. With her mouth dry she had slowly followed him, trying to stop her trembling hands from being seen
“Is there something wrong Mr Black” she asked, her voice hesitant. He had however, smiled at her with the sickly look she despised
“Wrong, of course not Mia.. We’re all adults here” he had said with obvious reference to what he believed to have happened the night before.
“No, I just wanted to talk to you about your future” he said, his eyes cold while his lips smiled slyly
Mia had watched him, her eyes wary
“I need you to do me a favour” he continued “but I’ll pay you well” he said brightly
“How well” she asked suspiciously, seeing as he had grinned back his eyes flashing triumphantly
“One hundred thousand pounds well” came back the answer, as her eyes had widened with shock
Mia had stood silently watching him and waiting to hear more
“All you have to do is take this bag” he lifted a small handbag onto the table beside him
“And tonight when you and Drake…” he paused his eyes looking at her appreciatively “Well you know… I want you to tape what happens”
Mia had looked at him with shock, her eyes even wider “You want me to film us having sex” she finally managed to breath
Jake had smiled back at her his expression so greasy she felt sick
“Yes, but you will be very well paid for your performance” he replied, as though that made it OK.
Mia had looked at him thoughtfully.
“I want half up front” she had finally answered in as cold a voice as she could muster, rewarded to see as Jake had looked more than just a little taken aback
“You want fifty thousand pounds today” he said in disbelief
“Yes” she replied “Or maybe you can’t get your hands on that kind of money”
He had dropped his smile, his eyes cold as he pulled her towards the picture she knew the safe to be in
“Ok Mia” he said slowly “You can have your money, but it had better be one hell of a performance” he said his eyes scanning her, before adding with a lecherous flick of his eyes over her body “Perhaps you and I can play through it later together” he said his meaning very clear
“Perhaps” she replied her hand raised for her money
Jake pulled the picture open and within plain site of her, she had watched him move the dial around to the three numbers she needed, happiness filling her.
As he pulled out fifty thousand pounds, she had taken the bag with the camera and placed the money inside it. He had shown her how to work the device, giving her instructions on how best to position it before he had allowed her to leave.
As the young woman had left his office, he had looked upwards with a thoughtful expression on his face. He wasn’t used to smart women, but Mia Jones was clever. He had never really intended to pay her any money but she had forced him to give her half up front and he felt uneasy about that. However, at that moment in time, she was his one way of getting something on Drake Trent and with an unpleasant smile he had thought how he would bide his time, Drake Trent wouldn’t be around for ever, and then he would make sure that he enjoyed Mia Jones the thought exciting him.
Mia had once more returned to her room, safely storing the money and camera, before moving back down to the dining room, where Drake sat waiting for her. With a broad smile he had pulled back a chair for her, sitting her down on it in a way that had made her smile warmly at him.
“I thought you weren’t coming” he said with a smile on his lips, as Mia had looked back at him
“It takes a long time to look this good” she had answered with a small grin which he had returned nodding making some inane comment about perf
ection, which had seen her lips twitch gently
“Perhaps after breakfast we could go for a walk” she had said breezily, her eyes holding his with a look which had him agreeing whilst wondering what had happened.
As they had walked through the estate’s beautiful woodland she had began to tell him what had occurred in Jakes study, as he walked beside her listening intently
“Wow a sex video” he said softly “Not exactly original…and what would be the point..it’s not as if I’m married”