Pawn of the Billionaire

by Frasier, Kristin

  Ten minutes later I levered myself to sit on the edge of the bed. Slowly, I took off the earrings and the necklace, and slipped off the bracelet. I laid them on the nightstand and ran my tongue over my parched lips. I was too tired to go over to the bar fridge and get a bottle of water, so I flopped back onto the bed with a sigh. No, I couldn’t wear the dress. I’d be mortified if I tore it, so I slowly unzipped it, letting it slide down and I folded it over the back of the chair. Then, in my bra and panties, I crawled under the comforter.

  Gradually, I felt sleep taking me. I’d thought I’d lay awake the rest of the night, but I could relax. I had a decision to make tomorrow, but tonight, I could sleep. And as I drifted off, I knew what the decision would be. I couldn’t go. My heart was bound up in his, and even if he didn’t love me, I wanted to be by his side.

  I just had to learn not to be hurt at the times when I would see that he didn’t care.

  James

  I sat in my high wing-back chair, my crossed leg swinging. It wasn’t any good. Losing my temper, chucking the whiskey glass, it wouldn’t help.

  What the devil had happened tonight? She’d had a wonderful time, she’d accepted that money could buy experiences denied to others and had enjoyed it anyway. Surely she hadn’t suddenly felt guilty? If I was right about that, it would’ve happened weeks ago. Or she would’ve started demanding stuff for her friends that she’d left behind.

  I had to be wrong. I thought back. The atmosphere had changed about when we’d ordered dinner. I racked my brain. What was it? What?

  I glanced over at the clock. I’d been here an hour. If she thought I was going to leave her tonight, she’d got another think coming. She must be asleep by now. She’d looked exhausted. I got up quietly and went to the connecting door.

  Silently, I slipped into her room and looked over at her. She was curled up under the comforter, and her face still held the strained tightness of earlier. I saw that she’d taken the time to leave her dress neatly over the chair and the jewelry in a safe place. She’d learned her lessons and she was mine.

  It was time to tell her that I loved her and I was going to make her mine. Perhaps she’d got suspicious, knew that something was amiss.

  Maybe she even … oh, I didn’t know. We needed to sort things out. I couldn’t lose her. I stripped my suit off, taking care not to leave it on the floor as a bad example. I grinned, or the mischievous Toni might try and insist on spanking me. That was out of the question.

  Slowly and softly, I slipped in behind her. She was deeply asleep, but her body curled instinctively, pushing back into me. I wrapped my arms around her, feeling the heat wherever our skin touched. She began breathing more deeply, her muscles relaxing. We fitted together beautifully. I nuzzled my face into the back of her neck, breathing in the scent of her. I could never let her go.

  I glanced over at the window, where the drapes were still open. Dawn was only an hour or so away. I could rest. I had Toni safe in my arms, where she should always be.

  * * *

  I roused when she shifted in her sleep, and waited while she settled down again. Then I went back to sleep. I knew I could wake before she did, and I wondered what to say to her then.

  I woke with a jump when she did.

  “Oh!”

  I tightened my arms. “It’s okay, Toni. I’m here looking after you. I want you to be safe, and I want to care for you always.” I felt her racing heartbeat as she lay in my arms.

  “I’m here for you, Toni. I don’t know what I did yesterday, but I want you to tell me, so I can put it right.” I pulled her closer. “I don’t ever want to see you unhappy again.” She didn’t move, or try to pull away from me, and my hopes rose.

  “Whatever it was, please let me change it.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think you can.”

  I held my breath. Was it that awful?

  “What is it? It’ll be better if you share. It will. Let me help.”

  She rolled over, and buried her face in my shoulder. “I wish I knew you better.”

  I rocked her soothingly, feeling puzzled. “We’re getting to know each other, Toni. All we need is trust, and then time. Time together, trusting each other.”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t … wasn’t …” Her voice tailed off. “I know it doesn’t make any sense.” She lifted her head up. “Will you make love to me, please? I want to feel you inside me.”

  I shook my head against hers. “No. I didn’t come in here for that, Toni. I came to support you and find out what was wrong, help to get it right.”

  Her face turned up to mine. “But it will help make it right. I need to know — need to feel if …” her voice caught. “If you care.”

  I’d been about to lift her face to mine, drop a kiss on her forehead, but when I heard her, I froze. How could she think I didn’t care? How had she come to that conclusion?

  “Show me you care. Make love to me and show me.” Her hand was gripping my arm, vice-like.

  I couldn’t think this was a good idea, but I couldn’t see a way of denying her without making it seem like I wasn’t respecting her feelings. “Toni. I care. How could you think I don’t care?”

  Her face was close to mine. Fuck, she was irresistible. “Don’t talk. Show me.”

  That wouldn’t be difficult. I was hard as a rock with my need for her. But how could I really show her when I didn’t know what she was looking for?

  “All right.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “Let me just grab a condom.” And I rolled away and went to my room.

  When I got back, she was lying on top of the comforter, and was naked. Her body gleamed, long and elegant, but her face still bore the strain of yesterday, and she looked exhausted. Her eyes were closed.

  I knelt beside her, my eyes exploring her. I had to try and find clues to what she wanted, how she wanted me to do this, and not just take my own pleasure. I could sense she was waiting for me, her breathing was rapid, and I could see a fast pulse beating in her throat. I delighted in looking at her, the swell of her breasts, the way her belly hollowed, and the fine shadow of the promise between her thighs.

  “Toni, I’m here. I’m going to touch you now.” I kept my tone very low. I had to speak as I didn’t want to startle her. Then I let my hand touch the side of her face and trace down the side of her jaw. I drew her face closer to mine and lowered my lips to hers. As my mouth touched hers, she sighed and her lips parted. I ran my tongue along the edge of her teeth, not pushing or invading.

  I let my hand drift down, cupping the swelling of her breast and letting my thumb rub over her nipple. I felt it harden under my touch, but her breathing didn’t change. Maybe this was what she meant, that I didn’t adapt to her likes and wants. I let my hand drift further, sliding along her back and over to her ass. I gripped the sexy roundness of it and pulled her tighter in towards me. She drew in a sharp breath and pressed her hips closer to mine.

  I lifted my head, watching her face as her expression tightened, then lifted her body higher against mine, burying my mouth against her shoulder, pressing my body against hers, so I could feel her heartbeat racing away against my chest. Now I could reach, and my hand drifted over her ass, and I slid my fingers down the crack and past her tiny pucker, on towards her center. She gasped, and her heart beat fast against my ribs. I pressed her closer, my other hand pushing under her body, drawing her closer to me.

  My cock was pressed hard against her mound and my belly. I thought I was going to explode soon, but as my fingers slicked through her wetness, I knew she was ready for me. She moaned as I moved my hand, but as I lifted her leg up over my hips, she wrapped it around me, her heel digging at the back of my legs. Her mound jerked against me, and I let my cock press against her entrance.

  “Yes! Now!” she muttered, as her body tensed.

  I slid in an inch or two, waited, and she pushed herself against me with a frustrated noise. Smiling, I eased in a little further and I let my hand slide back along her leg, m
anaging to find her clit. She jerked and arched backwards, her face showing raw passion. I could hear her gasping breathing and feel the rising tension in her muscles. I pushed into her a few more inches, and she moaned.

  “Don’t stop! Don’t stop!”

  My own movements were getting harder to control, but I redoubled my hand movements and felt her body begin to tremble as she got close. Then she froze and I felt her clench around me as her body bucked and began to convulse. That was enough for me and I gripped her body close to me as I emptied myself, our bodies joined as we climaxed together.

  Then we lay, still entwined and our bodies limp as we recovered.

  “Toni, sweetheart. I care. Please stay with me and show me what you need so that you never think I don’t care about you.”

  She murmured softly and snuggled in close. “Thank you. And thank you for bringing me home yesterday when I know you didn’t want to.”

  “Toni, I want to do whatever’s right for you. Please believe me.”

  She lifted her head, looked at me. There was wonderment in her eyes. “I do. Thank you.”

  I hugged her close, breathing in the scent of her, mixed in with the smell of our own arousal. It was a shame that it was morning, and we’d soon have to move.

  * * *

  It was time I told Father. Toni would be showering and dressing for the next half-hour at least. I put on my robe. I needed to get this done while I wouldn’t be overheard.

  I went down to my study. I wanted my old chair for this. I knew what he’d say. He’d tell me that duty came before pleasure. I’d started this as a business venture and mixing business with my own desires was never successful. He’d tell me I mustn’t do this. He’d tell me I was letting down the family, and he’d tell me my mother would have been disappointed in me. He knew how to wound, did my father.

  Still. I knew what I’d do. I could tell him we’d found a number of girls from good families here, and I’d find another one and send her to finishing school. Toni was mine. I smiled at the phone.

  “Hello, Father, it’s me.”

  “Well, hello, James, my boy. I’ve not heard from you for a while.” He settled into his stride without asking why I was ringing. “The roofing quotes you sent from America were a godsend, Son. The new quotes are a great improvement, and the inspector has said we can start as soon as we like. Oh, and your brother hasn’t been in touch for a fortnight. I wish I could get a chip implanted in him like the damn dogs. Then I’d know where he was.” He was barely stopping for breath. I had to put a stop to this.

  “Father. Father. Wait. I’ll ring back later for the rest of the news, but I have something important to tell you.”

  “Oh. Right-oh, Son. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I am telling you now. It’s about Antonia.”

  Toni

  I had to tell James now. I was so sorry I’d worried him and made him unhappy. My body glowed with the memory of him loving me, and I felt ashamed of having thought he didn’t care. I turned off the shower instead of getting in and slipped on my robe. I’d come back later and do the getting ready thing. I smiled to myself. I’d take care to make myself look the best I could for him.

  I hugged my new confidence to me as I went to the connecting door and knocked before turning the handle.

  It didn’t take long to realize he wasn’t in his suite at all. Still, I could easily run downstairs and find him, and I hurried along the hallway to the stairs, skimming them, feeling lighter than I had coming up last night. I remembered that. I’d been a fool. I should’ve asked him, told him what was worrying me. Misunderstandings were just that, and I believed now that he truly cared.

  I heard his voice from within the study, and I hurried towards the door. I was brought to a sudden stop when I heard my name. James was on the phone, and he was talking about me. I ought to go away, and come back later.

  I stayed, and listened.

  “Yes, I know I said Antonia was suitable, Father. But …” He sounded anxious.

  “No, you have to listen. I can find …” I heard the click of the chess pieces. I could picture him trying to calm himself by holding them, moving them.

  “Yes, I know. I know I picked her for Edward. I know he’s my older brother and he needs to marry. But …”

  My heart went cold.

  “Yes, she’s utterly amazing.” There was warmth in his voice now, and I crept forward a bit where I could see him lounging in his chair with his back to me. “She’s bright, she’s clever, she’s beautiful, she could run the Estate like she was born to it.” He laughed. “Yes, and manage Edward too. But you …”

  I stepped backwards, horrified. My heart was pounding so fast I could feel it in my throat. Had I really just heard that he had been training me, using me, and was going to give me to his brother to marry, someone I’d never met?

  “Father. You keep interrupting. Please let me say what …” I heard him sigh. “You’re interrupting again.”

  * * *

  I’d heard enough. I felt utterly frozen. The humiliation of how I’d just given myself to him and had told him I believed that he cared, sawed at me from the inside, hacking my heart to pieces. Maybe I should go into the room, confront him, tell him exactly what I thought of him. I could do that. He’d know what interruptions meant for sure then. He’d not get a word in edgeways. I smiled savagely, but found I was running to my room.

  My heart was like stone as I dragged jeans and some sweats from the closet. I couldn’t confront him. Not and get away without being found. I wasn’t going to stay and be passed along like a piece of … I swore under my breath. I couldn’t face him. The betrayal felt utterly complete. He’d reassured me, made me come, made love to me. Then the next moment, he was talking to his father about selling me out to his brother. He’d manipulated me. Rage and anger burned within me. I was out of here right now. I rubbed a washcloth over my face to wipe away the old tear streaks. No makeup for me now. I was going back to my world, the world where I belonged.

  But not where he’d ever find me. My heart twisted in pain at the thought of never seeing him again, but a steely resolve drove me on and I slipped down the back stairs. I made my way out to the garaging and knocked on the window of Steve’s office.

  He opened the door, looking puzzled. “Ms. Chapman?”

  “Steve, can you run me to the metro station please? I’m late.” I tried to make him hurried, so he didn’t think why he’d not had a call from Lawrence, which would be the usual routine.

  “Nobody’s phoned me,” he grumbled, “or I could’ve been ready for you, Miss.”

  “Oh, that’s odd. But thank you, if we could just go now.” I felt really bad. He’d probably be in big trouble later because of me. But there was no other way to get out of here fast enough.

  I breathed a sigh of relief as the car slipped through the early morning streets. The traffic was building up, and I hoped to get a good start. I pulled out my phone. I daren’t use it again. I called up Paul’s number and wrote it in the tiny notebook I kept in my purse. Feeling like a failure, I copied out James’ number too. Then I turned off the volume and vibration and dropped it into the glove compartment.

  Outside the station, I leapt out of the car and leaned in. “Thanks so much, Steve, you were beautifully quick. Now, if you can go back and take Mr. James into work. Thanks.” And I turned away and went into the Metro, hoping against hope that he wouldn’t ring back to the house. Then I’d get a decent start. I hurried out of the other exit, and found an ATM. I felt sick as I withdrew the maximum that the ATM would let me, knowing I couldn’t risk using the card again and being traced, but even worse, that I was using James’ money to run away from him. As I tucked the cash into the tight front pocket of my jeans, I vowed that I’d send back every penny, just as soon as I was on my feet again. Then I leapt onto the bus that would take me to the next metro, where I could use the cash to get a ticket to the airport.

  I didn’t know where I was going. That depended on
which way the first flight out was going.

  I stared out of the bus window, feeling cold. I didn’t want to cry. I was angry. Then I did want to cry. Because I loved him. Even though he’d betrayed me, used me, the thought of never seeing him again was agonizing. My future began to seep in on me. No possessions. Nowhere to live. No job. No friends. No income and limited cash. Worst of all, no James. I couldn’t go to old school friends, I couldn’t go back to my old haunts, work back at the diner. That would be the first place that James would look for me. And he would look, he’d spent time and money on training me, like I was some fucking performing animal. I let the rage build up again. It might ease the pain of loss.

  James

  Father wasn’t old. He was hale and hearty in his sixties, but my God, he could talk. He was repeating himself, and in the end I cut him short. “I’m sorry, Father, I have to go to work now. And I’ll arrange for Lawrence to identify another suitable girl for Edward. Let’s get together when he turns up again, I’ll fly over, and we can put the fear of God up him, and try and frighten him sober for a month or two.”

  Another few platitudes and I rang off. I looked at the clock. Fuck! I’d have to get a move on if I was going to have time for breakfast. Toni would be making smart-ass comments about being late and inconveniencing the staff. I grinned and ran up the stairs three at a time, and swung cheerfully into my suite.

  Showering didn’t take me long, and as soon as I was ready, I knocked on her door and went in to collect her. But she wasn’t there. She must’ve gone down for breakfast already, and I saw she’d left a heap of clothes untidily on the bed. I pursed my lips. She knew she was asking for a spanking, doing that. My lips twitched. She enjoyed these punishments far too much. We were so well suited, and I couldn’t imagine going back to my old life.