Billionaire Extraordinaire

by Leanne Banks

  “You always did have a vivid imagination,” Damien said.

  Rafe laughed. “Come on. Let’s take this lady for a ride.”

  Out to sea they went. Damien made sure Emma sat in a perfect chair so she could enjoy the sun sparkling on the turquoise waters. A waiter or staff member, she wasn’t sure which, made sure she was never without a drink. Damien sat with her for a while, then excused himself to chat with Rafe.

  Suffering from a lack of sleep from her previous active night, Emma dozed. When she woke up, she immediately looked for Damien, but he wasn’t close by. Rising from her lounge chair, she went in search of Damien and overheard him talking with his brother.

  “How did you wind up with an assistant who looks like that?” Rafe asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe De Luca was hoping to distract me.”

  “The man obviously doesn’t know you,” Rafe said.

  “She’s different,” Damien admitted.

  “I haven’t heard you say that about a woman before,” Rafe said.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Damien said. “Her first loyalty is to MD.”

  “And her loyalty should be to you instead?” Rafe asked. “When you’re not paying her salary and her entire future is tied up with MD.”

  “When you put it that way…”

  “Yeah?”

  “When you put it that way, it seems difficult for her to possibly choose to be loyal to me.”

  “Do you think De Luca has any idea who you are?” Rafe asked.

  “He’s too busy covering his own interests to see me as anything other than the person who is taking some control of his company away from him.”

  Emma’s mind whirled from the exchange between the brothers. So Damien knew she was loyal to Max. Yet, he’d made love to her. He’d held her on the balcony and she still thought he may have somehow been behind that Tesla Roadster. Yet, he’d been determined that she didn’t know it was him. Confusion twisted through her. Why?

  Damien glanced up and caught her gaze. “Emma, too much sun? Or did you get bored?”

  She hesitated a second, unable to read his expression hidden by his dark sunglasses. “It’s too beautiful to be bored.”

  “No seasickness?” Rafe asked.

  She shook her head.

  He smiled and the sun glinted on his wavy hair and white teeth, making him look like a movie star. She wasn’t affected in the least.

  “Good sailor. Good sign,” he said.

  “In what way?” she asked.

  “A woman who can handle rough waters is a keeper,” he said. “Are you sure I can’t talk you into working for me?”

  “Rafe,” Damien said in a warning tone.

  Rafe lifted his hands. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

  “Once,” Damien said. “That makes twice. More than enough.”

  “Cranky SOB,” Rafe muttered and headed down below.

  “You’re a little hard on him,” Emma said.

  Damien slid his arm around her back and led her to the railing. “Rafe is one of those people that pushes as far as you let him.”

  “Even as a kid?” she asked, enjoying the warmth and weight of his arm around her.

  “Even as a kid,” he said, a smile playing on his lips. “He told wild stories to get out of trouble. He was the charmer, so he did okay with his foster parents. He only went through two before they stuck with him. They weren’t wealthy, but they helped him through college. He wheeled and dealed and got into this business. Not too shabby,” he said.

  “No. He likes having you around, though, doesn’t he?”

  Damien nodded. “Yeah. For all his charm, he feels things more deeply than you’d expect. When my father died and my mother put us up for foster care, we were all just a little too old to blend in. We couldn’t help wanting to go back.”

  “What about your brother in Georgia?”

  “He’s an overachiever, too,” Damien said. “He feels guilty because he was the one who was supposed to have been riding that train with my dad. Survivor’s guilt. Sucks. He drowns it in work.”

  “I see a common thread,” she said.

  Damien shot her a sideways glance. “I’m taking time off,” he said. “I’m here, not doing the report, not doing assessments, with you.”

  His gaze shook her down to her bones. “Rough assignment, isn’t it?”

  His mouth slid into a sexy grin and he cupped her jaw, drawing her toward him. He slid his mouth over hers in a kiss that made her feel far dizzier than the motion of the ocean ever had. “When did you get to be so ornery?”

  Good question, she thought, as she felt her knees turn to water and her mind to mud.

  Emma gave into temptation and shared the rest of the time in South Beach with Damien in his suite. Every minute seemed to sparkle, so how could she possibly have any complaints about the resort?

  She reviewed the resort with Damien on the return flight. “I’m trying to find something to criticize,” she said. “Was it just me or was everything perfect?”

  He met her gaze. “We’re expected to prepare a report despite the fact that someone was obviously told that we were coming.”

  Emma felt a sliver of guilt. “Were the beds too soft? Too hard?”

  “You sound like Goldilocks,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Okay, the food,” she said. “What was wrong with the food?”

  “Nothing,” he said. “Breakfast was served promptly. Food was hot and prepared to order.”

  “Beach service?” she asked.

  “Fine. Not too intrusive,” he said, his gaze falling over her and making her warm.

  Emma cleared her throat. “So, our recommendation is to buy.”

  He shook his head. “Our report is that the resort is extremely well-run under current management.”

  “Any recommendations?” she asked.

  “Unfortunately, since the staff was obviously alerted to our presence, I can’t offer any. Can you?”

  Emma felt another stab of guilt at his question. “I guess you’re right.”

  “I usually am,” he said in a low voice that was far more resigned than cynical.

  After they returned to the office, Emma struggled with her feelings for Damien. Behind their locked and closed doors, it was easy for him to come up beside her and stroke her hair. Sometimes he would call her into his office and would simply kiss her. This morning a dozen blush roses mixed with blue forget-me-not flowers arrived for her. No card, but she knew he’d sent them.

  “Let me take you to dinner tonight. You’ve worked hard. I’d like to reward you. I need another hour to wrap things up. Does that work for you?”

  The way he looked at her made her heart skip over itself. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea for us to be seen in public. We don’t want to give people the wrong idea,” she said.

  “Tell me. What’s the wrong idea?” he asked, lifting her hand and sliding his mouth over the inside of her wrist.

  It was all she could do not to press herself against him. “What’s happened between us,” she said.

  “Happening,” he corrected. “It’s not over.”

  “It’s temporary,” she said. “I’ll be here after you leave.”

  “And you don’t want people to know you’ve been fraternizing with the hatchet man,” he said, his gaze never leaving her face.

  She pulled her hand away. “If you’re asking if I’m concerned about my reputation, the answer is yes. Like I said, you won’t be staying. I will.”

  “I could offer you another option,” he said.

  “What?”

  “You could come to work for me. I take care of my people. Ask my employees.”

  “The same way you’ve taken care of me?” she asked.

  His jaw hardened. “No. I already told you there’s something between you and me neither of us wants to pass up. I don’t know why you continue to fight our relationship.”

  “It’s just so complicated.”

  “It doesn’t ne
ed to be. I want you, and I believe you want me.”

  She couldn’t deny it, but she said nothing.

  “I’m ordering dinner for two from Allister’s and having it delivered to the office.”

  She gasped. Allister’s was one of the finest restaurants in town. “That’s ridiculous. Delivery alone will cost the earth.”

  “Hope you like champagne,” he said with an infuriating hint of a grin just before he entered his office and closed the door behind him.

  Eleven

  Emma’s moan of satisfaction immediately made him hard. Even though the source of her pleasure at the moment was chocolate hazelnut mousse, he could easily recall hearing that same sound when they’d shared his bed. Taking a sip of Dom Pérignon, he watched from below the rim of his flute. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted from her. He wanted more than her sexual acquiescence; he wanted her affection, her trust, her loyalty. The strength of his desire surprised him.

  “Hated the dessert, did you?” he asked, in a mock-serious tone.

  She tossed him an accusing look. “How could I possibly turn down a meal from Allister’s? With that mousse.” She sighed. “I heard all kinds of terrifying things about your reputation, but nothing about how—” She broke off, frowning.

  “About how?” he prompted.

  “About how seductive you could be.”

  “That’s because this is my first time at seduction. I don’t have a lot of practice,” he said, but she knew better.

  “Right,” she said in disbelief. “You clearly have no experience.”

  “Well,” he said, pouring the last of the champagne into her glass. “The truth is I’ve never seduced a coworker. Too messy. But something about you…”

  Her heart turned over. “You flatter me.”

  “No,” he said and clicked his flute of champagne against hers. “I’m just telling the truth. So are you going to put me out of my misery and come over here and kiss me?”

  Emma felt a rush of heat. “You don’t look at all miserable.”

  “But I am,” he said. “And you can save me from it.”

  It was such a ridiculous notion that she could save such a powerful man as Damien from anything. But his tie was askew and his gaze said I want you. He always invited, and she found his invitations completely irresistible.

  Rising from her chair, she went to him and bent over, pressing her mouth against his. He pulled her into his lap and she couldn’t muster a protest.

  His arms felt wonderful. His mouth made her forget the rest of the world. She could almost believe that she meant something special to him. Almost…

  He took his time kissing her, exploring her mouth, making her feel taken and powerful at the same time. How could that be?

  Her temperature rose and she wanted more. She tugged at the buttons of his shirt and pulled at his tie. He made her blouse dissolve and soon enough her breasts were bare. He pulled her over his hard masculinity and thrust inside her.

  Emma gasped. He groaned in pleasure and began to coach her to rise and fall in a rhythm that made her sweat with need. Straddling him, she felt her nether regions clench around him.

  Sliding his fingers through her hair, he brought her lips to his as he thrust inside her. Her climax began in fits and starts. She didn’t think she could stand the sensations, but he kept on thrusting and she flew over the top. Seconds later, he followed, clenching her bottom, taking her mouth at the same time he took the rest of her, mind, body and, heaven help her, soul.

  Breaths, minutes, centuries later, he held her against his chest, his heart beating against hers. “You leave first,” he whispered. “I don’t want people to gossip about you. If we leave together, they will. I’ll follow you back to your apartment to make sure you arrive safely.”

  Still caught in the otherworld of their passion, Emma struggled to absorb his words. “Leave?” she echoed, lifting her head to meet his gaze.

  He rubbed his finger over her lips and swore. “I want you again.”

  What Emma wanted was to stay in his arms all night. Longer if possible. She took a deep breath to gather her wits. “Leave,” she said again.

  “You first,” he said. “I’ll follow.”

  Reluctantly, she stood, separating herself from him. Her knees dipped in protest, but he caught her. “Okay?” he asked.

  “Getting there,” she said, but her mind was still muddy from passion. She grabbed her clothes and pulled them on. He did the same.

  He looked into her eyes. “Do you need me to drive you home?”

  She shook her head. “I’ll be okay.”

  He paused a long moment. “I would rather you come back to my condo,” he said.

  She shook her head again. “Not a good idea.”

  He pulled her to him and took her mouth in a long, possessive kiss that rocked her world. Pulling away, he rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip. “You look like you’ve been thoroughly kissed.”

  She licked her lips, her tongue glancing his finger.

  He swore under his breath.

  “I have been thoroughly kissed,” she whispered. “I should go.”

  He swore again.

  “G’night.”

  Damien watched her leave, feeling a craving that went far beyond his groin, down to his bones. He couldn’t remember wanting a woman this much. He’d thought the weekend in South Beach would ease his ache, but it had only made it worse. He wanted her and was determined to have her.

  As she walked out of Megalos-De Luca headquarters, Emma felt like a sexual goddess. And a tramp. This was insane, she thought as she got into her Tesla Roadster and started the engine. It couldn’t continue.

  She took a deep breath and checked her rearview mirror, catching sight of her disheveled hair and swollen mouth. She had that just-got-out-of-bed look. Covering her eyes for a few seconds, she tried to gather her wits. She had gone totally over the edge with Damien.

  Taking a deep breath, she pushed on the accelerator and drove out of the parking lot. Emma had kept herself in check for years. It had been a necessity with her mother’s difficulties, but something about Damien had tempted her enough to let down her guard. Now, she needed to put it back in place. After all, she was technically supposed to be spying on Damien for work, not spying on him naked.

  Glancing in her rearview mirror, she saw Damien’s Ferrari. She needed to get control of this situation. Tomorrow, she told herself. Tomorrow would be the day.

  The next morning, Damien arrived early, leaving a fresh bouquet of cream roses and forget-me-not flowers on Emma’s desktop. Emma was turning into a constant craving, and he needed to do something about it. He decided she should move in with him. He would hire her away from MD with a higher salary and keep her. Until he got her out of his system. When would that be?

  Although he could tell she was inexperienced, he found her completely irresistible. Hearing the door open, he felt his gut knot at her presence. In a matter of seconds, he would see her, hold her, kiss her.

  Her footsteps slowed outside his office door. “Damien?” she said.

  “Come in,” he said, meeting her gaze.

  She looked away. He noticed she wore a black dress and her face was pale with pronounced shadows under her eyes. She bit her lip.

  His gut knotted again, this time in displeasure.

  Taking a deep breath, she finally met his gaze. “I can’t keep doing this,” she said. “I’m just not cut out for an office affair. From now on, I have to keep our relationship strictly professional,” she said, her voice breaking. “Being involved with you personally is too overwhelming. I can’t think straight. I’m just not sophisticated enough to maintain this kind of affair.”

  The pain in her eyes kept him from sinking into a vat of bitterness. She was afraid, and perhaps rightly so, of the passion that flared between them. She wanted a measure of safety, and to her, he represented a total free fall.

  He couldn’t help, however, feeling disappointed. He knew she felt the same
way he did. He knew he could make her take back those words right now if he wanted. Her vulnerability stopped him.

  He had wanted her to choose him. He wanted her to open herself to him in every possible way. At the same time, he kept himself protected.

  “I understand,” he finally said, but was determined that he would change her mind.

  Twenty-four hours later, a call came in, chilling Emma to the bone. The voice mail had come through when she’d been in a meeting, taking notes for Damien.

  “Sweetie,” her mother said, her voice breaking. “I’m so sorry, but I’ve gotten into trouble again.”

  Within an hour, Emma learned her mother had latched on to Internet gambling and had lost a quarter of a million dollars. Emma was reeling.

  The next day she went to work and tried to hide it, but her fear must have shown through her usual calm.

  “What’s going on?” Damien asked.

  “It’s personal,” she said, unable to meet his gaze.

  He wheeled her chair around so that she was facing him and put his hands on the armrests. “You and I have gotten about as personal as a man and woman can get. Tell me what has upset you.”

  Her stomach clenched and she bit her lip. She felt so ashamed and desperate. Even though she hadn’t been the one to gamble, she somehow felt responsible. “I need to sell the roadster.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because I need the money,” she whispered.

  “For what?”

  She still couldn’t meet his gaze. “I just have to do it. Can you help me?”

  He paused a beat. “Yes. What do you need?”

  “A quarter of a million dollars,” she said, her throat constricting into a painful knot.

  “What the hell would you need—” He broke off. “Your mother,” he said.

  His correct guess immediately made her feel as if at least half a ton had been lifted from her shoulders. She took a deep breath and exhaled.

  “How in the world did she get into gambling again? Didn’t you say she’d left Vegas?”

  “Online gambling,” Emma told him and finally met his gaze. He saw a mixture of confusion and concern.