The Rich List Series: Contemporary Romance Box Set (Millionaire, Billionaire, CEO)

by Hunter, Talia

  “I watched Back To The Future last week,” she interrupted, laughing. She really did have the best laugh in the world.

  “Well, that’s a relief. But I’m not finished yet. I also love you because you’re beautiful, and sexy, and your body drives me out of my mind. I love you because you’re the most exciting, thrilling person I could ever imagine making love with, and I love the way you catch your breath right before you come. Ally, shit, that little sound you make, it’s so hot, it always makes me lose control.”

  With a visible effort she forced the smile from her lips, put on a mock serious expression, and raised her eyebrows. “Is that all?”

  He shook his head. “Not even close.” He dropped his voice to a murmur and ran his finger over her throat to the swell of her breasts. “I definitely love you because of the way you look in this dress.”

  She shook her head, pretending disapproval, but her eyes were sparkling. “Max, you said you had three things to say. What’s the third thing?”

  “I’m glad you asked.”

  He swung her off her feet and lifted her into his arms. She gasped and clutched him, then laughed. He kicked the door open, and stepped out into the sunlight. “My trailer is about a minute away, if I hurry. And believe me I’m going to hurry, because the third thing I have to tell you is that in two minutes or less, I’m going to need to find out whether or not you’re wearing any underwear.”

  It didn’t take a minute, more like thirty seconds until he was pushing through his own door with her laughing in his arms. He laid her down on his small single bed, and his passionate kiss turned tender. He took her face in his hands and caressed her lips with his. She was here, and safe, and his. She kissed him back, her soft touch matching his tenderness, and a surge of thankfulness shot through him.

  He drew away from her for a moment so he could look into her eyes. “I’ve missed you, my love,” he whispered. “I never want to be apart like that again.”

  Tears glistened in her eyes. “Never, ever.”

  No, that wouldn’t do. He wanted her to smile, not cry.

  He nuzzled her ear, then his lips moved down the side of her throat to the base of her neck. He gradually drew the zip at the front of her dress down, releasing her glorious breasts.

  “No bra,” he said approvingly.

  She smiled at his satisfied tone. Good. Then she gasped when he took her nipple in his mouth, teasing it with his tongue until it was hard. He savored it, pleasuring it thoroughly, before moving to the other one. Then he kissed and nibbled the sensitive underside of her breasts.

  Her dress was only half undone, which meant there was still one nagging question to answer, one more thing he needed to know.

  Infinitely slowly, he worked the zip the rest of the way down, until his answer was revealed. Max let out a groan of appreciation before kissing his way lower. Had any woman ever looked or tasted so good?

  She twined her fingers in his hair. and he flicked his tongue between her legs. “Max,” she moaned. “Oh god. Max, I need you inside me.”

  Max smiled, and rose to obey. Why had he ever been reluctant to take orders? Ally could give him commands like that for the rest of his life.

  She helped him pull off his T-shirt and jeans, then he got up to grab a condom from the tiny bathroom. When he came back out, she was sprawled on the tiny bed, breathing fast, her hands above her head. His heart squeezed tight. She looked utterly lovely, and she was all his.

  She sat up and reached out impatiently to pull him back down to her.

  Correction. She wasn’t just his: they were each other’s. And that was exactly the way he wanted it.

  Afterword

  Would you like a short bonus scene starring Max and Ally, absolutely free? To get yours, click here to join my newsletter, or join at www.taliahunter.com.

  I don’t want to give away what the bonus scene contains, but let’s just say it’s a very happy moment in Max and Ally’s life, ten months after the end of How To Master A Millionaire.

  And by joining my newsletter, you’ll be the first to know about giveaways, special offers, advance previews, and more.

  Now read on for Geena’s story…

  How To Boss A Billionaire

  A Rich List Romance

  1

  Ally’s Saucy Scavenger Hunt

  Collect the following (no cheating!):

  1. A photo of a team member French kissing a bartender.

  2. A shot glass with a bar logo on it.

  3. A photo of a bouncer’s left nipple.

  4. A photo of a team member French kissing a DJ (or for double points, a celebrity or public figure).

  5. A photo of the team dancing on top of a bar.

  6. A stranger’s tie with 3 different colored lipstick kisses on it (he must be wearing it while kisses are applied).

  7. A pair of men’s boxer briefs with 3 different colored lipstick kisses (he must be wearing them while kisses are applied).

  8. A cocktail menu that includes Sex On The Beach, and a Screaming Orgasm.

  * * *

  Geena pulled her damp, drink-splashed copy of the scavenger hunt list from her purse and sighed. It was late and the three teams had met up to compare their scores. But because they’d ordered shots in each bar trying to get number 2, they were all having problems adding up the points. That was, everyone but Geena.

  Her sister Ally slurped her chocolate martini and stuck an elbow in Geena’s ribs. “You wanna see me get a guy’s briefs?” Ally slurred, tossing the cheap bride’s veil she was wearing back from her face. “I’m thinking ‘bout a fair swap. My panties for his.” She winked at a guy at the next table who turned bright red. The other women at their table cracked up with laughter.

  One of Ally’s friends slapped her on the back. “You okay, Geena? You’re way too quiet. Aren’t you usually dancing on tables by now?”

  Crap. Geena had to loosen up. She forced a smile. “I was going to offer my panties, then remembered that I’m not wearing any.” When she turned and winked at the guy, the women laughed harder.

  That was more like the Geena they were used to. She was the one who’d come up with the scavenger hunt for Ally’s bachelorette party and organized her sister’s friends into three teams. But this morning she’d opened an awful letter about how much tax she owed. Geena had felt sick ever since, and her stomach was too clenched to throw back cocktails. She’d ordered wine at each bar instead, but every time she took a sip it burned down her throat.

  What had possessed her to buy a sex store in the first place? Sure, Geena had picked up the run-down business for a song, but rent in Sydney’s bustling King’s Cross wasn’t cheap. She’d been so sure she could make it a success when she’d renamed it The Gee Spot and given it a makeover to turn it into a classy, sophisticated adult store that would appeal to both men and women.

  Things had gone pretty well at first, but she hadn’t thought about the big shift towards online shopping. Not only were fewer people coming into her store, but she couldn’t work out why the money she was earning didn’t cover her bills. Paperwork wasn’t her strong suit and the nasty tax letter was the last straw. If she couldn’t fix things quickly, she was going to lose everything she’d worked so hard for.

  Geena tried to shake the black thoughts out of her head and tune in as Ally called the members of the bride’s team together for a secret huddle.

  “Number 4.” Ally jabbed her finger at the sheet and missed. “That’s the one we need to get. The other team’ll settle for a hot guy. If we get a celeb, we can win.”

  “We’ve got to go to Max’s party,” insisted one of their team members.

  “That’s cheating.” Ally looked over her shoulder to make sure neither of the other teams could hear. But Lacey’s team was too busy pressing kisses against a surprised-looking man’s tie, and the others were cheering them on.

  “The bride’s team has to win,” insisted Ally’s friend. “It’s like a tradition.”

  “We’re t
oo drunk, they won’t let us in. It’s a fancy party.” Ally tossed her veil over her shoulder. “Can’t embarrass Max by all showing up uninvited.”

  “Geena can go on her own.” Ally’s friend waved her drink at her. “She isn’t as drunk as us and surely Max can get her in.”

  Geena raised her eyebrows at Ally. “In where?”

  “A charity thing. Lots of celebs there, and it’s not too far. You could quickly snap a photo with someone famous, then come back.”

  “Number 4 on the list,” clarified the other team member.

  “I’ll call Max and tell him you’re coming.” Ally fumbled with her purse and pulled her cell phone out, spilling what was left of her drink in the process.

  “Will they let me in?” Geena asked. With her bright pink hair, she didn’t exactly look like someone who’d be invited to a stuck-up celebrity party. Not that she cared if she shocked anyone. In fact, it might even cheer her up.

  “If I arrange it with Max, they can’t say no. He’s really helping them out.” Ally tried to sip her drink and looked puzzled by her empty glass. “It’s at The Diner’s Room. Know where that is?”

  Geena nodded. She felt terrible for having lost her enthusiasm for her own sister’s bachelorette party, and this was something she could do to make it up to Ally. Besides, if they managed to get all the items on the list and win the game, Geena would be able to go home. And right now, what she wanted most was to bury her head in a pillow and scream with frustration.

  Ally’s friend let out an excited squeal. “We’re going to win! Let’s get number 3. Did you see the bouncer? He’s super hot.”

  Geena left them to it and went outside to hail a taxi. She settled back in the seat and closed her eyes, doing some mental calculations. The five thousand she had in the bank would pay most of her tax bill, but if she used it for that, she wouldn’t be able to pay her rent or Billy’s wages.

  She reached up to take hold of her grandmother’s locket, weighing the big, gold pendant in one hand. As much as she’d hate to let it go, selling the locket could give her a few extra weeks. In the meantime, she’d have to come up with a fresh idea to save herself. What was that saying she’d heard — something about it being crazy to keep doing things the same but hoping for different results? Well, she’d just have to shake things up and change what she was doing. Somehow. All she needed was a miracle, and was that really too much to ask for?

  The Diner’s Room was a large, swanky five-star restaurant overlooking Sydney’s Harbor Bridge. The kind of place Geena couldn’t imagine ever wanting to eat in. She liked places with character that served tasty food and lots of it. What was the point of spending mega-bucks for a tiny mouthful arranged in the middle of a huge white plate?

  She slicked on a fresh coat of lipstick before getting out of the cab. A security guard was at the door of the restaurant, holding a clipboard. No sign of Max. Had he told the security guard she was coming?

  Deadpan, the guard watched her approach, showing no sign of surprise at the way she looked. Points to him. Geena couldn’t imagine any of the party’s other guests had worn a second-hand, peacock-blue cocktail dress from the 1950s, or had shocking pink hair.

  “May I see your ticket, ma’am?” asked the doorman.

  “I’m with Max Oberon. He’s expecting me.”

  She had to give him credit, the only sign of disbelief he gave was a slight twitch of his left eye as he looked down at his clipboard. “Your name please?”

  The door behind him opened and Max flashed her his famous movie-star smile. “Geena, there you are.” Then to the doorman, “She’s with me. I’ve cleared it with the guys upstairs.”

  He escorted her inside and led her into a large room filled with elegant dining tables. Men and women dressed in tuxes and gowns murmured polite conversation over glasses of expensive French champagne. Geena wrinkled her nose. This place wasn’t her scene at all.

  “How’s the bachelorette party going?” asked Max.

  “We’re having fun.” At least everyone else had been, and she couldn’t exactly tell Max she was letting her money problems ruin it. Her tax bill would probably be small change for him. Maybe she could ask Max and Ally for the money she needed?

  She swallowed. The thought made her feel even sicker. What would be worse, losing her store or having to admit to her family that she’d got herself into financial trouble and needed bailing out? Close call. Both options made her want to throw up.

  Besides, she wasn’t about to ruin her sister’s wedding by making her worry about a problem Geena could fix herself. All she needed was to work out how.

  “You can have my seat over there.” Max pointed at one of the tables, but she couldn’t make out which one he meant. “I have to do my duty, but it shouldn’t take long. I’ll catch up with you afterwards.”

  “Max, I need a photo with—”

  Too late. Someone had already caught his arm. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he flung over his shoulder at Geena as he was led away.

  Geena looked around. She couldn’t see an empty seat, and the lights were dimming. A spotlight picked out the stage where a bald MC had stepped up to the podium and was looking at his notes. The spotlight shone on his shiny head as he cleared his throat into the microphone.

  Near the entrance was a bar, and she crossed to it and sat on one of the stools.

  “What can I get you?” The bartender put a cocktail napkin onto the bar in front of her.

  “Nothing, thanks.” She swiveled her stool towards the stage as the bald MC spoke into the microphone.

  “Good evening again, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “We’ve already heard plenty tonight about what a wonderful cause we’re all here to support, so I won’t do more than remind you that over one hundred thousand children nationwide need your help.” He paused to check his notes again. “And now for the most popular part of the evening, the Charity Auction. This is where our brave volunteer celebrities step up to the auction block and you get to tell them how much you think they’re worth. The winning bidder will enjoy a special lunch with the man or woman they’ve purchased, right here at The Diner’s Room. We’re very lucky to have the absolute cream of the crop on our auction block tonight. So get out your checkbooks, cash in your retirement plans, and get ready to bag yourself a celebrity!”

  Geena blinked. They were auctioning off celebrities? What kind of event was this?

  “Our first volunteer on the auction block needs no introduction. Highly acclaimed and award-winning star of Mastery, Lawrence In Damascus, and the upcoming blockbuster, Chosen To Rule, we’re very lucky to have Max Oberon here tonight.”

  The large dining hall rang with applause. Some of the women leaned forward and nudged each other as Max stepped onto the stage. Looking distinctly uncomfortable, he gave the crowd a wave. Geena stifled her first real smile of the day. Max and Ally spent most of their time away on location for various shoots, but she’d gotten to know him fairly well and she liked him a lot. Why was it always so enjoyable watching your friends squirm?

  “Unfortunately, Max is getting married in a couple of weeks.” A few women in the audience groaned, and the auctioneer nodded sympathetically. “I know, it’s a tragedy. Still, if you win lunch with him, there may be time to change his mind. Am I right, ladies?”

  Geena grimaced and saw an almost identical expression cross Max’s face before he managed to hide it.

  “Now, who wants to start the bidding?”

  The words were barely out of his mouth before a woman raised her hand. “One thousand dollars.”

  Geena’s jaw dropped. A thousand bucks for lunch with Max? Did the woman think he was going to turn up naked?

  “Two thousand,” countered another woman, and Geena snapped her head around in shock.

  “Two and a half.”

  “Three.”

  The bidding climbed to nine thousand, and the hammer finally fell on a bid of nine thousand three hundred dollars. Geena craned her neck to see the su
ccessful bidder congratulating herself with a braying laugh that made her enormous diamond earrings swing and sparkle.

  “Crazy,” muttered Geena. How much money did these people have, anyway?

  “You’re certain you wouldn’t like a drink?” asked the bartender. “They’re on the house.”

  “Have you got something that’s easy on the stomach?”

  “A very smooth bourbon. If I add a little ginger ale, you won’t even feel it slip down.”

  She sniffed the glass he poured and tried a sip, but her stomach still had a bad case of the taxation cramps. She grimaced and passed it back to him. “Too strong. Sorry.”

  When she turned back to the stage, Max’s obvious relief as he was allowed to escape made her smile. Geena was already planning how she was going to tease him for being so expensive.

  The MC consulted his notes again. “Our next volunteer was a surprise entry to the auction. His presence goes to prove that although he might have had some bad press, Damien Courtney’s a nice guy at heart.”

  Someone in the audience gave a loud, fake cough, as though they wanted to heckle but were holding themselves back. A wave of murmuring went around the front tables. Geena straightened so she could see better. Who was Damien Courtney that he caused this kind of reaction?

  A man stepped onto the stage, his gaze scanning the tables where people still shifted in their seats and whispered to each other. Though he stood in a relaxed pose, he seemed as light on his feet as a boxer or martial artist. His dark features were flawless, his jaw dangerously square. Geena’s pulse sped up as he scanned the room with eyes that were far too challenging for an event like this. She was near the back of the room so he probably couldn’t see her. But as his gaze passed over her, she felt it like an electric charge. Damien Courtney didn’t just occupy a place on the stage, he owned it. As though the spotlight had narrowed so he was highlighted while everyone else went dark.