“After you’re prepped for the meeting with the bank manager, we’ll go over your ideas for bachelor parties,” Damien promised after they left. “If you can get more people in here who spend like that, your problems will be solved.”
She nodded. “That went well. Except for the part where you obviously didn’t know what a Vibra was and made up for it by biting their heads off. I’m surprised they didn’t run away screaming.”
“They weren’t exactly—”
“If you’re going to help me in the store, I’ll give you a quick overview on how the stock works,” she interrupted.
“I keep telling you, I’m not here to serve customers.”
“Really?” She lifted her chin and pushed out her bottom lip, giving him what he was starting to think of as her determined face. It was actually pretty cute. “I think we just proved you could do with a lot more practice dealing with people.” She put her hand on the Vibra. “This toy is designed for a couple. The woman slides it inside her and it vibrates over her clitoris. The man inserts himself too, and they both enjoy the sensation.”
He swallowed, his blood pumping faster. The picture of what she’d described was crystal clear in his mind, with Geena featured as his partner. Her face was lifted to him, and only the faint tinge of color in her cheeks showed she was affected by what she was saying. But there was no denying every cell in his body had leapt to attention.
He cleared his throat. “There’s room for both? What if the man’s too large to squeeze in with that piece of plastic already there?”
Her laugh sounded breathy. Was she getting turned on? At the thought, his own arousal started to get uncomfortable.
“You think you’re too big?” Her eyes flicked down, making him even harder. She was close enough that he could breathe in her sweet scent. If they weren’t in a public place…
He shrugged, keeping his voice light and the movement as casual as possible. “I’d need to try it to be sure.”
Her tongue slipped out to wet her lips. “You would,” she agreed.
“What other products should I know about?” Somehow their banter had definitely turned into foreplay, and he had to admit he was enjoying himself. Of course it would be a lot more fun if they could lock the door, but knowing he couldn’t act on his arousal made it a delicious kind of torment.
She glanced at the next shelf. “Over here we have a full range of anal toys, for his or her pleasure.” She picked up a butt plug with a horse tail attached to it. Making a neighing sound, she flicked it from side to side. “This would look cute on you. Or in you, as the case may be.”
Damien winced. He’d never considered himself prudish when it came to sex, but maybe he was more vanilla than he’d realized. “You want to know what the chance of that ever happening is?”
“I can guess.” She gave a mock eye roll. “Well, if you’re not into anal play, how about a nice cock ring instead?”
He picked up one of the items she motioned to. It was bright red and shiny, molded in the shape of a large pair of plastic lips. “Can’t say I’ve ever felt the urge.”
“That’s a novelty one, but we also have classic, vibrating, and double diving varieties.”
“Double diving?”
“Mmm.” She gave him a wicked smile and a wink. “Maybe we’ll save that one for the advanced lesson.”
9
By the time Billy arrived at eight o’clock, Geena could have kissed him. Damien had insisted on spending another excruciating hour going over her financial statements, but then she’d got to describe how to use a wide variety of adult toys. In the process, she’d got so horny she could hardly walk straight.
Not that anyone could blame her. Explaining the difference between sleeves and strokers to a drop-dead gorgeous billionaire was seriously hot. Even a nun would have been itching to get laid afterwards, and Geena definitely wasn’t wearing a habit.
Funny, she sold this stuff every day and often had to explain how things worked to her customers, but it had never made her feel like this before. Maybe it was because of the way Damien looked at her, like she was a tasty morsel he was considering devouring. In interviews, his intense stare didn’t do him any favors. But when he turned that same look on her, it made her have to squeeze her thighs together to stop the tingles.
Damien put down the packet he’d been examining. “Lesson over.” His voice was husky. Watching her run her hand over the penis sleeve, demonstrating how the texture was designed to stimulate, must have turned him on too.
Sure she’d told herself she wouldn’t act on their attraction, but he was almost done helping her, and soon he’d be gone forever. So why not enjoy themselves a little? If he was up for it, of course.
Billy was fussing behind the counter, too far away to hear, but she lowered her voice to a murmur. “That’s all for the theory section, and I guess it’s getting late. Do you have plans for tonight?” She caught her breath, hoping she’d read his signals right. She’d got herself so worked up that if he didn’t come to her bedroom willingly, she might have to hit him with a club, cavewoman-style, and drag him up the stairs.
Damien moved closer and her heart sped up. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his finger lightly brushing her skin and sending delicious shivers into her core. When he bent his head to speak into her ear, she had to bite her lip to keep from gasping.
“What are you suggesting?”
She swallowed. “I’m not sure if you feel it, but there are sparks between us. It’s a little distracting.” Her voice came out shaky and her cheeks felt hot. What if she’d read him all wrong?
He raised his eyebrows, but didn’t look shocked. Thoughtful maybe. But that was even worse. If he had to think about it that hard, she must have completely misread him. “I’m not looking for a relationship, Geena.”
Her breath sighed out. “Don’t you ever do anything without analyzing it first?”
“Never.”
“Well, I don’t want a relationship either.” At least not with you, she added silently. Being desperate to tear his clothes off was one thing, but they had nothing in common and after the way Justin had hurt her, she couldn’t pretend that wasn’t important. Justin hadn’t been critical of her at first, but he’d been horrified when she bought The Gee Spot. She should have known they weren’t right for each other before he made it so plain.
Besides, she couldn’t imagine wanting to date a billionaire. Too controlling. So maybe she’d never actually met any billionaires before now and the man she was basing that opinion on was Christian Gray. That didn’t mean it didn’t have a basis in truth. Damien had more-or-less proved it by installing the security alarm without her permission.
He hesitated for several long moments and her stomach turned over. He was rejecting her after all. So stupid, I’ve ruined everything. Now it was going to turn awkward and he’d walk out of her store for good.
He gave a small nod. “Let’s go to my place.”
Why the hesitation? Was he worried that once he invited her in, she might never leave? Well, he needn’t be concerned. He might make her hornier than any man she’d ever met, but she wasn’t going to kid herself she wanted him for anything other than sex. Better that way, anyway. Less chance of him giving her that corny line of bullshit that Justin had laid on her. “It’s not you it’s me.” Yeah, right. In what century did someone last say that and mean it?
“Do you need to stop by your place to pick up a change of clothes?” he asked.
Now it was her turn to hesitate. Confession time. “Actually, I gave up my apartment. The little bed upstairs is comfortable enough and I haven’t had to draw so much money out of the business.”
He nodded slowly and she couldn’t detect any pity or censure in his eyes. “Makes sense, although I’ll have to rethink my plan to get rid of the bed and put in more shelves. So do you want to get something from upstairs?”
Phew. That confession had been far easier than she’d expected. Why had she assumed he�
��d disapprove of her sleeping in her store? The guy was a billionaire now, but one of the articles she’d read had mentioned he’d had humble beginnings. He’d probably worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get where he was.
“Sure. I’ll grab a bag.” In spite of her high heels, she ran up the stairs and looked around the tiny room. What to take? She crossed to a box of inventory that had come in with defective packaging and chose a few toys. Then she grabbed some clean clothes from under the bed. Makeup next.
But once in the bathroom, she stopped with her hand on her toothbrush. The light was unforgivingly bright and beneath it her pink hair color was so brilliant it glowed. She was hardly Damien’s type. And more to the point, what would the bank manager think when he saw her?
She had a sudden memory of her mother’s horrified face. “Geena, you look like a clown,” her mother had scolded. “How do you expect anyone to take you seriously?”
She bit her lip. Maybe she should go back to brown for the meeting? She hadn’t had brown hair since her early teenaged years, and the bright colors she’d chosen since had given her mother a focus for her complaints. Well, that and Geena’s rebellious nature – unlike Ally, she’d never been big on rules. Thing was, it might be just a stupid hair color, but she’d sacrificed a lot to stick up for who she was. After too many arguments with her mother, she’d left home at seventeen. Penniless and afraid, she’d sworn she’d make it on her own. And what’s more, she’d never give up on herself, even when everyone else had given up on her.
But what if the bank manager took one look at her and turned down her loan?
If it helped her get the money to save her store, she’d do just about anything. Besides, Damien was a short-back-and-sides kind of guy.
What if I’m more his type with brown hair?
Geena frowned at her reflection. Damien would be out of her life soon enough and a little hair dye wouldn’t change that. This wasn’t the movies and a billionaire wasn’t likely to fall for a sex store owner, even if she wanted him to. Besides, if she wasn’t good enough for Justin…
Stop it.
Geena forced thoughts of Justin out of her head and poured cat food into a bowl for Edward. The battered feline immediately appeared, his super-powered cat hearing triggered by the sound. She stroked him as he ate, and he gave a grudging purr.
“You’ll get the bed to yourself tonight, Eddy-boy. Be good, and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
She walked to the stairs, then paused. Thinking of Justin had made her nervous about tonight. Damien was probably used to sleeping with heiresses and models, so how could she expect to measure up? Maybe if she had something special to wear… like the gorgeous baby-doll nightdress on the rack downstairs.
Except if she wore it, she couldn’t sell it. And it wasn’t cheap. She was in enough financial trouble already – she’d had to sell her grandmother’s necklace, for heaven’s sake.
She lugged her bag downstairs. Damien was talking to Billy and neither saw her come into the store. The rack with the nightdress was just a few steps away.
Don’t do it, Geena.
But she was already slipping the nightdress off its hanger. Feeling like a shoplifter, she stuffed it into her bag. The sound of the zip as she did it back up made Damien turn. Heart pounding, she gave him an innocent smile.
He walked over and reached for her bag. For one crazy moment, she was convinced he was going to take the nightdress out and put it back on the rack. Instead he threw it over his shoulder to carry it outside for her.
There was a car waiting outside. His car, she realized, when a man got out and gave him the keys. Way to solve the city’s parking problems – get your car delivered to your door. How would the driver get home? And was that his whole job? How come he didn’t just drive Damien around?
Sliding into the passenger seat, she forgot her questions. Damien’s car was a black racing machine, sleek and gleaming and low to the ground, and its fresh leather smell was delicious. His car is exactly like him. Dark and dangerous. So out of my league it’s ridiculous. When he started it, the engine let out a low, angry growl. She tried to smother her laugh.
“What’s funny?”
She shook her head. “Just thinking how your car suits you.”
“Because it’s a high performance machine?” He shot her a sideways look, the corner of his mouth twitching up. “Or because a lot of people think it’s responsible for the destruction of the entire planet.”
This time she didn’t try to stop her laugh. His own smile transformed his face completely. How come he could be so serious and then come out with something like that? It was disarming. On impulse she reached over and rested her hand on his leg. As though it was completely natural and they were a couple, he dropped his hand from the steering wheel and covered her hand with his.
Her heart sped up as he lightly stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. This feels too good. He doesn’t want a girlfriend, remember? She should take her hand away. Wait a minute, what was she thinking? Chill out, Geena. So he was holding her hand, that hardly meant they were engaged. What on earth was wrong with her? She was perfectly willing to have sex with him, but was getting freaked out by a little hand holding? Man oh man, spending her days talking with strangers about sex was warping her mind.
“So where do you live?” she asked.
“Not far. I’ve got an apartment at The Rocks.”
“The Rocks? Swanky.” Why was she surprised? Billionaire, dummy. Of course he’d live somewhere nice. She was suddenly aware of the crappy old sports bag she’d packed her clothes in.
Sure enough, he stopped his car outside a building right on the water. A uniformed man appeared to open her car door and another took Damien’s keys to park his car. Geena tried not to feel intimidated as the doorman carried her tattered bag inside the fancy lobby to the elevator.
“I’ll take that,” said Damien, taking the embarrassing bag back. The elevator doors opened and the doorman made a show of making sure the doors stayed open while they got in. He swiped some sort of security card in the reader and pushed the button for the top floor. The penthouse, of course.
“Have a nice evening, Mr. Courtney,” said the doorman as the doors closed. “You too, Ma’am.”
Damien inclined his head. “Thank you.”
“Good night,” said Geena. But the doors had closed on her by then. She shifted nervously, feeling out of her depth, unsure how she was supposed to act. The apartments she’d lived in weren’t the kind of places with doormen, that was for sure.
Damien glanced at her. “Okay?”
“Sure.” She smiled like this was totally normal. “It’s a nice building.”
“Thanks. I built it especially so I could keep the top two floors for myself and design my apartment the way I wanted.”
“You built it?” She blinked. Of course she knew he owned a construction company, but being in one of his buildings made it seem more real. “Was it fun designing your own place?”
This time his smile could only be described as a grin. “Actually, yeah.”
The lift doors opened onto a fancy hallway with two doors. One had a sign saying Fire Door, and he keyed in a code to unlock the other one. When it swung open, she just about choked. The place was enormous, at least three times as big as the upstairs and downstairs of her store combined. The ceiling soared high above her. And the view. Holy moly, what a view. The windows went all the way around, and she could see Sydney’s famous bridge, the Opera House and the yachts on the harbor. She even caught a glimpse of the Botanical Gardens on the other side. A billion dollar view.
“Not bad.” Even with her jaw unhinged, she almost managed to sound nonchalant. But somehow her old bag looked even worse now he’d put it down on his polished floor, and her dress may be retro cool but it had still been a bargain from a thrift store. What was she doing here, with him? If she stopped and thought about it, it was totally insane.
She took a deep breath, fighting the urge to bol
t for the door. Sure she’d known he was rich, but she hadn’t fully realized he was really an alien from Planet Money.
“Rocky,” he called. He whistled, and a thump came from another room. A moment later, a dog appeared, tail wagging. “Hey Rocky.” Damien dropped to one knee to pat the dog, sending him into spasms of delight. “Say hello to Geena.”
She bent to stroke Rocky’s head. He moved stiffly, so he had to be pretty old. From the way Damien greeted him, he was obviously much loved.
The dog rolled onto his back and Damien got onto both knees to rub Rocky’s belly. Geena wanted to grab onto something for support. If only the cameras could capture the hated Damien Courtney right now. He was a totally different guy to the hard-ass, no-apologies billionaire who called reporters rude names and refused to apologize for tearing down a historic building. The killer glare was gone and in its place was a guy with a gooey center. And talking of liquid centers, what was it about a man who loved his dog this much that melted her heart?
She shook her head, making light of it to hide the fact she was so touched at the sight of him fawning over his dog. “And you were giving me a hard time about Edward Scissor-claws?” She snorted. “Hypocrite.”
“I don’t take Rocky to work with me anymore. And if I did, he wouldn’t try to shape someone’s hand into topiary.”
She waved one hand. “Details.”
He got up. “Drink?”
“White wine?” Liquid courage.
“Chardonnay okay? I have one I think you’ll like.” He raised his voice. “Isobelle?”
“Good evening, Mr. Courtney.”
Geena jerked her head around. She hadn’t realized anyone else was here, but a plump older lady stood in a doorway. Behind her must be the kitchen, because a delicious smell drifted out of it.
“Isobelle, this is Geena.”
The Rich List Series: Contemporary Romance Box Set (Millionaire, Billionaire, CEO) Page 26