This is wrong, so wrong. Why do I do this? Each time things aren’t right, I look for the next sexual adventure.
Mia began to push Izzy away; she didn’t want this anymore.
“No, Izzy get off!” she shouted.
Izzy stopped immediately and climbed off, pulling her nightie down in the process, “Mia, what’s wrong? What did I do?”
Mia sat up on the edge of the bed, desperately trying to find her clothes; her face was bright red, and she felt embarrassed and awkward.
“Did I hurt you? Mia speak to me.”
“Can you pass me my clothes, please,” Mia asked, watching Izzy as she carefully picked up her orange T-shirt and jeans, leaving her underwear behind.
She dressed in silence, not worrying about the fact that she wasn’t wearing any underwear. “I’m so sorry, Izzy, truly I am. I just can’t do this.”
“Well, thanks for friggin telling me that now, Mia! Seriously, you could’ve mentioned that before you got me all hot and bothered.”
“Jeez, Izzy; I thought I could do it. I want you, but I just can’t, and I don’t know why. Please go.”
I do know why. Cos all I ever do whenever a crisis in my personal life comes up is to jump on another sexual partner, or two. It’s so wrong.
“You need to sort your shit out, girl,” Izzy snapped before turning and leaving Mia’s room.
“Thanks for your fucking sympathy!” Mia muttered to herself as she sat alone on the bed. She hadn’t been fair to Izzy, but it couldn’t be helped; she wanted Izzy, she really did, but something snapped in her head, and that was that.
Was it Cody? Probably. She loved him, and it hurt that he’d decided that was it for them. What gave him that right? He’d been a jerk with Rebecca and concocted the whole ‘missing’ plan with Shane, so he’d not exactly been an angel himself.
Mia was pissed at him but still loved him. Her mind was racing, and confusion was her best mate right now.
There was nothing she could do tonight; Cody had made his feelings clear, and she’d just fucked up with Izzy so Mia decided going to sleep was probably her best and only option. The problem was that sleep didn’t welcome her, and she spent a restless night thinking about Cody.
Relief flooded her body when she realized it was morning, and crawling out of bed, Mia checked her cell hoping for a text from Cody. There was nothing. So this is really it then? We’re through?
She’d never been one to give up easily. Perhaps it was just an argument; it’d blow over right?
I’ll go and see him later and explain the awkward situation with Zach once again; surely he’ll understand. Maybe he’s been looking for a way out ever since I was with Callum and Sophia.
I need to speak with him. I need to make sure he’s okay; I hate this atmosphere between us, and I for one don’t believe it’s truly over.
With that thought in mind, Mia decided to send him a text, ‘I miss u. Can we at least talk? x’ keep it short and simple.
She glanced at her watch, 5a.m., would he even be awake by now? Her question was answered by her cell beeping; she knew it wouldn’t be anyone else.
‘I’ve not slept a wink cos I’ve been thinking about u x’
Mia smiled to herself and with shaking hands and an excited heart typed a message back, ‘Me 2. Do u want 2 have brekkie with me? x’
Please say yes; please say yes.
She opened his next text with hesitation, ‘I’d love 2 meet u downstairs about 8am☺ x’
“Yay!” Mia cheered. Typing a message back with a smile on her face, ‘Great see u soon x’
Now she was happy; perhaps they could sort their differences out over breakfast. Mia whistled as she sorted her clothes for the day ahead.
35. Chapter Five
Mia chose a mini denim pinafore dress teamed with a cropped vivid yellow T-shirt and her black ballerina type shoes. She was feeling playful, so she’d put her long black hair into a pair of low pigtails. Her makeup was light and natural looking.
A quick glance in the mirror before leaving her room confirmed that she was looking hot but cute; exactly the appearance she was after. Mia wanted Cody to see what he was missing without her having to look like a hooker. She checked her cell one more time before throwing it into her small shoulder bag, saw there were no new messages, and left her room.
The corridor was empty as was the elevator. Mia’s heart was doing somersaults by the time she arrived at the ground floor; she was so nervous about breakfast with Cody.
“Morning Mia!” Sarah’s voice cried. Mia turned and saw the receptionist behind her desk, they exchanged waves, and Mia continued on her way.
She spotted Cody instantly. Mia was hoping she’d be the first to arrive. She hated being watched while approaching someone. She tried to walk smoothly, sexily, and calmly toward the table, but the more she thought about it, the more it put her off. In the end, she just walked the way she’d always done.
Cody smiled as she approached the table and stood up slowly. “Hey you! So glad you made it.”
I was only coming from upstairs Cody, not friggin Australia!
He leant over and pecked her on the cheek, reminiscent of mates greeting one another.
She smiled and went to sit down; Cody pushed his chair out further and walked around the table to pull her chair out for her. He’d never done this before. Mia smiled and whispered, “Thank you, kind sir!”
“The pleasure’s all mine,” Cody replied, returning to his seat.
So this is how it is now then? Politeness and chivalry.
Not that she was opposed to chivalry, what woman was? But it felt kind of strained between them both.
“You look great by the way,” he smiled at her as he spoke, and she noticed the familiar crinkled lines at the edges of his pale blue eyes, the way his face dimpled and how his handsome face lit up when he smiled.
“Thanks; you look great too.” God this is pathetic! Like two people meeting for the first time, awkward.
He did look great in black straight legged jeans and a navy colored T-shirt tucked in; he was casual but smart. His sandy blond locks were back with a navy Alice band; Mia loved the look as much as she’d done when he’d worn it before.
His smooth face was covered in a light stubble, making him look rugged and sexy.
“Wow, this is friggin awkward.” He laughed nervously, staring across the table at her.
Mia giggled. “I know right?”
They laughed together, and Mia was hoping now that the ice had been broken they’d chat normally together, but the awkwardness remained.
“We seem to be avoiding actually talking to each other, don’t we?” he muttered, fiddling with his napkin.
“Yes, we do Cody; is that gonna come out like a paper fan or something?”
“Huh?”
“Your napkin? Cos you’re fiddling with it so much I wondered if you were doing origami or something.”
He laughed, putting the napkin down. “You always make me laugh, Mia, I love that about you.”
She coughed softly. “And is that the only thing you love about me, Cody?”
He paused, making her wonder if she’d pushed the conversation too quickly.
“Mia, I love lots of things about you. I’m just confused that’s all. I’m not sure how you feel about me at times, pixie, or my money.”
“I reacted badly when you were told me about being adopted, Cody; I thought you already knew and decided not to tell me everything about yourself, and that hurt.”
Cody rested his elbows on the table, “But if I already knew, Mia, I probably wouldn’t have Thrill Seekers would I? Callum would’ve taken the money, being the rightful heir.”
Mia contemplated his words and then replied, “Yes I guess so, but for all I know, Callum could’ve shared the money between you both.
“Yeah, right—have you met my brother lately?”
Mia blushed, “Sorry that was a foolish thing to say. ” I haven’t just met him; I’ve friggin
slept with him and his wife!
“Hey, I’ve told you everything, pixie, I promise you that much,” he whispered, leaning across the table and reaching for her hands.
Mia smiled. It was the first physical contact they’d had for a while, and it felt great. She squeezed his hands to show she liked it.
“I’m sorry for what happened between Callum, Sophia, and me, Cody; very sorry,” she mumbled quietly.
He stayed silent but squeezed her hands gently. Their breakfast arrived, but instead of pulling his hands away, Cody kept holding hers while the server put their food on the table. It was good to have the closeness back—Mia had missed him so much.
“Eat up while it’s hot!” Cody said, gently pulling his hands free.
They ate in silence, but occasionally they’d exchange glances like a pair of flirting teenagers. It was a nice breakfast spent in good company. Mia felt they’d talked and sorted some issues out.
“So can I ask what your plans are now?” she asked tentatively.
“Well, I’m still the owner of Thrill Seekers, but as soon as Callum discloses that the Wilson wealth is his, I’ll be stripped of my inheritance and become a nobody, I guess.”
“You’ll never be a nobody to me, Cody.”
“You’re too sweet, Mia. It just feels like it was all for nothing; the center. All the hard work that went into this place, it’s heartbreaking, pixie.”
She reached for his hand and held it tightly. “I’ll always be here for you. If you want me to be, of course.”
Cody raised her hand to his soft lips and kissed it softly, “Of course I do. Look, let’s put the past behind us; we’re good together, and I don’t wanna lose you along with everything else.”
“That’s so good to hear, Cody.”
“Umm, sorry to interrupt, but I thought you might like to see the morning paper, Cody, as the headline concerns you,” Sarah said, handing a copy to him. She smiled shyly at Mia who smiled back. She was glad what had happened between them hadn’t upset their friendship as she liked Sarah.
“That fucking sly bitch!” Cody yelled, making the other guests in the dining room turn to look at him.
He slammed the paper down on the table in front of Mia. She read the headline: ‘Billionaire Loses His Wealth, Adventure Center, and Love, All in One Day!’
“Izzy?” she asked.
“Who else would it be, Mia? That little poisoned hooker; after our intimacy, she does this,” he snapped.
Mia noticed Sarah looking confused at Cody’s mention of the word ‘intimacy’. She had no explanation for her, so she stayed quiet, letting Sarah draw her own conclusion.
“We knew she’d probably write a story, Cody; I saw her pushing through the crowd that night.”
Mia began reading Izzy’s words silently. She’d really ripped him to shreds, saying how he must’ve known about his adoption and how he’d lied to gain the wealth that Callum should’ve inherited. How he wasn’t worthy of the trust he’d gained from the numerous teenagers and their families that he’d helped via Thrill Seekers. The last part of Izzy’s report was the best, saying how Cody had even lost the love of his life, a Miss. Adams, colleague to Izzy. She went on saying how Mia shouldn’t have been involved with Mr. Wilson anyhow because he’d been the subject of a previous report of hers.
“Did you read this?” Mia asked Cody, who now had his head in his hands.
Sarah had discreetly left them to it and vanished. “Only quickly, Mia. I saw the part about you; you’ll probably be fired now. It’s all gone to rat shit, Mia.”
She had to agree that it didn’t look good right now, but not to Cody’s face, as he was obviously having a hard time processing everything. Perhaps Stuart would keep her on after all as it wasn’t a heinous crime that she’d committed, “Listen don’t worry about me, Cody, I’ll be fine. If the worse happens, and Stuart fires me, then I’ll get another job somewhere else,” she muttered, not truly believing her own words.
“You might not work for a paper again, though, Mia, as word travels fast, and they may not trust you,” he replied. Mia knew his words were true; once the seed of doubt had been planted, things would change, and thanks to Izzy, the seed had well and truly been planted.
“Come on, I need to grab some air, Mia,” he muttered, standing up from the table.
She picked the paper up and walked beside him out to the lobby where she spied Izzy literally seconds before Cody did. She was standing by the reception desk with a copy of the paper in her hands.
Before Mia could stop him, Cody was striding toward Izzy, sore ankle totally forgotten about. He grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face him. For fuck’s sake don’t hit her Cody.
To her relief, he just held Izzy’s shoulder, making no attempt to get physical with her. Izzy actually looked vulnerable; her red hair was down and tumbling around her shoulders, there was no make-up on her face at all, and her hooker fashion sense had taken a break. She was dressed in straight legged blue jeans and a sensible T-shirt. Mia was quite shocked by her demure appearance; what the fuck happened to you?
“Go on, have a go! I deserve it, Cody,” Izzy mumbled, staring straight at him.
“Why Izzy?” were the only words he calmly said.
“Because you both hurt me,” she replied, shooting a look at Mia now. Don’t you dare mention last night, Izzy.
“So now you got what you wanted; you’ve dragged Cody’s name through the dirt and probably cost me my job,” Mia said, now standing inches away from Izzy.
“You’re wrong, Mia. I cost myself my job. Stuart read between the lines and knew I was being spiteful, and he guessed why—cos most things to do with me are sex-related. He worked out that I’d only written the story to spite you both; he doesn’t know what led to the spite,” Izzy answered.
“That makes no friggin sense, Izzy; how could he know?” asked Mia, feeling a pang of sympathy for the redhead.
“Cos my writing style was different, Mia; I mentioned you when it really had no relevance to the story. Stuart picked up on this, and now I’ve been fired. So I’m guessing your job’s safe, Mia.” Mia didn’t know what to say, she was dumbstruck. Stuart had everything he wanted in Izzy or so Mia thought.
“Too late for me, though. The word’s out now about the adoption,” Cody snapped, still staring down at Izzy.
“Don’t fool yourself, Cody; the word would’ve been out anyhow soon with Callum’s big mouth. He wanted people to know that’s why he chose the party night as the big reveal night; so trust me, the word would be out by now,” Izzy replied.
She was right. Callum had planned his little speech, and Sophia had all the paperwork to hand to prove Cody’s adoption.
That might be so Izzy, but you shouldn’t have stooped this low,” Mia said, keen to have her say.
“Why? Cos we nearly had a threesome, and you and me were nearly lovers?” Izzy replied, now staring straight at Mia. Fucking great, you just had to say it didn’t you? Cody shot her a confused look. “It was nothing, Cody. Honestly, she practically threw herself at me.” Mia knew he wasn’t convinced, but he didn’t carry the topic on.
“If you call me in a baby doll nightie sitting astride your naked girlfriend nothing, Cody, then hey, it was nothing.” With that parting shot, Izzy walked out of the center with her rucksack thrown over her shoulder and a smug smile on her face.
“Not now, Mia,” Cody said, holding a hand to her face as she started to talk, “You look like shit by the way, are you okay?”
“I feel as though I’m gonna throw-up I’ve gotta go!” Mia cried, running toward the elevator and hoping she’d make it to her room in time.
She did, but only just. Leaving the door open, she ran into the bathroom and threw up in the sink. Her legs turned to jelly, and she felt nauseous, “Damn you, Izzy, all this stress has made me sick.”
Mia crawled through to the bedroom and managed to close the door; she picked up her shoulder bag from the floor where it’d landed in her haste to make it
to the bathroom.
She felt like shit, and as she stood up on shaky legs and looked in the mirror, the pale-faced girl looking back at her only confirmed that she was indeed sick.
36. Chapter Six
Mia was sick, but luckily, it only lasted a little while, and she was soon back up on her feet and able to call Eliza on Skype.
“Hey you,” her pink haired mate greeted as they began their chat. “You’re looking pale, you okay?”
“I am now, but I was sick earlier on, probably something I ate Eliza,” Mia replied, declining to mention anything about the business with Izzy.
“How’s Cody doing? Dwayne mentioned something he read about him being adopted. I was gonna call you Mia, but I didn’t really want to disturb you.”
“It’s true Eliza; there was a scene with Callum, his older brother. It was at the fundraising party, and Izzy got the story in typical Izzy fashion,” Mia replied. “I gotta go a minute, Eliza. I’m gonna throw up again.”
She left her cell and ran to the bathroom where she was sick again.
“Hey, you okay, girl? I’m worried about you,” a concerned Eliza asked.
“Yeah, I’m good, Eliza. Dunno what’s wrong, but yesterday morning I felt nauseous and then this morning I’m throwing up; perhaps it’s the stress of everything with Cody?”
“Mia, here’s a thought. Could you be pregnant?”
Mia went quiet, no surely not; could I?
“Fuck, Eliza, I missed a period too. I never gave it a thought; shit, no, not now!”
“So I’m guessing if you are, it wasn’t planned?” Eliza asked.
“God, no, Cody, and I’ve never even discussed a baby, Eliza. I don’t know if he even wants friggin kids!”
“First things first, and you’re gonna hate me for asking this, Mia, but are you sure it’s Cody’s baby?”
“Seriously? You cheeky bitch, what do you take me for?”
“A hot girl with an incredibly high sex drive. I know you, Mia,” Eliza said quietly with a cheeky smile playing on her lips.
“Shit, Callum!” Mia exclaimed, not realizing that she’d just said his name out loud.
Interview with a Billionaire: Billionaire Romance Box Set Page 24