The Seduction

by Jessie Jones

  Just as her hand touched the door handle of the bathroom, Gillian heard the door to the bedroom open. She was stunned to turn around and see Pandora standing there in an almost transparent, black negligee. Heat immediately shot to the American's face when the Greek woman smiled at her. Through her rage, she barely heard Pandora say, "Oh, you're still here. John thought that you would already be downstairs."

  "When the hell did you talk to John?" Gillian asked, anger and hurt evident in her emerald eyes as they roamed over Pandora's barely-there clothing. "Stewart told me he had urgent business this morning."

  "Urgent business, huh?" Pandora chuckled as she leaned back against the door. "Never heard John refer to me as that before, but then he was in a hurry to get me naked."

  Gillian straightened her back regally and could feel the tears filling the back of her eyes as she tried to evenly ask, "You saw John this morning?"

  "Of course, sweetie." Pandora smiled as she hungrily licked his lips. "A couple of times, actually. Who do you think told me to come here?"

  The breath caught in Gillian's throat as she closed her eyes for a moment and just stood there. The pain in her chest grew more intense, and the numbness she was feeling intensified as Pandora's words sunk in. John had left her bed this morning so he could sleep with the Greek woman. Everything had been a lie! How could a man who slept with so many women want only one? Gillian had watched John push Pandora away last night at the party and make her leave. She had secretly hoped that John was getting rid of his mistress, but she had been a fool to think that. Swallowing the large, hard lump in her throat, the beautiful American opened her eyes as the tears blinded her vision. Without conscious thought, she quickly crossed the wide room and approached Pandora. Before she knew what was happening, her hand solidly connected with the Greek woman's face before Pandora fell to the ground sobbing as she held her face. Without another word, the emerald eyed beauty turned and ran to the bathroom where she slammed the door shut.

  Gillian's lovely frame instantly slid down the closed door as she began to uncontrollably sob. Damn John Kenric! How dare he make a fool out of her? She had begun to care for the Brit and his brother and had even felt her frozen heart begin to thaw. Her body trembled as the tears soaked her porcelain face. Gillian's chest throbbed even more as visions of John and the Greek woman intimately together clouded her thoughts. The billionaire had pretended like she was something special so he could get the book and sleep with her. As much as she hated it, now she knew the truth. Gillian had been conflicted with leaving John, but now, she had no choice. She would not stay and play second fiddle to Pandora or any woman for that reason! Letting out a shaky sigh, Gillian viciously wiped at her eyes and stood up. She needed to get a shower and get dressed so she could get the hell out of here and never look back!

  Outside the bathroom, a whimpering Pandora held her hand to her cheek as she slowly stood up. She opened and closed her mouth as she tried to fight off the stars that danced before her eyes. The damn American had slapped her so hard across the face that Pandora had nearly passed out. The bitch would pay for that, among other things. Truth was Pandora had been livid to learn that Gillian had spent the night in John's bed. The Greek woman had been with the British billionaire for years, and he had never allowed her in his own personal suite, let alone his bed. Pandora was not lying when she had told Gillian that she had seen John that morning, but it was not what the Greek woman had painted. She had approached John, and he had refused to talk to her. Not only that, the gorgeous Brit had physically pushed Pandora aside and told her that she had an hour to leave his home and never come back. Pandora had begged and pleaded with John not to end the relationship, but he had simply ordered Luther to take her to her own personal suite to pack. Wanting the American bitch to feel what Pandora was feeling, the Greek woman had snuck out of her suite to find Gillian. Pandora had loved the pain and humiliation she had seen in Gillian's eyes! The stupid bitch was ruining the Greek woman's life, so Pandora was going to see to it that she returned the favor. Hearing the American woman's sobs from behind the bathroom door had a cruel smile crossing Pandora's full, red lips. Let that fucking whore cry! If she couldn't have John, then neither could the American!

  An hour later, Gillian walked out of the bathroom dressed in the clothes that Stewart had provided. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she had applied no makeup. Slipping her dainty feet into the grey, canvas shoes, Gillian quickly made her way out of the British man's suite. She took a deep breath and fought back the tears as she passed servants in the hallway and made her way down the corridors and stairs. Her whole body ached with the knowledge of John sleeping with Pandora. She knew the Brit was not her man, but she felt so betrayed by his actions. Even though their time had been brief, she had found herself falling for John. His assertiveness and dominance had been so refreshing, and he had spoken his mind freely. There had been no pretense with John, and although Gillian knew she was attractive, John and Patrick had made her feel beautiful. Even now, she didn't want to confront John on her way out for fear that her body would betray her. Gillian secretly hoped that since she had given him the book, no one would mind if she simply snuck out and never returned.

  When she reached the bottom of the steps and made her way into the grand hall, she was deep in thought. She was so deep, in fact, that she didn't see John quickly approaching her from the side of the room.

  Once the Brit reached her, he immediately wrapped her in his arms and crushed his lips to hers. Assuming that Gillian would melt into his touch, he was unprepared to feel her push him back before taking her hand and striking him across the face. He stood stunned for a moment, fingering his bearded jaw before an icy cold rage began to settle in his gut. Gillian's slap had been more like a dull sting, but why in the hell had she hit him? No woman had ever hit the Brit! John and Patrick had made love to Gillian several times throughout the night, and he had literally pulled her off him this morning so he could attend to business. John had hated to leave her warm, soft body and had felt cold the moment his feet had hit the floor. The last time John had taken Gillian, she had begged for his touch. Now his beautiful, majestic kitten was standing in front of him pissed off and daring him to touch her! What the hell had happened?

  "What the fuck is wrong with you, kitten? Why did you hit me?" John demanded as he reached for her once again. Pulling her struggling form into his arms, the Brit was quick to smash his mouth down on hers. Instead of feeling her arms slip around his neck, he felt her hands pushing at his chest. Breaking the kiss, John forced her back against the wall and pinned her hands above her head with one of his hands. In a low growl, he said, "Stop fucking fighting me, kitten. You're pissing me off, and remember what happened the last time you did that."

  Remembering the spanking all too well, Gillian stopped struggling and looked to the side. She jerked her face away as he tried to gently lift her chin so he could look into her eyes. Gillian felt the tears stinging the back of her eyes, and the last thing she wanted to do was let John see her being weak. Swallowing the growing lump in her throat, she said, "Don't touch me, John."

  "What the bloody hell is wrong with you, kitten?" he asked as she avoided his gaze. He could see the hurt on her face but had no idea what the cause was.

  "Did you see Pandora this morning, John?" Gillian blurted out as her eyes finally met his. She could tell that the question caught him off guard by the look on his face, but she needed to know the truth.

  "What?" John replied, confused. He had seen the Greek woman this morning, but only to tell her to get her shit and get the fuck out. John had no use for the woman since meeting his kitten and the thought of being intimate with someone else made him feel nauseous. Pandora had attempted to kiss him, but John had blocked it and pushed her away before ordering Luther to take her to her room so she could get her things. Why was she asking about Pandora?

  "Answer the damn question, John!" the American barked, rage boiling her blood. "Did you see Pandora this morni
ng?"

  "Yes, I did, but what the fuck does that matter?" John said, watching a mask come over her face as her body completely stilled in his arms.

  "It doesn't," Gillian softly lied, her eyes never leaving his. John wasn't even trying to deny being with Pandora this morning, so she now knew what she had to do. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I think it's time for me to leave, John. You got what you wanted. I gave you the book, so now it's time for me to get what I want."

  John could not explain the complete and total wrath that shot through him at hearing Gillian's words. His eyes immediately blackened and his body stiffened. So, she wanted to leave him? No woman had ever left John fucking Kenric! Couldn't Gillian see how much he cared about her? He was offering her the world, and here she stood before him, shoving it back in his face! More than that, the Brit was offering himself, and Gillian clearly didn't want that, either. He couldn't explain the void that was filling his chest at the American's rejection. The eyes that were looking at him with love and affection last night were now shooting daggers at him. If kitten wanted to leave, then she could get the fuck out!

  "So, you want to leave, kitten?" John asked in a growl through clenched teeth as he pushed his body intimately against her. His lips hovered only inches from hers as he said, "Then leave, but not before I get one last taste of that sweet pussy."

  Before she could respond, he slammed his mouth down on hers once again in a demanding, forceful kiss. He quickly positioned his body so she could feel his large erection against her groin.

  Despite her anger, Gillian could feel her body responding to him. She found herself kissing the Brit back and her hips undulating against his groin. She wanted this man more than she had ever wanted anyone before, but she would be damned if she would share him. John squeezing and plucking one of her sensitive, achy nipples broke the spell the Brit had on her and had her crying out in pain. She stepped away from him when he suddenly released his hold on her.

  John closed his eyes for a moment as he fought for some type of self-control. He wanted nothing more than to throw Gillian down and fuck her stubborn little ass into submission. Although he wanted her to hurt like he was hurting, John did not want to cause her physical pain. He knew he and Patrick had been rough with her last night and also knew that her body was probably sore. Fuck Gillian Morgan, John thought to himself! If she didn't need him, then he damn sure didn't need her. The billionaire had women at his disposal 24/7 who wanted nothing more than to be with him. John wasn't about to beg a woman for attention! Maybe she had been playing a game with him after all!

  Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, John opened his eyes and looked at Gillian, who stood fighting for her own self-control. "You want to go?" he asked, his eyes black slits as the vein pulsed in his thick, corded neck. "Then get the fuck out. You know where the door is. The last thing I need in my life is a bitch who is going to play games. You want your freedom, then, baby, you got it."

  Gillian felt the tears begin to slide down her face as she watched John turn from her and quickly leave the room. Her heart was literally breaking and she wanted to call him back, but she needed more than what John was willing to give her. She wanted a monogamous relationship, but John clearly wanted other women. Why did she have to feel so much with this man? Even now, he consumed her thoughts, body, and soul. John had made her feel alive for the first time in her life, but the distance he was putting between the two of them had a numbness slowly creeping up her limbs.

  "Miss, are you all right?" Stewart asked as he walked into the room and saw the tears streaming down her beautiful face. He wasn't sure what was happening between John and the American, but he had heard the yelling from the other room.

  "I'm fine," Gillian brokenly replied as she frantically wiped at her eyes. She didn't want anyone to see just how much she was hurting at John's rejection. Clearing her throat and pushing away the pocket square the butler was offering, she said, "Stewart, I need to call a cab. Is there a phone nearby that I can use?"

  "Mr. Kenric is letting you leave?" Stewart asked, confused. He had talked to the Brit only minutes ago, and his employer and friend had been on cloud nine. John had instructed the butler personally to have a team of stylists come by to create a wardrobe for Gillian. The billionaire had also told him that Gillian was to be given her own personal cell phone and be granted access to all parts of the house. John's instructions did not sound like a man who was getting rid of a woman.

  Gillian closed her eyes a moment before she let out a long sigh. Trying to gain control of her emotions, she opened her eyes and said, "John told me to get out, Stewart. If that doesn't say leave my house, then I don't know what does. Look, I really don't want to explain this to you, so where is the phone so I can leave?"

  "Maybe I should talk to Mr. Kenric first," Stewart replied, uncertain of what to do next.

  "Fine, you talk to him while I find a phone," Gillian barked, becoming increasingly annoyed with the butler as she brushed past him to begin looking for a phone.

  "I'm sorry to upset you, miss, but if John didn't give you permission to leave—"

  Gillian swung around abruptly as her eyes immediately found his. "Permission?" she yelled as she put her hands on her hips. "I don't need John's fucking permission! Maybe you forget, but I don't work for John, nor am I one of his whores!"

  "Miss—"

  "It's all right, Stewart," Duff said as he walked into the room, interrupting their conversation. "She can leave. Luther and I will see to it that she gets back to her home safely."

  "I don't need you driving me anywhere, Duff," Gillian replied snidely as Stewart nodded at the Scottish man and left the room. "I can take a damn cab."

  "We either drive you, or you fucking walk," Duff replied, his eyes roaming over Gillian's lovely face and body. The woman was beautiful, but she was beyond stunning when she was angry. His dick twitched to life as her eyes shot daggers at him. "You can be pissed at John, but I haven't done anything to you, sweetheart. We are at least an hour from the city of London. You feel like walking all of that?"

  Gillian stood there and brooded over the Scottish man's words. Truth was she had no idea how to get back to the city from John's estate. All she knew was that she wanted to get as far away from John Kenric as she could! Even if that meant having Duff drive her home. "Fine, you can drive me home," she replied through clenched teeth. "But we leave now."

  "Follow me, sweetheart." Duff smiled as he led Gillian out the entrance of the manor and into the courtyard. Luther sat waiting for them in the black Escalade. Opening the car door, Duff climbed in behind the beautiful woman. Gillian immediately distanced herself and kept her emerald eyes cast out the window. They sat in silence for several minutes before Duff asked, "So, you want to talk about it?"

  Gillian rolled her eyes and harshly laughed before looking directly at Duff and saying, "Really? Do I look like I want to talk about it? Forgive me for not being in the mood for small talk right now, Duff. Just shut your mouth and enjoy the silence, okay?"

  The Scottish man cracked his thick neck from side to side in irritation. Why was Gillian being such an ass to him? He wasn't the one who had told her to leave. "Fuck your silence!" Duff barked back at her. "There is no reason for you to be a bitch to me. If you hadn't pissed John off, we wouldn't be here now. What did you do to piss him off anyway?"

  "What did I do?" Gillian asked in disbelief as she stared incredulously at Duff. Looking out the window and noticing that they were within the city limits, she yelled, "Stop the damn car!"

  "Gillian…" Duff began, but the woman lunged at him and punched him in the chest.

  "Stop the damn car, Duff! Now!" Gillian frantically yelled as she continued to fight with the Scottish man. As soon as the car came to a stop, the beautiful American threw open the door and got out. She immediately began walking down the sidewalk. Before she got very far, she felt Duff's hand gripping her arm to stop her. Her eyes and face were wet with tears when she turned to look at him.

>   "Stop and talk to me, dammit!" Duff ordered softly, wanting to comfort the woman. Although he didn't know yet what had occurred between John and Gillian, he knew it was over.

  "Please, Duff," Gillian brokenly sobbed, her voice breaking. She simply wanted to get back to her apartment and disappear. She hated showing anyone how weak she could be, let alone Duff. "Let me just have a little pride and have some time to myself. I appreciate you helping me, but I just want to be alone."

  Duff's heart was breaking as he watched the tears flow down Gillian's lovely face. He cupped her cheek and stroked her slender neck with his thumb. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," the Scottish man said softly." He then reached into the back pocket of his jeans and pulled out a small envelope. Clearing his throat, he said, "John wanted me to give this to you."

  Gillian straightened her back and wiped at her eyes. Taking the envelope, she opened it to find a check for a million dollars and a note that read: Here is a little something for services rendered. The painful gasp escaped Gillian's lips as she closed her eyes. How could John be so cruel to her? He was treating her like a whore, and she had done nothing to warrant such treatment! Throwing the note and check on the ground, she choked back the tears as she looked at Duff and said, "You can tell John that he can go straight to Hell!"

  Duff then watched the stunning American burst into tears before turning and running down the street. He waved for additional guards to follow her as she disappeared down the busy sidewalk. Picking up the note and check, he read the contents of both. He closed his own grey eyes as John's words penetrated his mind. His heart ached for Gillian as he fought back his own tears. His best mate was intentionally being mean to the American, and he had no idea why. John had told Duff to drive Gillian home and to ensure that she was guarded 24/7 but had said nothing else before giving him the envelope and walking away.