My Roommate, the Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings Book 3)

by Serenity Woods

  “Naughty boy,” she says, kissing me again, claiming my mouth and deepening the kiss until I groan. Then she moves back, takes my wallet where I left it on the side, removes a condom, and extracts it from the wrapper. She places it on the tip of my erection, and slowly rolls it down, her amused gaze resting on mine, watching my reaction.

  Proud of myself for lasting more than a few minutes, I lift her and position her above me, wait for her to pull the one-piece aside, lower her until the tip of my erection parts her folds, then let her go. I sink inside her in one smooth move.

  “Fuck,” Remy says, her favorite English word, I think.

  “Yeah,” I say, the ability to form anything coherent having long gone. “Ah, yeah.” Impaled on me, she rocks her hips, forcing me to slide in and out of her. The feeling is exquisite torture.

  I could come in seconds, but I fight against it, breathing slowly, and let her ride me for a while. She knows what she does to me; I can see it in her eyes, and I’m willing to let her enjoy that. She hums as she moves, not loudly, but it tells me she’s enjoying it. I love that she hears music in her head when we make love.

  I also love having sex with a woman in such gorgeous lingerie. There’s nothing wrong with the naked body at all, but there’s something super sexy about silk and satin that’s all slippery beneath a man’s fingers, and lace that gives tantalizing glimpses of the skin beneath. My hands skim over her ribs and hips and up to her breasts, and I stroke her there, enjoying the movement of her breasts and the way she breaks her humming to moan when I tease her nipples.

  This is glorious, but even I can’t last forever. I have a feeling she’s trying to see how long she can make me go before I come, but I’m done with letting her be in charge.

  Holding her tightly, I move to the edge of the sofa and lift her off me. She complains, but I just laugh, turning her so she’s kneeling down, leaning forward on the cushions, and position myself between her legs.

  “Oh,” she says, “mmm, oui Al-bear…” and she widens her knees, tilting her bottom high in the air. I pull the one-piece aside and stroke the tip of my erection through her folds, then press against her entrance, hold her hips, and slowly penetrate her.

  She shudders, and I sigh, moving back, pushing forward, until I’m fully lubricated and sinking into her easily. Yeah, that feels amazing, and I get the added bonus of being able to watch us, too. I can see myself plunging inside her, that’s fucking sexy, and I study the place where we join for a while as I thrust slowly.

  Ohhh… that’s too good, I’m not going to last long. I cup her breasts, feeling them sway in the lace as I thrust, and tug her nipples, and she moans. She’s not far from coming either, thank God. I slip a hand around her front and slide a finger through her folds, and she moans again as I stroke her clit. I’m thrusting hard now, plunging inside her, and dammit, I can feel my climax gripping my body, refusing to wait any longer. I don’t stop stroking her, though, and even as I come, I feel her begin to clench around me. Her pulses only serve to increase my pleasure, and as she squeezes me until there’s nothing left, I hold her tightly, drinking in her sighs and feeling an overwhelming joy at the thought that I’ve given her such bliss.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Remy

  I expect the week to fly by, because I have such little time left and because I’m both excited and nervous about the weekend. But the days roll past slowly, and we seem to pack a huge amount into every minute and hour.

  Despite the terrible damage at the Ark, everyone’s mood remains positive as discussions abound regarding the rebuild. A team of builders comes into the Ark to start clearing the site, but there’s lots to do. The directors make the decision to keep the veterinary center and the rehoming center open through the work, so the first thing is to make the place safe, with easy-to-read signs, roped-off places to park, and access to all areas whilst avoiding the damaged area. With the grooming center closed while they source a temporary cabin, I spend Monday and Tuesday painting and helping to erect signs with Jules, as well as directing any visitors to the Ark. By Wednesday the cabin is delivered and it takes a while to set up our equipment, and then I’m back to work grooming cats and dogs. The veterinary center is as busy as ever, and there’s a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between that and the rehoming center, as they set up a temporary Ward Seven there.

  The office block remains mainly untouched, and Albie disappears for long periods to catch up on his work and to help Leon with the behind-the-scenes organization of the rebuilding—working out the finances, organizing supplies, dealing with the building team, and establishing a schedule everyone is happy with.

  At lunchtimes, though, everyone meets up at the veterinary center to catch up. Although he doesn’t appear again, Noah has extra sandwiches and cakes delivered for everyone, and the woman who works the break room coffee machine is kept busy.

  When Albie comes in with Leon and Nix and some of the other office staff, I can’t deny the leap in my heart. His gaze scans the room and when it falls on me and our eyes meet, the smile that spreads across his face warms me right through. He comes over and, even though he’s cautious about showing affection in front of everyone because Leon’s been such a stickler for that, he bends and kisses me on the cheek, and even that’s enough to make me glow.

  He keeps to his declaration that we can have sex twice a day, and every morning he wakes me with soft kisses on my mouth or neck or back, and then he spends a while arousing me before we make love as the sun comes up. It always feels slow and luxurious, and I’m flattered and touched that he wants to spend time doing this. It feels as if he’s worshipping me, as if he wants to make the most of every second we have together, and commit each inch of skin to memory as he explores me with his hands and mouth.

  The evenings prove to be somewhat different. As the week goes on, I begin to realize the statement that men think about sex once every seven seconds is probably a vast underestimation where Albie is concerned. He’s patently musing on having sex with me during the day, because when we walk through the door of the house in the evening, it’s all I can do to get my coat off before his mouth is on mine and he’s carrying me off to bed, or to the kitchen table, or to the sofa, or any other place he’s obviously been thinking about having me for the past few hours.

  His delight in my body thrills me, and I’m more than happy to let him explore me in any way he wants. Sometimes he wants it hard and fast, sometimes to tease pleasure from me a tiny bit at a time; either way, I give myself over to him, and I sail through the days in a sea of ecstasy and bliss.

  Only one thing mars the wonderful time I’m having. Zach comes in on the Monday to tell us that Summer is desperate to get back to work, but that he’s making her stay at home until she gets over the cold she developed after the storm. She doesn’t appear for the rest of the week, and on Friday we get the worrying news that she’s developed a chest infection. She’s on oral antibiotics, but Albie tells me it’s likely she’ll have to go to hospital for intravenous antibiotics if it doesn’t clear up. He doesn’t say anything more, but the mood at the Ark changes subtly. Everyone’s worried about her, and we all wait anxiously for news of her recovery.

  And then it’s Saturday, and it’s time for the party over at Jamie’s house. I can’t yet bring myself to call him Dad, although I’m hoping as our relationship develops, that will happen naturally. He lives at the Hokianga—the area on the west coast facing the Tasman Sea. I haven’t been there yet, and I stare out of the window as Albie drives me there, amazed at the change in the countryside. The rolling hills and fields of the Mid-North give way to steep forested slopes and flat-topped volcanoes, which Albie assures me haven’t been active for over fifteen hundred years. As we near the Hokianga harbor, I’m amazed to see vast sand dunes rearing out of the sea. The churn of white water shows where the Hokianga River meets the Tasman, where the sea is a glorious blue.

  Albie parks the car in a place called Opononi, not far from the statue of a dolphin.
He tells me the story of Opo, the female dolphin who came close to the beach in the nineteen fifties to play with children and entertain them by juggling beach balls. Albie takes my hand and leads me toward the house sitting back from the beach. There are balloons tied to the gatepost, which I know in New Zealand means there is a party happening, and we go up the path to the house, walking around to the large deck that overlooks the ocean.

  There are a lot of people here! I feel suddenly nervous, but Albie takes my hand and leads me forward toward the throng who are standing around, drinking beer and eating barbecued food, with music playing in the background, accompanying the sound of the waves on the beach.

  “Remy!” Jamie spots me immediately and comes over. I’m enveloped in a bear hug, and swallow hard as I return it. “I’m so glad you came,” he tells me, and turns to Albie and shakes his hand enthusiastically. “Please, come and meet everyone.”

  There’s a blur of names and faces as I’m introduced to what feels like a hundred different people within the space of about fifteen minutes. I meet Jamie’s wife, Hana, a rounded, smiley woman who, I’m relieved to say, seems happy to see me and kisses me on the cheek. She introduces me to my half-brothers, Tamati and Rawiri, both younger than I, tall, slender, good-looking guys who seem fascinated by the knowledge that they have a sister who lives in Paris. I give Tamati a birthday present—my French rugby cap, which he puts on immediately and wears for the rest of the day, to the envy of his friends. Albie gives him a bottle of real French Champagne we found in a liquor store in the bay. I explain that it has to come from the Champagne region of France to be called real Champagne. Tamati tells me he’s going to save it for when he gets home with his girlfriend, and he gives me a hug and calls me ‘Sis’, which brings a lump to my throat.

  In fact, everyone seems fascinated by me, and for the next few hours I talk to aunts, uncles, and cousins I never knew I had. A few of them have traveled to Europe, but for most of them France is as exotic a country to them as New Zealand was to me before I came. Everyone wants to know if I’ve been up the Eiffel Tower, and is the Mona Lisa as amazing in real life as everyone says, and how do I feel about the terrible burning of Notre Dame Cathedral? They’re all fascinated by my accent and many of them ask me to speak French for them, following which they all exclaim how beautiful the language is, and how amazing it is that they’re related to someone who comes from the other side of the world.

  I feel incredibly touched by the way they welcome me into their family. Although I’d heard there was still racial tension here in New Zealand, I’m pleased that everyone here, at least, is friendly and mingles together. I guess it’s because Jamie is Pakeha—or from white European descent—and Hana is Maori, and both their families have gotten to know each other over the years. I meet Jamie’s brother Robert and his other brother, David, and they each have kids, most of whom are there. I know I’ll never remember all their names, but their warmth and geniality will stay with me for a long time.

  Albie stays by my side most of the time, prompting conversation if he senses I feel shy, and filling in any gaps. He talks about the Ark a lot, as most people have heard about the animal sanctuary in the bay, sounding authoritative and knowledgeable as he describes the issues around running a large business. He talks to Jamie and his sons about their farm and their dairy cows, and tells them Hal is always open to a phone call if they need advice about any problems.

  After a few hours, drink is flowing, and the party is getting lively. I’m ready to go home, though, so we say our goodbyes, getting hugs from everyone and promises to keep in touch.

  Jamie walks us back to the car. “I hope that wasn’t too overwhelming for you?” he asks.

  “It was wonderful,” I tell him. “After so many years… I never expected this.”

  “Have you told your mother you found me yet?”

  “No.” I look out across the ocean. “I am going to wait until I get home and see her face to face. I am too angry at the moment.”

  “Don’t be angry,” he says softly, pulling me into his arms. “She did what she thought was best to protect herself and you.”

  “I know.” I don’t say anything more. He can’t know how deep my frustration goes with her, and how much she’s hurt me by lying to me.

  “Are you still planning on leaving?” he asks as he releases me.

  I nod, not looking at Albie.

  “You’ll stay in touch?” Jamie asks, his voice husky. When I nod again, he says, “You promise?”

  “I promise.”

  “Okay.” He lets me go and shakes Albie’s hand, and then we get into the car and Albie drives away. I turn in the seat and wave until we turn the corner and Jamie disappears.

  Turning back, I lean my head on the rest and close my eyes.

  “You okay?” Albie asks.

  I roll my head to the side and open my eyes to look at him. “I am fine. Thank you for coming with me.”

  “You’re welcome. They’re a nice bunch of people; I had a good time.”

  “Me too. I still cannot believe I found him, Albie. After all this time.” I reach out and take his hand. “I am so glad I came to the Ark. If I had not, I would never have found my father, and I would never have met you.”

  He tightens his fingers on mine. “I’m glad you came here, too.”

  “You do not wish you had not met me?”

  He glances at me, eyebrows raised. “You really have to ask me that?”

  “It is going to be hard when I go.”

  He looks back at the road, although he continues to hold my hand. “Yeah, I know.”

  “You do not think it would have been better if we had not met?”

  “No. Do you?”

  “No.” I smile, and he smiles too.

  I look out of the window, watching the hills turning dark green as the sun begins to set, thinking how much I love this beautiful country. There was a time once when I couldn’t imagine not living in a city, with all its bustle and crowds and shops and facilities. I still love Paris, and always will. But the thought of leaving New Zealand, with its friendly people, its amazing coffee, its untouched countryside, makes me incredibly sad.

  And how on earth am I going to leave Albie?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Albie

  It’s Remy’s last week. I can’t believe I’ve been such a fool and let it take so long for us to get together. But then what was the alternative? Everything happens when it’s supposed to, my mother says, and whilst I’m not sure I believe that—I think we make our own luck and drive our own destiny—to some extent, I guess she’s right. Remy wasn’t ready before then, and maybe I wasn’t either.

  But it seems so cruel that I’ve found her, and now it’s Monday, and I only have nine days before she goes.

  Everything suddenly seems so mundane. I don’t want to spend the next week at work. There’s a lot to do; I’m rewriting the Ark’s website to take into account the recent changes, and I’m also working on the We Three Kings website too, as they’ve recently opened new offices throughout the Northland. Leon wants the office system updated to link in with a new financial program, and we’re also installing a new system that will allow clients to book appointments and find out the test results of their pets online.

  But it all pales into insignificance when I think there’s so little time left to spend with Remy.

  I think about taking her away for a few days, but I know that’s a selfish answer. She loves the Ark and she’s close to her friends, and she wants to spend time with them, too, before she leaves. She’s already organized an evening out with Jules on Wednesday, and on Friday Noah’s surprised us by announcing he’d like to hold a dinner party in Remy’s honor, so we’ll all be meeting up over there. As much as I’d like to chain her to the bed for the rest of her life, it’s not fair to keep her to myself.

  On Sunday night, something else happens to throw a wrench in the works. Remy and I are in bed, eating pizza together after a particularly steamy lo
vemaking session, when my phone goes, and I see it’s Zach.

  “Hey Zach,” I answer.

  “Hi Albie. Sorry to call so late.”

  “It’s okay. What’s up?”

  “Summer’s been taken to hospital.”

  I put down the pizza and sit up. This has happened frequently over Summer’s lifetime, but I can tell from the tone of his voice that he’s worried. She always fights against going into hospital, so I know it must be bad for her to be admitted.

  “Shit,” I say. “When?”

  “Just now—the ambulance has just left.”

  “Man, I’m sorry. How is she?”

  “The oral antibiotics haven’t done anything. Her cough is getting worse and she started having trouble breathing.”

  Remy’s watching me, and she mouths, “What’s up?”

  “Summer,” I whisper. “She’s gone to hospital. Is she in Whangarei, Zach?”

  “Yeah.” It’s about ninety minutes away.

  “What can I do?” I ask.

  “I need to go down in the car, take her some clothes and stuff, and I was thinking about checking into a motel down there. It’s the boys… I was wondering if they could stay with you for a night or two. If it’s not convenient just say—I know Remy’s not got long here and you want to spend time together. I can see if Hal will have them, it’s just that they asked for you…”

  “Of course they should stay,” I say, looking at Remy, who nods immediately.

  “Are you sure? They want to be with their mom but it’s a waiting game now, and they’ll get bored at the hospital. It’ll be better if they go to school, keep some normality in their lives.”

  “No worries at all,” I tell him. “I’ll take them to school and pick them up. Please, tell Summer not to worry about them. I’ll feed them pizza and chocolate and fizzy drinks and they’ll be fine.”

  He gives a short laugh. “As long as you’re sure.”

  “You want me to pick them up now?”