Contract with a Billionaire, The Complete Series

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

My butt stuck to the chair as the host droned on about the auction items. Jake had donated two tickets to Australia on his private jet and they were instantly sold off to raise money for an environmental cause. It didn’t surprise me at all. Who wouldn’t want a plane ride with a billionaire? Problem was, all those fancy jet fumes were going to smog up the Earth. I maintained a straight face and bit hard on my knuckles to avoid a chuckle.

My foot aches lessened as the clock struck twelve.

People said brief goodbyes to Jake before piling out the door. I waited for his first move toward the entrance and let the space between us create distance. Sitting close to him all night had made my insides tingle. I had to get away. His aura was captivating, and I had no intention of falling into his lap like trapped prey.

His arms surrounded me. His hand hung by my waist, pulling me tight to his side, making us appear as a close couple. My eyes closed while I inhaled his woodsy scent. I fought to control my trembling body as I exhaled. Had he seen my reaction? If only I could run and hide.

“Enjoying yourself?” Jake cooed in my ear.

Oh god. His deep voice jolted my insides and made my flesh come alive. Arousal spread through my pelvis like a virus, my breath transformed to shallow pants. He watched me as I mustered an answer. “I am, thank you,” I answered in a hoarse voice. I cleared my throat. “And you, Mr. Sutherland?”

He moved his lips to the side as he looked me up and down. His eyes examined my breasts and thighs, then moved back to my face.

My heartbeat raced at having him examine and judge me. Most girls would’ve been turned off, but I liked it, in a weird way.

“It was amazing,” he declared. “You are very good at what you do.”

I basked in the compliment even though it was just an escort job. I mean, how hard could it be to go on a date and be attentive? It’s not like I had to come and make a statement. Half the job was done by slipping on a dress and showing face. “Thank you. Means a lot, especially coming from you.”

“What’s special about me?”

My mind scrambled. He was asking too many questions and I wasn’t prepared with textbook answers. “Uh…I don’t know. You just seem important that’s all. Like you’re in charge. Dominant.”

“I see. Do you like a man who’s dominant?”

My chest trembled as a whimper escaped my lips. I tried to answer, but heat spread across my face. I gave myself a silent beating and vowed to halt anymore thoughts about him. He was a client and he was off-limits. “I’m not sure. I’ve never been around anyone like that.”

“Would you like another opportunity to figure it out?” He asked.

What did he mean? Another date? My brain shunned the idea. There was no way I was going to see this man again. I bit my lip. Should I tell him I was no longer an employed escort after tonight? Something in me fought back the words, telling me to consult Rosalyn first before spilling the truth.

The corners of his mouth turned downward at my silence as we left the building, the cool breeze enveloping us.

I shivered and approached the question with caution. “I’m not sure, yet. I have to run it through the agency,” I announced, going with my gut instinct. “Are you… are you planning on attending another gala?”

He stared at me for a long moment, his face blank.

What was he thinking? Had I irritated him? It was hard to read his thoughts. Was my question too invasive? I was just an escort. He didn’t need to share calendar details with me. My cheeks heated as I opened my mouth. “I’m sor—”

“There’s always a gala to attend,” he chided.

I had struck a chord. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so nosy.”

“No, it’s me. I’m confused. Do you always deny yourself of things you want?”

I tightened my lips. He was crossing the line now, and the conversation was taking a whole new turn. I resolved to repeat what I’d already said. “I need to check with Rosalyn.”

Jake accepted my excuse and nodded. He straightened his back. “Good. Have Rosalyn e-mail me if you are booked. I will have her send another girl if you’re busy,” he stated, his tone flattening.

Oh hell no. My pulse spiked. Was I that replaceable? Burning heat raged through my veins, his minor threat lingering in my mind. I soothed the pangs of jealousy with a deep breath. Did I really need him dating someone else? He was ruining me and all my damn rules. I had no intentions of getting involved with Jake, but the idea of standing by and watching him date another girl made my stomach roll. Even if it was all just business. I held my tongue. I resolved that if he needed another woman, so be it. Who needs another damn gala anyway?

Jake gripped my wrist. It didn’t hurt, but my skin prickled at his territorial nature. Sandalwood drifted into my nostrils and radiated to my brain, making me feel drunk from his presence.

He pulled me toward him. “Come. I need to show you a favorite spot of mine.”

There was a five-year gap between us. He’d probably seen a lot of things in his thirty years and that made me feel small with my minor life experiences. I followed him deeper into the darkness, my heart pounding loud against my chest.

He strode ahead. “There’s this amazingly beautiful garden up there. Sometime fireflies come and reflect light on the blossoming flowers during the night,” he said.

I followed him further and found out he wasn’t lying. In front of us, rich soil enveloped colorful blossoms, each of the colors sparkling under the crescent moon. I drank in the luminescent view and marveled.

He circled his arms around me, his breath warming my cheek.

I closed my eyes and inhaled. Sweet baby Jesus.

Masculine. Raw.

His lips brushed against mine before a gasp left my mouth. Shock spiraled down my spine as our lips opened, his tongue invading the depths of my mouth as I wrapped my arms around him. Letting out a moan, I pressed my body against his. My breasts rubbed against his chest, causing my sensitive n*****s to bead. A rush of wetness collected through the folds of my flesh as I tried to control my quivering thighs.

He thrusted the tongue deep into my mouth, the act breaking all reason and quieting the small voice in the back of my head. He was breaking me and I was letting him. My brain screamed no, while my body pressed against him for more of the urgent, hot tongue.

He claimed my lips and kissed like no other. He moved his hands over the back of my neck and pressed himself into me, demanding more. His touch was domineering, possessive. He was one hundred percent alpha and I hated that my body trembled underneath his grasp.

I had to stop. It had gone on far enough. Think Chloe! I pulled away from him, inhaling an unavoidable gasp and stared, breathless. He looked just as surprised as I felt. Wasn’t he used to this? I was positive he had brought a gazillion girls to this very spot, held their hands, and made love to them until they were blue in the face. Wasn’t going to be me. “I need to get home,” I seethed, straightening the bodice of my dress.

He looked dumbfounded. He finally closed his eyes and slipped his hands into his pockets. “I need to apologize for my behavior. I know you have rules because I saw each one listed in your profile. I couldn’t control myself and I’m sorry.”

And that was it. He didn’t ask me for a second date and I didn’t offer it. He knew he broke the rules, voiding himself of any future dates. When Jake’s driver came around, I climbed in and faced forward until we reached his penthouse. The agency deal was always to drop me off last so my address would remain concealed.

He touched my hand.

I snatched it away. Adrenaline raged through my chest.

“I meant what I said. I’m sorry.” He hung his head lower and climbed from the backseat of his own car. He turned to his driver and nodded once. “Please see that Miss Madison arrives home safely.”

He waited by his front door, his eyes fixated on me as we rode away. His shape became smaller and smaller as we pulled into the traffic lights. I turned away, hiding him from my view.

Exhilaration surged through my core. I need another date with him. Badly.