The Billionaire's Redemption

Susan "Trust me, getting married to anyone right now is the last thing I want to do." Every nerve in my body tingled as the stern voice from behind me briefly caused me to freeze. Without turning around, I could tell who it was. Nicholas James My throat dried up as I turned around and saw those deep, piercing eyes and his gorgeous smile once more. How come he's here? How did he get here? His velvety baritone spilled additional words, sending a surge of panic and setting off a variety of frenetic thoughts that raced through my head. I suddenly had a familiar vision of James staring into my eyes and his long fingers encircling my throat. Over the past six years, I have thought about that picture far too much, and each time, it sends my heart racing. Hot phrases flew through my head. I desire more from you. Susan, please open your eyes to me. The remarks were accompanied by gasps and moans of perilous delight. My cheeks began to burn from the mixture, and this all occurred in the instant before James spoke again behind me. It's a ridiculous scheme that would never succeed, Dave. You are aware of that," he added, and I briefly closed my eyes before exhaling deeply and nibbled on my bottom lip. Before they got to my front, my brother said, "It's worth a try." As soon as he spotted me, Dave started to smile. Dave said, "Look who we have here," as they approached the table and took seats in front of me. "Susan," Dave said. "Susan ?" James inquired as he sat down in the chair next to mine, and then his eyes came to rest on me. Since it was my first night back in Denver, Colorado in six years, Dave suggested having drinks with his friend tonight, but he didn't mention James by name. Dave, damn you. Who else would Dave hang out with than his best friend James, thus I should have known. I forced a smile and smeared it on my face. I replied, "James," and then let out a quick laugh. It was a pleasure to run into you here tonight. James replied, reminding me of his affluence, "I own the bar." He said, "It's been so long, Susan," and then his eyes lingered on my lips before drifting down my body. How are you doing? I said, trying not to reveal my anxiety as my heart continued to thump against my ribs, "I've been better," Dave pointed for a bartender to approach to our table and stated, "Susan's in town for a shoot. I wanted to surprise you both, so I invited her out for drinks tonight without telling you about it. Dave paused, laughed once again, and then clapped his hands. He made a joke, "From the looks on your faces, I'd say I got you both good." Rolling my eyes, I sipped the whisky from my glass. I told him, "Good thing you ruined my night, Dave." “Ruined? James remarked, "The night's just getting started, sweetheart. I quickly turned to face him and saw him staring at me with a sluggish smile on his lips. "We've missed you being here." I smiled as I scoffed at his assertion. Missed, in fact. The problem was that James and I were incompatible. Not after saving my brother's life in college, and not after growing close over the course of the protracted summer. , "You have?" Dave queried. "You two are feuding." James reacted, "I know, right," "She would never fall for my charm." I downed the second whisky in front of me after they both laughed and then I fiddled with the hem of my short, black dress. Everyone found James to be endearing, so I could see why girls flocked to him. He had a body gorgeous enough to make any woman swoon, but not me. He also had an easy charisma and a really dashing smile. But those somber eyes, nonetheless My mind briefly strayed before I quickly returned to the present. He didn't initially make me fawn or go crazy, so why did it happen that one night? I cannot believe that six years ago, I let James Nicholas to make passionate love to me. And what's more, why did he decide to maintain the lie? We've discussed this before, Susan; to top it off, you drank too many martinis for your own good. Due to your intoxication, events became out of hand. As I went over the specifics of the justification I provided every time I thought about James or that night, I was unaware that my brother was speaking to me. “Huh?” I questioned before returning to the present. "How are things doing with tomorrow's shoot? Need assistance with it? Dave cut him off. "Aren't you on your honeymoon?" I glared at him angrily and questioned, "Why are you even here?" “I am … however, I guess I can take a break, right? Dave queried. James and I echoed each other, "You just got married," as we turned to face Dave. "Why on earth would you need a break?" I asked, curious as to what my brother was doing with his gorgeous model wife. A month ago, their covert wedding was the talk of the town. I was there, but unexpectedly, I didn't run across James because he was on vacation in Jeddah and couldn't make it. Who would skip his best friend's wedding in order to go on vacation? Dave wasn't upset that he didn't make it, so I suppose they had an understanding that I wasn't aware of. What a bond, I reflected as I listened to my brother continue to discuss him and his wife before Dave got up and left to grab himself a cigar. James said, "I didn't expect to see you tonight," as soon as Dave left us alone. I replied, holding his gaze for a brief while before averting my sight and running the tip of my tongue over my bottom lip. "Neither did I," I murmured. James grinned again after leaning back in his chair and briefly rubbing his bottom lip. The question "What's funny?" I questioned, believing he might be planning something nefarious. James gave a gentle head shake and shrugged his right shoulder. He had left the top of his shirt unbuttoned, and I could see his flawless skin. "Nothing," he replied. "I just see how much you've changed, and it's not a bad sight to see," the person said. The bartender had refilled my glass, so I rolled my eyes and took it. Even though my insides were tingling and burning simply from his gaze, I directed a harsh glare at James Nicholas and stated, "Don't even think about it, James Nicholas." I kept telling myself it was the whisky. "Don't even consider making out with me." He laughed and said, "Flirting?" after which he lowered his voice. "Susan Tanner, we both realize that we are over the flirting period. We have a far longer history than that. His gaze briefly rested on my lips as the right corner of his mouth again tipped into an outward smile, but I kept my head straight, ignored him, and stood up. Susan, not at all. I checked my anxiety before it spiraled out of control and sent me shivering once more for James Nicholas. After spending the night thinking about the last time I had seen James Nicholas, I was positive I had him out of my system the next morning. The best way to characterize our connection is as odd. James was my brother's best friend, but we could never get along, and I liked to think it was best that way. What use was it, I couldn't stand his smug smile anyway? The only issue was that, ever since I saw him last night, that exact smile kept playing back in my thoughts. "Hey, Susan, you ready for the shoot?" Lyra Thompson, the director of today's picture shoot, was standing behind me when I turned around. I nodded and grinned at Lisa. Yes, I'm prepared. "Good," you say, "because our star has come." Before leaving me in the studio once more, she let out a small shriek. I pulled my camera from my neck, fixed my gaze on my lens, and adjusted my focus to capture the background we were about to employ. I was informed that the photo session we did today for the cover of Page Six, the magazine published by my company, involved an exclusive interview with a billionaire who lives in Denver. Although I wasn't yet aware of who it was, I was anticipating this client to arrive at any moment from... "Susan ?" When I heard James' voice behind me, I instantly froze. He can't be it, can he? Why is he in this place? Why is he so prevalent? As he called again, I clamped my eyes tight and held my breath. You, Susan, are here. I saw you coming through the door. Why are you in this place? I didn't respond to his query since I couldn't help absorbing his entire gaze. James has always had a good suit on, but tonight he looked even better. His rich, pungent tobacco scent immediately tickled my senses, as it had that night, and his dark, sleek hair was groomed to perfection. He had a three-piece designer suit made just for him that was black. I recognized the expression from a picture of him from one of the gossip magazines I read throughout the previous year. The desire for a piece of James Nicholas was universal. They either wanted to have dinner with him or ask him for advice on how to run a successful business. There didn't appear to be any woman James had never been able to get, thus the latter strategy always seemed to work out well for him. He walked around me, and I could hear his footsteps. He then leaned slightly forward until we were at eye level. You're in control of the photo session, right? He asked while grinning sweetly. "Why are you so visible everywhere?" I questioned, gritting my teeth as I opened my eyes and met his gaze. James shrugged as the smile returned to the corner of his lips. He said, "I'm not," and then laughed. "Perhaps you're just destined to be in my vicinity?" I grumbled, "An ill fate," and rolled my eyes. “What was that?” James grasped my arm and stopped me as I was about to go after giving him a tight smile. He said, "Susan," and then approached me so that he could continue. "Perhaps we ought to act like we get along here? For the benefit of the others, I suppose, so that not everyone finds this shoot intolerable? I gave him a quick look over my shoulder before carefully releasing his grip on my arm. I said, with my head held high, "Try not to touch me while we're here," and then I turned and walked away from him. As I left the studio, James's gaze followed me. Once I was out of sight, I found a wall, leant my back against it, and groaned heavily. Too quickly, my heart was racing. It was constantly pressing against my ribcage, threatening to stop me from breathing for the remainder of the day. Why was this taking place?