Surrender to My Prodigal Billionaire

Chapter 10 - Playing With Fire

Nicolette

Come on. You got this. You are a badass b***h. You aren't going to let a lapse in judgment make you hang your head in shame. It was one time. It was a mistake. Let him know and move on.

No matter how many times I repeat it to myself, I still haven't been able to move from this bed for over an hour. Packed and ready to go, I should be able to pull on my big girl panties and go downstairs as if nothing happened. But just speaking it into existence - or in my head - doesn't make it any easier.

God! What the hell was I thinking? One minute I was picturing all the ways I could destroy him and the next, what I wanted him to do to me.

Groaning, I flop backwards on the bed. Maybe if I just stay in here and am really quiet until we leave, they will forget I'm even here. It can't be that hard to find a ride back home. Surely, I could catch a ride to town and maybe find Ashton. He has to go back anyway.

No. That's no good either. I could just see Drake's veins popping out of his neck if he were to find out.

That was something that wasn't sitting with me right either. If Ashton was the enemy, why would Mr. Calloway have him in for a meeting? And they were quite friendly with each other. They spoke to each other as if they were old family friends. Something wasn't adding up. Drake seemed interested in it as well, but we never got around to it last night.

Seeing it as an opportunity, I grab my bag and square my shoulders. Mom didn't raise me to hide away. She taught me that you face things head on and with dignity. I'm only human and make mistakes. Time to act like the adult she raised and misdirect to avoid dealing with it.

Jordan and Molly smile awkwardly at me as I enter the kitchen while Drake keeps his nose buried in his phone.

"Morning," I greet them.

They both respond in kind, while Drake doesn't even acknowledge my existence. Fine by me. It will make this easier.

"So," I begin, moving my back towards Drake, "I meant to bring it up last night, but I got side tracked. Drake said Ashton is a competitor but he appeared pretty chummy when he showed up for a meeting with Mr. Calloway. Are you sure he is the enemy in all this? It seems like a strange business practice."

"Wait. What day did he meet with Sterling?" Jordan asks.

"Friday."

"Do you know what the meeting was about?" Drake perks up suddenly.

"Oh, now it speaks," I deadpan, but he ignores me.

"Do you have any idea why he was there or not?", he clips.

Urging the irritation from his clinical tone away, I focus on Jordan. "Ashton said he was in the area and he wanted to discuss something with Mr. Calloway. He was in there for about an hour and then he left. But Mr. Calloway and Ellen acted like they were over the moon at seeing him. That is why finding out he is a competitor strikes me as odd."

Drake pushes his chair out with a deafening screech and storms upstairs without a word.

"What is that all about?" I wonder as Jordan shakes his head sadly.

"Nothing good. Ashton is Taylor Berg's son. He has been a thorn in Drake's side since they were kids. It was only amplified when their dads figured out the rivalry and made it their own game to make it worse."

Taking in my confused face, he continues. "They would decide on a goal and pit Drake and Ashton against each other to see who could do it better and faster. Drake always busted his ass while Ashton would pay someone off or find some other way to get it done with very little effort. This has continued for years. His dad's newest game is the grand finale."

Sitting in the chair across from him, I lean in with genuine curiosity. Now I feel a little bad about how I acted with Ashton last night, but I was easily just another prize to be won between them. Either way, it all sounded sick on their fathers' parts.

"What is the finale?"

As if noticing I'm in the room, Jordan takes another glance at the stairs before leaning in as well. "Let's just say that the winner gets Drake's position."

Stunned, I don't even know what to say. Would his own father really hand the company over to a competitor? For what? Guilt turns my stomach as I recall telling them how happy and friendly they were with him that day. It couldn't have been easy for Drake to hear. What kind of father does that to his own son? Drake isn't perfect by far, but that's his family. You don't do that to someone you love.

An idea of how to make it up to him hits me, but I'm reluctant to go talk to him. At least down here, there were other people. If I go upstairs.....

To hell with it.

"I'll be back," I groan as I start towards the stairs.

"Careful, Nic. When it comes to his dad - he can be really touchy. Take anything he says with a grain of salt."

Tossing him a thumbs up, I make my way down to Drake's door. It is closed and no sounds can be heard, but I know he is in there. Knocking gently, I pray he is nicer than Jordan thinks he will be.

"Go away!"

So much for that. Turning the knob, I peek my head in to see him sitting on the bed with his back to me.

"Knock, knock."

"I don't know where you come from, but 'go away' doesn't mean opening up the door and bothering me."

"Well, damn. Are you saying the animal rescue lied to me?" I quip as I close the door behind me and then sit next to him on the bed.

Drake keeps his eyes trained on the ground, but I don't miss the slight lift of his lips. "Animal rescue? That explains a lot actually."

Shruging, I nudge him a bit with my shoulder. "Animal rescue. Really fancy barn. Same difference."

"What is wrong with you?" Drake chuckles and I feel a little better knowing that I could defuse the situation.

"Depends on who you ask."

We fall into a comfortable silence for a while before Drake speaks again, breaking our peace bubble. "Why are you up here?"

"Jordan told me about the history you have with Ashton. I'm sorry your dad did that to you. That he is still doing that to you."

Moving to face me, concern and nervousness cloud his eyes. "What did Jordan tell you?"

I tell him everything Jordan had said downstairs and his shoulders relax.

"Dad only did it to drive me. Even when I failed in the past, he was never hard on me. Ashton's dad was the opposite. It doesn't make me like the guy or anything, but it had to be rough."

"But you are a grown man now. Your dad shouldn't be holding your position over your head. What is the deal this time, anyway?"

Drake opens his mouth but closes it just as quickly. "It doesn't matter. I have this one by far. It is just the fact that dad would even suggest it and then be all buddies with him. It is his own way to make sure I keep my eye on the prize, but it doesn't make it easier to deal with."

"Oh, that reminds me. I think I may have a way to help," I perk up. "I'm with Ellen all week until lunch this week. I can discreetly try to figure out why Ashton was there."

From the look on his face, I can tell that he doesn't believe I can do it. I'm insulted, but I will let it go this once.

"I may not find anything out, but I can be sneaky. Almost as good as a green beret!" I insist, which only makes him laugh. "Fine. Maybe that is going a bit too far, but I will let you know if I hear anything. They won't think of being quiet around me."

"Thanks."

Standing up, I'm almost to the door when I hear Drake call out to me. "Nikki? About last night-".

Holding my hand up, he stops. "Let's just leave it. Pretend it never happened."

"Are you sure? I think we need to talk about it."

"About what?" I play dumb but he finally gets it and just nods. "See you downstairs. I'm ready to get the hell out of here."

Five minutes at home. That is all it takes before I start to wish I was trapped back up at the cabin with Drake. Mom barely asked how my trip was once I walked in the door, and then her and Glenda went back to cackling like two old hens.

"So," I pipe in when they finally take a breath, "thanks for being her Glenda. I don't know when your shift ends, but I'm here now, so you can leave if you have other things to do."

"Oh no sweetie. I have been done for a few hours now. I'm here for the girl talk now. We were just waiting for you to come home before we headed out."

"Headed out?" I jerk my head back at my mom and see excitement staring back at me.

"Glenda and I are going to go out to dinner and then we might stop for a drink. I won't be home late."

Dumbfounded, I just sit there as she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek. Only minutes later, I'm in the house alone for the first time in....years. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad mom is getting back to her old self, but it is awfully abrupt. This has been my life ever since she got sick and now I don't know what to do.

Sighing, I toss my bag in my room and grab a clean t-shirt and underwear before going to the bathroom and starting the shower. Freshly clean, I toss on my clothes and crawl into bed.

How exciting am I? In bed by eight on a Sunday night. But I do have work in the morning. After this weekend, I can use all the rest I can get. At least, Drake and I are on better terms. And thankfully, we put that silly little incident behind us.

Thinking back on it, it is sad that he is my boss. God that man could kiss. And the way he touched me.....

Getting up, I check all the locks on the doors once more before padding back to my room and locking the door behind me. Mom and Glenda should be out for a while yet, so no time like the present.

Sliding open the drawer on my bedside table, I grab Old Faithful out. If I'm going to have a clear mind, he is the only thing that will help right now.

Getting comfortable on the bed again, I slid my panties down and kick them off the side of the bed. Bringing my rechargeable boyfriend to life, I lift my shirt and start to pinch my n*****s as I slid my vibrator between my legs. Jumping from the slightest contact, I'm thankful even more that Jordan and Molly showed up when they did. This is going to be quick and I would have been even more mortified than I would have been if we only had s*x. If I thought he had a God complex already, this would have knocked it out of the park.

Slowing down the speed a bit, I pick back up where I left off. Sliding it slowly between my folds at first, before working it faster and faster. The pleasure that I desperately seek grows intense before it fades away. This happens a few times. Right as I'm about to reach my climax - it eludes me. After almost a half hour, I'm at my wits' end!

"What the f**k!?!" I shout in the empty room as I turn it off and toss it at the foot of the bed. This has done nothing for my s****l frustration but make it more unbearable. Am I broken? Has it been so long that I can't even remember how to c*m?

Drake would have been able to make me. Dismissing the traitorous thought from my head, I decide to get a drink of water before starting round two. I can not walk in that office tomorrow, see him all day and not have dirty thoughts if I don't get this little problem handled tonight.

Once I'm back in the safety of my bed, I go to reach for Old Faithful when an idea hits me. As much as I don't like it, it won't hurt to try. And no one has to know.

Grabbing it, I clean it and store it away. Lying back on the bed, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Thinking back to Saturday night, Drake's face appears quickly in my mind. The memory of how his mouth owned me. The goosebumps that erupted from his hands on me. My hand finds my breast and I start kneading and squeezing - imaging him giving me the pleasure. My other hand slides from my waist all the way down, finding my folds dripping.

It doesn't take long before I'm a writhing mess on the bed. Fantasy Drake gives me that cocky grin before he gently pushes one finger into me and then curves it just the right way to find my spot. It isn't enough, and I add another finger. Massaging and pumping them at just the right speed, Drake pinches my n****e and I start to feel the pressure building in my lower stomach. God, I'm so close. Thrusting my fingers a bit quicker, he looks up at me and whispers, "c*m for me".

Drake's name falls from my lips as my orgasm hits me with a force. My inner walls pulsating around my tired fingers. The sensation is overwhelming, but I don't slow up until I have ridden out the last bit of ecstasy.

Gently pulling out, I get up and make my way over to the bathroom and wash my hands. Peering up in the mirror, my face is flush and my hair is a bit of a mess. Damn, not too bad for a solo gig.

"So, Drake, huh?"

A scream escapes me as I clutch my chest. Turning towards the door, mom sits there with a smug smile on her face. f**k! Why is she home already? No, no, no. This is not happening. I wasn't even that loud, right?

Deciding to play it off, I just give her a glare. "Jesus Christ, mom. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Are you just going to ignore Drake?"

Hanging my head, I should have known better. Mom has never been one to let me slide on my bullshit. Of course she wouldn't now either.

"It's complicat-",

"I didn't mean to snoop in your room. I just heard your phone ringing. Here you go."

Taking my phone from her hand, I stare at her in question as I answer. "Hello?"

"Um, hey. I'm sorry to call so late." Drake's voice echoes through the speaker and I want to kick myself.

"It isn't late. What's up?" Dear lord, that sounded forced. Maybe I can just change my name and move far away.

Drake tells me that the meeting with Ivan has been moved up. We will have a preliminary lunch with him and his assistant on Wednesday before we do the formal pitch on Friday. I can hear the nervousness in his voice, but I know that we have an amazing presentation. Making a mental note of everything, I agree and we say our goodbyes.

Okay. Maybe that wasn't so painful. Looks like I was right after all. Just had to knock the hormones down a notch.

"Thanks mom. Did you have fun?"

Mom smiles like a kid on Christmas and follows me to my room. "I did. It was good to get out. And Glenda is great! We have so much in common. It's been too long since I had other women around to chat with."

"Well, you have me too. You know that."

Giving me a gentle smile, she nods. "I know. Which brings me to my question."

"Anything."

"How did Drake call you on the phone if I just heard you moan his name?"