Oh, I could have kept my mouth shut like always, allowing everyone to bully and harass me, giving everyone permission to walk all over me, because that was what my aunt and uncle told me good girls do.
My so-called friends in high school, who were no longer my friends, thought I could never fit in because I was too shy and quiet and didn't know how to dress right. They felt the need to remind me of my shortcomings whenever they thought I deserved it. My aunt and uncle thought I was willful, wild, and stupid and I wouldn't amount to anything. They told me they'd done their best with me, teaching me and conforming me to be proper like them by slapping me and whipping me with a belt whenever they thought I needed the discipline.
Get your head out of the clouds and stop wasting your money and time reading those useless books, they'd always told me.
But those wonderful books had gotten me out of the real, harsh world. They had kept me sane and made me happy, at least for a few hours.
Then there was my boss, of course, who thought I was a worthless employee and condemned me to do all the dirty jobs, never missing an opportunity to criticize the small details. My colleagues kept bickering and backstabbing me when they were the ones who got the better pay by doing less. In the last few years, the harassment and bullying had gotten worse, especially at work, and I'd decided it was enough. I didn't want anyone to walk over me anymore. So I'd learned how to stand up for myself, to talk back, speak out, and demand attention.
Thus, to not speak what was on my mind now would certainly tell this Mr. J. Maxwell I was timid and juvenile, as he had so assumed my character to be and, hence, concluded I was incapable of finding him the two million dollars. Heck, I knew in my gut I couldn't find that two million in a short two days, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction that his postulation of me was right.
"Is that all you rich arseholes ever think of? Throwing your damn money on whatever you deem attainable? Whatever you think has a price tag?"
I knew I was stepping shaky ground, but I couldn't help myself. I had no idea how one dealt with a billionaire like this Mr. J. Maxwell. I knew suddenly and with trepidation, however, that I was doing it wrong the moment I saw the dark look in his eyes and the stern expression on his handsome features.
I tensed, waiting for his aggressive reaction to come. Shit! I knew he'd either slap me or call his security guards and let them bash me good whilst he watched, with enjoyment of course. That was what these billionaires did, right? I saw it in movies. Because they could get away with anything.
When I saw him narrowing his eyes at me and a slight sneer appear about his lips, I knew I didn't have to wait long to see my imagination unfold before my eyes.
"Well, do you have a price tag, Ms. Donovan?" he said chillingly softly. "Everybody does."
His words stung, but I didn't have time to think of a reply before, at lighting speed, his face was right in front me and his hand was wrapped around the back of my head. I gasped at his firm hold on me, knowing suddenly I was imprisoned in his arms and I wouldn't be able to run away. Then I felt the heat of his lips crushed against mine.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 7
Mia
I panicked, and in the back of my mind, I knew even if he were to do what I feared most and take me without my permission, and I screamed, no one would help me. Even so, I tried my best to push him back, but the feel of his warmth and his lips against mine was wonderfully and deliciously intoxicating.
He traced his hot tongue across my lips, causing an exquisite pleasure to soar through my whole body. Then he somehow managed to expertly slip skilled tongue into my mouth and invade me. I shuddered deliciously. A groan escaped my throat as he stroked and caressed his tongue against mine, playing a small battle with me. I became breathless and my body squirmed in a frenzy of heated pleasure. At the same time, however, I was actually fighting him to release me, my puny fist shoving at his massive chest, which was, of course, to no avail.
Oh God! Oh God! I was being ravished by a hot billionaire, and I was turned on. My body, weak and frantic and quivering, responded to his intense kiss, even though my head screamed for me to get ahold of myself as he continued to enrapture me.
When he finally moved back, I was heaving and breathless, my whole body shaking. My heart was pumping so fast and so loud within my chest that I was sure he, too, could hear the noise. My head felt light and just that little bit dizzy.
He still had his hand wrapped behind my head as I stared up at him, panting, my breasts rising and falling, my lips red and sore from his wonderfully brutal treatment. He didn't at all look as though he were affected by the kiss. His breathing was even, though his eyes were darker, with a blue fire like I'd seen when I was naked and met his gaze in his bedroom only some minutes past.
He was stroking my lower lip now. I wanted him to stop because it was dully aching, yet I wanted him to continue.
"Are you a virgin?"
The question took me by surprise, and I shoved his hand away from me.
"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked. "What the heck if I am? Is it a crime to be a virgin at twenty-two?" I stood, shoving the chair back in the process.
If there were any certainty at all, I'd be a virgin for the rest of my life, because I knew I wasn't going to settle down with just any man. Then again, I'd also been certain I was never going to let any man kiss me either, unless he was the right one--that gentle, caring man who loved me to my bones, like the way Dad had loved Mom, like the way Dad had cherished Mom. This man--this Mr. J. Maxwell--was nothing like that. He was arrogant and brutal, and what happened a moment ago had changed the fact that I'd never been kissed.
My head held high, I said haughtily, "Trust me. I'll get that two million by Friday. Somehow, someway."
Turning on my heel, I headed to the door.
"Two million. Five years."
My legs halted, and I turned to look at the handsome man, who'd just given me the most amazing kiss. "Excuse me?"
He moved just a little, easing his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Two million. Five years. It's a contract."
I stared at him, long and hard, my heart pumping loud and fast within my chest. "What contract?"
"The one I'm offering you." He cocked his head to one side as he gazed at me. "Interested?"
I hesitated. Two million. Five years. For me? For Andy's freedom?
I narrowed my eyes and said slowly, "What type of work are you offering me?"
A slight smile cracked to one side of his mouth, and I knew. "You're a fucking bastard!"
Tears started brewing in my eyes and hurt within my heart. I reached for the door handle. Sick! Just plain sick!
I cracked the door open and was about to run off, when suddenly, I felt myself being pulled by the arm and spun round. Dizzy and breathless at the sudden reorientation, I gazed at the broad chest before me as the door clicked shut and my back was thrust against it.
My gaze drifted up to the stern face above me, and before I could gasp out at the raw fire I saw within those Prussian blue eyes, firm lips crushed against mine as I felt warm fingers dig deep into my hair.
I whimpered as he kissed me long and hard, thrusting his tongue against mine, stroking and caressing and licking and playing, making me breathless and squirm with a sense of hunger for more. I was gone. My head swam in this deep pool of sensation and my being floated in midair, surrounded with his warm aura.
His hand moved down to my breast and cupped it, feeling the soft flesh against the thin material of my T-shirt. I gasped and groaned in response, and my breasts became hard and engorged, sensitive at the slightest touch.
When he thrust his muscular thigh between the softness of my legs, my core burned and twisted, crying out its need to be filled with him. It was the moment that brought me back to reality.
This shouldn't go any further. Thus, I blinked and shook my head as I tried to shove him off me. He retaliated by increasing the firmness of his grip. When I tried even
harder, he had one hand at the small of my back and hoisted me up until I was riding his thigh. I freaked out because the action and position increased the twisting and burning need in my core, the craving for his manhood and for him to simply ravish me, take me, and do so in every which way that pleased him.
Oh God! I could feel the hardness of his shaft against me, and my body responded by turning weak, trembling with the need to be filled, shocking me to my center.
My mind, however, refused to submit to his sexual seduction. It was then he let go of my lips. Instead, his hot mouth moved to tease the sensitive spot near my ear. My whole body shuddered as he whispered, "You're definitely worth two million. I'd fuck you every night."
I caught my breath at his words and felt weak and aroused. I was reduced to a wanton wench.
Slowly, he eased his thigh between my legs and lowered me to the ground. With his face touching mine and lips caressing my cheek, he said slowly and softly, "Make up your mind. Two million. Five years. Your brother will go free. You have until Friday morning."
He moved his body back, though his hand still trapped me between him and the door. Panting, I watched him as he stared at me, his eyes intense.
"What are you still doing here?" he suddenly snapped.
I heard the frustration and anger in his voice, but how could I move if he was still trapping me there? He was a brick wall, and I was a puny thing. Furthermore, my legs couldn't move. They were paralyzed in numbness.
My body stiff, he pulled me by the arm, closer to him. I could feel the whole length of him, his muscular, toned body and his hard rod pushing against his pants, against my belly. I squirmed with a flare of sexual heat at the feel of his bulge, evidence of his hunger and desire for me.
"Or have you decided already?"
I blinked and hesitantly shook my head.
He cupped my face firmly so I had no choice but to look up at him.
"You know how fucking tempting you are, sweetheart?" he said. "If you don't want me to throw you on the floor and fuck you hard now--leave!"
I got the message loud and clear. I pulled myself free from his enchanting incarceration and turned my back to him. My hands at the door, I tried to yank it open. When it didn't budge, I whispered, "The door."
I felt him releasing a deep sigh, as if it were very painful for him to suddenly let me go. Then slowly and reluctantly, he eased his hand from the door.
I pulled it open and slipped out, racing down the hall, heart pumping loud and fast and tears blinding me.
My heart was still racing from the short, intense, stupefying experience when I sprinted down the grand stairs. I was at the base and was about to leave when Ms. Lane appeared before me. Her expression was once again calm and stern.
"Your backpack," she said tonelessly, handing me my belongings.
I got ahold of myself and murmured, "Thanks."
With my stuff back, I ran out the door and down the long driveway. I didn't stop running until I reached the gate, until I was sure I was far enough away from Mr. J. Maxwell, the man who had hotly kissed me and wanted to ravish me. The man who made me squirm under his touches and made my core desire to be filled with his hard shaft. The man who reduced me to nothing but a wanton wench. It was only then I collapsed on the grass and allowed the tears to flow down my cheeks and the hunger and craving to be ravished and filled by the man with beautiful Prussian blue eyes, the man named Mr. J. Maxwell, to consume me.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 8
James
He was so screwed. So fucking screwed. He shouldn't have let Mia in, but he did, and now look at where it got him. He was bloody turned on and his damn cock was hard and sticking out like a goddamn steel pole.
Shutting his eyes, James took a deep breath. He knew the beast down there wasn't going to be satisfied, and he needed to act fast.
In ten seconds flat, he was out of the office, up the stairs, and into his bedroom.
"Out!" he snapped at the maid busy cleaning up the mess Mia had left behind only minutes ago.
"Ye-yes, sir," she stammered. She flew out in a hurry, dragging the vacuum cleaner with her.
James headed to the en suite and slammed the door shut. Then he proceeded taking off his clothes, throwing them in a heap on the floor. Naked and muscles tight with sexual frustration, he shoved on the multi-head shower. He stood there under running water, one hand resting against the wall as he inhaled and exhaled deeply.
"Fuck!" he hissed, staring at his engorged cock. He wrapped his hand around it and pressed hard. Pleasure coursed through his body and a groan escaped his mouth. He chuckled and began rubbing harder and faster, mindless.
He closed his eyes, bombarded with images of that cute ass belonging to Mia Donovan. Milky white and perfectly round, in the air, enticing him like fucking candy to a child.
The image flashed to her lying on her back right there on his office floor, long legs spread wide as he drove deep into her. His hands gentle at her waist as he watched her little breasts dance to the rhythm of his thrusts. It was hot and real, and he felt himself just at the edge. He rubbed harder and faster, his breath becoming short and heavy, and he heard her screaming his name.
James! James! Fuck me harder! Fuck me faster! Fuck me deeper!
He gritted his teeth. Pleasure--long and deep--rushed through him.
"Shit!" he swore, staring at his come in his hands. "She doesn't even know my first name." Heaving heavily, he chuckled. "Mia Donovan."
Shit! He had never wanted to fuck anyone like he wanted her. She was that enticing. That alluring.
He turned his back and raised his head, his eyes closed as water pounded down on him. He stood there thinking about Mia and her cute ass and small breasts. And her face. Oh fuck! That face really brought him to his knees. She wasn't classically beautiful nor was she hot and sexy like Whitney. She was just Mia Donovan. A girl from where, he hadn't a clue. The sudden urge to find out more about her surged strong within him.
The feel of her soft skin beneath his touch had been so pleasant, and he'd wanted to keep touching her, caressing and stroking. It had been so damn hard to control himself. But he wasn't going to rape her. When he did take her, it would be when she fully submitted to him, when she gave him complete control.
He chuckled, remembering how hard she'd fought back when he kissed her. Ah, she was feisty and wouldn't back down. Oh, and the angry look on her face. It made his heart pump with delight and his cock harden in anticipation. That was why she drew him to her. She wasn't like most females who willy-nilly opened their legs for him just because of his looks and deep pockets.
He laughed. "Mia Donovan," he said, "I'm going to have you one way or another."
He quit the shower a few minutes later and dressed in a pair of casual jeans and a T-shirt.
In the dining room, he noted his daughter Aria looking more than a little upset. Sophie was beside her, coaxing his darling daughter to eat her meal.
"Come on, Aria," Sophie prompted. "She left and isn't likely to come back. She isn't your friend. Now eat your dinner."
Aria ignored Sophie, and James knew he had to step in. He came to sit beside her and said, "What's the matter, darling?"
Aria lifted her eyes to him. James felt his gut wrenched.
"Daddy, Mia left. She promised to have dinner with me."
He frowned. "Mia? You've met Mia?"
Aria nodded. "She had an accident in the garden. You know, she fell into the mud, and I helped her."
He understood immediately. Aria had a soft heart and would help anyone in trouble, human or animal. That meant Aria must have taken Mia to get cleaned up, and then the incident in his bedroom with Alfie occurred.
Instantly, he wanted to laugh. Sophie glared at him when she saw him smiling broadly. Aria looked a little confused by his reaction.
"Daddy? Will she come back? Why did she run off like that?"
Shit! How could he tell his darling daughter Mia ran away because he'd wanted so b
adly to fuck her? That her dad was one of the most dangerous business lords in America who had the hots for an innocent young woman who didn't know shit about his world?
He cleared his throat and explained, "She probably had some where important to go."
"Do you think she'll come back? She's my friend, Daddy." She clasped her hands and looked brightly at him. "Will you help me find her, Daddy?"
James smiled and patted her head. "Yes, I'll help you find her. In fact, I'm going to do that now."
Aria rose from her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then she kissed him on the cheek. In his peripheral vision, James noted the displeased look Sophie wore on her lovely face.
"Thank you, Daddy," Aria gushed.
He laughed. "Eat your dinner."
He happened to glance at Sophie and saw she looked even more pissed. She didn't look at all lovely when she was angry.
"What's the matter, Sophie?" he asked just to be polite, considering he was her employer after all.
She hesitated for a moment. "It's a bit stupid, don't you think? To go looking for someone like her?"
James raised his brow, questioning what she meant by that.
She became flustered under his stare but continued. "We don't even know where she's from, and I can't believe John let her in."
"I let her in, Sophie," he said.
She looked surprised. "You did? But why?"
"She's my business," he said sternly and didn't bother to clarify any further.
Aria jumped in. "Please find her quickly, Daddy. She's my friend."
James laughed. "Is she now?"
Sophie frowned darkly. "She is not your friend, Aria. She was a mess and--" She stopped immediately and rushed over to hug Aria.
Aria wouldn't have any of it and broke free from Sophie's arms. She moved over to James and hugged her father tight, her small shoulders shaking.
James couldn't help himself and hugged her in return. The fact that Sophie made his daughter cry pissed him off.
"It's not your place to tell my daughter who to be friends and not be friends with. Please remember that."
Aria lifted her head and looked at me in adoration. "So I can be friends with Mia?"
He laughed. "Of course."