Catching Fire: New Rules (Billionaire Romance Series Book 2)

by T. N. King

  She took a step back. “I don’t want to, but if you don’t agree, you will see nothing but a jail cell.”

  Rex balled his hands into fists.

  The thugs looked concerned and hobbled closer.

  “No, just stay back, guys,” she ordered. “Rex is no fool.”

  He studied her for a minute and turned his gaze away.

  “You will get 250,000 up front and the other half at the end of the trip.”

  “Just to go on a boat ride?” Rex shook his head. “You need to tell me all of it, Lady.”

  “My name is Mimi.”

  “Yeah, whatever, I’m not feelin’ the love here. You know?” He downed his drink “It would be smarter, because whatever you have in mind. I may fuck it up, if I don’t know the score.”

  Mimi stepped closer. “I have a brother who I love more than anything in the world.”

  “So, you want me to do your brother?” Rex shook his head as he laughed with a cold sound. “I don’t do guys either.”

  Her laughter rang out again. “No, it’s not like that. He doesn’t know that I’m— gay,” she admitted. “He was really sick recently and we almost lost him.” Her eyes filled with tears.

  “You want him to believe you’re straight?”

  Mimi nodded.

  Rex studied her. “No, I don’t buy that either.”

  Mimi swiped the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t care what you buy, Mister Harris.” She made her way to the door. “You’d better be packed and ready by morning.” His front door slammed shut.

  “Shit, I guess I’m going on a fucking cruise.” Rex grunted and tossed his shot glass into the sink.

  * * * *

  The limousine showed up at 9 am. Rex hadn’t slept at all, he’d been too furious. He packed what he thought he might need and yelled about each item as he did so. The tux would be for formal events; like for after I’ve strangled her and we have her fucking funeral. The swimming trunks for swims, when I attempt to drown her. Then, the remainder of the night was spent cussing about his life being controlled and directed by some dyke queen with an agenda.

  He called Jack immediately, to tell him what was up and to find everything he could on her. He didn’t have the last name, but Jack didn’t seem to care. He knew Jack would find all of it; the man was good at what he did.

  The main thing that really bothered Rex—was why. The real reason why. A woman spends all that money just to get you onto a boat? No, something else was up and Rex got a twinge in his gut. He knew he wasn’t going to like this.

  A part of him tried to assume the old attitude. Hey, she’s buying your island and no more tricks. You will simply take a cruise in total luxury with no need to even get into a bed with anyone, unless you wanted to. What could be better?

  Though he tried, the old Rexxy attitude just wouldn’t take. This was about money, bought by money. Everything with the wealthy was about that. Somehow, little Mimi wanted to inherit or get the family money, but how did that involve him?

  I’ll see soon enough, he thought as the limo pulled into the docking area. He gazed up at the Yacht, it was impressive and he wasn’t surprised by that. He squinted to see the name on the side and the driver stood at his door, blocking his view. He exited and the driver stepped away.

  Mimi stood just in front of him, her dazzling smile showing. She leapt forward and grabbed him up, forcing her mouth over his. Rex automatically raised his hands and pulled her close. His instincts kicking in, he could never refuse a feminine embrace, though this one might be like wrapping your arms around a cobra. He knew she was already on stage with the loving couple act. Her part as his main squeeze all laid out for whoever watched from the yacht.

  Rex, as usual, channeled his fury onto a sexual path and forced his tongue into her mouth. He could feel her body grow rigid and he laced her tongue with every skill he had. He explored, sparred and nibbled on her lower lip.

  Mimi broke the heated kiss and her reddened face showed her reaction as she panted from the oral experience.

  “Hello, darling!” he purred. “Miss me?”

  Her fury flashed from her baby blue eyes, as she attempted to tug her dress back into place. “Oh yes, sweetie, I missed you!”

  Rex glared at her. “Well, I’m all packed and ready to meet the family.”

  A genuine smile spread across her face and her expression changed. “I can’t wait.”

  Rex’s smile faded. The gleam in her eyes made his stomach tighten into one large aggravating knot. His cell rang and he checked it. It was Jack, he nodded at Mimi bitch and turned around while stepping back to face the limo. “Yeah?”

  Jack chuckled. “Yeah, hello to you too. Well, I found the name and it just might be familiar to you.”

  Rex felt his throat tighten and Jack’s next words were drowned out by the ships horn resounding, as a call to board. Rex adjusted his phone and turned around, looking in the direction from where the horn blared.

  “It’s Pavorelli,” Jack repeated from the cell. “Did you hear me, Rex?”

  Stunned, Rex stared at the yacht. AVA was written on the side.

  THE PLEASURE CRUISE

  She stood on the deck. Too far away for Rex to see her face and not far enough away for him to ever forget her. He prided himself on missing the love boat all the time, but he’d just been lying to himself really. Now, he had to step onto that very boat—literally.

  “Rex!” The simultaneous call came from Mimi standing next to him and from his cell phone. He took a deep breath while his eyes never left the ship. “Yeah, Jack I just found out too. I will call you later—and thanks.” He flipped the phone shut and turned to glare at his fake love interest.

  Her expression showed displeasure as shook her head at him and tucked her arm into his. “Really sweetheart, can you just leave the cell phone here?”

  His entire body stiffened at her touch and for the first time in his life? His skin crawled at the touch of a woman. “What the hell is this really all about?”

  Mimi gave him another dazzling smile. “My brother, remember?”

  “And who is the woman?” He knew already, but couldn’t figure who Ava was in all of this.

  Mimi batted her eyes. “I will make the introductions when we get aboard.”

  “No, I’m not doing this.”

  Mimi clutched his arm tightly. “You’d better.”

  He took a deep breath. He did want to see her, but he knew in his gut that the woman standing next to him was going to use him to hurt Ava. Did he really have a choice? He gazed over at the ship. Ava was gone from the deck. Maybe she will jump ship, so I won’t have to. “Fine, let’s board then.”

  “Just go with it and have some fun.”

  Rex grunted. “I was having lots of that until you.”

  Her laughter rang out as they walked up the plank way. “All couples feel that way, sooner or later.”

  Rolling his eyes, he thought that maybe he could just stay in the cabin and avoid it all. “Yeah, but most don’t feel that at first sight.”

  With his caustic remark, her laughter seemed to grow. “We have to join them for dinner at seven and we do have adjoining cabins, so I want to see what you are going to wear, sexy man.”

  “What the fuck do you care?” He snapped back.

  “Now honey, don’t act like that.” Her voice dripped with sugar.

  “Mimi?” A voice called from their left as they stepped on board.

  A tall man stood on the deck.

  Must be the loving brother Rex concluded.

  She let go of his arm and rushed over to embrace him. “Tino!”

  Rex looked around and saw a pair of eyes from the port window, his gut tightened—he knew those eyes anywhere. He wondered how surprised she might be right now, about his presence on the boat.

  “Rex!” Mimi called impatiently as if she had been calling him. He hadn’t heard if she had, all he could do was remember. He thought he’d forgotten most of it. After all, he’d been happy after
the initial period when she disappeared and left that monstrous pile of cash for all their time together.

  At the time, he couldn’t figure why he’d been so shocked by the money and the disappearance. He knew from the start that he was hired to be there. Still it had hurt more than he’d thought it would.

  The month they’d spent together consumed by each other had erased the original premise in his mind. He had almost forgotten the deal they’d made initially, he had in fact until he awoke to see the money and her gone.

  What now? Obviously, this Mimi woman knew about it.

  “I want you to meet my brother, Tino.”

  The man stepped forward with a friendly smile.”It is good to finally meet you, Rex.”

  Rex shook his hand. Finally?

  Tino looked around. “I seemed to have lost my…”

  Ava appeared on the deck way.

  “Wife.” Tino finished.

  Rex stilled. Okay, it’s becoming clearer.

  “Sweetie? This is Mimi’s boyfriend, Rex…um?”

  “Harris.” Rex stretched his hand out.

  Ava’s cheeks were flushed but she managed to keep her expression friendly as she shook his hand.”Nice to meet you. We have heard so much about you.”

  You have? He thought and looked over at Mimi.

  Her eyes were overly bright.

  Oh, yes she knew exactly. So, it is a form of blackmail. Have Ava’s affair out in the open, get her ruined and the money is all yours. He glared at Mimi while his thoughts were full of the things he would like to perpetrate on this woman and none of them were sexual—another first for him.

  Tino cleared his throat and Rex realized he still held Ava’s hand…he dropped it and looked her husband in the eye. “Yes, Mimi has told me so much about you as well.”

  Mimi stepped over and took his arm. “Well, we can all play catchup and visit at dinner.” She gazed over at her brother. “We have the forward cabins, right?”

  He nodded “Oh, yes.”

  Her expression grew concerned. “You are looking tired, Tino. Maybe a nap would help?”

  “I have seen my share of beds, sis.” He shrugged.

  “No, he will be resting, Mimi. Don’t worry,” Ava spoke up.

  Mimi grabbed Rex’s hand. “Let’s go, then.”

  Rex allowed himself to be led across the deck. I will allow all of this, until I figure some way to stop it.

  * * * *

  The cabins were luxurious and for a ship this size, it didn’t surprise Rex.

  “Nice, right?” Mimi asked from the adjoin door.

  “Only if there’s a lock between your room and me, “he retorted.

  Mimi laughed and strolled into his cabin. “What? Are you afraid of little me?”

  Rex glared at her. “No, I’m afraid I may strangle you in your sleep.”

  Her eyes widened.”My, my Tiger. I thought you were a lover, not a fighter.”

  Rex turned away and looked around. A bar, dressing room, an elaborately designed bathroom. His gaze spanned around, stopping at the king-sized bed.”

  “Are you thinking about her?”

  He flipped around. “Why? Why have you done this?”

  Her eyes grew beady.”She has been unfaithful to him and she isn’t—never been good enough for my brother.”

  “So, you bring me here, expecting what?”

  She shrugged and went over to the bar.”Just hoping.”

  “It won’t work, “he replied. “You paid a stack of money for a failed plan. Whatever the hell it was.”

  Pouring a drink, she glanced over. “I could tell, how seeing her affected you.”

  It was his turn to shrug as he sat on the silk covered bed. “I was surprised, that’s all.”

  Mimi gazed at him. “Wasn’t it like this huge love affair?”

  He scooted back to lounge on the pillows. “She was a trick, Mimi. End of love story.”

  Mimi looked doubtful.

  “I don’t fall for these women.”

  She set her drink down on the bar. “Maybe?” She strode over to the bed. “But, I will just bet that they fall for you.”

  “Oh? Why would they?” His glare could have melted ice.

  She smiled. “Just look at you!”

  Rex had to control his anger, he might go to jail after he killed her. He stared at her intently. “Get out.”

  She shook her head at him. “I bought you remember?”

  He wanted her to leave because controlling his rage was getting harder every minute he had to look at her smug face. “Well then?” He unzipped his pants.

  Her eyes widened.

  “Maybe, you should see the merchandise then.”

  She stood her ground, though she tightened her hands into fists at her sides.

  Rex smiled and unzipped.

  She swallowed heavily. “Cut it out, you know I don’t—“

  He reached in and stroked his bad boy.

  “Oh! Stop that!”

  “Mmm,” he groaned and felt his erection grow, he used his rage to punish his shaft into a hard sleek tool.

  “I mean it!” she warned.

  He pulled his fully erected dick from his briefs. It sprang up all by itself as he let go of it.

  Mimi’s eyes rounded as her face grew red.

  “Yeah, they fall in love, all right,” he purred at her.

  Mimi visibly swallowed. “It’s—it’s…Disgusting!” she shouted and spun around, heading to her room.

  “What? You’re not even going to try it on for size?” he taunted after her.

  The door slammed behind her.

  His erection immediately softened and he chuckled. “Yeah, now I know how to get Mimi-bitch to leave.” He tucked his now soft cock back in, and then he just settled back on the bed. He needed a strategy though, for how to foil this plan. He knew now that he didn’t want a penny of the 500K. He could give a flying fuck about that now.

  He laughed at the thought, while remembering a real flying fuck he’d once enjoyed at 10,000 feet. With the current problem looming in front of him, his smile faded. To help Ava? He would have to make her hate him. Sexy Rex was about to become the egotistical loathsome Rex. Why not? After all, he was already paired with Mimi bitch and now they would be the perfect couple.

  * * * *

  The dining room was no less impressive than the staterooms.

  He stared as he and his so-called love interest stood in the doorway. His gaze swung around and he spotted Ava immediately, dressed in a sexy black gown. His stomach tightened as he took in her curves. Her frame was exactly the filled out kind that always tuned him on, she looked just as luscious as the day he first met her. He had an instant hard on as he stared.

  Mimi grew still next to him as he froze in place, simply staring at the woman in black.

  Rex realized that he had just foiled his own denials that he held no feelings for Ava. So? Make out like a hound dog, she is tasty looking after all. “I always love looking at fresh entrees,” he whispered to Mimi.

  Her eyes swung over to her sister n law.

  Ava had turned her back, as she seemed to be checking the food over on the buffet bar.

  Rex couldn’t help himself his eyes fell on her round ass. He remembered the soft feel of it in his squeezing grasp, as if it were yesterday. He drew his head up. Dammit! He was doing it again.

  Mimi chuckled low from beside him. “Yeah, you don’t give a damn, right?” she asked with a smug tone.

  Rex released a breath and tugged her closer to his side. “Nah, she does have a nice ass though.” He pulled Mimi around in front of him.

  Mimi gasped with utter surprise, as he tugged her close and squeezed her ass with both hands, while using all the want he had for the woman who stood across the room.

  “Oh!” Mimi shouted.

  Leaning close to her ear, Rex whispered, “Your ass, her ass? What’s the difference?”

  Someone cleared their throat from behind them.

  Mimi broke his ass gr
ipping hold and looked over Rex’s shoulder.

  Her brother stood in the hallway. He smiled at her and gave a wave.

  “Oh, Tino!” she called.

  With a smile on his face, he pushed by them as they blocked the small entryway. “Having fun, sis?’ He let out a low chuckle.

  Her face reddened and she nodded.

  “Nice to see, yes it is,” Tino commented and made his way over to where his wife stood, as she was apparently still looking over the spread of food. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Does it all measure up?”

  Her head rose and she smiled sweetly at him. “Everything looks perfect.”

  He put his arm around her. “Let’s start then.”

  Ava seemed to straighten her shoulders and she looked over at the other couple as they neared the table. “Hello, you two!” She smiled hugely. “Um, you can sit anywhere you’d like, and oh…the plates are over here at the buffet.” She looked at Rex as though she didn’t know him at all. “Um, Ray, is it?” she asked. “I’m sorry, I’m bad with names.”

  Rex’s chest tightened, as he could see that her eyes were overly bright, but the rest of her act was all too convincing. “No, it’s Rex.”

  She laughed a little. “I am so sorry! Um, Rex and Mimi? Go ahead and enjoy. The steward will get your drinks.” She turned and looped her arm into her husband’s and they made their way to the table.

  Rex escorted Mimi with a loving hand, pulling her chair out, she sat down and then he moved it toward the table.

  Mimi’s eyes were shining with some victorious gleam as she raised her head. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  Rex grew rigid and he used his boot to nudge her chair further into the table until he saw her face pale. He let his foot drop back. “Not at all darling, I just want you comfortable.”

  Her eyes glittered at him, as her expression looked pained.

  He chuckled and sat in his own chair.

  Mimi looked over at him. “Oh, can you get my plate for me?”

  Rex swung his gaze over. What? He thought. Okay, but I sincerely hope that you choke. ”Sure, I’m sorry, how rude off me. I was just still trying to get over the…” He smiled and leaned closer to her. “Lovely feel of those sweet cheeks of yours.” He stood up and looked over at the buffet, Ava was there with her plate. His glare swung back to Mimi.