The Billionaire and the Beast (Billionaire Club Book 4)

by Brynn Paulin

  Yeah, I did. But… “It’s fast, Elijah.”

  He seemed to savor the use of his real name. “I’m not saying we need to marry tomorrow. You have to know, everything so far… It’s been real. More real than anything in my life. Last night was no act. I want you. I want to see where this is going, and if I’m right, you’ll be wearing my ring forever.”

  “For…for…real?”

  “Yes, don’t you feel this?”

  Was he kidding? “Yes, of course, but—”

  “No buts.” His mouth was on mine again. His hand buried in my hair, holding me in place for his plundering lips and tongue. Yes, please. Plunder away.

  My fingers clenched on his shoulders then circled to hug him. Our chests heaved together, and my breasts grew heavy and tight, the nipples hardening and more sensitive as they pressed to him.

  “Fiancée isn’t really a job job,” I panted when we momentarily came up for air. “I’m not sure what I’ll tell my family.”

  “Personal assistant for the summer,” he muttered, kissing my neck. He pushed aside my collar and sucked on my shoulder where it met my throat. I cried out, arching into him. I knew he was marking me—I wanted him to mark me, to tell the world I was his. “God, I wanted to do this this morning. I should spank you for running out like you did. You’re such a naughty girl. And naughty girls get bent over the desk and punished.”

  “Um…” Oh man, there went my panties.

  One of his hands grasped my ass, and I bucked at the contact then gasped as I rocked into his cock. As much as the picture he painted turned me on, I had to get it under control. I knew exactly what that thing could do to me—without it even coming out of his pants.

  “What do I say about this?” I lifted my hand, but neither of us looked at the ring as he kept kissing, unbuttoning my blouse to get to my throbbing breasts. I had zero protests in me.

  “Same secret dating story,” he muttered. “Surely, there were times you were out. Times they would believe you were on dates.”

  “With my family…all. The. Time. Also, I’m out late with Aldan, sometimes. A couple days a week, actually. And I worked as a tutor most afternoons and early evenings until school ended.”

  “Aldan?” he rumbled, lifting his head. His dark eyes narrowed, and he looked…jealous? Was that jealousy?

  “I told you about him. He’s my best friend.”

  “Right. Your male best friend. Is he gay?”

  “No.” I laughed. “And don’t be a jerk about him or this engagement is off. He doesn’t have any secret—or not-so-secret—feelings about me. We’ve been friends since kindergarten, and that’s it. He’s like my brother. More like family than my real family. Trust me, he’d rather cut off his dick than touch me that way.”

  Brix looked as if he’d volunteer to eunuch Aldan, if need be.

  “Don’t talk about other guy’s dicks,” he growled. “I want to meet him, so I can see the dynamics for myself. I don’t believe it’s all platonic. He wants you.”

  “You’re crazy—and very bossy.”

  “A great feature in a boss, don’t you think?”

  Maybe, but I’d never tell him he got me hot and bothered with it. “Not a great feature in a fiancé though.”

  He gathered me closer and tickled my side. “I think you’ll like my bossiness.”

  I shoved him. “No!” I disagreed even as I giggled. “So this personal assistant job? What’s it supposed to entail?”

  Brix sat back. His hands rested on my hips, his thumbs making small circles, as I stayed perched on his legs. “Personal stuff.”

  “You’re impossible. I can’t tell my family that.”

  “You’re adorable, you know that?”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re impossible, you know that?” I echoed. “Really, a pain in the rear. Let’s be serious a minute.”

  His eyes darkened, all humor disappearing. “I am serious about you.”

  And I melted. Who was I kidding? I was this way whenever I was with him. “Really?”

  “Really. Okay, besides this fiancée-ing and kissing and dating part, you’ll be running errands, shopping, scheduling my personal appointments and travel, fielding calls, helping me research things, overseeing my house staff. Pretty much stuff I need done that I don’t want Diana to do. I’ve been doing myself, and I really don’t have the time.”

  “You have house staff?”

  “They have quarters on the same floor as the penthouse. Apartments between Booker and me. We share them.”

  “Oh. Does he have someone overseeing them?”

  “I don’t think so. You just need to worry about what they do at our place, though. Groceries and schedules and things.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll work here in my office and have the use of my car and driver whenever you need to go somewhere.”

  “Hours?”

  He nodded as if he’d just thought of something brilliant. “Twenty-four-seven.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “Brix…”

  “In fact, you should move into the condo. We’ll arrange to get that done this afternoon.”

  “Brix…”

  “Of course, you won’t work twenty-four-seven. You’ll only do assisting tasks while I’m here at the office. At night, we’ll do other things together.” He wagged his brows, and I fought laughter.

  “Brix!” I punched him in the shoulder.

  “What?” Oh, he knew. Mr. Smirky Smirkington knew exactly what I wanted.

  “Are you even going to ask my opinion?” I demanded.

  “Don’t you want the job?”

  “Which one?”

  “Good, then let’s look at my schedule and get started,” he said, ignoring my question.

  I sputtered. “Brix!”

  “What? You know I won’t take any answer but yes. I get what I want. You’re mine, Princess, and I want you with me. You want to be with me, too.”

  True. “Elijah,” I sighed, caving. What were my choices? Being with Brix who treated me like a prize, like I was perfection? Or being with my shitty family? Tough call.

  “So, normally, I’d have you contact the movers,” he said, “but I’ll take care of this. How long do you think it will take you to pack?”

  “All I have is my laptop, clothes and maybe a couple boxes of books and stuff. We don’t really need movers. It’ll all fit in your car. Maybe, Lance can park and help us. We’ll be done in one trip.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I don’t have a lot. Really.”

  “Well, then,” he said, lifting me off his lap. “Let’s get some work done, then you can leave early and go pack. None of this tomfoolery in the office, Ms. Markawicz. We have got work to do.”

  I moved to get off his lap, but he held me in place. His nose nuzzled up my neck. “I have a conference call this afternoon that will last until about six, then I’ll be over to get you.”

  He grabbed a folder off his desk and handed it to me. “This is the stuff I need you to do before you leave. Nothing in there is urgent, so whatever isn’t done by three, you can finish tomorrow.” He nodded toward the couch to the side of his office. “That can be your desk today. Tomorrow, your desk will be here.”

  Chapter Seven

  ~ Cricket ~

  Brix liked to take lots of breaks to come over and kiss the breath out of me. Somehow, I still managed to get through the tasks in the folder. Mostly, he had me ordering food for home, scheduling appointments and doing some research on a company in Germany he looked to partner with. Easy stuff.

  I felt accomplished and muzzy with love as I traveled home. It all evaporated when I got there.

  “Bitch!” Ella screamed. In all the years she’d been my stepsister, I hadn’t seen her so enraged. She shook while she glared a hole through me, color darkening her cheekbones.

  I shut the door and crossed my arms, feigning calm in the face of her rage. I just needed to get around her and to my room before she let loose. “Diana calle
d you?”

  “Of course, she did. You’re such an evil beast! You knew I wanted him, so you went after him. How could you?”

  “You don’t even know him.”

  “I know him! We were together all last night at the gala.”

  “Hardly,” I refuted. Annoyed, I skirted around her, heading for my bedroom.

  “Hey,” she yelled, grabbing at me. “You’re not going anywhere! I’m not finished!”

  I cried out as she caught a fistful of my hair and yanked. The momentum threw me into the wall, wrenching my wrist as I caught myself. Angrily, I twisted, pain searing my scalp and shoved her.

  Ella screamed, stumbling backward and landing on her ass, strands of my hair still caught in her fingers.

  “What the hell is going on?” my dad yelled, storming out of his home office.

  “She…she…attacked me,” Ella sobbed.

  “You—”

  “Cricket!” my father interrupted, helping Ella to her feet. “What is wrong with you? Why would you shove her? You’re out of control lately.”

  “She attacked me,” I whispered, my throat knotted.

  “El, are you okay, honey?” he asked.

  Tears filled my eyes, and I furiously tried to blink them away. I should be used to this, him always on her side, but just once… Just once, couldn’t my father see my side? I clenched my fists, the emotional pain too much. With a shake of my head, I spun away and headed for my room.

  “Young lady, get back here.”

  I swung back but didn’t take a step that direction. “No. No, I’m done. I’m done with you. I’m done with her shit. I’m done being abused by her and everyone looking the other way. I’m done being her scapegoat. I’m done with my father always taking her side and never listening to me. I’m done with this family. Don’t worry. You won’t have to deal with my out-of-control self anymore. I’m packing, and I’m out of here.”

  Turning away from his shock, I slammed my bedroom door and locked it. Breathing hard, I leaned against the wood and ignored his bellow from the other side. Even if things didn’t work out with Brix in the long run, at least I was leaving here today. I’d figure out my Plan B exit strategy, while I was living Plan A.

  Over the next hour, I changed into jeans and a T-shirt, pulled everything from my drawers and closet then packed it in my suitcases. I’d already gotten a few boxes in preparation for my move to Michigan, and most of my books and keepsakes were in them. Honestly, my room had been fairly bare the past two months. I was just finishing packing my computer when I got a text from Brix.

  Your Man: Lance and I are coming up. You ready?

  Cricket: Thank God. Yes, just finished.

  Your Man: I can’t wait to have you at home tonight. Our home.

  I smiled at that. I couldn’t wait either. I wanted out of here. And tonight, I hoped we’d act on the passion burning between us. No matter what happened in the future, I wanted this with him.

  Slipping on the sandals I’d left unpacked, I slung my laptop bag over my shoulder.

  My dad was answering the door just as I left my room. Ella stood off to the side, preening to get Brix’s attention. I was pretty sure she’d changed and put on more makeup while I’d been packing. To my supreme satisfaction, Brix hardly even glanced her way.

  “Mr. Brixton,” my father said. “Are you here to see Ella? You two must have hit it off last night.”

  “No, I’m here for Cricket.”

  “Cricket?” he echoed in disbelief.

  “You must be joking,” Ella shrieked. “What do you want with her? She’s…ugh! Have you seen her? And she’s mean and ugly. Just this afternoon, she shoved me so hard I twisted my ankle and fell.”

  At this, Brix looked at her, his face unreadable.

  Oh God, please don’t believe her.

  His eyebrow raised. “And what did you do first?”

  “Grabbed me, slammed me into a wall, yanked out a fistful of my hair…” I said, announcing my presence. I was done putting up with shit, I guess. Usually, I shut and put up. Not anymore.

  “Cricket, you know—” my dad started.

  Brix still glared at Ella, his stare deadly. Even I shivered. “If you ever touch her again, there won’t be enough lawyers to get you out of assault charges. You might have the rest of your family snowed, but I’m on to you, and I’ve seen the bruises you’ve left.”

  I knew I had them, but he hadn’t mentioned them. He must have been cataloging, knowing he was getting me out of here.

  “Now, Mr. Brixton, Cricket is clumsy.”

  I shrugged. “I am kinda.”

  “Fingerprint bruises don’t come from tripping.”

  If I didn’t have feelings for him before, they’d be there in full technicolor now.

  I walked over to him. Then turned to my father. “Besides working for Brix, I’m moving in with him. He’s here to help me with my things.”

  Brix chuckled. Then to my shock, his hand drove into my hair, and he angled my head for his mouth. Thankfully, the spot where Ella had yanked me had stopped throbbing and his dominance didn’t hurt.

  Right there, in front of my father and Ella, he kissed me, thoroughly, deeply, until my mind fogged and I forgot everything but his hands and lips on me. I moaned pressing into him, but he lifted his head. I flushed when I remembered where we were.

  “You forget to tell them something, Princess?” he said against my lips, pulling me tighter to his chest.

  “Oh, yeah.” I held up my hand, not looking at the others while I smiled at him. “Brix and I are getting married. Come on,” I said, tugging him toward my room. “My stuff is ready. Can Lance come up, so we can make it in one trip?”

  “You can’t just—”

  I spun on my father, cutting him off. He probably had no idea what to think. Before yesterday, I’d never stood up for myself, and today, I was Cricket the Brave. Brix was here to help me move, but I didn’t need a rescuer. It was time to rescue myself.

  “Yes, I can. I’m eighteen, almost nineteen. But please, explain to me just how much you care about me when you’ve allowed me to be treated like crap since I was eight. When you’ve turned the other way and fawned over your new, pretty daughter. Tell me all about how you haven’t let people believe the worst of me, how you yourself haven’t said terrible things to me but otherwise ignored me. I mean, do you even know what I’ve done the past four years? I know you don’t. I’ve told you, but you have no clue I’ve earned a full-ride scholarship to one of the best colleges in the country. You don’t know who my friends are or where I work or what I do in my free time. So don’t tell me you care now.”

  I grabbed Brix’s hand. “Elijah, I’m ready. Get me out of here.”

  As far as what lay ahead, I had no plan for if things didn’t work with Brix, but I knew one thing. My future wasn’t here.

  Chapter Eight

  ~ Brix ~

  I held Cricket all the way home. She’d been right; it had taken one trip to get all her things to my car. They’d all fit in the trunk, save for her laptop and one small box of fragile items.

  The most fragile thing leaned against my chest, her eyes closed. She’d been strong and brave, and it had taken a toll on her. I ran my hand over her long, dark hair.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded, her luminous green eyes staring up at me. “Embarrassed. I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m really not a bitch. I’m usually pretty laid back.”

  “Are you kidding? You were stunning. And I could tell from the look on your father’s face, you’ve never stood up for yourself. I hope I helped with that confidence.”

  “Yeah, a little. Yeah…you did.”

  Unable to resist, I kissed her. I wanted to do so much more with her, but I didn’t want to rush her, and I didn’t want her first time to be in the back of my limo. Still, I needed her soon. Even if it was a repeat of last night. I didn’t think my dick had deflated once since last night.

  With a tug, I pulled Cricket to sit sid
eways across my lap while I cupped her face and kept drinking at her lips. No doubt, she felt my hard-on pressing against her thigh, but I didn’t care. She needed to know I desire her. Christ, I wanted her more than anything, ever.

  Her small hand flattened on my chest then curled into the crisp cotton of my shirt. She leaned in to me, her tongue tentatively flicking against mine, and I had the vision of her on her knees, wrapping her full lips around my cock.

  Fuck, she’d have me coming again.

  “I missed you,” she whispered, kissing along my jaw. I let her explore, warmth prickling over me at the intimacy between us. I tilted my head when her mouth traveled to my neck. Did she just inhale? I growled when she nipped my skin, and she yanked back.

  “Is that not okay?”

  “It’s fine,” I rasped.

  “I mean you…you know…” Her fingers traced the spot where I’d marked her shoulder.

  “Anything you do is okay,” I assured you. “Except leaving me. That will never be okay.”

  It killed me that she still planned to leave for Michigan soon. I wasn’t sure what I’d do. Did that make me a pussy? Whipped? I didn’t give a fuck. She was mine. My one. Letting her go off alone was a deal breaker.

  “It doesn’t feel okay. You’re tense.”

  I let out a harsh breath and tried to force relaxation. My forehead rested against hers. “I was thinking of when you leave for school. I don’t like it.”

  Her cool, soft fingers brushed my cheek. “Don’t think about it. If this is real, not just a flash of lust, we’ll figure it out.”

  “It’s real,” I insisted. “Fucking real. Forever.”

  Her wide-eyed gaze met my stare. I knew she saw my determination, perhaps even my obsession with her.

  “Elijah,” she whispered.

  “It’s a promise, not just words, Princess. I’ve never, ever, felt anything like I feel for you. Not for a person, not for the sweetest, most perfect business deal.”

  I threw in the last bit ‘cause I knew a lot of businessmen totally addicted to their jobs. I wasn’t that guy.

  Before we could delve further into my feelings—and I didn’t miss that she hadn’t spoken of hers—Lance pulled up to my building. He must have called ahead because one of the security came out with a cart for Cricket’s things. After we’d unloaded everything in the foyer upstairs and were alone, I turned to her.