Chained to You, Book 2: Trapped and Entwined (Dark Billionaires)

by Alexia Praks

  “That was spectacular,” he said.

  I gazed at him, and slowly, I remembered what I’d said. The words I should have kept to myself, locked deep within my heart. Sooner or later we’d have a serious talk about the love subject. It had no place in the domain of our relationship.

  I licked my lips and opened my mouth, intending to tell him to forget about what I’d said earlier about being in love with him. He, however, interrupted me and kissed me hard on the lips, as if to shut me up. Then he moved over to kiss my forehead fondly.

  Once he was done, he said, “I need a shower. Unless you want to join me.” He chuckled. “You’re welcome to.”

  I straightened and shook my head in the negative. Not now. Not today. Not when my mind was in a muddle, even after that amazing sex we’d just had. I needed to think. I needed to clarify what I needed to do next.

  “No… that’s okay,” I said, grabbing a towel from the top shelf. After wrapping it around myself, I said, “Can… can we talk after you’re done?”

  He stood there looking at me for a moment and then nodded.

  Chapter 31

  Mia

  I sat on the bed, staring into space, my mind on James as I heard the shower going. The amazing sex and the words I’d said to him were still playing within my head. Why oh why had I said it? It was then I remembered once again I had to tell James about returning to Mystic Spring, returning to my job.

  “I’ll tell him when he’s out,” I said, nodding, my stomach lurching with dread. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but it had to be done. I couldn’t put it off anymore. My annual leave would end soon, and my bastard of a boss would be livid if I didn’t return to work the day I was due back. Besides, there was also the fact that I needed to distance myself from James, so I’d decided to clear my head so to speak.

  Being so close to him so much, I had come to realize, confused me, both emotionally and mentally—for example, what just happened in the bathroom. Was it truly love I had for James, or was it simply an infatuation, as Andy had put it? I had no idea, and I knew it’d get worse the more time I spent with James and the more I got to know him.

  I headed over to the walk-in wardrobe while my brain speculated how I should begin the conversation when James was out of the shower. Clutching the towel wrapped around me, I searched my section for underwear. First, I found a pair of lacy panties in black and pink and then a silk and lace tank top. The panties fit me perfectly, but the shirt was a little too big on me, making the thin strap fall down my slender shoulder. I shrugged since it was only an undergarment. After a bit more searching, finally I found a suitable sleeping garment to wear. A long, loose T-shirt and a pair of shorts. I put these on and then headed back into the bedroom.

  I was just getting into bed when James came out from the bathroom with nothing on but a small towel wrapped about his waist.

  I simply stared at him, at the exquisite man before me, his dark hair wet and his toned, muscular body smooth and dripping wet. He was gorgeously hot, and my tummy tingled deliciously in response. I cleared my throat as he grinned at me.

  He rested himself against the doorframe as I flicked my eyes away from his handsome form. I knew the more I looked at him, the more I’d drown into those beautiful Prussian-blue eyes of his and the more I’d want him to do those wonderfully exquisite sexy things to me. I didn’t want that right now. Not when I needed to keep my head clear. When I wanted to talk to him about our master and mistress relationship, about how that was going to work when I was going to be living so far away.

  Was he going to make a once in a blue moon trip to Mystic Spring to visit me? Was I only going to see him once every few months? The thought that was likely to happen made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t want to have to be so far away from James. I knew it was silly to fall in love with a guy I’d only just met. But that was how it was. I’d fallen for James Maxwell, a billionaire elite who ruled the underground business world.

  No. No. It wasn’t love I felt for him. It was simply an infatuation. Yes, an infatuation.

  A lump formed in my throat once again, as I knew I was a stupid girl. I’d put myself deeper into danger by getting myself emotionally involved with James. Just because he was nice to me, took care of me, and saved my brother’s life didn’t mean he’d return my many feelings for him.

  As I gazed at him now, so relaxed and grinning at me, I knew there was only one way to keep myself—physically, mentally, and emotionally—safe and sane. I needed to return to Mystic Spring and be as far away from James as possible. It’d be hard at first, but I knew it was for the best. I knew I’d forget about him sooner or later. Then when he made the occasional visit, we’d have wild, passionate sex, but I’d do my best to keep my emotions at bay. I knew that was the only way. And I knew I could do it.

  I licked my lips, my heart racing as I pushed myself to utter the words. Then, of course, no words came, and I cursed myself, my face flushed.

  “What’s the problem, honey? Cat got your tongue?” He teased.

  Slow down, heart, I said internally. I licked my lips again and then said, “James?”

  “Hmm?” He came over to my side of the bed. There, he cupped my face while his thumb gently caressed my cheek. His touch was so warm, and I didn’t want him to let me go.

  “I…” I bit my lower lip as I stared at his six-pack abs. God! He had amazing abs. Instantly, I wanted to run my fingers along this body, stroking him, touching him, and caressing him like he did me.

  No. No. No. Stop it. Keep your head clear.

  I flicked my gaze to his face and regretted it instantly. His Prussian-blue eyes were so beautiful they took my breath away. He was indeed an exquisite specimen.

  This was not good. Why did I keep thinking about how handsome James was and wanting him to make love to me?

  I was pissed with myself. I needed to keep a good distance between us. I needed to be logical.

  I brushed his hand away, moved out of the bed, and went to stand on the other side. I clutched the material of my sleep shirt and said, “James.”

  “Hmm?” he replied.

  When I looked at him, I saw he had a scowl on his face. I wasn’t surprised. I’d just brushed him off. I thought I might have pissed him off a little. I decided it was a good thing.

  “James, I have to return to Mystic Spring.”

  He was quiet for a moment. Then he cocked his head. “Why?”

  My mouth nearly dropped open at his blunt query.

  I sighed. “You know why. I have a job to go back to.”

  “Mia,” he said, his voice clam and cool. “This is your job now.”

  Yes, I knew being his mistress was my job now. Well, one of my jobs anyway.

  “I know, but—”

  “You’re not going back to Mystic Spring, Mia,” he said in a tone that demanded no argument.

  “Why not?” I asked, pissed all of a sudden.

  “Because you’re my mistress now,” he said bluntly. “My mistress doesn’t work.”

  Suddenly, I was seething with anger. I folded my arms across my chest and glared. “Pray tell, Mr. Maxwell, how the fuck am I supposed live without money? If you haven’t already figured it out, Andy and I weren’t exactly born on a silver platter.”

  The moment I finished my statement, I saw the dark fire in his eyes and the coldness on his face. My stomach lurched with dread. Oh God, he was very pissed now. But then again, I couldn’t help myself. After all, how could he understand my insecurity?

  He was born into a filthy rich family, a family with power and influence, and he never had to suffer through the painful hardship Andy and I had gone through. The constant fear of not having enough to pay the bills or to have food on the table. My job and the income it provided was a security for me, an insurance of sorts, telling me I was doing okay, that I didn’t need to depend on anyone else anymore. And for anyone to take that away from me, it was a slap in the face.

  Yes, he was right. I was his mistress now
, and his mistress didn’t work. His words made me feel as if he were cutting me off from my life source.

  I was shaking with anger as I fisted my hands tight. I had no idea what came over me all of a sudden. I had no idea why I was so angry with him. Was it because I knew my feelings for him were never going to be returned?

  I didn’t know. I only knew right there and then that I was going to have a fight with him. That I wasn’t going to back down. I wanted to return to my job, and no matter what he said or did, I wasn’t going to change my mind.

  I raised my head high and said through gritted teeth, “I’m going back to Mystic Spring, Mr. Maxwell, back to my job. You have no say in the matter.”

  “I have every say in the matter, Mia,” he said coldly. “I own you.”

  My heart shattered.

  I own you? The words killed me. Was that all I was to him? I, as his mistress, was merely one of his many properties?

  Come to think of it, that was true. I was simply his plaything, his toy that was worth two million. I was nothing. Nothing to him.

  Oh God! I could feel the rage within me erupting. My heart was thumping so hard and so fast, and my pulse was racing. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I inhaled and exhaled sharply.

  I was livid. How dare he? Oh, I’d show him this toy of his had a mind of her own. She had a will that wasn’t going to bend to his whim.

  I climbed on the bed and stalked to him. There I stood, my head a little higher than this muscular man who was over six feet. I glared at him, my face close to his. I was at eye level with him as I said, “I’m not one of your properties or your toy, Mr. Maxwell. I’m a human being. Yes, I may be your fucking mistress. Yes, you can fuck me all you want, but you can’t bend me to your will. I’m not going to fall for you, Mr. Maxwell. Never. Never ever in a million years will I ever fall in love with a man so fucking controlling, so fucking overbearing!”

  With that, I turned on my heel, jumped down from the bed, and marched out the door of the bedroom. There, I slammed the door shut as a parting shot.

  Screw him, I thought. Screw that blasted gorgeously hot billionaire James Maxwell. Nope. I wasn’t going to fall in love with him. Never! Ever!

  Chapter 32

  James

  He didn’t want her to work. What is so fucking hard to understand about that? James thought in irritation. He’d provide everything for her, even a regular income. He was a generous man when it came to a person he adored, and Mia was definitely one of those people. So why the fuck did she behave like he’d crushed her heart when he refused to let her return to Mystic Spring, which was no longer her home?

  “Fuck!” he swore under his breath as he raked his fingers through his thick, dark hair.

  Was she really going to defy him and return to the small town? What with that two hundred bucks of hers? Furthermore, her sick bastard of an uncle was still on the loose, prowling the country, searching for her and her brother. He had no doubt the manic would kidnap Mia if he found her. Fuck, didn’t she realize her life could be in danger? That he personally wouldn’t be able to protect her if she were to return to the other side of the States?

  God, that sex they’d had previously had been simply mind-blowing. She’d been passionate and wild, and she’d even uttered, “I Love You,” to him.

  The moment those words reached his ears, James had felt overwhelmed—passionately so. Fact was he hadn’t heard those words said to him since he’d been in his late teens, when girls at college would confess they loved him. Ever since, however, he’d come to realize what they actually meant was they loved his good looks, his large cock, and his money.

  When he’d started going out with Whitney and then eventually married her, he assumed she was different. He assumed because the woman never said those words to him, she wasn’t after his looks, his ability to fuck, or his money. Well, now he knew better. She’d never said those words simply because she truly never loved him. Aside from the fact that, yes, she was also one of the top few who really was interested in his money.

  I Love You. The words kept ringing in his ears, reminding him of what had just happened between them.

  Fuck, why the hell were they quarreling? And this hidden side of Mia—her stubborn defiance and fighting spirit. Yes, he’d assumed she had it in her. He’d guessed as much when she’d showed up at his house to negotiate for her brother’s release. She was young, alone, and had no support. A girl like her should be crawling on her hands and knees, hiding in corners in fear in his dark and dangerous world. But Mia? She was different. She marched right up to his house—well, in her case, to his bedroom—naked and enticing—and demanded an audience.

  To see this strong side of her did something to him, though. It awakened something within him. Fuck! What was it? What were those feelings? What was that urge? What was the rush, the excitement aggressively coursing through his body?

  Oh yes. He knew what it was. He was fucking irritated. Pissed. And yes, he was so fucking excited. God, the urge to control that stubborn spirit was truly something that made his head spin in thrill.

  As he stood there analyzing what the hell had happened between them, his hands fisted tight. Then he noticed something.

  Fuck! He was hard.

  Holy shit! Was he turned on? When they were fighting.

  James took a deep breath and then chuckled. Well, obviously, where Mia was concerned, he bloody hell couldn’t help it, could he? He was turned on when she showed him her fighting spirit, her non-submissive side.

  He unwrapped the towel from his waist and then headed to the door. He wasn’t about to hide his arousal when they were going to negotiate and make amends, was he? Oh no. Hadn’t she appeared so excited when he had her touch his aroused cock? Then when he’d fucked her? He’d seen her shuddering and squirming in delight. Well, he’d use his body to his advantage, then. He’d use his naked body in its most aroused and enticing form to seduce her into succumbing to his demands.

  In the living area, he found her standing by the window, staring off into the darkness at the city below. She was wearing shorts and a pajama shirt, which he’d be ripping off in a few minutes.

  “Mia,” he called out.

  She turned at his voice. Instantly, she gasped upon seeing him in all his naked glory. She stared at his aroused cock a bit too long, which James noticed and was secretly pleased by.

  Mia blushed intensely when she realized she was ogling him. Embarrassed, she swiftly shifted her eyes to rest on the couch instead.

  “We need to talk,” he said calmly, his voice demanding no argument. “About your job.”

  When she didn’t respond, he approached her. Mia was quick to react. She paced around the couch to keep her distance. James found the attempt amusing, because really, she wasn’t going to get away. In a few minutes, she’d be in his arms, and he’d be fucking her again, right here in the living area on that couch.

  Mia folded her arms across her chest and said, “If you must know, Mr. Maxwell, I’m still upset. There’s nothing further to talk about. I’m going back to Mystic Spring, back to my job.”

  With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward the door leading to the bedroom. Oh no. James wouldn’t have any of that. Fucking hell if he’d let his attempt at reconciliation end here.

  In two swift strides, he was beside her and caught her in his arms. He imprisoned her tight in his embrace. “Sorry, sweetheart, but it won’t do for you to be so far from me.”

  He felt her stiffen at the statement. He continued. “It’s a violation of the contract.”

  Mia said, “But I don’t remember anything about not allowing me to have another job. So it’s not a violation of the contract.”

  He chuckled. “It’s a twenty-four-hour service, Mia. How will our relationship work if you’re so far away?”

  She stared at his massive chest and said, “You can always make a visit.”

  “I’m a busy man, Mia,” he replied bluntly.

  “I know that,” she mutter
ed, her eyes downcast.

  James noted the soft, docile voice and knew she was thinking things over. He knew he was at the advantage, and thus, he snuggled his face at the crook of her neck. He kissed her lightly to show her he didn’t want to fight anymore. Not that they’d been fighting very long.

  “I know that,” she said softly, turning her lovely face to look up at him. “Me having another job isn’t really a violation of our contract, but it’s the distance, isn’t it?”

  James knew where this was going and couldn’t help but smile at her quick thinking. “Yes.”

  “How about I find myself another job?” she asked, her eyes gazing at him through her long lashes.

  James wasn’t going to ruin the moment. Whatever made her happy, he’d oblige. Just as long as she was with him. There’d be plenty of jobs in L.A. for her to choose from, so there was no problem.

  He snuggled his face deeper into her hair and said tenderly, “Sorry I made you upset.”

  Fuck! The words just came out of nowhere. There. He just said it, and he didn’t even think about why. He’d never apologized to a female for upsetting her before. He’d never, in fact, been aware of making any female upset in his life. So why now? Why with Mia?

  He didn’t know, and he was more than a little confused at his own words and actions. But fuck, he didn’t want to think about that now. All he wanted to do now was kiss her.

  And he did—kissing her continuously at the base of her neck, inhaling her beautiful scent.

  Why the hell did he feel like he simply wanted to bury his face in her hair? Being like this with her in his arms, feeling her soft, warm body against him, and breathing in her sweet scent was pure heaven for him. It was fucking satisfying, especially when it had been quite torturous for the past four days when he hadn’t been able to see her properly, when he couldn’t kiss or fuck her.

  Thinking back to this evening, when he and Matt had been entertaining their client from Hong Kong, the chain hotel billionaire Mr. Wong, all he’d been able to think about was Mia. Then when William happened to walk in with his beautiful pet, Savanah White, he couldn’t stand it. Seeing William so intimate with the girl only made his heart ache because, fuck, the picture only reminded him how much he wanted to be with Mia. Thus, before dinner was even over, he’d told Matt he was leaving. He excused himself to Mr. Wong and headed straight back here.