But like she’d told her brother, she was grown. She’d made the decision. And it was a decision she was beginning to regret less and less even as she started to become concerned about her own motives...
***
She was surprised to receive a call from Carly soon after. “Jude is locked down in the meeting,” Carly informed her, “But he did want me to check in on you, make sure you were okay. He was wondering if there’s anything you wanted to do for the day? Go sightseeing, shopping? He’s already sent the limousine back to the hotel for you. We’ll be finished a bit late and will return in a London cab or something. In event that you may wish to purchase anything, my boss has made available his black card.”
“His what?” Miranda asked quizzically.
“It’s placed in an envelope in the top drawer of the bedroom dresser, he informed me,” was Carly’s mild reply, and Miranda made her way there from the living room area of the suite, Sure enough, there was an envelope, and she looked inside.
“It’s a credit card,” Carly supplied.
“I know that.” Miranda hadn’t meant to snap into the phone at the PA, but she really was feeling waspish at that moment. “So, what am I supposed to do with it? Go on a spending spree? I think your boss has got me mixed up as something else. I...”
“Miranda, there’s no need to take offence, I assure you. He simply wishes to make your stay as comfortable as possible. He doesn’t wish you to be bored while he’s busy at work. And besides, this trip was his idea; you shouldn’t be made to spend your own money in case there’s anything you might need. You’re his guest, okay? He’s simply seeing to your welfare.”
Miranda huffed to herself. Guest? Well, that had to be one way of putting it. But she did feel silly for ranting at Carly. It had nothing to do with the woman.
“I suggest you take the opportunity to have fun, enjoy the city,” Carly was saying lightly. “The chauffeur knows loads of places you can visit. It’ll definitely beat sitting in the hotel suite all day.”
“Oh, certainly,” Miranda murmured with a sugary tone, and then hung up fuming to herself. She wasn’t even sure why she was angry, but she was. With every minute that passed, she couldn’t help thinking that this all felt like something out of a really cheesy old movie...
***
The chauffeur arrived, and she did go out. Sightseeing in a limousine was certainly a perk worth savouring, she had to admit. But even with the lovely sights she visited, she couldn’t help feeling that same inner anger – at herself mostly. She then had to keep reminding herself the main reason she was here, and tried to let things percolate far beneath so as not to ruin her day. But then when, at a few minutes past three pm, she was in the limousine and the phone rang, she knew at once that it was Jude. And her irritation rose up from the surface in a flash.
“How’s your day going?” he enquired smoothly. “I’m having a hectic one of it myself – and we just had a brief break for a late lunch so I decided to ring you up. Carly mentioned something about you being a little...offended about something.”
“Offended? How could I possibly be?” she said airily, even as her heart seemed to strum at hearing his voice. The tinted partition between her and the chauffeur was up, and she could talk freely. She knew Jude could at least detect the steel in her voice. “I know exactly my position as far as this arrangement is concerned. I’m not surprised if you wish to further demean me by throwing your money around in my face.”
“I’m sorry that it looks that way to you,” he said, and the coolness in his tone pricked her. “It was not my intention to insult.”
“No, it wasn’t, was it? Because insulting is what you do naturally,” she said cynically.
“Even when you don’t mean to, you still manage to make other people feel even lousier about themselves. I guess that comes with being a hotshot corporate mogul billionaire.”
There was a pause, and Miranda wanted to kick herself. What was her problem? Showing emotions where he was concerned was not how she’d planned to handle things. The sex had been high-octane, yes, but she’d sworn that the strictest level of disengagement should be maintained on all levels. The last thing she wanted to happen was to do something stupid like...like fall in love with him.
Was that why she felt so irked? She wondered frantically. Was she developing feelings for Jude, and could she be wishing that she didn’t have to be in the situation? Did part of her wish that they were on level playing ground, and not this increasingly uncomfortable sense she was having of being nothing better than a paid whore?
It was a few seconds more before he replied, and his tone was devoid of emotion.
“Apparently, we “hotshot corporate mogul billionaires” are the ones most prone to being too easily misunderstood,” he drawled. “But that’s no problem. We both know the score, Miranda. Maybe it’s time we stuck to it. Which brings me to the other reason why I called.”
Miranda wasn’t sure how to respond to this, though something in his tone made her feel a little ominous.
“We’ll be having dinner with a few very important business associates of mine and their partners. It’s very high-profile, so I’ll imagine you’d want to go out and look for something appropriate to wear.”
“Trust me, I’m no Cinderella, Jude,” she said stiffly. “I’m certain I have a dress worthy of your hallowed clique of...”
“Oh, but I insist,” he drawled, tone chilly. “Considering my status, I wish any woman that’s seen with me to look the part. You’re a very beautiful, stylish woman, Miranda. I’m sure you’ll easily create an outfit and jewellery to match the occasion. Use the card, get anything you need. Never mind about the cost. And oh...don’t forget to get some really sexy lingerie as well. I like red, keep that in mind will you?”
“Would there be anything else your majesty would be requiring of me?” she enquired with steely sarcasm, her teeth aching from gritting them so hard.
“Nothing else...for now,” he returned mildly. “We’ll need to be ready by seven. Let’s try not to be late.”
He hung up, and Miranda would have smashed her receiver murderously down unto its cradle, but restrained herself. She knew it would be futile to fume. He was right, she knew the score. No matter what she thought or felt, he was the one in charge here. And it looked like he was going to make sure that this time, she didn’t forget it.
***
Miranda had been sure that the dinner to be harrowing. But to her surprise, it turned out quite be more exciting and enjoyable than she’d expected. Jude had been right about it being a very high-powered event. They were seated at a long table in the exclusive restaurant, and there were at least eight of them, including her and Jude. The men were mostly elderly, but looked just as rich and powerful as Jude – and some were certainly more, she sensed. The women were exquisitely attired, their bodies dripping with jewels.
Miranda was in no way shabby herself. She’d been quite furious with Jude for his insistence that she spend his money – but it had certainly proved interesting to walk into the most exclusive stores and pick just what she wanted. However, she had opted for understated, yet tasteful elegance. Her dress was designer, and it had been a thrill to put it on and see how well it draped over her frame. It was in a black, slimming style, the waist cinched in right beneath the bodice, the neckline draping low to reveal just a tempting glimpse of bust.
Jude’s bank account certainly had far more commas than hers, but Miranda would certainly not wish to give him the satisfaction in thinking she was enjoying this...extravagance. She was no way in the least happy that she’d had to trawl a high-end lingerie boutique in search of his so-called favourite red-coloured under things. No, it hadn’t been fun in the least...
One buy she could never regret making though, was the diamond necklace she wore. She’d been walking past the window of the jewellers and had backed up when she’d caught a glimpse of it in the display. It was nothing gaudy: and yet even in its simplicity, it was devastating. Sh
e’d walked into the glamorous store, and had tried it on. Seeing its intricately set edges laying upon her neck in a glittering mantle, with its tip projecting to nestle within her cleavage, made her know that this was what she needed to finish off her look.
It turned out she was right. Once she’d been dressed and Jude had seen her, he’d had the look in his eyes she was coming to recognize easily. He’d come forward, hands cupping her shoulders as he swept his gaze over her from head to foot. “Ravishing,” he’d murmured, dipping his head to nuzzle her neck lightly, even as he drew in a deep, appreciative breath. “It would be so unfashionable – and downright rude, to be late. If it wasn’t for that...”
He didn’t finish his sentence, but the woman in her knew exactly what he was thinking. And the woman in her had ached with an answering need. And it was one that never eased throughout the evening. Even with the distinguished company, the fine food and dazzling wine, she never lost consciousness of the virile, gorgeous man at her side. It didn’t seem possible, but he looked even more handsome than ever that night. His perfectly fitted suit moulded his dashing frame like a glove, and her eyes felt constantly drawn to his face. When he laughed, or his smile... or listening to him converse comfortably with the people of power seated with him at table, she got a deeper explication into the man he was, and how much she was drawn to him.
At first it had seemed only physical; he turned her on and that was a fact. But if her heart fluttered every time he looked at her or held her gaze briefly, she knew it was something deeper than sexual desire she felt. He aroused her body, and thrilled her mind.
When he spoke, on whatever topic, she loved to listen, admired the way his sharp mind worked and how he analysed things. It wasn’t hard to see why he was so successful, and why he commanded so much respect.
Since leaving university and joining her brother in trying to pick up the pieces of their family finances, she’d come to understand a little bit of the cold, steel-hard reality of the business world. And she remembered one of the first things Jude had told her that night they’d met, after she’d found out who he really was. About how he made no apologies for what he’d had to do in the name of business – such as the takeover of her father’s company. Was she wrong to have hated him for what had simply been a corporate call?
But then, wasn’t she betraying her family by beginning to have certain feelings for him that she shouldn’t? She’d already spent one night of pleasure with him –and even when she kept reminding herself it was all for the good of those she cared about, she knew there was more.
It was weak and foolish of her, but she should have known. It should have been obvious from the start that in this game, she’d already lost too much ground. And when it was all over, when she walked away with those signed papers, she knew she’d have given away even more than she’d gained.
***
Miranda thought of her previous allusion to Cinderella, and yet once the dinner was over and they were back inside the limousine, she couldn’t help thinking that for them, the real party had just begun.
Once alone inside the air-conditioned lavishness of the limo, he drew her into his arms, and kissed her. No warning, no by-your-leave, nothing. It was like he’d been raging for her all through the evening. His mouth was insistently passionate, and very rough against hers. The evident strength of his desire for her thrilled and yet amazed her; he seemed ready to rip her out of her clothes.
Obviously, one night of abandon had only managed to whet his appetite for her, not assuage it. Miranda found this prospect very gratifying – especially since it was the same for her. His ardent kiss was making her belly do flip-flops, and her heart pounded so hard she could hear it ringing in her ears. Her hands clutched his jacketed arms, and she gasped against his tongue sucked sensually on hers. For heavens sake, she thought desperately, as her pussy instantly began to vibrate like it had been plugged in. A shudder passed through her body, her arousal intensified by his hand slipping beneath the draped neckline to cup one full breast in his large palm. He thumbed her nipple roughly, drawing out a harder gasp from her lips. His lips broke from hers, and he bent his head, pressing hot, hard kisses down her neck.
The sensation of his hand on her naked skin was making her inner thighs quiver all the more. She moaned, pressing her knees together to fight off the dripping wetness she could feel forming in her panties. In the next moment, he’d pushed the sleeve off her shoulder, baring one full, thrust-out breast. She felt his lips latch on her rock hard nipple, and gasped. “Jude...the driver...”
“Can’t hear or see us,” he growled, his fingers moulding the firm, fleshy underside of her breasts. They both moaned, and this time when he sucked on her nipple, he took a whole lot of breast in his mouth as well, as if to swallow it in one go. He licked, suckled and nibbled on her tit till she was a shuddering mass on the seat of the limo, where he now had her half-lying on her back.
His free hand reached down searchingly to her thighs, and found them locked tightly.
“Spread your legs, honey,” he commanded huskily, and Miranda forced her rigid leg muscles to relax, parting her knees and letting him slip a hand beneath her dress. He touched her through her panties, rubbing strongly on the moistened patch over her pussy.
A half-sob caught in her throat, even as he groaned, his teeth sinking deeper on the skin of her nipple. Miranda’s head fell back as myriad sensations spread through her whole body, bringing her too close to the brink. If she didn’t try to hold back, she knew she would come. In just minutes, he’d been able to bring her to the highest point of stimulation – and if he didn’t stop, soon, she was going to combust.
But he didn’t stop; he kept sucking on her nipple, rolling it around in his mouth with his tongue, while he caressed her through her thong, making her so wet she soaked it right through. It took less than thirty seconds of this merciless bombardment to get her spasming in helpless release. She bucked beneath him, her lips parted in a soundless cry as the most powerful climax ripped into her. She pressed her knees strongly together, stilling the motion of his hand, even as she clasped his head to her breast, holding on tightly to him as she came in waves.
Her face was red as she tumbled back down to earth, and she almost couldn’t meet his when he lifted his head to look at her. She cursed her body for being so susceptible to him, and yet, when she finally caught his eyes, she saw the answering flame of passion flickering in their navy depths. “God, you are so sexy,” he breathed out harshly, his hand lifted to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. Miranda was trembling, feeling warmed by the heat in his gaze. The limo had now come to a stop, and a glance out of the window showed that they’d arrived at their hotel.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly, when she hadn’t spoken. His hands were gentle as he helped her straighten her clothes.
Okay? How could she ever be okay? When a man like him could so effortlessly reduce her to jelly without really trying? But then, his own intense passion had been doubly arousing, so she hadn’t stood a chance against his frenzied lovemaking. But she mumbled that she was fine, and managed to fumble out unto the pavement, her knees wobbly. She was still in a bit of after-shock after that unexpected episode inside the car during the drive back to the hotel. She couldn’t remember ever coming so quickly in her life. It scared her how strongly he affected her both sexually and emotionally.
She felt him take her hand silently as they made their way inside and up the lift to their suite. They didn’t speak, and he didn’t look at her, but she could feel his tension, the feral aura that exuded from him. His fingers linked with hers, and his touch was strong, possessive. She had no doubt of what lay in store the moment they’d have the bedroom door closed behind them. And yet she couldn’t help wondering what would be number one on the agenda...
***
Miranda didn’t have to wonder for long. Once they were alone in the bedroom, he started to discard his clothes. Taking his cue, she reached behind her for her zipper, but he told her
gruffly, “No, don’t. I’ll do it.”
So she waited obediently, and didn’t demur when, moments later, he led her to the front of the ornate mirror which took up almost the whole length of one wall. She stared at her unrecognizable reflection; her wild eyes, her slightly dishevelled hair. He stood behind her, his hands reaching to unravel her upbraided locks, bringing it to fall in chestnut waves on her shoulders. His face was bent close to hers, and he lifted his eyes to hold hers in the mirror.
Deliberately, he drew down the zipper at her back, before tugging down the expensive black dress. It pooled at her feet, and she stepped out of it to stand in her matching red strapless corset and panties. Her waist was pinched in a few inches by the snug, sexy corset, giving her full figure even more of an hour-glass shape. Her legs stretched almost endlessly down to her shiny black pumps, which elongated her frame even more. She heard him draw in a sharp breath, and with his body so close up behind her, she could feel the heat of his nakedness, especially the rigid length of his cock throbbing against her bare bottom. He shivered, she shivered...it was torment to be standing so near to each other, and yet, still having to hold themselves back.
“Nice...very nice,” he said in approval, his voice little more than a growl. His hands fell on her waist, into which he dug his fingers. He tugged her back hard against him, and she felt too excited by his closeness to breathe. What did he want? What was he going to do to her?
“Your body is mine,” he told her softly in her ear, making the tiny hairs on her lobe tingle. She gasped and arched her neck, feeling his lips slide over her skin feverishly. His hands smoothed up over her breasts, cupping them. She still had on the gorgeous necklace, and it glinted brightly even in the well-lit room. That single strand hung down between her mounds, which the tight corset had pushed together to form a juicy cleavage.
Billionaire's Bounty (Plus Size Loving) BBW Erotic Romance Page 5
