ROAD TRIP (BILLIONAIRE BAD BOY ROMANCE Book 1)

by Linzi Basset

  “Aren’t you?” The amused chuckle irked her to no end.

  “No, I’m not and therefore you don’t get to order me around. Least of all telling me when I may or may not come.”

  Her chin suffered the hard grip of his fingers before she’d even noticed him move. He pushed his face into hers. Fear slithered down her spine like a serpent wriggling for escape.

  “You know as well as I do that last night sealed your fate, Sage. No. Don’t bother to deny it. There’s something between us, and I, for one, refuse to let it pass me by. I’m a Dom first and foremost and no matter what direction a relationship between us takes, you are and will be my submissive.”

  “N-not until we sign an agreement.” Sage was rather proud of herself for managing to assert herself.

  “Then so we shall.” He placed a hard kiss on her lips before he released her and stomped to the door.

  “We ride at nine a.m. sharp, Ms. Porter. Report to my office at eight. Don’t be late because if I have to come and find you …”

  He allowed his words to drift off, the warning as clear as daylight.

  Sage slammed the door shut. She pressed her back against it and stared ahead sightlessly. Her breathing sounded harsh to her own ears.

  “Freaking hell … what the devil just happened?” She slowly slumped to her butt on the floor. Her clit throbbed, and her pussy pulsed from the loss of his seductive touch. The need to climax rippled like a lustful demand through her entire body.

  Her hand trailed over her hip to press against her clit. She rubbed it and moaned as shards of heat tore through her veins.

  “No! He never makes idle threats. Remember that, Sage.”

  She clenched her hand in a fist as realization struck. While she’d been struggling with what he’d said and the claim he’d laid on her, her body and mind had already accepted her fate.

  Sage Porter was Cole Sawyer’s submissive.

  Chapter Six

  “You came! And so early too.” Talia scrutinized Sage’s expression as she threw down her backpack and duffel bag next to the ones already waiting to be loaded in the parking area outside the administration building of Sawyer Academy. It was the only two luggage items they were allowed to take. It had been a relief to know that a small van was to accompany them to transport their bags. “Damn! How I wish I was a fly against the wall after I left. Dean Sawyer must’ve really—”

  “Zip it, Talia, and don’t bother fishing. There’s nothing to tell.”

  Talia smirked as she detected the rosy hue on Sage’s cheeks. “Of course, there isn’t.”

  Sage ignored her and looked around at the sound of her name being called. She returned the greetings from a group of excited students with a wave.

  “I didn’t realize there would be this many going on the trip,” she said as her gaze moved over the two rows of motorcycles standing against the curb.

  “Fifty students in total but only thirty bikes. Some are doubling up.”

  “Which excludes the four belonging to the accompanying professors. Morning ladies.” Steve Gosner, the man Talia was aiming to impress, joined them with a friendly smile.

  “Hi, Steve. Four bikes? I thought it was only the two of you, Dean Sawyer and me.” Sage looked around in confusion.

  “He decided the group was too big and invited an additional four profs to join us.” Steve pointed to a group of students animatedly chatting with two middle-aged professors, Kent Hunter and Bill Hodgins. “Ally Neil and Veronica Small should be arriving soon. All of them volunteered.”

  “Well, that’s a relief. I’ve been having nightmares at the thought of handling a rowdy bunch of students between the four of us.” Talia flashed a toothy smile at Steve.

  “Believe me, Dean Sawyer alone is man enough to handle them. The seven of us don’t even need to be here,” Sage mumbled.

  Steve and Talia laughed. “There’s truth in that. Hey! Where are you going?” Talia caught Sage’s arm as she moved toward the building.

  “Prof wants to see me before we leave and I’ve been warned not to be late.” She shrugged off Talia’s hand as she quickly headed inside. Her insides were churning with the nerves that had been eating at her the entire night. She’d been physically preparing herself for another onslaught the likes of the previous day. This time, she was ready for him. If he thought he was going to bully or overpower her with his strength every time, he was in for a huge surprise.

  “Yes, Master Cratos. You’ll learn poison comes in small packages. I refuse to become your chattel!” Although she’d whispered the words, they sounded ominously loud in the silent hallway as she approached Cole’s office. She swallowed hard, praying he hadn’t overheard. With a brief rap of her knuckles against the door, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

  He stood staring out the window as she entered but turned to watch her approach. She was taken aback by the closed expression on his face.

  “Morning, Sage.”

  “Dean Sawyer.”

  Her stiff response brought an amused smile to his lips. His eyes trailed slowly over her body, leaving a thrill of heat in its wake. She cursed the uncontrolled rush of lust that made its way to her loins.

  “Considering that we’re about to sign a Dom/sub agreement, don’t you think it’s time you call me by my name?”

  Sage stared at him, completely flabbergasted. Of all the reasons she’d envisioned he wanted to see her, this was the last thing she’d expected.

  “Is that why you wanted to see me?” Her hands fluttered in the air. “Couldn’t it have waited until after the trip?”

  “I don’t believe in wasting time.” He sat down and opened a green folder lying on his desk. “Besides, we’re about to spend a month in close encounter and from recent experience, I have no doubt there will be circumstances arising where it would be preferable to ensure the agreement is already agreed upon and signed.”

  “W-what kind of circumstances?” She eyed him suspiciously. “If you think for one moment I’m going with on this trip so you have an easily accessible sex object, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  “Sex object?” He regarded her with a cynical smile. “Is that how you view the BDSM Lifestyle?”

  “Of course not, and you know very well that’s not what I meant.”

  “Then I suggest you explain it to me, otherwise I might have to act on the insult you just made to my integrity.”

  “Look, Dean Sawyer, until Saturday night, you’ve been my boss and nothing else. What am I supposed to think? First, you insist I go on this stupid road trip and then you … you spank and fuck me at The Rouge Lounge, fully aware of who I was. To top it off, you arrived at my apartment yesterday and threatened me. So, Mister High and Mighty, you explain that to me!”

  Cole’s expression didn’t change but the way his eyes darkened made her shift uncomfortably in the chair she’d sat in after her relay.

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, Ms. Porter, but weren’t you the one who invaded my privacy first?”

  “Your privacy? What the devil are you talking about?”

  “The Rouge Lounge belongs to me. It’s part of my private life. You have been visiting the club for almost a year, isn’t that correct?”

  “That’s hardly relevant. How was I supposed to know it belongs to you?”

  “Be that as it may. You exposed yourself to me outside of the university. You know full well the dynamics of a BDSM club, Ms. Porter, so don’t pretend I used you. You were punished and got what you deserved.” His lips flattened. “Come to think of it, since I heard exactly how you’ve been acting over time, your punishment was anything but adequate.” He leaned forward. “Let me make it clear. You are going because it’s expected of all personnel to attend a summer break trip. Something you’ve been avoiding for the past three years. There’s nothing more to it. As far as your unwarranted remark of a sex object is concerned … I don’t force myself on a woman. I never have and I never will. Sex to me is sacred between a man and a woman, something bot
h yearn for and enjoy. If, and at this stage it’s a very big if, I wish to have sex with you and you deny me, I’ll find another woman.”

  Sage pressed her lips together, caught by surprise at the flash of anger at the thought of him having sex with someone else.

  “As far as signing a Dom/sub agreement is concerned, I haven’t changed my mind about that. I believe the connection between us warrants pursuing.”

  “Pursuing to what end?” she asked quietly. Try as she might, she couldn’t tear her eyes from the brooding look holding hers captive.

  “A long-term relationship … for a start.” He slid the open folder toward her. “Our agreement. I want you to read it through properly. Ask any questions you may have before you sign it. I included a copy of your limit list from the club. If you wish to amend it, do so now.”

  Cole stretched out his legs and watched her as she paged through the document.

  “Two years? This agreement is for a two-year period? Isn’t that rather long?”

  “My intention is to look to the future, Sage. I’m not interested in a short-term relationship. Two years will give us adequate time to get to know each other, to learn each other's wants, desires, and weaknesses. To build a foundation for a life together.”

  “Y-your aim is for us to … Lord, I’m so confused,” she muttered as her gaze moved over the document.

  “Yes, little one. My aim is for us to work towards marriage and our happy ever after.”

  Sage gaped at him. In all her wildest dreams and fantasies, she’d always wanted this man, as a lover, a Dom and the one who rocked her world. Never once had she imagined or could hope for more. He was so far out of her league, she never considered it and yet, here he was, offering her the one thing she couldn’t say no to.

  “That’s rather overwhelming and I believe ... impossible.” She did her best not to let her disappointment show. Cole Sawyer was an entrepreneur known for his success in many fields. A billionaire who traveled only in the best circles of society. Sage Porter was a poor professor. There was no way in hell they were compatible.

  “Why do you say that?”

  Sage was frustrated that his expression remained impassive. As always, she wished he’d let the mask slip, just once, so that she could see what he was truly feeling.

  She shrugged and pointed at their surroundings, indicating the modern luxuriousness. “To state the obvious: you're a billionaire, Dean Sawyer. You move in high society circles. Hell, I’ve even seen articles where you shook the President’s hand.” She stabbed a finger at her chest. “I’m a poor professor. The twain never shall meet.”

  “Medieval beliefs, Sage, and not something I put any stock in. I’m my own man and make my own decisions in life. Family, society rules, and protocols have never dictated what I do with my private life and I sure as hell am not going to allow it to now.” He pointed at the document in her hand. “Sign, Sage. It’s getting late. We have to leave soon.”

  “Are you sure about this?”

  “I’ve never been surer about anything in my life, but know this, Sage. If you sign that agreement, it’s with the resolution and firm intention to work at our relationship with the same goal as me.”

  “Marriage.”

  “Yes.” He sighed heavily as he detected her hesitation. “There is a clause for ending the agreement, Sage. I won’t bind you in a relationship you don’t wish to be in. All I ask is that you don’t give up with the first bump in the road we may encounter.”

  “I saw it. It’s just … yes, we’ve known each other in a work environment for three years but on a personal level, we don’t. Don’t you think signing such an agreement is too soon?”

  “I turned forty-two a month ago, Sage. I’m not a youngster anymore and I want children. I’ve been looking for the right woman for a long time. I know what I want and I don’t believe in wasting time.”

  “And you believe I’m the woman for you?”

  “If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” His fingers rat-a-tatted on the desk. “I know I’m ten years older than you, Sage, but age, in my opinion, is just a number. If that’s what’s bothering—”

  “No, it’s not. I just don’t want to get hurt, that’s all.” She lifted earnest eyes to him. “You’re a very powerful Dom and popular in the club. I’ve seen how the subs hang onto you the moment you arrive. I’m not sure I’ll be able to … I mean … watching you with one of them.”

  “Have you ever seen me scene with a sub at the club, Sage?”

  Sage frowned as she allowed her mind to wander. Flashes of watching him with a flogger, a whip or some impact tool in his hand flashed through her mind. She’d seen him with many subs over the past three months but from recollection, mostly doing demonstrations and issuing punishment.

  “No, I can’t say that I have.”

  “Because I don’t and from this point on, when I do, it will be with you. If it’s your preference, I’ll do all the demonstrations in the future with you as well. Punishment, unfortunately, is my responsibility and something I’m not prepared to change.”

  “As long as those punishments don’t include fucking the sub.”

  A grin split across his face. “I never imagined you’d be a possessive sub.”

  Sage’s cheeks bloomed red but she refused to take the bait. “If you want me as your potential wife, it’s something you better get used to. I don’t share and I expect you to feel the same.”

  “Believe me, little one, if I ever catch you in another man’s arms, there’s nowhere you’d be able to hide from my wrath.”

  “Good. Just remember, that goes both ways.”

  Sage didn’t notice the flash of joy in his eyes as she picked up the pen to initial and sign the agreement. It brought her the utmost pleasure to notice that he’d already signed all three copies of the agreement. She closed the file and pushed it across the table.

  “Why are there three copies?”

  “One for each of us and one for my attorney who will authenticate it and file it as a legal agreement. Once he adds the required stamps and signatures, you’ll receive your copy.”

  He pushed back the chair and patted his lap. “Come here, Sage.”

  The deepening of his voice reached deep inside her to toggle at the submissive eagerly jumping to attention. She didn’t hesitate and walked around the table to settle on his lap. His hand circled her back and the other tangled in her hair.

  “Let’s seal our agreement with a kiss, love.”

  He curled his fingers into a fist and dragged her face closer and murmured against her lips, “Such beauty has to be a sin … but damn, it’s a sin I’m thankful for every day.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Ms. Porter, you’re here!” Sage looked up at the excited shriek as she walked out of the administrative office. She smiled indulgently at Brenna Williams, a fourth-year student in Economics. “When I didn’t see you, I thought you weren’t coming. We looked forward to having you on the trip.”

  “You have? Indulge me and tell me why, please. I’m not exactly a rough it kind of girl.”

  Brenna peeled with laughter. She poked her friends, Sierra Boone and Lily George who flanked her on either side. They were well known and loved among the students, not to mention always on the forefront of everything exciting and new.

  “I think you’re under a misconception of what this road trip entails, Ms. Porter. We’re—”

  “Let’s crank those engines. It’s time to get going.” Cole’s deep voice drowned out the rest of Brenna’s sentence, much to Sage’s irritation.

  “Don’t worry, Ms. Porter, you’ll do fine. Just hang tight onto Dean Sawyer.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “Tight being the operative word of course.” She leaned in and whispered in Sage’s ear, “You’re so lucky. Every girl here would give their front teeth to swap places with you and ride with him. Hmm … all those muscles!”

  “Brenna! He’s old enough to be your father, for heaven’s sake,” Sage hissed shar
ply.

  Brenna laughed gaily. “Never heard of daddy’s girl, Ms. Porter? Now there’s one specimen I wouldn’t mind playing house with.”

  “You heard what Dean Sawyer said. Scoot.” Her voice urged Brenna to turn around and trot away but not before she gave Sage a sassy wink.

  “Enjoy the trip, Ms. Porter.”

  Sage mumbled an inconsequential response as she looked around. Talia and Steve were already settled on their bike as were most of the students.

  “Do you have a backpack you wish to keep with you on the bike?” She started as Cole suddenly spoke beside her. She glanced sideways at him, which was quite a feat. At five feet seven, she generally didn’t feel small next to tall men but this one made her feel tiny.

  “Yes, I’ll get it.” She quickly ran to the bench where she’d left it to fetch the bright purple bag—a combination of a handbag and backpack that contained a small makeup bag, a brush, deodorant and perfume, purse, identity documents, a spare shirt, and panties. She was a modern girl after all and never went anywhere without those little luxuries.

  Cole waited for her next to a big black Harley Davidson with orange and yellow flames covering the fuel tank. It was a monster of chrome and steel but quite befitting its owner.

  “I don’t know much about motorcycles but I have to say, this one is quite beautiful.”

  “My pride and joy.” Cole stepped closer and, ignoring her protests, carefully pulled a helmet with the same flame pattern over her head before tightening the straps under her chin. “The helmets have microphones and speakers, so we’ll be able to communicate while on the road. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, let me know.”

  “Sure,” she muttered as she watched him strap on his helmet. He looked even more formidable dressed in tight jeans and a black t-shirt that hugged his broad chest under a leather rider’s jacket that gave his shoulders a broader appearance. She licked her lips as she zipped up her dark purple leather jacket, dreading the days ahead. It was going to be torture to be pressed against his hard back, especially since her loins were cramping with the suppressed need to climax.