"I can't do that. We're operating at the express command of Mr. Asher. And we are to inform you that the agency by which you are employed will no longer be paying the cost of your room. So, unless you'd like to pay for it yourself, I'm afraid your things will have to stay here in the penthouse."
What the hell? I'm flushed. Furious. Here I am standing basically naked, as I’m in nothing but Leo’s robe, while a half-dozen people mill about, setting up my things.
It's like I'm not even here. They arrange my clothes in his ample closet and they set my Louis Vuitton trunks up nicely so that I have access to all my belongings.
It's definitely a five-star service but it's a service I don't want and that I never asked for. I haven't been treated this nicely since before my father left us destitute.
Growing up, it was all luxury all of the time. Now I have to work for my money, and if things prove as difficult as they did last night with that old man then I could be looking at a very bleak future.
"Ms. Reid," the woman is prodding. "I have Guest Services coming up with a breakfast prepared by one of the head chefs, courtesy of Mr. Asher. May I send them in?"
I huff out a breath and shake my head.
Leo and I are going to have to duke this later, apparently, because these people aren’t taking no for an answer. I hate that he’s just taking control of yet another aspect of my life.
But you know what? If he's going to make me his virtual prisoner, at least he's doing it in style. Might as well take advantage.
Besides, I'm famished after a long night of fucking. And I'd give absolutely anything for some strong espresso right about now.
"Yes,” I finally agree, “go ahead, send them in."
Room service arrives and they plate my breakfast at Leo's long dining table which overlooks the entire Strip. There are fresh linens and a beautiful spread of breakfast items, including my long-awaited cappuccino.
And then the massive staff is gone, just like that. As quickly as they appeared, I’m left alone again in the echoing silence of Leo’s incredible penthouse.
I wonder how Leo survives up here in the thralls of luxury but all alone.
He seems to have created a place where no one can permeate the walled off fortress that is his life.
He's risen to the top and has become one of the greatest American success stories, but at what price?
I know he doesn't have girlfriends, and he seems so tightfisted about life that I wonder how many times he allows himself the freedom to let loose?
Maybe having scores of women at his feet are how he bides his time and releases tension.
Maybe he finds freedom in that lifestyle but to me, it just seems sad.
But who am I to say? I once mingled with the greats of society, too.
But while I used to be a socialite, I’ve since fallen from grace under the weight of my father's insurmountable debt.
Now, I'm working at the bottom. Being an escort was never my dream. Is it anybody's, really? I don’t judge the work…I’m just being realistic. My brief taste has me tentative and thinking of the endless possibilities life brings, the way you contemplate a situation when you’re shocked at your own reality.
Now I'm the humbled one and Leo's got the money.
I think about how he must have felt being my brother's friend. My brother was always handed everything. He's never really had to work a day in his life. Sure, he's a politician but that basically entails calling in favors.
Our family has certainly sunk deep into the dark crevices of society. Now I feel like the one who should be embarrassed, working as a glorified call girl.
And Leo Asher, of all people, owns me. What could his motivation possibly be?
I wonder about all of this as I look out over the incredible view. The desert stretches out in the distance, and it's as if Vegas is its own island removed from all the other cities, on its own in the middle of a beautiful desert.
It's the perfect city for Leo. They’re both as far removed from reality as possible. Nothing in Vegas lasts. Nothing’s real in Vegas…and nothing about Leo is authentic.
Not anymore.
I’ve known the true Leo, and he certainly had a lot more depth of feeling than the man who has bought me.
What he’s done for me today, moving me in, providing this breakfast, it’s not because he cares. It’s because he wants to prove his dominance, exert his authority and control.
The old Leo would never do that. And I don’t know how to reconcile the feelings I had for the old one and the desire I have for the new.
The old one left me and never came back…and this Leo saved me, but with a firm hand that’s rough and tender. My thoughts pull me in as many directions as the lights I see when I look down over the city.
12
Leo
I'm anxious to get back to Sienna after a long day's work. She's been on my mind all day.
As much as I want to forget about her and to treat her as one of my usual sex objects, I'm finding it increasingly hard to do so. I imagine she's furious with me for moving all of her belongings to the penthouse.
I smile just thinking about the indignation that will probably be on her face when I walk in.
But it was a move I had to make. I have to protect her from this media shit storm.
I loosen my black necktie as I step off the elevator already feeling a modicum of relief that she’s just on the other side of my penthouse door.
I just hope she hasn’t had some scheming idea to try to escape. She has to know I’d find her. She won’t get away from me that easily. Because I’ve bought her for the next month—not because I can’t stand the idea of not having her near. Not at all, because that would mean I care. And I don’t. Not anymore.
But if not, what’s this desire to take care of her, to make sure she's okay? I've never cared if a woman came or went. Why do I care now? I have to shake this growing obsession, this hold she has over me. I attribute once again it to the fact that we have a past and vow not to think about it again as I make my entrance.
"Hi, honey, I'm home," I say, hoping to elicit a reaction.
I find her in the kitchen brooding over a glass a wine.
"Hi," she responds in a voice laced with that feisty attitude that gets my already half-mast cock rock hard.
"Upset are we, darling?" I can’t resist pushing her. It’s too easy.
"And now why would you assume that? You've only upended my entire life here without my permission. Not a phone call, not an explanation. Nothing." Her jaw is set, her eyes flashing. “And the worst part is I have no choice in the matter. You know I can’t afford to pay for my own place in this hotel. I won’t even ask how you managed to get Roger to stop paying for my room.”
I don’t bother answering her, and instead just move in behind her and brush her hair away from her neck, leaning in to run my mouth along the smooth skin.
"Aww come on, baby,” I say. “Don't be mad. You should know I have a good reason for doing what I did." For everything I do. Always.
"I don't appreciate not being consulted."
I kiss her neck gently, and she lets me. I smirk. That’s what I thought. She may be mad, but she’s still here, and she’s not pushing me away. I spin her around and take her wine glass from her, swirling it around.
I bring it to my nose. "Ah, you’ve selected a nice burgundy. And I venture to say an expensive one."
She purses her lips and lifts her eyebrows. "I have indeed. I figured that as long as I'm here, you'd want me to make myself at home."
My eyes narrow in on her as I take a drink. "Exactly. What's mine is yours."
I see that she's going to make this hard on me. I'd expect nothing less. She's as strong-willed as ever.
Not so much changed from the girl I knew ten years ago. Just as contrary, just as sexy—no, that’s not true. She’s far more seductive than she used to be.
Except now I make the rules and I'm at the top. She's under my command. And this time she’s
the one that’s penniless.
I might have grown up on the wrong side of the tracks, but I'd say I've made a hell of a life for myself out of nothing. That's probably what Sienna least expected from me.
But I’m done thinking about that. I want to focus on the here and now.
"Are you ready for dinner? I see that you're not dressed. Did you not receive the outfit I sent over?"
I took the liberty of having my assistant pick out a divine little Chanel number that will hug her curves perfectly.
I'm going to see it on her and then spend the evening out imagining how I’ll shred it off her body in pieces once we get back. She's awakened a primal instinct and there's no going back.
I need to taste her and pound my cock deep inside her tight little pussy all night long...after dinner, of course.
"I got the dress. But how was I supposed to know what you wanted? I mean, I'm yours now, right?” The sarcasm practically drips from her voice.
“Do you want to fix my hair, too? You seem to want to control every aspect of my life. Do you want me to wear panties or not? I haven't gotten dressed because how could I without my strong, powerful man to decide everything for me?"
She's angry, and not one drop of it is lost on me. But what she doesn't know is that I couldn’t care less.
She's mine now, and that does mean I determine everything.
I pull her arm up and whisper harshly into her ear. "You will get dressed and you will join me for dinner. That's all you need to know."
The tension between us is electrifying, sexually charged.
She's trying to stand her ground, to prove her own strength and control, but everything about her body language says otherwise.
I think she's playing a little game, trying to get me wrapped around her finger again.
I’ve grown up since our days of playing at romance. I’m a man now and I expect certain things of my escorts.
She's decided to lower herself to that level, so I’ll treat her as such.
"Now go." I say it without a hint of emotion.
Sienna silently gets up and walks away. My eyes follow her, and I can see the slender contours of her beautiful body beneath one of my oversized t-shirts. Fuck, how did I not notice she was wearing that? It does something strange to me to see her in my clothes.
Her tanned legs are toned and smooth. I imagine them around my neck as I fuck her into submission with my tongue. She'll be crying my name by night's end and begging me for more.
Once she's gone, I go to the bar and pour myself a stiff drink. I need to take the fucking edge off this situation.
She gets me heated in this kind of push-pull that I can't deny. Things are always so intense with her. I need a breather. Need to get my head on straight before she gets back in here so I can maintain the control I crave.
The liquid goes smoothly down my throat, and soon she reemerges. The dress is on and she looks like a million bucks, even though I can see she hasn't bothered to do anything different to her flowing hair.
I guess she's still trying to rebel and that makes my cock twitch against my pants. Jesus Christ, this woman is making me come completely unglued.
I long to punish right here for not trying harder, but time is of the essence and we have dinner reservations at the most expensive restaurant in the casino.
"You look...nice." I say the words but what I mean is you look fucking gorgeous even if you don't bother with your hair or makeup.
Out of ten, this girl's a fucking fifteen. She's only gotten more beautiful with age.
"Come." I escort her out of the penthouse and back into the elevator where last night we were still just building up to being together again. "So there is a method to my madness. You know that there's been a tip that you're a prostitute right?"
"Yes, Carly got me up to speed."
I nod. I knew she would. "So, the lawyers have a new plan. They want us to be seen together all over the place, act as though we are dating. It's the only way to cover your brother's good name."
It’s not the only way, but I don’t tell her that. I also don’t think too much about how readily I jumped on the suggestion when Elliott called me with it.
"I don't give a damn about him," she says defiantly.
I don’t either. But I won’t have Sienna labeled as a prostitute.
The lights dim, and we're almost at the main level. I back her up against the wall with one gentle push and plant a soft kiss on her full lips.
"Well, you better play your part, darling. Because your good name will be dragged through the mud as well. Not to mention my own."
I say it as a veiled threat. I don't want to playact that she's my girlfriend. For one thing, I have a reputation to uphold. Leo Asher does not date women. He fucks them and that’s it.
But even more importantly, I don't want to make things complicated with Sienna.
I don't want to dredge up the past and I don't want her mistaking my favors as some sentiment of emotion.
I don't care for her the way I once did.
I’m my own entity, cold, calculating, and certainly not hung up on one woman. Having to act like we're dating, well, it could make things complicated, and that's the last thing I want or need.
"So this is just an act?"
"Yes."
And I’ll keep tell us both that until we both believe it.
I led her out of the elevator and into the main palazzo. The restaurant will be expecting us as I reserved the best and most public seat in the house.
We’ll be on show for the world to see. While I'm nervous about this being perceived for what it is, not a part of me can't help but feel proud to be with this gorgeous woman.
All eyes turn towards her. She's always been able to command a room and tonight is no different. With a body like that, who wouldn't look?
While women typically feel lucky to be with me, tonight it’s me that feels lucky to be on her arm. It’s in direct conflict with what I know I should be feeling. It's Sienna, after all, she's not just some girl.
I do have a past with her and I was always loyal to her brother. Being with her like this is what I always thought I wanted. Back then.
And now, though I'm trying to ignore it, I'm feeling nostalgic. What would our lives have been like if I hadn't abandoned Sienna? I felt threatened at the time, like I wasn't good enough for her. Doubtful and uncertain that I could ever be enough.
But now? Now I'm on top of the world and all of that insecurity has vanished. I’m nothing like the boy I used to be. I wonder if Sienna would even be interested in me now, knowing who I’ve become? If we weren’t forced into this situation by her own poor decisions.
I clutch her hand as we walk through the casino and whisper into her ear, "You’re stunning. All eyes are on you."
She beams up at me, and for the briefest moment we’re not on opposing sides but are operating as one solid unit.
And I like the way it feels way too fucking much.
13
Sienna
Leo's walking through the giant casino with his arm around my waist.
I'm shining in my Chanel dress and we must look like a power couple because virtually every head turns our way as we walk by.
Leo’s still in his black Gucci suit from the day, and damn, does he look good. His ass is perfectly showcased, and I swear, you can practically see his rippling muscles beneath the clean lines of the suit.
I'm still mad at him, though.
He moved all my things to his penthouse without even asking. I guess I’m basically living with him now, which is surreal. Not to mention awkward to reconcile in my mind considering what I used to dream of when I was a foolish girl.
We had one wild night, yes, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to move in with him full time.
Yes, I know it's for show and to keep this prostitution thing at bay, but I still have to be around him all the time now, and that makes my stomach knot up in nervous anticipation.
Leo’s not the kind of gu
y that you can just relax around. His looks and domineering presence make feel on edge and jittery in that butterflies swirling kind of way. Last night was explosive, and I can’t help but wonder if he’ll take things to that level again tonight? And I must still be somewhat of a fool because, God help me, I want him to.
He confidently leads me to our destination. His hand gripping tightly, possessively on my hip.
"Where are we dining?" I inquire.
"You'll see. It's somewhere that we can be on display."
He's sticking to his role pretty boldly.
I imagine this isn't much more to him than a facade to keep up appearances. In spite of my best efforts, though, my feelings are running deeper. I can't help but want to spend more time with Leo.
A part of me still cares for him deeply. But the wound of betrayal and abandonment is still there. It may be scarred over by now, but I’ll never forget how burned I got by straying too close to the flame that is Leo Asher.
I need to resist him at all costs.
"Your casino is really beautiful. You must be so proud," I say, trying to be nice and distract myself with small talk.
"It's a far cry from that dilapidated house I grew up in, right?" He grins cynically.
I'm surprised he would even mention that. His house and family were nothing great but that shouldn’t be a concern for him now.
His humble roots certainly never bothered me then. And yet I wonder if it bothers him.
"Your house? Oh yeah, well it's probably the inspiration for your success. I mean, Leo, you rose to the top, to the highest tier of society. You should be proud of that."
"I am," he says dismissively, his tone clearly shutting down any further discussion of it.
I take him at his word and try to forget about it, too.
The energy in the air in Vegas is always exciting. It's electrifying. The city never sleeps. And there are always any number of vices going on behind closed doors.
We get to the restaurant, and it's five-star high-class all the way. I should have known. Nothing less for this version of Leo Asher.
The Proposal Problem: A Billionaire Royal Hangover Romance Page 109
