Brad hangs up the phone and paces around the room, fuming. Who would do something like this? He wonders what he did to deserve this mess. Was it the woman he snubbed at the cocktail party last month because of her annoying laugh? Was it someone who he took home for a night?
He’s had many women wanting to come back for more, and he’s had to ignore them or hire someone to tell them to leave him alone. He knows he’s played it safe and there’s no one, that he knows of, that he’s gotten pregnant.
Maybe it was that dark-haired woman down in the lounge trying to entrap him, and she’s pissed he didn’t do anything with her. Goddamn escorts. He should have known they spell trouble.
Brad takes a cold shower and breathes deeply, trying to calm down. He knows he needs to trust his lawyer. He imagines himself on the island for a year, thinking that may not be a bad thing after all. What about Jane, though? How would he explain this to her? She would lose interest in him for sure.
He gets out of the shower, gets dressed, and looks in the mirror.
“You can’t stress about it, man. You’ve dealt with worse things before. Get yourself together. It will sort itself out,” he tells himself, “it always does.”
He wears a white, cotton shirt, buttoned down and flowing over his dark pants. He’d pick up his tie and jacket later before they went out to the event tonight.
He walks out the door and past Jane’s room, putting his ear to the door and hoping to hear her again. Sure enough, he hears the whirring of the vibrator.
Oh God, she’s a horny sexy woman! I can’t wait to rub my paws and body all over her, thinks Brad.
He hears her moaning again, but this time more intensely as she screams, “Uhhhhhhhh… fuck me, Brad. Just fuck me.”
He imagines her body shaking and gyrating from coming, her tits jiggling and her back arching as she plays with herself. He wishes he could go in and kiss her belly to turn her on even more and make her come five times in a row. God, he wants to give it to her. His cock is so hard just thinking of her.
One of the hotel staff comes onto the floor bringing fresh linens to Brad’s room. Brad walks away toward the stairwell, pretending he’s not being creepy in front of Jane’s door. He presses up against the wall to catch his breath. What that woman does to me! Fuck. I’m totally under her spell, he thinks, feeling hot, sweaty, and wild. He has to shake his head to get it together and walk calmly down to the restaurant to start working again.
“Mr. Halliwell,” says the front desk manager.
“Yes, what is it?” Brad says impatiently.
“Sorry to disturb you, sir, but the woman you met yesterday in the, umm, hot tub,” he says reservedly. “She wanted me to give this to you.”
He hands Brad an envelope.
“Thank you, sir,” Brad says politely.
Fucking women. Who the hell do I trust these days? They seem to be grabbing me left, right and center, and yet, the only one I want is Jane and she’s too precious to hurt.
He opens up the envelope and inside finds a notecard. He lifts it up, and there is a room key with a note that says, ‘Wanna share some more hot times together? Come on up tonight and I’ll give you more. No clothes required.’ A picture of her looking like a pin-up is included.
Brad looks at the nude picture, and she is hot. He would fuck her in any other circumstance—if he hadn’t developed feelings for Jane.
What if she’s the one setting him up? He’s never seen her on the island before. His mind starts racing, wondering who to trust.
He throws the key and picture into the garbage and walks over to the front desk.
“Excuse me, again, but do you know who that woman is? The one who gave me the note,” he asks the front desk manager.
“Oh yes. She’s new here. She is from one of the top women’s pin-up magazines in the States, Hot Mamas. The publisher recommended she come here to get away from the stress of the world.
The fact that she is a nude model for the pin-up magazine doesn’t phase Brad, it’s that she’s working for Todd Harvey, the asshole Brad has had an ongoing conflict with all his life.
Todd had tried to frame Brad before, trying to destroy him by getting him drunk to the point where his defenses were down. Brad had an orgy with four other nude models and had the time of his life—until the next day when there were photos everywhere in one of Todd’s dirty mags, bringing public humiliation to Brad. The worst part was that Brad couldn’t sue Todd because of journalistic freedom laws.
“That bastard,” says Brad under his breath. He walks away and goes back to the garbage can to grab the key to her room. He has no idea what he’s going to do, but he’s going to get to the bottom of this and nip it in the bud once and for all.
Chapter 40
Jane is still shocked at hearing from John that Brad has a habit of entertaining upper class escorts here all the time.
She tries to just focus on her career. If there’s something she’s going to get out of this trip, it will be contacts for when she goes back to New York. Whatever this sick man is up to isn’t her business. Yes, she feels hurt, terribly hurt, but she knows she can get over it. She is thankful she hasn’t slept with him yet.
She puts on the black tutu with gemstones and wraps the corset around her body, lifting up her breasts to make them look bigger than they are. She feels more determined and badass than before, and ready to take control of her life and destiny.
Forget this Brad Halliwell and his sick games. She’s going to take this opportunity by the balls and finally get her just desserts in this world.
All those people who think of Jane as nice, plain, sweet, and kind can go fuck themselves. It hasn’t served Jane very well anyway, and in fact, has trapped her in circumstances of being used and betrayed.
She has no time for this shit. If Brad wants upper class escorts, then let him have them. Jane has more decency than that. After tonight, she’s going to tell Brad exactly what is on her mind. She has nothing to lose. He can have his goddamn million dollars.
Jane struts out of the hotel room and walks with determination through the front lobby and into the ballroom to practice her moves before tonight. She goes in and gets all her anger out.
Turning quickly and with sharp edges, she falls, kicks, and turns, letting out all of her steam. After 30 minutes of letting it all out, she falls to the ground and starts sobbing.
I was fucking falling in love with him. How fucking dare he. How dare he do this to me? He lied to me and he’s a pig. I’m so fucking stupid. Stupid, nice Jane thinking she can live out some stupid fairy tale without a price. I’m going to show that bastard. He’s not going to get the best of me. He’s got a serious wakeup call coming.
Jane sobs and sobs and eventually settles onto the floor, exhausted and curled up. All she can hear is the lapping of the waves coming in through the open windows of the room. They are lulling her back to calmness. Her new friend, John, is outside and sees her through the glass. He rushes in to see what’s wrong.
“Jane. Jane!” he says, kneeling down and urgently rocking her to see if she’s okay.
“Leave me alone,” she says.
“It’s me, John. What’s wrong?” he says, his hand on her shoulder.
She rolls onto her back and sees his kind and gentle face. He sees the tears dried up on her cheeks and her eyes swollen and dewy.
“My gosh, Jane,” he says with concern. “What’s happened?”
“I can’t talk about it. I just can’t. It’s too painful,” she says.
“Come on. I don’t care. What’s happened?” he says, showing his friendship. “Is it Brad?”
“Kind of. It’s more about what you said about him,” she explains. “That he gets upper class escorts. I’m not one of those women, I swear. I just… just… don’t know, though, if that’s what he wants me to be.”
She starts sobbing again and John holds her closer so she can cry on his shoulder.
“There, there, let it out. You’re going to be o
kay. I know you’re not one of those girls. I was kind of joking with you, and I didn’t mean to imply anything,” he says re-assuredly.
“But, oh God, John, I can’t even admit this to myself. There’s something embarrassing I have to tell you,” she says, afraid to go any further.
“What is it? I really won’t judge you, Jane. You need someone to talk to.”
“He… oh God… he asked me to come here for a week and he’s giving me a million dollars. I mean, stupid me, right? Of course he’s asking me to be an upper class escort.”
“Have you had sex with him?” John asks matter-of-factly.
“Heavens no, I’m still a virgin. Though, we seem to keep getting closer. I’m afraid I’m going to make the biggest mistake of my life.”
“Well, did he say you had to have sex with him?” pries John.
“That’s the weird thing. He keeps saying I don’t have to do anything I’m not comfortable with, but I feel I’m being tricked into it. Every time we’ve come closer, I’ve said no, and he stops immediately. He doesn’t pressure me,” she recounts. “It’s actually pretty nice. But I’m so confused!”
“Okay, Jane, I’m going to give you some insight, okay, and take it for what it’s worth. The kind of escorts I’ve seen Brad come with are pretty obvious about what they are hired for. They don’t usually stay for a week with him here. They come for overnight and then leave.
“Sometimes, his buddies surprise him with a ‘gift’ of one of them. Sometimes he gets us to arrange this for him, but it’s only for overnight. Even the other night, rumor has it, there was a woman that a friend of his hired in the restaurant, and he refused.
“Seriously. He refused her. That has never happened, so the fact that he hasn’t pressured you to have sex, the fact he is refusing an easy lay, and the fact he has you here for a week with no strings attached says something to me. I think he’s got bigger feelings for you.”
Jane listens to everything he says and takes it in. She is now able to see a brighter picture of Brad, and feels a bit flattered that she may be capturing his heart, and someone else sees it. She sits up.
“So John, what you’re telling me is that Brad is perhaps a pig, but that I may actually be capturing his heart like no one else has?” Jane says with bright eyes.
“Well, yes, I guess that is what I’m saying,” John responds, feeling a bit confused about whether he’s making the right impression.
Jane jumps up and looks at John. She starts laughing with joy. “Oh my God, is it possible a billionaire is falling in love with me?”
John is sort of stunned and not sure what to say, other than, “Go for it, sister. You’ve got nothing to lose, really.”
She hugs John. “Oh, thank you so much. I’m so glad I talked to you. Could you imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t?”
Chapter 41
At five p.m., Jane walks to the hotel lobby to meet Brad. She has the overcoat wrapped around her outfit, so she does not reveal too much. Brad sees her, and his breath is taken away
“Wow, you look beautiful! I can’t wait to see what’s underneath that coat,” he says, whispering into her ear and kissing her on the cheek.
Jane blushes and feels the tenderness of his lips.
“It’s amazing what happens to you when you get all dressed up, Jane. You look like a completely different person—more you. At least, what I’ve met of you,” he acknowledges.
Jane reaches over to his tie and does it up a little bit more. “Well, the same can be said of you, handsome. I love this silver tie on you. It’s stunning,” she says.
“Here, reach into my pocket and see what’s in there,” he says.
“Oh, that old trick?” Jane smiles.
“No, really, there’s something special in there for you,” he assures.
Jane reaches in lightly and feels a thin, dangly item. She pulls it out and it’s a gorgeous, silver, diamond and multi-gemstone necklace.
“It’s for you, to match your outfit,” he says, clasping it on for her. “It sparkles like your eyes,” he adds.
She looks up and stares into his eyes. She feels the genuine love coming from him and can’t believe she doubted his intentions.
“Brad, I have to tell you something. I feel a bit embarrassed about it,” she tries to explain.
Brad wonders what it is she would need to tell him. Is she embarrassed about playing with herself and screaming out his name, or that she uses the vibrator every day? He imagines all the naughty things she could tell him that would be their own little secrets.
“Well, I found out some things about you and it made me doubt being with you anymore. I was ready to run away tomorrow, tell you to keep your million dollars, and send me back home.”
“Oh, Jane, what did you hear?” Brad asks, thinking it was about the insane news that will be leaked tomorrow in the headlines. His anger starts building up in him again just thinking about it. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it is a lie.”
“Well, I heard that you frequently bring escorts here. I thought you were seeing me that way, and that I was a fool for believing in you,” Jane says, starting to tear up.
Brad is shocked she has found this out, and he doesn’t know what to say. Now he’s the one feeling embarrassed.
“Then, I found out you have never done this with anyone before, bringing someone here for a week with no demands, I mean. Luckily, I realized that this means I am someone special in your life,” she says.
Brad is relieved that she sees it this way. He really doesn’t ever want her to run away from here or think he’s just using her.
“You are, Jane. You really are, and the more I am getting to know you, the more my heart is yours. You are like no one I have ever met, even my first girlfriend who I was madly in love with.”
“Well, I’m still a bit uncomfortable with the fact you hire escorts. It makes me nervous that I won’t ever be able to satisfy you. You know, because I’m a virgin, and they have more experience.”
“Jane, please don’t worry yourself about that. What will happen between you and I will be something special, so meaningful, and not empty like those others. I know you have desires for me, Jane. I overheard you in your room yesterday.”
Jane widens her eyes, horrified that she could be heard at all, but especially by him.
“Oh my God, what did you hear?”
He puts his arm around her shoulders.
“Enough to know that you want to fuck me,” he whispers in her ear.
The way he says it makes her feel so natural and accepted. It shows he doesn’t think any less of her for having those feelings.
“Well, for the record, I want to fuck you, too,” he says gently and smiles, placing his hand on her ass and stroking it lightly.
Jane leans into him and lets herself be held without fear. She can hear the slight pulse of his heart and feels more connected to him than ever.
The driver of the limo pulls up and opens the door for them.
“Good evening, sir,” the driver says to Brad.
“Good evening, Sam,” Brad responds.
“And who is the fine lady with you this evening?” asks Sam.
“Fine she is. This is Jane Bryden,” Brad says proudly.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Bryden. Can’t say I’ve met anyone who’s been able to light up Mr. Halliwell’s life like this before,” Sam smiles.
“It’s true, Sam,” Brad says, pulling Jane in closer. “She’s a true gem.”
They get into the limo and start driving to the event. She checks that the privacy window is up before she speaks.
“Honestly Brad, I keep hearing mixed reviews about you. Are you that much of a curmudgeon when I’m not around?” Jane asks.
“Ha! Well, I suppose so. Guess I’ll have to have words with a few people for ratting me out,” Brad says jokingly.
Jane leans into Brad. “Please don’t do that. They did it out of concern for me. May I kiss you?” she asks him.
“Yo
u never need to ask,” Brad replies, pulling Jane closer to him.
She pushes her lips against his and kisses the top lip, then the bottom, and opens her mouth to kiss him deeply. A rush of tingles runs through her body. She feels she could be there all night, making out in the back of the car. Her body presses up against his, her tits press into him, and she straddles his leg.
“I love your hot pussy against me,” he says. “I want your smell on me all night long.”
They spend the rest of the ride making out in the back. When they arrive, Sam opens the door. Jane has made herself back up at this point, as if nothing has happened.
“Here were are, sir,” Sam says.
“Yes, I can see that. A little sooner than I would have liked,” Brad muttered to himself.
They step out of the limo toward a gorgeous, glass house. As they make their way over, Jane feels nervous, unsure if they will like her or if she will fit in. She grabs on to Brad’s hand for strength.
“What a beautiful home. I hope your friends will like me,” she says.
“I hope you will like my friends. That is my bigger concern,” Brad says with a smile, and kisses her cheek. “You’re just fine the way you are.”
Chapter 42
Brad and Jane walk into the place. Immediately, people come up and surround Brad with handshakes and hugs. Jane is on the side, not wanting to take up too much space or interfere. Brad notices she is shying away and reaches over to introduce her.
“Hey everyone, this is Jane Bryden. She is our special guest dancer tonight. You will not be disappointed,” he announces.
A few people welcome Jane, and the woman who owns the house helps Jane with her overcoat.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jane. Brad has spoken so well of you. Thank you for joining us,” the woman speaks with very proper English. “My name is Mary,” she says, reaching out her hand. It is cold, fragile, and thin.
“Nice to meet you,” Jane says, feeling a bit awkward.
“Have you ever been to this island before?” asks Mary.
Protecting Her Heart Page 77
