Her Lion Billionaire

by Lizzie Lynn Lee

  “Oh, I get it now. That explains the odd last names. Is she dating someone right now?”

  “Anika is always dating someone. I heard she’s dallying with a Spanish actor at present. She just returned from the Bahamas with her new paramour last week.”

  Charlotte thought about it for a moment. “Do they—her exes—know about your family secret? Are they Netherworlders too?”

  “Her first husband, Alexander Ruis, is one of us, but he belongs to another pride. It has become an unspoken rule among us that we don’t disclose our condition to humans.”

  “I’ve never met another Netherworlder besides you. Are there… plenty of them out there?”

  “Not as many as humans. I’d say it pales in comparison. If I’m calculating it right, it’s approximately three percent of the world’s population.”

  “Three percent, huh? That’s a lot.”

  “I agree.” Daniel ate the last bite on his plate. “Now, are you ready for dessert?”

  “What’s for dessert?”

  “Traditional wagashi, Japanese sweets. I had someone pick up some peach mochi from Minamoto on Madison Avenue. They’re really fresh.”

  “I didn’t know there was such a place here.”

  “New York is a melting pot for many cultures; one can find anything in this city. You just have to look for it.”

  The mochi was sweet, delicate and bursting with fruity flavor. It was made from rice flour dough with peach flavored red bean paste. Charlotte savored every morsel. She could eat the whole tray for breakfast, lunch and dinner and never get bored.

  “So,” Daniel began. “Shall we talk business?”

  “Yeah. The answer is no. But I don’t mind if we stay as friends as long as you invite me for sushi and mochi now and then.”

  “Ah.” Daniel tapped his fingers on the table. “Regretfully, I don’t take no for an answer. I want you as my woman. We can do it the easy way or the hard way.”

  “How about the semi-easy hard way?” she joked.

  Daniel leaned over his plate. “I’ve never pursued anything half-heartedly, Charlotte. I’ve always known what I wanted since a very young age. I want you as mine, no matter what it takes. If I must climb a mountain and swim an ocean to get you, I’ll do it. I believe we are meant to be together.”

  Charlotte paused. The half-chewed mochi in her mouth suddenly tasted bland. She swallowed. Was that a trait of an alpha? How Neanderthal, considering this day and age. Why didn’t he just select a woman, club her and then drag her into his cave? Wait… that was what he was trying to do with her. “You can’t just expect somebody to fall for you like that. I don’t even love you.”

  “Then I’ll make you fall in love with me.”

  “Don’t you think you’re coming on a bit strong?”

  “You didn’t give me a chance to play subtly. You’re impervious to my seduction; you even bolted in the middle of our conversation.”

  “You tried to get me into your car. My grandma told me never to get into a car with a stranger.”

  “But I’m not a stranger. We’ve met before, and we’ve shared an intimate premonition. Do you not remember?”

  Her face heated. Damn. How could she forget so fast? It was too embarrassing.

  “You’re blushing,” Daniel noted. “How cute. Is being with a man something new to you?”

  Charlotte gave him the evil eye.

  He laughed. “Delightful. Now that you know my intention, I will bring up my next point. It’s about your gift—”

  “Curse.”

  “What you have is a gift, Charlotte. Do you always get premonitions when you touch someone?”

  She shook her head. “That only happened with you and my Grandmaman. When I touch a person, I usually get a flashback about that person’s past, or I’ll be dream-walking into it when I sleep. Never the future.”

  “Is that why you always avoid being touched?”

  “People might think knowing what goes on inside a person’s mind is fun, but trust me, it’s not. Sometimes, it’s downright disturbing.”

  “I have a theory that your intolerance to close contact can be neutralized.”

  Charlotte listened to him with great interest.

  “As we know, humans are the sole owners of their bodies, while people like us share it with another host. In my case, I share mine with a lion spirit animal. For us to co-exist in harmony, I have to channel my feral self from time to time. I shift. I hunt. I groom myself in my lion form…”

  The image of lion Daniel licking his paw popped into her mind. She found it amusing. Does he cough up hairballs too? Like a cat. After all, a lion is a feline.

  “If I don’t embrace and nurture it, the balance is disrupted, and it makes it harder to control my power. I could shift at inconvenient times. Imagine that I transformed in the middle of an important meeting. It’s not only that I’d create panic, but also I’d jeopardize the safety of my family.” Daniel paused. “In your case, I believe that since you rarely embrace your other side, your power is pent up and becomes very sensitive. A mere touch can make you intrude into others’ dreams whether you want it or not. You should be the one who has control over your power, and you should never let your power take control of you.”

  It made sense. Everything he said was true. She’d never thought about it that way before. “What do you suggest?”

  “Have a partner to release your excess power. Touch me. Let me absorb it. When you reach balance and harmony within you, I believe you should be able to live a normal life.”

  Charlotte frowned in deep thought.

  Daniel titled his head slightly. “What do you say?”

  “You make everything sound so simple.”

  “I offer you a solution that will benefit both of us.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Daniel weighed her words and slowly shook his head. “Not good enough for me. You’ll run and avoid me. I need your word and proof that you’ll always stay by my side.”

  Charlotte frowned a bit. “What kind of proof do you need from me?”

  He didn’t answer her immediately. Brow arched, the look on his face told her that she already knew the answer.

  She blinked. Her heartbeat raced.

  That thing.

  Sex?

  Ah. She flustered like crazy.

  A phone rang and broke the tension. It wasn’t her phone. She’d left her cell in the guestroom.

  “Excuse me.” Daniel got up and answered the landline by the kitchen counter. “Daniel speaking.” He paused. “I specifically instructed you that I shouldn’t be bothered at this hour. Especially now.” He listened some more then covered the mouthpiece. “Would you excuse me for a few minutes? I have an urgent call to tend to. Business.”

  “Oh. Don’t worry. I’ll just mosey around there.” Charlotte pointed at the living room.

  “It won’t take long.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  While Daniel returned to the caller, Charlotte got up and walked around the parts of Daniel’s house she hadn’t yet seen. While she was admiring the collection of paintings on the walls, she thought of what kind of answer she should give Daniel. She was tempted to say yes; she’d longed to live a normal life.

  But did it have to be intimacy for her to take the first step toward healing?

  She thought of Daniel’s good looks, his wealth and his power.

  Was it okay for a nobody like her to be with someone like him?

  Is it really okay for a freak like me to date a man who shines like the sun?

  She wished that Daniel would let her take small steps towards opening herself to him. Love and intimacy were things that she didn’t even dare to dream about before she met Daniel. She didn’t even realize how pathetic and lonely she was until just now.

  One step.

  It would only take one step for her to walk from the shade into the bright, fuzzy light.

  She wanted to bask in the rays of morning light, but wh
y was she scared of taking the first step?

  Engrossed in deep thought, Charlotte didn’t realize she’d meandered into the guestroom. She met a young man dressed from head to toe in black livery as she was about to enter.

  “Good evening, Ms. Winters.” The man inclined his head politely. “I’ve just finished carrying your luggage to your new room.”

  “My new room?” What the hell is he talking about? “Who are you?”

  “Pardon me for not introducing myself. I’m Arthur. I’m Mr. Addington’s butler.”

  Butler. Daniel had a butler. How freaking frou-frou. She shouldn’t have been surprised.

  Wait. What did he say? “I don’t have any luggage. It’s just my purse.”

  “Mr. Addington ordered me to pack your necessary belongings from your apartment and bring them here.”

  “Daniel did what?” A soft cluck sounded from a nearby table. She strode toward it to investigate. She found Silkie—her pet chicken—housed in a small wire cage with fresh hay bedding. “What’s she doing in here?”

  Arthur adjusted his glasses. “Mr. Addington instructed me to bring your pet as well. I had to stop at Petco to get a temporary cage. I wasn’t sure what to get. I hope this is suitable to accommodate the bird for a few days. Once I’ve ordered the more appropriate one, I’ll make the switch.”

  Charlotte pulled her hair in frustration. She wasn’t a confrontational type of person, but she felt like she almost lost it with the butler. Arthur was only doing his job. It was Daniel whom she should direct her anger towards.

  Without a word, she grabbed Silkie from her cage and then snatched her purse before she brushed past the butler, marching towards Daniel to give him a piece of her mind. Who does he think he is? Why does he think it is okay for him to do this kind of stuff, as if I’ve already agreed to become his woman?

  Or would you rather go back into the dark corner again? a part of her reminded with a reproachful tone.

  Charlotte stopped in her tracks.

  It’s easier to run than to face challenges.

  So true.

  But she wasn’t ready. She needed more time, and she had to tell Daniel that.

  Daniel was still talking on the phone when she got to the kitchen. Her irritation returned. That man had stolen a kiss from her, and now he’d moved her into his house as if she’d agreed to everything.

  He glanced at her and his expression changed.

  She was scowling.

  He talked quickly and disconnected. He padded towards her.

  “Mind explaining what’s going on here?” Charlotte demanded.

  “Ah.” Daniel smiled at the chicken, totally ignoring her. “Hello, there. You are much prettier in person.”

  Silkie clucked as he stroked under her beak.

  Charlotte’s scowl deepened at her pet. “Why you little traitor…”

  “Don’t blame her. Silkie thinks I’m a friend. I’m good with animals.” Daniel straightened his tall posture.

  His powerful build intimidated her more than she could admit.

  “We haven’t finished our conversation. I was going to tell you that I’m taking the liberty of bringing your pet here because of our tight schedule.”

  “What schedule?” Charlotte asked suspiciously.

  He spread a hand. “Why don’t we talk more comfortably? Let’s retire to the drawing room and continue our negotiation.”

  She found herself being herded obediently.

  Wait, I’m supposed to be mad at him.

  Daniel smiled charmingly and her defenses crumbled.

  Damn. It’s not fair. How could I not fall for that? Why does he have to be so good-looking?

  Charlotte picked a seat at the end of a sofa. Daniel took his across by the fireplace. As soon as she put Silkie on her lap, the traitorous little chicken flapped her wings, hopped onto the coffee table and sprinted toward Daniel.

  Gah! Charlotte muttered in silence. Even a chick couldn’t resist his charms. No pun intended.

  Silkie clucked softly when Daniel petted her.

  “Where were we?” Daniel began, recollecting. “Right. You’re about to give your word that you won’t run from me. That you’ll always stay by my side.”

  “And what do I get in return?” she asked.

  “Everything your heart desires.”

  Charlotte was about to open her mouth, but Daniel cut her off.

  “Except that,” said Daniel.

  “Do you even know what I’m going to say?”

  Daniel tilted his head slightly. “You want me to stop pursuing you. Forgive me, I cannot do that. I will give you everything you want as long as it is within my power, except letting you go.”

  Charlotte fell into silence. “Then I’m going to ask you to respect my boundaries. You’re taking this too fast—it’s scary.”

  Daniel thought for a second. “Understood.”

  “Don’t do stuff without asking my permission.”

  “Hmm?”

  “What does that mean—hmm?”

  “If you mean chickennapping your pet, it was done. It had to be done.”

  “What do you mean by it had to be done?”

  “I have an important business meeting tomorrow in Seattle. You will accompany me there. We’ll depart early, six A.M., so it will be easier on our schedule if you sleep here tonight and have everything already prepared. Since we’ll be travelling in my personal Gulfstream, we can bring Silkie on board without having to go through all those restrictions about animals and carriers.”

  “Wait a minute. This doesn’t make sense. I have to go to work tomorrow.”

  “That won’t be necessary. As of today, Addington Enterprises became Graynor’s biggest client. Your company will supply sixty percent of our paper needs. Think about the spike of revenue Graynor will see in the next quarter. Your boss couldn’t be more pleased, and it’s all thanks to you. Naturally, missing a few days of work won’t be a problem for you.”

  Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “In other words, if I decline coming with you, you’ll cancel the account at Graynor?”

  The smile on his face widened. “There’s no reason to do such a thing, don’t you think? My company looks forward to a long partnership with Graynor.”

  “This is blackmail!” She was enraged. “What gives you the right to mess around with my life?”

  “Simple—because I’m your mate.”

  There was a finality in his tone that made her pause. No amount of protest would make him change his mind. Mate. It was like that status changed the hierarchy of people she should give shit about in her life. He was more important than her family, her boss, or the President of the United States of America. Before she could think of something to say in rebuke, someone rapped on the drawing room door.

  “I’m very sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Addington. The London office is on line three. It’s an emergency,” said a middle-aged woman in a conservative fashion. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Black rimmed glasses. Severe black skirt suit that screamed she lived and died for bureaucracy.

  Addington didn’t look happy. “Excuse me. Let me handle this so we can have an uninterrupted conversation afterward,” he said to Charlotte. He got up and snatched the receiver from the counter.

  The woman acknowledged Charlotte with a nod and left.

  Just how many people live in this apartment? Charlotte wondered. It seems Daniel’s daily life isn’t just fun and games. But, whatever. I don’t want to sign up for this.

  She grabbed Silkie and plotted her escape. If she couldn’t reason with him, she’d just avoid him. Avoiding people was what she did best.

  Charlotte saw her chicken had left a dropping on Daniel’s expensive sofa, and somehow it delighted her. Hah. That’s what you get for kidnapping my pet. Good girl, Silkie!

  She went to the room and put Silkie in her cage. She grabbed her purse and sneaked toward the foyer. Daniel must have bought more than one unit in this posh building, and the layout of the place rather co
nfused her. She managed to find the way to the front door, but to her surprise, it was locked. There was no key in sight. Daniel had employed a sophisticated security system that required no actual key. She had to swipe a card and enter a password on the keypad, which she didn’t have.

  Just peachy.

  Charlotte looked around but there was no one in sight. Not even Daniel’s sister was around. Had Anika left while they were having dinner?

  Suddenly, she heard a low growl.

  Big animal. Beastly.

  Lion?

  She paused. Crap. She walked fast toward the foyer again, and before long, she was faced with the big beast himself. Lion. Male lion. Huge. And he didn’t seem very happy.

  Somehow, she knew who he was. The very same lion she had seen in her vision.

  Daniel.

  She half-expected she’d get scared because she was facing a ferocious beast which was twice the size of a regular lion. She did get scared, but it was because he’d caught her sneaking out, not because he was a carnivorous six-hundred-pound animal.

  Without thinking, she turned around and raced towards the guestroom. Lion Daniel was at her heels. He pawed at the door before she could slam it on him. She absentmindedly dropped Silkie’s cage, and it hit the floor with a loud clank. The bantam chicken shrieked and thrashed her wings on the bars. The cage door opened and Silkie jumped out, hopping over the lion and scampering out of the room.

  Charlotte stepped backward and tripped over an ottoman. She fell, butt first, and sprawled on the floor. The lion stalked closer. Remembering something, she crammed her hand into her purse and yanked out a plastic bag. It contained fresh catnip that she had got for the landlord’s cat. She ripped the bag and scattered it in front of the lion’s face.

  She’d seen Miss Muffin, the landlord’s pet cat, go nuts from it. Since a lion was in the feline family, she thought the herb would have an effect on Daniel.

  The lion sniffed it and sneezed. He gave her a look as if to say, “What the hell?” He sneezed again, followed by a sound as if he was laughing—if a lion was capable of laughter.

  The big beast before her began transforming into a human. Face, body, and the tail was the last to vanish.

  Good lord, he was naked!

  She knew good manners, but for some strange reason, she couldn’t look away.