The Billionaire's Betrayal (Highest Bidder Book 3)

by Carmen Falcone

  “Let me know how your mother’s doing.”

  Why don’t you come with me and see for yourself? He swallowed the bitter words, and simply nodded. Wasn’t fair to put this on Alexa. He shouldn’t have asked her to fill in for a girlfriend by going with him. She’d made it clear she wasn’t interested in a conventional relationship or commitment. Hell, she wasn’t conventional—and if he were to remind himself of that, maybe it wouldn’t hurt. He should cling to the problems that could arise from being seen with her rather than the amount of joy it gave him. But every damn day it became harder.

  He grabbed his shoes and slipped them on. For the first time, her rules for their relationship really fucking sucked.

  …

  “Honey. Can you please get me some water?” his mother asked, and Brooks grabbed the bottle from the counter and poured some in the plastic cup, then gave it to her.

  “Are you feeling better?” he asked. He’d been in Dallas for two days, and his mother remained in the hospital while they performed other exams to make sure she could go home. Her blood pressure had spiked, so her doctor switched the dosage and preferred to send her home after a clear improvement.

  “I feel better,” she said with a slow smile. “I’m happy you came. Vanessa said you were in Nevada.”

  “Yes. Of course I’d come.” He kissed the top of her head, and reality punched him in the stomach. How many more times would he be called? When would he get the dreadful call that the last person he cared for in his family had passed? Then he’d truly be alone. And the one person he wanted by his side refused to be with him.

  “Your father is arriving tomorrow. He went on a hunting trip in South Africa.”

  “Right,” he said tightly, barely moving his lips. He doubted his father had made this trip alone, but he’d never say it out loud. Throughout the years, his mother had had enough chances to leave his father, but had always stood by him. “Dr. Anderson said if your blood pressure is stable, we can have you home in a couple days.”

  “Good. I miss my cats. How’s Duke?”

  “Duke’s good,” he said, thinking of his dog. “I’ve been doing some traveling so my housekeeper took him to her house so he won’t be alone.”

  “That’s wonderful. Does the reason for this trip include a special someone?”

  He popped his knuckles. In a way, sure, it did—but what had taken him to Nevada had been to discover what had really happened to Pamela. Yet dragging his half sister into a conversation with his ailing mother felt wrong. His mother had always treated Pamela kindly, but from a safe distance. “Sort of.”

  “You should find a good woman to share your life with, son. I know you love what you do, but look for someone who enjoys the same things. Who makes you laugh. In the end, that’s all that matters.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders tensing up. A wave of sadness washed over him, and he wished he could change his mother’s life. She was still positive, even though her own husband wasn’t at her bedside when most needed. Married, but alone.

  His phone buzzed, and he scooped it from the side table where he’d placed it earlier.

  A text from Alexa.

  What’s your mother’s room number? When they’d spoken on the phone the previous day, she’d mentioned to him she wanted to send his mother some flowers. He’d forgotten to give her the room number in the hospital, with so many things in his head.

  He typed it and sat the cell back on the side table.

  A few seconds later, a knock on the door.

  “Vanessa must be back from running errands,” he said, and without much thought, opened the door.

  His breath caught in his lungs, and a wave of surprise slapped at him.

  Standing in front of him, Alexa held an elegant bouquet of white lilies and daisies. She chewed on her lower lip, clenching the flowers against her chest like a shield. Uncertainty flashed in her eyes. “I forgot to say I wanted to deliver these myself.”

  He closed the door behind him, still stunned. Currents of electricity charged through him, her presence alone awakening all his senses. “Thank you,” he said smoothly. “What made you change your mind?”

  “Jackie. She can be pretty convincing.”

  He made himself a mental note to send Jackie some expensive bourbon. He cleared his throat. What did her coming to Dallas mean for them? Was it a charity visit or did she really want to be linked to him, to meet his mother? “Are you ready to meet the lady who brought me into this world?”

  A light of anticipation brightened her eyes. “I’d like nothing more.”

  Affection filled his heart, making it flip foolishly in his chest. Why she had come didn’t matter. She came, and he’d make the most of it. He opened the door, and his mother perked up at his entering the room again, curiosity flashing in her gray eyes.

  “Who is it? Is Vanessa back? Did she get my magazines?”

  “Mom, meet a very dear friend of mine. This is Alexa. Alexa, meet my mom, Claire Taylor.”

  Alexa sat the flowers on the console and walked up to his mother with small but decisive steps. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Taylor.”

  His mother touched her hair, as if trying to fix herself up before going to an important appointment. “Oh darling…I didn’t know Brooks would bring someone. Come here, let me take a look at you.”

  Alexa wore a black blouse, with a white ruffle pattern in the middle, and a pencil skirt to match. She looked very classy and his mother probably agreed, judging by the way her gaze slid up and down Alexa with a growing smile. “How are you feeling?” Alexa asked. “Brooks told me you had quite a scare.”

  “Oh honey, I did. I’m on the mend now. But tell me about you. You’re gorgeous. Do you live in Dallas?”

  His mother smiled like someone had just announced she’d won the lottery. It dawned on him that he hadn’t brought someone for his mother to meet besides Adelaide.

  “No, I don’t. I’m from Nevada. I’m just visiting.” Alexa leaned closer to his mother, shoulders relaxed. Her gaze snapped at him, and a zingy energy passed between them, like there was something else she wanted to tell him. God. Could this work? Could they be in a relationship? Could he put his silly insecurities to rest? He couldn’t move to Nevada—not when his life, his work, his identity was so deep-seated in Texas. Would she be open to moving? Would it be fair to put her through the scrutiny of being a former madam on his turf?

  “Interesting,” his mother said, glancing at him. “Is that where you met my son? In Nevada?”

  A small bob slid down her throat. She peered up at Brooks, then focused on his mother again. “Yes,” she said, without offering further details.

  “Well, I’m glad. So sweet of you to visit me.”

  “Of course. Brooks was worried about you, and so was I.”

  “Thank you. Your visit means a lot,” Claire said, the meaning of those words neatly hidden. His mother peered at him with a happy expression. She probably assumed Alexa must be special for him to introduce her to her at the hospital. For her to know his mother had been sick. And for her to have flown from a different state to be by his side.

  His mother believed he was in a real relationship, and the idea probably made her feel good. Damn it, it made him feel good, too. If only it were true.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Alexa entered the hotel suite Brooks had been occupying. She tossed her overnight bag on one of the chairs, and barely noticed the lavish, modern, all-white decoration. After having spent a few hours visiting with his mother, relief relaxed her limbs. I’m glad I came.

  When he’d invited her to tag along, she’d been cautious. But, after much internal debate, she’d decided to go—wanted to. So what if they wouldn’t last? He needed her, and she needed to be by his side.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to sleep at the hospital?” she asked when he removed his shoes
then undid his buttons.

  “Yes. I slept there last night, and Vanessa is staying with her tonight.”

  She stepped toward the bed, glancing around the well-appointed interior. “Okay. I don’t mean to impose.”

  He bridged the gap between them and hugged her from behind. She melted into his embrace, and when he sighed on her shoulders, she followed suit. “I couldn’t be more pleased you came,” he said, his voice growly.

  A warm sensation surged through her, like they shared a stronger bond than either of them could admit. He’d needed her there, sure, but she needed this, this type of connection. Needed him, which scared the hell out of her. Needed him more than she allowed herself to understand.

  She turned around and faced him. The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver through her. “I’m pleased, too.” She stretched to her full height, bringing his head down, and when he tried to kiss her she nipped his upper lip, sucking it then releasing it with a pop.

  He grew hard against her, encouraging her to keep going. Excitement whispered beneath her flesh. She’d had him many ways—all ways. Yet never had she felt so naked in front of him, even if she hadn’t shared out loud how much she needed him.

  I need you. Three little words that set her heart on fire. She helped him peel off his shirt, and he made quick work of unzipping and pulling down his pants and boxers. She removed her clothes and lingerie, until they pooled at her feet. The moment she felt him bare against her, heat radiated from her chest.

  “You do things to me I never thought were possible,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. She encircled her hands around his head, kissing him, and soon he led her through the room.

  By the time they reached the bed, she tingled from top to bottom. He rolled on top of her, kissing her, sliding his hand down her ass to cup her cheeks. She mewled, caressing his shoulder blades down his muscly arms. He cupped her sex, his fingers scissoring her slick folds. Her blood pounded in her veins, hot and thick, lust making her dizzy.

  When he motioned to move, she wrapped her legs around him, urging him to fuck her, but instead of thrusting into her pussy like she hoped, he put his arm around her and brought both of them to a sitting position.

  Lost in the sexual haze, it took her a second or two to register she sat in his lap. They hadn’t tried that position before, and unlike the others, which they took turns being on top, now, they were equals. Partners. Lovers.

  Specks of gold flickered in the depths of his irises, and she didn’t miss the raw emotion behind them. Could it be happening? Could he be falling for her? Or were her senses on such high alert that she was imagining things?

  He rubbed the tip of his cock on her outer lips. Shivers ran down her spine, every part of her aching for him. She leaned into him, so close she felt his cock pulsating inside her. Now was his turn to tremble. Female empowerment swirled through her.

  Before she had the chance to bank on her power of seduction, he thrust inside her, and that glorious sensation of coming home, of belonging, shot through her very soul.

  She clenched her inner muscles, and he slid out a bit then returned with full force, repeating the sinful dynamic enough times to drive her crazy. His gaze pinned hers in place, powerful and enticing. Without taking his eyes off hers, he fucked her harder, slamming in all the way to the hilt, stretching her more than she could take.

  Soon, a hot tide of pleasure raged through her, and she let go, calling his name and digging her nails into his shoulders, desperate to brand him as much as he’d done her. She creamed his cock, pouring all of herself on him, sweat glistening her limbs. After a couple more hard thrusts, he released his load inside her, his body trembling, but his gaze still not wavering.

  They fell on the mattress in a delightful embrace. It took her several minutes to return to reality.

  She propped herself on her elbows and stared at him. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Just wondering. Do you have a long-haul plan for House of Alexa? Expansion, etc.?”

  Was he invested in her plans for the future or just making small talk? “Interesting question. I’m actually selling it in a few months,” she said, realizing he was the second person she’d shared her plan to leave with.

  He tilted his head to one side. “Come again?”

  “Early retirement from virgin auctioning. I’ve stopped scheduling auctions past the next few months to make sure Jackie is up for the challenge.”

  His eyes sparked with curiosity. “Then what?”

  “Starting again, somewhere new. I’ve been worried about having money for so long, and I now have enough to stop worrying, especially after we do the virgin male auction. I’ll live in Spain and do all the things I didn’t when I was hustling.” She also would help battered women, but the idea of talking about women in peril, given what had happened with his sister, brought bile to her throat. Now was not the right time.

  He rubbed his cheek. “Spain? Why?”

  Because I can begin again—and maybe this time, for good. A ripple of excitement and fear ran over her skin, giving her goose bumps. This time, she had to make it her last fresh start. She couldn’t handle meeting another man like Brooks only to let him go—she doubted she ever would meet anyone like him again. Her heart lurched. “I visited Spain on vacation and fell in love with the country, the food. I could see myself living there.”

  “Do you know someone there?”

  She swallowed. “I’ll be all alone.” Why did her voice sound so sad? Weeks ago, she would’ve notched up her chin and proudly congratulated herself for the foolproof idea. Now, as she shuffled on the bed, pretending to stretch her muscles but really, just restless and confused, she missed her old confidence. Or had it only been a mask? An invisible mask she’d put on for so long, she believed her own misrepresentations?

  “Is that what you really want? To have amazing experiences and no one to share them with?”

  His words echoed in her ears, as if she heard them for the first time. Until now, the idea has always seduced me. “I don’t expect you to agree with my choices,” she said, looking away, hating how defensive she sounded. He was pushing her, as she’d pushed him innumerable times, and damn it, he was right.

  “I’m trying to understand them, and why you sabotage yourself. I care for you, Alexa.” He crooked his finger under her chin, lifting it until their eyes met. “Do you care for me?”

  “Yes,” she said, before her common sense warned her not to.

  “Good. That’s a start, isn’t it?” He lifted her hand to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “Until you’re comfortable, I’ll take whatever I can get.”

  Her hand trembled in his. “What if I’m never comfortable?” she said out loud, enunciating each word to make sure they both understood. She licked her dry lips and swallowed down the fear. Did he mean he’d go with her as far as she wanted in the future? No one had ever made her such a proposal. She’d never let anyone close enough, granted, but she also didn’t get hurt. The plan to live abroad and become someone else wouldn’t hurt her if he suddenly woke up one day and realized he didn’t want to be linked to a madam.

  He kissed her hand, then pulled her closer, brushing his forehead against hers. “Then I’ll let you be.” She let out a sigh, unsure of which outcome would hurt her less in the end.

  …

  “All good?” Brooks fixed his mother’s pillow, and she nodded enthusiastically.

  In the morning, he’d brought her home, and Alexa had been with him every step of the way. What she’d said last night about quitting her job kept ringing in his ears. She’d be a lot safer, without dealing with unsavory types, and maybe he could convince her to move to Texas instead of Spain. Hell, they could vacation in Spain as much as she wanted. Maybe that would sway her—knowing he’d meet her halfway. He knew he’d have to take baby steps with her, but the gleam of hope was enough to put him in a good mood.


  “I’m so happy you came. Why do you have to leave tonight?” his mother asked.

  Vanessa had mentioned his father would arrive today, so he didn’t want to accidentally run into him. Besides, he needed to get his head straight and check back with Liam to see if there was a way to hire a hacker to get more intel about the man who’d purchased Pamela’s virginity. A part of him didn’t want to let go of that last lead to what happened—even though he questioned his own sanity in doing so.

  “I have some business to attend, Mom. But I’ll call you and check up on you. And if anything happens, Vanessa knows how to get a hold of me.”

  Alexa, who’d been sitting next to his mother, had brought her a stash of lifestyle magazines. Of course, his mother had liked her even better then.

  His mother faced Alexa. “How about you, dear? I hope I’ll be seeing more of you in the future,” she said, winking.

  “You never know.” Alexa smiled coyly. “I’ve been told I’m hard to get rid of.”

  “I sure hope that’s true. I keep telling Brooks I want to be alive to play with my grandbabies,” Claire said.

  “Mom, enough.” He lifted his hands in clear demand and she made a show of zipping her mouth. Alexa shrugged, flushed, probably done being badgered for the day. He mouthed, “sorry” to Alexa but she waved him off.

  “Hey, I was just—”

  The door swung open, and his father marched in, like a dark shadow. With his face set into hard lines, and more creases around his eyes than the last time Brooks had seen him, Craig huffed. “What’s going on here?” Craig Taylor gazed at Brooks before he focused on his wife. “I called and Vanessa said Brooks brought a damn prostitute to meet his mother.”

  “Take that back,” Brooks said between his teeth. Anger thundered through him, and he curled his fingers into a ball. Alexa withdrew, and his mother shifted her attention from his father to him and, finally, to Alexa.

  “Craig! Show the lady some manners. What are you doing storming in here like this—”