by Alexia Praks
“I won’t run away.” I confirmed. “I’ll live up to my end of the contract and, you, mister, better uphold yours as well,” I said firmly.
He straightened up. “Sounds good to me,” he replied.
I watched him with interest, my guard up.
“Follow me,” he instructed and then headed toward the living area.
I slipped off the barstool and followed him as he commanded. He led me into a spacious room that had a great view of the city below. The moment I saw the large, sleek glass desk and leather chair, I knew it was his office. He went to sit on the comfortable chair and powered on his laptop. I reluctantly stepped in farther as he turned his attention to me.
He must have noticed my low spirits. “Have you changed your mind?”
I reddened. Even though I was afraid and unsure of what I was doing, of what would happen after the contract was signed, of what he’d do to me, I wasn’t a coward. I wasn’t the type to turn tail and run.
“Of course not,” I stammered and marched to stand before him, refusing to show him how anxious I really was.
“Sit down. This won’t take long,” he said, nodding toward the sofa a few steps behind me.
I glanced behind and was reminded of the scenario of us together in his office back at his mansion yesterday. I hesitantly moved toward the sofa and took a seat. I was to become his mistress for five years. I knew mistresses performed nightly entertaining with their men, and by entertaining, I meant sex of course. But what else did a mistress do with her man? Oh God! I really hoped the sex thing wasn’t an every night session.
Suddenly, James’s statement from yesterday rang loud within my ears. I’d fuck you every night.
I swallowed hard, and my heart leaped with dread. But surely, it couldn’t be that bad, right? People enjoyed sex. There was pleasure in sex. But every night? Who’d have the energy for that?
The very question caused me to raise my eyes to the man who was to be my future lover. My master?
* * * * *
CHAPTER 16
Mia
The handsome man James Maxwell was busy typing away. There was that something about him I couldn’t put my finger on. No, I thought, he would never get tired of doing anything. Just look at him. He was a man in great health. He could definitely manage sex every night without even exerting that much energy.
My body shook a little at the thought, in both fear and anticipation. Fear because I was stepping into the unknown and anticipation because… because it was James.
I knew I was jumping to conclusions, of course. To put it bluntly, I was going to be Mr. James Maxwell’s mistress, his lover. That was all. There was nothing more to our relationship than that. All I had to do was give myself to him when he wanted me. Sex shouldn’t take long at all. A mere twenty minutes at most. I could definitely handle that. And James was very handsome and, thus far, had been nice to me. Yes, I confirmed to myself, I have nothing to fear.
“Is something wrong?” His deep timbre came my way.
I jolted out of my contemplation and blinked. “Huh?”
James cocked his head to one side. “Would you like to add anything to the clauses?”
I blinked. “The contract you mean?”
“Yes.”
I licked my lips. I didn’t know I was allowed to contribute to the clauses. But since he asked, I jumped at the chance. I smiled and nodded. “Yes, please.”
James laughed. “You like saying please, don’t you?”
I was taught to say please every time I asked for something. If I forgot, my aunt and uncle would slap me on the cheek to teach me to be polite. It was difficult to forget the lessons when one had that type of teachers and even more so when the lessons themselves were brutal and painful.
“What would you like to put in the clause?”
“Is the clause mainly regarding the two million or our relationship?”
With that question, a sly smile formed on his lips and a gleam appeared in his eyes. My response was immediate. He looked both dangerous and seductive at the same time, and my breath was caught at the back of my throat.
“Both,” he said.
I tried to calm my furiously racing heart, but it was difficult. I licked my lips and said, “I see.” Once I managed to calm myself, I took a slow, deep breath. Then I suggested, “Can I get weekends and state days off?”
I thought I was acting smart, but James laughed. When he finally managed to stop, he said, “This isn’t a normal work contract, Mia.”
I blushed. Of course I understood it wasn’t a normal work contract between an employer and an employee. But surely, I was entitled to my days off, too?
“I’m a busy man,” he said, matter-of-fact.
His blunt statement raised hope within me. Of course businessmen were busy people. They worked all hours of the day, and I would probably not see him most of the time, except for maybe weekends. The sex things would only likely happen once a week. The thought both pleased and disappointed me, and I didn’t know why.
“I see,” I said. “Of course.”
I raised my gaze and saw James watching me.
“Anything else?” he asked.
I shook my head, and he continued typing. I instead turned my gaze from him to the scenery outside. I watched the lovely view whilst he finished up our contract. It didn’t take him long, and once done, he walked over to me and handed me the papers he’d just printed.
I nervously took them. The thin pieces of paper were warm against my skin. I concentrated and read through the clauses. I was surprised there weren’t so many it made my eyes cross. To be honest, I’d never read a real business contract before, except for the one I’d signed before I started working as a kitchen hand back home. This particular one had both my name, Mia Donovan, and the billionaire, James Christopher Maxwell, on it.
I couldn’t help myself and glanced at the man before me, watching me closely with his expressionless face. I decided then the billionaire didn’t look like a Christopher. James? Yes. Maxwell? Definitely. But certainly not a Christopher. It didn’t suit him.
Returning my attention to the rest, I noted the words mistress, five years, two million dollars, and a whole lot of others I didn’t know or understand. I wondered if I should take it to a lawyer and have it clarified.
Suddenly, I heard a chuckle and glanced up. I blushed, knowing very well he found my lack of business knowledge amusing.
“Let me explain, Mia,” he said, taking a seat beside me, his arm brushing against me.
I straightened at the contact as he leaned closer. I could feel the heat from his body radiating out to me and breathed in his masculine smell. It was pure intoxication—they made my body weak.
“This clause here”—he pointed to the first—“simply states the agreement is between you and me.”
I nodded.
“The second is simply that in return for your service, of which the duration is five years, the two million dollars your brother owes me is annulled.”
I nodded again in understanding as I glanced down the long contract. “And the rest…”
“Clarifies the relationship between you and me,” he stated matter-of-fact.
“I see,” I said.
When he saw the sober look on my face, he suggested, “Do you want to read it a bit longer?”
I nodded immediately.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to sell you off to the Albanian,” he joked.
“Huh?” I couldn’t help myself and looked at him in confusion. What did the Albanian have to do with this?
He suddenly looked serious, as if he were troubled with something. “Once you’ve signed the contract, you’re mine, Mia. You’ll be safe. No need to worry about your and your brother’s safety after that.”
I licked my lips. It suddenly struck me he was right. Signing this contract meant James Maxwell would protect me and my brother from those men we’d seen last night. Was that the Albanian he was referring to? I had no id
ea who they really were, but I knew they were after Andy and me.
“Take your time,” he said and then headed out the door.
Alone, I returned my attention to the contract. It took me a few minutes to read through the whole thing one more time. The clauses also stated if I were to end my service as his lover before the five years was up, the two million would no longer be annulled.
“Shit!” The profanity flew from my mouth before I even had time to think. That meant I really had to stick with him the five years, and furthermore, I must respond to his requests whenever he wished.
I rested my head back and stared up at the ceiling, my heart now racing harder than ever. At least he didn’t state all the unpleasant stuff I had to do with him during sex. Just whatever he requested.
My eyes widened with horror. No. No. No. He definitely needed to clarify this part. What if he made me do those S&M type things? First off, I’d never even had sex before and didn’t even know how to please a man. I could never do S&M.
At lightning speed, I shot up from the sofa and rushed out the door.
“James?” I called out, my voice shaking—just a little.
I found him standing by the window, looking out at the scenery. With paper in hand, I headed to him and stood a few steps away, then held up the paper.
I knew my voice was shaking, but heck, I couldn’t help myself. My next five years depended on the words written on these papers. “You didn’t clarify the sex part,” I said weakly. “I mean… I mean…”
“Yes?” he prompted.
I cleared my voice. “I think I told you this yesterday. I’m a virgin. You know what that means, right?”
“Your point?” he queried.
I took a deep breath. “James, I haven’t a clue how to please a man. I mean, yes, I do know how a man and a woman have intercourse. You learn it through friends and classmates and reading and… You get the point?”
Suddenly, he laughed. “Yes, I get the point.”
I frowned. I doubted he got my meaning, and it was rather frustrating. “What I’m trying to say is there will be certain things I can’t do in the bedroom.”
“What are you afraid of, Mia?”
I knew I had to come clean. The first step to a good lover relationship was to be truthful at the beginning, before everything got too deep and complicated. I fisted my hands tight and said, “S&M!”
Silence descended upon us. My heart was still pounding ferociously when he said, “Why not?”
His words shocked me to my core. What? He had to ask me that? Had he no decency? Could he not understand most people had an aversion to S&M?
Suddenly, the sight of a belt and the sound of a leather strap swishing in the air was loud in my ears. The image of me when I was a young teenage girl being whipped into submission by my uncle flared bright within my mind. I paled and my body shook as I stared into space.
A pair of warm hands pulled me close. “Mia,” James called softly out to me.
I blinked and turned my gaze to him.
“I won’t make you do anything you don’t like,” he said. “Read the contract. It’s there, clause six.”
I blinked several times and then turned my gaze to the paper and searched for clause six, as he indicated. It did indeed say I didn’t have to do anything in the bedroom unless I felt comfortable doing so.
I raised my face to look at him and queried, just to confirm the statement, “I can refuse?”
“Yes and no. Before we do anything, I will ask for your consent. Of course, you can’t refuse the basics.”
“Huh?”
He laughed. “You’ll understand what I mean soon. Now then, are you ready to sign?”
I stared at the contract long and hard. Then slowly, I nodded.
“Okay, then.”
“Oh, wait. What about my brother? When will I see him? He’ll be released from this Matt person, won’t he?” I still sounded a little unsure, which was stupid, of course, because it clearly stated Andy would be released from his debt.
James watched me for a moment and then said, “You’ll see him tomorrow, and as for that last part, it’s up to Andy himself… and Matt.”
“What? Why is it up to that Matt person? It said in the contract that Andy’s debt would be annulled.”
“Yes, the debt will be annulled.” He confirmed.
“Good,” I said, nodding.
“Any more questions?”
I shook my head.
“Okay, then.” He turned on his heel and led me back into the office. There he made me sign the contract after him.
I was still concerned about my brother when I felt warm hands on the nape of my neck and the sudden heat of lips against mine.
I had only just signed the contract a mere second ago, and he was already taking action.
Shit! I hope he isn’t going to take me right now. Oh God! I wasn’t ready yet. I hadn’t mentally prepared myself. I was told the first time was truly painful.
Instantly, my body went stiff with fright. I didn’t respond to his kiss and stood as solid and cold as a statue.
A moment later, he withdrew. “That was disappointing,” he said.
I felt bad instantly. I failed at this seduction game on the first try. “Sorry,” I said. “You took me by surprise.” I lied. Actually, I was rather relieved he stopped suddenly.
I glanced up at him and saw in his eyes he knew I was lying. I felt sick at this revelation. Was he already regretting signing a contract with me? Me for two million? Yeah, I understood I wasn’t worth that much money.
“Never mind.” He turned and placed the contract into a nice folder and then slotted it on the shelf next to his other important documents. When he turned, he had a smile on his face that eased my guilt. “Shopping?”
“Excuse me?”
“I can hardly allow my mistress to walk around in ripped jeans and a borrowed shirt, can I?”
At this remark, I glanced down at myself and blushed. “It was your dog’s fault. You need to train that little beast properly, Mr. Maxwell.”
“I agree,” he said, coming around the desk. “Never mind about the stupid dog.” With that, he took me by the wrist and led me out the door.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 17
Mia
“Where are we going?” I felt the need to ask again as I stared at his large hand wrapped firmly around mine.
I had no idea why I found this man’s hands so fascinating, why I suddenly felt this overwhelming need to be touched and caressed by them. Why my core suddenly twisted and burned with desire so deep I felt weak. Only moments before, I was scared and my body became rigid when he kissed me, but now? Because of James’s gentle and warm touches? I blamed my body.
“Shopping,” he responded.
“Now?” I couldn’t help myself.
It wasn’t the fact that I didn’t like shopping. Heck, I’d like to shop until I dropped. There were heaps of clothing I’d like to try on and buy. But shopping was usually done with girlfriends, which I didn’t have, and doing this sort of fun stuff with James just didn’t seem right. There was also the fact that I didn’t have any money.
I pulled my wrist free from his clutch and stood there in the middle of the living room, watching him. He turned his gaze to me and cocked his head to one side.
“You don’t want to go shopping?” he asked.
I licked my lips. “I… not really,” I said. “I’d rather stay here and…” I gazed at him through my lashes.
I’ll admit I was a timid creature at times. It was my way to get people to understand me, to tell him what I wanted. It was a habit. I guess it was a way of saying, Please be nice to me. It had worked effectively in the past, and I was sure it would work with James now.
At this moment, I wanted to stay here and just relax. I was tired, both mentally and physically, and more importantly, I didn’t want to spend more time with him today because…
Heck, I wasn’t even sure my mind and body were wo
rking right whenever he was around. Yes, I was very tired; that was sure. After all, I’d only arrived in Los Angeles after a six-hour flight across America from New Hampshire. Furthermore, that few hours by bus and the hike up that steep hill to get to Mr. Maxwell’s mansion. Not to mention the drama with Mr. Maxwell himself, as well as with that hunk William and his men. All I wanted to do now was lie in that very comfortable king-size bed and sleep the day away and not think about anything—not Andy, not the two million, and definitely not Mr. James Maxwell.
James raised his eyebrows. “You want to stay here?”
I slowly licked my lips again and nodded. “Yes, please.”
“What the fuck are you doing to me, woman!” he growled roughly.
I blinked at the horrid statement and widened my eyes in shock. “Excuse me?” I uttered, confused.
Oh no, my coy tactic didn’t work with James, and I panicked, searching my brain for another way to appease him. He sounded pissed, and I certainly didn’t want that between us, especially now that our weird relationship had just started.
Within a flash, he caught my wrist, pulled me to him, and then scooped me into his powerful arms. Needless to say, I was both bewildered and even more shocked.
“James!” I shrieked. “What are you doing?”
He was heading upstairs now, taking two steps at a time, with me in his arms. “For God’s sake, woman, make up your mind. Your idea of consent is bloody confusing.”
I blinked again. Consent? What did he mean by that? Suddenly, it dawned on me when I saw him heading toward his bedroom.
I panicked. “James! Please put me down. I think you misunderstood me.”
He stepped across the threshold of the great bedroom and banged the door shut with his foot. He gently dropped me onto the king-size bed and then stood back.
