Chained to You (Bounded and Contracted #1; Dark Billionaire #1-2)

by Alexia Praks

  Where am I? I asked myself.

  I noted the sun was just setting on the west side of the room. The orangey glow gave out a most beautiful picture of the city.

  I groaned and wondered why I felt so tired. Then everything came back. The hard sex I’d had with James today.

  Wait. Was it still today? I bit my lip, and my mind quickly flicked to my brother. I was supposed to see him today. Had we missed the appointment?

  I turned over, and that was when I realized I was naked and my long hair was damp. I made myself sit up, my body protesting wholeheartedly, screaming in pain.

  “Hey,” came the masculine voice at the door.

  I widened my eyes at the handsome man standing there. James had a smirk about his face that made my belly tingle.

  “Hi,” I managed. I felt my mouth was as dry as dust and I was thirsty as hell.

  “Hungry?”

  I nodded and added, “And very thirsty.”

  “I’ll get you something to eat and drink before we go.”

  “Huh?” I queried, still a little confused.

  He cocked his head to one side. “That’s if you’re up to seeing your brother.” He smiled, a humorous spark in his Prussian-blue eyes. “That’s if you can walk.”

  I blurted out immediately, “I can walk.”

  I lied, of course. At that moment, I had no idea whether my legs would support me or not. I had no idea sex was so intense. But heck, I wanted to see my brother. I wanted to make sure he was really okay and this Matt person hadn’t yet murdered my brother for the sake of his fun.

  “Can you?” he questioned as if he doubted my statement.

  I frowned. “I can walk,” I declared.

  He folded his arms over his chest and leaned himself lazily against the doorframe, awaiting proof of my claim.

  I bit my lip for a moment, praying my legs wouldn’t make a fool out of me. Then I flung off the bed sheet. I regretted it the moment I did, as my naked body flashed before my eyes and undoubtedly the eyes of James as well. Quickly, I pulled it back up against me, clutching it against my chest.

  “You destroyed all my clothing,” I accused him darkly. “Like master, like dog, ruining all my belongings. Does it run in the household, by any chance?” I asked sarcastically. I meant to ask, Does it run in the family? But of course, a dog certainly didn’t relate to its owner by blood. So household was the best I could come up with.

  “Clothes don’t suit you,” was his blunt reply. “You look better without any.”

  I blushed profusely at his suggestive comment. “How rude,” I muttered. “Now what am I supposed to wear?” I demanded indignantly.

  “I’ll buy you new ones,” he said.

  “You better, because I certainly don’t have the budget to go shopping every week just to replenish my wardrobe.”

  That got him laughing. My words weren’t meant to amuse him. They were meant to piss him off.

  With my head held high, I wrapped the bed sheet around me and then put my feet onto the floor. He watched me like a hawk as I did so. Then slowly, I lifted myself from the bed. God, I felt heavy, just like that time during my hospitalization after the car crash.

  Once I stood, I felt quite proud of myself for getting that far. First, I took one step and then another, and it was going good. Then I took another, and my legs couldn’t take my weight. They went out from under me, and I collapsed to the floor with a puff.

  James was by my side in an instant.

  “Such a nuisance,” he said, scooping me into his arms.

  I glared at him. “Thanks to you,” I retorted, my face red with both anger and embarrassment.

  “You’re not supposed to be walking,” he said, smiling, his eyes on me. “Not after what I’ve done to you.”

  “Do you always do that to your women?” I couldn’t help asking. Inside, I wanted him to say no. I didn’t know why I wanted him to deny my statement, because really, I didn’t have anything to do with his other women. I was merely his mistress, wasn’t I?

  To my disappointment, he didn’t respond to my query. Instead, he said, as he descended the stairs, “What do you feel like eating?”

  I was determined not to think about him and his other women, especially that beautiful Sophie back at his mansion, and said, “Just whatever you have is good.”

  “Hmm.” He nodded.

  He planted me on the very soft, comfortable sofa in the living area instead of the barstool in the kitchen. I guessed the barstool would be too hard on my backside. How very considerate of him, I thought sarcastically. He even turned on the TV for me to watch and arranged the cushions around me for me to laze myself on.

  I eyed him as he headed to the kitchen and then proceeded to prepare something for me to eat. Even though the TV was on, I wasn’t paying any attention. I was too busy thinking about Mr. James Maxwell, my eyes on him.

  What had he done to me in that bath? I wondered. Did he take me again even though I’d been asleep? I couldn’t believe I’d fallen asleep in the bath.

  James lifted his head and looked at me a brief moment, a hint of a smile on his lips. I quickly looked away and turned my attention to the TV. I arranged myself properly on the couch, making myself comfortable.

  While I sat there awaiting my meal and staring mindlessly at the program before me, I was aware my body was aching something dreadful. I tried to ignore the pain, but it was hard. I wondered if I should take a pain killer. Did most females feel like this after sex?

  James appeared before me with plates of sandwiches in his hands. He placed them on the coffee table and left again to get some drinks. Once two mugs of hot coffee were done, he returned and joined me, sitting right next to me. He was even nice enough to hand me a sandwich.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking it from him. Then I proceed to eat. “It’s delicious.” I couldn’t help it. I was hungry after all.

  James relaxed back on the sofa and watched me chomp down my food as he sipped his coffee. I was just on my third piece when he said, “I got you some clothes.”

  I turned my eyes to him. “Oh… Thanks…” I cocked my head to one side. “When?”

  “While you were sleeping,” he said.

  I blinked. “How long did I sleep?”

  “Four hours,” he said. “Quite a long mid-afternoon siesta, don’t you think?” There was a hint of a tease within his tone.

  I blushed. “I don’t usually sleep during the afternoon.”

  “It wasn’t exactly in the afternoon when you dozed off in the bath,” he explained, taking another sip of his coffee.

  “Huh?” I slowly bit into my sandwich. As I chewed, savoring the taste of lettuce, cucumber, and cold chicken, my mind wandered. His words made me wonder how long we’d spent having sex. Surely we hadn’t spent all morning and the majority of the afternoon doing it? Right?

  Suddenly, I felt his hand stroking my long hair. I turned my gaze to him as he dipped his head and kissed my cheek. When he moved his lips toward my mouth, I pushed him back and said, “I’m full. Thanks for the food.”

  He still didn’t move away from me as he continued to stroke my hair.

  “James?” I began, licking my lip. “My brother?”

  He moved back then and sighed. “I suppose,” he said and stood. “Come on. Let’s get you dressed.”

  I stood, intending to take myself up to my own room to get ready. He wouldn’t have any of that, however, and scooped me up into his arms.

  “You know I can walk, right?” I stated as he ascended the stairs.

  “I know you claim you can walk,” he said. “But whether you can or you cannot is another story.”

  I pulled a face at him. I couldn’t help myself.

  Once we were in my own bedroom, I noted the bed was all made up and the room itself was tidy and clean. I wondered if the billionaire himself had clean the place or had he phoned one of the maids and requested a clean? Either way, I was quite pleased with the result.

  As he put me down, I no
ted a dress and some underwear neatly folded on the bed.

  “Are those for me?” I asked, staring at it. I knew even from this distance those items weren’t cheap.

  “Hmm.” He turned on his heel and headed out the door. But before he left, he said over his shoulder, “Do you want some help?”

  I shook my head vigorously. “No. No. I’ll be fine,” I said quickly. “I promise I won’t take long.”

  He nodded and then left, shutting the door behind him. Alone, I turned my attention to my new clothing. First, I picked up the dress. It was a lovely summer dress of a floral design, and the material was so soft in my hands. Then I picked the underwear as well and headed to the bathroom. Of course, my body was still sore as I walked, but I managed somehow.

  In the bathroom, I unraveled the bed sheet from my body, relieved I didn’t have to clutch onto it as if it were my lifeline or something, afraid it’d unwrap itself from me without me knowing. I was just preparing the panties when I noticed myself in the length of the mirror.

  My eyes widened in shock as I mindlessly gaped at myself. Shit! I couldn’t believe it. My body was bruised with hand and bite marks and black and blue everywhere.

  My whole body involuntarily shook, and I whispered, “James!”

  I couldn’t believe it. My body looked like I’d been tortured brutally. I couldn’t believe sex with James Maxwell did this to me.

  I decided then I really needed to talk to him about our sex routine and he must tone it down. That decision made, I returned my attention to getting myself dressed.

  Once done some moments later, I stared at myself. The bite marks along my neck and arms were still visible. I needed something long to hide those. At least the dress suited me and the underwear, too, to my surprise. I wondered how James figured out my size. Suddenly, the thought that he’d gone through my stuff while I was asleep didn’t sit well with me. It was just plain weird. Another question I needed to ask him.

  I headed out the door, got my now very light backpack, and then descended the stairs.

  “James?” I called out.

  The great man emerged from his office. “You’re ready?” He was heading my way, and I noted he had small traveling luggage ready. Was he going on a business trip out of town somewhere?

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 26

  Mia

  A private jet? What were we doing here at a private airport, heading toward a private jet? I couldn’t help myself as I stared at James, my eyes large in confusion.

  “James?” I asked, clutching my backpack in front of me tightly. “What are we doing here?” I flicked my eyes back to the sleek plane before us, all set to take in passengers. I noted a steward in his mid-forties, dressed immaculately in a gray uniform, walking briskly toward us.

  “To see your brother,” James replied, turning off the car engine.

  “Huh?” I couldn’t help myself. I was more than a little lost and confused. “Hold up. Why are we in an airport to see my brother?” I knew I sounded stupid.

  He chuckled. “Or don’t you want to see your brother at all?”

  I scowled. “Of course I do,” I snapped. “But it would help if you could at least explain why we’re at an airport?”

  “Ah, Mia.” He stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Your reactions always please me.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that and wondered if he was teasing me again.

  “James?” I used that half-begging, half-nagging sweet tone I only ever used with Andy when I wanted things to go my way. It always worked on him, and I wondered if it would work on the almighty Mr. James Maxwell as well. It didn’t hurt to try.

  He cocked his head to one side. “Your brother is in Las Vegas,” he explained.

  So that particular tone does work on him, I thought, very pleased indeed. I must remember to use it with him next time I wanted things to go my way.

  “Las Vegas?” I was of course very surprised at his answer. Andy had told me he was staying in Los Angeles, not Las Vegas.

  James eyed me with interest. He had that know-it-all look on his face. Then it hit me. Las Vegas had lots of casinos, right? Gambling!

  I felt a lump in my throat. It must have been in Las Vegas where Andy had lost that two million.

  I was about to say something when James clicked the door open. The steward I saw earlier had arrived, waiting expectantly for us, smiling brightly at James.

  “Mr. Maxwell, sir,” he said, flashing white teeth at the great man. “Everything is ready for you.”

  James nodded. Then he glanced at me. I understood immediately and got out of the car. The steward came around to me and offered to take my bag. I glanced at James, asking him with my eyes what I should do since I didn’t know how to behave in this type of situation.

  He nodded for me to give my bag to the steward, which I did. James came around to me and, with his warm hand resting lightly on the small of my back, he led me toward the jet.

  I glanced behind me and noted the steward was getting James’s traveling luggage as well. It was then I noted another male had appeared, hopping into the car and driving it away. The steward, who was now behind us, heading toward the plane as well, grinned at me. I blushed and returned my attention to the flying vehicle that would take me to see my brother.

  Honest to God, it had only been three days ago when I’d been on my very first plane trip, and now I had the luxury of traveling in style on a private jet? What had the world come to? My uncle and aunt would be flabbergasted indeed at the very idea that I could afford a plane ticket at all, let alone get to fly in a private jet, hanging out with a billionaire, too. I just couldn’t believe this was happening.

  As we ascended the stairs that would lead us into the plane, I wondered if James owned this particular jet or had he merely hired it for us to use. I really wanted to ask him but was ushered by a beautiful redheaded stewardess toward the seating area. I nodded and thanked her as she showed me the way. James looked like he knew where he was going, so I assumed he’d been on this particular jet before.

  “Mr. Maxwell, sir,” the woman said. “Would you like anything to drink before we take off?”

  “The usual,” he said, waving her away.

  She nodded, her smile bright on her face. Then she turned to me. “And you, miss?”

  “Huh?” I blurted out, staring at her, dumbfounded. She had beautiful green eyes. It suited the red hair that was bound into a lovely, clean bun.

  James gently grabbed my wrist, retrieving my attention from the lovely stewardess. He made me sit next to him.

  To the stewardess, I said, “Just some juice will be fine.”

  “Of course,” she said brightly and then headed away. I couldn’t help but watch her lovely long legs and her hips swaying side to side seductively. I wondered if she’d modeled in her younger years, because the way she walked indicated she had. I had no experience in the modelling industry, but I’d seen models doing their walks on TV, and that was exactly how they looked. Although, I had to admit the stewardess didn’t look that old, perhaps around her early thirties.

  Once the stewardess was out of sight, I looked around the interior of the plane curiously. It was very spacious, with twelve very comfortable, large seats scattered around here and there with tables, both round and rectangle, in between. There were also two large sofas in one corner. The seats looked and felt expensive, made of leather and with soft cushions for comfort.

  I couldn’t believe I was in a private jet. I wondered who else would be joining us on this short journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

  I relaxed back in my seat and noted James pulling out his cell phone. The stewardess appeared, placing a large silver tray of snacks in front of us. There were fresh fruits as well as an assortment of sandwiches, cheeses and crackers, savories, and sweets. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as I stared at the mouthwatering treats.

  “My name is Blair,” the pretty stewardess said as she now poured me a cup of orang
e juice. “Please tell me if you need anything else.”

  I mutely nodded. Once she was done addressing me, I thanked her profusely. The woman then turned her attention to James, who was busy texting on his phone. She poured him a glass of Champaign, her action gentle and elegant. Once she was done, she politely nodded, told us to enjoy our drinks and snacks, and then went away.

  I picked up one of the sandwiches and started eating. Gosh, it was delicious, and I felt so blessed. It was heaven. Once I’d finished with that, I took a small savory pie and started eating that, too. I was still chewing enthusiastically and wondered what James was up to with his texting when I turned and saw him watching me. He had that expression on his face that told me he was amused. The look both irritated and enthralled me at the same time.

  “What?” I asked, a small savory pie in one hand and my glass of orange juice in the other.

  He chuckled. “I always like watching you eat,” he said. His eyes twinkled, and I blushed in response.

  I took a sip of the orange juice and then said, “Business?” I indicated his phone.

  He nodded and didn’t explain any further. He returned his attention to his phone and started emailing. I returned to my unexpected, delicious treats.

  It was some fifteen minutes later when the steward came and informed us we’d be taking off in ten minutes. At that point, I glanced around, wondering if there were other people who’d be joining us at all.

  “Looking for something?” James asked, putting on his seat belt.

  The table had been cleared by Blair and was now empty and clean. I still wanted more food and wondered if we’d be served again before we landed.

  “Um…” I began. “Where’s everyone else?”

  James chuckled. “We’re it.”

  “Huh?” I turned to him.

  He rested his large hand at the back of my neck and pulled me close. He kissed me lightly on the lips for a brief second. When he drew back, he said, “I fly solo, but now I have you. Don’t you like it just the two of us?”

  I blushed, not so sure what he was getting at.