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

by Alexia Praks

“I mean, I know it’s a private jet and everything, but aren’t there usually other guests, too?”

  He shook his head. “It’s my personal jet.”

  “Oh.” I nodded and moved to relax in my seat.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 27

  James

  It had been fifteen minutes since the plane was airborne, and the moment they were allowed to take off their seatbelts, Mia took off in the direction of the sofa. Now James watched her as she sat there crossed-legged and enjoyed another set of treats. This was mostly sweets with an assortment of cupcakes and cake slices.

  It was odd that since he’d met her, his mostly sober world seemed to have change a little, especially when she was around. It was odd, too, that he enjoyed watching her, and even now was no different. Though, he’d admit she seemed oblivious to his attraction toward her.

  “Do you want some?” she asked from the distance, a piece of chocolate cake in her hand.

  He chuckled. “No thanks.” It was then the phone rang.

  Mia returned her attention to her cake while he reluctantly paid attention to his phone.

  “Hey, what’s up?”

  “So you’re going to Las Vegas?” Scott asked in greeting.

  James wondered how Scott had found out. After all, he hadn’t told anyone about the plan. It was only when Mia had requested he take her to see her brother as part of the contract that he’d phoned Matt and told him he was coming, along with Mia. Apart from Matt, no one else knew about the trip, or Mia for that matter.

  “Yeah,” he said, glancing at Mia, who was now sipping another glass of orange juice.

  “Escorting your new girl to see her brother, eh?” Scott even had the nerve to laugh, and James was a little pissed. He knew his brother was teasing.

  “Mind your own business,” James muttered. “She’s my problem.”

  Scott laughed right out once again. When he managed to calm down, he said, “So she’s a problem? Not a contract, even though you did give her one, and not a fling?”

  James sighed. He couldn’t deny the fact that Mia wasn’t a contract. At least he didn’t think of her as one, like most of the bright, enthusiastic business starters to whom he loaned money or the lousy business owners who owed him millions. And no, she was definitely not a fling. And yes, she was most definitely a problem, in more ways than one.

  One thing was for sure, which he considered a massive problem—the fact that he liked spending time with her and having sex with her, too much.

  Oh, he liked having sex with other women, too. He was a man, after all, and he was a Maxwell, for fuck’s sake. It was in his blood. The business. The money. The women. The sex. Otherwise, his old man wouldn’t have had three different wives and produced three sons, one from each of those wives. And he was going on to number four very soon.

  It was a fact James had definitely had flings after his divorce with Whitney. It was always with hot chicks and usually lasted only one night, or on longer terms, about a week tops. He’d lived life in the fast lane—fast women and fast cars and, heck, even faster business and faster money.

  Mia, on the other hand? She didn’t fit into the mold. She was definitely different and she was definitely a problem. His problem.

  “Yep, she’s a problem.” He agreed, flicking his gaze to the oblivious young woman. She now had a magazine in her hands, reading attentively as if every single word were gospel.

  “Care to share the problem?” Scott offered.

  The moment his brother uttered that question, James snapped. “Hands off, Scott. Find your own problem to worry about.” Of course he knew his brother was only teasing, but he couldn’t afford not to make it bluntly clear to whom Mia belonged. She was his and his alone. It had been fine that they shared women in the past, but definitely not now. And definitely not Mia.

  Scott laughed whole-heartedly. “Come on, James. Your brother here is just curious about the woman.”

  “You’re just interested to meet her and see if you can lure her into your bed, don’t you?” he asked, his eyes looking heavenward.

  “Yep. It’s not like you’d ever lower yourself to be any girl’s escort, whether to see her brother who owes you two million or to see her father who’s a British billionaire who also happens to be a most-respected earl of the oldest peerage. I’m very interested to find out how she managed to wrap you around her little finger. It’s not like that happens every day.” Scott was teasing again.

  It was true in the fact that James had never done anything to please anyone before—whether it was an order, a request, or even a plead. He just didn’t give a shit about other people’s business or agendas. It was also true where a British billionaire who also happened to be an earl of something or other was concerned. About a year ago, he’d had a fling with a hot English chick Elizabeth who’d insisted—no, begged—he fly to England to meet her father for a very good business deal and their possible future together. The woman had thought he was her one true soul mate. Of course, he’d gracefully passed up the offer, but Scott and Eric had never passed up the chance to annoy him with that little incident, telling him what a stupid man he was. It was, after all, another chance to increase his wealth and, more importantly, his connection in another country.

  For Mia, however, it was different. He was doing things for her without even realizing it, and he found he liked it, especially when he saw a smile on her face.

  Fuck! Had she really wrapped him around her little finger intentionally? No. Mia was too innocent for that type of bullshit. She wasn’t like Whitney.

  “Enough about my problem,” he said and changed the subject before Scott requested an audience with Mia via the phone. Knowing Scott, he’d probably do just that. “So?”

  On the other end of the line, Scott knew his brother didn’t want to linger on the object of his interest long. Ah, if only he had more time and didn’t need to take care of a certain possible family crisis that might happen, he would have loved to go to Vegas and make a surprise visit with Mia Donovan, the woman who was able to capture his brother’s interest without even trying.

  He understood immediately the change in topic was about their father’s future bride, Eric, and Japan.

  He went straight to the point. “Dad knows about Eric’s trip.”

  “What’s he going to do about it?” James asked.

  “Beats me,” Scott said. “I have a meeting with him tomorrow.”

  James sighed. “Keep me posted.”

  “Sure,” Scott said. “Ah, sorry. Isn’t it Aria’s bedtime?”

  “Yes.” James said, glancing at his gold watch.

  “Tell her I’m giving her lots of hugs and kisses,” Scott said. “Talk to you later.”

  “Sure.” James canceled the call and then flicked through his contact list to the one that said Aria. A few rings later, the phone was picked up.

  “Daddy?” came Aria’s voice.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” James said. “How was your day?”

  Aria giggled, pleased that her father called her before bedtime to ask her how her day was and say good night. It was the usual routine whenever he was away from home on his business trips.

  The little girl happily went on for about ten minutes, telling him about her day at school and then her piano lesson. She even proudly told him Sammy was now eating when she told him to, that the dog was very obedient.

  While she talked, James had a smile on his face, and now and again, he’d flick his eyes to watch Mia, who was still reading the magazine raptly.

  “Daddy?” Aria finally finished the recount of her day and changed the subject. “When are you bringing Mia home?”

  James couldn’t help but notice Aria referred to Mia as if the woman belonged in their life and home. They had only met once, hadn’t they?

  “In a couple days, sweetheart, after Daddy finishes business.”

  “Oh.”

  She sounded disappointed, and James felt more than a little guilty in that regard. To red
eem himself, he said, “I’m on my way to Las Vegas for business right now, Aria. Do you want anything?”

  Her tone changed immediately, and then she giggled. “Oh, Daddy, yes please.”

  It was another five minutes when he finally managed to say good night. Aria sleepily replied that she couldn’t wait for his return and to meet Mia once again so they could do fun stuff together.

  Once he hung up, Mia came over to sit beside him and said, “Were you talking to your daughter?”

  James was immediately curious to know how she came up with that idea. After all, he’d never told her he had a daughter before, although she’d met with Aria on that first day. But no one he’d met before ever assumed he had a child.

  “Aria?” She continued when he didn’t reply. “She’s so cute.”

  “How did you know Aria is my daughter?” he asked, his head cocked to one side.

  “Oh… She resembles you a lot. I mean, not in character. Her looks. Dark hair and those blue eyes.”

  “She could have been my sister,” he said just to tease her.

  She snorted. “She is definitely not your sister,” she said, shaking her head. “I know it in my gut. Besides, the way you talked to her on the phone, it’s the way a father talks to his daughter. With love.” She even smiled to make her point.

  He laughed, and because he bloody well couldn’t help himself, he drew his head toward her and kissed her lightly on the lips and then on her forehead.

  When he withdrew, she stared at him. “You know, you’re always kissing me. Is that normal? I mean, as part of our relationship?”

  He noted she omitted the master and mistress part on purpose. Of course he didn’t know whether it was normal to kiss her in that way—the non-lustful way, but rather the affectionate way like he kissed his daughter. And yes, he had just realized he was doing exactly that when she mentioned it.

  Refusing to think any more of sweet, affectionate kiss and shutting her up, he claimed her lips and kissed her passionately, wild tongue and all.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 28

  Mia

  “I didn’t go through your stuff,” James said, his eyes on the road. He chuckled low as if he found my jumping to conclusion amusing. “Give me some credit, Mia.”

  I blushed. What was I supposed to think? He’d bought me clothes that fit me perfectly. If he didn’t go through my stuff to figure out my size, then how did he know?

  “I notice everything about you,” he explained. There was hint of a teasing within his deep voice that I didn’t miss.

  I turned my gaze to him. I couldn’t help but admire his profile. He was indeed a very handsome man with a long, straight nose, perfectly high cheekbones, and a firm jawline. I was surprised there wasn’t a queue of females clinging onto him, even for a one-night stand. I myself wouldn’t mind having a one-night stand with him, even though I did vow to myself I would never do such a thing.

  Talking about a line of female fans… Perhaps I had yet to find that out. After all, there was still a lot of things I didn’t know about James Maxwell. Such as that beautiful Sophie for example. What was she in relation to James? She lived in the mansion; that much I knew. Was she his wife? That thought made me feel a little sick in the stomach.

  Oh God! Please don’t let that Sophie woman be his wife. But James wasn’t wearing a wedding band. So she couldn’t be his wife, right? And what about that adorable little girl Aria? I’d figured out she must be James’s daughter, as I’d mentioned to him earlier on the plane, which he confirmed. That meant James must have had at least one serious relationship before. Or had he and Aria’s mom had a one-night stand? Or had James had other mistresses I didn’t know about? The idea didn’t sit well with me.

  “Stop looking at me like that, Mia.”

  I jumped at his intense tone and blinked. “Huh?”

  He didn’t care to explain. He took action by grabbing my hand and placing it on his crotch. He was hot and hard. His bulge was indication enough.

  Shit! I reacted and retrieved my hand without a second thought. My heart pounded loudly within my chest. He was hard because of the way I had looked at him. Did I affect him that much?

  Thinking about him in bed made me shiver deliciously. He really did like ripping clothes off me. That was when the realization hit me. James must have seen the size on the tag of my clothing as he undressed me. Or rather, when he ripped them off me during our sex.

  I sighed and relaxed against the seat. That had to be it.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “Nothing. I just figured out something; that’s all.”

  “Care to share?” he urged.

  “No thanks,” I said, smiling to myself.

  He gave me a quick glance before returning his eyes to the road. I was glad he didn’t probe about the subject and turned my attention to the scenery of the streets of Las Vegas. There were palm trees, lots of bright, flashing lights, and high-rise buildings very unique to this city. The Strip was awesomely extravagant, and it took my breath away. I was awed. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the exotic scenes before me.

  It wasn’t long before we arrived at our destination. As I got out of the car, I thought it looked just like any other part of Las Vegas. High-rise buildings and lots of flashy cars and expensively dressed people going about their touristy business. I felt a little out of place wearing a pair of faded sneakers with a summer dress and one of James’s work shirts. If there was no work shirt, my appearance would have been fine, but I needed it to cover the bite marks and bruises on my skin that James had amorously branded on me during our zealous lovemaking sessions. As it were, I looked like a high school girl who didn’t know how to dress appropriately.

  James turned the corner and drove through the front of a massive building that simply said, MAXWELL in bright, bold letters. Below that, it said Hotel, Resort, and Casino. My jaw nearly dropped. I had thought his mansion and apartment were extravagant enough, but this? This flashy building? It was then that, once again, the power, richness, and influence this man yielded overwhelmed me. James was a Maxwell, one of the wealthiest, most influential families in America, maybe the world. My heart skipped a beat at the thought that this very powerful man was my lover.

  A valet rushed to our car the moment we stopped. He came around to James and said cheerfully, “Mr. Maxwell, sir.” He even bowed at James as if the great man were the king of Las Vegas himself.

  James got out and tossed the valet his key. “Take good care of it, Craig,” he said, nodding to the black sports car that had been presented to us at the airport when we landed.

  I was surprised James knew his employee by name. Surely, he must have had a least a few thousand of them working for him and his family.

  “Sure thing, sir,” Craig said, grinning widely.

  I was out of the car by the time James came around to my side. I gazed at the massive, busy entrance, clutching my bag in front of me in both awe and trepidation. The place was buzzing with life. It was after midnight, for God’s sake. Didn’t they sleep here in Las Vegas? The moment I internally asked myself that, I snorted. Of course they didn’t sleep. It was Las Vegas.

  “Does Andy stay here?” I asked James.

  “Hmm.” He took me by the elbow and led me forward. I didn’t want to move at first, but because his hold on me was firm, I followed him.

  I noticed also that another valet had appeared and retrieved James’s luggage. He was younger than the one before and had freckles all over his face. He flashed me a wide smile when I glanced at him. I hesitantly grinned back.

  The moment I stepped into the lobby, I caught my breath. The place was massive and extravagantly designed and decorated with marble floors and walls and massive chandeliers on the high ceilings. There was a long front desk to the left with at least eight pretty receptionists there, ready to aid anyone that needed it. While to the right was the entrance to a massive casino, where I guessed at least a few thousand people mingled abo
ut, having loads of fun and easily departing with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their hard-earned, or not-so-hard-earned, cash.

  To the center and leading to the back were various five-star restaurants and private club rooms for guests from around the world to dine and enjoy. Then there was that masterpiece grand staircase leading up to the next level that all but made me forget about my underprivileged background and wonder if I’d just stepped into a world of grandeur. Of course, there was the elevator as well, if one preferred that over the grand stairs.

  I noted there were bodyguards in their black suits, with earphones, hanging about the lobby and the casino everywhere, their eyes sharp. I had no doubt there was a security room with more guards, their hawk-like eyes on the video screens that scanned and covered the whole building. Security was indeed tight in this particular building.

  “Take my luggage to my room,” James said to the valet, and the guy nodded and left us.

  I wondered where exactly James’s room was. Perhaps a presidential suite high up in the building with a fantastic view? Then, of course, I wondered if I’d get my own room as well. Or if I had to share with him.

  We were just about to set foot into the elevator when someone called out to James. I turned with James and came to see a tall hunk of a man with jet-black hair and dark eyes. He looked half Asian and dangerous to the core.

  “Tory,” James said. “Hey, man, long time no see.”

  Tory laughed. “Yeah.” They did their manly handshake and then began a quick catch-up.

  I knew I was in the way and probably intruding, aside from the fact I felt very awkward standing there while they conversed about personal and business stuff. Thus, I decided to move to the side away from them, my backpack in front of me tight. I decided to kill some time waiting for them to finish by surveying the place with more appreciation. It was fun watching people going about their business, and it was then I saw someone familiar that made me a little nervous.