Besting the Billionaire

by Alison Aimes

  His gaze darkened and, for the first time, she noticed the glint of anger in his gaze. “Just like that?”

  She stifled a guilty flinch. “Just like that.”

  She’d cut out last night while he’d gone into Pierson’s bathroom to clean up and bring back something for her to do the same. Maybe she shouldn’t have left abruptly, but she could tell he’d been gearing up for round two. Walking away was already going to be hard enough. It had just seemed easier to make a clean break—before she couldn’t.

  “We need to talk.” His jaw was clamped tight.

  “No.”

  The V between his gorgeous eyes deepened further. “Yes. We are going to talk and—”

  “Kazankov. Ms. Bennett. Hello.” Board member Steven Klein hurried over, his hand outstretched. He’d been at her presentation and hadn’t smiled then, but he was smiling now. “Nice to find you two together. Shows good sportsmanship. I like that.”

  “Oh,” interjected her rival, “Ms. Bennett and I are definitely on the same page when it comes to our preferred sports.”

  Her cheeks went hot.

  Fortunately, the arrival of more conference attendees saved her. Drawn by Kazankov and the shock of Don Pierson’s announcement, they came in droves. Before long she—who was usually treated as the one who was supposed to grin and bring the coffee—was in the thick of a slew of suits, discussing the health of the company and the state of the marketplace.

  It was strange to be on the inside after having been so long on the outs. Strange, but wonderful.

  And the reminder of how badly she craved that legitimacy helped muffle the raw, reckless impulse that throbbed in her veins at the knowledge that Alexi Kazankov’s shoulder was inches from hers.

  The heat of him radiating against her skin. Their dark secret only making her blood run hotter. The primal pull between them ghosting over her skin as she remembered the way he touched. Fucked. His hips pounding hard. Stretching her wide.

  “It is a worry, though, isn’t it? Ms. Bennett?”

  Her name jerked her back to the present.

  Sugar biscuits. She had no idea what still-smiling board member Steven Klein was asking.

  “Those kinds of questions are better for the office.” Kazankov’s voice was sharp.

  “No, no.” She waved away his interference. Now, more than ever, she needed to reestablish boundaries. “I am more than happy to answer any and all questions. That is why I’m here.”

  “Well,” Klein seemed less enthusiastic now, his smile disappearing as if he feared disapproval from a certain Russian, “I was just saying I’m concerned your plan for turning the company around by renovating the Ridgeway property is too ambitious. It includes a larger pool, two new restaurants. I know you’re new and interested in making a splash, but I’m worried you don’t have the room—or the experience—to understand how this might be an overreach.”

  Ugh. Too impatient to prove herself, she’d walked right into that one.

  Skin flushing hot, she kept her smile fixed in place. “As the current hotel property boundaries are drawn, I can understand your concern.” A little snap of pride crept into her voice. She couldn’t help it. Everything else might be going to shit, but she was excited about these plans. “But what I lack in CEO experience, I believe I can make up for in innovative, fresh thinking. I’ve been in talks with the owner of the land next door, a man by the name of Fernton, and he’s agreed to sell the land to us at a reasonable price. A new solution to an old problem.”

  A few mumbles of surprise, but that was to be expected when the new, totally together CEO dropped an amazing bombshell. She hid a smile. “With that extra land, we’ll have more than enough room for the expansion.”

  “But that’s not…” A big-time real estate developer who’d joined them shifted toward Kazankov, genuine confusion in his voice. “I don’t think that’s possible now. Right?”

  Her rival’s arctic blue eyes locked on her, something that almost looked like guilt flaring in his gaze before they blanked.

  She swallowed hard. “Why isn’t that possible now?”

  “The owner of the property next door is no longer selling.” Kazankov’s tone gave nothing away.

  She forced a laugh. “That’s inaccurate. I spoke with Fernton two days ago, and he signaled a definite interest in selling.”

  “Things change.”

  That was for damn sure. Last night, this man had looked at her as if she was everything. Today his stare cut through her as if she was nothing at all. “What does that mean?”

  “It’s not common knowledge yet, but as of this morning Fernton is not the owner of the adjacent lot. My company is.”

  Her stomach clenched.

  Kazankov had pulled the rug out from under her plan.

  Had this been what Paul was referencing?

  “Well, congratulations on your new acquisition.” The fake civility tasted bitter on her tongue, the mix of smirks and sympathetic stares around her burning into her skin like acid.

  “It’s a deal my company has been working on for a little while now.”

  “I see.” And she did. Translation: I started screwing you over before I screwed you. “Kudos to you for keeping it under wraps.”

  She was smiling hard enough to break her jaw. “I only hope Fernton told you about the problem he’s having with his outdated sewer and water system.”

  The flare of surprise in Kazankov’s gaze staunched a little of the bleeding.

  “No?” She offered a false cluck of sympathy. “That sometimes happens when you rush. He tried to keep that from me as well, but I stumbled upon it when I was down there a few months ago doing some exacting research. It’s a real problem since the only solution is to tie in his pipes with ours, but, of course, that requires permission…from me.” Unable to help herself, she bared her teeth at him. “But I’m sure you’ll figure out some use for that property.”

  He had the audacity to laugh. And look impressed. “You never cease to surprise me.”

  “I wish I could say the same about you.” She nodded toward a crowd that no longer appeared welcoming. “Excuse me, gentlemen.”

  The stupidest part? The small, shriveled pit in her stomach wasn’t because he’d bested her. This was business and she should have expected as much. She should have anticipated his move and countered. She was still a novice compared to shark-like Kazankov and getting cocky would only mean more mistakes.

  Nope, the pit was there because he’d bested her right after fucking her and that made her feel like dirt.

  Which was insane and unfair, especially since he was not only doing exactly what he’d promised, but what she’d demanded.

  But logic wasn’t helping her a darn bit right now.

  Truly, she wasn’t sure who she was angrier with, him or herself. Yes, he’d stuck up for her with Paul and Pierson. Yes, he’d promised to keep her secret and shared one of his own. Yes, he’d rocked her world like no one else ever had.

  But that didn’t mean they owed each other a damn thing more—and the fact that she wished that wasn’t the case enraged her further.

  Hadn’t she just finished saying she was betting on herself this time around?

  By the time she hit the door to the women’s bathroom in the middle of nowhere land, she was moving fast. The flat of her palm slamming hard against the wood, the sting radiating up her arm no more than she deserved.

  Two seconds later, the door crashed open again. “Lily. Wait.”

  She didn’t stop, her feet heading toward the nearest stall as fast as she could. Even when the pounding behind grew louder.

  A warm hand closed around her elbow right as she reached the stall door, jerking her to a halt. “Damn it. I said wait.”

  She whirled around. “And what? You think you get everything you want? I don’t think so.”

  “What did you expect? This is business as usual.”

  “I know that.” She wrenched her arm away. “I just didn’t expect you to go
for the jugular with quite such ferocity.”

  Silence descended, his clenched jaw shifting from side to side.

  The tension between them stretched.

  Her heart beat fast.

  Then, without another word, he turned, heading toward the exit.

  She opened her mouth to…what? Call him back? Embarrass herself more?

  She clamped her lips shut.

  It was better this way anyway.

  The click of the lock echoed through the bathroom.

  Chapter Eighteen

  He’d locked them in together.

  Lily’s overworked heart slammed harder against her ribs, a stupid, insane relief spiraling through her, which only made her madder. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  Alexi turned to face her, all broad shoulders and seething male. “There are about three women at this event. They’ll find another bathroom.”

  “You need to leave.”

  He leaned against the door. “What did Paul say to you? You looked upset.”

  “That kind of question doesn’t sound like business as usual, Kazankov.”

  “Alexi,” he growled.

  “Not anymore.”

  “Are you pissing me off on purpose?”

  Jaw tight, she thrust her chin upward. “Here’s a little tip: not everything I do revolves around you.”

  “Here’s one right back.” Without warning, he prowled forward, his arms closing around her and hauling her close. “That smart mouth of yours only makes me want you more.”

  She stifled a low moan. “This is not happening.” She pressed her palms to his wide chest. “You need to leave now. Before anyone notices we’re both missing.”

  “You think this is easy for me?” For the first time, she heard the frustration in his voice. “You think it’s easy to have you stand near and remember the way you taste, the sweet sounds you make as I fuck you hard?”

  “Stop it.” But she didn’t move—couldn’t—his words quivering against her skin, stoking her need, shifting her anger and hurt into something darker, more carnal. Something she could not afford to give into ever again. “That’s over and done.”

  “Wrong.” His grip tightened. “Out there in the hall, I’m conducting business as usual because I know you can handle it. Deep down you’d be even more furious with me if I didn’t.”

  She sucked down a sharp breath, his insight startling her with its accuracy.

  “But here,” he continued, “away from all eyes, it’s not business as usual.”

  She opened her mouth to object.

  He covered her mouth with his hand. “You can protest all you want, but I can see it in your eyes. Once wasn’t enough. Not for either of us.”

  She wanted to rage at him. Tell him to take his new property and backed-up sewer and go fuck himself. But the truth was evident in every ember of need burning through her.

  He was right. Despite every lesson she’d learned from her past.

  She craved him still.

  Sinking her teeth into his palm, she bit down hard. Not enough to break the skin, but enough to have him moving his hand. Fast.

  “Maybe you’re right.” The smile she gave him was all teeth. “But tonight, we finish it for good.” Framing his jaw with her hands, she yanked him close. “Then, I’m going to find a way to see my restoration plans to fruition without that property, and I’m going to kick your ass and remain CEO.”

  His growl rumbled against her lips. “I can’t wait to see you try.”

  “I won’t just try. I’ll succeed.”

  Jerking back, taking control, he tugged her scarf from her neck, his eyes flaring as they locked on the bruise at her clavicle. “It’s a good thing I didn’t know this was there before. We would never have lasted in that meeting room as long as we did.”

  She shoved his jacket off his shoulders.

  He jerked her skirt up her thighs.

  They stared at one another, their rapid breathing and the drip of a nearby faucet the only sounds.

  “Touch yourself. Put your hands down those panties and show me what you want.”

  She bit back a moan. Damn the man.

  “You sure?” she bluffed. “I might just decide I like it more. After six years, I’m damn good at making myself come hard.”

  His pupils went dark and small. He adjusted the big bulge pressing hard against his pants. “I’ll take my chances.”

  And who was she kidding? Her fingers would never be more than a paltry substitute for the monster between his thighs. But that didn’t mean he held all the cards.

  Spreading her legs, her gaze never wavering from his, she glided her hand down her belly and under the lace of her panties, her breath catching as she found her clit, slippery and wet.

  “You never back down, do you?” His gaze tracked her every movement, his nostrils flaring, his expression dangerous. Unmasked.

  It gave her a rush like nothing else.

  “Never.” Back bowing, she worked herself faster.

  “Choyrt. That’s beautiful.” His voice was a low rasp, heavy with longing and frustration. “You’re beautiful. And fucking impossible to tame.”

  “Mmmm.” Maybe she didn’t need him, after all.

  He seized her wrist. “Enough.”

  She jerked against his hold. “Not nearly.”

  They stared at one another once more. A silent battle for control. For victory.

  “You make me crazy,” he growled at last.

  “You make me stupid.”

  “Tell me I can fuck you hard.” Pulling her arm up and behind her back, he held her immobile while he ground against her, the thick ridge of his pants pressing against her already sensitive clit. Hitting it just right. Making her whimper. Making her forget what the hell she’d been fighting over in the first place. “Tell me you want it.”

  “I want it.”

  No clear victor in sight, they tore at each other’s clothing, his hands yanking at the buttons on her blouse as she fumbled with his belt and pants, shoving them down to his knees.

  “Condom?” she panted.

  “Already on it.”

  She heard the rustle of foil and then he was lifting her onto the counter, ripping her panties off with one rough yank, and spreading her wide.

  His thick cock filled her, stretching her almost to the point of pain. Making her body arch. Sending her nails digging into his shirt. Her head knocking into the mirror, too consumed by lust to care. “That’s good.”

  “Too damn good.” He pumped hard, sucking on the frantic pulse at the base of her neck as his hands toyed with her nipples, driving her faster and faster toward the edge of pleasure, anger and hate and need slamming through her with every powerful thrust.

  “It shouldn’t be like this.” Of all the men who could have rocked her world, why did her body have to come alive for him?

  “But it is.” He moved faster. Angled his thick cock to hit even deeper. The scrape of his shirt against her nipples adding to the storm of pleasure whipping through her. “Crazy. Stupid. But fucking perfect.”

  No. Her eyes sunk shut. She wouldn’t let it be.

  “Look at me, Lily.”

  Stubbornly, she kept her eyes shut. Bucked against him. Her nerves tingling as her toes began to curl. Just a little more…

  He stilled, denying her what she needed most. “Look. At. Me.”

  Reluctantly, her shuddered gaze found his.

  “No holding back.” He thrust once, a reward. A demand. “Not between us.”

  “Don’t.” Base lust and angry need were one thing. Anything more was impossible. “This can’t go anywhere. Be anything.”

  “It’s never been halfway between us and it won’t start now.” He thrust hard. “You’re fucking courage and fire, and I want it all.”

  The way he saw her thrilled her like nothing else. Made her want to be that person for him. For herself.

  Rearing upward, she framed his face with her hands and brought his mouth to hers. “Then d
on’t be surprised when I burn you so good.”

  With a groan, his mouth found hers. His tongue stroking hers, mimicking the masterful thrusts of his cock as he filled her over and over again and his thumb worked her clit.

  She ground her hips faster. Clawed at his back. Because he wasn’t the only one who could leave marks.

  “You know why I call you Armageddon?” He slammed in harder. The kind of hurt that was so damn good. “Because neither of us was ready for me to call you what you are.” His fingers found her clit and worked her just right. “Wild. Untamable. And all mine.”

  She shattered apart, a supernova of flame and pleasure and need. With him. Together.

  Mine. Mine. Mine.

  It was only a word spoken in the heat of the moment.

  But a small, crazy part of her wanted it to be true.

  It took several seconds to catch her breath, the aftershocks running through her almost as powerful as her climax. No question. The man fucked as brilliantly as he did everything else.

  Silence descended.

  The air cooling as their bodies, slick with sweat and heat, grew still—and lust-free sanity returned.

  She’d risked everything yet again.

  He shifted, his hands sliding up her back to hold her close. “You’re not sneaking out on me again. We need to come up with a plan.”

  Wary, she stared up at him, his sudden shift back to commanding businessman rubbing at parts already raw. “For what?”

  “This.” He waved his hand between them.

  “I keep telling you there is no this.”

  “Ne pizdi. There’s a this—and it needs to be addressed or you’re going to end up continuing to be fucked in bathroom stalls and wherever the hell else I can find to spread you wide.”

  His crudity—and the fact that it turned her on—pissed her off even more. “Ne pizdi. I’m not lying.” She threw his Russian words back at him. She’d been studying up, a lot. “Since this was the last time, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “Don’t play with me, Lily.” He jerked up his pants, his jaw tight. “This back and forth, hot and cold behavior is bullshit.”

  “How do I know you’re not the one playing me? Screwing me in an attempt to soften me up?”