Billionaire Rides: The Complete Series (MC Alpha Billionaire Romance Love Story)

by Claire Adams

  "What in the world?" my mother exclaimed as she took the clothes and headed to the laundry room. "What's going on, Emily?"

  "I have to catch a flight to Sydney in a couple of hours," I called as I hopped into the shower and quickly washed my hair. "I need to get ready to fly!"

  "Well, it's a good thing I washed and pressed this last night, isn't it?" my mother said as she entered the bathroom holding my flight uniform.

  "Oh Mom, you're the greatest!" I cried as I peeked out from behind the shower curtain to see her hanging the uniform on the back of the bathroom door. "Now, can you get the rest of my stuff ready to go?"

  "Of course I can," she laughed as she walked out of the bathroom. "I'm your mother, I can work miracles."

  Over the next few days I would wonder if that weren't actually true.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Austin

  The meeting with Daniel was tense, as I'd expected it would be, but it was cut short by Bax's announcement that the car was waiting for me downstairs.

  "Where are you headed, Austin?" Daniel asked suddenly very interested in my movements.

  "Just off to check out a possible investment spot," I said casually. He'd find out sooner or later where I actually was, but I wanted to keep him guessing for a bit. "And maybe take a little time for some r and r."

  "That's good," he said as he gave me a smile that did not reach his eyes. "You young folks should take time to enjoy what you have."

  I knew he was implying that I should do so before I lost everything, but today, I wasn't biting. I had other business to take care of and engaging in a pissing match with Daniel Wentworth wouldn't solve the problem in Sydney. I smiled back at him and then gathered up my papers and moved to the door of the conference room where Johanna waited with my briefcase and a cup of hot coffee in a travel mug.

  "Gentlemen, it's been a pleasure, but I need to get going," I said as I nodded and walked out of the room. I smiled at Johanna and then looked at Bax. "Ride with me downstairs?"

  "Sure thing, boss," he smiled. I filled him in on the meeting on the way down, and he told me about the developments on the site.

  "Austin, you just need to get there and stop them from striking," he said. "You don't have to work miracles, you just have to restore the peace."

  "I'll do my best," I assured him.

  "No, you have to do better than that this time, Austin," he said seriously. "I'm not kidding, if this explodes, we may not get another chance to turn thing around before Daniel takes the operation over to Berlin and begins building. If he does that while we fiddle away in Sydney, we'll lose it all."

  "I get it, Bax," I said in an irritated tone. "I'm going to move heaven and earth to make sure this doesn't go under."

  "Alright, well, just do what you can," he said backing off a little. "No pressure."

  "Oh no, no pressure at all," I replied.

  "Well, maybe just a little." He grinned as he playfully slugged my shoulder. "Good luck, boss."

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Emily

  My mother had washed my clothes and packed my bag by the time the car arrived to take me to the airport. I hugged her tightly and thanked her for her help.

  "Emily, I love you, baby," she said as she patted my cheek. "I know you'll do the right thing."

  I nodded, unsure of what that actually was, but I didn't know what to say other than, "I love you, too, Mom."

  At the airport, the car drove past the usual stops and pulled up next to a plane already out on the runway outside of the commercial area. The driver got out and opened my door before popping the trunk and grabbing my bag. I looked up at the Boeing 727 painted with the Marks Air logo in red on a black background, and I marveled at its sleek design as I climbed the stairs.

  Once on board, the captain and his co-pilot introduced themselves and I waited for the other crewmembers to arrive. There would be two flight attendants, a cook, and a personal baggage handler assigned to the flight, the latter two would all stay in the back of the cabin during the flight unless needed. My heart jumped when I heard a familiar voice calling, "Hey, hey, hey, Princess! Ready for a second trip down under?" Trish's smiling face appeared at the top of the stairs. I wouldn't be the only one responsible for Austin during the flight.

  "Trish!" I cried as I ran across the cabin to throw my arms around her and hug her tightly. "I'm so glad you're here!"

  "Yeah, me too," she said as she looked around and took in the surroundings. "I wasn't sure I was going to make it. What were they thinking calling us at the last minute?"

  "I don't know, but it must be important if they brought us back so quickly," I said.

  "Nice digs," she said followed by a low appreciative whistle. "Where's the galley?"

  "Back here," I said as I led her back to the fully stocked kitchen and our quarters. On this flight, we'd have our own room complete with table, chairs, and two twin beds. It was like a hotel suite in the air. Trish nodded as she set her carry on bag on the bed I hadn't claimed and smiled at me.

  "Alright, Princess, let's get started on prep work!" she said cheerfully.

  I worked on prepping the main cabin while Trish focused her attention on the kitchen and food prep. I checked overhead bins for blankets and pillows and double-checked the storage cabinets below the couch for extras of everything just in case Austin was bringing guests. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since we'd kissed in the penthouse, but I also remembered the woman he had been with in the hotel lobby and I steeled myself in case he boarded the plane with the beautiful woman.

  He's a playboy who knows no loyalty. He just wants what he wants when he wants it, I reminded myself as I went about setting up the cabin the way that Trish had taught me. He didn't care about me; he just wanted a piece of ass. I repeated over and over until I felt certain that I had immunized myself against the considerable charm and magnetism of Mr. Austin Marks.

  Once I'd prepped the cabin for his arrival and Trish had made sure that there were a wide variety of his favorite beverages in the fridge and that all the meals he might want had been delivered, we stood back and admired the beauty of the cabin's layout. It was done in simple design lines and had a light airy feeling, not something that was easy to do in the small space. I checked to make sure that all of the tray tables and seats were in working order and then I stood in the galley and breathed deeply as I awaited the arrival of my boss and his entourage.

  "I've never seen anything like this in my life," Trish whispered. "It's insane that anyone could have so much money that they could do this to an airplane, isn't it?"

  I nodded, grateful that Trish was here with me as we waited for Austin to arrive.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Austin

  Despite the fact that my brain was spinning with all the information I'd ingested on the commercial flight that brought me to the corporate jet in Los Angeles, as I boarded the plane the first thing I did was look for Emily. I had told Bax to find the same crew that had flown over with me earlier in the week and I knew that he'd moved hell and high water to find them and get them here.

  As I entered the cabin, I looked toward the back of the plane and saw her there standing next to the redhead whose name I couldn't recall to save my life. I smiled at Emily and started to walk toward her. She nodded without smiling and looked back at me with an expression that gave nothing away. She looked beautiful, and I couldn't help but smile.

  "Emily," I smiled warmly as I offered my hand. "It's good to see you again."

  "Mr. Marks," she said as she shook my hand quickly and then dropped her hands down to her sides. "It's always a pleasure, sir."

  "And Ms. -" I held my hand out to the redhead as a confused look flitted across my face quickly replaced by a smile. "I'm sorry, I don't know your last name."

  "Trish," she smiled as she shook my hand. "It's okay, we didn't meet last time around. Please excuse my co-attendant here, she's had a rough day."

  "Are you okay, Emily?" I ask
ed genuinely concerned.

  "I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Marks," she said with a weak smile. "Thank you for asking."

  Trish elbowed her in the side and she looked up into my eyes for a moment, but that was all it took for me to see that something was going on. It suddenly came flooding back – how she'd pushed me away and said she wasn't interested. Now, I'd pulled her onto this flight and away from her life in Las Vegas. Maybe what I was seeing was her resentment at being on asked to return to Sydney on this flight.

  The captain announced that it was time to prepare for take-off, so I got myself situated and told the two interns that Bax had sent with me to find seats and get comfortable. Then, I settled in and waited for the plane to get airborne. I ran various scenarios through my head, finally thinking, Forget it, we're not fifteen year olds and I'm not going to chase after a woman who doesn't want me. I'm the head of a multi-billion dollar corporation! I don't have to do this! But down deep, I knew that I was hooked on Emily in a way that I'd never been before and that I was going to follow the path wherever it led – even if that meant I was going to find a dead end.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Emily

  When I saw him enter the plane, I felt myself inhale sharply and hold my breath. He looked so handsome in his usual suit-minus-tie with the shirt open at the neck, five o'clock shadow at noon, and messy dark curly hair that I had to fight to keep from staring. He walked across the cabin smiling and said hello as he stuck his hand out, I shook it and returned the greeting, but I kept my eyes lowered, afraid that he'd read everything in them if I looked up and let him see.

  "Are you okay, Emily?" he asked with genuine concern.

  "I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Marks," I said as I offered a weak, unconvincing smile. "Thank you for asking."

  Trish said something to him and elbowed me in the side as she did, but I didn't hear her. I was lost in the memory of the night Austin had pulled me to him and brushed my lips with his. I couldn't forget the way my body had been drawn to his and the way my pulse had raced as his lips touched mine, and I couldn't forget the way he'd occupied my dreams every night since then. I shook my head to clear the thoughts that were flooding my brain and threatening to lead me right back into his arms.

  "Pssst, Princess," Trish whispered as she poked me in the arm to get my attention. "Get ready for take off!"

  "Oh, yeah, right," I said as I took my place in the jump seat in the galley and belted myself in.

  "You okay?" she asked from the seat across the way. "You look a little pale."

  "I'm fine, just a little..." I trailed off as I thought about how to explain what I was feeling.

  "A little twitterpated, I'd say," Trish smiled as she nodded at me. "It's okay, Princess, you can like the boy. He's hot and he's got good manners. I approve."

  "Oh great," I rolled my eyes at her as the plane began picking up speed in anticipation of assent. "I'm glad that I have your approval, I was so worried that I wouldn't and that I'd have to proceed without it."

  "Smart ass," she giggled as we lifted off the ground and headed up into the clouds.

  Once we were at the proper elevation, we both undid our restraints and prepped the cabin for the first round of drink and snack offerings.

  "You go take care of him," Trish said as she looked over at the section where Austin was sitting reading a set of papers with great interest. "I'll get the peanut gallery."

  "Trish!" I whisper yelled. "No! You serve him, I don't want to even go there."

  "Oh, yes you do," she said with a knowing smile and a gentle shove. "Oh, yes you do."

  I shot her a death look and stuck my tongue out before pasting a smile on my face and stepping out into the main cabin.

  "Mr. Marks, is there anything I can get you right now?" I asked in a quiet voice trying not to startle him.

  "Huh? Oh, yes, I'd like a club soda with lime and a sandwich or something," he said as he looked up and smiled at me adding, "And aren't we on a first name basis now?"

  "Um, I suppose we are, Austin," I said giving him a bright smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'll get your drink and lunch. Do you have a sandwich preference?"

  "I'd like a BLT, Emily, if that's possible," he said in a way that suggested more than just a sandwich. Just then, I had a flash of the blonde in the hotel lobby pop into my head, so I swallowed hard and smiled as best I could.

  "Sure thing, I can do that, Austin," I replied before I turned and walked back to the galley where I asked the cook to prepare the BLT. He had it ready by the time I'd poured the club soda and added a thick slice of lime to the edge of the glass, and I carried the tray out to the cabin.

  "Would you like this set up on the table, sir...Austin?" I asked.

  "No, just put it down here on the table next to me," he said gesturing toward the table that was between his seat and the window. I raised an eyebrow as I realized how close this would require me to stand, but I knew what my job entailed, so I bent over and put the tray on the table next to him. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne and it made me feel weak as I set the silverware and napkin on the table before putting the plate and his drink next to it.

  "Is...is...is that all you'll be needing, sir...Austin?" I stammered still bent over as I tipped my head and looked at him.

  "Oh no," he murmured as he looked over at me and raised one hand to push a stray lock of hair out of my face. "It's not near what I'll be needing."

  "Oh!" I exhaled closing my eyes for a moment as I felt the tips of his fingers brush my cheek.

  "I don't know what I did to make you run, but whatever it was, I'm sorry," he said softly.

  "It's...it's...it's not you," I stuttered as I searched for the words to explain my situation without driving him away.

  "Then what is it?" he asked simply. "Tell me, please?"

  "Austin," I began as I opened my eyes and looked into his miserably. "Please, don't...I can't..."

  I pulled back and stood up as I held his gaze. "It's not you. I swear it's not you," I repeated adding, "I want to, believe me, I want to." Then, I turned and quickly walked back to the galley where I collapsed into one of the large chairs and put my hands over my face as I tried not to cry.

  "What's up, Princess?" Trish asked as she came bounding back from the cockpit where the captain and co-pilot had just finished placing their lunch orders. "Whoa, what's going on?"

  "He wants me. I said no," I choked out as I swallowed hard to keep from sobbing. "I can't do this, Trish! I want him, but I can't!"

  "Oh, honey," Trish said as she walked over to the kitchen and handed the chef the orders before she came and kneeled down in front of me. "Stop this, right now. Tell me what happened."

  I told her exactly what had happened and what he'd said, and then how I'd run away. Trish smiled and patted my hand as she calmed me down. Then, she stood up, grabbed the orders for the cockpit and walked up front, saying she'd be right back.

  "Princess," she said as she returned to the galley. "That boy is up there in the cabin looking just as miserable as you look sitting back here. Go up there and just talk to him. Tell him the truth. What's the worst that can happen?"

  "He'll hate me," I said miserably.

  "Well, if you keep playing games with him like this, then the outcome will be the same," she said, shaking her head. "So, go up there and take control of the situation and let him know what's going on. Who knows, maybe he'll understand."

  "You think so?" I said in a small voice.

  "It can't be any worse than the two of you moping around miserably for the same reason," she said with her hands on her hips. She pointed to the cabin and said, "Go talk to him."

  I got up and walked out of the galley into the cabin. I shyly approached Austin and said, "Can I talk with you for a minute?"

  "Sure, what do you need?" he asked in a business-like tone that almost sent me running back to the galley, but Trish stood guard in the doorway and shook her head as she mouthed, "TALK."

  "Um, I just wanted
to explain what's going on," I said nervously.

  "Okay, then why don't you sit down and let me listen to what you have to say," He smiled as he gestured to the chair across from him. "I'd love to hear you explain."

  I sat down on the edge of the chair, unsure about how comfortable I should get when I was technically an employee, but he smiled and urged me to get comfortable, so I sat back, took a deep breath, and began explaining. It took me nearly an hour to tell the whole tale of my situation and why I was hesitant to let things between us go any further.

  "So, you're saying that you're attracted to me, too?" he asked.

  "Uh huh," I nodded as I blushed and looked away.

  "But you don't want to do anything to disrespect your husband, even though he's kind of gone out of his way to disrespect you. Am I right?" he asked.

  "Well, when you put it like that, it sounds kind of like I should hook up with you," I said defensively.

  "No, I'm not saying that at all," he said. "I'm just stating facts. You won't disrespect your husband even when he's chosen to disrespect you."

  I nodded, not knowing what to say.

  "That sounds like you've got morals and values and that you're loyal to people you care about," he said. "I don't think that's a bad thing."

  "You don't?" I asked surprised at what he'd said.

  "No, I don't," he replied. "I think it means that you are a decent human being and someone who is trustworthy. And that makes you even more attractive."

  "Thank you, sir...Austin," I said as I blushed again. "But what happens now?"

  "Now?" he asked and then grinned. "What happens now is that I give you space to figure out what you need to do about that husband of yours, but keep reminding you that I'm here and I’m interested."

  "Wait, what?" I said while shaking my head, unsure if I'd heard him correctly.