10. Chapter Ten
“Oh, fuck it!” Mia snapped, trying to put her freshly washed hair up in a bun. She gave up and left it down. Sliding her dainty feet into her black ballerina style shoes and applying some make-up, she was ready to face the day ahead.
She caught her reflection in one of the full-length mirrors in the corridor leading to the elevator and smiled: she looked good, cute, and sassy. Cody had never seen her with her hair down or wearing a dress. There you go again—all about friggin Cody.
The elevator doors slid open, “And there he is!” Mia mumbled, entering the elevator to stand next to a smiling Cody and a couple of teenagers, one of which whistled as she walked by.
She smiled. “Ground floor, please.”
“Sure thing pretty miss,” the teenage guy who’d whistled said, pretending to salute her.
“Morning, Mia,” Cody‘s voice mumbled from beside her.
“Morning,” she whispered.
“Sorry, Cody, I didn’t realize she was your girl!” the teenage guy said, looking toward Cody and Mia now.
“Yeah, right, we’re not you know we’re not like that!” Mia should’ve kept her mouth shut as the words came out totally jumbled.
“What she’s trying to say is we’re not together, Ethan,” Cody said firmly, glancing at Mia as he spoke the words.
“Sorry, guys, I just assumed,” Ethan said quietly.
“Never assume, especially not when in Cody’s company as he hates people who assume, even though he does it!”
“Really? We’re gonna do this right here and now Mia?” Cody asked, turning with his ice-blue eyes staring down at her.
“No, of course not, sorry,” was all she could manage to whisper; he’d put her in her place. Her comment was petty and stupid.
Cody looked surprised by her quick apology and fell silent. As the elevator traveled downward, Mia couldn’t help watching him. He was dressed in tighter fitting black jeans than she’d seen him in before, teamed up with an orange T-shirt tucked in to show off his slim waist. His silhouette was so overwhelmingly sexy with his narrow waist, lean hips, and muscular legs.
He was stocky, but so muscular and athletically built that he carried it well, and of course, being 6’2” tall helped considerably.
Cody’s sandy-blond hair was slightly shorter now and still worn in a low ponytail. His handsome, chiseled face was shaved smooth.
The elevator reached the ground floor way too quickly in Mia’s opinion as she wanted an excuse to stare at him longer.
“After you,” he smiled, gesturing flamboyantly with his arm for Mia to leave the elevator first.
She flashed him a small smile and walked out feeling his blue eyes burning a hole in her back. She turned around quickly to see him glancing away. So you still like what you see then? That’s good.
“When’s good to do our interview?” she asked, feeling that she should say something to justify her turning around.
“Now if it’s good for you,” he replied.
“Perfect, but I’ll have to go back to my room for my notebook.” She smiled, making her way back to the elevator.
“No problem, I’ll wait in the lobby for you.”
She felt like a lovestruck teenager as she all but ran back to the elevator. The power one guy can have over a person is scary.
Mia rushed into her room, found her notebook, and headed back to the elevator; there wasn’t actually any rush as Cody wasn’t going anywhere. She just felt the need while she had his attention to interview him now.
He was sat in the quiet lobby, and as she walked toward him, he stood up akin to a gentleman’s gesture of politeness in days gone by.
Mia sat opposite him rather than beside him; she needed to keep her distance to keep level-headed.
“Can I say you look beautiful with your hair down, and that dress, wow!” he said smiling at her.
Mia crossed her silky-smooth legs elegantly and watched his hungry blue eyes following every move her body made. The dress had ridden up enough to show off the beginning of her smooth thighs. Mia’s legs might be short, but they were shapely and slender.
She ignored his compliment as though it meant little to her.
“Let’s get started Cody, or should I be more formal and go with Mr. Wilson?” she asked.
“Are you trying to provoke me? Come on, Mia, I didn’t call you as I didn’t think you’d wanna hear from me, and I’m sorry I didn’t at least try to contact you. I’ve thought about you, a lot,” he said quietly, looking right into her green eyes.
Mia blushed, he sounded so sincere.
“Okay, I believe you. Now can we start?” She didn’t mean to sound harsh, but she was trying her best to forget him and move forward, and he was now making that extremely difficult. Damn the company for sending her back.
“Okay, what do you want to know?”
“Your potential partnership with Doctor Gregory, how certain is it?”
“All but 100% certain. He’s coming here today, so you’ll be able to meet him for yourself, Mia.”
“What prompted the invitation for him to partner you?” this part intrigued Mia.
“You didn’t hear?”
“Nope, obviously not!” She was done playing games with people. “Just up and say whatever it is you’re trying to say, Cody.
“I invited him to come and talk to Shane.”
“You did? Why?” Now she was even more intrigued.
“I told him that Shane heard voices in his head and that the voices had told him to runaway that day he went missing. This fascinated Robert, Doctor Gregory. So he came and met with Shane, and they chatted,” Cody replied.
“And afterward, you just happened to offer him a partnership?”
“Pretty much, yes. So okay, we know Shane didn’t hear voices, but Doctor Gregory doesn’t.”
“So again, Shane’s parents are caused unnecessary worry?”
“No, Mia. I ensured Doctor Gregory spoke to them along with Shane; they were there the whole time, and I insisted he didn’t make a big deal out of it as they’d been through so much already.”
“That’s something then I guess, and Shane was cool with all of this?”
“Yes, cos I offered him more cash and a free place back here this year; he was chuffed to bits, Mia.” Cody smiled, making the corners of his eyes crinkle and his face dimple, giving his chiseled appearance a much softer look.
So okay then, maybe just maybe you’re not quite the evil guy I had you pegged to be.
“When’s this Doctor Gregory guy arriving?” Mia asked, standing up to leave.
“Right about now. Hello again, Mr. Wilson,” a deep voice said from behind Mia.
“Hello, Doctor Gregory,” Cody answered smiling and looking behind Mia.
“Robert, please call me Robert, and who’s this creature of beauty?” Robert asked, looking straight at Mia.
“This is Mia Adams, the journalist I told you about,” Cody replied.
Robert stepped forward, and Mia held out her hand to shake his, but instead, he dropped to his knees, taking her hand in his and kissing it softly. Mia giggled and blushed.
“Honored,” Robert smiled up at her.
“The honor’s all mine as I’ve heard such terrific things about you, Doctor Gregory,” she said quietly.
“Robert, please; Doctor Gregory makes me sound and feel old Mia. I’m only 38-years-old after all,” he said with a laugh.
He was handsome, not in a hot Cody way with his chiseled appearance, but in more of a distinguished way. His face spoke of a life well-lived, and his physique screamed once incredibly sexy and still fit. He was well-dressed in what looked like a Hugo Boss 3-piece suit. Mia guessed at this because a couple of the journalist guys wore the same cut suits, and they were Hugo Boss. It was in a dark blue color, and he’d teamed it with a crisp white shirt and a matching navy tie.
You’ll be cooking in that when it warms up later, fella.
Shiny black shoes completed his
look. He came across as self-assured and debonair, a very refined gentleman.
He rose from his knees, smiling up at Mia as he did so. She noticed his hazel colored eyes, which were heavy-lidded giving them an alluring appearance. A light beard covered his face with a mustache; both were well-trimmed, and his hair was dark brown and short with a peppering of gray. His skin looked like velvet.
“Robert it is.” Mia smiled up at him; he was slightly shorter than Cody at around 6’1” and not as stocky in his build.
“Did I interrupt your interview?” Robert asked, looking toward Cody now.
“No, not at all. We were just finishing up,” replied Cody.
“Excellent, then can I ask you, Mia, to join me for breakfast? Unless you’ve already eaten of course,” Robert said, turning to look back at Mia.
His smile was slightly crooked, lending him a young-at-heart expression.
“No, I’ve not eaten yet. Robert, that’d be lovely,” Mia answered, smiling at him.
“You sure we’ve finished here Mia? Cos I can spare the time if you wish to continue,” Cody said.
Mia got the distinct impression that Cody was stalling for time—he didn’t want her to spend time with Robert; was he jealous?
“We’re finished, Cody. I can catch up with you later if I think of anything,” she replied.
“Great, come on Mia, let’s eat as I’m starving,” said Robert with a smile.
He placed a hand on the small of Mia’s back, guided her out of the lobby and into the dining room. His touch was strong and firm but also gentle. They found a table by the window and ordered their food.
“Cody told me you were a very career-driven young woman, but what he didn’t choose to inform me was how beautiful you are,” Robert spoke quietly while staring into her eyes.
Mia felt embarrassed but held his gaze. She smiled shyly, “That’s Cody for you. Always keeping things to himself.”
Robert grinned. “Something tells me you don’t have a lot of time for him.”
“Let’s just say we’ve had our differences in the past.”
“I hope we can get along Mia; the mind of a journalist has always fascinated me.”
“Well, then, I hope my boring mind doesn’t disappoint you.” Mia giggled loudly.
“I love a woman who’s not afraid to laugh.”
“Why would anyone be afraid to laugh? It’s the most natural emotion in the world.”
Robert looked away, and Mia noticed a hint of sadness in his hazel eyes when he returned his gaze to her. “You’d be surprised how many people, especially women, see laughter as a sign of weakness Mia, so sad.”
“That’s tragic, Robert. I guess you gain a lot of knowledge about people in general in your line of work.”
“Have we started our interview now?”
“No, not at all. Just chatting, and I wasn’t aware we were doing an interview,” she said hastily.
“Okay. Well, yes, it’s true I do get to know a lot about people. Most women who dislike laughing usually enjoy being in control and taking the upper hand in relationships.”
“So that’s a good sign for me then? Cos I laugh,” she smiled, enjoying that she could be playful with Robert and not watch every word she said like she did with Cody.
“Yep, a good sign for sure! Listen, I’m up for an interview if you’d like to do one.”
“That’d be great. It’d help to gain your perspective on your partnership with Cody,” Mia replied.
Breakfast went by quickly. They enjoyed each other’s company, sharing much laughter along the way.
“Well, I better be going, Robert, thank you for asking me to breakfast,” Mia said, standing up.
Robert stood up and walked quickly to the back of Mia’s chair, pulling it out for her; she straightened her dress, becoming aware that the hemline had crept up during breakfast. Mia flicked her long black hair over her shoulders and turned to look at Robert.
“Thank you kind sir,” she whispered. “I’ll hunt you down for our interview soon.”
“Please do. I’ll look forward to spending time with you Mia,” he answered, returning to his chair.
She walked out of the dining-room feeling confident. She’d had breakfast with Doctor Gregory, and more to the point, she’d not embarrassed herself with foolish small-talk.
He was stylish, suave, and charismatic, and certainly someone she wanted to get to know better.
11. Chapter Eleven
As Mia waited for the elevator, she saw Cody talking to some teenagers just outside of the lobby; he glanced at her briefly.
Oh, friggin great, here he comes.
Cody smiled as he approached Mia. “Hey, how was breakfast?” he asked, standing beside her.
“Tasty,” was the only word she said. The elevator arrived, and Cody entered it with her. “Which floor?”
“One up from you, Mia, up to floor four please.”
She pressed the button and then leant against the back of the elevator. Mia crossed her ankles over one another and clung to her notebook and pen.
“How was Robert?”
He really was fishing for information, and Mia was loving the fact that he seemed to be jealous, “He was sophisticated, respectful, and charming.”
Cody began fidgeting as he stood next to her, “So he’s a nice guy. I get that Mia, but what did you talk about?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business, Cody. I’ll be interviewing him soon and getting his take on recent events concerning your partnership.”
“Watch him, Mia. He’s an older guy, and you’re a—well, you’re an incredibly sexy and beautiful young woman alone here.”
Mia looked at Cody, who was smiling at her. “Yeah, thanks, Cody; I’m not a goddamn hooker, and I can take care of myself.”
The elevator arrived at the third floor, and they stepped out together. Cody grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. “Listen to me—I’ve heard rumors, Mia. He likes pretty young things as trophies on his arm; don’t get sucked in.”
“Like I did with you?”
“I never sucked you in. I fell for you or rather I’ve fallen for you. What I did with Shane was wrong, but I never intended to hurt anyone, Mia; he gained from the situation, as did I. Can we just at least be mates?”
His soft lips were inches away from hers, and Mia wanted so badly to kiss him, to hold him close, and to feel his strong hands upon her body. She still liked him, whatever she may say to others.
“Sure why not, mates it is.” She smiled up at him. Surely mates couldn’t hurt; he’d make a good mate.
She felt his lips kiss the tip of her nose and his hands touching her slender shoulders.
“Ummm, do mates do that?” she asked, feeling herself becoming aroused by his gentle touch.
“Do there have to be rules?” he asked, slowly moving his hands down her naked shoulders.
“No, I guess not as there are too many rules in life as it is.”
Mia was surprised to feel his full throbbing lips pushing against her beautifully swollen ones as his mouth engulfed hers with a deliciously deep kiss. His hands moved from her arms to the curve of her back, pulling her closer to him.
She felt the hardness of his body against hers and felt the solid wall of muscle that was his powerful chest. Mia knew she should push him away, but all the strength had melted away from her body.
His tongue plunged into her wet mouth, and she groaned softly, allowing hers to find his mouth as their tongues danced an erotic dance together. Now it was his turn to groan as her notebook was dropped so she could put her arms around his strong, hard body.
Mia felt her dress rising along with her temperature. There wasn’t a lot of spare material to play with, and she knew her pert ass clad only in her lacy underwear would soon be on display for anyone who came by to view.
She stopped holding Cody and grabbed her dress, pulling it downward.
Cody’s lips left hers, “You okay?” he asked.
&nbs
p; “Yes, yes, but my dress isn’t. It keeps riding up, and my panties are, well, let’s just say the word skimpy would cover them.” She smiled up at his pale blue eyes.
“The word ‘skimpy’ would cover them, but they don’t cover your hot ass. Is that about the size of it?”
She nodded.
“Here’s the thing, Mia, I don’t wanna stop kissing the hell out of your soft lips. Do you want me to stop?”
“No, but I don’t want my ass on show either!” she exclaimed.
Cody laughed loudly, “Okay, can we go to your room? Or you can come to mine.”
“I don’t think that’s a great idea Cody, cos the way I feel right now, I’ll end up in bed with you.”
“And that’s a problem why?”
Mia blushed and looked away, she stood back from his embrace and reached down for her notebook and pen, “Just because that’s all,” and with those parting words, she left him standing alone in the corridor and went to her room. She heard him calling her name as she hurried toward her door, but she didn’t look back or stop.
With shaking hands, she swiped her keycard in the lock and was grateful when the door clicked open. Mia rushed inside and threw herself on the bed. She didn’t know whether to laugh, to cry or to scream so she did nothing; she just laid on her back staring up at the white ceiling above.
A knock on the door made her jump, “Mia, Mia, are you okay? What did I do?” Cody’s worried voice shouted through the door.
Seriously, can’t you give me some friggin space here?
“Cody, you did nothing wrong, it’s me; I need some time right now as my head’s all over the place,” she replied, sitting up on the bed.
There was silence from the other side of the door. Had he walked away? Was he still stood there not speaking?
Mia approached the door slowly. “Cody are you still there?”
Silence.
She opened the door slowly and quietly and was greeted by the empty corridor; she poked her head out and peered up and down the corridor, nothing.
Huh, practically broke the door down trying to see if I was okay, fella!
Mia went back inside, “Honestly, girl you’re never happy are you? The guy gives you a passionate kiss from heaven and basically tells you he wants you and you still manage to find something to moan and complain about,” her nagging little voice was terrific at putting her in her place.
Interview with a Billionaire: Billionaire Romance Box Set Page 8
