Bare Skin: A Billionaire Romance

by Leah Holt

  I hope you like the color, I haven't had the chance to ask you what your favorite is.

  Maybe tonight will be that night, if you'll let me.

  See you soon, Kash'

  My hand began to shake, dropping the note to the floor. I didn't really know what to make of his gift.

  How did he know where I live?

  I wasn't sure if I should be creeped out, or flattered that he thought of me. A million questions flooded my mind.

  Do I open it?

  Do I throw it like it was poisoned?

  Curiosity was clawing over my hands, teasing my fingers over the bow. And it won.

  I hated not knowing what was in that box, I hated the idea of discarding it without at least taking a tiny peek.

  Pulling the ribbon off the box, I lifted the top off, and my entire body came to a slamming halt.

  Short breaths hit my lungs, my eyes expanding past their limit. The silky sheen of a deep red dress lit up when the light hit it. Running my fingers over the fabric, I was amazed at how delicate and smooth it felt under my hand.

  Tucking my fingers under the straps, I lifted the dress from its cardboard tomb.

  Wow. Oh wow.

  The gown was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It sparkled, dancing in a rhythm of its own even without a body inside it.

  The front was smooth and sexy plain, but the back... That was where the detail and design flourished. The hem draped into a v-shape, high fashion lace filled in low at the center. A small train spilled off the end, glittery flowers highlighted the base, as if a small bushel had been tossed over the material.

  I'm pretty sure the entire time I stared at the gown my jaw was just hanging open, resting on my chest.

  I can't accept this, it looks so expensive. What is it...Mulberry silk?

  I can't take this. Can I?

  He did say it was a gift.

  It probably doesn't even fit.

  Holding the dress against my body, I let the silk drape over my arm. It was the softest material I had ever felt against my flesh, as if honey and delicate rose petals had merged into one.

  Kash's hands swept my mind, reminding me of how soft they were against my skin. He had been so gentle, and so fierce. Each finger digging and stroking, caressing and mauling; it was pleasure and pain all wrapped up in one set of hands.

  His hands were rough, the hands of man who worked long hard hours. But his tender touch was velvet against my body.

  Laying the gown over my bed, I paced back and forth, biting my nails. My eyes were locked on the most beautiful thing anyone had ever given me, but inside I was shying away.

  How could I accept that? How could I wear that?

  I didn't deserve something that fancy and high class. I was the girl who shopped at Savers, the girl who held onto clothes until the material had nothing left to hide my body.

  This was too much.

  And if I showed up at dinner wearing it, I bet Kash would think he had me in his grasp, that a little shower of an expensive gift was all it would take to win me over.

  I'm overthinking this. The dress doesn't mean anything.

  He could just be trying to be nice, I had told him I didn't have anything to wear. And he had been such an asshole; this could be part of his apology.

  What could it hurt?

  Mulling it over, I decided to at least try it on. I had to, a dress like that didn't come into my hands ever.

  Why is my world turning upside down?

  Pushing my arms under the straps, it flowed over my chest, rolling like water over my skin. It fit me perfectly.

  How did he know my size?

  Sliding my hands over my hips, I did a full circle in my mirror, admiring how the silk cupped my curves. The dress sent my stomach into a ball of knots, it was something I'd see on a runway. Something I'd expect to see Beth in, not me.

  Should I go to meet him?

  There were so many questions, so many emotions pushing and pulling me in different directions.

  Why should I meet him after today?

  Why am I letting this guy get to me?

  Why do I want him and despise him all in one breath?

  Standing my ground was getting harder and harder the longer the gown was on my flesh. My stomach was tied up with nerves and butterflies, twirling and spinning in a lavish ballroom blitz.

  A man who grabbed my attention had bought me the dress of my dreams, dousing me in the color of strength and power, desire and passion.

  Red had been the color I used to paint my new image, to cover the person I had been.

  And Kash sent me this, a gift that reflected who I wanted to be.

  My new color was red, it was my rebirth as a woman

  How do I not go now?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Kash

  Standing in the foyer of Tourours, I checked the Rolex wrapping my wrist. Expecting Willow to be arriving any minute, I leaned onto the wall in the back corner, staying low profile from the crowd of vultures swarming the hostess desk.

  The place was jammed with people sitting on the list of high society. Just scanning the room, I saw two senators, and the mayor's daughter. She was a pretty girl, with a bad reputation.

  The word around the city was that she would do anything to get her hands on money, and anything to get out of trouble. And when I said anything, I meant anything.

  A little birdie once told me she gave head to the chief of police, just to stay out of jail for embezzling money from her father's campaign.

  Her daddy must be so proud.

  Tapping my chin, I stood in the shadows, waiting. My suit for the evening was similar to the one I had on earlier in the day. Black from head to toe, except I had changed into a deep blue button up.

  The jacket was open, hanging lightly around my waist. The top few buttons on my collar were ajar, letting me breathe.

  Suits were not my favorite choice. They were stuffy and awkward. But for this restaurant it was a requirement. If I wanted to show her the city from the back of a pickup truck, I would've worn jeans and a plain t-shirt. But that's not what this was.

  All of this was to show her what I could give her, what I had to offer. I wanted Willow to see that her dreams were a stone's throw away if she made the right choices.

  Her first choice, was showing up here tonight.

  Eyeing the door, I watched people coming and going. A young woman with similar blonde hair stepped in, but it wasn't Willow. She was too short, and her hair had pink tips that I only spotted because she turned her head.

  The hostess glanced my way, and I shook my head no, brows dipping into my nose.

  Definitely not, my woman has more class.

  Fixing the cuffs on my wrist, my eyes drifted back up to the door, and my body shivered. Instantly, my head shut off, heart hitting a breaking point I'd never experienced, rocking my ribs with such an intense pounding I thought they were going to crack.

  Willow was standing in the entrance, eyes glowing as she took in the crystal chandelier hanging above. Her face flooded with whimsical doe eyes; large, entranced, and sparkling with curiosity.

  She was the most amazingly beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. The red silk cloaked her voluptuous form in pure envy. The exposed flesh glistened like small stars as she twisted to look around.

  I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping, or cock from igniting in a savage need to scoop her up and whisk her away. I wanted to steal her from the mass of eyes that glanced at her like she was Cinderella. Wonder of who she was, and who she was with, crept across their faces in a wave.

  She's mine, all that beauty is mine.

  Willow's hair was straight, the curls smoothed out so her hair slipped like thin fingers over her shoulders. A soft coating of bronze highlighted her lids, cheeks dabbed with a kiss of blush.

  It was the perfect amount of makeup, just enough to enhance her features, and not too much to make her look simulated.

  I stood in awe, unable to move, unable t
o gain control of my thoughts so I could walk over and greet her. I was a statue in the darkness, a motionless man fixated on his obsession.

  And she had become my obsession, my dreams, my thoughts.

  Get a grip, man. This isn't new to you, that woman, any woman. They're all the same.

  Fuck, Kash, don't grow weak.

  Gathering myself, I tugged the edges of my jacket and walked up behind her. I wanted to speak, wanted to tell her how gorgeous she looked.

  But words couldn't fully capture how angelic she appeared. She smelled of sweet sunflowers, the scent tangling my insides with giant knots. She was capturing me in her web, pulling me in with each strand and wrapping me tight.

  Running my fingers over her shoulder, I leaned into her ear and whispered. “I'm glad you decided to come. It would have been horrible to let this sight go unseen.”

  Willow lurched forward, grabbing her chest as she heaved a breath of air. “Kash, you scared me. I didn't expect you to sneak up on me.”

  “I didn't expect you to show up.” Sliding my hand down her arm, I wrapped my fingers around her wrist.

  That was a lie, I knew she would be here. There was never a doubt.

  But she didn't need to know that. Let her think she has the control.

  Willow's cheeks brightened, turning the light pink to pale cherry. And my mind instantly raced to her panties that night, the pastel color that hid her most delectable spot. The way she felt so warm and wet against my skin.

  Memories... While some are better left forgotten, others are worth a second visit; or third, or... Tenth. The actual amount of times her panties flashed through my head I honestly didn't even think I could put a number on it. It was on repeat, just like the feel of her pussy on my finger.

  “Well, I'm here.” Flipping her hair from her face, she continued to shy from looking into my eyes.

  “I see the dress fit you perfectly.” Rolling my eyes over her body, I held her arm up and spun her around.

  “It does, how did you know my size?” Looking up at me under hooded lids, her lips pursed on one side.

  “I have my ways.” Winking, I shot a look over to the hostess, giving her a nod. “Are you ready to start over?”

  “Start over?” Her face crinkled with confusion.

  “Hi, I'm Kash. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Lifting her hand, I laid a soft kiss on the back of her palm. Prickles broke across her skin, flooding her arm in a wave of tiny bumps.

  “Are you serious?” Her head angled, the bare flesh of neck shined, inviting me in with the gentle nervous pulse under the skin.

  “And you are?” I asked, not paying any attention to her question.

  I wanted a fresh start, a chance to show this girl that everything she ever thought wasn't possible, was right at her fingers. Because I was here, and I could give it to her.

  Giggling, Willow's head dipped into her shoulder. “I'm Willow, it's nice to meet you.”

  Her laugh sent a surge of electricity through my veins, transcending across my muscles. Each muscle firmed in a triad down my core, one after the other they seized all movement.

  “Mr. Slade, your table is ready. Please follow me.” The hostess, guided us into the dinning room, over to the table I had requested. “Your waiter will be right with you, enjoy your evening.” Smiling, the young girl disappeared back out front.

  Toujours was the fanciest restaurant in the city, and luckily with my name, no request went unanswered. One call, and I had the perfect dinner planned.

  We had a private table, sectioned off from the rest of the restaurant. It was usually reserved for the famous, or someone with a high profile. The president ate here a few weeks ago, and this was where he sat.

  Pressing my hand against her shoulder, I guided her into the booth. Stealing a subtle taste of her soft skin under my fingertips.

  The table was decorated (per my request) with a centerpiece that matched the beauty of her dress, and the glimmer of her aura. It was simple, but fascinating; luxurious, yet plain.

  A large twisting vase rested in the middle of the table, the flame of a small candle floated on the water filling the glass. Beneath, submerged in the liquid, were red and pink rose petals.

  Watching her face, the small flame licked her skin with an orange glow.

  Wow, she truly is incredible. The face of an angel with the body of the devil.

  Ready to be devoured with my sins.

  “Mr. Slade...” Chuckling, Willow rested her chin on her hand, a smile spread from ear to ear.

  “Around here, I'm Mr. Slade. But you can call me that in bed later if you'd like.” A smug grin filled my face, teeth bared brightly.

  “Oh really, and what makes you think I'll be in your bed?” Her fingers nervously wrapped each other, twining like a braid. One after another, I watched them fold, twist, roll, and unravel.

  She's nervous. That's a good sign.

  “You're wearing my dress, that says enough.”

  “Wow, that's a bold statement.”

  “I'm a bold man, if you haven't noticed.” Winking, I slid into the booth facing her.

  “You say bold, I might use another word.” The fire lit her eyes, turning the bright blue into gray stone.

  “And what word is that?”

  “I'll just leave that one out, this is a business meeting, right?”

  “You call it a business meeting, I might use another word.”

  “Funny.” Shaking her head, Willow let the first untainted smile creep across her face.

  That smile is perfect, it's real.

  “I plan on making this a night you'll remember, for more reasons than just a business meeting.” The waiter approached the table, waving him down to my face, I whispered into his ear.

  The man nodded, snatching a look at Willow. In that brief glimpse, his eyes ran over her body, lip twitching from the woman at my side. My woman, she wasn't here for his enjoyment, she was here for mine.

  A faint smile hit his mouth, tongue licking his teeth as subtly as he could.

  Instantly my veins rushed with fire, the heat so intense my body ignited. I didn't want him looking at her that way, lavishing himself in the beauty that was mine.

  Curling my fingers into my palms, my nails dug in deep. The sheer anger that filled me over his brief glimpse consumed my entire being, infuriating my muscles.

  How dare he, when I'm sitting right here?

  What the hell? Why should I even care?

  It was just a look, innocent and harmless.

  Right?

  This wasn't like me, I never felt jealous or angry over another man. Women came and left in my life, keeping them only as long as I needed.

  But this felt different, a carnal urge to make it known that she was mine.

  So I did what any sane, jealous man would do. I let the barely pubescent boy know the one rule I was going to shove in his face.

  As the waiter turned to walk away, I snatched his wrist, tugging him close to my face. “I don't expect you to ever look at her that way again. Do you understand?” Whispering through ground teeth, the words crawled out from the back of my throat into his ear.

  The young man shook his head, speaking low with a stutter. “Ye... Yes, Sir. I... I'm sorry, Sir.”

  Throwing his arm down, I said, “Now go do your job, and get our champagne.”

  Willow tossed me a crooked glance. “What the hell was that about?”

  “Nothing, he just needed a little guidance.” Reaching out for the glass of water, I took a long sip. “Now he understands better.”

  “Understands what?”

  “Let's leave that between him and I. Alright, let's get the business talk out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of our night.”

  “I thought you gave this dinner another name?” Tilting her head, Willow smirked. Her fingers tapped the table, dancing over the bundle of silverware.

  Stretching my hand over the table, I grabbed her fingers. “What name do you think I gave it?”

&nb
sp; Tugging her lip back, her eyes looked up at the ceiling. She was thinking, but her hand didn't move. She let me hold it, her fingertips gently curling tighter.

  Her skin in my hands sent a rush through my body; it was warm and cold, buzzing up my arm and hitting my chest.

  What the fuck, how can she make me feel anything?

  Feelings were foreign, unnatural, not sustainable in my world. They never manifested, only falling flat and lifeless as my brain would push them down and away.

  Forgotten desire rushed across my flesh, lapping my stomach and burrowing into the muscle.

  Her lips parted, soft air expelled through delicate words. “I don't know. What I'm thinking I don't want to say.”

  “Yes you do, if you're thinking it, you can say it.”

  “No, I can't.” Her fingers slid from my grip, coiling around her free hand.

  Don't let go. You belong there.

  The feeling of wanting and needing, making and having, all consumed me in a gush. She had flooded my brain, taking every piece of me. But I knew nothing about her, and yet...

  Willow had become my end.

  My life had been lacking, cold, dark. Then she walked in, and everything shined like the life a newborn sun.

  “Please, after all you have said, you can't say one word. Just say it.”

  “It's not supposed to be that, this is supposed to make up for earlier.”

  “How did you think I planned on making up for earlier? Because this is just the start, I have a whole night planned for us. Ending with me finishing what we started, Princess.”

  Willow's chest shot up, shoulders snapping square. The small fire still ran wisps of lightening claws across her face, tinting her eyes in orange sparkles.

  She didn't really think this was all about the meeting?

  Could she honestly not feel the spark between us?

  I was going to crush any doubt or question she had in her mind. Tonight I was going to finish what I started.

  Tonight, I was going to make her scream my name.

  Tonight, Willow was going realize she was mine.

  And her life would never be the same.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Willow

  The confidence that streamed from Kash was something I just wasn't used to. He was so sure of himself, so sure of what he wanted.