Margot looked around the combination living and dining room. “I doubt any of it will fit in your house. It’s all fourth hand anyway. But I want to pack up my books and pictures and stuff. I don’t want anyone else to touch my things. The furniture can go to charity.”
Adam nodded. “We’ll come back tomorrow or the next day and pack up whatever you want to take with you. Then we can arrange for movers to take the rest of it to whatever charity can use it. How’s that sound?”
* * * *
Margot blinked back sudden tears and dropped her head to his chest in defeat. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“You’re my mate. It’s my honor and privilege to be nice to you.” He kissed her hair before squeezing her tight.
Lifting her head, she stood on her toes to kiss him back. When his lips parted, her tongue pressed deep. He greeted her tongue with his own, and they danced back and forth between his mouth and hers.
Her body prepared for sex, and soon kissing wasn’t enough. Pulling her hands from his hold, she reached between them and unzipped his leather jacket. Next, she attacked his shirt buttons. Needing to see what she was doing, she broke the kiss. “Want you. Right now.”
“Then you’d better get those clothes off before I rip them off you,” he threatened with a sexy grin. “First one naked and in bed wins.”
He pushed his shirt and jacket off his shoulders as he stepped around her and headed to the bedroom. He hopped as he pulled off his boots in the short hallway. A moment later his jeans flew out the bedroom door.
It took Margot a moment to make sense of his words. She followed, dropping clothes in her wake as well. By the time she stepped into the bedroom, Adam was stretched across her full-size bed. He covered the mattress with his legs splayed wide, and one hand lazily stroked his thick, hard cock.
Dropping her bra and pushing down her panties, Margot took the three steps between doorway and bed. “No fair, I had on more clothes.”
“So stop wearing underwear. I won’t mind a bit. Maybe I’ll even demand it. No panties and lots of short skirts. That way you’re always ready to play,” he said with a grin.
“So what does the winner get?” she asked as she crawled onto the bed and between his legs.
“The winner gets you,” he growled.
Sitting up, he pulled her forward until they were breasts to chest then rolled so that he now lay between her legs.
“Now, Adam,” she breathed as she bent her legs and planted her feet. The tip of his cock brushed against her clit, sending a shiver of need through her. “Fuck me now.”
With a sound that was a cross between a satisfied moan and a happy howl, Adam shifted higher on the bed. He pushed straight into her, not stopping until they lay pelvis to pelvis. Kissing her, he pulled back and then returned again, beginning a slow, easy motion.
Margot reached for his hips, but he stopped when only his head remained inside her.
“More, dammit. Faster. Harder.” Margot reached for his nipples and began to scratch at them with the nails of her middle fingers.
Adam’s pace picked up only marginally. “I don’t want to hurt you, my sweet mate.”
“I’m not fragile. I need more.” Her demand became whiney.
She gasped when Adam slammed deep before beginning a hard, fast pace. Then he reached around her hip and brushed a single finger against her back hole. Margot screamed as her climax immediately rolled over her. A moment later, she heard Adam cry out as his cock jerked. Then she felt hot seed pulse into her womb as he collapsed on top of her.
Though she couldn’t breathe due to the large body pressing her into the mattress, Margot didn’t mind. It felt so good to have a man filling her. She felt complete in a way she never had before. This mating with Adam felt so right.
When she began struggling for breath, Adam wrapped his arms around her then rolled so they both lay on the bed, still connected. Margot took a deep breath and smiled as more of the tension she’d carried for years rolled off her shoulders like a crepe off a pan.
“Shh, baby. Rest a bit.” Adam murmured when she shifted in his arms.
Closing her eyes, she relaxed and let her mind drift.
* * * *
“Are you ready to go shopping?” Adam asked an hour later after they’d rested, cleaned up, and redressed. Instead of jeans, he’d talked her into the only above-the-knee skirt in her closet. He also demanded she go without panties though relented on a bra.
“Maybe it would be best if I didn’t go tonight,” she offered as he picked up her suitcase and headed for the door. She grabbed the shopping bag and her purse before following.
“I need you there to protect me from all those crazy society women who want to buy a bachelor.”
Margot checked to make sure all the lights were out before following him out the door. “If you don’t want to go then why did you say you let yourself be auctioned off?”
Adam didn’t answer until her things were in the trunk and they were seated inside the limo. “The auction is raising money for a good cause, and my mother’s on the organizing committee. I can’t get out of it, even though I’ve now found you. So, you’ll just have to buy me tonight, and everyone wins. The charity gets its money, I do my good deed, and you get me.”
Chapter 6
By the time the limo pulled into the convention center where the auction would take place, Margot wondered when she would be waking up from what had to be every single woman’s Cinderella dream. Surely being mated to a billionaire who had given her two million dollars because he wanted her to never worry about money again was a dream. Or a stress-induced delusion.
The afternoon had been spent as she imagined many rich women spent their time before a society event. After lunch with Adam in a real sit-down restaurant where the waiters hovered, she’d found the perfect dress at the first store they visited. The satin, dark teal-blue strapless gown that made the most of her generous curves while disguising her pudgy belly and fleshy thighs was the third dress she tried on. It needed no alterations, which surprised Margot almost as much as the news that the boutique carried dresses in her size. When she’d stepped out of the dressing room, Adam growled deep in his throat as he circled her.
“You’re exquisite,” he said as he kissed her cheek, though by the heat in his eyes she could see he wanted much, much more.
“What else will she need?” He turned to the sales clerk before acting on the lust she knew that filled him.
When they left the store, she was fully outfitted for the evening with the dress, black pumps that were high, but not so tall she couldn’t walk in them, and a tiny, silver clutch handbag and silky silver shawl. When she tried to look at price tags, Adam pulled her hand away and kissed her fingers while the clerk pulled the tags off the clothes and disappeared into the back room with Adam’s credit card.
Once back at the limo, Adam told Sam to disappear. The man nodded and walked away as Adam guided her into the back of the car. After locking the doors, Adam closed the front glass then turned to Margot. Blue fire shot from in his eyes. That single look sent her senses directly to sex. She reached for the fastenings of his jeans. She couldn’t explain what it was, but in the hours she’d known him, Adam Thomasson had become an addiction. Was it because of her years of celibacy? Or the mating thing? Or was this just one of those intense sex relationships that would burn itself out almost before it began? Would she be back in her little house, alone and jobless, in two weeks? A month? Or would it take less time for him to grow tired of her?
“Will it always be like this?” she asked as he shoved his jeans to his knees once she released the button and zipper.
Seconds later her skirt was up around her hips, and he was sliding deep into her wet heat. They both groaned at the connection.
“God, I hope so, though it might be difficult to find privacy at the office. Maybe I’ll turn the office next to mine into a bedroom so we can play anytime we want.”
“Maybe you should start work
ing from home,” she offered, as she grabbed hold of his shoulders. With a saucy smile, she began to ride his cock. She wasn’t sure she wanted everyone in his office to know their business.
Her lower lips parted, and her clit rubbed in the hair around his cock. The movement quickly drove her out of her mind, and all she could do was feel.
“Maybe I’ll put Sarah in charge of the company. Then we can spend the rest of our lives traveling the world and making love. Would you like that?”
Flying over her orgasmic peak, Margot leaned forward and muffled her cry in his skin where shoulder met neck. It was the same place as her mating mark. Though she didn’t break skin, she sucked a bruise into it, marking Adam in her own way. As she did, Adam growled deep in his chest. He held her hips steady then drove up into her cunt, going deep. Three strokes later, she felt hot semen pulse deep inside her.
It took a few minutes before she came back to herself. Then she remembered they sat in a public parking lot in the middle of the day, having sex. Lifting off of Adam’s lap, she smoothed her skirt down as her lover watched with a shit-eating grin.
“What?” she asked when he began to chuckle.
“You’re just so damn cute.”
Adam pulled wipes from a hidden compartment. After cleaning them both, he pulled up his jeans. Once they were both decent, he lowered the dividing glass. A few minutes later Sam slid into the driver’s seat, and they were off again.
Their next stop was the most exclusive beauty spa in town. Adam carried the two bags from the boutique as he escorted her inside. Once in the reception area, he turned her and the bags over to Stephanie, the owner.
“Relax and enjoy. I’ll be back at six.” He kissed her forehead and walked out before she could say a word in protest.
With an exasperated huff, she turned to Stephanie. “I guess I’m in your hands.”
After a facial, manicure, pedicure, and new hair style, a woman, who introduced herself as Gina, arrived carrying a small suitcase. Margot was sent to dress in her gown while Gina prepared. After carefully putting on her dress, Margot emerged from the salon’s dressing room feeling like the fairy tale princess she’d always dreamt of being. The entire staff oohed and ahhed as Stephanie primped where the dress had mussed her hair. Then she draped a clean towel around her shoulders and Gina went to work.
Margot was not allowed to see herself until the final touch of lipstick was applied. Then Stephanie spun her around, and Margot found herself looking at a near stranger.
“Is that really me?” she whispered, lifting a hand to touch her cheek.
Her hair was styled in a sexy, messy, curly hairdo she’d never be able to recreate on her own. The makeup glossed over the flaws and stress and made her look years younger.
“Ah, ah, no smudging. And no crying,” Gina scolded as she began to pack up her things.
Just then Adam entered from the reception area. He wore a perfectly tailored tuxedo with a confident air. His teal-blue cummerbund and bow tie matched her dress perfectly. When he caught sight of her, he froze mid-step. His eyes widened, and his smile grew until she was certain she could count every tooth in his mouth.
She turned slowly as he approached. “You like?”
Adam had to clear his throat twice before he could croak, “No, sweet baby, I love.” He tried to pull her close for a kiss, but the stylists all screeched “No!”
Margot laughed at his startled expression as he looked around the room at their audience. She patted one recently shaved cheek. “Sorry, lover, but you’ll have to wait until after the auction to mess me up. These ladies worked too hard to have you screw this up before I meet your mother and make my debut into society.”
Adam dropped his chin to his chest. After taking a deep breath, he grunted. “I’ve created a monster.”
“No, you’ve created a princess,” Stephanie corrected him as she draped the shawl around Margot’s shoulders. She then handed Adam a bag containing Margot’s other clothes. “Have a wonderful time tonight.”
“Thank you for everything,” Margot said as Adam took her hand and led her out to the limo.
Sam waited on the sidewalk, ready to deal with the door. He whistled with an approving half smile when he saw her. When she smiled her thanks, his cheeks reddened. Clearing his throat, he looked away and turned gruff once again.
They arrived at a convenient moment so that Sam could park at the end of the walkway leading to the convention center entrance. The few people outside stopped and gawked, first at the car, then at the couple who emerged. Adam offered his arm, and she smiled at him as she wrapped her hand around the muscular limb.
Once in the ballroom, the mostly young, attractive, female crowd forced Margot to let go of Adam’s arm. Before anyone could separate them, he took her hand and laced their fingers together. Then he headed toward the far wall where an older woman spoke with a server.
Gwen Thomasson was tiny in stature, but appeared large and in charge. She wore a burgundy gown. The color set off her silver-white hair, which was pulled back in a four-strand braid that fell over her shoulder to her waist. When she saw Adam, she smiled as he bent and kissed her cheek, careful not to smudge her makeup.
“So tell me about this mate you’ve found. Is she worthy of my beautiful boy?” She smiled and patted his cheek .
Margot watched, intrigued as Adam blushed. He ducked his head and shifted. “Mother, please. I’m thirty-five years old, not five.”
“You’ll always be my baby, no matter how old you get,” Gwen assured him as she patted his chest before turning her attention to Margot. “Hello, I’m Gwen Thomasson, Adam’s mother. You must be Margot.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Margot said, fighting the urge to curtsey. She felt as if she were in the presence of royalty. Would she ever be able to carry herself with such grace and assurance?
“I wasn’t sure how to handle the seating, so you’ll be sitting with me. Adam and the other bachelors will be eating together, though I think they should have spread the hunkiness around the room. But I’m not in charge of seating, so what can you do? Here’s your bidder’s paddle. I understand you’ll be bidding on Adam tonight?”
Before Margot had the chance to process everything Gwen had just said, a woman wearing a mid-thigh-length black sheath, which clung to every toned and tight inch, swept up. She pushed Margot out of her way and wrapped herself around Adam. “Here you are. I was just telling Mama that I was willing to go to as high as it took this year to win you.”
Margot cocked an eyebrow at Adam’s uncomfortable expression. The woman ignored both Gwen and her, focusing all her gold-digging attention on Adam. “Excuse me, I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Margot Jackson.”
“Leigh Kincaid-Thorne,” she said without a glance in her direction. “I’ll see you later, sweetie,” she cooed at Adam before pulling his head down and kissing his cheek as close to his mouth as she dared. She left a blood-red lip print behind as she waltzed away in a cloud of overwhelmingly sweet perfume.
When Adam stepped closer to her, Margot gestured toward his cheek, wrinkling her nose in distaste. “I don’t like her. She left her mark on you. You said I was buying you, what’s my limit?”
Adam used the tissue his mother handed him to wipe away the smear of lip color that reminded Margot of blood. “A thousand dollars higher than anyone else’s,” Adam said, bending to brush a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’ve got to go check in. I love you, mate of mine.”
Margot froze at his words. He’d said it so easily, without blinking, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Looking in his eyes, she didn’t see deceit in them. She saw love. She also saw sexual heat, which once again ignited her own lust.
“I love you, too,” she responded, leaning closer to speak so only he heard her. “And I can’t wait to get you alone again, preferably with a bed nearby and no appointments or events scheduled.”’
Adam choked and began to cough. “My thoughts exactly, but
for now, duty calls.”
“Yes, it does. Stacy is heading this way,” Gwen interjected, “and she doesn’t look happy.”
“Well, we can’t have that. Her face might freeze that way.” Adam looked at his mother. “Be nice to Margot.”
Chapter 7
By the time the bidding began, Margot’s head throbbed. She just wanted to go home and wasn’t even sure she cared whether it was Adam’s home or her own.
She had also come to the conclusion that she was not meant to be a society woman. She didn’t care about the latest designers. She didn’t go to Raleigh, Atlanta, or New York every few months to shop for her wardrobe. She also didn’t give a hoot about whether or not Botox could stop the lines developing around her eyes and mouth or whether the local plastic surgeon could rid her of any pockets of fat she might have. She had nothing in common with the women she sat with. Except for Gwen, who happened to be related to the man she was quickly falling in love with, she had nothing to talk about and had decided they were all shallow social climbers, and she didn’t like them very much.
Margot zoned out during the bidding, watching with disinterest as each man was brought forward, and his planned date was talked about in the most suggestive terms before the bidding began. She needed to go to the ladies’ room, but was afraid to miss Adam’s turn onstage, so she crossed her legs and tried to think dry thoughts.
“And now, our last bachelor this evening from right here in New Bern. His company has its interests in every aspect of the entertainment industry, from video games to movies and television to the cutting edge of e-book technology. Please welcome Mr. Adam Thomasson to the stage.”
Applause thundered as Adam crossed the stage. Some women even whistled. Margot watched Adam sweep the room with a smile, giving each woman the impression he smiled just for her.
When he reached their table, he met her gaze, and his smile warmed. She knew he no longer thought of the next few minutes, but of later, of when they would be alone. Feeling devilish, she grinned as she used two fingers to trace across the top of her breasts which were exposed by the strapless gown.
The Billionaire's Mate Page 4
