By Invitation Only- The Series

by Zane Michaelson

  “My assistant will organise an alarm call.”

  “I have some personal matters that can’t wait until morning.” Sign those damned divorce papers. “Could you call Jensen? I’m ready to go.”

  “Jensen already knows you’re ready,” he said, cryptically.

  His comment went right over my head.

  “Oh, good, but I can come back tomorrow evening.”

  “Ah, that won’t be possible,” he said. “I fly to the Côte d'Azur first thing and won’t be back for ten days.”

  I was disappointed, but didn’t want to show him, for fear he would think I was needy. I was anything but.

  “No problem,” I said. “You have my number so call me when you’re back if you want to.”

  “My dear, Camilla – I have no intention of forgetting about you, now, tomorrow, or perhaps any time forever.”

  There was that famous charm I’d heard so much about.

  I didn’t even object to him calling me by my real name.

  “No pressure,” I added.

  “I will call you, I promise.” He kissed me on the cheek, and a second later, there was a knock on the door. “Ah, your driver is here to escort you home.”

  “I’ve had an amazing time, again,” I said. “Thank you.”

  “We were always destined to meet again, I just hurried things along–I hope it was worth it?”

  I exhaled, loudly. “I enjoyed our time together.”

  He kissed me tenderly. “Goodnight, Cammie.”

  And we were done.

  I walked to the door, leaving my mask lying on the floor.

  “Goodnight, Zander.”

  “Until we meet again.”

  Jensen was there, just as he promised.

  “Thank you for waiting.”

  “It’s my job, Miss Childs.”

  He seemed distant – certainly different from how he’d been earlier.

  “Well, thank you anyway. I know it’s late and you must have a life of your own to lead.”

  “It is very kind of you to think of me, but really, there is no need.”

  We were at the steps, but this time, there was no band playing for me.

  He gently took my arm, helping me down the steps.

  “Thank you,” I said, my foot touching the bottom step.

  “Let’s get you home,” he said, leading me to the car, before opening the door. I climbed in and he closed the door behind me.

  “Thank you, Jensen.”

  I should have been on cloud nine, but something niggled at me.

  Zander Shaw wanted me, and when I was in close proximity to him, I felt the highest of highs, but now, merely minutes later, I felt deflated, like I’d cheapened myself. I knew most women would kill for that attention, but I wasn’t most women.

  His reputation as an International Playboy was unparalleled, but he sought me out. Yes, I was a catch, but I thought it was a one night only kind of deal. Was it too good to be true? My instincts were at cross swords.

  Yes! Get as far away from him, as fast as you can, the Angel on my shoulder screamed,

  No, the Devil on the other shoulder said, cajoling my naughty side. You know you want more.

  And I did, that was the trouble.

  I knew I was playing with fire and thought I could handle the burn.

  “Did you have fun this evening?” he asked, eyeing me in the rear-view mirror.

  “Too much fun,” I replied.

  “Mr Shaw can be very persuasive,” he replied.

  “Do you know him well?”

  “As well as most people do,” he answered, and for a second, he reminded me of Zander.

  “That sounds ominous.”

  “Mr Shaw does what he wants to do, when he wants to do it, but something tells me you already know that.”

  I knew only too well.

  Was I walking wide-eyed into something I couldn’t get myself out of?

  “I kind of get that, yes.”

  “Then think very carefully before you give any more of yourself because he doesn’t let go so easily – not when it is something he really wants.”

  “And you think he wants me?”

  “He thinks he does, yes.”

  He thinks he does. It reverberated around my mind.

  Was I just a game to Zander?

  Something he had to conquer before he cast it aside, bored.

  I didn’t speak for the rest of the journey home, and Jensen made no effort to engage me in conversation.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The limousine pulled up outside my house.

  My phone beeped in my clutch bag.

  “Sorry, Jensen, but please give me a moment.”

  “Of course, Miss Childs.”

  The message was from Zander;

  I enjoyed our time together.

  The Côte d'Azur is stunning

  this time of the year.

  Would you like to join me?

  Oh, God! Was he really asking me to go with him?

  Jensen stared at me through the rear-view mirror.

  Sounds lovely,

  but I have meetings all week long.

  Cancel them…

  you know you want to!

  I do, but they are too important.

  Then I shall see you upon my return.

  With affection… Zander x

  Thank you for the kind offer. I look forward to seeing you soon… Cammie x

  “Thank you, Jensen,” I said, stuffing my phone into the bag.

  Jensen opened the door and offered me his hand.

  I took it gladly and allowed him to escort me to my front door.

  “It has been a pleasure meeting you, Miss Childs.”

  “And you too,” I said. “I hope this isn’t the last we see of one another?”

  “Perhaps not, but let’s leave that to the fates, shall we?”

  I smiled, leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

  “I like the sound of that. Goodnight, Jensen.”

  “And to you, Miss Childs.”

  He waited until I was safely inside.

  I kicked off the skyscraper heels and ran up the stairs into my dark bedroom.

  Pulling the drapes back, I watched as he drove away

  My heart felt heavy.

  I’d had the most erotic night of my life with Zander, but there was a connection with Jensen I couldn’t shake.

  I’d thought Zander dark and mysterious, but once you scratched the shallow surface, what you get is what you see. Still, he was exciting, and any man who had an orchestra play just for me, must be worth spending time with.

  Unfastening the clasp, I lay the necklace on the dressing table and slipped out of my dress.

  Tonight, I’d make sure to remove my make-up. The dress would be hung up, ready for dry cleaning tomorrow.

  Climbing into bed, I thought back on the last seventy-two hours. What a ride it had been.

  I’d expected to fall into pre-divorce blues, but nothing was further from the truth.

  Liam was history and good riddance to him. The only regret I had was not booting his arse out the door years ago. Let Pug Face see how it feels to be cheated on.

  It was now five am and I craved sleep, but my mind whirled.

  Lying in bed, with only the street lamps illuminating my room, I finally gave up.

  I couldn’t get Jensen out of my mind.

  I wanted to know more.

  But how would I find him?

  My mind popped with ideas.

  I grabbed my phone from my bedside cabinet.

  I changed my mind.

  The Côte d'Azur sounds wonderful.

  Seconds later, my phone beeped.

  Fantastic!

  I’m just at the airport now.

  Will be landing in Nice about eight am,

  then in meetings for most of the day.

  I can catch a flight and

  meet you there.

  No need, Cammie.

  I’ll send the jet for you
.

  Jensen will be in touch later

  today with flight details.

  We’ll have the best time!

  I look forward to seeing

  you soon. Z x

  Can’t wait. x

  It was as simple as that.

  I was going on an unexpected holiday to one of the most beautiful places in the world, and with a little luck, Jensen would be my escort.

  I had no idea where this trip would lead, but I guessed it would be an adventure I’d never forget.

  Zander

  Prologue

  I opened my eyes to the incessant ringing of my phone on the bedside cabinet.

  Shut up!

  Finally, it stopped, only for it to start again seconds later.

  I picked it up, wondering who wanted to speak with me so urgently—hoping it wasn’t Zander cancelling on me.

  I groaned. It was Liam, the soon to be ex-husband.

  No doubt the pug faced bitch was hassling him about the divorce papers and whether I’d signed them or not.

  I hadn’t–been far too busy.

  Anyway, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him and diverted the call to voicemail.

  Squinting at the clock, I hadn’t had nearly enough sleep, but I was awake now.

  My phone beeped telling me I had one new voicemail. I couldn’t be arsed listening to that either.

  Liam, Pug Faced Bitch and the divorce papers could wait until I was ready.

  It beeped again.

  Text message;

  Are you deliberately trying

  to piss me off?

  Call me.

  Liam

  My reply;

  Yes!

  No!

  Cammie

  I knew it would rile him.

  He’d woken me up far too early and I hadn’t had nearly enough sleep.

  Another beep.

  Here we go.

  I knew he would be reasonable, at first.

  When are you going

  to sign and

  return the

  divorce papers?

  I smiled, knowing my next message would spark a reaction;

  When were you gonna tell

  me you were shagging

  around with that Pug

  Faced Bitch?

  Bingo.

  Are you fucking serious?

  I want those papers signed

  and returned by the end

  of the day.

  Or else!

  I’d woken up with the devil inside of me.

  Sorry!

  No can do!

  Off to catch a tan on

  the French Riviera.

  Will sort them when I

  return.

  My Solicitor will be in touch!

  This is unacceptable.

  Good!

  Tell him or her to

  forward a new

  set of papers to me.

  A new set?

  Yes!

  Dropped the first set

  in the bin.

  Stop playing games, Cammie.

  I want those papers signed,

  TODAY!

  My forwarding address is;

  The French Riviera

  France

  Planet Earth

  My phone began to ring.

  I hit the divert button.

  Text message;

  ANSWER THE FUCKING

  PHONE RIGHT

  NOW!!

  GET FUCKED,

  DICKHEAD!

  And that was the end of him, for now.

  I would sign the stupid divorce papers, hand them to a courier, and ask for them to be delivered in a fortnight.

  It would be good to make him sweat a little, and with a bit of luck, Pug Faced Bitch would make his life a living hell until then.

  Chapter Seventeen

  I was already anxious, but as soon as the doorbell rang, my heart fluttered in my chest.

  It’s him.

  I rushed down the hallway, stopping only for a quick inspection in the mirror.

  I looked like a film star in an ivory bodycon dress with jade green stilettos. Minimal jewellery complimented the look.

  My hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and I’d dusted my face lightly with natural looking make up.

  The bell rang again.

  I darted for the door, almost pulling it off its hinges.

  “Good evening, Miss Childs,” he said, with his customary nod of the head. “We meet again.”

  “Hello, Jensen,” I said, batting my eyelashes. “It’s so good to see you.”

  He was one of the most beautiful men I’d ever seen.

  “Are you ready to leave?”

  “Nearly.” I was ready but wanted an excuse to get him inside my house. “Would you mind coming in for a moment?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Fantastic,” I said.

  Should I just take a chance and jump on him?

  “I have your itinerary to hand,” he said, his sexy accent stiffening my nipples. “Would you like to see it before we set off?”

  “Yes.” I stepped aside. “Come in and make yourself comfortable.”

  He brushed past me, and I caught his familiar scent–the same one he wore for our first meeting.

  “Go into the sitting room,” I said, “I’ve made a fresh pot of coffee. You’ll join me, won’t you.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Well, yes, as long as we don’t take too long. The jet is fuelled and waiting on the runway for us.”

  “Okay, give me ten minutes.”

  I returned with two steaming mugs of coffee and sat next to him. Perhaps he was only used to drinking from fine bone china. In this house, it was a mug, or nothing.

  “The blend isn’t that great, I’m afraid, but it tastes good.”

  “I’m sure it will be perfectly fine, Miss Childs.” He took a sip and placed the mug on the coffee table.

  “Cammie, please.” How many times? “After all, we’re friends now.”

  “Very well…Cammie.”

  Something about the way he said my name got my juices flowing. Now how do I get him out of his clothes?

  “So, let me see this itinerary.”

  He handed me a black leather folder. “Sorry. Here you go.”

  I opened the folder and noticed everything was timed to the minute.

  “I see Zander isn’t leaving anything to chance.”

  “He never does,” Jensen replied with the cutest of smiles. His dimples were adorable.

  “So, how long have you worked for him?”

  “I’ve been with the family for a couple of years, in differing roles.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Quite.”

  “Well, since it’s just you and I, why don’t you tell me how many ladies you’ve had to chaperone on his behalf.”

  His eyes widened. “Erm…”

  I clapped my hands together and laughed. He looked extremely worried. “I’m just kidding, Jensen.”

  He rolled his eyes, and it was the first time I’d seen him lose his cool. “You had me there, Miss Childs–I mean, Cammie.”

  “So, what hides beneath the sexy uniform, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Pardon?”

  I laughed again. “What is Jensen, the person, really like?”

  “Oh.” He smiled. “Probably the same as most people.”

  “I doubt that very much,” I said, placing my hand on his leg. “Something tells me you’re nothing like other people.”

  He shifted nervously. “There isn’t much to know that would interest you.”

  “I beg to differ.” My fingers crawled up his inner thigh.

  What the hell was I doing?

  I was about to fly off to the French Riviera to meet up with Zander, his boss, and was making a move on his chauffeur.

  He bit his lip, and I could see beads of sweat forming on his brow.

  “Really, I’m nothing special. I drive somebody around for a li
ving.”

  “Do I make you nervous, Jensen?”

  I could see the bulge in his trousers.

  “No,” he said, jumping up. He buttoned his jacket, but it didn’t cover what looked like a meaty cock. His bulge was there, exciting, inviting me to touch. “May I use your bathroom?”

  I grinned. “Down the hall and first left. There are clean towels in the cupboard.”

  “Thank you,” he said. dashing off.

  I lay back on the sofa and sniggered.

  My hand found its way to my private place. I wanted to play so much, but I’d behaved appallingly enough for one day.

  Okay, just a quick play!

  “Oh, Jensen,” I whispered, licking at my own fingers. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

  I couldn’t help myself and crept out of the sitting room, along the hallway. I pressed my ear to the bathroom door. It was quiet, but then he groaned, probably louder than he intended to.

  So, he wasn’t immune to my considerable charms then?

  I crept back to the sitting room and waited for him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jensen splashed cold water on his face.

  “Calm the fuck down,” he whispered, looking up and catching his reflection. His face was flushed.

  It wasn’t often he lost his composure, but there was something about Cammie that elicited unwanted responses on his part, well his private parts to be more precise.

  His cock was throbbing, and he’d have to deal with it before he went and re-joined her in the sitting room. He didn’t trust himself otherwise.

  Time was against him.