By mutual consent, neither talked about who he was or his deception. All Jaimie wanted was for her prince to hold her, even if, come morning, he turned back into a toad. She sighed and got up. In the bathroom, she showered and dressed and wondered what she was supposed to do.
A knock at the door answered her question as a maid stood there with a light breakfast. “The carriage will be here in twenty minutes, Miss.”
“Thank you.” She took the tray even though she wasn’t hungry. What she wanted, she could not have. She walked outside to a small round table and nibbled on fruit and cheese. What was it like to be wealthy enough to own all this?
It wasn’t something she’d ever know. Seeing the carriage coming, she stood and gathered her belongings. Taking one last look around, she wished she really did have a fairy godmother to make things right between her and her prince.
“Don’t be a fool,” she muttered. “Time to return to the real world.”
The return to the mansion seemed to go far too quickly. The carriage stopped at the bottom of the steps. Off to the side, a limo waited, its engine purring. Hastings stood on the bottom step. He opened the carriage door and helped her out.
“Have a safe trip home, miss.” He handed her a white envelope and motioned to the limousine.
Well, that was that. If Bryce was still here, he was somewhere inside. So much for seeing him one last time. With a heavy heart, she walked toward the limo. Inside, Lucy waved.
When the car drove away, Jaimie did not look back. She couldn’t. She didn’t want to see the turrets, the flags, or remember the feeling of awe of being inside the mansion that, for the weekend, had been a fantasy castle where she’d met the prince of her heart.
She especially didn’t want to remember the ball. She sighed. Who was she kidding? She would never forget a single moment of that incredible evening where she’d truly felt as though she was a princess attending her first ball. Her prince-turned-toad had been a dream come true. She wished she’d never learned the truth, that she was leaving today with her fantasies intact.
“I’m so sorry, Jaimie,” Lucy said. “Had I known—”
Glancing at her friend, Jaimie shrugged. “Not your fault.”
Though had she known the owner of the company she’d worked for was the host for the weekend games, she wouldn’t have come.
Then you’d never have known such incredible pleasure.
But was it worth it? Her heart said no, her body said yes, but her mind was confused. She couldn’t have fallen in love with a stranger in just a matter of days.
Remembering each and every session of loving, Jaimie finally admitted the weekend was worth a broken heart, but what saddened her was knowing she’d never experience anything like this again. Like Cinderella, she’d found her prince and then lost him. Unlike the storybook character, Jaimie had no illusions he’d come find her and take her back to his castle.
Not wanting to ruin her friend’s day, she slid her arm through Lucy’s. “Hey, I don’t have any regrets.” Liar. Her only regret was that she’d never see Bryce again.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. It was an incredible weekend.”
Lucy’s eyes softened. “Yeah, it was. Best I’ve ever had.”
“So, your wolf lived up to your expectations.”
“Yeah. More than lived up to them. Wish I knew who he was so we could date. Never even got to see his face.”
“He never took off the mask?”
“No. That was one of his rules.”
Jaimie was glad Bryce had taken off his. She loved his eyes. A thread of sadness crept in. She’d never see his eyes go dark with desire—or lust—or bright with humor.
“Oh, Jaimie. Let’s open our envelopes.”
Jaimie stared at the white square envelope. She’d forgotten about it. “What’s in them?”
“Usually a note from our Dom. Or a thank you from the host and hostess. Sometimes a special invitation to an event down at the club.”
Jaimie lifted a brow at Lucy’s flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “You first.” She was a bit nervous about what she’d find in hers. She didn’t want a polite note of thanks from Bryce. She wanted so much more from her Dom, like an invitation to play at a club.
Lucy opened hers and peered inside. She grinned and pulled out a stack of greenbacks.
“Good grief,” Jaimie said, eyes wide. “You got money? How much?”
Lucy counted the one hundred bills. “Five hundred,” she said with a gasp. Two pieces of paper that matched their invitations fluttered onto her lap. She picked them up and grinned as she read the first one.
“What’s it say?”
“My wolf made us an appointment for a private room at the club,” she said, her voice excited. “And he said to buy myself something sexy to wear.”
Grinning, Jaimie rolled her eyes. “Guess I don’t have to ask if you pleased your wolf.”
Lucy leaned back. “He’s the best fuck I’ve ever had and a fantastic dancer. He can be my big, bad wolf anytime he wants.” She picked up the second note, read it, then turned scarlet and groaned. “Oh. My. God. How am I ever going to face her again?”
“Who?”
“Let’s just say that the night in the woods wasn’t the only fantasy my wolf fulfilled.”
Jaimie held up her hand. “Don’t want to know.” She knew too much already about her friend’s sex life.
Lucy pointed to Jaimie’s envelope. “Your turn. Quit stalling. Let’s see what Bryce had to say to you.”
Jaimie opened the envelope and looked inside. No stack of green bills with a note to go buy some sexy clothes. And no note either. Just a folded piece of paper. Frowning, she pulled out a check folded in half. Her jaw dropped. Fifty thousand dollars.
“Oh, my god, Jaimie,” Lucy whispered.
Staring at the check, at the strong signature that matched the man, Jaimie should have been thrilled. Instead, she felt as though he’d slapped her across the face.
“That bastard,” she whispered. He’d cheapened everything they’d had, made her feel like an overpriced call girl. She stuck the check back into the envelope. Come Monday morning, she was going to let Prince Sneaky Bastard, aka The Toad, know just what he could do with his money.
Chapter Seven
Jaimie stared at the check on the kitchen counter.
Fifty grand.
Holy shit. She still couldn’t believe he’d paid her that outrageous amount. She should take the damn thing to the bank, but she couldn’t.
Guilt money, that’s what it was. At first, she’d felt bought. Now she knew he was just trying to easy his guilty-as-hell conscience.
The bastard!
Even Lucy had been shocked and unable to give any reason for the amount. Jaimie wished now that Lucy had told her Pleasure Manor belonged to Bryce Langston.
But then, you wouldn’t have gone, and you’d never have fallen in love with your prince.
The fact her prince had turned into a toad didn’t matter. He’d shown her she was a woman capable of enjoying sex. Never in a million years had she thought she would ever know the degree of pleasure he’d given her. Her failed attempts with the men in her past weren’t her fault. That was Bryce’s gift to her. It was her bad that she wanted more. She wanted his heart. Like Cinderella after the ball, she wanted her prince to find her and profess his love.
Too bad this was reality. A rich man like Bryce wouldn’t be interested in her. For two days, she’d waited to see if he’d contact her but he hadn’t. And that made her furious, with him and herself.
She tossed the check aside. Hell, she should cash it. The landlord had already called about her rent check. She had the money and should take it. He could well afford it. She sat and buried her head in her hands. She couldn’t do it. That check cheapened the wonderful weekend and everything she’d done and experienced.
Her head jerked up. Did that sneaky bastard really think he could buy her off? Like hell. He’d lied to her and tricked her, and dammit, no one treated her like this. What she wanted was the man, not the man’s money, and she was going to demand it. Cinderella mooned and moped while waiting for her prince, but Jaime was not a whiner. Standing, she grabbed the check and her purse and slammed out of her apartment.
****
Bryce entered his office suite. Lucy sat at her desk in the outer room. She glanced up but didn’t speak. He figured she was upset and worried about Jaimie. And even a bit mad at him. “Did you tell her I’d be in today?”
Lucy nodded. “Yes, Sir.” Her voice was stiff and prim.
Yep, mad.
“Quit the formality, Lucy.” Though she was his personal assistant, his right arm when it came to his company, she was also a good friend.
Lucy sighed and slumped back in her chair. “I feel guilty, Bryce. She’s my friend. You’re my friend. You put me in a bad spot. What the hell got into you? Fifty grand? You made her feel like a whore.” She waved her bills at him. “This would have thrilled her. A note inviting her to the club would have pleased her.”
“Yeah, but that wouldn’t have pissed her off.” He sighed, ran his hands through his hair, and dropped down into the chair beside Lucy’s desk. “I blew it, okay? I should have believed you when you said she was innocent, but I had to speak to her and find out myself.” He missed Jaimie and hoped his plan to have her come to him wouldn’t backfire. Hell, he wanted nothing more than for her to storm through the door. He wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.
Lucy tilted her head to one side. “You fell for her, didn’t you?”
Uncomfortable, Bryce jumped up and paced. “I didn’t think I’d love anyone again after I lost Annie.”
“I’m glad you’ve found someone, Bryce. I hope things work out between you and Jaimie.” Talk turned to office priorities. The phone rang. Lucy eyed it. “Maybe I’m not quite so mad now.”
Bryce sighed. “I’ll be in my office. Hold all calls.” He entered his office and shut the door. He ignored his desk and computer and paced. Would she come? God, he hoped so or he’d have to go after her. He was in love with Jaimie.
****
Jaimie glared at Lucy. “I’m going to see him. Don’t even try to stop me.”
Lucy nodded. “Of course.” She leaned forward and snagged Jaimie’s arm. “I’m sorry, Jaimie. I truly am.”
While she still felt her friend should have told her who owned the mansion, she also understood that Lucy had been compelled to silence because of her friendship and loyalty with the owner of the company. “I don’t blame you.”
Without waiting for Lucy to announce her presence, Jaimie stalked to the door and shoved it open. Bryce sat at his desk. He leaned back and lifted an arrogant brow.
“Miss Newberry.”
“We need to talk,” she said, letting the door slam behind her.
“I think you said all there was to say Saturday night.” He steepled his fingers.
Hating his calm demeanor, Jaimie dropped her purse onto one of the chairs facing his desk and withdrew the check. “Explain this.”
He shrugged. “It is often customary to reward our playmates after one of our games.” He frowned. “Was it not enough?”
“You toad. This is an insult. I’m not some call girl to be paid.” Jaimie waved the check at him. He didn’t speak, didn’t even look concerned. In fact, he looked bored. To her horror, he reached into his desk and grabbed a checkbook.
“How much do you want, Miss Newberry?”
The fact he could be so cold, so uncaring, and so dense made Jaimie want to scream. She ripped the check in half, then half again, and kept ripping until the check was nothing more than confetti. She tossed the bits at him. “I want a nice card thanking me and telling me you want to see me again. How about an appointment at one of those exclusive clubs or, I don’t know, an invite back to your mansion or, hell, a dinner at a hamburger joint. Something that shows…”
Words failed her. She was so mad; she could barely see him through her tears of anger.
He brushed the torn bits of paper off his suit, stood, and strode around his desk. “Shows what, Miss Newberry?”
“That maybe you care.” Jaimie tipped her head back, crossed her arms across her heaving chest, and refused to back away when he stopped in front of her. “Hell, five hundred bucks would have been better than that insult.”
“Why so little, Miss Newberry?” He moved behind her.
“That’s how much Lucy got. To buy something sexy to wear for her Dom. I wouldn’t take anything, but I need to pay my rent. I didn’t deserve to lose my job.” She was hyper-aware of him behind her. His heat and presence made her long to turn and throw herself in his arms, but pride kept her still.
“And you think I owe you that, do you?”
His breath on her neck made her shiver. His body was flush with hers. She couldn’t move with the desk in front of her. “You were willing to pay a hell of a lot more.”
“Yes, and I’m still willing to pay it. You earned it.”
“I’m not a whore to be bought.” She whirled around and, with him so close, she fell onto his desk.
Bryce grabbed her by the shoulders and slid between her legs. “No. You’re not. You are the woman I love.” He pulled her hard against his solid frame, his eyes dark pools as he held her startled gaze.
“What—?”
His mouth crushed hers, hard and demanding. She couldn’t stop herself from kissing him back. Her hands dug into his hair, and her legs wrapped themselves around his hips even as her mind struggled to understand what he’d said. She had to have heard wrong, heard only what she wanted to hear. Bryce couldn’t love her? Could he? She tried to pull away.
“You love me?” She managed to get the words out, but his lips trailing down to her throat made thinking difficult.
“With all my heart.” He lifted his head and held her face tenderly in his hands.
Jaimie couldn’t believe it. “Then why?” She couldn’t finish her question. Her mind was whirling, afraid to believe this was happening.
“Why did I pay you so much?”
She nodded.
He smiled. “It was a reward, but not for our time at the mansion. The amount of the check was five percent of what was embezzled. Your eye to detail has saved me and our clients millions.”
“Our clients?”
“I have a proposition for you, Miss Newberry, though maybe you’d like to hear it later?” His hands were unbuttoning her blouse. “When you’re not distracted.”