Her Billionaire Secret: Part 4: An Alpha Billionaire Romance (4 page)

The journalist from Citrus Gem Magazine stood and looked pointedly at Claire. “May I ask how a twenty-five-year-old with no apparent experience becomes the Chairperson of two charitable trusts?” His tone was caustic.

Tevis restrained himself from getting out of his seat and walking into the next room. His desire to protect Claire was almost overwhelming.

“My client has been the Chairperson of both trusts since the age of twenty.” Isabella's voice was cold. “I find your tone of voice insulting, Mr Jones. If you believe that this was undertaken as a means to secure Miss Bretton's continued privacy, then I suggest you go back to your publishing company and ask if they wish to pursue this through a court of law.”

Tevis watched the body language of the journalist. He wasn't backing down.

“Miss Price, you didn't answer my question.” His sarcasm deepened. “How did your client get appointed as the Chair to two charitable trusts?”

Isabella looked at Claire, who responded with a slight nod. Tevis realised the two of them had anticipated problems with Citrus Gem's journalist. She was seeking agreement to reveal more.

“Both institutions asked my client to take the roles. The funds involved are significant and Miss Bretton has an interest in their distribution.”

Isabella's slow smile filled the screen as she looked directly at the camera before returning her attention back to her audience. Isabella was telling him she held the ace card, that everything would be okay.

“The funding for the trusts comes from one source. A very generous source—Miss Claire Bretton. They were established in her late mother's memory. Every penny of her inheritance from Kathryn Tyler's estate and all the ongoing royalties, including those of Fay Tyler, go directly to both institutions. For the last five years, talented young people in a range of creative fields have benefited from the support of these funds.”

Isabella stood. “That is all. This press conference is now over.”

Nobody said a word as she walked out of the room with Claire and Fran.

Chapter Six

CLAIRE

It was only as she walked back into the hotel room she'd been in earlier, that she allowed Fay Tyler to become Claire Bretton again. Closing her eyes she leant back against the door. Isabella and Fran were checking out the recordings and then planned to go back to the Stanford and Henderson office. For the first time in days, her time was her own.

She had a decision to make. What to do next?

A forced cough told her she wasn't alone.

Claire opened her eyes. At the window, outlined by the sun stood a man. Tevis.

His arms were held wide and she walked across the room and straight into his embrace. Tears were streaming down her face as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

“I'm sorry. I was so wrong Tevis. Wrong to leave you. Wrong about a lot of things in my life.”

He lifted her chin with his finger and gazed into her eyes. “I'm proud of you. Proud of what you did today. I know it wasn't easy.”

“It's something I should have done years ago—faced up to the truth. Tevis, my mother was divorcing my father. She died with the man she loved.”

“I know. I spoke to Erland.”

Claire stepped back and out of his arms. “You found him? How? I never told you who he is.”

“Don't worry.”

“Of course I'm worried. He has a perfect life—I can't wreck it for him.” She chewed at her bottom lip. How would all this affect Sarah and Elliot?

“Neither of you have to hide your relationship.” Tevis stroked her hair as he continued to speak. “From what I heard today, the injunction still prevents the press from going after your family. He loves you Claire.”

“I know.” She looked up at Tevis. “He has always been there for me.”

“You have me too,” Tevis said softly.

She held his gaze. “I can't do this, Tevis.”

“Can't do what? Love me?” He sounded hesitant, uncertain.

“I can't keep worrying about how the press attention will impact on your life. I don't think Citrus Gem Magazine will comply. I get the feeling that journalist is going to push the boundaries of the agreement signed today.”

“The owner of the company will insist he complies.” Tevis laughed dryly, his mouth turning upwards. “And from what I hear, he's a right bastard.”

Claire frowned, Tevis sounded supremely confident. She stared at him, the grin didn't disappear. “What have you done? Have you spoken to him?”

“I own the company. My team have been working on the takeover for a week and concluded the deal late last night.” His eyes sparkled with amusement, “I'm the one who signed the agreement with Stanford and Henderson Law this morning. Mr Jones will be meeting the new owner shortly and has some explaining to do.”

“You did that for me?”

“Yes. I protect those I love,” he said simply as if buying a company was an everyday occurrence. Claire knew it must have cost millions, if not billions, of pounds.

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Put a good editor in charge. Change the ethics of the company and its publications. Beyond that, I haven't given it much thought.”

“It probably isn't a good investment, Tevis. You could lose a lot of money.”

“Claire Bretton, I don't care about the money. I do care about you. Besides—” he raised an eyebrow at her, “you know I
 
never
 
lose.”

Claire couldn't help the small sob which escaped her lips.

“Shush,” he responded, pulling her close again and laying his cheek against her hair. “I love you, Claire. Are you ready to come home?”

She looked up at him and gave him a watery smile.

“Yes. Take me home, Tevis.”

***

Tevis unfastened her bra, slipped the silky straps down her arms and flung it on the floor.

“God, I've missed you,” he growled in her ear, as he reached around her body and grabbed her breasts, pulling her tight against his chest. He was already naked, his clothes scattered across the room.

She felt his thick erection against her silk clad buttocks. A ripping of fabric and the final barrier was gone. He reached down and pushed her folds apart with his fingers, tracing delicately round her clit as he nuzzled at her shoulder taking nipping, teasing, bites at her flesh

Claire pressed her buttocks harder against him. “Tevis, please...” She could barely speak as his fingertip rubbed the hard nub between her legs. She wanted him inside, to enfold his thick cock. Wanted to show him what he did to her body. What he did to her mind.

“You're so fucking wet,” he moaned, slicking his finger up over her mound and over her stomach. “So fucking wet.” His body quivered against hers. “I want you—I need you— Claire.”

Tevis lifted her into his arms and crossed the room to place her on the bed. Their bed.

Straddling her body he looked down into her eyes. She wriggled, pleasuring in the feel of his balls against her mound and the hardness of his erection pressing against her stomach.

“Fuck me, Tevis.” her voice was husky, almost breathless. “Don't wait.” She reached down and wrapped her hands around the thick root of his cock. “I want you inside me.” She stroked the sensitive flesh, sliding her finger over the smooth head and through the sticky juices already there for her.

He jerked in response, “If you keep doing that—talking like that—I'll come all over you,” he growled, grabbing her hand and pulling it away.

“Tevis?”

“What?”

She stared at him, only barely in control. “I love you.”

“I know,” he responded, with a wildness in his eyes that could not hide his need. Grasping her hands and pressing her onto the bed, he pushed his knee between her legs.

“I've loved you since the moment you first fought me.” He placed his cock against her slit, parting her folds as he pushed against her. He entered her firmly, forcefully, spreading her wide.

She arched against him, a moan escaping her lips at the pure pleasure of sharing herself with him.

He watched her every emotion as he fucked her. Stroking her flesh as her hips rose to meet him.

She responded, wide-eyed, not masking a single feeling, showing him what he was doing to her body. Pulling her hands from his grip, she raked her fingers down his flesh, slicking a trail through the sweat coating his muscles.

“I'm going to come...” she gasped. Every thought, every nerve, every sensation, swirled into electrifying pulses which rippled through her core and across her skin.

“Claire…,” he groaned, as his strokes increased to match the pace of her need.

“Oh god… Tevis!” Her body and mind exploded in a kaleidoscope of colour, of sensation, as her hands tore at the sheets and ripped at his flesh.

“Fuck!” He followed her over the edge, rushing to release. Jerking hard, he filled her, his eyes never leaving hers as he spent himself deep inside her body.

 His face raw with emotion, he pressed his forehead to hers.

“I will always love you,” he said passionately, as he kissed the tears away from her face.

Chapter Seven

CLAIRE

“Why couldn't we come here together?” She slipped into the seat opposite him.

“I’ve been busy with something,” Tevis responded, his face blank and unreadable.

She raised an eyebrow at him. “I thought you weren't going to work on a Sunday, that it would always be our day?”

“And you haven't been working?” he grinned, pointing to her camera.

She cocked her head and smiled back. “That's different, my photography is a pleasure.”

He took her hand and pulled her towards him as he leant over the table and gave her a kiss. “You're wrong, I haven't been working,” he mouthed against her lips.

Relaxing back into her seat she studied him. In the two weeks since the press conference, Tevis had spent much of his time at his new publishing company.

“So, no magazine to deal with today?”

“No.” He traced his fingers over the back of her hand. “And there won't be much more for me to do. The new editor is in place and I've handed over responsibility for running it to my cousin, Roddy.”

“Is he pleased?” Somehow she had the feeling Tevis hadn't liked Roddy flirting with her.

“He is at the moment,” Tevis grinned, “but he has no idea how much work is involved. He might change his mind.”

“So, what have you been doing? I was looking forward to walking here with you today.” She knew it was petty of her but she had been disappointed when he told her he'd meet her at Ivan's Coffee Bar.

He stood and she saw he had a bar apron tied around his waist.

“Madam, if you'd care to wait a few minutes, I have a surprise for you.”

She was aware of her mouth falling open as, bemused, she watched him weave between the tables and join Ivan behind the counter. The older man moved to one side as Tevis pulled glasses and jugs down from the shelf.

With his back to her, she couldn't see what Tevis was doing. It didn't help that Ivan now hovered at his side, watching his every move and blocking her view.

More people came in, taking seats and picking up menus. Ivan didn't move. Whatever Tevis was doing, it was more interesting than serving customers. Now and again, he muttered something or passed an item to Tevis.

Ivan came over to her table. “Tevis says you have to close your eyes.” It seemed the two of them were on first name terms.

She glanced over to the counter but she still couldn't see what was going on.

“Okay.” She shut her lids knowing she was not going to find out unless she did.

She listened to the sound of items being placed on the table and of Tevis taking his seat again.

“Open your eyes.”

A tall glass containing a pink concoction stood on the table in front of her.

“You've made me a milkshake?”

“The
perfect
 
strawberry milkshake.” Tevis emphasised the word perfect, stretching out the word as he spoke it.”

“I told you only my Dad makes—” A thought popped into her head. “Did he give you the recipe?”

“No. I had to work it out for myself.” He smiled wryly at her. “He made one for me but without the secret ingredient.”

She grinned. “Ah, so it's probably—
almost—
perfect.”

“I'm stubborn and I don't give up.” He gave her a slightly worried look. “If I haven't managed to work it out, this will be the first time I've ever lost.”

She looked down at her glass. It looked exactly like the milkshakes her father had been making for her since childhood. There was no way Tevis could have discovered their secret.

She glanced across the cafe to the owner. “What was Ivan doing?

“He wasn't helping if that's what you think.” Tevis sounded wounded. “He wanted to see my special ingredient.”

She grinned. “You really think you've got it, don't you?”

“Yes.” He sounded so certain, so sure of himself, and yet he looked nervous.

She picked up the glass and peered at the contents. “Well, it's the right colour.”

Placing it back on the table she picked up the long handled spoon and took a mouthful of the ice-cream.

“Umm, that's good.”

Tevis remained silent, watching her every move as she worked her way down through the dessert-like drink.

She wiped the frothy bubbles away from her upper lip as she drained the glass to within two inches of the bottom.

“Delicious.”

From behind the counter, Ivan studied her with a grin on his face.

“Why do I get the feeling Ivan knows something important?”

Tevis simply smiled and watched as she picked up her spoon again.

She poked the bottom of the glass through the pink liquid, sure Tevis wouldn't have been able to work it out. She looked up at him in surprise.

“How did you guess?”

“Your father said the special ingredient had a good deal to do with love.”

“That's not a big clue.”

“No. It took me a couple of days to work it out. It drove me to distraction and then it came to me. I asked myself, 'What would a father give his small daughter to make a milkshake special?' The surprise ingredient is a present, isn't it?”