Mad for the Billionaire (7 page)

Alexander’s gaze searched mine for long moments. Whatever he saw satisfied. The fury seeped out, leaving lust to burn bright. “You see that now, do you?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.” I risked pointing out, “You shouldn’t have called me a slut.”

“I didn’t.” His mouth quirked up in an enigmatic smile briefly.

“You might as well have. I’m not your slut, Alexander. Even though I may have acted like it.”

“I know you’re not. You could never be my slut the way you’re thinking.” Our breaths intermingled, cadence softening into something achingly familiar. “Not when I was your first man.” His mouth pressed against mine gently. “The only man who’s ever really counted. Isn’t that right? Answer me, Sophia.”

“Yes!” I growled, loving his taste, even while hating how easy I folded because of it. Alexander’s kisses had always been my ruin and salvation. I loved nothing more in the world than feeling his lips on mine.

“I’ll always be the only man for you, little chick. When are you going to finally understand that? Even now you’re trying to run away from me. Don’t you get it yet? I’m not going to let you do that anymore. Not now. Not ever again. You. Are.
Mine
.”

Liquid yearning streamed over me. I closed my eyes, feeling all the frustration and thwarted desire for this man eek out of my body. Even after all these years and all the pain traded between us, Alexander wanted
me
.

We could start again—older, wiser, and better. All the landmines of the past could be sidestepped as if they weren’t there. And best of all—the obsession lurking in the dark corners of my soul would finally, finally be appeased.

No more late nights hunched over the computer, searching for the man I’d had for too brief of a time. No more crying jags and regret for a life that should’ve been ours. Alexander would finally belong to me.

Hope turned to ash. I couldn’t let myself believe. Not just yet. I had to be 100% sure that I could open myself up again. Because if it didn’t work out again…

I won’t survive it.

Panic took hold of me. I shook my head and arched my back, trying to roll him off me. “You don’t know what you’re saying, Alexander. We need to slow down.”

“Ssh, Sophia. I know why you’re so scared. It’ll be different this time.”

“No, Alexander…please listen to me…”

Alexander brushed my hair back with soothing strokes. “Ssh, Sophia. I understand what you need and what I really want from you.” Alexander palmed my chin and ran the tip of his tongue along the sensitive seam of my lush lips. “Trust me, little chick. I’ll take care of you like you deserve, like I couldn’t do before.”

I moaned and opened my mouth. My tongue glided against his, tangling with Alexander’s before being subdued by his voracious, hungry kiss. Dizzying heat caused my body to go limp. Alexander could do whatever he wanted and it would only make the fire stronger.

“I want to come home again, Sophia. Now.” His fingers found my zipper. He impatiently pulled it before tugging my gray skirt off. My panties, long torn off, were a welcome subtraction.

My legs slid over his. I arched my hips until my mound rubbed against his thick bulge with devastating precision. “I want you too but…”

Alexander yanked my shirt up and pulled my bra down. He licked and bit my nipples while I continued my carnal dance against his heavy shaft. Fire raced across my skin with each pass. I itched deliciously, craving to engulf him in my heat.

“Alexander, please…you don’t know what you’re doing to me!” I cried out in a last attempt to head off the inevitable.

“I told you—I’m not going to let you go.”

A low, feral cry of surrender escaped me. “Alexander, I want you but—” My voice sputtered out like a candle gone dead.

I’m so afraid.

He moved until we were both up on our knees. Alexander encircled his fingers about my slim wrists, holding them tight in his hands. “Do you want to be with me?”

“Yes, but—”

He broke in sharply. “I don’t want to hear from your head, Sophia. Do you want to be with me? Yes or no.”

My heart slammed with sickening thuds against my ribcage. I felt as if the ground was falling out from beneath me. The obsession which had carried me well over half my life, which had brought me so much joy and misery, screamed for me to answer Alexander true.

If I really loved Alexander more than me I would lie. I’d say, “No, I don’t. I don’t love you and I don’t want to see you again.”

Instead, I took the damned, selfish way out. I looked the love of my life in the eyes and whispered, “Yes, I want to be with you.”

“Good girl.”

Present Day

One Hour Before

The cubicles were empty. So were the offices. I shut my computer off and tidied up my desk. The clock above the door ticked along, cheerfully reminding me that it was time to take the elevator up three floors and see Alexander.

This is really happening. We’re talking again and everything is fine. Better than fine.

I had come to work this morning terrified and expecting Alexander to look right through me. Although I’d been resigned to seeing the emptiness in his eyes, I knew it would be the moment that executed any lingering hope of ever finding a happily-ever-after with Alexander.

Silly girl. What makes you think that it still exists?

My thoughts jeered at me exactly because it exposed the hope that had never, truly left. Some part of me always hoped that one day, even if it wasn’t until we were wrinkled up and moved with external aid, we would be able to sit together and shine.

Sad, wasn’t it?

I gathered my things and locked my door behind me. I made it to the elevator when I heard my name.

“Sophia!”

Startled, I looked over my shoulder. “Mark, what are you still doing here?”

He strode down the beige hallway at a fast clip, jacket on but left unbuttoned. Mark didn’t know how to stroll anywhere. His speed was fast or faster. I dispassionately acknowledged he was a handsome beast, all masculine lines and aggressive, bulging muscles—especially when he barreled down the halls.

If we didn’t work together, and I met him somewhere on the outside, I could see going on a few dates with Mark.

“I didn’t see you after lunch.”

“You weren’t in your office.”

“I was down in IT, going over prelims for the upcoming system upgrades. You could’ve found me if you looked or asked.” Mark didn’t bother to hide his annoyance that I had done neither.

Irritation scratched. Did Mark seriously think I was going to scour the building just so I could talk about my lunch with Alexander? Besides, it was personal and had nothing to do with MLM.

“I’ve been in my office all afternoon,” I pointed out lightly. His personality always managed to rub me the wrong way at least once a day. That’s why I’m convinced that even if we had met on the outside, we wouldn’t have lasted more than a couple of dates. He wanted too much of me and I wasn’t willing to give it to him.

“Be that as it may, how did it go with Draven?”

“Fine. Just two friends catching up.”

“Friends, huh? Anything else?”

Although this was par for the course with Mark, his interrogation aggravated more than it usually did. “Nope.”

Mark eyed me, eventually shrugging when I didn’t lower my gaze or mumble anything else to appease his probing stare.

“Where are you off to? Any special plans?”

I really regretted not leaving a minute earlier. I wasn’t in the mood for Mark’s prying. “Not in particular. Just planning on taking it easy this weekend. You?”

“Same. I’ll go down with you.” Mark reached around me and hit the elevator button.

Shit! He’s going to make this hard. Of course he is—it’s Mark and that’s what he does.

I pushed the button going up, knowing what was coming and all the more annoyed because of it. Mark immediately asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m not leaving just yet.”

The doors opened. Mark scowled. “Why?”

My CFO’s nosiness into my personal affairs had definitely escalated past aggravation. I kept my voice nonchalant as I walked into the empty elevator. “Upstairs.” A large part of me hoped he would stay on our floor and wait to make the trip down.

He followed behind me. “What for?” he demanded, gold brows snapping together in curiosity.

There was nothing else but to answer him truthfully. If I evaded answering him, Mark’s paranoia would lead him down paths of his own making. Being he had very little tact, Mark would grill me until I was on the verge of screaming. He was damned persistent that way.

“I’m going to see the new boss.”

“Draven? Again?” He punched the 10
^th
floor button before I could. The doors closed, keeping us locked in the box together. “Didn’t you see enough of each other at lunch?”

Calm thoughts, Sophia. This is your boss you’re talking to.

I kept silent, unable to think of anything that wouldn’t betray my exasperation.

“I’ll go with you.”

I looked up at him, knotted brows giving away my irritation. “I don’t need an escort.”

Mark shrugged. “If you’re having a meeting then there’s no harm in me sitting in on it.”

“We’re not having a meeting, Mark. It has nothing to do with work.”

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. “Then maybe you should’ve said that from the beginning.” He walked out, leaving me to follow. I didn’t scurry behind him as I was sure he expected. My gait remained relaxed, even when Mark arrived at Alexander’s office first and knocked on the door.

His hearty “Mr. Draven! I saw Sophia on her way here and decided to tag along. I hope you don’t mind!” was a clever move. Argue against it and you looked guilty and/or rude, which Mark was shameless enough exploit. Agree and he got his way without lifting a finger.

Either way he won.

Mark was seated by the time I entered. Alexander stood up and extended a hand to the other chair in front of his desk. “Please have a seat here, Sophia.”

He noted Mark hadn’t risen. Alexander sat back down only after I did. “Where are you from, Mark?”

“Pennsylvania.”

“Born and raised?”

“Yes, Sir. What about you?”

“South Carolina.”

“A true Southerner then.”

“Yes. Where I’m from—where Sophia and I are from—a gentleman always rises when a lady joins us. Please remember that when you’re in my presence, Mark.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from smirking. Mark easily hid any sign of discomfort at having his lack of manners pointed out to him. Instead, he chuckled and said, “Sure thing, boss.”

Alexander nodded. “So what can I do for you, Mark?”

“Oh, like I said—I’m just tagging along with Sophia.”

“Really? And nothing else?”

“Well, I’m here ready and able to add my opinion or provide any bit of knowledge you might need.” Mark shifted his seat, apparently settling in for a lengthy conversation.

Alexander smiled. “In that case, you can leave.”

Mark’s grin disappeared. He definitely wasn’t used to being shown the door. “Excuse me?”

“I didn’t invite Sophia here to talk about anything more pressing than her grandmother’s health and the expansion of our old high school. Unless you’re familiar with either?”

This time Mark’s agitation came out in a quick foot jiggle. “Can’t say I can help with that.” He lurched up and looked over at me. “I’ll give you a call later on. Maybe we’ll meet up for drinks. How’s that sound?”

Tricky move, you clever jerk.

He refused to concede control even when being tossed out. “I’ll have my cell on.”

Mark gave me a short nod and then addressed Alexander. “See you on Tuesday.”

“Have a good weekend, Mark.”

“You too.” He walked to the door and asked, “Open or closed?”

“Closed. Thank you.”

Mark’s storm-blue gaze met mine. His promised an accounting. I promised nothing.

The door closed, leaving me alone with Alexander. He pressed his finger to his lips and mouthed “Wait.” Getting up, he strode over to the door and locked it for good measure. “Just in case he conveniently remembers something else he had to say.”

“Good move then.”

“At first I thought you brought him with you on purpose.” Alexander strolled back to his desk and sat on the corner. “I was
this close
to taking you over my knee.”

“You’re joking!”

Alexander smirked. “Is he always that nosy?”

“Worse.”

“Just with you? Or everyone?”

I crossed my legs, feeling a bit uncomfortable with having to admit “Mostly me.”

“Ah, I see.” He moved from his spot and took the empty seat to the right of me. “You’re going to cause me to alienate my CFO, Sophia. That’s not a good thing.”

“Alienate? How’s that?”

“Don’t be a flirt, little chick,” Alexander admonished in a soft drawl. “It’s obvious he’s staking his claim on you and I’m going to have to pull up all his markers. You always were trouble, girl, and I shouldn’t be surprised that hasn’t changed.”

“Since when have I been trouble? I’m as good as good can be!”

“Sure. And that’s why I’m always having to fight someone whenever you’re around.”

“Oh.” I bit my lip and peeked up at him from under my lowered lashes. “I see what you mean now. I can’t deny that.”

“Oh,” he mimicked. His gentle smile took away any sting that might’ve been inflicted. “You know I got into my first fight because of you.”

“Jaime was really sorry afterwards.”

“Of course, he was. He didn’t expect me to know how to fight and thought beating me into the ground would sway you back to his side.”

“I never was on his side and that’s why I think he was sorry.”

“Hmm, if you say so.”

I reached out and tapped his arm. “Now you’re just being ornery.”

He laughed and agreed. “You’re right. It was the déjà vu of the situation that got me riled. That and Mark’s rudeness—a terrible combination that does little to make me sweet.”

“He doesn’t mean to be rude. Politeness and good manners are almost out of fashion. It’s a sign of weakness in business.”

“Don’t defend him. There’s rarely an excuse for a lack of good manners.”