Chapter 51

Mia

When next I woke up, it was to the bright glare of the morning sun. I groaned in annoyance and fluttered my eyes open. A manly chuckle came my way, which drew my attention. I blinked a few times to get used to the brightness, and once I did, I saw James standing on the side of my bed watching me. He had a mug of coffee in one hand.

“Morning, sunshine,” he greeted.

How long had he been standing there? I wondered. And why would he do that? I was sure I was not that interesting while I was asleep. Or maybe it was merely me thinking he had been there watching me when, in fact, he had just turned up to wake me—this lazy, sleepyhead. Fact was, however, I was never like this before I had met James. I had always been an early riser, out of bed even before six thirty in the morning and getting ready for work. But since I had started to share a bed with James, I had slept more deeply and soundly, as if his mere presence in bed beside me made me feel comforted and safe. Not to mention the fact that I hadn’t woken up like I usually did around two or three in the morning in a kind of a panic attack last night.

Or perhaps it was the fact that I was completely and utterly exhausted from everything that had happened since yesterday? My brother went missing, James and Matt went off to find him, and then, of course, James’ wild lovemaking to me last night? That was probably it, I decided as the man I was thinking about suddenly leaned toward me.

He gave me a kiss on my forehead, which both surprised and delighted me. I felt like the world had just bloomed with flowers and burst with various bright colors as he moved his lips down to my nose and kissed me there too. Then lower to my mouth, and there he gently and softly kissed me, his tongue lightly brushing against my flesh.

I eagerly opened my mouth for him, but he paused and pulled back. I groaned in disappointment at the rejection. I didn’t know I was doing it out loud until I heard him chuckling.

“Tonight,” he said, his warm breath erotically fanning my face. “I’ll take you out to dinner. Wear a pretty dress.” He kissed me on my lips again. When he moved back, he said, a dark smile on his face, “And you’re my dessert after. I expect to see that lingerie on you tonight. It’s an order.”

His tone demanded no argument or disobedience from me. My body responded to his dark command by shivering in anticipation and trepidation. I was mesmerized and breathless at his complete control over me, at the way he seductively yet coldly commanded me to do as he instructed, as he pleased.

I licked my lips as I nodded my head.

James smiled, pleased with my response. He caressed my cheek with the back of his finger and then brushed his lips lightly across mine. I sucked in my breath and closed my eyes as I knew tonight was going to be another night he’d really make me lose my mind once again.

Then of course I expected him to let go of me and leave for his work, but he didn’t. He slammed his lips against mine again and forcefully plunged his tongue into my mouth. Then he wildly and passionately kissed me, his tongue cogently stroking mine, demanding me to submit to him.

I groaned in my throat as I clutched the bedsheet against my naked chest, as my body shook in ardor. When he did finally let go of me, I was shaking and breathless.

“I’ll be back to pick you up at seven this evening,” he said, a satisfied smile on his lips. I noted his beautiful Prussian-blue eyes were twinkling as he took a few steps back.

I watched him, dazed and awed as he walked out the door.

“See you soon,” he said over his shoulder. “Patrick is waiting downstairs to take you to your brother. Oh, and your new cell phone is on the bedside table. Keep it with you at all times. Expect to get messages from me.”

I turned my eyes to the bedside table, and sure enough, there it was, a brand-new cell phone. Had James bought it specifically for me? Of course I had my own as well, but it was old and the only numbers I had on it were Andy’s previous number, which was no longer in use since Andy’s phone had been destroyed a few months back. Then there was the restaurant number as well. It was so that I could phone in if I was too sick to work.

So James expected me to take this new cell phone of mine with me wherever I go, eh? And to expect getting messages from him. Suddenly I shuddered in delight. To get messages from James. Sexy, naughty messages? Or was the cell phone simply a way for him to get in contact with me? Either way, it was nice of him to get me one. And a very fancy one at that.

A few moments later, I heard the sound of the door shutting, and I knew James was gone. He was going to be busy with work again for sure. They were always busy, weren’t they, those billionaires who had multiple businesses that were worth in the billions of dollars? Then I wondered if he and Matt were still dealing with the Mexican, cleaning up the mess from the night before. I didn’t know and, honest to God, I didn’t actually want to find out that much. I just knew that as long as Andy was safe, I was relieved.

I got out of bed and headed into the bathroom to get ready. About twenty minutes later, I was done. I had a little bit of makeup on—just the foundation, a little blusher, lipstick, and a hint of dark mascara. My long hair was loosely French braided and rested to one side on my shoulder.

Today I wore a floral sundress with short sleeves and a round neckline. The hem of the skirt reached down to just above my knees, which showed off my slender legs. Accompanying that pretty dress, I wore flat ballet shoes. Staring at myself, I thought I looked rather fetching and smiled at my own accomplishment.

I headed out of the bedroom and then ordered room service. As I waited for breakfast to arrive, I went into the walk-in wardrobe in search of a dress I should wear to dinner with James tonight.

I crouched down to my knees, wondering if this was a kind of dinner date between us. Then I thought again that that was indeed stupid. We were not in a real girlfriend-boyfriend-type relationship. Then again, I thought, neither was our relationship like that of a master and mistress. Didn’t they simply do sex behind closed doors, and that was about it? Did they go out and have dinner dates in the open as well? I didn’t know. Did the master usually buy expensive clothing for his mistress? I didn’t know that one either.

I licked my lips as I stared at a lovely blue cocktail dress James had bought for me from Fleur. It was short and elegant, with the material made out of satin and lace. The sleeves were short, and the neckline was round. It was beautiful and covered a lot of skin, which I wanted. I’d look smart and elegant in this, I thought in glee.

I nodded and decided that it’d be the one I’d wear for tonight’s dinner. Then my eyes were drawn to the lingerie James had laid out and instructed me to wear yesterday.

A lump formed in my throat. To wear something that sexy…that erotic… It wasn’t me, but…

Suddenly my mind went to our tempestuous, powerful sex session last night, and my body squirmed in anticipation.

Would my wearing something like that increase his craving for me? Would it make him want me even more?

The thought made my stomach flutter deliciously. To be wanted by James, not only in the sex department but in the heart department as well, would be awesomely wonderful.

My thoughts turned to what had happened this morning. The way he had looked at me. The way he had kissed me. The way he had caressed me, so tenderly and so gently… To be kissed, to get morning greetings that way… Was that the way a relationship between a master and his mistress worked too? I didn’t know, but I desperately wanted to find out. Did all masters treat their mistresses like the way James treated me?

A part of me wanted to tell myself no, that wasn’t the general way, that there was only sex involved and nothing else. I wanted James to be the only type of master who treated his mistress, me, this way, like he was in love with me, like I was precious to him. I wanted to be precious to him.

But of course, that was stupid of me. I knew that, yet deep down inside I was still hoping something wonderful would come out of our unconventional relationship.

A couple of loud knocks came at the door, and I jumped. I had forgotten about my breakfast. I quickly placed both the dress and the lingerie back in place and headed out of the walk-in closet into the bedroom and then to the living area.

After I had had my delicious breakfast, I took my new satchel, not forgetting about my new cell phone and of course my wallet, and then headed out the door.

Down in the main foyer, the kick-ass-looking bodyguard I had met with yesterday, the one who drove me back from the hospital to the hotel, rushed over to me the moment I stepped out of the elevator. I assumed he must be Patrick, the man who was to be my chauffeur again for today.

“Good morning, Miss Donovan,” he greeted cheerfully. “Where would you like to go today?”

I felt flustered all of a sudden. I wasn’t used to this type of stuff where I was treated like a rich, pampered princess. I was Mia Donovan, an orphan girl with a dark past who no one cared about. The girl who had to strive hard to claim her spot in life.

I smiled shyly and said, “The hospital.”

“Of course,” he said, nodding his head. “This way, Miss Donovan.”

I followed him out the grand entrance of the hotel. A moment later, I found myself staring at a silver, flashy car that I had no idea what the brand was. Yesterday’s car was a simple black one. But today? Today was different. This one looked mighty expensive, and it was used to transport me to the hospital?

I was used to busses. Not this fancy type of car that would have cost the earth to obtain.

Patrick opened the door of the back seat for me, and I entered. I was used to sitting in the front seat beside James, who drove the car. I was used to watching his large, strong hands gripping comfortably and commandingly on the steering wheel. There was something very fascinating about that.

Of course, I was definitely not used to sitting in the back seat alone. I put on the seat belt as Patrick started driving out.

“It’s a lovely morning, isn’t it, Miss Donovan?” Patrick started the conversation.

I nodded in agreement. “Yes.” It was indeed a lovely morning when you woke to be greeted by a hot billionaire kissing you and promising you a wonderful dinner and then later a sort of wild sex session that’d surely make the earth shake under you.

I sighed, a secret smile playing about my lips. Then I dug my hand into my new bag and found the cell phone James had given me. I needed to familiarize myself with this one, and so I spent the next fifteen minutes browsing through the apps. I noted that James had already had his own phone number in the contact list. He was simply James there. Nothing fancy like dark billionaire, your master, or anything like that. There was Andy’s and Matt’s numbers as well. How considerate of him, I thought. Then again, why would I need Matt’s phone number? Oh yes, in case Andy—

I stopped right there. I didn’t want to think about what might happen to Andy. It was just too frightening at the thought. I was grateful, however, that James had put Matt’s number on my contact list in case I needed his help in the future.

When we arrived at the hospital, Patrick and I headed straight up to Andy’s room. There, Patrick took up his position beside the other kick-ass bodyguard.

I greeted the other one, whom I had yet to find out his name, and then headed straight in to see Andy.

My brother was gazing out the window when I came in. I took the seat beside his bed, moving the chair closer so I could be right next to him.

He definitely looked better today, and the bruises on his face had changed color too. They were lighter, I think. He was healing, and I was glad.

“Good morning, Andy,” I said, giving him a light kiss on the forehead. “How are you feeling today?”

Andy managed to give me a grin and went on to his complaint. “The food here is horrible, Mia” he said. “I wish you’d cook for me. I’ve missed your food. It’s been ages since I tasted your fry-rice and your egg omelet.”

I smiled. Andy was the only one who had ever adored my cooking. My fry-rice and egg omelet, Asian style, were his favorites. Of course, those two dishes were basic and the ingredients were cheap, which we could comfortably afford.

“I’ll cook for you tomorrow,” I said. Then I wondered if I was allowed to use that fancy kitchenette back at the hotel. I’d have to ask James tonight.

“Unfortunately, I can’t handle hard food at the moment,” he said. “Something soft?”

I nodded. “Of course,” I said. “I’ll think of something.”