Chapter 55

Mia

The warm soapy water soothed me, and I lay there in the huge marble bathtub, staring up at the chandelier, trying not to think about anything. Not especially about that lingerie I was supposed to wear tonight. I couldn’t possibly disobey James again, could I? Since I had already done so yesterday, and he had noticed and specifically told me that I must this time.

I groaned under my breath.

I procrastinated for another half hour by pretending to be busy in the bathtub, cleaning myself. At six o’clock, I knew I really had to get out and get ready before I got too nervous. Besides, James might return soon and he’d need the bathroom.

I sighed and reluctantly got out. After having a quick rinse in the shower, I dabbed myself dry with a big, fluffy white towel and then wrapped myself in a robe. I headed over to the basin area and started blow-drying my hair and doing my makeup.

About fifteen minutes later, with my hair dry, the long length resting all the way down to my waist, and my makeup done neutrally, I stood there at the foot of the bed, glaring at the lingerie as if I were about to start an all-out battle with my enemy.

It was going to be fine, I told myself. I’d get used to it, that see-through flimsy material.

Determinedly I snapped the panty up and slid my legs through it. Once it was on, I thought that it didn’t feel too bad. Of course, I refused to see what I looked like in the mirror.

I took off the robe and then put the bra on too. The material was soft and silky, completely different from my usual cheap underwear that was made out of cotton.

Still refusing to look at myself, I grabbed the blue cocktail dress. I was just unzipping the back when a manly voice said, “Hello.”

I jumped on my spot and hastily twisted around. Standing there at the bedroom door was James, looking as amazingly handsome as ever.

I felt my throat go dry all of a sudden, and I unconsciously licked my lips. My body reacted at the mere sight of him, quietly squirming away in a sort of delicious sensation.

“Hi,” I said, having thought of nothing else to say.

He smiled, and I noted that his eyes were twinkling. “Is that the dress you’re going to wear tonight?”

I nodded. I didn’t miss the spark in his eyes nor the way he was looking at me either. That dark, sensual gaze that told me he was delighted to see me and approved of what I had on.

So he liked the lingerie on me?

The thought made me deliriously happy, and my heart glowed with delight. I must not look too bad with the garment on then, and now I was eager to see myself in the mirror. Did I look as sexy as those hot models who wore Victoria Secret lingerie on the runway? I doubt it because I wasn’t tall nor was I beautiful. But still, if it pleased James, my look must be above average for sure.

James stepped to stand within an inch in front of me and took the dress from my hands, which surprised me.

“Let me help you with that,” he said softly.

I obliged because, really, I couldn’t do anything else. My whole body was weak at the nearness of him. He smelled good too, just so James Maxwell. I sighed in contentment, basking in his presence, savoring his nearness, his warmth, the sight of him, and of course, his touches.

James knelt on the floor and urged me to step into the dress. God, I felt like a helpless little girl who was now being aided into her clothes by her guardian. Though I must admit the feeling wasn’t bad, and I sort of liked it—being pampered by a billionaire.

I obeyed, and James slowly and seductively glided the material up my legs, his hands lightly brushing against my skin as he did so. I held my breath because his action, slow and gentle, was sensually erotic, which made my core dance with excitement.

Once he made me slip my arms through the sleeves, he adjusted the dress about me. Then he said, “Turn around.” As he zipped up the dress around my back, he had his nose buried in my hair about the nape of my neck.

“Mmm…” He chuckled. “You smell good.”

He kissed me there, and I groaned, my tummy fluttering deliciously. Then he moved back and said, “I won’t be long.”

I turned and watched him disappear into the bathroom, my heart racing. Unexpectedly, I was really looking forward to after dinner when we’d return, when he’d make love to me like he had promised. My core burned in anticipation and excitement. Would he make me cry while he fucked me again? I wondered.

Oh my God! I had just realized I had used the word fuck without thinking. What has become of me? My vocabulary had changed, hadn’t it? Was it because I was with James and was influenced by him?

I secretly smiled. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing, after all. Using that particular word during our wild sex session had been a definite turn-on for sure.

At exactly seven o’clock, James—dressed in another sleek three-piece suit that made him look like a powerful, ruthless billionaire on top of the world, which he was—escorted me down the main entrance of the hotel and into a flashy silver Jaguar sports car. It was breathtakingly sexy. And of course, I gave up trying to figure out how many cars James owned. Every time we’d go out, it’d be a different one. I also didn’t miss the fact that every single person was staring at the car and James, with my tagging along like a lost little duckling. I felt more than a little self-conscious at all the attention. I still wasn’t used to this since I had always been the one in the background, the invisible Mia Donovan no one knew existed, and I liked it that way. Becoming well known and being the center of attention wasn’t something I aspired to.

Around twenty minutes later, we arrived at another fancy hotel, and after the car was taken away to be parked safely by the valet, James took my hand and led me in.

This hotel wasn’t much different from the one that James and Matt owned. There was a large grand foyer with reception, high chandelier, walls and columns made of marble, and furnishings of the finest quality. It was busy with people everywhere.

I couldn’t help but take everything in. Needless to say, I was enjoying myself by taking in the sight of the scenery and the scent that was around me.

James was leading me up the grand stairs to the first floor where I assume the restaurant was when I thought I saw someone familiar. More specifically, a girl I had just bumped into this afternoon, Savanah White. I wanted to make sure, and so I searched the countless people among us. And then there she was, dressed in a pale-peach cocktail dress and her long hair down. She was a pretty little thing.

I wanted to get her attention and did my best, trying to make eye contact with her. Still she didn’t see me. She looked lost, I thought, even though she was being escorted by a tall blond male with a lean build, dressed in an expensively tailored suit. Oddly enough, I thought this man looked familiar to me too. I was pretty sure I had seen him before. But at the moment, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

A moment later, I was a little annoyed when both Savanah and her escort disappeared from my sight. It must have shown on my face because James chuckled, drawing my attention to him.

I blushed and said, “What?”

“Trying to find a friend?” he asked.

I nodded. “I thought I saw someone I knew.”

“Oh?” There was a tease in his voice I didn’t miss.

“Well,” I corrected. “A girl I had met this afternoon. She was awfully nice. I thought…”

“That you might become friends?” He finished off for me.

My blush deepened. “Am I not allowed to do that?” I retorted. If he really did mean I wasn’t allowed to have friends, I’d be so pissed. After all, my personal life and the friends I made had nothing to do with our unconventional relationship nor did it have anything to do with our contract, right?

“I didn’t say that,” he said. “In fact, I encourage it.”

My eyes brightened immediately at his statement. “Really?” I asked, pleased.

Jesus, why was I behaving like this? It wasn’t like he owned me and that he had complete control over me, after all. It was a free country, and I had my rights to make friends as I pleased.

“Having friends is a good thing,” he said. “Did you have any back in Mystic Spring?”

Sadly I shook my head. I had always been a loner back during my high school years, and then after that, I started work at the restaurant immediately. The colleagues at work weren’t friends, and of course I had no life outside of work. Nor friends for that matter. The only person I had ever had to console with about my dilemma and the sort or had any fun hanging around with was Andy. So technically, he was both my brother and my best friend.

“Only Andy,” I said.

“I see,” was his response.

We were entering the restaurant now, and I simply stared wide-eyed at the sight before me. Wow! Just wow! It was indeed a grand hall, three stories high with massive chandeliers. The main hall was wide open and jam-packed with clients. Around the left, right, and toward the back were two floors with more seats. They must be very famous here, I thought in awe. And the food must be very good. My stomach eagerly agreed with that by making a tiny sound as if to tell me it was ready for action.

A maître d’ greeted us a good evening, and without James even uttering a word, the man said, “Ah, Mr. Maxwell, welcome sir. I have your table ready for you.”

James must be a regular here, I thought, for the maître d’ to recognize him. Then of course, it was the man’s job, too, to know who his customers were. After all, James was no doubt famous where billionaire elites were concerned.

The maître d’ snapped his fingers for the attention of one of the waiters, and a brief moment later, we were taken up the stairs onto the first-floor landing of the restaurant.

I took my seat the waiter slid out for me, and James sat opposite me. After James had ordered an expensive bottle of wine and I had taken a couple of sips, I scanned the menu. Everything sounded so appetizing, and my mouth started watering. James must have seen the spark in my eyes because he chuckled.

“Have whatever you want and as much as you want,” he said. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he continued. “You’ll need the strength for tonight.”

My face flushed at the unwelcome suggestion. I lowered my eyes and nibbled on my lower lip, my heart racing. Honestly, I thought annoyingly at myself, I had been with James for a while now, and I should be used to his presence. My heart shouldn’t race every time he made such sensual, suggestive statements.

I frowned as I now glared at the menu, trying to concentrate, trying to calm my racing heart and eliminate the blush that was lingering on my face.

A warm hand touched my cheek, and I jolted at the unexpected contact. I turned my gaze to see James smiling at me.

“Something bothering you?” he asked. “You’re frowning.”

I snapped back, “I’m frowning because you’re saying things you shouldn’t be saying in public.”

He cocked his head to one side as he removed his hand. “Why are you shy all of a sudden?”

“I’m not shy,” I muttered, which was a lie.

“You blushing is adorable,” he said.

My heart skipped a beat. Why did he say that? Did he know that he was making it worse? That the nicer he was to me, the more I’d drown in his dark embrace? Or was that his way of showing his affection toward his mistress? His pet? His toy? Which was me.

He changed the subject. “What would you like to have?”

“Lobster,” I said eagerly. “It sounds so good.” I exaggerated the so by extending the o to tell him I really wanted to have that one for dinner.

He raised a brow. “What else is so good?” he asked.

I replied immediately, “Hmm…the steak sounds good too.”

He laughed. “You’re still innocent, aren’t you?”

I was confused. “What do you mean?”

He shook his head. “Never mind,” he said. “Let’s order.”

I nodded my head.