Chapter 74

James

He didn’t want her to work. What was so fucking hard to understand about that? James thought in irritation. He’d provide everything for her, even a regular income. He was a generous man when it came to a person he adored, and Mia was definitely one of those people. So why the fuck did she behave like he’d crushed her heart when he refused to let her return to Mystic Spring, which was no longer her home?

“Fuck!” he swore under his breath as he raked his fingers through his thick, dark hair.

Was she really going to defy him and return to the small town? What with that two hundred bucks of hers? Furthermore, her sick bastard of an uncle was still on the loose, prowling the country, searching for her and her brother. He had no doubt the maniac would kidnap Mia if he found her. Fuck, didn’t she realize her life could be in danger? That he personally wouldn’t be able to protect her if she were to return to the other side of the States?

God, that sex they’d had previously had been simply mind-blowing. She’d been passionate and wild, and she’d even uttered, “I love you,” to him.

The moment those words reached his ears, James had felt overwhelmed—passionately so. Fact was he hadn’t heard those words said to him since he’d been in his late teens, when girls at college would confess they loved him. Ever since, however, he’d come to realize what they actually meant was they loved his good looks, his large cock, and his money.

When he’d started going out with Whitney and then eventually married her, he assumed she was different. He assumed because the woman never said those words to him, she wasn’t after his looks, his ability to fuck, or his money. Well, now he knew better. She’d never said those words simply because she truly never loved him. Aside from the fact that, yes, she was also one of the top few who really was interested in his money.

I love you. The words kept ringing in his ears, reminding him of what had just happened between them.

Fuck, why the hell were they quarreling? And this hidden side of Mia—her stubborn defiance and fighting spirit. Yes, he’d assumed she had it in her. He’d guessed as much when she’d showed up at his house to negotiate for her brother’s release. She was young, alone, and had no support. A girl like her should be crawling on her hands and knees, hiding in corners in fear in his dark and dangerous world. But Mia? She was different. She marched right up to his house—well, in her case, to his bedroom—naked and enticing, and demanded an audience.

To see this strong side of her did something to him though. It awakened something within him. Fuck! What was it? What were those feelings? What was that urge? What was the rush, the excitement aggressively coursing through his body?

Oh yes. He knew what it was. He was fucking irritated. Pissed. And yes, he was so fucking excited. God, the urge to control that stubborn spirit was truly something that made his head spin in thrill.

As he stood there analyzing what the hell had happened between them, his hands fisted tight. Then he noticed something.

Fuck! He was hard.

Holy shit! Was he turned on? When they were fighting.

James took a deep breath and then chuckled. Well, obviously, where Mia was concerned, he bloody hell couldn’t help it, could he? He was turned on when she showed him her fighting spirit, her nonsubmissive side.

He unwrapped the towel from his waist and then headed to the door. He wasn’t about to hide his arousal when they were going to negotiate and make amends, was he? Oh no. Hadn’t she appeared so excited when he had her touch his aroused cock? Then when he’d fucked her? He’d seen her shuddering and squirming in delight. Well, he’d use his body to his advantage then. He’d use his naked body in its most aroused and enticing form to seduce her into succumbing to his demands.

In the living area, he found her standing by the window, staring off into the darkness at the city below. She was wearing shorts and a pajama shirt, which he’d be ripping off in a few minutes.

“Mia,” he called out.

She turned at his voice. Instantly she gasped upon seeing him in all his naked glory. She stared at his aroused cock a bit too long, which James noticed and was secretly pleased by.

Mia blushed intensely when she realized she was ogling him. Embarrassed, she swiftly shifted her eyes to rest on the couch instead.

“We need to talk,” he said calmly, his voice demanding no argument. “About your job.”

When she didn’t respond, he approached her. Mia was quick to react. She paced around the couch to keep her distance. James found the attempt amusing, because really, she wasn’t going to get away. In a few minutes, she’d be in his arms and he’d be fucking her again, right here in the living area on that couch.

Mia folded her arms across her chest and said, “If you must know, Mr. Maxwell, I’m still upset. There’s nothing further to talk about. I’m going back to Mystic Spring, back to my job.”

With that, she turned on her heel and headed toward the door leading to the bedroom. Oh no. James wouldn’t have any of that. Fucking hell if he’d let his attempt at reconciliation end here.

In two swift strides, he was beside her and caught her in his arms. He imprisoned her tight in his embrace. “Sorry, sweetheart, but it won’t do for you to be so far from me.”

He felt her stiffen at the statement. He continued. “It’s a violation of the contract.”

Mia said, “But I don’t remember anything about not allowing me to have another job. So it’s not a violation of the contract.”

He chuckled. “It’s a twenty-four-hour service, Mia. How will our relationship work if you’re so far away?”

She stared at his massive chest and said, “You can always make a visit.”

“I’m a busy man, Mia,” he replied bluntly.

“I know that,” she muttered, her eyes downcast.

James noted the soft, docile voice and knew she was thinking things over. He knew he had the advantage, and thus, he snuggled his face at the crook of her neck. He kissed her lightly to show her he didn’t want to fight anymore. Not that they’d been fighting very long.

“I know that,” she said softly, turning her lovely face to look up at him. “My having another job isn’t really a violation of our contract, but it’s the distance, isn’t it?”

James knew where this was going and couldn’t help but smile at her quick thinking. “Yes.”

“How about I find myself another job?” she asked, her eyes gazing at him through her long lashes.

James wasn’t going to ruin the moment. Whatever made her happy, he’d oblige. Just as long as she was with him. There’d be plenty of jobs in LA for her to choose from, so there was no problem.

He snuggled his face deeper into her hair and said tenderly, “Sorry I made you upset.”

Fuck! The words just came out of nowhere. There. He just said it, and he didn’t even think about why. He’d never apologized to a female for upsetting her before. He’d never, in fact, been aware of making any female upset in his life. So why now? Why with Mia?

He didn’t know, and he was more than a little confused at his own words and actions. But fuck, he didn’t want to think about that. All he wanted to do now was kiss her.

And he did—kissing her continuously at the base of her neck, inhaling her beautiful scent.

Why the hell did he feel like he simply wanted to bury his face in her hair? Being like this with her in his arms, feeling her soft, warm body against him, and breathing in her sweet scent was pure heaven for him. It was fucking satisfying, especially when it had been quite torturous for the past four days when he hadn’t been able to see her properly, when he couldn’t kiss or fuck her.

Thinking back to this evening, when he and Matt had been entertaining their client from Hong Kong, the chain hotel billionaire Mr. Wong, all he’d been able to think about was Mia. Then when William happened to walk in with his beautiful pet, Savanah White, he couldn’t stand it. Seeing William so intimate with the girl only made his heart ache because, fuck, the picture only reminded him how much he wanted to be with Mia. Thus, before dinner was even over, he’d told Matt he was leaving. He excused himself to Mr. Wong and headed straight back here.