Chapter 77

Mia

James and I spent an hour walking the mall and shopping for suitcases. I wasn’t particular about luggage and, in fact, thought any old one would do. James, however, insisted I get a matching set. Thus, I found myself getting one of those very fancy, expensive Louis Vuitton traveling collections. By the time we were done shopping, I felt awfully guilty for spending James’ money yet again.

We were in one of the restaurants, having lunch, when I couldn’t help myself and said, “James, I know I’m… um…”

How did I even go about this? Telling him I didn’t want to be so indebted to him even though I was supposed to be his mistress.

James cocked his head to one side. “What’s the matter?”

I licked my lips and then cleared my throat. I stared down at my food as I said, “You’re spending too much on me.”

“You don’t like that?”

I shook my head. “Well, it’s not that… I just don’t want to be indebted to you. That’s all.” I glanced at him and noted his dark frown. My heart constricted in dread. “What I mean is,” I continued hurriedly, “I know we have a contract and I’m your mistress and everything…but is it normal for you to spend so much money on me?”

James folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his chair, his eyes still intense on me. “It’s normal for me where you’re concerned.”

What the heck did he mean by that?

“Do you do this to your other mistresses too?”

That got the fire in his eyes going, and I knew the moment I’d finished the question, I was stepping on dangerous ground.

James leaned forward over the table, his face close to me, our noses nearly touching. “You’re my first and only mistress, Mia.” Then he kissed me hard, right there in a crowded restaurant.

I blushed intensely, and when he moved back, I noticed people were staring at us. There was even a group of teenage girls giggling as they watched us from a distance.

“James, you mustn’t kiss me in public. People can see.”

“And?”

I frowned. “What do you mean and?” I asked, mortified. “They’ll assume we’re a couple.” Which, I wanted to add, we were not. Not a real, loving couple like boyfriend and girlfriend or husband and wife anyway. We were just master and mistress, held together by a contract because of a damn two-million-dollar debt. The thought made me feel more than a little mortified.

“I personally don’t care what people think, Mia. I’m the type of person who does what he wants.”

Yes, of course I knew that. I couldn’t imagine a billionaire like James, or any wealthy man for that matter, would care one way or another what others thought of him. To do so would surely be a barrier to their tremendous success. After all, one couldn’t possibly make the whole world approve of oneself.

He whispered softly to me, his warm breath fanning my skin seductively. “And if I want to kiss the woman I adore in public, no one is going to stop me.” He grinned and his eyes sparked.

My stomach tingled deliciously in reaction to his handsome smile, and my whole body shuddered in delight. So he adores me? His blunt declaration made me deliriously happy, and I blushed intensely.

I licked my lips and said, “I see,” because really, I didn’t know what else to say.

James must have felt pretty smug because he had a satisfied smile on his face as he sat there watching me while I played with my food.

About twenty minutes later, we were done with lunch. When we headed out of the restaurant, James held my hand. I noticed the group of girls watching us and giggling again. One even gave me a thumbs-up.

I gave her a shy smile in return. They must have thought I’d caught myself some very big fish indeed. If only they knew the real truth of the relationship between us.

Once we got back to the hotel, James returned to work while I continued with my packing. Standing there in the walk-in closet and looking around at the array of clothing James had bought for me, I sighed, disheartened. It was only now I realized I had so many clothes. And how was I supposed to fit all those into just three suitcases? I supposed the only way to solve that problem was to either leave some of the dresses behind or ask James to buy me another carrier.

I didn’t want to do either of those things. It was nice enough of him to buy me brand-new clothes and, of course, the suitcases. And since he was still very busy with work, I didn’t want to bother him with my dilemma.

“Surely,” I muttered under my breath, “I can fit all of them into the suitcases.” With that determination in mind, I got down to my knees and started placing the folded clothes neatly into the cases.

About an hour and a half later, after arranging and then rearranging, I smiled in relief, congratulating myself. “Thank God,” I said, nodding. Somehow I had managed to fit most of the stuff in, including three pairs of shoes.

I was just heading back out into the bedroom to retrieve some other items to be packed away when I remembered I hadn’t yet told Savanah about my upcoming departure to LA.

I rushed around the bed and grabbed my cell phone. A few seconds later, I was listening to the sound of the phone ringing.

“Hello?” Savanah’s voice came through.

I smiled. “Hey, Savanah, it’s me.”

I heard a chuckle. “Mia, hey. What’s up?”

“Er… Actually, Savanah, I forgot to tell you… Well, I’ve only found out myself yesterday evening…” I paused. “Savanah, I’m leaving Vegas tomorrow.”

“What? So soon?” She sounded upset.

“I’m so sorry. James has to return to LA and his daughter…”

“I know,” she said. “I understand… I mean, he’s based there, isn’t he?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Well, can you come over to have dinner with me tonight?” she asked.

I nodded, knowing James was probably going to be busy again tonight. That meant I would be having dinner by myself. After all, Andy had told me Matt was taking him out to a fancy place tonight, so he wouldn’t be able to entertain me.

“Yes. I’m sure I can come. Where do you want to have dinner?” I asked.

“Actually, William’s penthouse.”

I blinked. William’s penthouse? Was that going to be all right? Would William be there?

Savanah answered that question for me. “Don’t worry. William is going to be out this evening, so it’s just you and me. Girls’ night in.” She chuckled. “Don’t you think that’d be fun?”

I nodded in agreement. “Of course,” I said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

A moment later, after I’d told her I’d see her soon, we hung up. I spent a bit more time packing and tidying up, making sure I wasn’t missing anything. It had been a lot easier before when I didn’t have a lot with me, with just my backpack and a few worn-out items of clothing. Now, however, there were so many, and I had no idea how to deal with this packing and stuff.

By four in the afternoon, I got tired of it and decided to take a bath and get myself ready for dinner with Savanah.