Boxed Set: The Billionaire’s Desire Complete Collection (Books 1-3 and Bonus Books 1 and 2) (Submitting to the Billionaire) (6 page)

CHAPTER THREE

The Rolls Royce dropped me off at my hotel at about 5:30 and when I returned to my room, waiting for me were my makeup artist, manicurist, and hair stylist.  I quickly showered, and then was able to sit and be pampered for a couple of hours.  Initially I thought about telling Joshua that it was not necessary to have all of this provided for me.  But then I caught myself and thought,
why not?
  I had never been pampered like this before and I certainly could not afford to have a makeup artist, manicurist and hair stylist at my beck and call. 
So why not enjoy this temporary luxury?
 When my nails were dry I got dressed.  I wore a pair of black dress slacks and a beautiful red, short sleeved YSL blouse.  I had never had my makeup done professionally before and when I looked in the mirror I barely recognized myself.  I actually looked pretty.  I thanked everyone and went downstairs to the car that was waiting for me.  I could feel myself holding my head up a little higher filled with confidence, as I received admiring glances from several men in the lobby. 
I hate to admit it, but I could get used to this lifestyle. 

Joshua was already waiting for me in the Rolls Royce.  My heart was pounding as I was about to get in.  Would he notice the difference in my appearance?  Why do I care anyway?  
Because you do. 
When I answered my own question, I was startled by the honest answer that I did not want to admit.  I was still focused on my ultimate goal to make partner in five years, but it was getting harder to quell the feelings of excitement I felt whenever I saw Joshua.

My Prada perfume permeated the Rolls Royce as I entered. 
I hope he likes the scent.
  Joshua had an approving gleam in his eye when he saw my transformation but there was a hint of something else there.  He almost looked worried.

“I see your personal salon workers did their job this evening.  You look lovely Sarah.”

It was difficult not to blush at the compliment as I felt my cheeks flush.  He looked so regal in his black suit, not a hair out of place.  I was definitely living a fairytale and I was starting to want it to never end.

“Where are we having dinner?”

            “Reflets, a lovely French restaurant.  I hope you like French food.”

            “I have never tried it but I am sure I can find something on the menu I like.  We’ve never gone out to dinner together.”  I straightened my shirt and fluffed my hair and gave Joshua a small flirtatious smile.

            He seemed a bit uncomfortable with that.  “Sarah, I think I need to make something clear to you.  I want you to know that I enjoy your company.  If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.  We are going to be spending a lot of time together on this trip and you are going to meet some very important people in my life.  But, I don’t want you to mistake this for anything other than what it is.  This is strictly a contract, nothing more.  I offered you something and you accepted.  I don’t want you to have any misconceptions about us.  We are not a couple.”

            I sat there stunned. 
What an arrogant ass.
  We’re not a couple?
 I know that you jerk.
 
Well then I guess that means I am free to flirt and mingle with whomever I’d like.  Let’s see what the night has in store.

            I gave him a cool stare and told him I understood.

            “No need to worry Mr. Hunter.  No misconceptions here at all.”

            I saw him wince when I called him Mr. Hunter.  I don’t think he liked the reinstatement of formality between us. 

            We rode in silence the rest of the way to the restaurant. 

            We were escorted to our private dining room and everyone was already there, waiting for us. Joshua walked over to his brother Jake and gave him a hug.  It was nice to see him show affection for someone he loved.  He kissed Jake’s girlfriend on the cheek and he shook Conrad’s hand. 

            “I would like for you all to meet our newest associate, Sarah Vaughn.  She was the star intern and we are very excited to have her aboard.”

            They each shook my hand and Conrad gave it an extra little squeeze.  “It’s wonderful to meet you Sarah.  I have heard many good things about you.”  He gave me a little wink while holding my chair out for me.

            “Thank you.”  I flashed him an appreciative smile.  Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw Joshua grimace.  We were at a round table so it was easy to see and talk with everyone.  Jake sat on my left, Vivienne was next to him, Joshua was next to her, and Conrad sat on my right.

            “So, Sarah, where are you from?”  Jake dove right in with the question.

            “I am from a suburb of New York City.  I hope to get an apartment in the city soon so I won’t have to commute anymore.”  I flashed Joshua a look and he was visibly irritated. 
Good.

            “Do you have a long commute?”

            I tossed my hair over my shoulder.  “It’s relatively long and it’s
very
boring.”  I held Joshua’s gaze as the biting words rolled off my tongue.

            I saw the flash of anger fly through his eyes as he clenched his jaw.

            “Jake, you are the Chief Financial Officer of the company, is that correct?”

            “You’ve done your homework.  Yes, I am.  Joshua and I inherited the company from our father who inherited it from his father, and it goes back down the line several generations.”

            I noticed that Vivienne looked visibly annoyed that Jake and I were having a conversation.  Then she decided to chime in.

            “So, Sarah, are you enjoying Dubai?”

            “I am.  It is beautiful here.”

            “Was it difficult to leave your significant other back home for 30 days?”

           
Very clever Vivienne.  You’re not getting that information from me so easily.

           
“I was able to put everything in order that needed to be in order.”

            Then Conrad chimed in.  “My dear, you look very lovely this evening.  How nice to have a smart
and
beautiful woman on one of our long business trips.  I must show you around Dubai on one of your free days, if you will allow me.”

            “That would be lovely, thank you.”  I flashed him a smile and glanced at Joshua to see him trying to mask that he was seething. 
No misconceptions here buddy.
   

            The conversation was pretty lively during dinner and I found that I really enjoyed talking with Jake.  He reminded me of my younger brothers.  The conversation between Jake and I was very easy and natural.  I think it was because there was zero sexual tension.  We just clicked as friends.  Neither Vivienne nor Joshua seemed happy that the two of us hit it off so well.  She shot me death stares anytime I spoke to him.  But I didn’t care.  I felt I had made a new friend.

            We were all saying goodnight when Conrad pulled me aside.

            “Sarah, it was so nice to meet you.  Let me take you to dinner this week.  Does Wednesday evening work for you?”

            Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the disapproving look on Joshua’s face as he watched us. 
Joshua did make it clear in the car ride to dinner that we were not a couple.
  I knew he would not be pleased if I spent time with Conrad, but I didn’t care.  He did not own me and I was free to see whoever I wanted.

            “That sounds wonderful Conrad.  I am looking forward to it.”

            He brought my hand to his lips, planting a light kiss, as he bid me goodnight.  I exchanged goodnights with Vivienne and Jake and then Joshua and I went to our waiting car.

            The tension in the air was palpable when he closed the car door. 

            “What did Conrad say to you?”  Fire danced in his eyes.

            “First of all, I had a very nice time meeting everyone at dinner tonight.  Your brother seems to be very kind.”  I gave him a cool stare.

            “I asked you a question.  When I ask you a question, you answer me.”  There was no mistaking the anger in his voice.

            “He invited me to dinner Wednesday night.”  I held his gaze daring him to tell me I couldn’t go.

            I thought Joshua was going to explode right in front of me.  Lights were shining in through the windows of the Rolls and I could see that his face was beet red.

            “What did you say?”  His voice sounded strained.

            “I told him that sounded wonderful.  I’m looking forward to it.”  I held his gaze as he glowered at me.  “No misconceptions about our relationship at all Joshua.”  I controlled the sneer that wanted to curl my lip.

            We rode in silence the rest of the way to the hotel and Joshua would not look at me.  When we arrived at the hotel, Joshua followed me to my room.  I gave him a curious glance and he gave me a terse response.

            “I’m walking you to your door.”

            When I opened my door he followed me inside and closed it behind him.  I put down my purse and took off my shoes.  I was exhausted.  It had been a long day.  Just as I was going to ask Joshua if he minded if I retired for the evening he grabbed me around the waist and pinned me against the wall with his hard body.  I could feel his thigh muscles through his suit as he pressed against me.

            “Let’s get one thing straight.”  He grabbed a fistful of my hair and wrenched my head back so that I was looking into his eyes.  I had never seen this look.  It wasn’t just that he was angry; I thought I saw a hint of hurt as well. 
Why would he be hurt?  He told me not to have any misconceptions about us!

            “You belong to me!”  He leaned down to kiss my neck and I tried to pull away from him.  He held me in place with an iron grip.  He leaned down to run his tongue along my collarbone, up my neck and lightly flicked my earlobe.

            My body betrayed me as I felt my skin tingle.  I tried to wrench myself out of his grip but he wouldn’t have it.  The more I squirmed, the harder he pressed against me.  I could feel his hard length through his suit and his warm breath on my neck.

            “I do NOT belong to you!  You told me we’re not a couple.  That means I can see whomever I want!”  I still was trying to get free of his grip but he was too strong for me.

            He held me with one hand while the other roamed down my body and back up under my blouse.  His hand snaked around to my back and he unfastened my bra in one swift motion.  His hand then slipped underneath the loosened cup and started kneading my breast.  He grabbed my nipple in between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed.  A soft moan escaped my lips and I stopped fighting him.  My hands gripped his arms and I closed my eyes as I indulged in the pleasure I was feeling.  His other hand unzipped my pants and they fell to my ankles.  He dipped his head down to whisper in my ear.  “You belong to me.”  His deep, husky voice sent my stomach all aflutter.