Boxed Set: The Billionaire’s Desire Complete Collection (Books 1-3 and Bonus Books 1 and 2) (Submitting to the Billionaire) (8 page)

            “I want to see you come!  I want to feel your walls pulsating around my cock!”

            I cried out as my orgasm rose to the surface, crashing over me, causing my body to thrash and buck against his.  With a few more thrusts I heard a guttural groan as he shuddered and then collapsed on top of me.  He gently kissed my cheek as we both lay there for a couple of minutes panting for air.  He rolled off of me, untied my hands and lightly kissed my wrists before gently massaging them.  This tender show of emotion shocked me but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want him to stop.

            “Are you okay?  The restraints didn’t hurt you, did they?”

            “No, they didn’t hurt.”

            “Good.  I should get back to my room.  We will be swamped in the office tomorrow.”

           
No, please don’t go.

           
Joshua cleaned himself up in my bathroom and then got dressed.  I started to get up to walk him to the door and he stopped me.

            “No, you stay here and get ready for bed.  I can see myself out.”

            I sat on the bed, completely naked, and completely comfortable in front of Joshua. 

            He walked over to me and leaned down, placed a finger under my chin and gently tipped my face up to his.  His eyes longingly searched mine before he leaned in to kiss my cheek.  Butterflies danced in my belly.  His light scruff felt good as it lightly scraped my skin.

            “Sleep well.”

            Joshua disappeared from the bedroom and let himself out.  After getting ready for bed, I thought about the last week. 
Is this really my life?
  It almost seemed too good to be true.  I was re-living Joshua’s gentle kisses to my wrist when I drifted off to sleep.

           
CHAPTER FOUR

            The next day, our staff meeting was scheduled for 10:00 and my spreadsheet was complete.  I was to make a presentation discussing my findings on Jameson Industries’ financial goals and then take any suggestions on how the report should be refined.  I was not nervous at all during my presentation, and I made sure to write down all suggestions for improvement.  I had absolutely no ego when it came to work.  I was like a sponge wanting to soak up as much knowledge as possible.  All of the people in the meeting had been with the company a lot longer than me, and I wanted to learn all that I could from them.  We were notified at the meeting that the big meeting with Jameson, originally scheduled for Friday, was postponed for two weeks.  I noticed a new face that I had not yet been introduced to.  She was absolutely beautiful and I noticed her flirtatiously glancing at Joshua throughout the entire meeting.  Samira saw me looking at her and rolled her eyes. 
I guess she doesn’t like her
.  After the meeting Joshua introduced me to the gorgeous woman.

            “Sarah, I would like you to meet Natalia Wittendale, she works in our London office.”

            “Oh, Joshy,” she playfully hit his arm, “I think I’m more than just someone who works in the London office.”  She held his arm, giving me a look to let me know that Joshua was her territory.  Joshua winced and looked extremely uncomfortable.

           
Who the hell is this?
  I forced a smile and extended my hand.

            She hesitated, almost sneering, staring at my hand as it is was covered in dirt.  Finally, she gave me a very limp handshake and dropped my hand just as quickly as she touched it.

            “So, Sally, where are you from?” 

            “It’s
Sarah
.”  I gritted my teeth as I corrected her. 
What an arrogant…

            “Oh, my apologies.”  Her voiced dripped with saccharin. 

           
Why is she being so nasty?

           
“I am from just outside New York.”  I didn’t want to waste any more time talking to her.  “So nice to meet you Natalie, but I must get back to my office to make these corrections.”  I started to turn to go back to my office.

            “It’s
Natalia,
” she glared at me.

            I stopped and looked at her.  I narrowed my eyes and forced a smile.  “
So sorry
,” and I walked away.  Out of the corner of my eye I saw a smirk turn up the corner of Joshua’s mouth. 

            A few minutes later Samira came to my office with three huge files and closed the door.

            “Don’t let her get to you.  She’s been pining after Mr. Hunter ever since he broke up with her.”  She plopped the files down on my desk.

           
Ohhhh, the ex-girlfriend!  

            “Mr. Hunter would like for you to work on these.  He will be in shortly with instructions.”  Samira hesitated and then continued on, her eyes bright and full of mischief.  “Ms. Wittendale has heard a lot about you and is seething with jealousy.  Like I told you, Mr. Hunter has
never
brought anyone with him who was not a partner on one of his long business trips.  And the fact that you flew privately with him?  I’m sure she can’t stand it!”  Samira was grinning from ear to ear and she made me giggle.

            “Samirah, why are you so happy about this?”

            She quickly composed herself.  “Oh, I am sorry.  That was wrong of me.”

            “No, no, don’t apologize.  I just want to know why it makes you so happy.”

            “Ms. Wittendale treats anyone who is not one of the Hunters, or a partner, like dirt.  She acts as if she can’t be bothered to even speak to anyone else.  She is very rude and condescending.  I think every person is valuable and no one should be treated any better than anyone else.”

            I could see that she was visibly upset.

            “I agree with you completely Samira.”  I leaned in to whisper to her.  “I don’t think she likes me very much,” and I winked at her.

            She held her hand over her mouth to cover her smile, and we had a good giggle.  Just then there was a knock at my door.  Samira opened my door to find Joshua standing there.

            “Oh, Mr. Hunter!  I was just leaving,” and she ducked out.

            He closed the door and sat down.

            “I want to apologize for Natalia’s behavior.  She is very territorial and has been asking me all kinds of questions about you.  Apparently there is a buzz going around about us.”  He held my gaze and I swear my insides turned to mush. 
He is so beautiful.

            “A buzz?”

            “Office gossip.  Just ignore it if you hear anything.  Discretion, right?”  His dark eyes smoldered.

            “Of course.”  I wanted to take him right there in my office.  Being in his presence, in that small office, was clouding my thoughts.  I literally shook my head and then heard his soft chuckle.

            “Everything okay?”

            I realized what I had done in front of him and felt my cheeks flush.  “Yes, fine.”  I cleared my throat.  “I’m glad you’re here because I wanted to talk to you about your side of the contract.  We have been here for a while now and you have yet to give me any formal instructions on specific things I should be doing.”

            His eyes didn’t hide his amusement as he sat studying me.

            “I have to say, that I love your tenacity Sarah.  You really are the kind of person we want working with us at Hunter International.”

           
Love.  He said it.  Maybe not the way I wanted, but he said it.
  Okay, now I was losing it.  I was making something out of what was probably nothing. 
Snap out of it Sarah!  Focus!

            “Thank you, I appreciate that.”

            “Okay, you’re right.  It’s time I gave you more information.  But before I do that, what are your plans for this evening?”  He had a cautious, yet stern look on his face.

            He knew that I had dinner plans with Conrad. 

            “I am supposed to have dinner with Conrad this evening.”  Fire danced in his eyes.

            He did not look pleased.  “I am afraid that will not be possible.  Since the meeting was postponed, I have a lot of work for you to do.  I expect you’ll be here until well into the night.  Your partner training officially begins today.”

            His jealous streak was worse than I imagined.   But I couldn’t protest because my ultimate goal was to become a partner on the fast track.  So I just said okay and we proceeded to go over a detailed list of the people and projects I should get to know and work on.  He told me that it was important that I get myself in front of people so they know who I am. 

            “Your reviews and other partner’s opinions of you are what matter down the line.  They are going to want to know how effective you are, if you contribute to the Profits & Loss, and if you have the support of the people you work with.  The best way to do that is to go the extra mile whenever you a chance.  If someone needs extra help, extra hands, an extra brain, for anything, you should be the first one to volunteer.  In the end, the thing that will get you noticed is your work product, your reviews and your relationships.  This is not a position where you can take a backseat and silently do well.  People need to know who you are.  And I have no doubt that you can do this Sarah.  You are extremely bright and determined.  I look forward to the day that I get to make the call telling you that you’ve made partner.”

            “You make the call?”

            “Yes, as CEO, I am the one to deliver the news.  As I told you before, the partners vote on whom to choose.  Use the information you learn and the skills you acquire in everything you do over the next five years.  Be sure to volunteer for every project when a notice goes out that extra help is needed.  Come in to the office early and stay late often.  It’s not that you will have no life.  It is important to have some sort of outlet.  Just make sure that work is your primary focus.  These things will get you noticed and these things will get you nominated for partner.  I know you can do this Sarah.”

            He was so sincere I was a bit taken aback.  I could see that he really wanted this for me but I was confused as to why.  Usually when you care deeply for someone you have a vested interest in whatever they do and you want them to succeed.  I was just an intern turned associate, a smart one I might add, but an associate nonetheless with whom he had amazing sexual chemistry. 
Why did he care if I actually made partner? 
I didn’t have time to dwell on that, I had three huge files waiting for me.

            “Shall I get started on these?”

            He said yes and told me what needed to be done.

            “I am going to need the results by next Friday for the first two folders and results the following Tuesday for the third folder.  We will be discussing all three files at the meeting with Jameson the following day, that Wednesday before we leave.  We need analysis and figures telling us where Jameson Industries stands financially.  We need to know how solid their portfolio is.  They want to grow and we are going to give them the best advice to do so.  The three folders you are going to be working on contain information on three of their most recent investments.  We need to make sure they are making sound decisions.  Compile the data so we can go over it at the next couple of meetings.  We will combine your findings with everyone else’s findings on their other investments, and hopefully have a productive meeting with them in a couple of weeks.”

            “When are we leaving?”

            “Oh, I’m sorry.  I didn’t have your calendar updated.  We leave two weeks from this Friday.  We are taking a morning flight and all of your bags will be packed for you.  You don’t have to worry about that.  We also are going to a charity event for autism the night before we leave.  I take it you purchased an evening gown on your day of shopping?”

            “Yes.”

            “Good.  I usually am unable to attend because I am in the States, so I just send a check.  This time, since I am here, we are going.”

           
We?  Did he mean everybody from the office?
  He must have read the confused look on my face because he answered my question without me having to ask it.

            “Everyone from the office is invited, and most will attend.  It’s a night for everyone to have a nice evening out and support charity at the same time.  Samira will make sure you get an invitation.”

            I wondered if we would be going together.  I didn’t want to ask because I didn’t want to seem presumptuous.  Joshua didn’t mention anything more so I decided to just wait and see.

            “I should get back to my office and leave you to your work.”  He held my gaze and looked like he wanted to say something to me. 
Can you tell how much I want to be with you?
  I waited, but nothing came and he got up and walked out of my office.