JAGGED EDGE: A BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE (ALPHA MALE) (2 page)

Chapter Two

Sammi

Hoping no one noticed her rushing through the crowd, Sammi hurried to the bathroom. Her heart beat erratically and her skin felt hot to the touch. Once inside, she poured cold water on her wrists and hands and splashed the back of her neck.

She’d not been able to date much after Tony, her longest relationship. Those few dates she’d been on were total busts. All of them had been set up by friends. The men weren’t interested in her, and she wasn’t interested in them. They’d bragged too much or tried to flash their money around.

It was funny how Jag, the billionaire, didn’t need to brag. And he’d been the most excited to see her and talk to her. Plus, he was a lot hotter. She started to lose her concentration as she recalled numerous shirtless photo shoots of him in glossy magazines.

Get a grip on yourself, girl!

Sammi stared at her reflection in the sink’s mirror.

The reason why she ran? Tony. Her ex. The first step he took into that ballroom, she took off.

Tony didn’t care about the Redrock preserve. He arrived only for Sammi, who’d told him it was over how many times now?

She sneered at her reflection, remembering how she’d discovered Tony cheating on her. After the confrontation, he ran back to her immediately, but she should’ve known before then to leave him. Even without the cheating, he wasn’t the greatest boyfriend.

Before she got out of the ballroom, she knew she’d have to interact with him. Was there another way out? Through the vents maybe or through the sewer system…

He looked a mess, too. He wore his suit sloppily on his chubby waist. His forehead dripped with sweat and his hair needed a good anti-frizz spray. There was a good chance he’d downed at few before the banquet.

Flattening down her hair after her little freak out, she took a deep breath.

I’ll walk right out. I’ll go right to my car. Then I’ll see about the restraining order. Once I’m home, I can send Jag a text about why I left.

Sammi had deleted his cell phone number a few years ago, so it wouldn’t be easy to text him, but she’d figure something out.

With her strategy decided, Sammi strode out of the bathroom, her sights aimed at the exit. Squeezing through the crowd, she managed to get to the door without any interference. She should’ve kept going, but she turned around to look for Jag one last time.

A longing pulled at her to stay, to tough it out. Maybe Tony would leave of his own volition, but then the image of him sloppily stumbling through the crowd came to her again, and she realized with him so drunk there was no chance of avoiding a confrontation.

She slipped out into the hallway leading to the parking lot. Before she got to the next door, someone snatched her arm.

It wasn’t her charming billionaire friend, but Tony, her drunk ex. He leered at her, his eyes wide with fury as his fingers dug into her flesh, pain welling across her arm.

“Leaving without saying goodbye?” he asked, alcohol souring his breath.

“Tony, you’re drunk. Let me go.”

She knew he hated when she brought up his drinking. “Me? I’m drunk? You’re the drunk one…”

“Do I look drunk? What are you talking about?” Sammi yanked her arm. He reached for her again, but she pulled back, fighting for space against the wall.

“You were drunk and flirting with that guy. Don’t think I didn’t see you.”

“I am not drunk. And what I do is none of your business. We’re not together anymore. Do you remember why? Because you cheated on me.”

“Oh, you’re going to bring that up again?” He lashed out. He shoved her back by her hips against the wall. Not a strong push, but she smacked against it with her ass. Good thing her curves acted as a cushion.

“And it wasn’t only because of that, it was because you were a fucking asshole, too! I should’ve left you sooner. Now get out of my way.”

Sammi attempted to push past him, but he caught her arm again and she fought to break free. She didn’t want to cause a commotion, yet it seemed like she had no choice.

“Hey, let her go!”

Tony jerked back. It was Jag. As he let up pressure, Sammi escaped his grasp. She could see Jag now, standing taller than Tony, his nostrils flared and his fists clenched at his sides.

“What do you think you’re doing, grabbing her like that?”

“Fuck off—”

Jag slammed his fist into the side of Tony’s jaw, causing him to stumble back against the wall. His arms flailing, he knocked over a nearby table, a lamp crashing to the floor. But then he swung back at Jag.

Stepping back with the grace of a boxer, Jag dodged the drunken swings. He didn’t want to fight anymore, it seemed; otherwise, Tony would’ve been knocked out cold. Sammi, trembling and begging for Jag to stop, backed up against the wall.

Jag caught Tony by the shoulder and dropped him in an arm bar. It looked like something a UFC fighter would do. Pinned to the ground, Tony yelled for him to get off. Jag stayed on top of him, his knee in Tony’s side. “Stay down. You’re done,” he said, calm and cool in spite of it all.

She didn’t see the crowd gathered until Jag pinned Tony for a minute. The men all helped break up the fight, but once Tony stood up he tried to punch Jag, missing and swinging at air instead. He staggered out the door, but not before glaring at Sammi Jo huddled in the corner.

She thought they would kick her out. Instead, a few of the men congratulated Jag for taking care of it. They all seemed impressed with him, thankful even. From behind Jag’s massive shoulders they asked if she was okay.

Sammi kept nodding.

Jag stepped closer. Putting his hands on her waist, he locked eyes with her.

“Are you okay, Sammi?”

“Yes, I’m fine now. Thank you.”

“Who was that?”

“My asshole ex.”

He squinted and thought about it. “Let’s get you away from here. How about another drink? Let’s sit down.”

“I should go. It was such an awful scene, my mood is ruined.”

Jag refused to let her go.

“No, I just found you again. I’m not letting you go that easily. Come on, sit down with me, I promise the night isn’t ruined. You shouldn’t let a douche bag like that ruin your night, anyway. You deserve better.”

Did she deserve better? Sammi nodded again. The fear that gripped her slowly eased back as she looked into Jag’s piercing green eyes, so confident and so sure.

If she deserved better, this was what better looked like.

Jag

He took her far away from everyone, to the left side of the bar away from the stares and comments. After a glass of wine she settled in.. Soon it was like her ex never existed. Jag saw the happiness spread across her face, loved the way she laughed at his jokes, so he kept going until a lasting rosiness marked her cheeks.

“You’re making my cheeks hurt. I forgot how funny you were.”

“I just need the right audience. Would you believe some people
don’t
enjoy my jokes?”

“What group of people? Those with sticks up their asses?”

“I guess,” he said, swirling his glass of whisky. “Usually during corporate business meetings they don’t enjoy it. They’re so stiff. As stiff as that dead body in the Shenandoah River.”

Sammi punched his arm playfully. “Hey, don’t bring that up.”

Jag couldn’t stop laughing. “I remember…” He slapped the table. “You jumped right out of the water and into my arms. Then when I poked it with a stick, it turned out to be a plastic bag. I never saw anyone move so fast in my life, not even the Olympic swimmers I’ve met. And all over a grocery bag.”

“Next subject,” she said, eyes narrowing.

“Those were good times. We used to hike
everywhere
. I’m surprised our parents let us do it; we were young, real young. They wouldn’t let us do it nowadays.”

“I suppose not. We were lucky, I suppose, but I wouldn’t take any of it back.”

“You were never in any danger. You had one eye on your math book and the other looking for anything cute and fuzzy.”

The bartender slid another glass of whisky to Jag. He peered up in confusion.

“From over there, lucky bastard,” the bartender said with a nudge to the end of the bar. A brunette, flanked by her girlfriends, waved to him delicately with her fingers like the rest of her hand didn’t work.

“Thank you,” he said with a nod, raising the glass. He turned his back to them. He didn’t want to invite them over.

Sammi smiled devilishly. “That’s something new.”

Jag shrugged again. Women bought him drinks all the time. The sly ones tried to spill booze on him so they could feel his junk. “The minor annoyances of being a billionaire…”

“Uh, huh. I’ll get your next one, champ.”

“No, I’ve got yours,” he said, brushing her arm. Sammi brightened as she took a sip and avoided his gaze. “You’ve been through enough tonight. All of this is on me. Everything.”

She twisted about in her seat. “Thanks, but this should be my last. I’m not much of a drinker.”

He would make sure to get her to a cab safely. Who knew if her ex lurked about in the parking lot? Jag would make this his last drink as well.

“How’s the old house?” They had been neighbors before Jag and his father moved a few towns over.

“I had to move out of my house. I couldn’t keep living with my parents. I know it made sense financially, but I just couldn’t do it. I need my space. I live in an apartment now.”

“Being real with you, one reason why I’ve not come back is my dad. I don’t hate him, no, but he’s demanding. I couldn’t take living with him either.”

“Good thing you’ve got about five homes you can go to if necessary.”

“That’s not true.” Most of his finances were plowed right back into the company. Or to charities. It made him happy that Sammi didn’t dig too deep into his billionaire life; instead, she chose to remember him how he used to be. That was nice for a change.

Sammi took the last sip of her wine. She brushed her lips right after. Yep, judging by the way she rocked in her seat when she talked, she’d definitely need help to the cab.

“Speaking of old memories. Do you remember peeping in my windows?”

Jag bit his lip and tried to fight the blood warming his cheeks. “No, I wasn’t peeping on you,” he stammered. His heart beat against his ribcage as he remembered catching sight of her in her bra and panties through the window. “You walked in front of the window as I was walking by.”

“You weren’t walking by, you were standing still.”

“I was walking by, then I saw you.” He waved his hands to try to explain himself but he probably looked crazy. “Of course I saw you in your bra and panties and did a double take.”

“I was so freaked. But I guess I should’ve taken it as a compliment,” she laughed.

He blurted out, perhaps he was a bit buzzed, but he meant it. “That’s one reason I missed home.”

She blushed. “I knew it,” she murmured, her eyes twinkling.

His cock began to fill with need. To quiet it down, he took a gulp of his whisky. They would need to wrap this up, because he was ready to take this to the bedroom, and he doubted Sammi would be down for that. He’d made a huge mistake when he’d left a long time ago, that much was very clear.

“Let’s go on one of our old hikes tomorrow. I’ll pick you up. Text me your directions.”

“Oh, that sounds wonderful. Around what time?” she asked. “Oh, and give me your number,” she mumbled.

“How about…ten?” Jag would usually get up earlier to exercise, around six, but he wouldn’t put Sammi through that.

“Ten works.” She started to get up, found the side of the bar, and stopped. “I should go. It’s getting late and if we’re hiking tomorrow, I’ll need to be on my game.”

“Sure,” he said, watching her closely.

Her step faltered, sending Sammi stumbling into Jag’s lap. Her palms landed right on his thighs, her tapered fingers landing very close to his crotch. So adorable, she peered up at him, stunned and horrified at what she’d done.

“Sorry, sorry,” she said. She pulled back. Trying to distract from the obvious fall into his lap, grabbing her drink, she raised it up and pronounced a toast.

“To good friends,” she declared.

The touch drove something out of him that he’d been trying to bury for the whole evening. Jag couldn’t let her slip away, not that easily.

Their glasses clinked. Once they put them down, Jag swept Sammi into his arms.

“Fuck friends,” he said.

He crushed his lips onto hers.

She moaned against him at first. Her soft, wet lips spread apart and their tongues met with a kiss that had his whole body thrumming.

He wanted to make it last longer. They lingered there, perhaps their tongues rolling far more than was appropriate at a function like this, but fuck it, Jag wanted more. Out of breath, she pulled away.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she murmured as she took off toward the door.

“See you tomorrow,” he said. He watched her wave, then decided to follow. Once outside, he saw her get into a taxi.

A fight, a reunion with a long lost friend, and then kissing that long lost friend…what a night!

Sammi certainly wouldn’t be just a friend any longer.

He’d always wanted her.

But this time, he’d be smart enough to take her.

Chapter Three

Sammi

She woke to a dog licking her ear. Her corgi puppy Oliver sniffed and wagged his tail as he tried to snuggle deeper into the crook of her neck. She nudged him away with a loud groan.

“Oliver! Get off.”

She tossed herself off the pillows. Immediately she fell back against the pillows with a pounding head. Next came the ultra-sensitivity to the light shining through her bedroom windows; even with the shade, it burned her eyes.

“Ugh, what did I do?”

Oliver lowered himself, waiting for her to get up. As soon as she shifted a little, he spun around in circles.

“All right, all right, I’m getting up.”

She supposed it was a good thing he woke her rather than peeing on the carpet. But still? What time was it? She felt like she could sleep another eleven hours.

After pulling on her robe and slippers, she grabbed Oliver’s leash and took him outside to pee. As soon as she stepped outside, she blocked her eyes from the sun.

How did people find drinking fun? Sammi always had the worst hangovers.

She waited for Oliver to sniff and run around. Pleased with himself, they stepped back inside. When she unleashed Oliver, he spun in circles again, hopped up on the couch, and waited for her to do something…anything.

“Sorry, I’m going back to bed, Oliver.”

He looked quite disappointed.

“You’d understand if you had the night I did last night…” He didn’t seem to understand at all, but that was okay. Sammi often talked to her pet whenever alone. She liked to speak out loud.

Crashing back into bed, she reached for her phone but didn’t know where she put it. A safe place would’ve been on her dresser. Of course, in her drunken stupor, she decided to put it somewhere else.

A wave of panic struck her when she remembered her date with Jag. There would be no way she could go hiking today. She expected to spend the whole day zoned out on the couch.

It wasn’t going to happen. She would need to cancel their date.

Date…was that what it was?

She remembered the way he kissed her, so confident and so sure. Her lips froze in shock at first, but eventually she opened and their tongues danced in a tantalizing swirl that got the room spinning again, like it had yesterday.

How drunk had she really been? All it took was one glass of wine it seemed, especially since she rarely drank. And then, how drunk had he been?

Had Sammi been too drunk to notice his state of mind?

She groaned and tossed her hands over her face, trying to hide. This could possibly be very embarrassing. Texting him back might be a mistake. He probably didn’t remember making the plans with her.

Still, that kiss had been delightful. Butterflies soared in her stomach when she thought about it, but Sammi wouldn’t think about it too long. Once she lifted up off the bed again to search for her phone, she pushed Oliver away when he wanted to play.

Her phone rested far underneath the bed. Somehow it’d been kicked under there last night. Even if it resulted in embarrassment, she couldn’t take the chance of Jag showing up for a walk. He’d probably show up to apologize for his behavior. Which would…piss her off, actually. It would hurt. It would be best just to avoid him, to avoid that potential fallout.

Sammi: Hey Jag, the night got away from me. I’m not going to be able to hike today. I enjoyed last night meeting up with you again but I’m too hung over today. Hope you understand!

She dropped her phone. Then she called Oliver over and gave him the attention he so desperately sought

“Good boy. I’m sorry, I’m going to be worthless today.”

He didn’t seem to mind now with a little attention. He flipped over onto his back. She petted his belly and then picked up the phone once Jag responded a few minutes later.

She feared what she’d read.

Jag: I enjoyed last night too, especially the end. Hey, no problem. How about we make it a short walk instead of a long hike?

Enjoyed the end? Was he still drunk?

Sammi shut her eyes and tried to steady herself. Once again, it felt like she was spinning, but even more so now, floating off the bed as her body replayed the emotions from being kissed by the guy she’d always had a crush on, the guy who was now a billionaire.

Jag would never stay home for long. So she needed to be careful. Sammi would need to guard her heart. Because it’d been damaged way too many times. Under the advice of her mother, she agreed not to get involved with a man for a long time after Tony.

He wouldn’t fit in with what she wanted—safe, reliable, a man who wouldn’t find something better or easier to pick up. Sammi might trust Jag, but Jag always reached for whatever was next. Life, to him, was an endless competition.

Sammi wanted someone nice to spend time with and settle down. And it wouldn’t hurt if they got her hot and bothered as well. Jag, she knew, would satisfy one of those needs. The other part worried her.

Sammi: I know you’re not going to take no for an answer…

Jag: So how about in two hours I’ll stop by?

Sammi: Sure, let me text you my address.

She sent the details as she stared down at Oliver, who gazed at her adoringly.

“I don’t understand what’s going on either. Come on, let’s get you fed and then let’s get me dressed, because I’m going for a walk with a billionaire today.”

Once she’d given Oliver his top of the line dog food, she hit the shower. The strong jets splashing her face woke her up and she felt fresh again, also possibly ready to tackle the day off the couch.

She rubbed herself down, trying to avoid the pulsing between her thighs.

This was so surreal.

I never thought Jag would be back. After he became a billionaire and his company went to the top, I really never thought he’d be back. Or if he was back, he’d never remember me.

Sammi shut off the shower. She’d stay in there all day if she could, soaping her ultra sensitive skin. Usually she never woke up this horny, but today her body was needy.

So she shut it down and went about her routine, getting dressed in yoga pants, a black t-shirt, and then spending an hour on her makeup and hair, something she’d never do if going for a walk with a friend.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. She did a once over when Jag texted her he’d arrived. Next came a solid knock on her front door.

“Oliver, stay back,” she admonished as she used her right foot to keep him away as she opened the door.

Jag filled the entire door frame. A tower of honed, finely crafted muscle in a tight black t-shirt that clutched his abs and chest. His hair had this tussled, wind-swept look, so natural but so hot. And he flashed a beaming smile at her, his white teeth as blinding as the sun behind him.

“Oliver?” he asked. “I thought you were single, but I guess I didn’t ask.”

“Meet Oliver,” she said. He sped between her legs and sniffed as Jag bent down and scratched behind his ears.

“Looks like I’ve got some tough competition.”

“He likes you. He’s usually a little brat to strangers,” she said, taking him by the collar, pulling him back behind the door. “Stay put, Oliver.”

Sammi closed the door behind her and locked it. She took a deep breath before putting her sunglasses on. There. Much better.

“You sure you don’t want to go hiking? I’ve got some spare climbing gear in my car. Or maybe you’d prefer we go skydiving?”

Sammi stopped. She waited for his impossible-to-resist grin to emerge. There it was. “Good, you’re only joking.”

They started to walk out into the quaint neighborhood. She lived in a relatively quiet part of Virginia, about ten miles from the city where every inch seemed overly developed. It was a blazing hot day and she welcomed the light breeze.

“Of course, I was only joking. Yesterday I drank more than my fair share as well.”

“So…” Sammi stammered. She winced and slowed, until Jag noticed and stopped as well.

“Already we’re taking a break?”

“No, I mean. How drunk were you last night? I’m just wondering, because what happened at the very end. With that…” God, she sounded like a stupid teenager! Why couldn’t she just bring up the kiss? Her cheeks flared again.

“Oh, I was fine. Even if I was sober, I would’ve kissed you. Don’t question that.” He started walking again, leaving Sammi no choice but to try to keep up with him. She cast her eyes to the ground. She didn’t want to give away how special he made her feel.

Jag

They rounded the neighborhood again. Jag kept looking over at her, wishing he could drop back to watch those delectable curves sway. They talked about their favorite places to hike, the treasures they’d picked up on them—just interesting stones and a few fossils, some of which he knew he still had back at his dad’s place, but while they looked simple, they all held fond memories.

Whenever her hand would sway, he would focus in on her delicate ring finger.

Get yourself a woman and settle down, son…

The words hit him hard. His father dealt him a heavy blow only two hours ago. Now he imagined himself slipping a glittering diamond on her finger, so big that she’d find it hard to walk. If only it could be that simple.

He’d lost himself in thought when Sammi strode closer to him and asked, “How’s your dad doing?”

“Good, good, actually I just talked to him.”

Only one part of that was the truth.

***

His dad was doing anything but fine…the image of his dad, frail, struggling to stand up while refusing his walker struck him.

Jag knew he wasn’t doing well. Stage 1V liver cancer. He’d not been doing well for a long time, battling it out like he’d done to amass the wealth over his life. Going from grocer, to manager, to then owning the grocery store and then opening up his own chain. His father had been dirt poor growing up. Giving Jag the money to start his business had been a dream come true.

Pale and gaunt, he’d always had a bronze tan and exercised religiously. But now Dad struggled to hug him.

“Sit down, sit down,” he said jovially.

“Please, you sit down, Dad,” Jag implored.

They talked for a while. Mostly in the beginning about what the doctors said. Nothing good. The news didn’t change from the last time they talked. And he still refused to tell anyone about his sickness. “I don’t want sympathy,” he would always say, which frustrated Jag.

“But you know what I want,” he continued. This was different. Jag perked up.

His eyes glassy and his lips thin, he rubbed his bald head. “I want you to find a woman. I want you to promise me, before I die, that you’ll get married.”

“Why is it so important?”

“Your mother changed me. I wouldn’t be half the man I was if it wasn’t for her. Do that for me, please. I want to see you happy.”

“I’m happy,” Jag insisted.

“Happier.”

Jag turned away then from the bed and went to the window. When he looked at his father, pleading with him and opening up in a way that he never did, asking him for one thing—how could he deny him?

“Fine,” he said, unhappily, agreeing to his father’s dying wish. “But you’re not dying anytime soon.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, son. They gave me two months to live. So you have to get on it. I’m sure there’s a long line of girls just waiting for you to drop down on one knee.”

“A line of girls I’ll need to vet, a line of girls who would just as happily divorce me to get at my fortune. That fortune which was created from
your
help, don’t forget.”

“I don’t mean the ones who want your money. You’re how old now, Jag? Twenty—”

“Twenty-nine.”

“You mean to tell me that in all those twenty-nine years, you never met a woman with a good heart…along with a good body?”

Immediately he thought of Sammi Jo. She had the heart and the body. She had everything.

Usually, Jag would try to play it off, joke about how he’d not found the one. Jag had heard similar pleas to find a woman before, but not like this. He’d never had to
promise
before…

And he always told his father he was working on it. Now his father didn’t have much time…

Fuck, it really meant he needed to make his move. Perhaps it was time. He couldn’t be single forever, could he? And the moment he saw Sammi again, it made him realize how stupid he’d been for running away. The business meant everything to him, but talking to her, in that moment, all he’d cared about was her.

***

Sammi snapped him back to the present. She craned her neck to look at him.

“My dad says he’s been weird lately. I mean, don’t tell him that. But he says that he’s not seen him around. He wonders if he’s doing okay. They talk on the phone sometimes. Mostly about football.”

Jag scratched his eyebrow. His eyes started to twitch, so he shut them, instead taking in a hit of that clean, crisp suburban air.

“Yeah, he’s been kind of a shut in.” Jag tried to deflect. “I don’t want to talk about him. I want to talk about you.”

“What do you want to talk to me about?”

Jag stopped. She halted and waited too.

“How are you so fucking beautiful?”

“What? Jag?” Though she smiled, she looked confused.

“Why do you look at me like you don’t believe me? Ever since we met again, I’ve been cursing the way I left before. I was young and stupid. I didn’t understand the value of a real woman, or this…”

Jag grabbed those lovely hips of hers and pressed himself upon her. She melted against his touch as he took her chin, tilted it up, and kissed her. This time, she began to slowly move with him, but then froze.

He kept going, but soon it became obvious something was wrong. Sammi pushed him back. He didn’t try to fight it.

“What’s wrong?”

Shit, he’d been an asshole, hadn’t he? Just taking all those kisses from her without asking, that was a real asshole move. He should at least ask her how she felt, right?

“I’m sorry I’m aggressive. I take what I want because I don’t want to let it get away,” he said.

Sammi rubbed the side of her mouth before she shook her head and started to turn away. “Let’s head back.”