Millionaire's Society Mistress (17 page)

Leaning back against the table he had watched her. She was a complete mystery to him. Aloof blue-blood one moment and sensual tigress the next, she fascinated him.

Bringing the food to the table, she had sat beside him, Craig wrinkling up his nose as he had looked at himself.

“I have never sat down to dinner like this” he had chuckled, Fiona once more feeling as her body had reacted to his naked broad shoulders and muscular torso, a heat deep in the pit of her belly spreading within her. Dropping her eyes to spear a potato she had flashed him a small grin

“Yes…we will be outcasts…not welcome in any civilized society”

Fixing her with as much humour in his voice as hers, he had nodded

“True…very true…although I have to tell you I am not hating it”

Fiona giving a nod as she had grinned back.

Over the next few days, the two had settled into a routine. Craig surprised how easy it had been living with Fiona. Each day they would both go to work, he to his office and she to meet with different designers and builders. They had all found Fiona to be decisive and insightful, her comments and praise welcomed by all. At night she had insisted on making them a meal, Craig finding himself enjoying the intimacy and chance to talk through his day, enjoying the way she would listen so attentively her beautiful face concentrating on his ever word. It felt good.

As the weekend had come around, they had prepared to attend a gala event; Fiona excited to have the opportunity to wear one of the many dresses which had been delivered throughout the week. Choosing the figure hugging red, the back dropping to the base of her spine, she had pulled her long hair up into a playful knot securing it with the ornate clips included with the dress, elongating her wonderful body. As she had put on the bracelet he had bought for her Christmas she had stood back, admiring her reflection, sure that she would not embarrass him in front of his friends.

The hiss of breath behind her had made Fiona spin around, her eyes questioning as his had slid down her, his expression solemn

“My God Fiona…You are ….”

Twisting her lips into a smile she had moved towards him, the heels allowing her to stand taller against him as her arms had moved around his neck.

“That had better end with ‘acceptable’”, her wonderful green eyes dancing with mischief, Craig smiling as he had dropped his head to kiss her lips, those wonderful lips, his body buzzing with the desire to slide the small shoulder straps down. Stepping back, a smile had spread through his handsome face

“Well…nearly acceptable” his eyes full of fun, as she had looked at him with confusion, not sure what was wrong with the wonderful outfit.

Pulling the box from behind his back he had held it out to her, as she had looked back, moving to open it her arms flying to her mouth

“Oh Craig…it…it’s beautiful”

Her eyes rising to his

“I…I can’t accept something like this. It’s too much” as her eyes had looked at the diamond necklace. She had never had much jewelry in her life, but she knew expensive when she saw it, and this was off the radar. Giving a smile, he had removed it from the box

“Oh you have to take it. The woman in the shop said that if you didn’t …then her children couldn’t go to see Mickey Mouse”

As he had spoken he had draped the exquisite piece of jewellery around her throat, the design matching that of the bracelet to perfection. Turning her around, she had looked into the mirror, the diamonds catching the light and sparkling as she had turned. Speechless, she could only stare, his hands on her shoulder as he had kissed the nape of her neck

“Not nearly as shiny as your eyes”

Fiona’s lips twitching as she had looked deeply into his

“I cannot believe you just used that line” Craig laughing with her, his insides swelling with something, something he could not understand.

The party had been in one of the oldest most expensive hotels in New York. The music had been muted and the people had milled around in their finery, Fiona introduced to his business colleagues as they had slowly made their way around the room. All had talked of investment opportunities, listening attentively to Craig’s advice, she finding herself out of her depth at the financial discussions, making smalltalk with the other wives and girlfriends, most taking the opportunity to let her know about themselves. She had been polite and attentive; quickly winning the approval of the other guests, although inside she had been bored, desperately wondering when it would all end.

As they had left one such group, Craig had pulled her in close to drop his head as he had murmured softly into her ear

“You look stunning”

Fiona giving him a smouldering look

“You don’t look so bad yourself Mr Thompson”

Her eyes flashing with such promise, Craig giving a small groan

“OK…We need to stay an hour…then maybe we should have an early night”

Smiling in agreement she had held his look, Craig’s head lifting as a woman’s voice had sounded, Fiona seeing a guarded look come to his eyes.

“Craig…Craig Darling”

Fiona turning to see the woman descending upon them.

She was stunning. From her perfectly coiffured blonde hair to her elegant toes which peeked out of an expensive dress, the front slit allowing her long legs to be seen. As beautiful as she was, her features were hard, arrogant as she had taken in Fiona in his arms, her blue eyes narrowing noticeably.

Coming to a stop beside them, Craig had gently stepped from Fiona as the other woman had moved to him, her body draping against him not even trying to hide her feelings for him as sensually she had kissed him on the side of his mouth. Craig had avoided her lips on his as he had turned slightly at the last moment

“It is so good to see you back Craig. This place had been so boring without you”

Her looks playful and full of innuendo

“You must be so glad to get away from that terrible Scotland…I hear it is almost in the dark ages”

Fiona had felt herself bristle at the other woman’s comments, as Craig had moved over to place his arm around her shoulder

“Not at all Alanna. Scotland has got to be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever seen” Fiona smiling warmly up at him at his defense of her home.

“Alanna I would like you to meet my girlfriend Fiona Campbell. Fiona this is Alanna DeCleur”. Alanna had frowned

“Campbell?” her eyes opening wider as she had given an unpleasant half laugh

“So you brought yourself back a souvenir…how sweet” Her eyes blazing with a jealous anger.

“Craig darling…once your little friend gets sent home…daddy thinks it is time for some merger talks”

Hearing his hiss of breath Alanna had opened her eyes with-wide eyed innocence before directing her look at Fiona, who was holding onto her temper with difficulty, a smirk coming to her arrogant face

“So are you managing to settle in Miss Campbell?” her voice bored.

Putting on a smile Fiona had bitten back in just as polite a tone.

“Well there are a few things that I am having to get used to. For example my idea of polite conversation seems to differ so dramatically from yours…but then again Scottish people do tend to be more backwards and considerate.

She had heard Craig’s soft chuckle beside her, the other woman glaring spitefully at her as she had with a withering look moved away from the pair.

“Please ignore her Fiona. She is spoilt, rich and tends to get what she wants. Not a good mix”

With her lip twitching she had given a small laugh

“Seems to me that the thing she wanted most was you” expecting to hear him laugh, surprised as he had looked down at his drink, a serious expression on his handsome face.

“Did you date her…the ex not accepting that things are over?”

Giving a laugh he had shaken his head determinedly

“No…Alanna DeCleur is not the kind of girl you have a casual affair with”

Smiling softly he had led her to meet more friends of his, Fiona however, feeling discomfort at his last statement. So Alanna was not the casual type…but obviously she was, and what exactly did ‘merger’ talks mean, they had seemed far more personal than he was letting on.

Two weeks later Bob MacKenzie had arrived at their home, Fiona delighted to see the imposing man that she had at one time thought would be her father-in-law. As the two had hugged, Craig had frowned. While Fiona was Fiona, since she had arrived in the large city she had seemed less vibrant, he not sure why. However, as she had shown the older man around their home and he had filled her in on the latest news and gossip from home, she had become so animated, shining, her smile so wide on her lovely face.

Both had enjoyed Bob’s two day stay, he excited about their plans for expansion of the company. Later at the male-only Burns Supper event he had gently told him how lucky he was to have a woman like Fiona in his life. Adding that he was especially delighted to see how determined he was to keep her there a small twinkle in the craggy older man’s features.

As the peer had once more returned home, he had laughed taking back gifts and letters to friends and Scott. As he had left, once more Craig had seen the light diminish from her, pulling her in close to hold her as he had nibbled her neck

“Maybe we should take a trip back in a couple of months”

The wide smile and warmth from her eyes making him gulp down the lump in his throat.

“I would love that” she had cried with real feeling in her voice.

For another couple of months the two had carried on with their lives, each and every day more perfect than the last. The store was finally fitted, Craig impressed with how quickly they had pulled everything together. He had found that Fiona had a keen business mind, planning and scheduling deliveries with the experience that many of his own managers seemed to take years to master. So well prepared was she that the store had opened early, receiving wonderful reviews and quickly becoming one of the city’s must -see venues. Fiona had spent one of the two months training the staff, ready to provide true Scottish hospitality to those who walked through the doors. The assistant Manager, Drew had very quickly gained her trust, and it was therefore with an easy mind that she had looked forward to their upcoming trip back home.

A week before they were due to leave she had furtively moved around the dining-room, opening drawers and making small frustrated sighs. Smiling he had watched her for a few moments

“What are you looking for?” his voice full of humour as she had looked up at him a small scowl on her face

“I can’t find my passport…I was sure I left it in here”

Craig nodding

“Ah….yes…my fault. I found it and moved it into my study. I put it in my desk drawer…seemed safer”

Giving him a big grin she had moved out of the room to the large study. Unlike her brother’s, his was more modern, not really Fiona’s taste, the colour scheme a little too officy for her.

Rummaging in the drawer she had given a sound of triumph lifting the small passport. Closing the drawer, her eyes had fallen on a letter, freezing in her steps as two words had caught her eyes. ‘us marrying’

Gasping she had picked up the sheet, not caring that it was nothing to do with her, that it was his private mail, the words scorched into the back of her eyes.

Reading it, she had felt the panic and pain tearing at her hardly able to believe the words.

Dearest Craig

I talked with Daddy today and he is completely thrilled at the idea of us marrying. Merging our companies seems a wonderful idea and will make us both even stronger. My father longs for grandchildren, as I am sure that you do children. We will be THE society couple and will make each other very happy.

I understand your need for the Scottish girl, or others in the future, you are a man of appetites, which I fully understand and accept.

With love always

Alanna…lets meet on Thursday to make it official

Gripping the paper in her fingers she had reread the contents, disbelief filling her. How could he be so heartless? He was intending on marrying another woman? Taking a deep breath to hold back the tears stinging the back of her eyes she had moved from the library to where he stood in the dining room, deep in thought as he had read through a legal document.

“Did you find it?”

He had absently muttered, looking up quickly hearing the inflection on her voice

“Yes…. But that wasn’t the only thing I found”

Raising his head Craig had frowned seeing the sheet of paper she held in her hand, his voice slow

“Did you read it?” frowning more deeply as she had nodded “That had nothing to do with you”

Moving forward hand outstretched as anger had filled her green eyes “Nothing to do with me Craig!!” her voice growing higher

“This letter says that you are marrying Alanna DeCleur…and it has nothing to do with me?”

Stopping he had placed both hands on his hips, uncomfortable that she had read the letter

“If you read it then you will see that she wants it…not that I have agreed to it”

Fighting back the tears which had risen to her eyes despite her best efforts to hold them down, Fiona had looked back at him

“So you’re not planning on marrying her then?”

For several taut seconds the two had stared at each other, Craig tight-lipped and scowling, Fiona’s eyes shining brightly with the unspilled tears, a look of hope on her lovely features. It was Craig’s sigh that had finally broken the silence as he had passed a hand over his chin, discomfort briefly on his features before his face had become harder

“It is something I’m thinking about”

His voice cold and slow. Fiona staring back in complete disbelief.

“Thinking about?” she had cried “What the hell does that mean?”

He had shrugged his shoulders “Exactly what I said” before moving slightly from her

“Bringing her father’s business and mine together makes sense…that plus she might be right, maybe it is time that I settled down and produced some heirs”

Fiona had stood frozen to the spot disbelief filling her “So what…this is a business decision?”