Seduced By The British Billionaire (Billionaire BWWM BBW Romance Book 1) (10 page)

“Thank you,” she dismissed him elegantly, reaching out a soft white hand for the crystal goblet. It reflected the candlelight dinner rather exquisitely.

Soft waves echoed in the distance creating a serene peaceful atmosphere. Everything about this place was perfect, from the soft coo of birds in the distance, to the moonlight casting its soft glow upon the small company of people.

“So,” Mrs. Livingston spoke amidst shallow sips. “Amber is it?” She was already developing an obvious habit of tripping over her name. Whether it was purposeful or not, it was hard to tell.

She watched through icy blue eyes as Amber nodded, smiling a bit in high spirits. The night was young and many long hours were ahead. She could already tell that things weren’t going quite as she had hoped. From the scrutinizing looks Mrs. Livingston gave her, to the stiff shoulders of Mr. Livingston, Amber seemed at a loss for words that night.

Charles was cutting his prawns with extreme eagerness. He must have been starving by the looks of it. But as the atmosphere grew awkward, he began to slow down.

Leaning his arms against the table he attempted to steer things in the right direction. “So Mom,” he said between chews. “Amber’s an amazing artist. Tell her, babe, what you do,” he suggested, hoping that perhaps voicing her qualities would make his mother soften a bit.

His mother turned from her son back to Amber with obvious curiosity. She inclined forward, waiting to hear about the subject at hand.

Amber hated being put on the spot. Talking about herself wasn’t exactly the most comfortable thing to do at the moment, but it seemed she had no choice. Charles was trying to make her shine, but his parent’s obvious prejudice were killing her buzz. She didn’t like the way his mom kept staring at her, as if she wasn’t quite happy with what she saw. 

Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, she plowed forward. “Well, I paint,” she shuddered from the uneasy silence.

“She paints Greek mythological creatures,” Charles cut her off, completely taking control of the situation. It was something he was used to doing. “You should see them, Mom,” he beamed, pride glowing in his eyes. “The way she can use colors to paint a landscape. She’s unbelievable,” he nudged her.

Normally Amber would’ve been completely upset at him for not letting her speak, but at the moment, having the attention drawn away from her was comforting.

His mother seemed to mull things over in her mind before saying, “She seems like she’d be the kind of girl good with color.” Then she turned and smiled at her future daughter-in-law.  The corners of her mouth upturned sharply to match her bleach blonde eye brows. Amber’s jaw almost dropped, but she kept firm. She was a female and understood that smile all too well. Was that a direct attack to her race or was it just innocent prattle? Either way, his mom wasn’t inclined to open up to her at all or cast any signs of affection towards her. It almost seemed in the last few minutes of their dinner conversation, that she was completely turned off by the choice her son was making. It was a horrible feeling, but perhaps it was reality.

Mr. Livingston didn’t say a word during the entire conversation. He sat at the head of the long table, picking at his plate and turning back and forth as each person in turn spoke up. He didn’t seem a man of many words. He preferred to let everyone else do the talking.

“So,” the mother’s gaze turned to Charles. “How did you two meet, if you don’t mind me asking?” She stabbed at a stray green bean with violent force.

“That’s a story for another time, Mother,” he shot her a warning glance. “I’ve already told you this.”

She tilted her head and bit into the crisp green bean roughly, chewing slowly and intentionally. Noticing that Amber hadn’t touched hers, she pointed towards her with her own silver fork. “Don’t care for vegetables my dear?” her voice came out sticky like molasses. “You know what they say about not eating vegetables when you’re pregnant,” she lowered her eyes.

Then she continued on the subject as Charles loudly objected and Amber protested. “I’m not preg…” But her voice was drowned out as Mrs. Livingston continued. 

“I don’t understand you young girls today, spreading your legs for any handsome rich young man that comes in your path. There is protection for a reason, son,” she accused, laying eyes on Charles. “Why else would you two just rush into getting married?”

Mr. Livingston finally had it. “That’s enough, dear,” he gruffly reprimanded his wife. “Let the poor girl breathe. We aren’t interrogating her. She’s marrying your son for crying out loud, so let her be.”

She gasped, utterly appalled by his forceful intrusion. But she said no more. Biting her tongue she quit her yapping and concentrated on her plate.

Charles took the advantage to speak. “Mother,” his tone was seriously demanding. “Amber is not pregnant. We are getting married because we love each other. No more, no less. If you can’t accept that fact because you have some secrets lying beneath that thick skin of yours, then please keep it to yourself.” He shook his head disappointingly at her, then shot Amber a look of sincere apology. “I was hoping that things would have gone down differently. I was wrong to think so.”

“I’m sorry dear,” his mother quickly apologized. “I’m just going based on your previous track record,” she wormed her way out slyly. “You divorced poor sweet Liv so suddenly. I don’t quite know how to handle it. And then you tell me you’re marrying some girl we hadn’t even heard about? What else do you want me to think?” Her eyes poured deep from her soul those confused motherly concerns harboring deep in her heart.

She, however, in no way shape or form, turned to address Amber. She was saving face to her son, and her son alone.

Amber stared at her glass now, not quite sure what to do. She wanted to get out of this place. She could tell she wasn’t as welcome as they let on. Charles was merely trying to force his parents to approve of everything without giving them time to adjust. It was understandable his mother felt threatened, but something told her it wasn’t entirely the reasons she played off.

Racking her brain to think of an excuse to leave, Amber placed her head in her hands. “Dear,” she grabbed Charles’ leg. “I don’t feel so well. I think I’m going to head home and take a nap.” Faking the good old migraine always worked in desperate situations.

Charles nodded unconvincingly, seeing through her lie. “Okay. Do you want me to walk you home?” He made no effort to stall her.

“Oh no. No need to,” Amber stood up and put down the napkin. “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, for the great hospitality,” she said almost through gritted teeth. “I look forward to spending more time together.” She smiled and then turned to leave.

Chapter11

Later that night after lying in bed, she decided to get up and enjoy the fresh air. It was obvious she wasn’t going to sleep with everything going on.

Stepping outside in nothing but her new bikini, she looked up at the moon in the distance. The soft glow scattered on her skin like milk, bathing her in the luminescence. The air’s hush tones blew comfortingly against her skin.

She sighed. “What do I do?” she asked the heavens, staring up while looking for an answer. “Am I getting too ahead of myself in this whole marriage thing? Should I even bother to help my brother out of his own stupidity? Where do I draw the line?” She shuddered at the suffering he would do if she didn’t get the money to him. But she failed to see how it was her problem. Drug dealers were no walk in the park. They would get what they wanted or drain every last drop of blood from his body. It wasn’t a matter of question. But what did she owe him? Would her ex-boyfriend come after her to settle the debt even afterwards? That was the only thing hanging in the balance of her decision.

Stepping her toes into the sand from off the patio, she took in nature’s raw beauty. The ocean spread wide and magnificent before her, its waters softly brushing land. Palm trees swung their branches effortlessly in the wind, but refused to bend to its command. They stood straight, proud, and tall.

The patio she stood on was large; its wooden smooth planks caressing the bottom of her feet. Behind her the bungalow gave off only an ounce of light.

She held her phone in hand, thinking about texting Sasha. She missed her. They hadn’t spent much time together in a while, but she was happy that at least her friend was living each day to the most. She had baby Abel with her now, which somewhat helped to fill that empty spot in her heart.

Snapping a photo of the beautiful scene before her, she tagged Sasha and Melanie. It gave her slight satisfaction to make them jealous for a change. She left out the part where her fiancé’s parents totally hated her. It wasn’t necessary to share with them quite yet. She just needed time to sort through everything.

After setting her phone down on the railing, her toes met the cool beckoning water. She wanted to sink in its cool grasp and let the numbness fill her.

The void welcomed her in its calm wake, hugging her legs, her breasts, and finally her entire body. She sank into it willingly, letting it devour her. And in return, it comfortingly washed away her fears until there was nothing left inside her but emptiness.

Her ears were tucked below the surface. She didn’t hear the tap of the patio door swinging, or the sound of oncoming footsteps in the sand. Everything was pure bliss.

When something did brush her hair, she started, almost jumping out of her skin. Swinging around, she laid eyes on the oncoming shadow.

There he stood, tall, naked, and reeking of masculinity. She gawked at him. “Where are your clothes?”

He shrugged his shoulders, now waist deep in water. The moon shone on his large back, casting shadows from the palm trees. “I’ve come to claim what’s mine,” he spoke erotically, his deep tone playing arpeggios on her skin. “Because despite everything, you’re what I want. I don’t care whether my parents approve or not.”

“They don’t like me,” she pouted, casting her eyes downward. “I didn’t realize it could be such a big deal with family. Like they’re polite but…I can tell your mom doesn’t like me at all. It’s because I’m black isn’t it?” She dared to play the racist card. But his parents were Caucasian and didn’t seem like the type to welcome other cultures and races into their family.

He shook his head. “Fortunately, that’s not the issue.” He convincingly placed a hand on her shoulder. “She thinks I’m stupid for divorcing Liv. She liked her. Money is all about saving face and Liv was an attribute to the family more than you know.”

She nodded. It didn’t matter what the reason was. She was about to enter a family that didn’t welcome her. She felt as if she were breaking and entering without permission.

“Don’t worry about it,” he smiled encouragingly. “I love you and that’s all that matters. I’m sure my parents will come to love you too. Everything was just dumped on them. They didn’t even know about my sickness and lung transplant. I don’t like to tell them things for this reason.”

Amber’s heart softened as she looked at the man before her. No matter how strong and commanding he seemed on the outside, he had his weaknesses to bear. Her childhood was not a walk in the park but something told her that his hadn’t been either.

“Tell me about it,” she encouraged, wanting to be the woman in his life who cared about even the little things. “I want to know.”

He looked at her with such tenderness, truly touched by how much she cared. “It isn’t really that interesting, to be honest,” he hesitated.

“Tell me,” she begged. She walked up to him and put her arms around his thick muscular waist. “Let me love everything about you,” she said. “Share with me.”

Giving in, he kissed her forehead softly, towering over her. “Let’s see, where to start.” His eyes wandered upward and to the left as he shuffled through endless memories. “I was one of two children. Me being the oldest, I was born two years before my sister. We are relatively close in age. She however has been the pride and joy of my parents. She was spoiled rotten, as was I, but for some reason I wasn’t quite catered to in the same way. My parents expected more of me, as you can see. My mom always had her own ideas on how I should live my life.”

Amber leaned in to show interest.

“My parents put me through private schools. They believed in prestige, and apparently thought my education would be better that way. But I hated it,” he shuddered mid-sentence. “The kids at every school I attended were all pretentious little rich snobs. But it wasn’t the students that bothered me. My parents were extremely strict on how I should act and what I should do. I couldn’t date anyone that wasn’t wealthy. They owned me because everything was provided. I hated feeling like that so I joined the military. The day I broke the news to mom, she flipped. My father was angry also, but not as much. So I packed my bags and left. I didn’t speak to them for years. I figured I could make it on my own without their help.”

“Go on,” she encouraged, knowing he was debating whether or not to bore her further.

Playfully, he kissed the tip of her nose, causing her to squeak. “Fine,” he sighed. “I did make it on my own. I moved up in the ranks, joined the medical branch of the military, and met my ex-wife while at base in France. We dated for quite a while. Then I received a letter in the mail stating my uncle had died. For some reason, he left me everything. Don’t ask why. My parents were surprised when we all met up at the reading of his will. It was a good reunion, to be honest. My mother and Liv got along rather well, and of course, Mother liked the fact that she was drop dead gorgeous.”

He stared into space. “It’s sad how it takes the death of a family member to mend broken ties. Mother cried that day. She cried because of her brother’s death and because she realized how wrong she had been. And after seeing the man I had become, she told me how proud she was, and how sorry she was for everything she had put me through. It didn’t make up for it all but we came to an understanding. I was going to be my own person.”

“My sister Jane went off to Harvard University and became a doctor. She married a rich man in her field, got pregnant, and now has the dream family. But she isn’t happy. There is nothing about her that is. All she cares about is what everyone else thinks about her.”

Amber seemed a bit confused. “Why is your mom giving you a hard time about me if she apologized for all that before?”

He shrugged. “She can’t stop being who she is. She thinks I am making a huge mistake with my life. She doesn’t believe in divorce which is why Janie is still in her unhappy marriage. She wouldn’t dream of doing something against Mom and Dad. But she will get over it,” he assured her. “She always does. She will love you, I promise. She just has to get over herself first.”

“And what if she doesn’t?” Amber questioned, seriously doubting it would happen anytime soon.

He hugged her, taking her gently in his arms and trailing his fingers down her mid-back. “You aren’t a mistake and you could never be. For once I’m doing the right thing. I want to marry you, have children, and live a happy life away from everything. If my parents don’t like it then they don’t have to be a part of it.”

She bit her lip. He was willing to sacrifice his family ties for her, which was in no way a small deal. “Since when did you want kids?” she teased, pinching his arm through his shirt.

He reacted by tugging her hair back. “Since now,” he exclaimed, eyeing her deeply. “I want it all with you. I want to be a father, a grandfather, to raise children together. I have the money and means to take care of a family and to give my kids everything. I want to give you all that your heart desires my love. But if that isn’t what you want, then please be honest with me.” His excitement emanated from his entire body. He was sharing something with her from deep in the desires of his heart.

God, he was so hot when he spoke like that. It was such a turn-on, having a man talk to her about fathering their children. Perhaps it was just a female thing, but she suddenly began to see him in a new light. She didn’t know that he wanted those things. “I think you will make a wonderful husband and father.”

He kissed her softly, letting her feel the emotions raging within him. He had never felt so close to anyone.

With these things in mind, they locked lips in mutual understanding. Time began to fade away among the stars. Crystal waters embraced their bodies gently, as a mother cradles her child.

There wasn’t a day that had passed as special as this moment. And if the darkened skies and twinkling lights had words, they would’ve spoken about how there had never been a kiss so pure and passionate among the heavens.

As the air began to stir from their eager breaths, Charles placed his hand on her breast, pulling her closer to him.

She gasped from his touch, heated fever taking hold of her body. “Love me,” she begged between kisses. “Love me forever.”

Pulling her tiny waist tight against him, he replied. “Forever and always, my love.” And that was the last thing he spoke.

Scooping her up in his strong embrace, he carried her back towards one of the palm trees, naked for all of nature to see. Good thing his parent’s bungalow was nowhere near their line of sight.

Below he had laid out a blanket with soft plush pillows. Everything here lay in shadow, with the moon glow perfectly on the water. The air was warm and full of salt.

Stooping down, he laid her on the blanket. The sand was soft below and gently molded to her body.

Surprised for a mere second, she realized his intent. It was beautiful outside. What better place to enjoy each other than in the open beneath the twinkling stars?

Eagerly, she untied the string of her bikini and stripped naked as well. She wanted to be with him more than anything. As the warm breeze brushed her nipples, they hardened in anticipation. She was so sensitive, her body begging for his touch. It was such an overwhelming powerful feeling, and she bathed in its sheer pleasure.

She sat up and looked at him. Tenderly she brushed his cheek with her hand. Her heart throbbed with emotions, making her feel as if she could never get enough. She wanted to be close to him, feel him inside her, and enjoy every long second of his divine passion.

But this time she felt different. She saw their future flash before her eyes, and with every moment of it, she saw him. She saw their wedding right here on this very beach. She saw children with echoes of joyous laughter. She saw everything before her eyes, causing her desire to heighten into a new maturity.

This wasn’t just a man she loved, it was her future husband. He was her soul mate, the future father of her kids, and the man she would grow old with. He was the rest of her life and the one person who would give it real meaning.

“I want to go to bed with you every night,” she whispered. “And wake up every morning to your face.”

“And you will my love because I want it too.” He again gripped her hair passionately. They didn’t touch yet, but gazed into one another’s eyes.

She could sense the beast within him stirring, threatening to break free from its gilded cage.

Never had she understood the meaning of love until now. 

“Make love to me,” she pleaded, licking her large plump lips to convey the message. “I want you so terribly bad.” Her breath was uneven and thick with the sweetness of hormones.

She wasn’t ashamed of admitting her desires. The inner goddess in her had awoken to meet him, strumming the strings of her sex until she almost begged for him.

She didn’t have to ask him twice. Eagerly, he obliged. He planted kisses on her neck, pushing her back softly until she was in a lying position. He brushed the miniscule hairs on the side of her neck softly until goosebumps formed in response. They trailed all down the ends of her body.

Sticking his warm moist tongue out, he licked her sweet and salty skin, drinking in her scent to drive him forward. She moaned ever so softly from the trailing tingle of sensations.

She reached her hand out to touch his perfect arms. They were strong and comforting.

As his mouth drifted further downwards, she squeaked softly. Her breasts lit up in flames from the soft moist suckling of his mouth. The tease was painfully subtle as she rocked her pelvis towards him. She wanted him, needed him, but he held her down.