The Billionaire's Masquerade: Betting On You Series: Book Two (12 page)

Sunday night and once again she was unable to sleep. But tonight was different; it was not due to stress. Her mind was spinning from the joy of a perfect weekend. It had been a long time since she’d felt so at ease. Maybe things were not as complicated as she’d first thought. The saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too” was obviously wrong.

She had the job, and she had her . . . her what? Her lover? Her boyfriend? Her what? Did it really matter what label she gave him? Somehow they worked together.
Who would have thought Trent and I would hit if off?
Thinking of dinner Saturday night, she had her answer:
Lizette.

Funny, she should have picked up that Lizette was up to something when she saw her speaking with Trent in the lobby the day they went to lunch.
Oh, she is good
. In the five years they had worked together, she’d never seen Lizette act as a matchmaker. The past few months were surprise after surprise.

Elaine lay on the couch, turned on the television, and started flipping through the channels. News, no. Comedy, no. Drama, no. Food Network, no. Sitting back up, she turned the television off, picked up her cell phone, and headed for bed. She tossed and turned; sleep was not her friend tonight. Picking up her cell phone again, she looked at the time. It was almost one a.m. She knew why she couldn’t sleep. Without Trent by her side, her sheets were cold.

She scrolled through the phone till she found his number. Funny, she’d never called him before; he always just showed up.
First time for everything.
She hit call and waited—one, two, three rings, then she hung up.
Maybe he was sleeping?
It was a bad idea calling him anyway. What was she going to say? “Hi, what are you doing?” That was lame. Good thing he didn’t answer. Placing the phone on her nightstand, she turned off the lamp and closed her eyes.
Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.
Yeah, that’s not working.

Then her phone rang with the sweetest sound. “Hi.”

“Is everything okay?” Trent asked.

“Oh yes, everything is fine. I guess I called you by accident. Hope I didn’t wake you.”
Guess that sounded better than I butt dialed you
.

“No, I was reviewing a contract I need for tomorrow. Are you missing me?”

“No, I’m . . . I’m in bed.”

“Elaine, I didn’t ask if you were in bed, I asked if you were missing me.”

“Yes, a little I guess.”

“Well, let’s see what I can do about that.”

“Are you coming over?” She heard the excitement in her voice and covered her face in embarrassment, glad he couldn’t see her.

“No, I can’t tonight.”

“Oh. I shouldn’t keep you, you probably want to go to go to sleep.”

“Did I say I was tired?”

“No, but . . .”

“I know you want it.”

“What?”

“You heard me, you want it. Admit it, Elaine.”

What good was it going to do telling him if he wasn’t coming over? All it was going to do was frustrate her even more. “Trent . . .”

“Tell me,” he insisted.

“Yes, I want it.”

“Then let me give it to you.”

“You said you weren’t coming over.”

“I’m not.”

“Oh.” He couldn’t mean that they were going to have phone sex. She’s never done anything like that before.

“Do you have any toys, Elaine?”

Oh God, there was no way should could admit that. That is too personal.

“I know you do. You are too passionate not to. Now get one.”

“Trent, I don’t . . .”

“Now, Elaine.” Trent’s no-nonsense growl reverberated through the phone, instantly causing her to become wet.
Why is it I love his growl so much?
“Get it now.”

She opened the middle drawer of her nightstand, and under some linen she kept there for privacy was her seven-inch, multi-speed, ribbed vibrator, something she swore never to admit she owned.

“Put the phone on speakerphone next to your ear.” She did as he said. “Are you wearing any underwear?”

“No.”

“Hmm, good. Are your nipples hard for me? Touch them, pinch them like I do when I nibble on them, suck them, and trace them with my tongue. Now take your other hand and touch yourself. Open for me. Are you wet?”

She moaned as her fingers entered her delicate folds and touched her clit.

“Yeah, that’s it, slowly circle around like my tongue is licking it. Open wider for me. I want to taste all of you.”

She moaned more as she obeyed. Eyes closed, she pictured him kneeling between her legs holding her thighs as his mouth explored her intimately, his tongue circling her clit.

“Don’t stop, keep touching yourself. Take the vibrator with your other hand and bring it between your legs. Turn it on but don’t put it in yet.”

The buzz sent tingles of pleasure as it touched her outer folds. Oh, she wanted him, needed him. “Trent, please . . .”

“Rub your clit faster, oh yeah, feel me stroking you with my tongue, burying my face in you. You taste so good, and you’re so wet.”

Deep moans escaped her as her fingers rubbed harder and faster. “I need . . .”

“Tell me; do you want my cock inside you?”

“Yes.” Her voice was more of a cry.

“Put me inside you hard and fast.”

She arched her back and tossed her head as the vibrator entered.

“Feel my hard cock inside you, riding you deep and hard. You feel so good. Open wider for me, let me in deeper. I want all of you. Yeah, give it to me, give it to me now.”

She heard herself call out his name again and again. “Trent. Trent.” Her body shuddered as the waves of her climax came over and over while she continued to fuck herself. It seemed to have gone on endlessly.

“Oh, that felt so good,” he said.

“Hmm,” was all her voice would allow. He chuckled, although he sounded a little breathless too.
Had he made himself come as well?

“Goodnight, Elaine.”

“Goodnight, Trent,” she said softy, her breath still shallow from her release.

Her senses slowly came back as she realized what she had just done. She was a thirty-four-year-old having phone sex.
And loving it!

Monday morning had come too quickly, and all she wanted to do was stay home and savor each moment of the past weekend. She showered and dressed and was just about to head out the door when she noticed time had gotten away from her. The weekly staff meeting would have already started.
I’ve never been late for work, even for a fake job.
She laughed softly to herself.
Since she was already late, she might as well sit and have a cup of coffee. Another thirty minutes wouldn’t make a difference at this point.

Coffee in hand, she sat at the kitchen table where she’d left her laptop. There were so many people she’d started to chat with online the other day. She wanted to follow up with them, see if they had made any progress. She was surprised at how many messages she had on Facebook. Some had additional questions, and others thanked her for her help.

There was one that really touched her. It was from a man who had been searching for his parents for forty years.

“Dear Elaine, thank you for all your support and information on how to search for who you are. After our conversation, your words stuck in my head.
You are not defined by where you came from. You are defined by where you go and who you help along the way.
I will continue my search, but no longer make it my sole goal in life. I have joined a local charity group. Hope your journey brings you to a place of peace as well. Sincerely, Albert.”

She remembered when she wrote that for the first time. It was the day she graduated from high school. That day, Elaine decided to make a difference in the world. Of course at eighteen, her dreams were endless and some were not practical. But after all these years, one had been obtainable, if nothing else—she had made a difference. If she got nothing else from her searches the other night, his message said her time had been well spent.

Once she finished with the messages, she noticed what was trending. At the top was the Masquerade Ball. Curiosity got her, and she clicked the link. It brought her to a fan page for it. The banner was a picture of Trent dancing with her. If it weren’t for the fact she knew it was them, her only thought would have been, stunning.

She was caught up in all the comments. Everyone talked about their clothes and their masks. Then came the interesting comments, people guessing who this sexy mystery couple was.
Oh, this is dangerous.
Their picture was buzzing all types of comments and guesses. Normally she wouldn’t bother with gossip, but she couldn’t help read them.
Welcome to social media.
Some were absolutely ridiculous and others were sweet. People had guessed everyone from movie stars to baseball players and one even thought it was the President. Then their guesses started to get too close. One said Jonathon Vinchi and Lizette Burke. Even though it was wrong, they were heading in the right direction. She could only hope if anyone asked either Jon or Lizette for confirmation, they wouldn’t tell the truth about who the couple really was. Thinking back to Saturday night, she was feeling confident her friends would keep their secret.

Looking at the time again, she saw it was after ten. She best get to the office before the entire day was lost. Closing the laptop, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

Since she was already late for work she had a heightened sensitivity to the looks she was going to receive that day.
Who would blame them?
The new girl had only been here for a few weeks and was already missing meetings. If the shoe were on the other foot she would have a few questions herself.

What remained of the morning went by so slowly.
How can two hours feel like eight?
Simple, her body was in the office, but that was all. She responded to the few emails she had received, mostly invites and solicitations. No real work because she didn’t actually work for Davis Enterprises.

Coffee!
Leaving the safety of her office, she headed for the one place she avoided, the break room. She was pleased to see it empty.
Perfect timing!
She made coffee and headed back to the office.

“Hello, Elaine. How was your weekend?”

Turning, she saw Wendy not far behind her with a stack of files a foot high. She wasn’t even sure how she was able to see her over everything she was carrying. Elaine quickly put her coffee cup down. “Wendy, let me help you with those.” Taking more than half the stack, she asked, “Where are we heading with these?”

“The record room on the third floor. Are you sure you don’t mind helping me? I don’t want to pull you away from anything important.”

“I don’t mind at all, and I needed a break from the computer.” There was no way she was going to admit it was this or fall asleep at her desk today.

“Did you do anything exciting this weekend?”

“I’m still new to New York, so I did a little sightseeing. How about you?”

“We celebrated my granddaughter’s first birthday. She is such a cutie. You’ll have to stop by my desk sometime to see the pictures. It’s amazing how messy you can get with a chocolate cupcake.”

“I’ll make it a point to stop by.”

They entered the elevator that was already occupied by two young ladies from the mailroom.

“I have no idea who the guy was, but imagine if it was Mr. Davis. Think how cool that would be,” one said.

The other replied, “OMG. That would be awesome. So who do you think the woman would be if it was Mr. Davis?”

Elaine could feel her palms begin to sweat. The media couldn’t guess, but leave it to a couple of nineteen-year-old girls to nail it. That was it; they knew it and were about to tell the world. Her heart was pounding, waiting for the words to be said.

“The woman would be me, of course,” the first girl answered. The elevator doors opened and they pushed their mail carts out, laughing.

When the doors closed again, Wendy asked, “Are you okay?” She hadn’t heard Wendy the first time. “Elaine, is something the matter?”

Only then did she realize she’d been holding her breath. “Yes. I’m fine. Thanks. I haven’t had lunch, so I think I’m running low on energy.”

“Trent’s not in the office, so this is the perfect time to take it easy. I know last time you tried to sneak out it didn’t work for you.”

Had he told her he was traveling? If he did, it was most likely forgotten because he told her while kissing her neck. How did he expect her to remember when she could hardly remember her name after they finished? She was tempted to ask where he went, if he was traveling on business or pleasure. Asking the question would only add to the suspicions people already had
.
Wendy knew she was off from Wednesday to Friday last week.
Does she know I don’t actually work for Davis Enterprises? If so, what does she think I actually am if not an employee? Perhaps she is testing me.
Eyeing Wendy closely she looked so sweet and sincere, but she wasn’t going to forget who her boss was. Elaine would not make the mistake of underestimating her. “That sounds like a great idea, Wendy. I’m not fully well yet. I can work from home. Right after we deliver these files, I will head out.”

When Elaine entered her apartment an hour later she kicked off her shoes, stripped out of her business suit, put on a sweatshirt and pants, and headed for the kitchen. She was glad she decided to pick up a spinach and feta calzone on the way home. Cutting a piece and pouring a glass of diet soda, she headed to the couch to make herself comfortable.

Legs stretched out and feet resting on the coffee table, she grabbed her laptop and leaned back.
Now this is the way to work.

She opened a folder labeled Someday. Scanning through files she’d collected over many years, she chose ten that jumped out to her. Each had an issue whether it was financial or medical, but the one thing they all had in common was desperation for assistance. This was more difficult than one would think. Her desire to help others had been strong for many years. Now she had the ability to actually do something about it.
Who do you help first?

The next few hours were spent sorting each file and putting them in two categories, short-term immediate need versus long-term multi-level need. This was only her second presentation to them, so she decided to choose one from the immediate need pile. There was a five-year-old girl in Columbia living in an orphanage. She had a rare form of cancer. A physician had agreed to do the surgery, however they were in need of the funds for her transportation, hospital stay, and rehabilitation here in the States. The estimated cost was three hundred fifty thousand dollars. A tear rolled down her cheek as she viewed a picture of the child. Like herself, she was all alone with no one to fight for her.
This is the one.

Unsurprisingly, it had been such an emotional toll researching the little girl. Her eyes and heart weary, she leaned back on the couch and shut her eyes. The monthly meeting presentation could wait till tomorrow. For now, she needed sleep.