Whatever He Wants (10 page)

 
     
Simone paced the living room with her
hands on her hips. “Are you listening to me? Noelle? Does this guy think he’s
Robert Redford in
Indecent Proposal
?
Someone should inform him this is real life and not a movie. Call him up and
tell him hell no.”

 
     
Noelle hugged her knees against her chest.
“You were the one who pushed me to go out with him in the first place. And the
time we’ve spent together was nice. He’s charming and I enjoy his company.”

 
     
Simone stopped in her tracks and snorted.
“He comes off that way because he’s trying to get into your pants. So what if
he’s taken you out a couple times? That doesn’t mean squat if he expects you to
repay him with some ass when all is said and done.”

 
     
“He’s been a perfect gentleman when we’ve
gone out.” Noelle didn’t bother mentioning how hot and heavy they’d gotten the
night they’d met at the gym. As agreed, James had taken her out twice. The
first time he surprised her with a limo ride around the city. As they enjoyed
champagne and soft music in the back seat, he regaled her with some of the
sites he’d seen in his travels. Noelle had hung on every word.

 
     
Their second date he took her to a club
off the beaten track that played the smooth R&B music they both enjoyed.
They’d talked mainly about art because James knew it was something that
interested her. She found he was quite knowledgeable about the subject. It was
incredible to Noelle how someone so worldly would be interested in someone as
gauche and inexperienced as her but James put her at ease. She felt special to
have his attention.

 
     
It didn’t occur to her until after their
dates that despite all he’d shared with her, like what he did for a living, and
places he’d been, he was still an enigma to her. Noelle figured in time he
would share more of himself with her. At least that was her hope.

 
     
“I can tell by your far- off look you’re
contemplating this and I find it disturbing on so many levels. Why would a man
who has more money than God go around asking random women to be his mistress?
It doesn’t make sense.”

 
     
She flinched at Simone’s reminder of
James’ status. When she’d come home that first night her cousin had informed
her James Rothschild was the head of an international chain of luxury hotels
and resorts and at only thirty-four he was already a billionaire. Besides being
self-made, he was known for always having a pretty socialite or celebrity on
his arm, none of whom looked like Noelle.

 
     
“Simone you don’t have to talk in circles.
You can’t believe he’d ask this of someone like me. I get it.”

 
     
Simone shook her head vehemently. “Honey,
no. That’s not what I meant.” She walked over to the couch and scooted next to
Noelle. “I think the world of you. You’re fabulous, girl. The problem is
,
you haven’t figured that out yet. From what it sounds
like, he’s looking for his own personal sex slave.”

 
     
“It isn’t like that. I believe we can
build something on this.”

 
     
Simone crossed her arms over her chest
while shaking her head.
“Really?
Is he offering to
take you out after you become his kept woman?” Noelle had no answer. She
sincerely wished she hadn’t shared so many details with Simone.

 
     
When Noelle didn’t respond, her cousin
nodded her head in confirmation. “I didn’t think so. Open your eyes honey. I
can see you’re already falling for this guy. What’s going to happen when he
discards you? And it won’t be if. Guys like him treat women like a spoiled kid
treats a new toy. They play with it for a little while until something shinier
comes along. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

 
     
What hurt was Simone’s harsh judgment of
the situation. Noelle had experienced real passion for the first time in her
life and loathed the idea of walking away from James, at least not without
finding out if there was something more between them. At first Noelle had
doubts but after a few nights of kinky dreams and waking up so horny she had to
touch herself for relief, she seriously contemplated his proposal.

 
     
 
Noelle wanted to be in James’ arms again and
feel his lips against hers. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist as he
slid in and out of her while she screamed his name. And though he hadn’t
touched her beyond a chaste goodnight kiss on their subsequent dates, it only
intensified her desire to give herself to him completely. “You only know what
you’ve read on the Internet about him. I’ve actually spent time with James.
He’s not the cold bastard you’re making him out to be.”

 
     
Simone rolled her eyes and released an
exasperated sigh. “Now you’re being naïve. Use your head, Noelle.”

 
     
Noelle stiffened at the admonishment. It
was the same thing her Aunt Frieda used to say when she’d chastised Noelle for
some random transgression. “Maybe I’d rather listen to my heart instead of my
head. You’re the one who said I should go out with him in the first place but
now you’re telling me to leave him alone. Is it because he looked my way
instead of yours? Simone, men fall over their feet when you walk by but one guy
wants to be with me and you have a problem with it?”

 
     
“He doesn’t want to be with you. He wants
to fuck you!” Simone snapped and then immediately covered her mouth in surprise
as if she couldn’t believe she’d actually said that. “Noelle—“

 
     
Noelle held up her hand. “Save it. Good to
know what you really think of me.”

 
     
Simone grasped Noelle’s hand to keep her
on the couch when she tried to get up. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. I
just think you’re better than this.”

 
     
Noelle yanked herself out of her cousin’s
grip and stormed out of the living room and didn’t stop until she was out the
door. She walked a few blocks to cool off. Simone had never been anything but
kind and supportive for as long as she could remember. She shouldn’t have
implied her cousin was jealous but being told someone was only interested in
screwing them would rub most people the wrong way. Maybe Simone was right and
James really was just using her for sex, but if she didn’t take this chance,
she would wonder what if for the rest of her life. Besides, if she didn’t go
for it, Noelle might as well admit Aunt Frieda was right: that she was
incapable of being loved.

 
     
Simone was thankfully absent when Noelle
returned to the apartment. On the nightstand in her bedroom was the business
card James had handed her. She picked it up and studied the name on the card.
Stella Martin.  Before she lost her nerve, she picked up her cell phone
and quickly dialed the number.

 
     
Noelle barely managed not to pinch
herself. This place was unreal with its cathedral ceiling, grand spiral
staircase, a large modern kitchen with all the latest amenities and three
bedrooms all with grand terraces. The square footage of the living room alone
was larger than the entire apartment she’d shared with Simone. While her new
living space was not ostentatiously decorated it still screamed money. She was
almost too scared to touch anything for fear of breaking something.

 
     
“This is mine?” she asked the man standing
behind her.

 
     
“While you reside here it is.”

 
     
Noelle stiffened as the gravity of her
choice suddenly hit her. Her knees grew wobbly and she took the closest seat
which was on a leather arm chair. She wrapped her arms around her body in a
protective hug. “I’m not the first woman who’s stayed here, am I?” she asked
softly without looking in the direction of James’ EA. Shortly after her call
with Ms. Martin, she was contacted by Paul Atkinson. He’d been straight to the
point, shooting off a handful of instructions and necessary appointments she
needed to make. That had been two weeks ago.

 
     
Noelle and Simone had barely talked in
that time until the movers came to remove Noelle’s belongings. Simone had
tearfully begged Noelle to reconsider but she’d already made up her mind. It
was for the best. She’d always felt as though she was mooching off her cousin
because Simone had paid the bulk of the bills.

 
     
Paul didn’t answer Noelle’s question right
away and didn’t seem as if he would. “I’m not am I?” Noelle persisted.

 
     
The blond man who had been all business
moments before seemed to soften a bit. “I’m sorry but I’m not at liberty to
discuss my boss’s personal life.”

 
     
Noelle chuckled humorlessly. “I am his
personal life.”

 
     
“Be that as it may, I can’t answer that
question, Miss Greene.”

 
     
“I understand. And please call me Noelle.
Miss seems so formal.”

 
     
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

 
     
“But you said I should call you Paul. It
would only be fair.”

 
     
“Very well.”
He
paused to look at his smartphone. “I’ve done a run- through of the penthouse
and everything appears to be in order. The housekeeper, Marsha, comes on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. She has her own key so don’t worry about letting her
in. Marsha also keeps the refrigerator stocked so just leave a list for her if
there’s anything specific you need for her to acquire. For all your other
needs, my number is programmed in your new cell phone. I’ve left the pass codes
for the elevators and anything else you’ll need them for.
Any
questions?”
 

 
     
This was the most awkward meeting ever.
She felt like this was her first day on a job. “Umm, when will I see James?”

 
     
“I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for
you. He’s a busy man. You’re free to go shopping to pass the time. I’ve left a
list of stores you now have an account with.” He probably said it to placate
her but it left Noelle more than a little uneasy.

 
     
“Okay.” Paul was cool toward her but not
rude. She suspected he was only doing his job but it bothered Noelle that he
may think she was nothing more than a
golddigger
,
only with James for his money. For reasons she couldn’t explain she didn’t want
this man to think badly of her. “I’m really grateful for what you’re doing.”

 
     
“I’m just doing my job, Miss—Noelle.”

 
     
“Thank you, anyway.”

 
     
Paul looked to be at a loss for words for
a moment. He gave her the impression he wasn’t used to being thanked in this
scenario. Noelle studied him briefly. He wasn’t a bad looking man, although he
was no James. Actually, he was quite handsome. His dark blond hair and baby
blue eyes behind wire framed glasses presented a pleasing aesthetic.  Her
was tall and lanky but wore his expertly tailored suit well.

 
     
His mouth nearly curved to a smile.
“You’re welcome. If you need me for anything at all, please don’t hesitate to
call.”

 
     
“I really appreciate that.” She stood up.
“Let me walk you out.”

 
     
 
“That won’t be necessary. Take care of
yourself, okay?” He almost sounded as though he meant it.

 
     
“Sure.” Her attempt at a smile was painful
so she waved him off instead.

 
     
Once Noelle was alone in what would be her
living accommodations for an indeterminate time, self-doubt assailed her. She
thought she knew what she was doing when she walked into this situation, but
now Noelle wondered if she’d jumped the gun. What had been forefront in her
mind was how much she’d miss James’ touch, yet she hadn’t spoken to him in the
two weeks since she’d taken him up on his offer.

 
     
Paul had handled everything; from taking
her to the doctor to get tested for STDs and ensuring she was prescribed birth
control.  If that wasn’t embarrassing enough, she was given a contract to
sign which stated she was not allowed to discuss their arrangement with the
media nor would she try to profit from their association once the affair ended.