Revenge on the Billionaire

Amy was dressed and packed by the time the car arrived to pick her up. She was shocked to find that Christian had sent a limousine.

She felt the leather seat, so soft to the touch. Sitting back, she started feeling anxious. What if her plan didn’t work and backfired on her?

Christian was a self-made billionaire, young and handsome. He could have any woman he wanted. What made her think he would want her, much less fall in love?

She was a nobody, poor, and she was suddenly afraid that she might have bitten off more than she could chew.

After a forty-minute drive, she glanced out the window and saw the castle looming up ahead. “He really does live in a castle,” she said out loud in total awe.

“What’s that, miss?” the driver said, looking in his rearview mirror at her.

“Nothing,” she replied, shaking her head.

When the car pulled to a stop in front of the castle, a butler was there to greet her.

“Good day, Miss Jackson. Mr. Rodriguez sends his apologies for not being here to greet you himself, but he will join you tonight for dinner. Allow me to show you to your room.”

She walked behind the butler, her head turning in every direction. She was amazed at how huge and modern the place was.

Thinking this was a good opportunity to find out more about Christian, she started asking questions. “Does Mr. Rodriguez live here alone?”

“Yes, miss, although the help also lives here. They have their own quarters in another wing of the castle. From time to time, he has guests staying here.”

“Doesn’t he have a wife, or perhaps a girlfriend?” she asked, trying not to sound that interested.

The butler grinned when he turned his head and looked at her. “Mr. Rodriguez has many female friends,” he said, stopping and opening the door for her. “Your room, miss.”

Amy walked in. “What do I call you?” she asked.

“Steve is my name, miss. Mr. Rodriguez says for you to feel free to explore. If you are in need of anything, use the phone by the bed. All buttons are marked. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”

She turned to him. He was tall and thin, his hair graying. “No, thank you, Steve,” she said, giving him a friendly smile.

Once he was gone, she looked around at her surroundings. The room was amazing with its thick, luxurious cream-colored wall-to-wall carpet. Even the drapes matched the carpet.

The room held a sofa and chair, a makeup table, a huge walk-in closet, and a king-size bed. It also had an enormous en suite and a mini fridge packed full of snacks and drinks from wine to water.

But she didn’t want to waste time. She wanted to explore.

Walking down the staircase, she stopped to admire the artwork that hung on the wall. There were many valuable paintings from famous artists around the world.

At the bottom of the stairs, she came across the library. It was enormous.

A baby grand piano stood in the middle of the room. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books ranging from romance novels to the most famous classics.

To Kill a Mockingbird, ~Gone with the Wind~, and so on. There were also several chairs and a sofa by the enormous fireplace, which was lit. She found it strange, since it was a warm day.

She explored more rooms, a gym that held every piece of equipment known to man, an indoor pool, a game room, and much more.

On the main floor, she came across a room and found it was locked, making her curious about what in there could be so important that he would have to lock it.

She’d have to find a way to get in, but not now. It was getting late, and she needed to get ready for dinner.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she checked out her appearance. She’d decided to wear a short black skirt with a sheer pink top, and a gold chain around her neck.

She wore only a light dusting of makeup and then a dab of perfume behind each earlobe. After giving her hair another brushing, she checked herself once again in the mirror before heading downstairs.

***

When Amy entered the dining room, Christian rose to his feet. The lighting from the candles cast a soft glow over her. He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat when he saw her.

She looked so beautiful, like an angel. Her top was sheer enough that he could see her bra beneath it. It was the same color as the top, and he wondered if she was wearing matching panties.

Her legs were long and shapely, and she wore high heels that added more contour to them. The chain she wore drew attention to her neck, a neck he now wished he was kissing.

All in good time, he thought to himself.

Smiling at her, he walked over to pull out her chair. “You look lovely tonight.”

Pushing her chair in, he got a whiff of her perfume. It was a scent he found to be very alluring, and he lingered over her longer than was necessary.

He looked down at her neck. He had a thing for necks. Loved the feel of them against his lips whenever he kissed one, and her neck, he thought, was lovelier than any other.

***

Amy’s heart skipped a beat when she saw Christian sitting by the window, looking out. His chin was resting on his hand, and he appeared deep in thought.

When he stood, he looked so different. Instead of an expensive tailored suit, he had on jeans with a black T-shirt under a jacket. His hair was neatly in place.

It made him look more approachable, and when he smiled, it made him appear softer somehow.

She felt nervous being so close to him when he pulled the chair out for her, and she noticed how he lingered behind her. She felt him breathing in the scent of her perfume.

She’d read that this particular one was his favorite. At least that was what the article had mentioned.

“I’ve had my chef prepare a special meal in honor of your stay here,” he said, taking a seat next to her.

“I do hope no one went to any trouble on my account,” she said, looking around the large dining room.

The table could hold twenty people, if not more. There were double doors made of glass that led to a patio. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. It was all so elegant.

“Believe me, it was no trouble. Did you get a chance to look around?” he asked as he poured them each a glass of wine.

“Yes, thank you. I really like your library. Would you mind if I borrow a book or two?”

Christian gave her a warm smile. “Not at all. I told you to make yourself at home. During your stay here, think of this as your home.”

This gave her the perfect opportunity to ask him about the locked room. “There was only one room I couldn’t get into. It was locked.”

Giving her a suspicious glare, he answered, “Yes, I keep it locked. No one is allowed in there unless I’m with them.”

She noticed the way his warm smile was replaced with a bitter scowl. “Why? Are you hiding a secret there? One that you don’t want anyone to know about?” she asked, giving him a smile.

It seemed as if she’d hit a nerve.

It took a moment before he answered her. “That’s my office. Don’t go in there. Respect my wishes and my home.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

He took a sip of his wine and then placed it down. “There are no secrets hidden in there. I have none. I work mostly from home, and I don’t want anyone looking through my legal papers.

“Many people come and go. I wouldn’t want anyone snooping.”

“Everyone has secrets. Surely you must have one that you want to be kept hidden from the world. Maybe one that could damage your reputation.” She studied his face for some kind of reaction, but there was none.

“What about you, Amy? What secrets are you keeping?” he asked. His eyes wandered down to her neck, and he saw her swallow.

“Me? Why, I have no secrets,” she said, a small smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

He knew she was keeping something from him, and he’d find out what it was.

“Did you get to explore outside?” he asked, changing the subject.

“No, not yet.”

“Then after we eat, I’ll show you around.” He looked up as the meal was brought in. “Ah, good. Let’s eat.”

They enjoyed a delicious meal of lamb and homemade mint jelly served with tiny roasted potatoes, and for dessert, homemade pudding with whipped cream on top.

“You have some cream on your bottom lip.” He pointed to her lip.

Before she could take care of it, he reached over, and with his thumb, wiped it off. Instead of removing his thumb, he ran it across her bottom lip.

He looked at her neck. The smell of her perfume was driving his senses into overdrive. Her lips felt so soft, and he wondered what it would be like to put his lips there.

Amy backed away. His touch sent a shiver of desire coursing through her body. The way he was looking at her, she knew he was about to kiss her.

It was what she wanted, for him to desire her, but something stopped her. “Shall we take that walk now?” She was barely able to get the words out since her heart was racing like crazy.

For some reason, Christian was drawn to this woman. There was something about her. She was unlike any woman he had known before.

The first stop was the oversized pool. “I like to take a swim every night before bed. It helps to keep me in shape. I’d like it if you could join me.”

“I didn’t bring a suit,” she answered.

“Who says you need a suit?” he said with a sly smile, making her blush.

He then showed her the stable, where several of the finest thoroughbreds lived in the lap of luxury, well pampered.

She started patting one of them. “They’re so beautiful,” she said, smiling.

Christian moved closer. “This guy is my favorite. I ride him all the time. Too bad you can’t ride. We could have gone riding together.”

This comment angered her. How dared he assume she couldn’t? After all, she was from Texas, and just about everyone knew how to ride a horse.

“I do know how to ride,” she answered more rudely than she intended to.

“You do?” he asked in a condescending tone.

“Yes,” she said, annoyed with his remark and the tone he’d used.

“Then tomorrow we’ll go riding, and I’ll show you the countryside.” He began brushing down his horse and offered her a brush, which she accepted.

She then went over to another horse, and as she brushed him, she talked to him.

He watched her while she tended to the horse. It was obvious she was used to being around them. The way she touched and talked to them was so gentle and loving.

This pleased him. A woman who was kind to animals must have a good heart. He would enjoy going riding with her, and he’d also enjoy riding her once he got her into his bed and underneath him.