Mine for Now - The Billionaire's Obsession #2 (8 page)

She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “And I was orgasmic.”

The elevator lurched, stopping at the penthouse. “I know. That’s why I was ecstatic.” He answered in a husky, quiet voice. “Hearing you come is the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.”

She swallowed, trying to push down the lump that formed in her throat. Her nipples hardened as Simon reached around her body to unlock the door of the condo. His words were dripping with blunt, raw honesty.

Uncertain how to answer his comment, she made a beeline for her room as soon as he opened the door. “I’ll be out in a minute. Try not to get my new pair of panties wet this time.”

She heard a satisfied, male chuckle behind her. “Getting your panties wet is becoming my main goal in life.”

She smiled as she entered her room and pulled out a fresh pair of underwear, trying to push her own jumbled emotions aside.

Simon had trusted her enough to fuck her without binding her. Again. Maybe some day…

Small steps, Kara. Don
’
t expect too much. Whatever is eating at Simon has been there for a very long time. It could take years to gain his trust.

And she wouldn’t be here for years. She grimaced, her scalp crying out in protest as she ran a brush ruthlessly through her disheveled hair.

Do what you can. Enjoy what you have while you have it. And for God
’
s sake don
’
t take all of this too seriously.

Enjoying her time with Simon was not the issue. She cherished every moment in his company because being with him filled her lonely places in a way that she had never experienced before.

I
’
m poor. I
’
m pragmatic. I am not a woman who believes in soul mates; one man and one woman who complete each other and are meant to be together.

Problem was, her parents had been like that. Poor as they had been, they had also been completely happy. In many ways, it was almost a blessing that they had gone together because Kara was almost certain that one would not have survived without the other. They had been so connected that either of her parents would have been tormented and miserable without the other. It was hard not to believe in real, soul-binding love after watching her parents for eighteen years.

She heaved a sigh and set her brush back on the vanity. Okay…maybe she did believe that love could be that intense, that consuming. But not with Simon. Never with Simon. The man was heartbreak waiting to happen. He didn’t do committed relationships and she was already on emotional overload with him.

The only way to survive her relationship with Simon was to keep it casual, not let her heart get involved.

Scooping up her jacket and purse, she sauntered toward the kitchen, hearing only two words running over and over in her head and her own self-deprecating laugh echo through her mind.

Too late. Too late.
 

Samuel Hudson had a lavish mansion in South Tampa, an area so affluent that Kara had never been there before, even though she had grown up in the city. She had to force her open mouth to close as James pulled the car around the circular driveway, letting them out in the front of the palatial residence.

“This is…spectacular,” she whispered to Simon as he took her hand to help her out of the car.

“You see why I decided not to drive?” he said in a lazy voice, his eyes scanning the expensive vehicles lining the long driveway.

“You draw quite a crowd, Mr. Hudson,” she told him softly, her eyes roving over his handsome face. “Happy Birthday. I have a present for you, but I’ll give it to you later.”

His face lit up in a wicked, wicked grin as their eyes locked in a heated gaze. “I thought you gave it to me last night. And tonight.”

“Simon!” She refused to blush again. She wouldn’t. Absolutely not. She was a mature, adult woman and she didn’t blush over a simple sexual comment. She was an almost-nurse for God’s sake, used to seeing the human body in all states of dress. It wasn’t like she was
a
young girl, but it was an infuriating fact that Simon could make her feel like one sometimes.

“Well…just saying. But I won’t argue if you want to do it again. In fact, we could go home right now-,”

“In the house, birthday
boy.” She laughed as he slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the door, a small, satisfied smirk still present on his lips.

“Tomorrow night we’re going out alone,” he muttered, his arm tightening around her body as he led her to the front door.

“Tomorrow?” she said, confused.

“For your birthday. I’m taking you out. Alone.”

She turned to face him after they had climbed the marble steps, stopping at the huge double doors. “You aren’t taking me out. You’ve done enough. It’s not necessary.”

“It’s very necessary,” he answered, his voice harsh. “I want to. It’s your birthday.”

The door swung open before she could answer.

“Hey, bro! Glad you finally decided to join your own party.”

Kara immediately recognized Sam Hudson. Simon had been right. He was movie-star handsome. Dressed similar to Si
mon, his sweater was an emerald
green that nearly matched his eyes. He
looked like an enormous, blond,
mythological god…but in Kara’s opinion, he lacked Simon’s sex appeal. Although she could aesthetically appreciate Sam’s handsome face and gorgeous body…he had nothing on his younger brother.

Sam stood back and
motioned for them to enter.
Kara could feel Sam’s eyes studying her, his brain working furiously to figure her out, put her in a box. As she entered the marbled entryway, she wondered what Simon had told his brother about her.

“Kara, this is my brother Sam,” Simon introduced them casually, his hand reaching out to take the jacket she was discarding. An elderly man, obviously an employee, took the coat from Simon’s arm.

“Well, bro, no need to ask why I haven’t seen much of you lately,” Sam said softly, his tone mocking.

Kara extended her hand politely, “It’s nice to meet you, Sam. I’ve heard a lot about you from your mother.”

“A pleasure.” His hand engulfed her smaller one in a firm grip, holding it a little longer than necessary. “Mom’s talked about you a lot, too. All of it good, of course,” Sam answered, his smile brilliant and his manner persuasive.

He
’
s good. I see why Helen says he can charm anyone. It
’
s really too bad that his smile doesn
’
t quite reach his eyes.

Kara
re
claimed her hand by pulling it out of his grip and letting it drop to her side.

“Eat, get a drink, have a good time,” Sam suggested jovially, slapping Simon on the back. “Happy birthday, little brother.”

“Yeah, thanks for the party,” Simon grumbled, shooting his brother an I’ll-get-you-for-this look that only brothers could exchange as he nudged Kara toward a cluster of guests and the food in the living room.

“You love me. You know you do.” Sam smiled, his voice teasing and arrogant at the same time.

“Not today,” Simon snarled back.

Sam laughed wickedly as he moved away, advancing toward a group of people who were motioning for him to come over.

“Bastard,” Simon said in a low, irritated voice.

Kara rolled her eyes, keeping her amusement to herself. “He’s your brother, Simon.”

“Not today,” he repeated, his hand sliding across her back as he lead her to the lavish food and drink tables.

Sam’s home was stunning, surprisingly decorated in white, light, airy décor that made the already-spacious mansion appear even more enormous and grand. Well-dressed guests chatted in groups, their wealth and status obvious by their dress and
their
ease with the sumptuous surroundings.

Kara tried not to gawk like the penniless woman she really was, but it was difficult to keep her gaping mouth closed. The women were dripping with diamonds and gems and their expressions were cool. The men smelled of money and power, gathering in groups, probably discussing business or golf scores.

Simon filled their plates from a large buffet that was bursting with elegant-looking appetizers that
were being continually replenished
by silent employees. She picked up two napkins that were folded so precisely that she almost felt guilty about messing them up. The dishes were obviously fine china and Kara frowned. Crap…she’d hate to have to clean all of these dishes and wondered how many servants it took to clean up the mess after the party was over. Hadn’t the wealthy ever heard of paper plates and napkins?

She didn’t have any idea what she was eating, but she downed every morsel on her plate after she and Simon had found a quiet corner to eat. Every bite melted in her mouth and she licked her lips as she consumed the last delicate treat, hoping she hadn’t left crumbs on her face.

“God, that was delicious,” she uttered appreciatively as
she
handed her empty plate to a roaming waiter.

“May I get you anything else, madam?” the older waiter asked politely.

“No, thank you. I’m full.” She smiled as the little man gave her a polite bow and moved away.

Simon had discarded his plate and snatched two full champagne flutes from a passing waitress. “I love that about you,” he said quietly as he handed her a glass.

“What?” She gave him a confused look as she accepted the glass, sipping slowly at the drink, trying to decide if she liked champagne. It was dry, but not bad.

“You enjoy your food. You don’t pick away at it or eat like a bird. I’m almost jealous when I watch your face. If it’s good, you look well-pleasured,” he answered before taking a healthy sip from his glass. “Watching you eat is almost an erotic experience.”

She shrugged as she lowered the glass from her face. “If you don’t have an endless supply and you’re never sure when your next meal will be, you appreciate the taste of good food.”

“Will food always be an orgasmic experience for you?” he asked casually, but his eyes were full of mirth.

She tried not to smile, she really did, but her lips twitched as her eyes met his. “Probably.”

“Simon!”

The male tenor voice carried across the room and both of them turned to see a middle-aged man raising his arm, trying to get Simon’s attention.

“You better circulate, birthday
boy. You
are
the guest of honor,” she told him with a smile. “I’m going over to talk with your mom for a while.”

He didn’t look happy, but he left her side and went to greet the man waving frantically for his attention. She sipped her drink and watched as Simon moved around the room, greeting people, his smile charming. While he might not have quite the charisma that Sam had, Simon could work the room. Not for one second did he look uncomfortable with these people. He was able to chat and make small talk, taking total command of himself, moving in and out of the crowds as if he belonged here.

Because he does. He may not always like socializing, but he plays the game well.

Her gaze stayed riveted on him, marveling over this part of Simon that she had never seen before. The man had so many layers, so many facets to his personality.

Forcing herself to stop staring like a complete idiot, Kara looked around for Helen, finding her at the buffet table.

She chatted for quite some time with Helen, until her friend was pulled away by another acquaintance. Not wanting to appear as though she knew no one else – which she didn’t – she strolled to a set of ornate doors, fairly certain that they l
ed outside, knowing the view would
probably
be
spectacular.

There were more people outside, seated at small, intimate tables. Not all of them were occupied. It was getting later and the air was brisk, but it felt good to Kara after being inside the crowded house for so long.

She took a deep breath as she stepped outside. There was a lighted path in front her, a cobbled walkway that appeared to lead down to a boat dock. Before she could follow the path, a conversation right next to her stopped her in her tracks.

“I thought we could spend some time together, Simon. I saw this divine diamond bracelet that I’d love to have.” The female voice was artificial and simpering.

Kara drew a deep, bracing breath, hoping that she wouldn’t see the Simon that had, just a short time ago, left her breathless in an elevator.

She turned her head slowly, knowing that she had to know. Her breath caught as she took in the broad shoulders,
the
dark hair a
nd the sweater that she knew were
Simon’s. He was no more than five feet away, his back to her, a slim set of arms around his neck and perfectly manicured fingers resting casually against the nape of his neck.

“I’ve heard about your…arrangements. I was hoping we could come to an agreement.” The sugary voice was seductive and the woman’s hands wandered over Simon’s shoulders like she owned him.