My Billionaire Stranger (10 page)

“I am fine, don’t worry about my leg,” he breathes.

“It’s my job to worry about your leg,” I pant between kisses, and he pulls his face from mine so that we’re nose to nose.

“You are officially off the clock,” he says with that smirk on his face, oh my God, that smirk. Permission having been given I attack his mouth with more passion this time, winding my fingers through his soft, thick hair on both sides of his head urgently, as his hands explore my ass up my back and under my sweater, caressing and unhooking my bra with the skill of a player. He is undoing more than just my lingerie here, my own most critical rules are being broken. Don’t let your eyes linger and don’t let your heart feel, has been my mantra for a decade until Marcus. There is an exception to every rule and he is my exception. I sigh as he smooth’s his hands around my trembling rib cage to my free my breasts he cups them in his palms and teases my nipples into hard peaks. I lull my head back missing his mouth on mine but loving the feel of his scruffy five o'clock shadow against my breasts. Sucking in a sharp breath when he rocks his hips upward against my sex I melt in his arms. Hot lava replaces the blood in my veins,  I’m so far gone that I’m completely unaware of my surroundings. It’s just Marcus and his sweet, wet mouth on me nibbling a trail back and forth between my neck and my breasts. Leaning away from me for a moment I instantly mourn the loss of his body heat. I watch him as he lifts my sweater up to reveal my breasts. “Fuuuck… you are so gorgeous. I knew you would be but seeing you here on top of me in the flesh, baring yourself willingly to me is dream come true. But in my dream I couldn’t see your silky caramel skin or taste your perfect breasts.” He has effectively drugged me with those words. I am now in the midst of an out of body experience, floating above two bodies looking down on a woman grinding her hips against Marcus in his bed. He is worshiping her with his mouth… oh my God that woman is me…. Fuck what am I doing? A hard rap on the door breaks the spell and I sit up, looking into his heavy-lidded, lust filled eyes briefly before I swing myself off the bed with quick agility. Marcus doesn’t have time to restrain me thankfully. I reach behind to hook my bra just as Mr. Black opens the door to realize he has interrupted something. My flushed cheeks and the fury in Marcus’s eyes are a dead give away. Mr. Black backs out closing the door before uttering so much as a word.

“FUCK, if he had not been working for me for over 10 years he would be so fucking FIRED!!” he yells, loud enough for the entire island to hear. Startled by his sudden burst of rage I jump when he yells and move further from his bed simultaneously deciding now’s as good a time as any to make a run for it. I grab my purse on the way to the door, I need to get out of here and think about what the hell I’m doing, this is so unprofessional, this is supposed to be my
job.
“Imani, you are not leaving me.”  his words are a statement spoken like a question that twists my heart. I turn around and back out of the room with one last look at his lovely, confused and angry face. “I need to get home, it’s late, I’ll be back in the morning at seven.”

“You can not leave me, I need you. You’re my nurse.”  Panic mode, shit,  I can see it creep into his mind like smoke under a door on the opposite side of a fire.

“You said I’m officially off the clock.” “I changed my mind. I need help with dinner and getting undressed for bed, you have meds to give me. You can not leave me Imani.” He has a point. I really can’t refuse him, it’s only eight o’clock and technically I’m scheduled until eleven according to our agreement. I set my purse down slowly and watch as he relaxes back onto the pillows behind him. “Ok…I’m going to find Mr. Black and get that tour of the house now, I’ll see about your dinner but no more of
this,
” I say, waving my finger in a circle between us.

“All right…but what is wrong with
this?
” he says mimicking my gesture.

“
This
is totally unprofessional and if you want me to do my job we can’t be doing
this
any more.” I say sweeping my finger between us in an exaggerated circle this time. Chuckling he grabs a remote from the bed and switches on a massive television that was hidden behind two sliding panels in the wall behind me.

“I am not known as a patient man Imani, but for you I will try.” That’s it, apparently I’m dismissed, he gestures for me to step aside so he can watch the basketball game on the screen behind me. Well I’m glad he finds it so easy to turn all of
this
off, because I’m in serious post hot/wet panty mode with no relief in sight; having morals sucks! I have to know so I take a quick glance back and yep, he’s still hard as a rock inside of those soft jeans; guess he’ll have to handle that one on his own. I smile to myself  and close the door.

“Imani!” he calls, and I open the door a crack.

“Yeess?” I draw out the word like a musical note. Good Lord, I thought we had this all settled. “Leave the doors open, I want to watch your hot ass walking away.” That smirk is spread across his face again and I’m convinced he is trying to kill me. I open both doors wide with exaggeration and purposely add extra effort into the sway of my hips. While I walk away the lyrics to Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie pop into my head and I giggle, this may be kind of fun after all.

Chapter 13

All wound up and no place to go, I wander through the living room checking out the surroundings more closely now that I’m alone. A large cream-colored sectional is positioned around a fireplace like none I’ve ever seen…ever. It’s a monstrosity; a full-grown adult could walk right into this fireplace. I’m not even sure that’s what you call it; you could cremate someone in there for God’s sake. It’s the centerpiece of the room claiming an entire wall. Five windows line the side of the room facing the ocean, one of which isn’t a window at all it’s a set of French doors made to match the other windows. An old world style claw foot couch covered with deep purple, grey and cream-colored throw pillows curves around in front of the fireplace. I’m no antique specialist but the pieces in this room look antique, expensive and well cared for. This guy owns restaurants, how the hell did he get to be so wealthy? I’m going to research this topic in more detail with my b/f Google later. There has to be something else bringing in this kind of money, but then again I don’t know shit about the restaurant business. Through another set of double doors off the living room is a formal dining room. As are all things in this home the table running down the center of the room table seats at least twelve comfortably. What is it with guy and size anyway, everything has to be
so big
! Smatterings of purple continue through this room as well. A breakfront covers the entire length of one wall and a mammoth plant that looks like it belongs in a jungle not the dining room of a billionaire on Mercer Island monopolizes the corner opposite me. I round the corner into the kitchen and find Maria and Mr. Black standing close to each other talking in hushed tones, they stop when they see me… Shit…this is embarrassing, “I’m so sorry about earlier Mr. Black, I don’t know what got into him, to us…” I figure I may as well just get to the point. He stiffens for a moment and I swear he glares at me, but before I can be sure a mask replaces it.

“Are you ready for a tour now Ms. Jefferson?” He’s just going to ignore my apology? Or maybe he doesn’t want to address the fact that he walked in on something he shouldn’t have seen, something that shouldn’t have been happening.  Ok well if that’s how he wants to play it I’m game, less shit for me to deal with.

“Yes please, I’d appreciate that,” I reply, Maria is looking at the floor and Mr. Black fails to introduce us so I step forward and offer my hand “Nice to meet you…Maria isn’t it? I’m Imani.”

She lifts her surprised gaze to me and shakes my hand gently. Without a word she turns her back on me and continues cooking something she had been stirring on the stove. Man…  all the people around here are a little off, but then again, look who they’re working for.  Oh God, what does that say about me?

“Well as you can see this is the kitchen.” Mr. Black gestures to the impressive, obviously chef worthy kitchen, all of the appliances are oversized and probably commercial. The cabinetry is deep cherry wood with glass panes that you can see the contents through. Everything is intricately lined up and organized behind the glass arranged perfectly, maybe obsessively. I nod and Mr. Black begins to walk away without me.  Hustling to catch up I follow him back through the dining room and the living room. He points at the doors in the foyer “Mr. Castillo’s office.” He’s not much for chitchat. We pass the office and make our way down a long hall peppered with lighted pieces of artwork. Some of them actually look familiar and I consider that they must be famous if I can recognize them; I know nothing about art. Mr. Black points along the way, educating me on what each area is used for; a study, sun room, library, and another living room type area, a little more casual with a large television instead of a mammoth fireplace for a focal point. Circling back  to the foyer we climb the staircase and take a right at the top. This must be what is considered a “wing” of the house. Down a long hall there are several bedrooms, bathrooms, and a few spaces used for storage, one that was made completely of cedar, it smelled divine when Mr. Black opened the door. Why does one man need a house this large anyway? I follow him until we are at  the back of the house looking out the windows down on an elaborate garden. A long stone path leads through the garden and branches off in different directions that all eventually lead to a dock lined with old-fashioned lap poles. Far out in the left corner of the property is a kidney shaped pool all winterized for the coming cold weather?

We have circled around back to the stairs and passing them we make our way to the opposite wing. More bedrooms and studies along with Mr. Black and Cecelia’s quarters are included in this section of the house. Finally we end up back in the foyer under the chandelier again. “I should really get Marcus   some dinner, it’s late and he hasn’t anything to eat since lunch,” I inform Mr. Black.

“Maria is seeing to his meal,” he answers, in his cold monotone voice.

“Ok then I’ll check on him and see if he needs pain medication.”

“Ms. Jefferson wait, I know it’s not my place to say, but you should be careful around Mr. Castillo, he isn’t like most men…I’ll admit he seems different with you, but the man I have known all my life can be…challenging and demanding….to say the least.” I’m shocked. Yes, these people live under the same roof as Marcus and have known him for years and I have only known him for little over a week, but this comment really irritates me. I’m back in defense mode and this kitty is showing her claws. What the hell is he talking about anyway?

“You’re right Mr. Black, it’s
not
your place, and I am here as his nurse, to care for him.” I answer sharply and take a step closer daring him to say more. He raises his eyebrows in response to my boldness.

“Well don’t say I didn’t warn you, I’m just trying to…. protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting!” I’m so angry my hands are clenched into little fists at my sides and my vision is blurry.

“Well, alright then, suit yourself, let me show you to your room.”

“I told you I wouldn’t be needing a room.” What’s with these people, do they not listen? 

“Mr. Castillo wanted it readied for you so it has been, I’ll show you were it is, just in in case,” he says, as if he knows something I don’t. He leads me back through the living room past the mammoth fireplace to a door in a nook behind the living room and
right
next to Marcus’s. I sigh and roll my eyes at his back. Opening the double doors he gestures for me to step inside. I appease him and poke my head in. It’s a lovely feminine bedroom decorated with antique furniture. A large canopy bed dominates the center of the room with gauzy material draped between the posts. The en suite bathroom light is on, so I pad across the thick carpet and have look inside. This bathroom is as big as my bedroom at home! A gilded mirror hangs over a vast vanity and an enormous beautiful claw foot tub claims the middle of the room. So many candles I imagine it’s a fire hazard when they are all lit surround the tub. In the far corner I see a wooden door with a small window that peaks my curiosity.

I cross the room and open the door to find that it’s a sauna, dry hot air pours out, I close it quickly and turn catching myself in the mirror. My mouth hangs open in shock when I see a very disheveled pale version of myself staring back at me. My usual dark skin is blanched of it’s color, shit, I look terrible. This day has been entirely too much to absorb. Mr. Black stands on the threshold of the room, waiting patiently.

“Is that everything?” I ask.

“Yes, I’ll leave you to him now- if you need anything Maria and I live in the west wing of the house, and there are intercoms throughout which are very easy to use. Just press the button and speak,” he instructs.

“Thank you.” I pass Mr. Black and return to Marcus’s room to find him finishing his dinner. “Almost done?” I ask.

“Yes, you need to eat.”

“No time to eat, I’ve been getting the grand tour, takes forever to see it all.”

“Oh, you didn’t see it all, there’s more, he didn’t take you downstairs. There’s a full gym, lap pool, and squash court.”

“How did you know he didn’t take me there?”

“I have a security system in the house, I followed along with you on your tour from here.” He points at the television screen that is separated into at least fifteen small square boxes. Each of them shows a room in the house for a few seconds before flashing to another room. The boxes remind me of the Brady Bunch show, and the security system reminds me of a movie I saw once about drug dealers.

“Wow, paranoid much?”

He chuckles, I really love it when he laughs. “I like to know what is going on under my roof.”

“Well if you didn’t have such a massive roof you wouldn’t have to worry about all that.” I gesture at the screen.

“I make a lot of money nurse Imani…it needs to be spent some where why not use it to surround myself with things I enjoy? I invest, save and give an obscene amount to charities. Being wealthy can be a pain in the ass.” he answers, with his chosen endearment for me, will I always be known as
nurse Imani?
His generosity to charities intrigues me though; I wouldn’t have pegged him for that. 

“Well Mr. Castillo, you’ve done a good job of spending money that’s for sure. What charities do you give to? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“I do not mind you asking. Safe Horizons, Joyful Heart Foundation, and shelters for battered women all over the country, Futures without violence, a couple that fund mental institutions, I can’t remember them all really.”

Wow, those are some interesting choices, they make me wonder about his past- maybe he’s a victim like me. Knowing all too well about being a victim, I’m careful not to push the subject, if he wants to tell me about it someday I would be interested in listening but right now he needs to rest.

“Are you getting tired, do you need pain medication yet?”

“No pain meds, but I do need my sleeping pills.”

“Sleeping pills, I don’t remember bringing any sleeping pills with us from the hospital.”  “They aren’t from the hospital, I’ve taken them for years, they’re in the bathroom.” He points toward his en suite bathroom. “

Can I take your dishes to the kitchen?”

“Yes, and have Maria see about some dinner for you while you’re there.”

“I’m ok, I can eat when I get home, I’m used to eating in the middle of the night anyway, night shift you know?” There’s a shift in the atmosphere in the room Marcus’s demeanor changes and I notice him looking down at his hands,

“Marcus, you ok?” No response. Oh no, not this again. I approach the oversized bed and crouch down next to it so I can look up into his downturned face- his eyes are glazed over again. Shit, he should really have had his damned brain scanned before leaving the hospital. “Marcus, can you hear me? Do you know where you are?” I repeat the questions from this afternoon and he continues to stare, expressionless, at his lap. I can’t give him sleeping pills when he’s having fucking blackouts.

“Imani?” he says confusion thick in his voice. He’s back… thank God.

“What’s the last thing you remember?” I ask him and he scowls at me.

“Why are you down there?”

“Marcus you blacked out, you were unresponsive, you couldn’t answer my questions. I’m really worried about this, please let me make you an appointment for a CT tomorrow.” He looks at me thoughtfully, tipping his head to the side and he reminds me of a puppy I had when I was little, it cocked his head when you asked it a question. But thankfully, he agrees, with one condition…one very big condition.

“Ok, if you spend the night tonight, I’ll go.” Oh…my…. God….  he has the art of manipulating situations to his benefit down perfectly; he knows how much I want him to have that test tomorrow and now I know how much he wants me to stay the night. I see how he works; no wonder no one ever tells him no. Dropping my chin to my chest I slouch in defeat and sigh heavily.

“Yes,” I reply.

“Yes you will stay?” He sounds surprised, although why I don’t know. Could he possibly be unsure of  my commitment to him at this point? I took the damn job, didn’t I? I left my career to be with him.

“Yes Marcus I’ll stay,” I sigh again, I’m so tired, it’s almost a relief to stay and not worry about how I’m getting back to my car. After sleeping in a chair last night with no medication to chase away my nightmares, and dealing with Marcus all day, I’m totally exhausted. I rock back and rest my bottom on my heels.

“You are tired, go on to bed, I will admit I have manipulated your time today.”

“And last night?” I add.

“And last night, yes.” I look at him expectantly. I’m exasperated that he won’t offer an apology or a thank you for helping him.

“What?” he asks. “A thank you would be appropriate right about now.”

“Mmmm yes…thank you,” he says painfully. What is it with this guy and manners?

“I have to get you squared away before I can go to bed. Dishes please.” I stand and gather his dinner tray from his lap and carry it to the kitchen, where I find Maria still cleaning up.

“Oh Ms. Jefferson I can get that, it’s my job, please.”  She’s so skittish, wow, what does he do to her to make her so edgy?

“It’s no problem, I don’t mind at all. He’s going to bed and I wanted to get them washed and put away.” I reassure her,. “Oh no, no,  you go, I’ll wash and put them away. There is a way  he likes it done.” “Oh, ok then. If you need any help just holler.”  He has his ways huh; Marcus must be anal with a capital A. On my way back to his room I pass through the living room and notice a fire burning in the fireplace, a huge fire! I wonder who made that; it must take a forest to keep that thing burning! When I enter his room I lay it on the line about the sleeping pills. “I’m not giving you the sleeping pills. You blacked out twice today, sleeping pills will alter your consciousness and we don’t know what we’re dealing with.”