The Billionaires Mistress (19 page)

At the end of the day the delegates had all returned to their rooms, the promise of another fine meal and cocktail party announced by Ryan himself, who had thanked all those who had already presented for their hard work. She had watched his handsome face, her eyes hovering over his mouth, that mouth that had kissed her to such devastating results only that morning, shaking herself with the feelings of need that had filled her.

In their room Craig had smiled warmly down on her.

“How are you holding up?” he had asked softly, seeing as she had thrown him a thankful smile.

“OK.......I will be fine” she had returned, moving into the bathroom with a mischievous grin.

“Me first tonight” slipping quickly inside the luxurious room as he had laughed at her.

An hour and a half later, both had looked approvingly at the other, Jenna aware that she had made even more of an attempt with her makeup, not prepared to admit the reason why.

“You look stunning” Craig had grinned, his head cocking to one side.

“Sure you don’t want to try putting on sweat pants.....maybe undo your hair......cause looking like that is not going to make Ryan Trudeau any less determined my sweet”.

In turn she had moved forward adjusting his tie, before placing a small kiss on his cheek.

“Well good job I have you by my side to fight off the evil ex-boyfriend” she had chuckled, laughing out loud as he had made strong man actions.

Once more the meal had been superb, with Craig and Jenna ensuring that they sat as far away from their host as possible. Jenna had once more spotted the same beautiful blonde by his side, wondering if she was his date that weekend, feeling the coldness twisting in her stomach at the thought. Raising her chin in an angry motion she had told herself how sorry she felt for her, given that he had been so prepared to take her to bed that morning.

Cursing as this thought had opened up memories of how it had felt to have his hands sliding over her, his tongue teasing her nipple, determinedly pushing the images from her head. Her eyes flicking back to him, this time seeing as he had watched her, once more their eyes meeting, feeling the sizzle of electricity rush through her as she had quickly turned her head away.

For the rest of the evening the two of them had moved around the other guests, their easy manner and sincere enthusiasm making the other delegates discuss with them other business opportunities. Craig had taken her to dance often, and she had found that so long as she had known where Ryan was at all times, she was very much enjoying the evening. As the music had stopped after one such dance, Craig had looked in surprise as Ryan had stepped forward, his hand quickly taking Jenna’s arm, as with charm he had smiled at the other man.

“Mind if I cut in?”, before pulling her onto the floor as the music had once more started up, taking her into his arms. With eyes that had looked back at Craig, she had not known what to say, seeing the way her friend had looked back, his expression comical at how neatly Ryan had carried out his capture of her.

“You look stunning Jenna”.

He had finally murmured silkily as the two of them had swayed in each other’s arms, Jenna not knowing what to say.

“T..thank you” she had finally muttered, keeping her head down low so that she would not have to look into his dark eyes.

“So, do we just ignore what happened this morning” he had whispered, his head moving closer to her ear, making her shiver as his breath had tickled the small hairs there.

Swallowing the nervous lump in her throat Jenna had given a small nod, her voice hardly audible.

“Yes........it was a mistake..........it should never have happened”.

She had felt the way he had stiffened, his voice sombre.

“But it did happen Jen...........and it will happen again”.

Feeling as she had shaken her head fervently against him.

“No.......no it won’t” her head finally lifting to look into his face, her eyes pleading.

“I am with Craig Ryan.........please just stay away from me”.

He had looked down into her blue eyes, his flicking to her mouth, hearing the small moan that had escaped from her slightly opened lips.

“If you loved Craig enough to marry him Jen.............then this morning would never have happened. But it did because you know that the one place you most want to be right now is in my bed”.

He had seen the shadow of fear that had moved deep within her eyes, her head once more dropping to hide her expression.

“No..........you are wrong” she had bitten out, her tone weak.

“I love Craig.............and the only bed I want to be in is his”.

She had felt the anger rising in her feeling the soft rumble of laughter from him against her head.

“You are only lying to yourself Jenna”.

With real anger in her voice she had finally looked back at him, her eyes daggers of accusation.

“What are you doing Ryan?.........What sick little game are you playing?” hissing out the words.

“Is this some sad attempt at punishing me for leaving you...because you KNOW that I couldn’t stay”.

With that the fight had left her as once more she had dropped her eyes, feeling the shock from him as the two had continued dancing silently for a few seconds.

“Jenna, all I am trying to do is to talk to you” his voice had been so soft, his head dropping to nuzzle her head.

She had given a dismissive half laugh, pulling back from him.

“Yeah .... talk, you were all about talking this morning Ryan” she had said contemptuously, hearing as he had given a frustrated sigh.

“I swear to God Jenna that was not my plan”.

Just at that the music had stopped, Jenna tearing herself from his arms and stepping back.

Her eyes looking at him with determination, “Leave me alone Ryan.........just leave me alone”.

Seeing a soulful look fill his dark eyes as she had spun around, finding Craig waiting there, to quickly pull her into his arms for another dance, her friend so full of apologies for having let her down. She had smiled gently at him, assuring him that it had not been his fault, the memory of his expression as Ryan had so skilfully whisked her away finally seeing a smile rise to her lips.

For the rest of the evening, Ryan had kept his distance from her, although their gaze had often met, both watching the other warily. Finally tired, as Craig had talked with one of their partners, Jenna had moved over to tell him that she was going up to the room, Craig assuring her that he would not be long behind her as she had smiled warmly at him.

With that she had moved out of the hot room, glad for the coolness of the rest of the building as she had moved along the corridor to her and Craig’s room. Looking down to fish out the key from her bag she had jumped as Ryan had appeared before her, her whole body on red alert, his scent making her head spin.

“Jen.......we need to talk.... just talk”.

His hands raised in a non threatening posture, as she had felt her heart beating faster in her chest. She had shaken her head with determination.

“No...no Ryan we really really don’t”.

Feeling herself trapped with her back to the corridor wall.

“I am asking you to please...please just leave me alone” her eyes pleading with his, seeing a look of almost pain enter his.

“Jen.....” he had begun as Craig had appeared beside her, his eyes quickly taking in the scene before him.

“Are you alright Jenna?” he had asked softly, his look never once leaving Ryan. She had nodded wordlessly, moving quickly around both men and opening their door escaping quickly into their room, her body stiff with the tension filling her.

Ryan had made to move after her, as Craig had stepped between he and Jenna, stopping him, Ryan halting as both men had looked at each other, each measuring the other.

“Is there something I can do for you Craig?” Ryan had asked gently, his eyes steely as he had looked back at Craig, surprised to see the way the other man’s mouth had twitched, as he had looked levelly back.

“She is a wonderful person Jenna.......don’t you think?” Craig had asked softly, as Ryan had held his gaze, before asking.

“Do you love her Craig?” Craig smiling wider, “Yes, very much” his expression softening.

“Jenna told me everything Ryan, about you and her, what happened in the past”.

Adding more slowly, “Even what happened this morning”.

Ryan had stood silent, wordlessly regarding the other man.

“And while you might think that I should be the jealous boyfriend, I am not” his expression holding one of amusement.

“For two reasons. One, it’s never good to fight with the boss”, despite himself, Ryan had found his lips twitching, feeling as the tension of the situation had lessened.

“The other, because of the person we are talking about. Jenna will only ever be with the person she chooses to be with Ryan.....and no matter what either of us does........we will never be able to force her to be with us if it is not what she wants......so you see jealousy seems not only futile, but counterproductive”.

Craig had watched as the truth of his words had entered Ryan’s eyes, the hardness that had been there replaced with respect.

“You are of course right...and you are a very lucky man Craig” he had said slowly, his voice softer now.

Craig had nodded gently.

“Yes...and I would ask you to think of something Ryan”.

Ryan had looked back questioningly, as Craig had continued.

“What has really changed since she left you last time........and can you truthfully offer her anything more?”

Ryan had set his mouth, a small frown lining his handsome face.

Looking at his watch Craig had given Ryan a final smile.

“Well better go........up early in the morning.......boss is a hard ass”.

Flashing him a grin, Ryan giving him a small smile back.

“Goodnight Craig”.

As he had moved back to his room, his face thoughtful.

In their bedroom Craig had found Jenna sitting on the edge of the bed, her head bowed hands pulled before her. Seeing him come into the room she had given a shaky smile, tears misting her eyes, as she had only just managed to stop them from falling down her lovely face.

“Hi”.

Craig had moved over to sit beside her, his arms encircling her, as he had made small comforting sounds against her.

“You OK?”

Feeling as she had nodded her head against his chest, her voice pathetic.

“Yes”, as he had chuckled.

“You are such a bad liar Jenna Long” hearing a feeble laugh from her.

“It is so hard Craig” she had finally said softly.

“I thought I was past this...........past him”.

She had heard his gentle laughter.

“Oh babe.........when you love somebody so amazing that much, and he is an amazing man, you never get over it”.

Jenna had nodded so slowly before looking up at him her face full of the hurt filling her.

“I just want it all to stop Craig...this is killing me”.

The other man had given a sad sigh.

“I am so sorry that I put you in this position Jenna........I really am......and if you want to leave tomorrow...then I will make excuses for you. You do not have to stay here”.

Jenna had given him a small feeble smile, her eyes full of love for him.

“I appreciate that Craig.......but you need me for the presentation tomorrow, and I somehow don’t think that leaving here will stop the way I am feeling”.

She had felt as he had sighed once more, his head nodding softly against hers.