AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But, that’s not what happened.”
“Right, so you’re both getting what you want, for now.”
“For now?”
“Yes, you get the money you need and he gets the opportunity he wants. To use some biz jargon, it’s a win-win deal.”
I felt my shoulders slump. Not that I thought there was any real truth to Katy’s interpretation of this situation, but if there was, did I want to start a ‘relationship’ like this? It sure didn’t seem romantic. Not in the least.
I exhaled. “So, you’re suggesting I just go along with whatever he wants to do with me? To me?”
“No. But, this is Greyson freaking Sinclair we are talking about here. He’s only one of the most intimidating, powerful, sexy, rich, insert whatever adjective you want, men on Earth and he’s paying you to spend time with him! Maddie, wake up!”
“Ugh,” I groaned as I looked up to the ceiling. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’m going to bed.”
“Okay,” Katy said, as I began to walk down the hallway towards my room. “But Maddie…”
Stopping mid-stride, I did a half-turn back towards Katy. “What?”
“Look at it this way. What’s the worst that can happen? So long as you keep it professional, like Greyson does, you’ll have a great time. After all you've been through, don’t you at least deserve that much?”
“I don’t know. I guess so. I’m just sick of screwing up.”
A soft smile lit Katy’s face. “I know sweetie. You won’t. Try not to worry about it.”
“I won’t. I just want to do my best.”
She walked up next to me. Hooking her arm inside mine, she started to walk down the hallway with me towards our rooms.
“You better,” she began. “Besides, how the hell else are you supposed to buy me a new microwave?”
MADDIE
As the second day of Greyson’s meetings drew to a close, I sat in the limousine outside the studio offices and waited for him. We had dinner plans for the evening and with the promise of a fresh infusion of cash only a couple of days away, I spent the afternoon picking up some things to wear for the remainder of his stay. At least now I wouldn't be a complete embarrassment to him when we went out in the evenings.
Tonight I’d settled on a cute black jumpsuit with a plunging neck line and flowing pant legs. I accented it with a sexy metallic shrug, which was not only comfortable but hugged my curves in just the right spots. I’d opted to wear my hair up, mostly at Katy's insistence, but after I’d completed the ensemble, I had to admit she was right.
Glancing out the window of the car, I noticed Greyson walking towards us in the middle of group of four other men. They stopped about twenty yards away, paused, shook hands and then dispersed after about a minute or so. Afterward, Greyson continued towards the vehicle alone. As he did, I took one last look at my reflection in my compact before snapping it closed and sliding it back into my clutch.
Armando exited and opened the door for Greyson.
“Good evening, sir,” Armando said as he held the door open.
Greyson nodded as he began to climb inside the vehicle. “Armando.”
A subtle breeze carried traces of Greyson’s cologne in my direction. Slightly sweet citrus notes combined with hints of leather set my senses alight. It was a musky medley, wild and irresistible, a tantalizing reflection of the man who wore it. As Armando closed the door behind him, Greyson slid into his seat and looked in my direction. I smiled at him, but before I could offer a greeting, he spoke.
“Wow, Maddie. You look… fucking incredible. And I mean that in the most deplorable sense imaginable.”
I smiled and shook my head.
Strange that the notion I had of how a billionaire would behave clashed in such harsh contrast with the real life example seated next to me.
It’s not that Greyson wasn’t refined; he could be if it suited his purpose.
It’s not that Greyson wasn’t sophisticated; he knew how to carry himself in any setting.
And, of course, it’s not that Greyson wasn’t charming; he could dazzle any woman he desired.
No, Greyson Sinclair was all of those things when he needed, or wanted, to be. But the thing that caught me the most by surprise with this man was his total, utter, fearlessness.
Whether it was beating up some random dirtball in line at the club or feeling so sure of himself to say what he’d just said to me, I would be lying if I said his total disregard for consequences that would send ninety-nine percent of all men running didn’t turn me on.
It did.
And if I wasn’t careful, he’d know it.
So, with his ‘deplorable’ comment still fresh in my mind, I brushed it off with a casual chuckle.
“I’ve come to appreciate your unique manner of complimenting me, Greyson. Thank you.”
His caramel irises flickered in the soft light of the backseat. He leaned away from me and with a slight smile, he replied, “No, thank you. And Maddie…”
“Yes?”
“Call me Grey.”
I swallowed and looked away, uncertain of how I’d feel the first time I said that to him. As the limo drove off, I placed my hands in my lap, glanced out the window to my right and tried to change the focus of the conversation.
“So, I noticed you leaving with a few gentleman from the studio. All is going well, I hope?”
“Yes,” Grey replied. “As a matter of fact, I’ve concluded my business with them ahead of schedule.”
Turning to face him, I said, “Oh yes? Well, that’s excellent news then, I suppose, isn’t it?”
“In one sense, yes, it is. In another, less so.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Back to Chicago. So that’s good.”
“Oh,” I replied, as I attempted to mask the sudden sense of disappointment I felt on hearing the twist to his travel plans. “So what is the bad part of that news?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if I’m leaving tomorrow, we only have tonight to spend with one another and conclude our business together. You are prepared to honor the commitment you made, aren’t you Maddie?”
Life-threatening nausea is not the best phrase I’d use to describe the feeling that pulsed through every vein, capillary and corpuscle in my body. But of all the sensations I experienced at that instant, it is the most easily relatable.
So we’ll go with it.
In the wake of that, my mind flashed with innumerable outcomes, most of which ended with me in a twisted tangle of sweaty flesh with the olive-skinned hunk seated next to me. I reached up and smoothed my eyebrow with the most casual stroke I could muster as I stalled for time.
Maddie! Wake up!
Snapping out of my funk, I realized I had to speak my mind. No matter the consequences. And the time to do it was right now.
“Um, Greyson…”
“Grey,” he interrupted.
“Sorry. Grey,” I said, correcting myself. “I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just come out with it.”
He nodded. “I’d prefer that.”
“Please don’t take this wrong way, okay? Promise me that you won’t.”
“Scout’s honor,” he replied with a wink.
“Um, okay, well it’s like this. I want to keep our relationship professional. As much as I appreciate you being flexible and accepting the terms of my offer, I just, I don't want to ruin my business chances before they ever even get started. I hope that makes sense.” Turning my upper body towards him and placing my hand over my heart, I continued. “Please don’t be insulted.”
He leaned away from me with a look of confusion on his face.
“Maddie, why would I be insulted? I want the same thing.”
“You do?”
“Yes, of course. Why else would I agree to pay a king’s ransom to spend time with you?”
As he finished speaking, he reached down and slipped his hand into mine. Disbelief suspended me in the moment as he raised my hand towards his mouth and placed a single, perfectly moist kiss on the back of my hand. Electric shocks raced up my arm and sent a primal pulse to my brain, setting my carnal urges on edge and my desire to keep things ‘professional' in serious jeopardy.
Grey withdrew his lips from my flesh and lowered my hand back into my lap before releasing it.
“Let’s discuss the details over dinner,” he said with a grin. “I have a proposal that I think you’ll find tempting.”
GREY
We dined at Chef Claude’s that night. After we were seated, he came out to the table and chatted with us. Nice guy. I know Maddie thought I was rude to him when we ate at the bar the first night I came to town. But if anything, I hoped she noticed the result. I operated by a simple rule, never take crap from people.
