The Billionaire's Desire Read online

  Bliss.

  Jonathan broke the spell of her fantasy, “We have a private chef due later to prepare our meals, and a personal mountain guide will provide us with private ski instruction. After one or two lessons, I’ll take over though. I’ve been looking forward to that.”

  Vanessa smiled to herself.

  “And our personal offsite butler will ensure our every need is taken care of. In fact, I’m assured everything I’ve requested is already planned out.” Jonathan came up behind her, moved her hair, which had grown quite a bit in the months Jonathan and Vanessa had been together, away from one side of her neck. Then he rested his spikey chin at the bend of her neck and peered up at Vanessa. “Stunning isn’t it?”

  “It’s easy to forget how remarkable the world actually is, and how insignificant we all are. Petty worries and hang-up’s, fears … all seem to pale into nothingness in the face of this view.”

  “I was thinking the same thing,” he says, still peering up at her. “The view I have is quite remarkable too.”

  Vanessa blushes. He said such things more often now, she never knew whether to take him seriously, or whether it was all part of him trying to make her feel good about their contract.

  They unpacked and sat for five minutes.

  “Right then, time to go into town to get your ski kit, some warm clothes, a few evening outfits perhaps, and I insist on buying you a set of diamond earrings—studs should do it—and of course, I’ll secretly buy your engagement ring while you’re trying things on and whatnot—start the rumour mill off. Oh, and you’ll need a necklace to match the earrings…”

  “Oh please, must you? Can’t we just rent the diamonds, the ski kit, the evening dresses?”

  “Are you joking? What rumour will that send? Jonathan Jergan must be on the verge of losing everything if he’s renting his fiancés engagement ring. I’d lose all confidence in the business world and my investors would fly away. Would you like that?”

  “No, course not. Well, rent everything apart from the engagement ring then.”

  “And how will that convince people I’m serious about your?” He pushed her hair behind her ear, “Huh? This is just what seriously wealthy boyfriends do for their betrothed. And besides, I like spoiling you.” He grinned, his eyes sparkling.”

  Resigned, she tried to be happy about it, even enjoy it. But still, she felt like a Barbie doll, dressing up, adjusting herself to conform to an imaginary character in someone else imagination. Namely Jonathan’s.

  “Okay,” she finally replied, giving in at last.

  * * *

  The next day her ski instructor arrived while Jonathan was on his phone in his bedroom.

  She left a note:

  Gone skiing, see you on the slopes when you’ve been surgically detached from your phone.

  The very young and handsome Aksel, from Norway, got straight to business, drilling into her the safety aspects of skiing, and how to use the equipment, that sort of thing. She felt comfortable on her skis and Aksel said she might have a natural aptitude for it. She wondered if he was flirting and giggled along with him, then fell over directly after.

  Jonathan joined them; cash in his hands and a frown on his face. “Okay, I’ll take over now. How much do I owe you?”

  “Hey, we’re getting on very well Jonathan. I have a natural aptitude apparently.” she laughed from her spot on the ground.

  Jonathan gave Aksel a bit of a glare, and avoided eye contact with Vanessa. “So? How much?”

  You already paid for three lessons Sir. Are you sure I can’t help Vanessa to…”

  “You have done enough.” Jonathan tipped him $50. “You may leave us.”

  “Bye Vanessa. Be cool,” said Aksel, a cheeky grin on his face as he left.

  I bet he made a lot of husbands jealous. But why would Jonathan be jealous?

  Vanessa help out her hand to Jonathan, “Help me up?”

  “Why did you leave me without saying anything?”

  “You were in your bedroom on a business call for almost an hour again Jonathan. Fair enough, but when Aksel showed up, I just figured I’d get a head start on learning how to do it. You did say I’d have the first few lessons with a tutor, didn’t you?”

  “That was before I saw him.”

  “No way…” scoffed Vanessa. “You’re jealous.” Vanessa teased him; loving the ego kick, she experienced while trying to stand up.

  Jonathan didn’t see the funny side, “Don’t laugh at me.” Jonathan glared at her. “All I meant is that I’ve been skiing for longer than he’s been alive. He might have caused you to have an accident.”

  And just as quickly, her ego balloon burst. “There’s very little difference in your ages actually. You’re both in the same decade for starters.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because I have eyes, a brain, and I asked. He’s 21 actually.”

  “Far too young to teach anyone anything. So, did you find him attractive too?”

  “You saw him, right?” Vanessa had found him attractive, but nothing like how she found Jonathan attractive. Still, she rarely managed to get under Jonathan’s skin, and decided to enjoy tormenting him just a little bit.

  “Well, perhaps I should get him back for you?” Jonathan’s eyes reddened, his face reddened. “So a 21 year old ski instructor is your type, no wonder you don’t like diamonds.”

  Vanessa thought of Mike, of his jealous rages and nasty put-downs. “I don’t want this fight, Jonathan, so I’m going back to the chalet alone. Please calm down before you join me.” She trembled, her mouth dry and sticky she fought tears, but lost.

  Jonathan stopped her from trying to remove one of her skis, by placing one hand on her shoulder.

  She flinched, “Don’t touch me.” and hit out at him as best she could on skis. She detached one ski and scrambled to do the same with the other.

  “Oh God, I’m so sorry, Vanessa.” He stepped back, put his hand out in surrender. “You’re right, I am jealous, but as I’ve never been jealous before, I don’t really know how to handle it. I’ve been a complete jerk but I’d never hurt you.”

  Vanessa stepped out of her skis and sniped, “One tip for dealing with jealousy: Don’t blame her, or get on her case, or intimidate her. Do it again with me, and our deal’s off.” She stood up straight, spine erect despite her fear, and brushed herself down. There was one thing Vanessa had sworn when she’d run away from Mike: she was never, ever going to get herself into the same situation again.

  His eyebrows dipped on the outside, “Did you hear me Vanessa, I could never hurt you.” He removed one of his gloves and wiped tears from Vanessa’s cheeks. “And God help anyone who tried to.”

  And just like that, she fell into his arms, holding on for a minute, as though her life depended on it, and sobbed. She couldn’t help it, it just happened. She knew he was right, she knew deep down that he wouldn’t hurt her, that he couldn’t hurt her the way Mike did. He just wasn’t that kind of man. He seemed to know not to intrude upon her reasons for reacting to him in such a way. She still couldn’t go there. Once she composed herself, they abandoned skiing until the following day. He switched off his cell phone, got the chef to prepare them a delicious pasta dish, and made her hot chocolate with marshmallows and cinnamon

  That night, feeling closer to Jonathan than ever, she appreciated how much more harmony they seemed to share after their spat. As though having learned about their individual vulnerabilities somehow connected them, and relaxed them. His grey eyes gazed at her easily, lingering temptingly, smiled softly, and she nestled with him in a gentle serenity.

  When it came time for them to sleep, she asked Jonathan, “Would you mind if I stayed with you tonight, Jonathan? I don’t sleep well in new places.”

  He smiled tenderly, took her hand, and led her into his room without saying a word. He held her all night, but nothing else happened. Something she had needed more than she ever realised. Something she had needed for years.

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sp; * * *

  Jonathan woke her with fresh fruit, granola, selection of pastries, coffee and juice. Vanessa yawned and for the first time in years, she looked at breakfast and thought, Hell yeah! Breakfast used to be several cups of strong coffee, but she woke for the first time in a long time, without dread in the pit of her stomach.

  And she had Jonathan to thank for that.

  Crunching on honey infused Granola, she said, “This is incredible, thanks Jonathan. And for last night. I slept like a log.”

  He sniggered, “Excellent news, but since when did logs sleep?”

  “Oh, yeah.” she gulped down the freshly squeezed orange juice enjoying the sour tingle on her tongue and its cold caress as it travelled down into her stomach.”

  That afternoon, they hit the slopes proper and Jonathan teaches Vanessa to ski. He told her she picked it up quickly and by the end of the morning, she got down the basic green, only falling 2-3 times.

  “This is just so much fun. How have I never done this before?”

  “You’re a natural.” He beamed at Vanessa. “I’ve never seen anyone take to it so easily.”

  Vanessa felt incredibly good; not dreading Mike popping up was new, and Jonathan’s compliments continued to add cream to the pudding. She had spent years being put down, made to feel nothing but fear and guilt. Life was shiny and new. “Aw, maybe it’s the kickboxing; it must have given me a head-start or something. You know, what with the balance and muscle strength?”

  Jonathan looked her over, “Umm.” His lips parted slightly and his cool cheeks warmed.

  No, did I just make him blush?

  “Err, lunch? Jonathan, are you hungry?”

  Jonathan was most certainly distracted for a second or two, but cracked out of it and replied, “Chalet or restaurant? Your choice.”

  “I’m starving, and the restaurant is closest.”

  “You’re on.” he smiled.

  After lunch, they went back onto the slopes and enjoyed a day of fun. By the evening, they clamoured into their chalet and wanted to be warm and alone. “You take a bath, I’ll send out for Japanese food. That cool with you?”

  Vanessa felt good, although tired and aching from all skiing all day. And she was hungry again. From the bathroom, she called, “Whatever, I’m ravenous.”

  “Gotta love a girl with a good appetite.” said Jonathan

  * * *

  They cleared away the dishes after satisfying their appetites, then took their refilled glasses of wine with them to the roaring fireplace. They sat next to each other, comfortable in each other’s space after the night before and a day of skiing.

  He picked up the remote control and pressed the play button for the DVD, starting a movie he’d picked out while Vanessa soaked for half an hour in the tub.

  With a smirk, and a blush swallowing up his perfect features, he turned to Vanessa and declared, “Just have to say thank you.”

  Vanessa tilted her head, “For what?”

  “For just making all of this so easy, and such an unexpected pleasure.” he looked away, then back at Vanessa. “It could have been awful for both of us, I see that now. But only because I’m I see from the lofty heights of how things are turning out.”

  “Oh.” So, what does this mean? A simple observation? Or a hint at something more? “Well then, ditto.” Now Vanessa blushed too, and said, “He’s to us. Cheers.”

  They clinked glasses and grinned to their mutual appreciation.

  “So, what movie did you choose?”

  “This is a modern movie, but with an old soul, in my opinion. You said you hadn’t seen this so … ‘500 Days of Summer.”

  “Oh right. The real take on romance … where she loves her independence and he loves her, right? Wasn’t this up for an award in 2009? Sundance festival?”

  “Yeah, that’s the one. Cool with you?”

  “Sure.” she shrugged, smiling.

  Vanessa adored the movie, even as soon as half an hour in. Mostly because it allowed Jonathan to laugh with her, to think of love and life together, with the characters, and that gave her goose bumps.

  Watching his expressions intently, she inhaled him and noticed how his hands naturally fell slightly above her knees and then casually around her shoulder, until they were right up close. She marvelled at how he seemed oblivious to this transition, and loved how comfortable he was with such physical closeness to her, without making any kind of sexual demands upon her.

  His eyes gleamed as he looked to her, to see what she thought of something in the movie, but a lightness in her chest and her dry mouth stopped her from reacting, other than a “Ugh.” Kiss me, kiss me, kiss me. Vanessa moistened her lips repeatedly, but it made little difference.

  Jonathan smiled, allowing for Vanessa’s unresponsiveness. “Are you … a little hot?” he asked, one eyebrow higher then the other. “I have to take this sweater off if we’re keeping the fire roaring. And I do like the fire, don’t you?”

  Shame, not! “Oh, of course.”

  He removed the arm from around her shoulders and she missed him instantly, but when he removed his sweater, her stomach fluttered in thanks. She stared at his broad chest and toned stomach, and his spice flooded her nasal passages. His arms had felt strong draped around her shoulders, or picking her up from off her ass on the slopes, but seeing his actual muscles sent shockwaves to places all too long closed for business.

  She moved her gaze to his and without thinking she leant forwards, reluctant to break eye contact, and pulled her own sweater over her head. Jonathan grinned, trying not to notice Vanessa’s toned torso with darting glances, he said, “So you’re feeling hot, huh?”

  Vanessa wore a tight sports vest with inbuilt bra, and despite the heat, her nipples exposed her desire. “Yeah, I …” She couldn’t speak for wanting. She couldn’t help but move even closer into his space, needing to be nearer, she couldn’t deny herself any longer. Her lips parted and before she could try to explain herself, Jonathan pulled her to him, stared intensely into her eyes for a silent moment, placed his hands on either sides of her face and softly kissed her. She responded immediately, melting into him, hands running through his thick dark hair. They kissed passionately once again.

  On their knees, mouth-to-mouth, they licked and kissed one another’s mouths, stopping intermittently to glare into each other’s eyes, their souls, trying to read each other’s hearts.

  “Oh Christ Vanessa.” Jonathan stood and pick up Vanesssa before she realised what was happening, so lost was she in the blissful passion. He slammed her against the wall, kissed her harder, with such raw urgency, so that she couldn’t breathe.

  She wanted to climb inside him, see everything in his head, fuel his every desire, as he did hers. When he stopped kissing her, and stepped back slightly, she felt an incredible power at the way he studied every contour of her face, and devoured every inch of her nakedness. Her chest tingled with bloom, her lips swelled at his kiss, and her nipples grew more erect. Breathless, her head spun and emotionally exposed, she stood proud, wanting, pulsing with desire. She unbuttoned her jeans and let them drop to the floor. She pulled her vest over her head and cast it to one side, panting.

  “Do you know how beautiful you are my Vanessa?”

  My Vanessa? “No talking.” She didn’t want to debate or to talk. She might stop, run in the other direction, away from the courage allowing her to fly with her heart for once. “Kiss me.”

  Jonathan needed no further instruction. He leant forward and kissed her while removing his own jeans, then he swooped her up in his strong embrace, tongue wrapping around tongue, until they found the bedroom.

  He threw her onto the bed, smiling down on her like the cat who got the cream “You have no idea how much I’ve imagined this, and so much more besides.” His breathing deepened his lips shone with saliva. After removing his underwear he stood, revealing muscle, flesh, and gloriously firm butt as he walked confidently to the window to retrieve the thick rope-like curtain chord.
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br />   Vanessa waited for him on the bed, aroused at his nakedness, at thoughts of what might be, at the taste of him on her lips. Curious about what he had on his mind, but ready for him, come what may, she tried to breathe steadily and not to think, or to compare.

  He approached her like a stalking Tiger, prowling across the room, dangerous and wild. When he reached her, his sexy grin turned serious, and his arousal was unmistakable, sending electrical shockwaves through her body.

  Leaning over her head, he moved her hair away from her mouth then kissed her deeply. She had never thawed this much at anyone else’s kiss. While she had been otherwise engaged in this kiss, he’d seamlessly gathered her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head, securing them to the bedstead with the chord.

  “Jonathan, what are you doing?” Vanessa wriggled, but it was no good. She was utterly restrained. Her heart, already beating fast, quickened further with panic and unmistakable stimulation. Unsure if this was safe, or a good idea, Vanessa pleaded with Jonathan with her eyes.

  He ignored her pleas however, and moved to grab the other curtain chord, then he stood at the bottom of the bed with a feral look in his eyes, “Don’t you trust me, Vanessa?”

  “Well,” she did before, in so many ways, but in this position, he could do anything to her and all her kick boxing training would be useless.

  Jonathan frowned now, “Well, you either do or you don’t. There are no grey areas with trust,” he glared at her, both sinister and sexy. “So, you think I’d hurt you?”

  She found his hurt facial expression incongruent with the gorgeous naked man holding rope with erotic intentions on his mind, fully prepared to restrain her further.

  “Of course not Jonathan.” Trust him, he’s not like Mike. “You wouldn’t hurt me.” She felt their combined sizzle in the atmosphere around her, saw only passion in his eyes and groaned, arching her back, allowing lust to overwhelm her qualms. Giving in to this, just once won’t hurt.