Chapter Six
“James, your two o’clock appointment is here. Would you like me to sit in on this meeting or send Stella in to take notes?” Paul inquired, poking his head inside James’ office.
“That won’t be necessary. Send Mrs. Alexander in and please cancel my three o’clock meeting and reschedule. I also need you to go over the files for the Matsuki Group and give me some input. We can meet to discuss later this afternoon,” James instructed without looking up from the figures on his desk.
“I’ll get right on it.” Paul stepped out of the office leaving it slightly ajar for James’s two o’clock to come in.
James didn’t need to look up to see when his visitor entered the room, he could smell her perfume. Only when she remained by the door did he raise his head to view the stunning brunette. Her dress clung to her willowy figure like an expensive glove, and fell just at her knees to reveal the curvy expanse of long legs. Her hair, worn loose, framed her shoulders and cascaded down her back. Her full lips curved into what James saw as a self-satisfied grin.
“James, it’s been a long time.” She sauntered toward his desk, in a pair of six inch heels that screamed “fuck me.” Her fragrance, which seemed to be heavily applied, almost choked him the closer she got to him. At one point the scent had held fond memories for him but now it served as a reminder of a time he wished to forget. She was dressed for seduction, and not for the business she claimed she’d wanted to discuss with him. James knew exactly why she’d come. He could have declined but didn’t, mainly for the ego stroke of having his ex begging him for something he had no intention of giving her.
“Gillian.” He inclined his head forward in acknowledgement. “Please, have a seat.”
She raised a dark, sculpted brow. “No hug for an old friend?”
He placed his elbows on his large oak desk and threaded his fingers together. “I wouldn’t want to ruin the effect of that outfit.”
Instead of taking the seat in front of his desk she headed to the couch and perched herself on the edge. James was sure he didn’t imagine her inconspicuously running her fingers along one outstretched leg. “This old thing? It’s so last season. So how have you been?” She gave him that wide-eyed stare that used to quicken his heart. Now he could see the artifice behind it.
“I can’t complain, Gillian. And yourself?”
“I’ve been keeping busy.” She paused for a moment to take in her surroundings. James could read the calculation in her baby blue eyes. “I’m quite impressed with the set-up here. You’ve done quite well for yourself. You’re mentioned in the paper quite a bit. I always knew you’d make it here one day. I really wish we hadn’t lost touch, but I didn’t want to make waves with David.” She lowered her lashes for a brief moment, hiding her expression but it wasn’t hard for James to figure out what she was thinking. She regretted passing him over for his brother who had been in a more secure financial position at the time. Now the tables were turned, and she wanted to give him her lost little girl act. He didn’t buy it for a minute.
“It’s strange how we remember things differently, Gillian. You couldn’t end things fast enough with me because you believed my future was uncertain. I believe those were you words, weren’t they?”
Her eyes suddenly welled with tears. “I know what I said. And at the time I was under a lot of pressure from my parents. You have to understand they had certain expectations of me. I couldn’t disappoint them.”
James’ bullshit meter was on overload. He wondered if she actually believed the lies she spewed. “So you disappointed me instead. It’s okay, I’m well aware of how things are. Anyway, we both know you didn’t make this appointment with me to rehash the past. What do you want, Gillian?”
Gillian caught her bottom lip between her straight white teeth. “James, can’t we at least be civil. We did mean something to each other once.”
“Once, as in no more.”
She bowed her head with an exaggerated sigh. In a movement that would have gone unnoticed by a less observant person she moved her hand to her thigh and raised the hem of her dress ever so slightly. “But there’s no reason we can’t rekindle that friendship...didn’t you practically beg me to stay with you?”
Though that comment hit below the belt, he maintained his composure. “We all make mistakes.”
“I’m offering you a chance to get in good with the Alexanders. Isn’t that something you’ve always wanted?”
“Apparently, not as much as you, Gillian.”
She at least had the good grace to blush, although he could barely tell beneath the artificial enhancement that lined her cheekbones. “You never used to be so cold.”
“You never used to be this transparent.” The little bit of patience he’d held on to was now nil. “I’m a busy man Gillian, state your business otherwise this meeting will adjourn.”
She flinched, and was apparently surprised her charms were no longer his kryptonite. As if to test out his reaction, Gillian slowly ran her tongue across her lip and flipped her hair. James remained impassive, unimpressed with her attempts to arouse him. A wave of crimson colored her face briefly and she fidgeted on the sofa.
“Perhaps you’d like to take this seat. It would be easier for you to discuss business if you’re facing me rather than lounging on the sofa at the other end of the room.”
“Well, I was hoping you’d join me over here,” she purred.
“Gillian, you’re really starting to bug me.”
She huffed and puffed as she stomped over to the seat he’d offered. She plopped down without the same panache she displayed earlier. “I didn’t expect you to be so hostile.”
James glanced at his watch to underline her time was running out. “I don’t have time to play catch-up. What the hell do you want?”
“I...” She raised her chin defiantly and narrowed her eyes. “I think you’ve punished us enough James. Call off your dogs.”
He found it pathetic that the Alexander men would send Gillian to plead their cases when she probably knew less about running a company than the average laymen. For the first time since she’d entered his office James found himself amused. It wasn’t because she had swallowed her pride to ask him for help: it was that she had the nerve to. “To what are you referring, Gillian? I work on specifics.”
Her fists balled at her sides almost as if she wanted to get up and punch him. “So we’re playing that game? You’re going to make me grovel?”
“I can’t make you do anything although you’re the one who came to me wanting something, so unless you spell it out I can’t help you.”
“You’ve changed.”
“I think we’ve already established that.”
“Do you really hate us all so much?” she whispered, placing her hand over her ample bosom. “Me especially? I’m so sorry for what I did. If what you want from me is an apology, you have it.”
“That would mean a lot to me…if I still cared. Since you’re skirting around the issue, I assume you’re here because I’ve authorized the termination of AlCore’s contracts with my hotels?”
“You know it is,” she answered tight-lipped, not bothering to maintain eye contact.
“And the Alexanders believe I’ve done it out of spite.”
She shrugged. “Didn’t you?”
“To make such an accusation would be an acknowledgement that they had some prior connection with me or they’ve done something to warrant me wanting revenge. To the best of my knowledge there is no association. You yourself know I have no ties to them.”
She didn’t look at him but her body language screamed embarrassment. In different circumstances, he might have felt sorry for her. But then all he had to do was remember their last encounter and any semblance of pity that tried to form within his heart was immediately squashed. “So you won’t help us?”
“And what would be the benefit of my helping a company that’s weeks away from filing bankruptcy? I’d be throwing money away if I continued doing business with AlCore, which by the way has been so grossly mismanaged in the past several years it was only a matter of time before it faced financial ruin. Not to mention, the quality of the products have gone down. That’s the gist of it. I can’t continue to allow AlCore to supply my hotels with an inferior product. Our clients deserve the best. I run a business, not a charity, my dear.”
“Won’t you help for David’s sake?”
At the mention of that asshole, James finally reached the end of his rope. “Speaking of David, I find it odd a CEO who cares so much about the future of his company would send his wife who I’m sure hasn’t spent one day in the office to speak on his behalf instead of coming himself.”
When no answer came, he pounded his fist on his desk making Gillian jump. “Get the hell out of my office, Gillian. You’re wasting my damn time.”
This time she smirked. “I thought you said you no longer cared.”
“I don’t but neither do I like being played for a fool.”
She shot daggers with her stare. “Fine, I’ll leave. Bitterness doesn’t suit you at all, James.”
“And desperation doesn’t become you, my dear.”
“Just like that? You won’t help us. Think about your family.”
“What family, Gillian? You’re barking up the wrong tree. And frankly, I find it pathetic how your husband is willing to prostitute you to save a company he doesn’t have the balls to fight for himself.”
Gillian rose to her feet in a huff. “Bastard. You think you’re so much better than us now because of all this?” She swept her hand out. “Well, don’t forget where you come from.”
“I’ll never forget, Gillian, and therein lies the problem. Goodbye.” He returned his attention to the papers he had been studying before she’d entered his office. It was only when she marched out of his office and slammed his door behind her did he give up the pretense of working. Her barbs had hit more marks than he was willing to admit.
Though he was no longer sexually attracted to her, Gillian still reminded him of a past he wished to bury.
A soft knock broke James out of his silent musings. “Come in,” he called knowing it could only be Paul, or his secretary Stella.
“Is everything okay, James?” Paul poked his head inside the office without stepping inside.
“Yes, I’m fine, but I think I’m going to need you to rearrange the remainder of my appointments today. And I’ll need those packets I asked Stella for first thing in the morning. Make sure she prioritizes that.”
“Will do. Can I get you some lunch? I notice you haven’t eaten today.”
“No, thank you.”
Paul ducked away and closed the door.
James had been truthful with Gillian when he’d told her he had not deliberately set out to harm AlCore. In fact, had AlCore maintained the same high standards that had made them one of the biggest hotel and office suppliers in the industry he would have continued their business association. He didn’t get to where he was by making decisions based purely on emotion. But knowing the Alexanders were suffering, perhaps worrying about how they would keep their superfluous lifestyle proved to him karma was indeed a bitch. And that bitch was on his side.
Simone shook her head at Noelle as she paced the living room. “Are you out of your ever loving mind? Please tell me you’re not considering this.”
For the past few days Noelle agonized over what happened between her and James and their subsequent conversation. Looking back, it almost seemed as if it had happened to someone else.
“I have a proposition for you.”
Noelle’s body continued to throb with desire from his touch. She could see his lips moving but couldn’t quite make out the words. “Huh?”
“I said I have a proposition you may be interested in.”
She moistened her now dry lips.” Are you offering me some kind of job?”
“You can say that. As I already stated, I’ll never be anything but completely honest with you. Noelle, when I first saw you I couldn’t quite put my finger on why I was so drawn to you but I suspected you would be a woman of passionate depths and now my suspicions have been confirmed. I live a certain lifestyle one which requires a lot of a travel and several hours a week in my office. I don’t have time for dating and I’m far beyond the age of running through a different bed partner every time the whim takes me.”
Noelle never considered herself some great genius but she wasn’t stupid. As he continued to talk it became clear to her exactly what he was getting at. “You want me to be some kind of regular booty call?”
He raised one dark sinister brow. “I wouldn’t put it in such uncouth terms but I am looking for a steady companion who can make herself available upon demand. My schedule is erratic so I may need you in the mornings or late at night.”
“And I’m just expected to drop everything for you?”
“I gather from what you’ve told me about art school, making yourself available to me won’t be an issue. As far as your search for employment goes, there’s no need. Should you agree to this arrangement, you’ll be compensated for your time. I own a penthouse in the city where I’ll expect you to live for the duration of our agreement.”
“You mean move in with you?” she asked softly still trying to make sense of this whole thing.
“I have my own house but when I need you, I’ll visit you not the other way around. You’ll also be given a monthly allowance for clothing, lingerie, entertainment, beautification and any other personal effects you require. My EA will see to all your household needs.”
“And all I’d have to do is sleep with you?”
“I believe we’ve already established that.” His words were formal, a jarring contrast to his earlier tone.
“What kind of woman do you think I am?”
James didn’t answer right away as he gave her a long accessing look. “You’re a woman of many layers and I’d like to be the man to peel each of them away.”
Though they shouldn’t have, his words made her squirm in her seat. She bit the inside of her cheek to hold back a whimper.
James reached over her and opened his glove compartment. He pulled out a small white rectangular card and handed it to her. “That’s my information with my secretary’s number on the front. Should you decide to discuss this arrangement in further detail, contact her and you’ll hear back from either me or my EA.”
“I can’t contact you directly?”
“I’m a busy man.”
“I see.” She didn’t really but it was getting harder to be so close to him and keep a clear mind. It was as if she’d been dumped in the center of a bad B-movie. Things like this didn’t happen in the real world and if they did not to her. “Well it’s been nice James but I have to go now.”
He placed his hand on her thigh to keep her immobile. “Give this some thought, Noelle.”
“I’ve only met you tonight…I can’t just agree to this without at least getting to know you better.”
His eyes narrowed and he looked at her like he was inspecting a rare species of insect. Noelle shifted uncomfortably in her seat under his piercing gaze.
“Two dates.”
She stroked her bottom lip with her tongue. “I don’t follow.”
“You’re right. It’s a bit forward of me to ask something like this of you on such a short acquaintance. Let’s go out on two dates. At the end of the second one I’ll expect an answer. Yes or no.”
Any sane woman would tell him to go to hell. But she couldn’t deny the strong connection she felt between them. “You’d take me out first?”
“It’s what you want isn’t it?”
“But you’re only taking me out on the condition of my becoming your lover?”
“You’re free to say no. Think about it.”
“Okay, I will. Think about it, I mean.”
He offered her a tight smile in response, releasing his grip on her thigh.
“Well, I uh, guess I’ll be going now. Good night.”
“Take care, Noelle.”
This time when she grabbed the handle to step out of the vehicle, he didn’t stop her. After waving a quick good bye she slid out of the car and slammed the door behind her. Too afraid to look behind her, she hurried inside her apartment building.
Simone paced the living room with her hands on her hips. “Are you listening to me? Noelle? Does this guy think he’s Robert Redford in Indecent Proposal? Someone should inform him this is real life and not a movie. Call him up and tell him hell no.”
Noelle hugged her knees against her chest. “You were the one who pushed me to go out with him in the first place. And the time we’ve spent together was nice. He’s charming and I enjoy his company.”
Simone stopped in her tracks and snorted. “He comes off that way because he’s trying to get into your pants. So what if he’s taken you out a couple times? That doesn’t mean squat if he expects you to repay him with some ass when all is said and done.”
“He’s been a perfect gentleman when we’ve gone out.” Noelle didn’t bother mentioning how hot and heavy they’d gotten the night they’d met at the gym. As agreed, James had taken her out twice. The first time he surprised her with a limo ride around the city. As they enjoyed champagne and soft music in the back seat, he regaled her with some of the sites he’d seen in his travels. Noelle had hung on every word.
Their second date he took her to a club off the beaten track that played the smooth R&B music they both enjoyed. They’d talked mainly about art because James knew it was something that interested her. She found he was quite knowledgeable about the subject. It was incredible to Noelle how someone so worldly would be interested in someone as gauche and inexperienced as her but James put her at ease. She felt special to have his attention.
It didn’t occur to her until after their dates that despite all he’d shared with her, like what he did for a living, and places he’d been, he was still an enigma to her. Noelle figured in time he would share more of himself with her. At least that was her hope.
“I can tell by your far- off look you’re contemplating this and I find it disturbing on so many levels. Why would a man who has more money than God go around asking random women to be his mistress? It doesn’t make sense.”
She flinched at Simone’s reminder of James’ status. When she’d come home that first night her cousin had informed her James Rothschild was the head of an international chain of luxury hotels and resorts and at only thirty-four he was already a billionaire. Besides being self-made, he was known for always having a pretty socialite or celebrity on his arm, none of whom looked like Noelle.
“Simone you don’t have to talk in circles. You can’t believe he’d ask this of someone like me. I get it.”
Simone shook her head vehemently. “Honey, no. That’s not what I meant.” She walked over to the couch and scooted next to Noelle. “I think the world of you. You’re fabulous, girl. The problem is, you haven’t figured that out yet. From what it sounds like, he’s looking for his own personal sex slave.”
“It isn’t like that. I believe we can build something on this.”
Simone crossed her arms over her chest while shaking her head. “Really? Is he offering to take you out after you become his kept woman?” Noelle had no answer. She sincerely wished she hadn’t shared so many details with Simone.
When Noelle didn’t respond, her cousin nodded her head in confirmation. “I didn’t think so. Open your eyes honey. I can see you’re already falling for this guy. What’s going to happen when he discards you? And it won’t be if. Guys like him treat women like a spoiled kid treats a new toy. They play with it for a little while until something shinier comes along. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
What hurt was Simone’s harsh judgment of the situation. Noelle had experienced real passion for the first time in her life and loathed the idea of walking away from James, at least not without finding out if there was something more between them. At first Noelle had doubts but after a few nights of kinky dreams and waking up so horny she had to touch herself for relief, she seriously contemplated his proposal.
Noelle wanted to be in James’ arms again and feel his lips against hers. She wanted to wrap her legs around his waist as he slid in and out of her while she screamed his name. And though he hadn’t touched her beyond a chaste goodnight kiss on their subsequent dates, it only intensified her desire to give herself to him completely. “You only know what you’ve read on the Internet about him. I’ve actually spent time with James. He’s not the cold bastard you’re making him out to be.”
Simone rolled her eyes and released an exasperated sigh. “Now you’re being naïve. Use your head, Noelle.”
Noelle stiffened at the admonishment. It was the same thing her Aunt Frieda used to say when she’d chastised Noelle for some random transgression. “Maybe I’d rather listen to my heart instead of my head. You’re the one who said I should go out with him in the first place but now you’re telling me to leave him alone. Is it because he looked my way instead of yours? Simone, men fall over their feet when you walk by but one guy wants to be with me and you have a problem with it?”
“He doesn’t want to be with you. He wants to fuck you!” Simone snapped and then immediately covered her mouth in surprise as if she couldn’t believe she’d actually said that. “Noelle—“
Noelle held up her hand. “Save it. Good to know what you really think of me.”
Simone grasped Noelle’s hand to keep her on the couch when she tried to get up. “You know I didn’t mean it like that. I just think you’re better than this.”
Noelle yanked herself out of her cousin’s grip and stormed out of the living room and didn’t stop until she was out the door. She walked a few blocks to cool off. Simone had never been anything but kind and supportive for as long as she could remember. She shouldn’t have implied her cousin was jealous but being told someone was only interested in screwing them would rub most people the wrong way. Maybe Simone was right and James really was just using her for sex, but if she didn’t take this chance, she would wonder what if for the rest of her life. Besides, if she didn’t go for it, Noelle might as well admit Aunt Frieda was right: that she was incapable of being loved.
Simone was thankfully absent when Noelle returned to the apartment. On the nightstand in her bedroom was the business card James had handed her. She picked it up and studied the name on the card. Stella Martin. Before she lost her nerve, she picked up her cell phone and quickly dialed the number.