Billionaire's Defiant Mistress Read online

  “Are you drawn to him because he's a famous football player?”

  Sarah stared at Gareth, her heart beginning to race. “I know he plays football. Why? Have you heard of him?”

  “Of course I have. He is one of Europe's top players and he is big in the business world as well. All of his investments seem to make him more money.” Gareth realised she had no idea who he was. “He is well-known for serial-dating beautiful women. You're just an ordinary girl from Keswick. You are out of his league – he will chew you up and spit you out again.” Gareth glowered at her. “He's just using you.”

  Sarah wanted to respond with an angry retort but knew Gareth well enough to know he had her best interests at heart. They'd been friends since school and she was aware that Gareth carried a torch for her. She had never reciprocated those feelings – but that only served to increase his protective interest in her. Gareth himself was a good-looking young man and had no trouble attracting girlfriends, but Sarah had always eluded him which increased her allure. As Sarah thought about that she realised the indecent haste with which she had accepted Carlos's proposal. Readily agreeing to move in with Carlos wouldn't help to inflame his interest.

  But then she wasn't planning on a future, was she? She wasn't that stupid. She was a modern woman, and she could see the relationship for what it was. That was all there was to it.

  “We are lovers,” she said, as if she was trying to convince herself. “Women are allowed to have lovers, you know. And I'm going to live with him until Christmas.”

  “Then what are you going to do?”

  “Then I am going to do nothing.” Sarah shrugged her shoulders and hoped she didn't appear too flippant. “I shall be returning to Keswick to get on with my life, Carlos in turn will get on with his.”

  “And jumping into his bed, then jumping out of it again to go back home is going to be simple, is it?”

  “I don't see why not.” There was a frightened little voice inside of her which was telling Sarah he was right. But she so wanted to go and stay with Carlos that she didn't want to risk listening to any doubts.

  “Okay. I wish you the best of luck and you know where I am when you need to pick up the pieces.” Gareth couldn't exactly offer his blessing but he could offer his support and show he cared, even if it was a struggle to do so. He left the room and Sarah continued packing her things.

  It wasn't the goodbye she would have chosen but she wasn't going to allow Gareth's disapproval to dent her excitement. How could anyone dent her excitement when her senses had been sent into overdrive by Carlos's suggestion? He had made it sound so perfect. Resisting the arrangement had seemed impossible as it was the only sensible option to take. As he leaned across the table in the restaurant she was overwhelmed by the physical sensation of wanting him to kiss her again. His dark gaze into her eyes had washed over her, making her feel weak but warm inside.

  “When I think what happened, I feel guilty,” Carlos had whispered over the dining table. “If I had known it was your first time I would have –” Sarah waited for the continuation of the sentence, but the pause continued.

  “You would have what?”

  “I assumed you would have slept with a man before me,” he said quickly, ignoring her question. “A fair assumption, don't you think? At your age, a woman usually has some experience. A man approaches love-making differently when the woman is innocent. It is slower, and without expectation. Your first time is not what I would have planned – even though I did give you pleasure.” His dark eyes glistened with meaning and had set her heart racing. “It is why you should come and stay with me, and you can discover even more. What do you think?”

  Sarah had felt her cheeks blush. It sounded heavenly, despite what he said next. Had she taken as much notice of the next part and ignored the excited churning in her stomach, she would have fled for the hills.

  “You must know it is a temporary arrangement. At Christmas, it ends. I must be honest with you about that.”

  Sarah really didn't care. It was easy to ignore the voice of reason because she wanted it too much. Moving in with Carlos was the most exciting thing she had ever done and she was determined to enjoy every second of it, with no regrets. So she gave Gareth a hug goodbye, then carried her case outside to where Carlos's car was waiting.

  The drive was soon over, Sarah spending the whole journey ignoring the nagging voice which questioned what she was doing. Sitting in the back of a chauffeur driven limousine does make it easier to ignore any doubts. Pulling into the driveway of a large house helps to push those doubts further to the back of the mind.

  Elaine opened the door, and welcomed Sarah, with a careful smile on her face. “Hello, Sarah,” she said brightly, “I was expecting you. Carlos won't be back until about six o'clock so I will help you settle in. I'll show you your dressing room, and you can unpack – unless you'd like me to do that for you?”

  Sarah felt unsure. Elaine seemed very comfortable with the fact a stranger was moving into her well ordered house. Was this something she had to deal with very often? And she really didn't want her humble belongings gone through by the housekeeper. But Sarah hid her feelings behind an equally polite smile. “Thank you very much – but I will be fine unpacking myself.”

  Elaine led the way to a previously unseen room, which led directly to the master bedroom. It was a changing room and was bigger than the bedroom she just left behind, but there was no bed in this one; just shelves, cupboards, a couple of floor length mirrors and a swish en-suite bathroom. Considering the small amount of belongings she had in her suitcase, the dressing room was ridiculously large. But once Elaine had gone she took out her clothes and put them away, placing her personal items on the dressing table.

  It seemed like ages until Carlos would be back so she took a long bath, washing her hair and trying out the luxury scents on the shelf above the bath. As the water got too cold, she finally wrapped herself in a large fluffy towel, and had just sat down at the dressing table when the door opened – it was Carlos.

  They hadn't seen each other since lunch the previous day and Sarah's heart began pounding with excitement when she turned and saw his eyes washing over her. He didn't say anything at first, rather he studied her from his darkened eyes – and Sarah froze like a statue. Was he regretting his decision? Has reality just smacked him in the face now he has come home and seen his bachelor independence threatened? She swallowed hard. Don't just sit there, say something.

  “H-hi, Carlos.”

  His eyes continued to gaze over her body. Her hair trailing in damp tails down her back, the soft, pure white towel covering her blushed skin. Carlos had been thinking about her all day – rather, he had been wondering why he had given her access to his house. He had to remind himself that she was homeless and it was only temporary. But now he had seen her again, his doubts dissipated. She was such a beautiful woman.

  Not only was she beautiful, she was so obviously naked underneath the towel. The swift rush of desire pushed through his veins as he strode towards her and echoed her greeting. And those big, sparkling blue eyes made his voice soften as he leaned into her. “Hello,” he said, as he gently kissed her bare shoulder. “Are you going to greet me like this every day, when I come home?”

  “Would you like me to?” she gasped, as she lifted her head upwards and backwards to expand her neck for him. As she felt his lips trace the bone on her shoulder she closed her eyes to focus on the sensory pleasure he was giving her.

  “I would like it, Sarah. I would like it very much. Though, there is a way it could be improved.” He moved his hand to the front of her body, where the towel was tucked into itself, above her breast. Giving a little tug, the towel fell away revealing her full breasts, the slender arching of her waist leading to the roundness of her hips. He thought she looked like a model posing for an oil painting as he let his hand slide downwards to cup her breast.

  Sarah opened her eyes and saw him in the reflection from the mirror – his darker skin contr
asted against the fairness of her own colour. She could feel the tingling in her hardened nipple against his soft, fleshy palm and the warmth rising through her stomach as his lips traced a path over her wet hair. She shuffled in the chair in an attempt to turn round and meet him with her own lips, but he wouldn't let her. “Carlos,” she gasped in frustration.

  “Stay there,” he demanded as his fingers continued to explore her.

  “But - “

  “Stay!”

  She was trapped, imprisoned by his superior strength - but too weakened by the erotic sensations even if their strength had been equal. There was a fierce heat building inside her which got hotter and hotter as his hands reached further down. As he approached the juncture of her thighs she squirmed in her seat and gasped his name when she felt the heat spiralling upwards. He was fully dressed, she was naked. The tidal wave of pleasure that was carrying her along in its rush was just what had happened to her in bed, but this time it was only for her. She was an erotic puppet and he was pulling the strings. The sensations in her body were new and extraordinary and seemed to engulf everything else. At that moment, the world seemed to be composed of nothing but heavenly delights.

  “Carlos,” she gasped, closing her eyes as she felt her body approach its climax.

  “Watch,” he demanded. “Watch yourself in the mirror, my dear. See how beautiful you are when you are experiencing pleasure.”

  Sarah opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were darkened and glistening with desire. She looked upwards and saw his face, admiring, mocking and urging. He was in control as his fingers continued with their persistent dance. Then the desire reached its peak and dissolved within her leaving her helpless, unable to do anything but observe herself in the mirror, having her orgasm. She saw her body jerk and the deep pinkness in her cheek spread through her face, along her neck and over her breasts – as if somebody had sprayed her with rose pink paint.

  With weakened muscles, she clasped his arm until the voluntary spasms had died away. It was as if she might drift away if she let go. Then he moved forward and picked her up in his arms. It seemed so decadent of her that she should be naked, flushed with pleasure, and he was still in his suit.

  “Wasn't that erotic?” he whispered, as he pressed his lips towards hers feeling her body arch as she pushed her head towards his.

  She was dazed but managed to nod her head because it was undeniable. It had been incredibly erotic. But as he carried her into the bedroom she couldn't help thinking it had been... been... What?

  A demonstration of his experience, of his advanced sexuality. It had been pure pleasure, yes – but minus any romantic build-up, deep kisses and tender caressing that her youthful heart craved. Could he sense her apprehension?

  He sat her down on the edge of the bed kneeling in front of her.

  “Undo my tie,” he commanded. Sarah's fingers trembled as she complied. As she pulled the unknotted tie away from his collar she realised he meant for her to carry on, so she began to unbutton his silk shirt. He helped with his belt and trousers, quickly discarding the rest of his clothes until he was as naked as she, his body all muscular and toned.

  “Oh, Carlos,” she gasped, as his hardened length pressed against her.

  “Yes, my dear Sarah?”

  “I never realised – “

  “That it was so good?” He smiled as his lips drifted to her neck. “I would never have guessed that you would be so responsive, so eager to learn and so quick to orgasm.”

  He pushed her shoulders so she fell back onto the bed, then moved over her, his fingers combing through her hair as his lips hovered tantalisingly over hers, in a series of little kisses. Sarah relished the growing familiarity of his body. She was eager to continue her acquaintance with the feel of his silken skin that covered his powerful muscle, and the honed perfection of his chest. This time she knew what to expect. She knew exactly when he wanted her to part her legs, though the intimacy of his first thrust still took away her breath.

  She glanced up at him and could see the muscles rippling in his shoulders as he moved inside her. His lips brushed and bit and grazed hers, teasing until she could take no more and greedily raised her hands so she could pull his head down. She relished his changing rhythm, the way he clasped her waist so he could pull her even closer, until she felt so full of him that the only way she could release herself was to let go.

  As the exquisite tension broke, she cried out. A broken, strange sound that she did not recognise as her own voice. And almost immediately she heard Carlos give out his own deep growl. For a while she lay there wrapped in his arms, warm and comfortable, listening to the beat of his heart slowing as he subconsciously stroked her hair.

  Sarah slowly woke from her dreamy, sexually satiated state. As her mind became more focused she felt a sudden jolt as she realised sex could make you feel so vulnerable. And sex could bind you to a man, bind you so tightly that you wanted to cling on and never let him go.

  She realised that Carlos was still, so she turned to see if he was awake. Her movement caused him to stir and he gave out a lazy yawn. “Carlos?”

  “Yes, my dear?”

  “I've been thinking...” She stopped, unsure whether to continue. They may have shared intimacy but there was still something about him which intimidated her. “I don't know anything about you.” She spoke with feminine softness.

  “Yes, you do,” he argued smoothly. “You know how to turn me on with your big blue eyes, your luscious lips and those long slender legs. Each time we make love you turn me on even more. By the time you leave and go back home to the Lake District you will have the sexual knowledge to captivate any man you choose.”

  Sarah figured that was a compliment, but then again she wasn't so sure. In any event it didn't really relate to what she had said. “I mean I don't know anything about your life, Carlos.”

  His hand drifted down to her breast, he hated the feeling of being interrogated by a woman. It was never the right time to be asked such questions, and in the tranquillity of post-sexual relaxation it was even more inappropriate. He had hoped that the shop assistant would be a more docile lodger. He sighed. “What is it you want to know?”

  “Tell me how you've ended up living in Manchester.”

  “It's quite a long story.”

  “We have plenty of time, it's almost three weeks until Christmas.”

  Her charm and persistence intoxicated him, causing him to smile. His finger was resting on her nipple which he flicked delicately and slowly. “You are a persistent young lady, aren't you, Sarah?”

  She sucked her lip in between her teeth as she felt waves of pleasure rippling from where he was touching her. It was nice but she wasn't going to let him distract her. “I'm just interested.”

  He looked into her pink, cheerful face. “I told you I was born in Madrid?”

  “Mmm, I think so.” Sarah nodded her head and wriggled her body so she snuggled closer to him. “What's it like in Madrid?”

  He breathed in deeply, catching her fresh smell which struck some long hidden memory within him, as he allowed himself to think of the place of his birth. He kept his memories of Madrid out of bounds, exiling himself from his place of birth so even on his rare visits home, nostalgia or sentiment couldn't lure him.

  “It's a very beautiful city. Some people say it's the best city in Europe.”

  “So why live here, and not in Madrid?”

  “It's complicated. I play football here, so that's one reason. And I left many years ago now and never really thought I would go back to live there.”

  “But you must have friends and family there?” Then Sarah recognised the darkness underpinning his voice. “Did you have some kind of fall-out?” she guessed softly.

  Carlos looked into her face and felt a strange desire to talk to her. It was traditional for pillow talk between a man and his mistress to reveal secrets, or was this such a temporary arrangement that talking to her would have no real impact on
his life? She wasn't part of his circle of friends and she never would be. And suddenly, because of her gentle probing, he was curious to see what his buried memories would look like if he dragged them out for scrutiny once more.

  “It was a fall-out, I guess you could call it that.”

  “What happened?” For the first time since they met, Sarah felt she was communicating with him as his equal.

  Carlos swallowed hard as the thought of the betrayal dried his mouth. He stared at a distant point somewhere beyond the ceiling. “It began soon after the death of my parents. My mother died when I was sixteen – my father four years earlier.”

  “That must've been difficult for you,” she said. Her voice was naturally soothing and had a calming effect when she spoke softly.

  “It was, but I was young and had already signed to play football. It was a sad time but the club took me under their wing and I felt that my life was stretched out in front of me.”

  “So who did you have the fall-out with?” Sarah enquired.

  “Raul. He was my best friend. We had grown up together and were like brothers.” Carlos felt a sensation like pain as the memories came flooding back – more vivid than he expected.

  “We did everything together for as long as we'd been alive. We even got accepted to the Madrid youth team together. We were the up-and-coming stars for the future, everyone said we would be at the heart of the Madrid team for the next ten years.”

  “There was Rafaela too.” He changed tack. “She had thick black hair and eyes that shone like polished jet. She was my first love. We were like a golden couple, I was the football star and she was the local beauty – the woman that every man wanted. Yet she only had eyes for Carlos Rodriguez. I loved how she adored me and I knew my peers were envious.”

  “And what happened.”

  “I was about to play my first game for the first team. I wasn't yet seventeen so it was a very young age to be getting a game. I was about to sign a contract which would have made me very rich, and then it happened.” His voice was faltering.