The Billionaire's Blackmail Bargain

She found herself hungering for his kisses, wondering whether they would be the same as they had been or whether he’d improved. She used to think that was impossible; how could you improve on perfection? But where Cade was concerned she was quickly beginning to learn that anything was feasible.

In the centre of the table was a red rose in a bud vase. Simone hadn’t noticed it before, and she winced as she remembered that this was Cade’s signature tune before spending a romantic evening together.

She felt like picking the vase up and flinging it across the room, but of course she didn’t. She ignored it, sitting perfectly still instead.

‘You’ve gone very quiet all of a sudden,’ said Cade as he filled their wine glasses. ‘What are you thinking?’

His voice, deep and amused, had her looking up with a startled expression in her lovely eyes. ‘Nothing,’ she answered.

‘Impossible. Unless, of course, by nothing you mean that I was the object of your thoughts, mmm?’

Of course he knew that she’d been thinking about him. He’d always had an invisible antenna that picked up on her thoughts whenever he was in them. It looked like some things never changed, and that she’d need to be even more wary in future.

‘It would be pretty ridiculous not to think about you when you’re right here in front of me,’ she replied sharply.

Cade raised his glass. ‘Here’s to us, then. To a successful partnership.’

Simone eyed him warily. ‘Partnership?’ She wasn’t aware that she had agreed to anything yet.

‘What else would you call it?’

‘Nothing,’ she said quickly, trying to dismiss the fact that she’d been thinking he might want a complete takeover. ‘To our partnership,’ she agreed reluctantly, lifting her glass too, knowing she had absolutely no other choice.

‘And to the future,’ he said. ‘Whatever that might hold.’

There was silence for a few seconds, each deep in their own thoughts, and then Cade smiled and said, ‘I’ve ordered oysters for our entrée, Simone. Kilpatrick, just as you like them.’

He remembered. But oysters? Oysters and champagne— both aphrodisiacs, allegedly! Was that what this evening was all about? Did he want to get her into his bed?

The very thought sent serious sensations zinging their way through her. She tightened the muscles at the apex of her thighs, and vowed not to let herself give way to temptation. The trouble was he was still so utterly, utterly gorgeous. Long, dark lashes framed his amazing golden eyes, his nose was straight and only slightly flared, and his mouth—not too generous, not too small— Well, she ached to be kissed by those exciting lips.

‘Of course, there’d be interest to pay.’ He was back to the main topic of conversation.

Faint alarm had her looking sharply at him. ‘Even though you’d be a partner?’

‘Even so.’ He pushed himself up and walked ever so slowly round the table towards her, his eyes on hers every inch of the way, never deviating, never blinking.

Simone’s heartbeats increased to a treacherous level. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like what he had to say next. He wasn’t talking about money here, it was something far more dangerous.

‘So what is it exactly you want from me, Cade?’ she asked when he came to a halt at her side. She could feel the heat of his skin, see the dark pupil in the centre of his eyes, smell the dangerous male scent of him. Every one of her senses was on high alert.

‘I’ll turn your company around in return for…’

Simone knew what he was doing. He was testing her nerves, wanting to see whether she’d back out before he put any clauses into their agreement. She stood up and looked straight into his face, trying not to show the panic swirling inside her.

His golden eyes blazed into hers, claiming her, making her his before he’d even spoken. ‘In return for you in bed beside me. Every night. As my mistress. No concessions. If you want to keep your business, you’ve no choice.’

CHAPTER THREE

CADE watched Simone’s changing emotions. Her outrage at his suggestion that she become his mistress was exactly what he’d expected. She would come round, though. He was prepared to bet his last dollar on it. She’d made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want to lose her company.

In theory he already part-owned it.

His lips thinned as he recalled that fateful day when he’d signed his inheritance away. Despite her protestations, Simone had been involved in that and he wanted to take hold of her and shake her until she begged for mercy. Then he smiled to himself. Making her his mistress would definitely be a more pleasurable way of punishing her than anything else he could think up.

She’d already sent out enough signals to show her interest, and he knew that she was going to agree to his request. It was simply a matter of fighting her conscience. It amused him to watch the conflicting emotions cross her face.

‘Surely you must know I can’t do it?’ she asked, her deeply violet eyes sparking with indignation, her whole body rejecting his suggestion. ‘I cannot possibly prostitute myself like that.’

Cade struggled to control lips desperately trying to smile. She looked beautiful in her anger, so much so that he wanted to kiss her. In fact, he wanted to take her to bed right now. ‘From where I’m standing you don’t have much choice,’ he said, his heart leaping at the thought of the pleasure that would stem from such a liaison.

‘Everyone has a choice,’ she told him heatedly. ‘I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do.’

‘So you’d rather lose your company?’ He moved a few inches closer. ‘The choice is yours, Simone. But if you do agree then the repayment will be as I have outlined. What you and your father did to me was unpardonable, Simone. If I help you, then you owe me big time.’

‘My father—’

He didn’t allow her to finish. His eyes hardened. ‘Forget the excuses. They won’t wash, and I’m tired of hearing them.’ Anger surfaced as memories returned.

‘So you want my body instead?’ she snapped.

‘I’m simply eliciting a long-overdue payment,’ he answered tersely. ‘And, if you care as much about MM Charters as you profess, you really have no other option.’

Exactly, thought Simone. But she sure as hell wasn’t going to let him walk all over her. She was no pussycat; this cat had claws, and she would use them if necessary. However she felt about Cade, the thought of becoming his mistress was both exhilarating and devastating at the same time. It would be the ultimate humiliation for her—but would the saving of her company more than make up for it?

‘I’ll need to think about it,’ she said quietly.

But Cade shook his head. He had no intention of letting her go that easily. When he’d seen her in the restaurant it had set off a chain of emotions, and he’d known there and then that he had to have her one more time. Treading gently wasn’t part of his make-up, and if he wanted something he went all out to get it. He’d applied that principle in every aspect of his life, both business and personal, and he wasn’t about to change. ‘I’m sorry, Simone, but I need an answer now or the offer’s withdrawn,’ he told her none too gently.

He enjoyed watching the battle she had with herself. She turned away from him and crossed towards the window, folding her arms and staring out blindly into the night.

‘Perhaps,’ he said quietly, following her, ‘I should give you a taste of what you’ll be missing should you turn down my offer.’ And without even waiting for a response he twisted her round into his arms. He felt her limbs go taut and he knew that she would hate every moment. Nevertheless he snaked a hand round the back of her neck and lowered his face to hers.

When their lips met sensations flew in all directions. His body flooded with red-hot desire. He kissed her deep and hard, running his tongue inside her mouth, tasting the sweetness of her, feeling her involuntary response.

Fire raged in his chest, in his loins, and he wanted her so badly that it hurt. She smelled so heavenly, tasted so good, that he didn’t want to let her go.

If this was an indication of things to come, should Simone agree to his conditions, then the whole experience would be well worth the cost. He’d be getting the business he wanted and the sweetest of revenges into the bargain.

Simone’s heart drummed unsteadily. It felt like a live thing in her breast, hollering to be let out. Panic stations had set in when Cade had kissed her, and despite lecturing herself on the stupidity of returning his kiss she’d been unable to help herself. It had been an instinctive response to a man who could liquefy her bones with one glance. A man who could turn her world upside down without even speaking.

One touch and she was putty in his hands. One dark glance out of those devilishly golden eyes and she was his. She hated herself for being weak, but in truth she wanted his kisses; she wanted him to make love to her.

He created excitement such as she had never experienced before. Not even when they’d been going out together. Everything had intensified. But to barter her body for a business deal—could she even consider doing such a thing? Her answer was a resounding yes. MM Charters meant everything to Simone, and she had to be honest and admit that it wasn’t as though she wouldn’t enjoy sleeping with Cade. It would be mind-blowing, like it always had been between them. But it was the afterwards that bothered her. How would she feel then, when it was all over? When Cade had finished using her and had discarded her—would she be able to walk away too?

She dared not think along those lines. She had felt dead inside for months after he’d gone last time. She had to think of this moment, of the trouble she was in now, and Cade’s offer of help.

Simone drew in a deep breath, closed her eyes and then snapped them open, finding herself looking into a barrier of intense gold. ‘I’ll do it,’ she said quickly before she could change her mind.