The Billionaire's Terms: Prison Or Passion (12 page)

Alicia got the message. Eleanor was completely infatuated with her husband and was no threat. over-reacted. reaction.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Alicia acknowledged that she had

Her only saving grace at the moment was that Adam hadn’t seen her

 

“That sounds lovely but you’ll have to guide me to the pool. I’m afraid I’ve never been here before.”

Eleanor’s eyes showed her surprise. “Really?” She looked over at Adam. “Shame on you for keeping this place a secret. This is a gem. But go get on your bathing suit and I’ll meet you back down here in a few minutes. These boys have to discuss terms so they’ll take a little while longer.”

Alicia looked over at Adam who imperceptibly nodded his head. When she smiled slightly, he winked at her, telling her without words not to worry about the afternoon.

Alicia turned away and started up the stairs after Eleanor. Why had he done that? She wondered. Adam was turning out to be a completely different man here in the country than he was in New York. She would have to guard herself against him. This lover-like attention could really go to her head.

Pulling on one of her new bathing suits, Alicia surveyed her figure in the mirror. She had always been slim since food had never been in abundance after her father’s conviction. But now she could see that she’d lost a great deal of weight over the past few weeks. She imagined the stress of the past month, being considered an embezzler, would do that to a person.

Shaking her head in disgust, she grabbed a fluffy white towel out of the bathroom and headed back downstairs. She opened the door to the bedroom just as Adam was walking in.

His eyes flashed angrily as he looked up and down her body. “Where the hell are you going dressed like that?” he demanded.

Alicia looked down at her bathing suit. It was relatively conservative she thought. The simple black maillot covered her in all the appropriate places although she knew that it hugged her curves. But all bathing suits do that. “What’s wrong with my bathing suit?” she asked, putting her hands on her hips. So long to the lover, back was the arrogant, domineering man who wanted to control each aspect of her life. “You should be happy about the suit,” she said, raising her chin slightly.

“Why is that?” he asked, slamming the door behind him impatiently. His eyes darkened and he took a step towards her. Then another.

Alicia stood her ground. She was not going to be intimidated by him this time. There was nothing wrong with her suit and he knew it. He was just being annoying. “Because there’s no place to hide anything I steal. Shouldn’t you have guessed that by now? I did it just for you!”

Adam snaked one arm around her waist and brought her scantily clad body closer to his. “Is that so? Is that the only reason you bought something so skimpy?” he asked, his tone showing her his anger.

Alicia tried to wriggle out of his tight hold but there was no way to get out of it. So she put her arms around his neck to make herself more comfortable. “First of all, it isn’t skimpy. It is perfectly acceptable compared to some of the other bathing suits I could be wearing. And secondly, I didn’t buy it. You did. So if you don’t like it, tough.”

“Is that so?” he repeated, his tone had softened and this really did intimidate her. “Well then, I guess it is my prerogative to demand that you take it off and put on something less revealing.”

“You could demand but since I don’t have anything less revealing, the alternative might be a little more risqué,” she said, her chin going up a notch in challenge. “What’s it to be, Adam? This bathing suit or…?”

Adam’s eyes narrowed at her defiant expression. “You’re in a pretty awkward situation, aren’t you?” he asked.

“Not at all,” she replied, lifting her shoulder gently. “We all have options. As I see it, I can go downstairs and talk with your friend, Eleanor in this perfectly reasonable bathing suit and play nice,” she said smoothly. “Or I can stay inside where their wallets and your silver are stored. While you and your friend Gary are out playing tennis, I could rob the three of you blind and no one would be the wiser until we got back to New York. I think I have plenty of space in my suitcase,” she said, her blue eyes flashing mischievously up at his dark, angry look.

Adam wasn’t sure what he wanted to do first to this lovely minx who threw him for a loop at almost every turn. He wanted to teach her a lesson for teasing him but he heard Gary’s door closing and knew they wouldn’t have much time before his friend was banging on the door. “You’re awfully saucy today, aren’t you?” he asked, releasing her a moment later. He pulled off his shirt and walked towards the wardrobe that was already filled with clothes he must keep here at the house because he certainly didn’t bring a large enough suitcase to have held an entire closet full of outfits. “But don’t think this conversation is over. We’ll discuss it later tonight,” he called out.

Alicia almost laughed but then she saw his bare back and her mouth went dry. Just at that moment, someone knocked on the door and she picked up her towel and walked to the door quickly. “I’m not worried,” she said, not looking at him any longer. Otherwise, she wouldn’t get out of the room, much less get to the pool.

Eleanor was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, a huge floppy hat on her head, chic sunglasses and a bright, yellow bathing suit with a smart looking sarong tied neatly at her waist. Alicia wished she’d had a perfect ensemble but she had to be satisfied with the extremely comfortable bathing suit she’d bought earlier in the day.

“Ready?” Eleanor called up to her, stuffing several more magazines into a matching yellow bag. “I’ve asked Rosa to bring us some drinks.”

 

“Who is Rosa?” Alicia asked as she descended the stairs.

 

“That’s Adam’s housekeeper and she is also the most amazing cook you’ll ever find. She’s priceless.”

 

“Does she stay here all the time?”

“She lives in the village and only comes to the house when Adam is out but she also maintains the house. Her husband maintains the yard and is in love with Adam since Jerry is allowed to do anything he wants with the grounds.”

They walked down a stone pathway that was surrounded on both sides with flowering bushes and weeping willow trees. Suddenly, the path opened up to a lovely pool bordered on all sides by flowers, potted flowering bushes and trees that seemed to bend over the patio, creating almost a canopy at one end of the pool. There was a waterfall at the other end and a bubbling hot tub on the opposite side. Chairs surrounded the pool in strategic areas and Alicia could see the tennis court about fifty feet away.

“This is lovely,” Alicia said, spreading her towel out onto a dark green chaise lounge.

“I agree. Adam loves it here. I don’t know why he lives in New York when he could spend more time out here. But I guess it’s because he likes the cut throat world of business. Gary used to be like that.”

“What changed him?” Alicia asked, more curious than she wanted to admit.

Eleanor smiled nostalgically. “I did. I showed him that there was more to life than work. Now he works hard, but he comes home at a reasonable hour and we travel a lot. He’s a much more likeable fellow these days.”

Alicia absorbed the other woman’s words and wondered what could possibly slow Adam down. He seemed driven in all aspects of his life. Even his lovemaking, if she could call it that since he wasn’t in love with her, was like a powerful force that overwhelmed every part of her sense.

Eleanor was a wonderful companion. She questioned Alicia on her relationship with Adam but when Alicia couldn’t really answer her, she moved on, talking about the history of the house and of the village, filling Alicia in on the silly gossip.

Meanwhile, Alicia watched as Adam and Gary walked through the pool area, tennis racquets in hand as they moved off towards the tennis courts. Alicia was mesmerized when they started playing. Both men were equally skilled at the game and both played to win. It was as if they put their whole life into winning just that serve, that game.

Alicia enjoyed watching the play of muscles across Adam’s back and arms, his legs flexing as he reached for a low ball or sprinting across the court to return a more difficult shot. It was like a dance in a way, she thought as Adam and Gary volleyed back and forth.

“So when did you fall in love with him?” Eleanor asked.

Alicia startled and looked away, only to have her eyes drawn right back to Adam’s incredible form as he served the ball. “Excuse me?” she asked, sure she hadn’t heard Eleanor correctly.

“It’s all over your face,” Eleanor said, laughing softly. “You’re in love with him. How long have you been in this crazy state?”

 

Alicia’s mouth dropped open. “I’m not in love with Adam.”

Eleanor laughed softly. “Then why can’t you tear your eyes away from him?” she asked, one eyebrow raised in a gentle query. “And why are you holding your breath each time he almost misses the ball?”

“Oh!” Alicia said, shaking her head in denial. “That’s only fascination. I’m not… Adam’s not…” she faltered. Alicia didn’t know how to explain the situation. “We’re just convenient,” she finished lamely.

Eleanor watched for another moment, noting how Alicia’s eyes darted right back to Adam. She smiled and slid her sunglasses higher on her nose and allowed her eyes to drift back to her own husband. “He’s only tough on the outside, you know.” She said. That got Alicia’s attention. “What do you mean?”

Eleanor’s smile faded slightly. “He’s been hurt by women in the past,” he said. “Not because he’s been in love but simply because he hasn’t found anyone worthy of love. He thinks women are silly and pointless; not for anything serious. Too many women have tried to corner him into marriage, tricking him in one way or another.”

Alicia’s hands clenched into a fist and her teeth clenched. “Why would they do that?”

Eleanor hid her smile at Alicia’s instantaneous anger on Adam’s behalf. “Because he’s impossibly wealthy, painfully handsome and incredibly powerful. That’s a strong aphrodisiac for many women. But he’s also razor sharp and not willing to let a woman make a fool of him. He’ll try and maintain control. But what he really needs, even if he won’t accept it, is a woman who loves him for himself and not for all the things she can get from him.”

Alicia knew that Eleanor thought that she was the person for Adam. Unfortunately, the other woman didn’t know the reality of the situation. If anything, Adam distrusted Alicia more than any of the women from his past. He thought she’d stolen from him. The other women had tried to cheat him but Adam genuinely thought that Alicia had made a fool of him. That certainly eliminated any possible future for the two of them, not that she’d want one anyway, Alicia told herself.

“I hope he finds that woman,” she said and forced herself to look away.

 

Eleanor wouldn’t let the subject drop yet. “You aren’t that woman?” she asked softly.

 

“No. Adam won’t ever fall in love with me,” Alicia replied, unknowingly revealing the sadness she felt in her heart.

 

“But that’s not true for you, is it?” she asked.

 

Alicia opened her mouth to reply but no words would form.

Eleanor pulled her sunglasses off and looked intently at Alicia. After a few moments, she seemed to come to some sort of conclusion. “I’m going to tell you something which very few people know. If Adam knew that I were telling you this he’d be very angry but I don’t think you’re the type of person who would abuse the knowledge.”

Alicia felt as if something momentous was going to be imparted and she braced herself. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear whatever Eleanor was going to say. Alicia could feel her stomach muscles clench and her shoulders stiffen. “I’m sure Adam’s the typical poor little rich boy,” Alicia tried to dismiss, a smile on her face.

Eleanor shook her head frantically. “No really! That’s completely the opposite of Adam. I’m not surprised that you would say that though. He’s pretty good at hiding his past.”

Alicia swallowed painfully. “What do you mean?” she asked. Half of her told her to get up and run away. A sixth sense told her that whatever Eleanor was going to tell her would be too painful to hear. But another part of her longed to know more about this enigmatic man that had dominated her life, not just for the month she’d been living under his roof but for the past two months, knowing that Adam had occupied her thoughts almost every moment, both sleeping and awake, since that fateful night she’d met him at his company party.

Eleanor looked over at the two men still sparring on the tennis courts. “Adam wasn’t brought up in wealth. The complete opposite in fact. His mother was actually a drug addict that lost custody of him when he turned two years old. He grew up in a series of awful foster homes.”

Alicia frowned. “I thought Adam went to Oxford for university.”

“He did. But that was on scholarship because he really is a genius. His IQ is much higher than the average smart person. I don’t know what it is, but he knows more than most people could ever dream of knowing.”

“Then, how did he get into Oxford. I thought it was a haven for the rich and privileged.”

Eleanor laughed. “There’s no denying that it definitely has a history of taking the crème of British society. But you have to be pretty smart, nevertheless. Otherwise, you’d never make it through the classes. And Adam was at the top of his graduating class.”

“Really?” Alicia gasped, impressed despite herself.

“Really,” Eleanor confirmed. “But that’s not really what makes Adam tick. He’s a brilliant businessman and can find profit in just about any endeavor. Your real challenge is going to be his distrust of women.”

Alicia had to ask. She knew she shouldn’t but the question came out anyway. “Why does he distrust women?”

Eleanor grimaced and Alicia thought she wasn’t going to answer her. But then she looked over at the tennis courts one more time. “Because his mother is the worst woman that has ever set face on this earth,” she said simply.

Alicia gasped. “The worst?” she laughed but it came out as a squeak instead. “Surely not all that,” she joked.

Eleanor shook her head. “After Adam made his first million, he was only about twenty-one or twenty-two. The evil woman found him and pretended to be redeemed. She said she wanted to prove to Adam that she could be a good mother to him.”