The Billionaire's Terms: Prison Or Passion (7 page)

The Friday afternoon of the third week, he called her and told her she needed to dress up since they had to go out. Alicia hesitated on the phone. “Adam, what exactly do you mean ‘dress up’?” she asked carefully.

“I mean, wear something fancy. I have no idea what women call them but it must be elegant and sophisticated.”

Alicia bit her lip. “Adam, I don’t want to go out,” she lied. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out. It was more about the fact that she didn’t really have anything appropriate to wear. She spent her days in jeans and shorts and her nights in nothing at all.

She could feel his anger through the phone. “I don’t really care what you want. Be ready by six o’clock,” he snapped and hung up the phone.

Alicia wasn’t as calm. She was furious. She stormed out of the apartment and went for a long walk in the park. Should she just bend to his will? What were her alternatives? She could fight him all she wanted but the reality was, he could and probably would immediately call the police. He had a trump card and she couldn’t afford to call his bluff. Walking back into the penthouse an hour later, she glanced at the clock. It was already four o’clock. With a deep sigh, she grabbed her purse and her apartment key, then headed over to her old apartment. She picked up the only dress that might qualify, the one she’d worn that fateful night they’d met. Looking at it now, she wanted to crush it in her hands and rip it to shreds.

On the bus ride back, she wondered if she wasn’t being too harsh on the dress. After all, if she hadn’t worn the dress, she’d never have met Adam and he would have seen the evidence piled up against her and simply called the police. Since they had met, he’d given her a type of reprieve, if that was an accurate way to look at the situation. She was now in his luxurious apartment and the lover of a passionate man that took her breath away.

Looking at it that way, she should actually be grateful for this dress. It had probably saved her from a lot of legal expenses not to mention public humiliation.

Back in Adam’s penthouse, she stared at the dress in the mirror. It wasn’t so bad, she told herself. Life could be a whole lot worse. That didn’t stop the pang of anger that welled up inside of her though. She was still here and Adam made love to her every night but never spoke to her about anything other than mild inquiries into her day.

Taking the dress off the hanger and laying it on the bed, she accepted that she had no alternative but to wear the dress again and relive that night. She showered and changed into the red dress, no longer considering herself pretty or sexy in the color or style. She only felt cheap and used.

She couldn’t create the same effect with her hair as Maggie had that night so she settled for a sleek pony tail with a sophisticated clip at her nape.

 

Alicia was standing in the middle of his brown and tan living room, waiting for Adam when he walked in at six o’clock that evening.

 

“Reminding me of something?” he asked, his eyes traveling up and down her body clad in the red silk evening gown.

Alicia blushed, wishing she could appear more sophisticated around him. “No. This is the only dress I own,” she explained. “If you don’t like it, I’d be happy to change into one of my navy suits,” she said, her chin going up a notch as she returned his stare.

Adam noted the challenge in her face and walked over to her, staring down into her lovely, angry features. “Ah, the lady has fire outside of the bedroom as well,” he said, his knuckles coming up to her chin, rubbing gently. “I was wondering.”

After all her soul searching of the afternoon, she wasn’t going to take this kind of teasing tonight. Her eyes flashed fire as she said, “The lady has claws too,” she said, pulling her chin away and stepping backwards. “Like I said, if you don’t like it…” she left the suggestion dangling.

“Who said I didn’t like it?” he asked, his eyes moving down her slender figure that was lush in all the right places. “I think it looks beautiful on you.”

 

She was caught off guard by the compliment and confused by his gentle tone. “Th…thank you,” she said, her eyes losing some of the anger almost instantly.

“You’re welcome. But I’m guessing you are telling me that you need more clothes,” he said and turned away from her. “I told you I’d be generous. All you had to do was tell me,” he called back to her a moment before he disappeared into his bedroom.

Alicia just stood there staring at the empty doorway. “You are the most confusing man,” she said to herself.

Fifteen minutes later, Adam walked back out looking devastatingly handsome, freshly showered and shaved wearing a tailored tuxedo. “Ready?” he asked and offered his arm.

“Where are we going?” she asked, taking his arm and smiling tentatively at him.

 

“Dinner with a business acquaintance,” was all he would say to her.

Bill was at the front door waiting for them with the limousine door open. Within moments the car was smoothly carrying them through the heavy evening rush hour traffic with miraculous ease. They arrived at the restaurant only a few minutes later and were immediately shown to their party.

Adam introduced her to the people that were already gathered at the large table. They were foreign business people with their significant others and wives. Alicia sat next to Adam who basically ignored her throughout the entire meal. But she didn’t mind. He was listening intently to some sort of business arrangement with the men next to and across from her and she was perfectly content to listen to the women next to her discuss their children. The conversation was lively and humorous as the women told funny stories of their children’s antics.

When dessert arrived, the ladies excused themselves and made their way to the bathroom. Adam had already gone to another room, apparently to discuss a business issue so Alicia was left at the table for several minutes with no one to talk to. She felt incredibly alone all of a sudden and very self-conscious. She fiddled with the dessert of chocolate mouse, not really hungry at all but needing something to do with her hands and her eyes.

“Good evening,” a male voice said next to her.

Alicia looked up quickly and smiled at one of the husbands of the women who had just left. “Good evening. Richard, correct?” she asked, relieved to not be all alone again. The man had kind eyes, she thought.

“You look very lonely, sitting here by yourself. Where did everyone go?”

 

“Your wife and Doris are in the bathroom. They should be back any moment now.”

“That’s good,” he said. “Glad to know she hasn’t deserted me. I’d hate to have to get the kids dressed in the morning. Little hellions, you know,” he grimaced, taking a sip of wine.

Alicia laughed since his wife had just been talking about the morning routine in their house. “Yes, I’d heard that it can be a little chaotic.”

Richard laughed harshly. “Chaotic is a nice word for what goes on. What about you?” he asked, placing his wine glass down on the table and turning to face her. “What’s your story?’

Alicia was instantly wary. How did one explain that she was the unpaid mistress to a man who thinks she is a criminal? “Oh, you know, just the usual.”

 

Richard smiled. “I can’t imagine anything you do being usual. What line of work are you in?” he asked.

“I am an accountant,” she said, without lying. At least, she hoped she wasn’t lying. Was her license taken away? The thought made her heart skip several beats but she forced the panic aside. If that was the case, she’d deal with it later. Tonight wasn’t the time or place to worry about that.

“Interesting! I studied accounting in college one semester,” he said, shaking his head. “Never could understand all those debits and credits. Too much adding and subtracting. I always came up with the wrong answer.”

The people slowly filtered back to the table but the ladies didn’t take their old seats. As everyone shifted, Alicia found herself with Richard on one side of her and Adam on the other. Adam glared at her during the rest of her conversation with Richard, even though his wife was sitting right next to him, laughing and joking about the renovations on their kitchen and the issues surrounding the of feeding four children with no stove or refrigerator.

Once coffee was served, Adam stood up next to her. “Let’s dance,” he said and took Alicia’s hand without waiting for a reply.

Alicia almost didn’t stand up with him but the look in his eyes told her he wanted her to challenge him. She decided not to give in to him and cause a scene. But she stood stiffly in his arms as he guided her across the ballroom.

“Anger won’t work, my dear,” he said and pulled her closer to his body. “Nor will enticing Richard with that delectable body of yours. He doesn’t have enough money anyway but he won’t leave his wife for you.”

“What on earth are you talking about?” she asked, trying to pull out of his arms. She understood he was accusing her of something but wasn’t sure exactly what she might have done wrong in his eyes. “Richard is a very nice person and I’m completely aware that he’s married.”

“Yes. I’m glad you picked up on that.”

 

Alicia rolled her eyes. “How could I not have picked up on that little piece of information when I sat next to his wife all evening?”

His anger seeped through the pleasant façade he’d been projecting. He gritted his teeth while saying, “Then you know that they are a great couple. So don’t try and break them up just to save your own skin. He’d never be able to pay off your debt to me so just forget about it.”

Alicia gasped, horrified at what he was implying. “Are you saying I was flirting with Richard?” she demanded, wishing he would release her hand so she could slap him.

 

“Weren’t you?”

“Absolutely not!” she spat out at him. “They are a very nice couple and, unlike you, I take people at face value. All they talk about is their kids and I could easily tell that they are very dedicated to each other. It is nice to know there are normal couples out there that don’t see the world and the people in them as simple dollars signs. You have a very warped view of the world, Adam.” She looked away, not wanting for him to see the hurt in her eyes caused by his accusations. Alicia couldn’t believe that Adam had misinterpreted a simple, pleasant conversation as flirtation with another man.

“Just tell me you weren’t thinking of having Richard replace me once we’re through.”

 

“No!” she snapped, furious with him for believing such an awful thing. “You’re awful.”

There was a long silence and Alicia could feel his eyes looking at her features but she refused to look at him. She pretended to watch the other dancers but couldn’t really focus on them since she was too busy trying to keep the tears at bay. How could he think she was so low? Well, to give him credit, he didn’t really know her. All they had between them was sex. Great sex, she corrected. Well, actually, mind blowing sex. Even someone with her limited experience knew that. But that didn’t mean she liked the way he treated her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, sighing deeply.

Alicia blinked, sure she’d heard him incorrectly. He’d been quiet for so long, she’d assumed that they’d simply finish the dance and return to the table. But with his words, the music changed and he pulled her even closer, his breath gently moving the wisps of hair at her temples.

Alicia glared up at him. “Have you always been so autocratic?” she demanded, her teeth gritting at his irritating smile.

 

“Of course,” he said, chuckling low and deep in his throat. “Have you always been so sexy?” he countered.

 

“No. And don’t change the subject.”

 

“The previous subject bored me.”

She rolled her eyes and smothered a smile. Goodness, when he turned on the charm he was merciless. But she didn’t want to give in to him that easily. He’d been rude and insulting. “And therefore you must have your way in all things, correct?”

“Absolutely,” he replied, grinning unrepentantly.

She watched him for a moment. Then turned her face away before saying, “I don’t sleep around. And I wasn’t trying to entice Richard.” There, she’d said it. Whether he believed her or not, she didn’t care.

They danced for a long time and Adam held her close, almost as if he were enjoying simply holding her. Alicia wanted to believe that it might be true. It was definitely accurate on her part. She loved feeling the muscles underneath his dark suit and the expert way he held her and led her through the dance. But she knew it probably wasn’t real on his part. She imagined him thinking, working through all the problems to the business deal he had been discussing with the other men over dinner. The man probably didn’t know how to stop working.

She looked around, moving slightly closer so she could smell his after shave. It was spicy and so like the man she wanted to taste him. Her eyes glanced up at his and she was caught. The burning look in his eyes told her he was thinking exactly the same thing she was.

Alicia expected to be carted out of the restaurant right at that moment, but it didn’t happen. In fact, he pulled her closer himself, his arm wrapping around her waist so her body was almost absorbed into his. Alicia didn’t fight the feeling any longer. She laid her head down on his shoulder, her nose almost touching his neck and simply enjoyed being held in his strong arms.

The phone was ringing on the table next to her and Alicia groaned as she buried her head into the pillow. “Go away,” she called out. But nothing happened except the phone continued to ring.

She pulled the pillow off her head angrily, willing the phone to stop ringing. It didn’t. “Isn’t there an answering machine?” she asked, the ringing starting to really bother her.

After the fifteenth ring, she snatched up the receiver. “Hello!” she said, worried that the caller would be someone important. While she looked around for Adam, she pushed her hair out of her face and lifted the sheet higher over her nakedness.

“Alicia?” Adam’s voice came through the receiver.

 

“Adam? What are you doing calling me?” she asked, puffing the pillow behind her back.

 

“How else am I going to call you? Where is your cell phone, by the way?” he demanded.

“Cell phone?” she repeated, thinking hard. It was difficult since she was so tired. Adam was a demanding lover and she had been up several times last night. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was only nine o’clock in the morning. She usually woke about nine-thirty or ten o’clock, getting several hours of uninterrupted sleep after Adam left for the office each morning.