The Billionaire's Terms: Prison Or Passion (9 page)

Adam was silent, waiting, obviously knowing that she wanted to talk about it. “But even that day wasn’t the worst.”

 

“What was the worst?” he asked gently.

Alicia was quiet for so long, he wondered if she was going to answer him. She stared out into the dark night, probably not seeing anything but the memories. “The worst day was when my father was convicted. But even while that moment was bad, I knew it was going to happen. My mother made us come to the trial every day, to show our support for our father. Maggie and I sat there, heard the accusations, heard all the evidence that pointed so obviously to what he’d done.”

“But the worst moment?” he asked.

“It was when we came back to the almost empty house and my mother broke down.” She shuddered at the memory. “Seeing her crumble onto the floor, desolate, incapable of helping Maggie or me. It was terrifying.”

“So you took care of your sister all those years as well as your mother.” It was a statement and the words were filled with understanding.

Alicia turned to face him, her jaw set and her lips tight. “Yes. I took care of all three of us. But I didn’t steal any money to do it.” She took a deep breath, blinking back the tears that were hovering on her eyelashes. “I would never put anyone through that kind of hell.”

Without another word, she walked into the bedroom. She showered and brushed her teeth, then pulled on an old tee-shirt. Curling into bed, she closed her eyes, willing the painful memories to ease. She hated thinking back to those days. It did no good. The trial had been horrible, seeing her father sitting in the hard, wooden chair, hearing the accusations being flung in his direction. He just sat there, slumped over and looking…pathetic.

Just as much as her father’s actions had created the situation, her anger and humiliation during those long, awful months had created this one. She was in this penthouse initially because she would never put her sister through that kind of experience. But also because she was in love with Adam.

The tears eventually fell but she remained silent, even after she felt the bed dip, knowing that Adam had come to bed.

He didn’t pull her towards him, obviously respecting the fact that she needed space tonight. It was the first night in more than a month in which he hadn’t touched her, made love with her. But Alicia was grateful. If he’d touched her, she might have exploded and she wasn’t sure she could pull herself back together.

Adam laid in the bed, knowing that Alicia was crying. Her words sifted through his mind and he tried to come to terms with why she had stolen so much money from him. She’d learned from her father, obviously. It was the same pattern as his thefts but she hadn’t flaunted her stolen money with the neighbors. Although there was no trace of her spending the money, he knew it had gone to her sister’s education or her mother’s care. He sighed heavily, unsure of where to go now. He understood her better but he couldn’t reconcile the woman who smiled so easily, but hid so much behind that smile.

On Saturday of the third week, Adam rolled over and pulled her against his side. “I think it is time we get you out of your jeans and shorts and into something a little more festive.”

“What did you have in mind?” she asked, putting her hands on his shoulders, relaxing under his tender gaze.

 

“I think you should pull on a bathing suit and let’s spend the day near the ocean,” he said.

 

“Ocean?” Alicia repeated skeptically.

 

“Exactly,” he replied and climbed out of bed. “You’d better hurry. You’ll need to pack.”

 

Alicia sat up on her elbows, completely flabbergasted and confused. “Pack? What happened to spending a day near the ocean?”

His smile was roguish as he gently bit then kissed her shoulder. “Well, we have to get there, don’t we?” he said. Without another word, he winked at her, then disappeared into the shower.

Alicia stared after him, wondering what he could possibly be planning. She pulled the sheet back and slid her arms into her silk robe that had been lying on the chair next to the bed. She picked up the matching silk negligee, shaking her head at how long it had stayed on her body. If her nightgown lasted more than five minutes, that would be a record. She often wondered why she even bothered putting it on but then blushed at the idea of coming to bed naked. That would just be too risqué. She wasn’t sure if she was up to that kind of blatant invitation, not that Adam needed one.

The next seventy-two hours were magical for Alicia. Adam took her to the airport and they boarded his private plane. As soon as they were airborne, Alicia looked over at him and demanded, “Adam, where are we going?”

Adam laughed, knowing that she had been dying of curiosity all morning. “I told you, to the ocean.”

 

Alicia eyed him carefully, considering what her next question would be. “What country is this ocean next to?” she finally asked.

 

He grinned. “You’re learning,” he said. “How about Greece?”

 

Alicia had to laugh at his charming grin. “And what if I said I didn’t like Greece?”

 

“Then we’d turn around and head to the Caribbean.”

 

She smiled at his grin. “I’m sure you’ve been to hotels all over the world. What’s your favorite place to visit?”

 

“Well I don’t actually stay in hotels in either Greece or the Caribbean. But I have to say I like Aruba a great deal. Very nice island. Great food too.”

 

She was stuck on his previous comment. “What do you mean you don’t stay in hotels? Where do you stay?”

 

“I have houses in both countries,” he said, matter-of-factly.

 

Her jaw dropped open in shock. “You have three houses? Do you rent them out when you aren’t using them?”

 

Adam laughed. “No. I don’t rent them out although I have friends who use them occasionally. And just so you know, I actually have six houses.”

Alicia was gripping the arms of her leather chair. “Six?” she asked, sitting up a little straighter in her chair. “Good grief Adam!” she gasped. “What on earth do you do with six houses?”

“I work hard and I play hard. I like having the conveniences of home whenever possible.”

Alicia shook her head. “Adam, I hate to tell you this but you could just pack an extra bag so you’d have all the conveniences of home. You don’t actually have to have your own home.”

Adam threw back his head and laughed, then pulled her forward. “Alicia, you’re very cute when you’re being frugal.”

 

She couldn’t respond since his mouth covered hers, and with that, all thought of admonishing him for his excessive number of houses flew out the window.

They spent the next three days laying on his private beach in Greece, swimming in the azure water, eating fresh seafood either prepared by a local woman who came in to take care of the house and cook while he was in residence, or going out to the local restaurants. It was a fantasy weekend where nothing mattered except for when to wake up and fall asleep. Adam was an amazing lover, anticipating all of her needs to the point of making sure she had fresh coffee as soon as she woke up, even if he was already out in the ocean swimming for exercise.

He showed her how to snorkel and even gave her diving lessons although they didn’t go very deep since she wasn’t certified. They explored reefs and caves, laid in the sand letting the sun heat their bodies, wind surfed and just enjoyed being outside and in the fresh air.

It was a complete novelty for Alicia who had spent the last ten years working every day of her life, usually more than one job and sometimes even two extra jobs just to pay all the bills. Spending time simply enjoying herself, being spoiled by the surf and Adam’s charm, she felt like a completely different person.

The only cloud hanging over her happiness was the fact that Adam still thought of her as a criminal. She stopped professing her innocence and just accepted that this period in her life was special and she’d simply have to enjoy it until it ended. At that point, she’d figure out how to pick up the pieces of her life and move forward.

Flying back to New York Monday night was almost depressing. The air in Greece had been dry and hot. New York was humid with the chance of rain coming down from the north so it would turn colder with that imminent rain.

It also meant that she wouldn’t see Adam every day. In Greece, she could look out her window and find him either in the ocean or on the beach or maybe even sitting on the patio reading the Greek newspaper while sipping the thick, dark coffee. By morning, he’d be back in the office and she’d be all alone, wondering how to fill in her days until Adam came back in the evening.

She hated the fact that she’d fallen in love with the man. For as sure as the sun would come up the next day, Adam would grow tired of her. She was amazed that he hadn’t so far. But he would. He wasn’t the kind of man who would stay with one woman for long.

But why would she want to? There was no future with him. She had to keep reminding herself that she was here as part of her “punishment”. It was hard to separate herself and her position from her feelings for him.

If only he’d remained the hard, callous man she’d encountered in the office that day, she told herself. That was a man she desired, but definitely didn’t like. Getting to know him had also changed her feelings and that would only create heartache down the road.

Gone was the hard and demanding lover of the first week. Adam she found, was a very sweet man, free with compliments and full of humor. After coming home, his first priority was always making love. Sometimes it was fast and furious and other times it was so slow and painfully sweet she was almost in tears and begging him to give her body the release it needed. After making love, they usually heated up whatever Gerald had left for them and he would tell her about his day, relaying the silly or impractical ideas that had come across his desk, ready with very dry sarcasm as he talked to her about the foibles of the business world.

She listened intently, loving the way he shared his day with her but also wishing she had something to share with him as well. She’d always loved numbers and the story they told but she also remembered her high school love of writing.

That memory stirred her that first morning back from Greece. She looked out the window at the bright, morning sunshine as she sipped her strong coffee and considered her options. She could mope around the house feeling sorry for herself and lonely because she didn’t have anyone to talk to. Or she could occupy her time doing something that she’d probably never have a chance to do again in her life. Adam was taking care of all of her living expenses. Why couldn’t she start writing something?

She actually had no idea what she’d write but the thought of putting her mind to use, generating something creative and challenging enticed her. Her mind worked through all the possible issues, then figured out how to get around them. There weren’t many problems except the need for a computer and a plot.

The plot she could easily take care of. She searched Adam’s office, initially feeling guilty for going through his desk. But she found a pad of lined paper and a pen, then took her coffee out to the terrace and started jotting down notes.

It was time for lunch before she stopped and realized she’d filled up almost ten pages of notes. Towards the end, she’d even started writing out the dialog and building the characters. She made herself a sandwich and carried her notebook to the park, continuing to write down more thoughts, more ideas and building up the images of her scenes and characters.

The next morning, right after Adam left for the office, Alicia quickly showered and changed into her jeans and a tee-shirt. Adam was extremely generous with his money and had given her so much money for just spending on whatever she pleased. But she hadn’t spent any of it yet, not knowing anything she wanted to buy that he had not already gotten for her.

She didn’t need anything too strong but wanted something reliable. At the computer store, she spoke with the salesperson and finally was talked into buying a lower-priced laptop versus a complete desktop computer. She was so excited, she hurried home and set it up, proud of herself for being able to do the task on her own. Generally, she was pretty inept when it came to computer problems.

But as her fingers smoothed over the top of the keyboard, ready to start writing, she had no idea what she wanted to write.

 

“Yoo-hoo!” a male voice said from the doorway.

“Hi!” Alicia said, flustered as Gerald walked into the penthouse, loaded down with groceries. “I wasn’t expecting you for another hour,” she said and rushed over to help him carry everything into the kitchen.

“Well, I thought about what we were talking about last week and brought you some extra ingredients,” he said then laughed at her shocked expression. “Oh, don’t assume that everyone is as insensitive as that awful man you’re living with,” he said in his usual casual manner.

“Adam is insensitive?” she repeated out loud, following behind him.

“Sure he is. He’s the only one I cook for and he only eats about half of whatever I make for him. At least until you showed up and now everything has been gone by the end of the week.” He looked back and winked at her. “I guess you’re keeping him in instead of going out to all those fancy restaurants the other women used to drag him to,” he chuckled.

Alicia blushed because they had been spending most nights in. In bed, that is. After making love, they would shower and heat up whatever was left in the refrigerator for that night.

Gerald tsked approvingly at her reaction. “Lovely blush, my dear girl which is extremely telling,” he said and started unloading the groceries. “But suffice it to say, I have been cooking for your hunky man for over five years and he has never said thank you or even told me what his preferences were in foods. I’m constantly guessing. And since he never tells me that one meal or another was good, I have no clue. About two years ago, I gave up trying to entice the man and now just throw together whatever I feel like cooking,” he explained, busily laying out the ingredients for the next week’s meals.

Alicia was astonished that Gerald really was hurt by Adam’s lack of communication. She thought back to the recent meals they had shared. “I know he liked the chicken you cooked last week,” she said.