The Mistress Deal

Chapter five

I automatically wokeearly in the morning to get ready for work. I sat up in bed and went to get out, but Nathan grabbed me lightly on the arm, pulling me back down to him.

“Why are you awake so early?” he asked.

“I have to go to work.”

“No, you don’t. I told you that you have to take some time off,” he replied calmly.

I turned to look at him, knowing disbelief and horror was written all over my face. “You can’t be serious, Nathan? I have to work.”

“I’m very serious. I told you I’m not going to share you.” I went to protest, but Nathan interrupted me. “No buts. That’s the way it’s going to be. You are not working.” Nathan’s voice turned cold and hard and I knew he wasn’t mucking around about this.

“Nathan, how am I going to keep up with paying for my house? I still have bills to pay even if I’m not there.”

“I’ll take care of that. All you have to worry about is being my mistress,” he said as a dark smile formed on his mouth.

“Well, what am I supposed to do all day? I’ll go crazy sitting around the house all day. I’ve never been good at doing nothing.”

Nathan shrugged. “Read a book, swim, I don’t know. You’ll find something.”

Nathan dropped a kiss on my forehead and slid out of bed. He showered and dressed into a dark suit, while I lay in his bed feeling royally peeved off. He left for work, leaving me alone to fill the day until he returned.

I swam, read some of a book that I’d brought from home and watched a movie in Nathan’s huge media room. I had dinner alone at seven o’clock, then at nine-thirty I went to bed still feeling peeved off. Nathan still hadn’t returned home from work.

A noise woke me up from a restless sleep and I turned to face the clock beside the bed, a sigh escaping my lips. It read ten-thirty.

“Sorry Rose, I tried not to wake you,” Nathan whispered as he walked into the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on, Nathan’s clothes hit the floor and the shower door open and close. Fifteen minutes passed and Nathan came and got into bed beside me, smelling delicious and clean. He snuggled up to me and within minutes he was sound asleep.

***

WHEN I WOKE THE NEXTmorning, I noticed I was alone in bed. I sat up and I could see Nathan sitting on the balcony eating breakfast.

“Good morning, Rose. Sleep well?” Nathan asked as I sat down beside him.

“Alright, I guess,” I said as I reached for a small bowl to put in some of the fruit salad that Jane had prepared for breakfast.

“Did you keep yourself occupied yesterday?” Nathan put down his iPad to give me his full attention.

“Just. I’m not the sort of person who can just sit around all day. Let me go to work, Nathan,” I pleaded. “Please?”

“No, and I’m not going to have this argument every morning. You agreed to be here, you play by my rules. I don’t want to share you with anyone and I don’t want you out there helping your brother.”

“Well, can I at least go to the beach or the shops? Somewhere?”

“No. I’ll take you on the weekend,” he said calmly.

I hated the way he spoke to me like a child. I sighed and started to eat my breakfast. I really didn’t know how long I could put up with this. It had only been a day and I was ready to snap, my patience wearing thin.

Nathan stood up and dropped a light kiss on my forehead. He said a quick goodbye and left for work, leaving me alone once again. He hadn’t even stayed until I’d finished my breakfast.

I tried to fill the morning by swimming and reading. I was becoming so bored I could barely stand another moment. I couldn’t even clean to pass away time, because Jane did all the cleaning. I couldn’t even cook to pass time because the chef went crazy every time I stepped into his kitchen.

I wandered around the outside of the house and came across Sam washing the cars.

“Hey Sam,” I said, sitting down on the front step to watch him.

“Hello Miss Sommers.”

“Where’s Neil?”

“He took Jane to do the shopping and to run some errands.”

“Yeah?” I said wishfully. “I wish I could have gone shopping as well.” Even grocery shopping appealed to me at the moment.

Sam smiled, but continued to wash the SVU. I sat and watched him, just enjoying being in someone else’s company. Truthfully, I was feeling a little lonely.

“Does Nathan always get home so late, Sam?” I asked as he finished washing and started to polish.

“Most of the time. Running a company the size of his is not an easy job, I imagine.”

I nodded. I knew that Nathan was a busy man. He was involved in a lot of things around Australia, television, hotels, finance, and construction. His work and success were always in the business pages of the newspapers.

“What do you do all day?”

“I mainly drive. Nathan uses this for business as well. I pick people up from the airport and take them to see Nathan, or he gets me to drive his parents around when they’re in town, that sort of thing,” he shrugged.

“And Neil?”

“He has more to do with security. Here and at the office.”

I sat in the sun for a bit, then I said goodbye to Sam and went back inside to watch some more mind-numbing television.

Nathan returned home from work late again, like the previous night, at ten-thirty. This time however, I was awake. Again, he had a shower and got straight into bed, the exhaustion clear on his face.

“How do you live like this, Nathan?” I asked softly as he flicked on the television to watch the late-night news.

Nathan sighed. “I do what I have to, to keep my businesses running.”

“Maybe you need more staff?” I was hinting for me to go to work with him. Anything to get me out of this house. Nathan turned off the television and rolled over, putting an end to the conversation.

***

AS I SAT BY NATHAN’Spool on the third day in a row, I’d taken all I could. I’d swam, read, and watched way too much daytime television. I was bored and needed to get out of the house before I went crazy. It wasn’t like a holiday, because with holidays you had restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and human interaction. This was house arrest. Even with Nathan home, at least I had someone to argue with, but with his long hours I’d barely seen him.

“Rose, are you out there?” I heard Nathan call. I looked at my watch, it was only five-thirty. He was home?

“Yes, I’m out here. Where else would I be?” I called out, my tone dry.

Nathan walked over to me, his big frame blocking the last of the afternoon sun. I looked up at him and a tingle ran through my body at the sight of him. He looked fantastic in a suit. Nathan’s body was perfection. I’d never seen anyone fill a suit so perfectly. He looked powerful, intimidating and so, so manly. I couldn’t stop myself staring at him from behind my dark sunglasses.

“How was your day?” Nathan asked as he sat down on the side of my deck chair. His leg pressed lightly against mine and I was surprised when I could feel more than my skin warm at his touch. I really had been alone for too long.

“Terribly boring. How was yours?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Nathan frowned. “Tiring. I wish I could sit around a pool all day and do nothing.”

“We’ll swap then. I’ll go to work and you can stay home.”

“I don’t think so.” He looked down at my slightly burnt decolletage. “I hope you’re not getting to much sun out here.”

I sighed. I hated it when he treated me like a child. “I’m not. I do know how to look after myself.”

“Well, come inside anyway. I want to show you something.”

Curious, driven by days of boredom, I stood up and followed Nathan upstairs and into his bedroom. Sitting on the bed was a large white box with a black ribbon wrapped around it.

“What is this?” I asked suspiciously.

“It’s for you,” Nathan smiled. “Open it.”

I carefully slid the ribbon off the box and opened the lid, not quite sure what to expect. Laying inside on delicate pink tissue paper was a beautiful cream-coloured silk dress. I gingerly lifted it out and held it up against my body. It was divine. It came to just above my ankles and it had thin shoulder straps on each side. There was delicate embroidery around the bodice and it dipped low in the back. It was easily the most beautiful dress I’d ever seen. I could see the label hanging out and even I knew it was from a very expensive store.

“Nathan, this is stunning. What’s it for?” I held the dress up against my body and admired myself in the full-length mirror inside the wardrobe.

“There’s a party I have to attend tonight. You’re going to be my date.”

I hated that it was an order, not an invitation. “You mean I get to leave this house?” I asked, not bothering to hide my sarcasm.

“Yes Rose. And remember, as far as anyone is concerned, you and I are dating. You have to treat me as though you’re actually fond of me.”

“I’m sure it will be a struggle, but don’t worry, Nathan. I’m not going to embarrass you.”

We both went and showered, still separately, and then met back up in Nathan’s bedroom. When I emerged from the bathroom, hair and makeup done to perfection, Nathan was standing out on the balcony. He turned when he heard the door open and I felt my pulse quicken. He looked so handsome. A dark grey suit encased his large frame, his face freshly shaved. He looked so powerful and intimidating. It was a shame he was so horrible, because he really was the most attractive man I have ever seen. There were feelings running throughout my body that I’d never experienced before, that I didn’t know what to do with. But I knew it was going to take more than a good-looking man to capture my heart. I would never fall for someone so heartless.

The dress Nathan had chosen for me fit me like a glove, showing off every single curve of my body. It was like nothing I’d ever owned. While I was nervous and out of my depth, I had never felt so womanly. My hair was swept up high, leaving my neck exposed and the high heels I was wearing made my legs look long and shapely. I had never felt so sexy. I don’t think I had ever felt sexy before. I could feel a blush rise to my cheeks as Nathan watched me approach him.

“Rose, you look very beautiful,” Nathan said, walking inside to stand beside me. I could feel him breathe in my perfumy scent.

“Thank you.” I felt surprising shy. I hadn’t been expecting Nathan to compliment me.

Nathan led me outside to the SUV with Sam and Neil sitting in the front. It took us into the heart of the city and stopped in front of a well-known, very expensive hotel.

“Is this going to be a big party?” I asked, feeling my nerves flutter in my stomach.

I’d always lead a quiet life, never into the party scene. Even in my teens I’d never gone out and partied. Now that we were here, I could feel my confidence slipping. I was way out of my depth.

“Not really. Just a few close friends.”

A few close friends turned out to be easily three hundred people. Butterflies flapped in my stomach as I walked into the stylish, and large ballroom at the hotel. I had never felt so out of my league or so plain in my life. The women were all exquisite, like supermodels.

“This is a few close friends?” I whispered as we got out of the lift and walked inside. Nathan smiled a sly, knowing smile. He knew I wasn’t prepared for a party like this and I knew he was enjoying the fact that it was rattling me.

I wasn’t surprised to see people turn to look at us curiously as we walked past. I guess I was somebody new and to them, I could have been anyone. The thought didn’t settle my nerves though, I was still feeling way out of my element.

“Nathan, you’re here. How are you?” called a tall, blond-haired man. He walked over to us and firmly shook Nathan’s hand with the familiarity of friends.

“Hello Dustin,” Nathan smiled. “I’m great. How are you?”

“Fantastic. I see things are going well for you.” He smiled knowingly at me and slowly looked me up and down, making me feel awkward and uncomfortable. I instantly disliked the man.

Nathan gave him a smile, but I noted it was a little tight around his eyes. “This is Rose,” Nathan said simply, and he surprised me by looking down at me and giving me a reassuring smile.

Dustin and I exchanged greetings and Dustin excused himself to go and mingle. But not before giving me another sleazy onceover.

“Just relax, honey. You look nervous. Don’t worry about Dustin, he’s a flirt, nothing more,” said Nathan. “I won’t let him bother you.” He sounded so sincere that I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s my girl.”

Oh boy. My girl?

He reached down and took hold of my hand and I was surprised again when I enjoyed the feeling of his big hand wrapped around mine. We walked around for a while and Nathan introduced me to everyone, never once treating me like just a piece of ‘arm candy’, like I had expected him to. I did note that most of the single young women were not very happy to meet me, some even brazenly flirted with Nathan right in front of me like I wasn’t even there. I didn’t care though, he wasn’t my man and I’d never had anyone jealous of me before. It was a novelty.

Later in the night, Nathan and I found ourselves seated on a lounge chair alone. It had been an exhausting whirl of people, names, faces and business talk for me, but I was having a good time. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone out to any sort of party. Nathan and I had both enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and I could see Nathan’s features had softened with the alcohol in his system.

“I don’t think I’m very popular here,” I said, a slight smile forming on my lips, the champagne making me feel light and comfortable.

“Oh?” Nathan asked, raising an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”

“Because I’ve taken one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors off the market,” I mused, my smile spreading across my whole face. “At least for tonight.”

Nathan laughed a low, deep laugh. I hadn’t heard him laugh before and I liked the sound. “Well, let’s give them something to really be jealous of.” He leaned over and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I felt a hot wave rush through me, the shock of the kiss taking my breath away and heat shot straight to the apex of my thighs. I couldn’t believe the very experienced Nathan Davenport was kissing me. In public.

“Nathan,” I hissed, when he slowly pulled away. “Why did you do that?”

“We are dating, Rose. Why shouldn’t I kiss you?” Nathan replied.

I was shocked by the effect his kiss had on me. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but I’d enjoyed it. Really enjoyed it. His lips were soft and I could still taste the strawberries he’d had with his glass of champagne.

“Well, you should have at least warned me,” I whispered. I was clearly flustered, and he knew it too.

Nathan sat back in the lounge chair. I could see it gave him great pleasure to know he’d rattled me. “Did I just stir some feelings in you, angel?” he asked casually.

I felt my cheeks flush a deeper pink. “No, you did not. I would never feel effected by someone like you,” I lied. His kiss had caused me to feel something that I didn’t want to feel with a man like him.

Nathan’s smile was lazy and cocky. “Why don’t we go home and see what kind of affect I have on you there?”

I scowled. “You won’t have any effect on me there either.”

Nathan moved closer so his lips were right next to my ear. “You should put that mouth of yours to better use.” He leaned over and kissed me again and this time there was no hiding the passion he put into it.

I felt the heat rise through my body again, like rivers of lava. My lips parted against my wishes to welcome more of his kiss. I wanted him to stop, yet I wanted more. How could this horrible man make me feel so weak at the knees? What was wrong with me?

Nathan pulled away and I swore I saw a slight dazed expression in his eyes. “Come on, Rose. I’ve had enough of being here. Let’s go home,” he said, and his voice came out sounding dark and husky.

Part of me wanted to go home with him and the other part of me was scared of what might happen if I did. “We haven’t been here for very long.”

Nathan shrugged. “I’ve made an appearance, that’s enough.” He stood up and pulled me softly to my feet. I hadn’t noticed until I looked up that a few people were looking at us with curious glances, or more so, at me.

Nathan said goodbye to people as we walked out, but none of them gave me much notice. Nathan held my hand firm in his as he led me into the lift, like he didn’t want me to have a chance to escape. I pulled my hand free of his as soon as the lift doors closed. It was causing feelings in me that I wasn’t clearheaded enough to deal with. Nathan turned and raised an eyebrow at me, but didn’t make a comment. I wondered if he was tired of arguing with me over every little thing.

Sam was waiting for us at the front door with the car. He drove us home, then said goodnight and retreated to his room. Leaving Nathan and I alone in the quiet house. Nathan asked me if I would like a coffee and I nodded, happy for the distraction. I followed him into the kitchen as he filled the kettle with water and switched it on. I started to get the mugs out, but Nathan shooed me away.

“Go and sit down, I can make them.”

“You know how to make your own coffee?”

Nathan laughed. “Yes Rose. Jane isn’t with me all the time.”

“Sorry, I just assumed...”

“You just assumed I was some rich, dumb guy that has been pampered all his life and can’t do anything without the help of his maid?”

“Well, aren’t you?” I asked. I wasn’t trying to be rude, just stating what I thought was a fact.

“Dumb?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me. I could tell he wasn’t taking me too seriously. There was a teasing half-smile on his lips.

“No, pampered and rich?”

“I’ll admit that I have always been rich. I come from a very wealthy family. But I’m not pampered, Rose. I work damn hard. Having someone to cook and clean for me isn’t being pampered. I simply don’t have the time to do it myself.”

I smiled. “I wasn’t having a go at you, Nathan. I was just curious.”

Nathan placed a steaming hot cup in front of me and came around the breakfast bar to sit beside me. “Did you have a good time tonight?” he asked as he took a long sip of his coffee.

I left mine to cool a little. I couldn’t see how anyone could drink it that hot. “I would have gone anywhere to get out of this house.”

“Are you really that bored?”

“Yes, extremely.” I widened my eyes in emphasis. “Why can’t I go to work? It’s not like we’re together here all day. All you do is work.”

“Because I’m not sharing you,” he replied flatly.

“Because you’d have no control over me.”

Nathan smiled a cold, dark smile. “That’s right, angel. You are mine, whether you like it or not. I decide what you do, when you do it and how. That is what you agreed to.”

I sighed. I had agreed to give him my life but it didn’t mean I had to like it. “Well, can I come to work with you?”

Nathan looked thoughtful and then smiled. “Are you serious, Rose?”

I shrugged. “Sure, why not? I could help you.”

Nathan laughed a deep laugh. “Oh really? Help me? How?”

I noted the mocking tone in his voice and for tonight, I chose to ignore it. “I’m not stupid you know, I’ve worked in offices.”

“Alright, you can come to work with me,” Nathan said, surprising me. He really was full of surprises tonight. Although, I have no doubt he was just saying yes just so he could keep a closer eye on me.

“Really?”

“Really. But I do want something in return.”

I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. I felt my stomach begin to churn and I was lucky I was sitting down, because my legs turned to jelly.

“And what is that?” I asked lightly. I knew full well what he wanted and I really didn’t want him to say it.

“Rose, don’t play games with me,” Nathan replied, his voice smooth as he leaned in towards me. “You know exactly what I want. I’ve waited long enough for my mistress to fulfill her duties.” He stood up and without giving me a second to think, he dragged me to my feet.

“Nathan, please...” I pleaded. “In the morning, after I’ve had a good night’s sleep.”

Nathan ignored my plea’s and he leaned forward and kissed me hard on the mouth, taking it without any regard to my feelings.

Just like before I felt it take my breath away. I tried to pull away from him, but Nathan grabbed me around the waist and pulled me closer, crushing me against his hard body. I felt my own body react to our closeness and silently scowled at myself. This man should not be having such an effect over me. He was mean, ruthless, and cruel. I came to my senses and pulled my face away from his.

“Don’t fight the inevitable, Rose,” Nathan murmured. “I could tell by that kiss that you want me just as much as I want you.”

“No, I don’t want you, Nathan,” I hissed. “I told you that someone like you will never have that kind of effect over me. Never.”

Nathan’s face grew cold and dark. “Well Rose, whether you want it or not...” His voice trailed off, then he leaned over and in one swift movement, he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

“Nathan, are you serious? What is this, the Stone Ages? Put me down!” I yelled, while trying to wiggle out of Nathan’s grasp. My efforts were pointless, I was no match for Nathan’s powerful arms.

Nathan simply laughed, giving me a light slap on my behind. When he got to the bedroom, he threw me softly down onto the bed. My stomach clenched in fear and in anticipation. Heat started to flow through my veins and I wasn’t sure if I was going to throw up or melt in pleasure. Did I really want this?

“Nathan please,” I pleaded as Nathan took off his shirt and jacket and threw them down on the floor. I sat up and pushed myself against the pillows.

“You knew this is what I wanted you for, angel. What is a mistress who won’t please me?” Nathan whispered huskily in my ear as he climbed onto the bed.

“I ...I know, but it’s a lot more difficult than I thought it would be...” I puffed out, the nerves taking over my whole body. I don’t know what scared me more, the fact that he was just going to take what he wanted or the fact that I might want him to.

Nathan sat back and stared at me, his brown eyes studying my face for what felt like forever. “Rose, have you ever been with a man before?” he asked, his eyebrows rising.

My cheeks flamed. I hadn’t. I’d never had the opportunity. I’d always had too much to worry about without adding men and sex to the picture. I’d been on dates, but nothing serious ever happened and I just couldn’t see myself sleeping with random men. It just wasn’t me. The longer I’d put it off, the harder it became for me to do.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Fuck,” Nathan swore under his breath, his frustration showing on his usually expressionless face. “Really, Rose?”

I nodded, my cheeks flaming bright red as I sat up in the bed. I was mortified. I thought that I’d be able to just go along with whatever Nathan had planned for me but now that I was here, I couldn’t control my nerves. I couldn’t lie to him about this.

Nathan slowly sat up beside me. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” he asked, his voice flat.

“I really didn’t think it was any of your business. How many women have you been with?” I snapped. Like he would have cared anyway.

“This is different. I may be an arsehole, but I could never just take that from you. Not like this. God Rose, I’m not that cold-hearted.”

I scoffed. “Really?”

“Yes Rose, really.” Nathan said, his voice softening. He reached over and smoothed a piece of hair away from my face.

I was so surprised by his softness. I didn’t even know Nathan could have this side to him. “Well, now what? Can I go home?”

Nathan laughed. “Oh no, my angel, I never said I didn’t want you. But that part of our deal will have to wait a little longer.”

“Are you sure you’ll be able to go without?” I asked dryly, mocking him even though I knew I shouldn’t.

“Who said you were the only woman in my life?” He got up off the bed, kissed me on the forehead, in what felt like a very platonic gesture, and he walked into the bathroom to shower, all without a backwards glance.

I watched him walk away and I was surprised by an odd feeling running through me. A feeling of jealousy. How could I be jealous of a woman sleeping with Nathan when I didn’t want to sleep with him?

Nathan came out of the bathroom after his shower with just a fluffy white towel wrapped low around his hips. I watched him walk into the wardrobe and pick up a pair of black boxer shorts. I wanted to look away and not give him the satisfaction of knowing that I was attracted to him, but he was the most perfect man I had ever laid my eyes on. Every inch of him was utterly delicious.

Nathan turned around and caught me staring. A slight smile formed on his lips. “Changed your mind, Rose?”

“It takes more than a good body to be desirable.”

“So you think I have a good body?” he asked, teasing me, turning to look at himself vainly in the mirror.

I shrugged. “For an old guy,” I replied, keeping my tone as casual as I could manage. Although I knew that thirty-five was nowhere near ‘old age’ I couldn’t help but throw the big age gap between us in his face whenever I could. It seemed to be the one thing that really got to him.

Nathan frowned and walked over to the bed. “Your constant referral to my age is getting tiring.”

I smiled innocently. “People tire easily in old age. I will have to remember that, Mr Davenport.”

Why was I provoking him?

Nathan scowled and dragged me to my feet. “Rose, you had better watch yourself. I am fitter today then I have ever been. I could outlast any of your young male friends.”

I knew I was playing with fire, but I realised that I enjoyed seeing him get worked up. And I was still angry about the other women comment. His age was obviously a very touché subject for him. “Out last them at what, Nathan? Lawn bowls?” I asked cheekily.

Nathan leaned over and kissed me hard on the mouth. This was no ordinary kiss though. This was a kiss to prove to me exactly what kind of man he was. A powerful, strong, have no mercy sort of a kiss. The kind that took my breath away and made me lightheaded and weak at the knees.

Nathan pulled away and a satisfied smile formed on his face. He could see my dazed state and he knew I’d responded to his kiss, he’d felt it all.

“Tell me that some young boy has ever had that sort of effect over you,” Nathan whispered huskily in my ear. I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound would come out. “Nothing to say, Rose?” Nathan mocked. “I am going to go out now... to meet up with a mature, experienced woman.” Nathan walked back to the wardrobe and got dressed in front of me, not bothering to be discreet, then he walked back over to where I was still sitting dazed on the bed.

“Don’t wait up, kid.” Nathan kissed me on the forehead again in that platonic way and then he walked out of the room without a glance in my direction.

I heard the motor of Nathan’s powerful sports car rev, before it took off down the street.