Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
V eronica
I’d thought I was going to have a quiet weekend with another older client. Obviously, the universe, as usual, had completely different plans for me. First of all, Bruce was sweet, and I truly wasn’t expecting him to splash so much money on dinner tonight. Second, he originally didn’t want to have sex.It was specified in the paperwork.
“Veronica, you’re so, so stunning, and I think I would like to have sex with you,” he told me after we were done with the restaurant and gone back to the room.
He’d taken off his bow tie and removed his jacket. Meanwhile, I had to make sure I’d heard him correctly. He’d stared at me with hooded eyes and a strangely relaxed expression. Maybe he’d drunk too much during dinner, but I kept quiet as that was none of my business. I wasn’t his mother. I mean, technically he could be my grandfather, so I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about things like that.
“Are you sure this is what you want? Of course, I’m here to cater to all your needs. But first let me refresh myself in the bathroom while you wait for me here, you wolf,” I said playfully. His glazed-over eyes ran up and down my body with a certain hunger.
“Yes. I have never been so sure of something. Be quick in the bathroom,” he’d said, sitting on the bed.
Flashing him a radiant smile, I quickly disappeared in the bathroom, trying to understand what had just happened. I’d stared at my reflection in the mirror, and unexpectedly, old insecurities resurfaced. I truly didn’t want to fuck Bruce, but I couldn’t refuse a client. That would reflect badly on me. Taking a few deep breaths, I wondered who the stunning blonde was who’d been seated with Rupert in the restaurant earlier on, and then I headed back to the room.
“All right, big bad wolf, let’s—”
I paused for the man was lying on the bed, snoring loudly. Bruce must have been a very handsome man back in his thirties or forties, but now he was just an old man who drank way too much and stayed up too late.
With a sigh, I sat on the chair, thinking of the woman who’d dined with Rupert. I brimmed with jealousy and envy. He’d claimed he wasn’t a relationship kind of guy, and yet, he was on a date with a beautiful woman. It seemed he was spying on me, because hell, there was no way he would just randomly show up at the one restaurant I was in, in a completely different country. For some reason, I felt like the universe was fucking with me. Especially now since I’d discovered that Spencer Banks was Rupert’s older brother, who also appeared to be obsessed with my roommate. This whole thing was blowing my mind.You just couldn’t make this shit up.
I checked my phone and nearly fell off my chair.
“No, this can’t be possible,” I muttered to myself. Quickly checking my Instagram profile, I fould I’d gained over ten thousand followers in the past few days. It seemed that my latest post and reel had blown up. I’d talked about living in the heart of Camden Market as the ex-stripper, and apparently a lot of people were urging me to record part two as soon as possible. Shit! This had happened faster than I’d expected. Maybe I could get some brand deals sooner rather than later.
It was only ten o’clock, and the night was still young, so I decided to get out of my room and head over to the bar. I could technically order room service because the menu was excellent in this exclusive hotel, but I didn’t want to wake Bruce. I changed into a long black dress and walked to the lift. My attention wasstuck to my phone, trying to absorb everything that was happening, when the doors opened and Rupert was standing right in front of me.
“Son of a—”
I hadn’t finished saying what I’d intended to say because seeing Rupert here in this hotel made me forget what that was in the first place.
“Are you all right? Are you hurt?” he’d asked in a panicked tone, taking a few steps towards me.
I shook my head, thinking that this was not right. Rupert was suddenly acting like a stalker. First the restaurant and now the hotel? It also looked like he was a bit drunk—maybe not so much, but tipsy for sure.
“What the fuck are you doing here? And don’t tell me it’s another coincidence because I won’t believe you,” I demanded, placing my hands on my hips. My heart kicked loudly as I switched my weight to the left foot, keenly aware of the electric current that danced between us. The air turned dense and heavy. Goosepimples appeared on my arms when anxiety reared its head.
Why the hell did he have to affect me so much? I had been out with intimidating billionaires before, but none of them had ever made me feel this way—this … out of my depth.
“I will explain everything, but first you need to tell me: what are you doing in here?” he said, getting closer.
I didn’t want to be in such close proximity to him so I stepped back, then my back hit the wall. Fuck, this was definitely not in the cards. Then I smelled his intense cologne that for some reason made me remember how good his cock had felt inside my pussy. I tried to keep my guard up, but then I sighed, sagging my shoulders.
“Well, Bruce fell asleep and I thought I’d get a drink,” I told him, then looked away. Rupert didn’t need to know what had happened in the room. Bruce was harmless.
“Try again. You weren’t convincing enough,” he said dryly.
I glanced back at him and bit on my bottom lip.
“Come on, tell me what that fucker did, then I’ll tell you the reason why I’m really here.”There was a dangerous edge to his voice.
“I was supposed to be his companion for the night, but then when we came back to the room he suddenly asked if we could have sex,” I stated matter-of-factly. “Before you even ask, no, he didn’t do anything to me, but when he changed his mind, I felt like a cheap whore. We both know how this whole thing works, now that you work in the club,” I said, feeling miserable now.
Rupert clearly hadn’t expected that, because instantly his guard went up and he stared at me like he was ready to shield me from all the devils of this world.
“Did he touch you?”
“No, don’t be silly. He started drinking Scotch and five minutes later, he passed out,” I explained. “Now your turn. Tell me why you’re here.”
I had to know why he’d decided to hang around this hotel. And where was his date? Had he ditched her just to come here and search for me? This guy was a billionaire, so anything was possible. I’d recently read that the Banks family was one of the most influential families in London. Rupert had made his money investing in properties, Spencer was the youngest PM in English history, and Andrew was one of the most popular actors in the UK, slowly breaking into Hollywood. The only other brother I didn’t know about was James. He was pretty cryptic, but Laura had mentioned he ran a private security company. So I suspected he had plenty of skeletons in the closet.
“I made Matthews tell me who your next client was and I might have switched some things to make sure he only needed a companion for a night, not a whore,” Rupert finally said, venom dripping on the last word.
My jaw had dropped.
And now, here we were. Up to date.
Several long moments and heartbeats later, I was beside him, grabbing him by the balls again, but this time I was ready to hurt him badly.
“You went through my client list and swapped them around?” I said through gritted teeth. I thought there was no way he could have done that.I never thought he would mess with my money.
Rowan was in charge of all the bookings and he had two assistants. I didn't want to believe that he would have managed to convince Rowan to make changes like that. I knew for a fact I was making the agency the most money. All the girls were aware of this and as far as I knew, none of them envied me because of it.
“Fuck, Veronica, my balls—let go of me, please,” Rupert pleaded when he nearly went down on his knees.
His face was red and I smiled.
“I told you not to mess with me.” I squeezed his balls tighter. His eyes were bulging.
“Damn, woman, you’re going to break me if you don’t let go. My balls can’t stand this kind of pressure,” he pleaded.
I remembered how extraordinary he’d been in bed, and I truly didn’t want to damage him before our next session, so I let go of his crotch, still fuming.
“You had no right to do that! Do you understand me? This is my life, and you’re not my boyfriend, not even directly my boss!” I jabbed my forefinger right into his chest as he groaned, holding his balls. I was so annoyed and furious that he’d crossed the line.
“Come with me. I don’t want to have this conversation here, please.” He gave me his puppy dog eyes.
This was a new Rupert. He wasn’t as polished and in control like the guy I’d been getting to know since he became my boss. I liked this version so much more because he was the Rupert I’d met in Greece.
“Ugh, fine. But don’t you dare try any tricks with me because I won’t fall for any of it.” I took a long, deep breath.
Rupert raised his hands in the air in surrender, and then he grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside the lift.
“So you followed me all the way here? How did you even find out which hotel Bruce had booked for us?” I folded my arms over my chest and threw daggers at him. The scent of his cologne was making me wet and needy again. This was all because I hadn’t had sex for ages and Rupert was so handsome. I was glad when the lift finally pinged at the fourth floor because the tension was heavy, and if this lasted any longer, he would have lost his cool.
“I have my ways.” His gaze drifted over my body, lingering several seconds longer on my cleavage.That look he gave, the one where he could just eat me up, made my pussy throb erratically and I could feel my panties soaked through.
“So, are you talking to me in the room where the blonde is waiting?” I followed him all the way to room number four-three-two.I tried to hide the jealousy in my voice, but it didn’t work too well.
Rupert took out his keycard and slid it through the lock. One green light and beep later, the door unlocked.
“What blonde?” He opened the door, revealing a suite with the most mesmerising view of the whole of Paris. Of course he’d rented one of the suites.
“The one from dinner, obviously.” I shut the door behind me and glared at him walking ahead. He had the best butt I’d ever seen on a man—perfectly shaped and round. I’d been lucky enough to see it without clothes on.
Focus, girl. You’re supposed to be pissed, so stop getting distracted.
Rupert’s eyes sparkled with mischief. He put his hands in his pockets, smirking.
“Are you jealous of Monica?”he asked, cocking his head to the side.
I laughed, thinking that it sounded so much like my name. But, I couldn’t deny that she was very beautiful.
“Don’t be ridiculous, we are not together, so why would I be jealous?” I lied. Of course I was jealous that he’d dared to take another woman out while messing around with my life.Playing games with me like I was a little chess board.
“She’s just my assistant. I wanted you to see me in the restaurant with a woman so I could prove my point to Monica,” he stated, amusement in his tone.
“Point? What the hell are you even talking about?” I asked, even more annoyed now because I’d taken his bait. Fucker.
“I asked her to come with me to Paris, to … sort of make you jealous. She said that this would never work with a woman like you, but she was clearly wrong.” He wagged his finger at me. Then, he took a few steps closer to me. Close enough that I could feel him without touching him.
I still stood by the door, not wanting to move because I didn’t trust myself around this man.
I was just about to tell him that he was wrong when he suddenly captured my lips with his in a desperate kiss. Heat rushed through my core, igniting all my senses, stealing my breath away. The whole embrace was so intense, so much so that my toes curled. In that moment, I was lost in the passion and yearning for a man who wasn’t at all right for me.
But ..., he kissed like I was already his.