One Night With the Billionaire: Book Three Read online

  Kaia gives him a sly grin. “Surprise.”

  He presses his thumb against her clit, rubbing it in a slow, maddening circle.

  “You’re so wet,” he observes.

  “I was from the moment I saw you looking at me the way you were.”

  “How was I looking at you?”

  She arches her back, giving Jason access to her neck. He takes full advantage of it, nipping at her earlobe, then sucking at the sensitive skin where he can feel her pulse point beneath his lips.

  “You were looking at me like you wanted to devour me.”

  He does. He wants to devour her. He wants to possess her, and he can’t wait any longer.

  “Spread your legs.”

  She does as he asks, and he undoes his pants, tugging them down until his erection springs free.

  Jason wraps his arm around Kaia’s waist, lines himself up with her wet heat, and slides inside.

  Kaia lets out a soft cry as he fills her that makes him rock his hips, hoping he can get her to let out another sound just like that one. They’re both watching each other in the mirror as Jason rocks in and out of her.

  His fingertips glide against her clit as he does his damnedest to help her find her pleasure. She’s so close, almost there…her face is twisted in pleasure, and Jason can’t look away from her.

  He needs more, more…

  He picks up the pace, their hips slamming together as he tries to get deeper still. He’s on the verge of coming, but he can’t let himself fall until she does, so he doubles his attention on her clit, rubbing faster. Harder.

  Kaia moans out his name, her eyes screwed shut.

  He leans forward until his raspy stubble rubs against her neck. “Come for me, Kaia. Come on.”

  A few more thrusts, and she’s contracting around him, pulling him with her into blissful oblivion.

  As they both come down, smiling dopily at each other in the mirror, all sated and relaxed, Jason knows this is going to be an incredible night.

  * * * * *

  At the fundraiser, Jason walks through the crowd, confidently mingling with his friends with Kaia on his arm. She’s personable, and funny, and everyone pretty much loves her, just as he knew they would.

  If a few of his friends seem shocked that he seems to have settled down a bit, Jason does his best to ignore them. He’s disappointed that Chase had to cancel at the last minute in order to make an emergency trip to China to deal with some supply chain issues with his company. There will be time for them to meet later. Lots of time, Jason hopes.

  Still, he was one of two people at this party Jason was looking most forward to introducing Kaia to.

  The second person is walking toward them wearing an elegant gown, and a beatific smile on her face.

  “Jason,” Elise says fondly, standing on her tiptoes in order to reach him for a hug. “How are you?”

  “I’m well,” he replies.

  “I can see that.” She smiles at Kaia. “I’m guessing it has a lot to do with this beautiful young lady right here.”

  Jason slides his hand down to rest on the small of Kaia’s back in a show of support. “It does,” he replies, beaming down at her.

  “Kaia, this is Elise Whittington. She was my mother’s best friend. She took me in and raised me after my parents died. Elise, this is my girlfriend, Kaia.”

  Elise’s entire face softens at the mention of the world ‘girlfriend,’ and she looks up at Jason with the kind of affection and pride he hasn’t seen from her in a long time.

  “Kaia,” Elise says softly. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

  “You’re just as lovely as Jason described you.”

  With a blush, Kaia looks down at the ground, then gives Jason a quick glance. “Thank you,” she replies.

  “I never thought I’d see the day,” Elise teases, slapping Jason lightly on the arm. “Tell me, Kaia, what is it that you do?”

  “I own a small graphic design business,” she explains. “I work on corporate logos, things like that. Jason told me you’re a professor at Stanford.”

  “That’s right! Macroeconomics. But I’m not going to elaborate on that, unless you’re looking for a good cure for insomnia,” Elise replies with a laugh. “Are you having a good time?”

  Kaia nods enthusiastically. “I am. I’ve never been to something like this before.”

  Elise steps forward, and slides her hand through the crook of Kaia’s elbow, then leads her toward the door. “They’re all the same,” she says. “Write a check, eat terrible food, then get bored to death by the lack of conversation.”

  Kaia lets out an unguarded laugh. “That’s kind of what I figured.”

  “We’ve all made our donations,” she says. “There’s a darling cafe just around the block that’s a bit of a secret. Why don’t we all go get some coffee there? I’d love to get to know the woman who makes Jason smile like he’s looking at the sun.”

  Kaia grins, and looks back at him, like she wants him to give her the okay. He’s more than happy to do that; when he decided to introduce Kaia to Elise, the two of them getting along like this was just about all he could’ve hoped for.

  When they exit the building, Jason looks around, and notices that Paul isn’t far behind them. Elise is chattering away, and Kaia’s laughing at something she said. Jason’s lost in the sound of it, and that’s when a loud shot rings out through the crowd.

  He acts on instinct, wrapping his arms around Kaia and Elise, shielding their bodies from view of the street, pressing their backs against the nearest building.

  He’s got them covered from almost every angle. Whoever’s shooting at them will have to get through him first.

  Jason is wild-eyed and frantic, his heart pounding out of his chest, breathing ragged. If he can just keep them protected long enough for Paul to find whoever’s shooting at them, everything will be okay…

  “Jason.”

  “Jason.”

  He’s pulled out of his thoughts by Kaia’s gentle but insistent voice, and her hand cupping his cheek.

  “What? What is it?”

  “It was just a car backfiring,” she explains slowly, like he’s some kind of wild animal she doesn’t want to scare off. “It’s okay. We’re okay.”

  “It was just a car?” he asks, a little dazed and confused.

  She smiles sadly. “Yeah, just a car. We’re fine.”

  His gaze shifts to Elise, wanting to make sure she’s okay. She gives him a soft, sad smile, and he never wants to see that look of pity in her eyes again.

  * * * * *

  Later that night, Jason sits alone in his office in the loft of his apartment. Kaia’s asleep downstairs in his bed, and Elise took the guest room for the night. After witnessing the wild look in his eyes after the car backfired this evening, she insisted on staying here with him instead of at her hotel.

  Truthfully, Jason doesn’t mind. Even though there wasn’t any real danger tonight, he’d much rather have the two of them here, under his roof, where he knows they’re safe.

  He’s about halfway through his second glass of scotch, when he hears a soft knock on the door. Jason looks up and sees Elise standing there, in the same cotton bathrobe she’s worn since he was younger.

  “You don’t have to worry about me,” he explains, hoisting his glass in the air. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re not fine.” Elise walks into the office, and sits down in the chair opposite Jason. “I think tonight proves that.”

  “I’ve talked to someone about it,” he says, hoping to forego the therapy talk. Again. “I’m as fine as I’m ever going to be.”

  “I love you, you know. I’d do anything for you. And all I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy, despite everything that happened when you were younger.”

  “I think I’ve done a damned fine job of that,” Jason says, putting his glass down on the desk.

  “You have. A fine job. But seeing you tonight, the wa
y you reacted, Jason…”

  “Please don’t start.” He’s not in the mood to go another round with Elise about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Especially not tonight.

  “I have to start, Jason. I have to. Because you’re haunted by this idea that who you are has put a target on your back.”

  “It put a target on Mom and Dad,” he says bitterly.

  Elise reaches out and places one of her hands on his, her eyes full of unshed tears and sadness. “No,” she says quietly. “It didn’t.”

  Jason isn’t sure if the liquor is making Elise’s words difficult to process, or if she just isn’t making sense.

  “What do you mean?” he asks.

  “All these years, you’ve been thinking that what happened to your parents had everything to do with their last name and the balance in their bank accounts, and you’ve been living in fear that the same thing is going to happen to you. It isn’t, Jason. It’s not going to happen to you.”

  “Elise,” Jason says, with worry in his voice. “What are you saying?”

  She takes a deep, steadying breath, and Jason knows from years of experience that the woman he considers his second mother is steeling herself for what comes next.

  “I’m telling you that your parents aren’t who you thought they were.” A tear slips down her cheek. “And I want to tell you what actually happened that night.”

  One Night With the Billionaire continues with book four.

  * * * * *

  About the Author

  Cassie Cross

  Visit my website for the latest news and upcoming releases: www.cassiecross.com

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  Cassie Cross is a Maryland native and a romantic at heart, who lives outside of Baltimore with her two dogs and a closet full of shoes. Cassie's fondness for swoon-worthy men and strong women are the inspiration for most of her stories, and when she's not busy writing a book, you’ll probably find her eating takeout and indulging in her love of 80's sitcoms.

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