Christmas Billionaire Read online

  “Yeah, I have no doubt my father would've taken all of it. This is the biggest client we’ve ever had, so I’m sure it kills him that his name won’t be on that contract.”

  “But you put in the work. Your name deserves to be on that contract. His doesn’t.”

  “Try telling that to him,” I chuckled.

  “Dexter, you already did. You stood up for yourself, and you should be proud.”

  “Yeah, soon to be proud and broke. Sorry, but I’d rather be a rich lackey than any kind of poor, prideful martyr.”

  “I don’t believe that,” she insisted, “Because if that were true, you wouldn’t have stood up to him to begin with. You would have simply kept your mouth closed and let him take all the credit.”

  I knew she was right, but I wasn’t about to admit that, so I simply lowered my eyes to my plate and continued to eat.

  Getting the hint that I was no longer in the sharing mood, Mazie quickly turned the conversation to something else.

  Instead of hard subjects though, we kept the conversations lighter and simply enjoyed the company of one another.

  We talked about our memories of growing up and a little more about our lives, outside the realm of our fathers and their business.

  Unfortunately for me, there wasn’t much else I could say about my life, other than work.

  Mazie, on the other hand, was filled with stories about teaching and the experiences she had, both in and out of the classroom.

  As I watched her talk, I noticed how she shined when she spoke about things that were passions and realized that I could listen to her talk all day.

  Where I was good at my job and good at making money, it was clear that Mazie had a passion for her career and genuinely loved what she did.

  Sure, it sounded like she was a good teacher too, but what entranced me so much wasn’t her actual achievements; rather, it was the excitement she had for the job.

  I admired that and hoped, one day, once my father stopped making it nearly impossible for me to enjoy my job to the fullest, I would get the opportunity to feel the same way.

  I didn’t have many goals left to achieve in that point of my life but sitting there, watching Mazie talk about the quality of her job, I aspired to feel that way about my career as well.

  After a long and engaging dinner, I took her home.

  We arrived at her house, laughing from the slight buzz of our drinks and enamored with one another’s company.

  I didn’t want to leave. I hoped that she would invite me in, but I wasn’t sure. After all, Mazie wasn’t that kind of girl, and I didn’t intend to pressure her into anything she didn’t want to do.

  However, when we reached her door, she lingered, playing with her keys as we continued to talk.

  At first, I thought that perhaps she might invite me in, easing her way into the intimacy I genuinely wanted with her.

  However, to my dismay, she stopped abruptly, as though she felt she was doing something wrong.

  “Well, you’d better go,” she insisted easily, fidgeting as though she didn’t like the thought of me leaving any more than I did. “You’ve got a busy morning, and I want you to get plenty of rest for tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” I responded, trying not to sound too disappointed, telling myself that she was genuinely saying this for my benefit. After all, my whole life did ride on the decision of my presentation tomorrow. It could either be the best day of my life or the worst, so I should make it a point to be as prepared as I could.

  “Please, let me know what happens the moment you are able, okay?” Mazie offered sweetly, wrapping her arms around my neck as my hands instinctively surrounded her midsection, pulling her into me.

  “Of course,” I replied as I took in a whiff of her hair.

  When she pulled away from me, I noticed that her hand lingered, tracing down my chest as she gazed up at me and grinned.

  “Great! Thank you,” her expression was assuring, but I was more concerned with what her hand was doing.

  While she broke away from me farther, putting only a little bit of distance between us, her hand brushed against mine, lingering there, as though asking for an excuse to stay.

  “Thank you,” I told her, genuinely expressing my gratitude. Whether she knew it or not, she had helped me feel better about my decision to stand up to my father. It wasn’t that I was having doubts, but rather, I did start to question whether I was justified and Mazie’s reaction solidified my own reasoning.

  With the other hand, Mazie turned and started to unlock the door, but neither of us moved our hands away from the brush that easily morphed into entwined fingers.

  When the door was opened, I knew that it was now or never. She had lingered, and if I was going to make a move, this would be the most opportune time.

  So, before Mazie could say goodbye, I clasped her hand in mine and pulled it back, to gain her attention. When she looked back at me, in a hopeful manner, I took that as the cue, tilted my head down, and kissed her.

  I started off gently at first, not wanting to overburden her. However, the moment I felt her lips reciprocate the kiss, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, intensifying the kiss and relishing in the taste of her.

  With a slight moan of excitement, she linked her arms around my neck again, and I eased her back, into her house. When we were inside, I was overcome with the throes of passion. I grasped her tightly and picked her up, pressing her against the wall as I deepened the kiss.

  I felt her legs wrap around me as our mouths sought each other ravenously for a deeper understanding of one another, while I gingerly reached my foot out and closed the door, shrouding us in darkness.

  Chapter 16

  Mazie

  The momentum was intense and immediate.

  One minute, we were kissing in my foyer, and the next, Dexter was laying me down on my bed and ripping off my clothes.

  Normally, I might have been self-conscious, but Dexter’s swift movements left little room for deliberation.

  Before I had a chance to fully grasp what was going on, I was laying naked in front of him, and his heated, bare body was on top of me.

  His muscles flexed as he moved, conjuring a sensual dominance that was alluring.

  I moaned behind his lips, feeling his manhood grind against the apex of my open legs, causing moisture seep out, which only intensified my need.

  I felt my body quake as his hands, which were surprisingly rough, glided along my skin, exploring it intimately.

  As his hands traveled down my cleavage, his lips tore off my mouth and started to descend downwards to suckle upon my breast.

  Intermittent kisses and playful nibbles caused me to shudder and groan while my hands discovered the rippling rope of taut muscle that secured the masculinity of his chest. My fingers coursed through the sprinkling of hair that spread across his barrel chest before my hands wandered downwards, toward his throbbing member.

  The warmth of him against me was extrinsic while the scent of him surrounding me was intoxicating.

  Dexter was ravenous, and his animalistic fervor was inspiring. Instead of being self-conscious about the way I looked, his reactions caused me to focus more on the way I felt.

  It was wonderful.

  There was an intense sense of womanliness that overtook me. Every stroke of his hand and kiss of his lips exalted me to a new and more engaging level of excitement.

  Dexter was all over my body, caressing it with both sweet and ravishing intent. He seemed to know exactly what I liked and when his hands slid down the side of my body, dipping between my thighs and spreading them farther apart, I moaned.

  By this time, the only sound to be heard was that of our lovemaking and mutually heavy breathing. We were transfixed on one another, enthralled by the allure of our own most natural state.

  This was a long time coming, and I couldn’t believe that finally, we were doing what I had only dreamed of until this moment.

  Eagerly, I opened myself to hi
m, and in a swift motion, he repositioned himself and eased inside of me.

  I nearly screamed as I felt him fill my most secret place. I grasped his shoulders tightly and arched my back, allowing him to enter me further.

  “Oh…yes…” I exclaimed as he eased himself back out before thrusting deeply into me again. I groaned and writhed with excitement as we fell into a fact-paced rhythm.

  Back and forth we moved, allowing the natural cadence of our bodies to dictate our movements. I felt everything all at once as I took him into me. Each thrust I felt, we were both growing in passion and nearing our climax.

  By now, we were sweating slightly from our exertion, and our breaths were heated. I could feel each and every part of him on my face as vividly as I could feel him inside of me.

  Eventually, I felt his pattern deviate. Suddenly, he was more insistent, and his expression turned into something far more direct. However, it was the feeling of his pulsating member that told me he was nearing completion.

  He groaned with one final thrust, sending us both into a flurry of euphoria. I closed my eyes as the intense emotion overtook me. Instantly, everything solitary inch of my body was oversensitive and completely alive.

  While Dexter wasn’t my first, I was certain from the way my body reacted to him that he was the best.

  The pulsing in my loins was intensified by the filling injection of his love.

  As we both came down from euphoria, I felt my body pulse around his member as though thanking it for providing my body such unparalleled delight.

  Once we were finished, Dexter rolled onto the bed, and I followed him, not yet wanting to leave the warmth of his embrace.

  We were silent for a long time as our bodies reconnected with the reality that surrounded us and our breath steadied.

  I grinned and snuggled close to him, reveling in the warmth of his taut, virile body. Dexter’s arm wrapped around me protectively, and for a while, we listened to the sound of our still panting breaths.

  Eventually, though, my mind started to wander. When the haze of the sex started to wear off, and the implications of what had happened started to work into my mind, I started to panic.

  I was never this irresponsible, but none of that mattered now, considering the time I chose to be irresponsible could be the worst of all.

  Or, it could work out for the best, I told myself, but couldn’t find it in me to believe it.

  Either way, however, I knew that we would have to have a conversation about it. We needed to come up with a plan.

  “What are you thinking about?” Dexter asked, as though he could read my thoughts. He didn’t turn toward me, but I could tell that he was instinctively listening, focused completely on me and thus could tell the change in my disposition immediately.

  “Umm, I think we need to talk,” I offered, propping myself up on my elbow.

  “Okay,” Dexter answered easily, seeming unmoved by what I thought was an unintentional ominous tone.

  “Well, I was thinking that if our fathers knew about the relationship, it could jeopardize the company…”

  “Do you think we made a mistake?” he inquired, raising his eyebrows.

  “No! Not at all. That’s why I’m bringing it up. I want to hear your thoughts.”

  “Well, there’s no denying that if things get serious between us and things go south, it could spell disaster for our fathers’ company,” he explained, causing me to shift my eyes away from him in defeat. “But, hey!” Dex exclaimed, gently tugging my chin upwards so that I was compelled to reconnect with his gaze, “That doesn’t mean I want to stop seeing you.” I must not have looked too convinced because he immediately followed up with, “Mazie, you and I have known one another a long time. I hope you know that I wouldn’t let it get this far if I didn’t think there was something there. This isn't just a one-night stand for me. I want to see you again. I’m hopeful that after all this time, we might actually be able to make this work.”

  I grinned, thankful that he wasn’t only in it for the sex, or at least he had the decency to tell me that and sound convincing.

  “So, what do you want to do about it?” I asked as he let his hand drop to the sheet. I continued to keep his gaze.

  “I want to keep doing what we’re doing.”

  “You mean currently?” I teased.

  “Well, I meant seeing one another and trying to figure out whether this is really right for both of us but…yeah. I definitely want to continue doing this,” he growled playfully and eased himself closer, brushing his lips against mine, causing me to blush.

  “But, we’re not going to tell anyone until we’re sure this is serious, right? I don’t want to cause a whole lot of drama for a fling,” I insisted in a lighthearted but genuine manner.

  “I think that’s a good idea. Not because I don’t want to tell anyone,” he insisted.

  “No. I agree. It’s better this way, for the moment, at least.”

  Dexter reacted in kind before he changed the subject, “So, I’m working on that big deal for my father, and I have to go present it tomorrow, so I have to leave for a few days…but I was thinking, when I get back, I could take you to Bernville?”

  “Is that the place with the lights and the shops?”

  Dexter nodded his head enthusiastically.

  Suddenly, I felt a surge of excitement.

  “Yes! I would love to go there! I’ve never been,” I admitted, “I’ve always heard such good things about it though.”

  “You’ve never been there?” he asked in disbelief.

  I shook my head.

  “I’ve always wanted to go, but every year, Christmas comes and goes without me getting out there.”

  “Well,” Dexter offered confidently, “this year; you can rest assured that you will make it.”

  I beamed brightly, now only wishing that he was back before he even left.

  Chapter 17

  Dexter

  Despite living the entirety of my life as one confident bastard, when I walked off the plane the following morning, I couldn’t have been more ready for this meeting.

  I was surprised at exactly how focused I was.

  During the plane ride, I closed my eyes and caught up on some much-needed rest, and when it landed, I felt recharged and excited.

  Of course, I knew there was a lot riding on this meeting, so the inclination to be outright cocky was thwarted, but anything less was pure entertainment.

  When I was leaving the terminal, I glanced at my watch and grinned. I had exactly enough time to sit down and have lunch before I arrived, a few minutes early, for the meeting.

  I chose a restaurant that was close to the airport; while the food wasn’t superb, it was better than trying to find something that would pass for edible in the airport.

  While I ate, I looked over the presentation. Although I knew it by heart, I wanted to be refreshed before I took the plunge, walking into the room.

  As I looked over the material, which by now I could practically recite without even having to look at what I had brought, I fell into thought about how important this meeting was. I allowed my mind to wander into the wonder of what it would be like to land this deal, as well as what might happen if I didn’t.

  At first, I didn’t realize my goal, but eventually I concluded that I was trying to feel something. I wanted to have a stroke of nervousness or excitement, or something that would make this seem real.

  With the lack of emotion I was experiencing, besides my overly confident air, the experience almost felt dreamlike. I wondered, a few times throughout lunch if I would end up waking up in Mazie’s bed to the sound of my alarm.

  Maybe I really haven’t left yet, I thought, though I knew that was ridiculous. I was certain that I would know if I had had this in-depth of a dream. After all, I hardly sleep long enough to have such a dream, even with the accelerated timelessness of REM.

  Still, despite my self-assurance, I still had to wonder why I wasn’t feeling anything. If this wasn’t
a dream, then how could something that will either make or break my career cause me to feel far less than when I went on a date with Mazie?

  Mazie… My mind started to wander in a different direction now. I thought about the softness of her skin, the intensity of her body, pressed close to mine and the exhilaration of holding one another tight.

  I closed my eyes as my mind drifted further away from work and deeper into the memory of last night. The taste of her, the scent of her, the feel of caressing her soft skin; the way she moved, the way she moaned when I pleased her and the intensity of emotions I felt we shared at the moment that we climaxed…

  Holy shit! What am I doing? I thought eventually, ripping myself away from the daydream as I looked around the room in something of a panic.

  I drew in a calming breath, wondering if I was as obviously embarrassed as I felt.

  No one seemed to notice, but that still didn’t make me feel better.

  Christ, I thought, why am I thinking about Mazie? You have to get her out of your head! You cannot have this distraction.

  Even though I told myself that as I looked over the materials for the presentation one last time, I knew that her distraction was part of why I felt so good.

  Last night was the first time I had actually felt alive in a long time, and that was all thanks to Mazie.

  Still, I focused on finishing up and getting over to the office where the meeting was to take place in exactly the right amount of time.

  When I arrived at the office, I was met with an organized confidence that had likely run for long enough to be outdated. Although not unusable, the office that surrounded him was indicative of having an older person running it.

  It was a refined, clean office but there was quite a bit that could be done to bring it into the age of modern technology, but that wasn’t my job.

  My job was to revolutionize their approach, not challenge their foundation. That was made clear to me from the moment I started to talk with Mr. Wilson.