The Arrangement (unenhanced Edition) by AnnaRCase (books to read now .txt) 📖

                Amberleigh played with a loose thread on the decorative pillow. She hated to kill the mood, but there was no use putting off this talk. And she just hoped that Grayson was also being honest about his business dinner. Not that she had sole claim on his dick or heart or anything.  Well technically, she’d probably left behind a love mark or two on him. But still the thought of him fucking another woman twisted up her guts.

                “So what now Grayson? Where do we go from here?” she asked.

                “Oh, how about the bed?”

                “Okay, tempting, but for one thing you have your business dinner in like an hour. And for another thing, I’m serious. Where does this leave us? I’m not asking for fancy dinners out at Gorgio’s or anything. I understand you have a certain image to maintain.”

                “Where do you want to go from here Amber?  What are you expecting from this? I mean I don’t have all the answers myself. But this has been the best  fucking sex I’ve ever had.  And I want to explore the possibility of you and I further.”

                “So it’s strictly about the great sex then? Not that I’m fucking awesome outside of the bedroom as well?” she grinned, trying to lighten the subject.

                “I told you before I fucked you for real, how I felt about you Amber. How much I wanted you and how I think about you so much I can hardly fucking think or sleep.  I know Leo is in love with you. And it’s quite the fucking complication.”

                The billionaire rubbed a hand through his hair. She was starting to see this as a thing he did when he was uncomfortable or upset. Starting to get to know him more intimately in ways beyond the bedroom.

                “Leo and I have done nothing more than flirt. He’s pretty fucking loyal to you Grayson. Which is something else I wanted to ask you about. Leo is like your health coach. He freaked the fuck out when you were missing and said you were on medications. You feinted right in front of me… Are you sick Grayson?”

                He chuckled, “I’m fine. Leo’s just a bit overbearing. Nothing to worry about I assure you. If anything, it’s Leo you should be worried about. He’s likes you Amber, but he’s still in love with Elle. Please just be careful with him. He’s not in a good place right now.”

                She nearly laughed and sunk herself back deeper into the cushions. Both friends had warned her about each other in the same fucking day. Was it out of loyalty or jealousy?  And Grayson had just brushed off her question about his health by redirecting her back to Leo.

                “I’m not going to be anyone’s rebound. But what’s the deal with Leo and Elle? I mean how close where they?”

                “They met a few years ago at a charity run for underprivileged children. And they’ve been pretty much together ever since. They lived together for the last two years of their relationship and Leo was fucking madly in love with her. He was even asking me advice about how to propose to Eloise and about rings. Not like I’m the best fucking source of information on engagements as my own went so splendidly,” he scoffed.

                She digested this information. Poor Leo. She wondered if Grayson even realized his best friend had chosen him over the love of his life. She also wanted to explore Grayson’s own failed engagement, but didn’t know if now was the best time.  But maybe she should strike now while the iron was hot and before the billionaire decided to shut her out again.

                “So what happened then to end things between them?” she persisted.

                Grayson plopped back against the cushions, “Elle is a structural engineer. She signed on with the LEDA Corporation to go to Africa and help build walled cities and help improve security in the existing cities. LEDA also plans on establishing medical facilities while there. The contract last five years and Elle didn’t want to tie Leo down. She didn’t believe a long distance relationship would last that long and she refused to hold Leo back.”

                “That sounds very selfless. And a bit dangerous on her part.”

                He nodded, “Yes and its tearing Leo up inside that he won’t be there with her. He’s torn by his decision to stay in Omega city.”

                “And why did he decide to stay?”

                Grayson glanced at his watch and she expected him to brush her off again. When he answered he was distracted. He got to his feet, his intentions clear.

                “Family reasons. If you’ll excuse me, if I don’t get a move on it, I’ll be late for sure. My father is already pissed at me as it. I certainly don’t need him breathing down my neck more. I will see you later beautiful.”

                He kissed her on the cheek. It was tame and sweet, but still made her blush like a school girl.

                “Hurry back. You have another appointment to keep sir. It’s not advisable to keep a woman waiting after all.”

                “I wouldn’t dream of it and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he grinned.

                “One more thing before you go?” she called to him as he crossed her room.

                He turned back to her to give his full attention, “Yes, my queen?”

                “Are you seeing someone else at the moment?” she dared to ask.

                She didn’t like the way it fuckin’ felt waiting for his answer. She didn’t like thoughts of him having another woman in his bed. No matter how stupid it was coming from a hired whore, she still couldn’t help it. He walked back over to her.

                He reached up and traced along her jaw, “You’re the only girl I see.”

                Fuck, he was good. Almost too good. Was this all an act?  What Leo warned her about, the billionaire acting nice to keep her pacified until he got what he wanted from her? What would happen if she did have his child? He would probably discard her like trash to the curb. But for now, she would just bask in that tingly, giddy feeling . Reality and all that shit could come later. If this was all just a dream, Amberleigh didn’t want to fuckin wake up.