Wild Billionaire Romance - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

“What does my old boss have to do with this?” I asked, my stomach turning.
“Her brother owns the company we are trying to acquire. It is necessary for our interests, but Matthew Castle⁠—”
“Is a total fucking freak,” I finished for him.
Oh, I knew all about Matthew Castle, working for Missy. How could I not? She was his younger sister and completely dependent on him. I’d been around more than my fair share of New York’s wealthiest and most depraved socialites. That bastard took the cake. He made Uncle Frank look like Santa fucking Clause.
“You know Matthew?” Marat asked, eyes narrowing.
“I met him before. He paid the bills, after all, and I was working as Missy’s assistant until she fired me a few days ago.”
“After the party?” he asked.
“Yes, after the party. I figured Adrik arranged it so I would accept his deal. But I have no idea what business you or Adrik have with him, Marat. I mean it.”
“And I suppose I should just take your word for it,” he scoffed.
We walked side by side down the busy Manhattan street to the small Italian café where I’d gotten a delicious macchiato the day before with Adrik. I missed him, I realized which was stunning and disheartening, as I waited for my coffee.
“Okay, a few things,” I began as I slid into the chair Marat held out for me. “I have no idea about any deals. Adrik doesn’t talk to me about business.”
“Then what are you doing here? Is it about the clothes? The dates? Money? I have money, Sofia, and I can pay you⁠—”
“Stop it,” I growled, insulted. “I am really tired of you people trying to buy me. Adrik and I have an arrangement. He’s helping my family out over a rough patch in return for my agreeing to spend the next month with him. Three weeks now,” I said, and tried to ignore the pang in my heart at the mention of time.
“One month? Wait. The properties he bought, that was for you?” he asked, eyebrows raised.
Though he was speaking in a low, hushed tone, I could not help but feel like I was on display. Women around us, even some of the men, did not hide the fact they were checking Marat out. I supposed they could not be blamed. He was very pretty. But right then, I hated him. Hated what he was forcing me to come face to face with, and that was my own delusions.
“I didn’t ask him to buy anything. He’d already made the purchases when he propositioned me.”
“Propositioned? So, he did pay for your time? You know, it is a puzzle, Sofia. My brother is one of the most sought after men in the world. He is rich and powerful. He can have anyone he wants by snapping his fingers. You know, I looked you up. And I cannot figure it out. Why does he want you so? You have fucked him already. This, I know. He spent two days locked in that penthouse, ignoring business, just to have sex with you,” he said, eyeing me like I was a maggot.
“The only thing I can think of that is holding his interest is your connection to Castle, unless,” he said.
He was letting the last word hang there as he looked at me again, like he was trying to imagine my naked body and what attractions I could possibly hold for any man, let alone his esteemed brother.
Conceited much?
“Missy fired me before my arrangement with Adrik started. As for what interests him, you should ask your brother,” I said.
Hurt and anger had my eyes filling with unshed tears. I was stunned. Hurt even by the likelihood that Marat’s assessment of my deal with Adrik seemed valid.
“Forgive me for being crude, but he is my brother. Adrik is everything to me. How do I know someone else can’t buy you?” he asked, and anger flashed in his eyes.
“Fuck you for thinking I am some whore anyone can buy,” I hissed.
He wasn’t exactly wrong about Adrik and me. Maybe that was why I felt so ugly inside. So angry. Here I was, living in some little vacuum, pretending I was the star in my very own dark romance and that my relationship with Adrik might turn into something else. Something that started with sex but maybe ended with something more.
I was a fucking idiot. Marat was right. Adrik had bought me, and for the first time in my life, I felt like a whore.
“You seem angry. Sofia. Did I insult you? I must apologize, you see, my brother does not have weaknesses. He does not show emotions. But this last week, he has not been himself,” he said as if that’s any explanation.
“Excuse me. I think I need to get back,” I murmured, neglecting to pick up my coffee.
“Miss? Miss, you have to pay for this!” the barista called, but I was too upset to stop.
“Sofia! Wait! Fuck,” I heard Marat growl, but I looked back and saw him paying for the coffee.
Good. I would hate to think the café got stiffed. But I was just too emotional to speak. Shame washed over me. I’d been caught up, romanticizing what Adrik and I were doing in my head. Physically, I liked it very much. But I was getting attached, building castles in the sky, starting to believe this was something it wasn’t.
Shit. This was dangerous territory. I was being foolish. I’d made a deal, and I couldn’t leave no matter how much I wanted to. It was time for me to stop pretending Adrik and I were dating.
We weren’t. This wasn’t that kind of story. He’d paid me to keep his bed warm, and that was what I would do. I would fuck him when he said, go with him to dinner parties or whatever, and the rest of the time I would stay in the spare bedroom.
No more traipsing around Manhattan and getting dim sum in Chinatown. No more museums and outings. No more trying to earn his smiles. No more ammunition for breaking my heart.
I couldn’t risk it. His was not my world. I didn’t know how to play these kinds of games. How would I go back to my ordinary life afterwards if I fell for the man? There was no possibility he would fall for me. I was not in his league. Not even remotely. But why would it matter? I did not love him, I told myself, angry at myself for even thinking it.
My phone buzzed, and I looked down. Nonna had returned my text. She was happy, safe, and I was glad. I should have called her, but I couldn’t talk just yet. The elevator ride was quick, and I ignored the guards and went to the bedroom where I had them put my new clothes.
It was showtime. I was just playing dressing up. Acting a part. Yeah, I could do that. Just like drama class in high school. Fuck Marat for trying to play me into revealing some stupid corporate espionage plot. I was no spy. I was just a chubby Jersey girl who’d caught the eye of his billionaire brother.
Something he wanted to have, to borrow really, just for a little while. Like a piece of art or some other oddity. I was a temporary possession, rented, used, and when it was over, I would be sent back. Those thoughts played over and over in my head the entire time I showered and dressed, readying myself for this dinner party, whatever it was.
I took care to do my hair and makeup, using an iron to make fat, glossy, sable-colored curls cascading over my shoulders. I wore the silver silk dress he’d told me to wear.
It was simple in design, resembling a long slip with spaghetti straps that crisscrossed over my back. My shoulders were small, and they’d been taken in for me that day. All of my clothes had been fitted and adjusted to fit my shorter, wider frame. The dress felt delicious against my skin. So soft, so fine, and so thin you could see my nipples despite the teddy I wore beneath it.
It fell to my ankles in a flutter of silver fabric that moved when I walked and made me feel like I was floating on a cloud. But that was just more fiction. I was very much on solid ground. I slipped on the strappy matching heels with the infamous red sole and wondered at how comfortable they were despite being ridiculously high.
Those shoes cost more than my rent, and though I’d seen them in stores in the city, I’d never thought I would own a pair. Much less the twelve pairs Adrik had ordered for me. I hoped he would get more use out of them, since there was no way I would take any of the clothes or shoes with me after the month was up. Maybe his next plaything would be my size. The thought made my heart squeeze painfully in my chest.
Last, I gathered the 1920s style velvet robe that went on top of the dress and waited for Adrik to arrive. It was five minutes to four when I walked into the living room, and he was already there wearing a black tuxedo. Our eyes met and suddenly the room felt very small. He lowered his gaze, dragging it from my head to my feet, and I swore I felt the air sizzle with desire.
I might not have understood the game, but after my meeting with Marat, I was better prepared to steel myself against the unwanted tug on my heartstrings from such a look. If only this was a different sort of meeting. If only he hadn’t manipulated things so I had no choice but to be with him for this short time. Regret scratched at me, but I forced it away.
But all the if onlys would not get me through the next month. It was better to put on a smile and pretend I was as unaffected by him as he was by me. Adrik Volkov was a wolf who did not bother with sheep’s clothing. He wanted my body, and I agreed to give it to him. For one month.
I just had to remember to stick to that.