Page 52 of My Cruel Billionaire

“This is a business and I can’t treat business any other way.” His eyes remained as level as his tone when he spoke. Then the granite façade cracked and his expression softened. “But between you and me is not like it was last time. It’s not the same all right? It’s different.”

“Why?” I asked, my voice breaking a bit at the end. “Why is it different this time?”

“Because, Jenna. You’re different. Maybe I’m a bit different now, too.” He shook his head, lips forming an inverted U. “Ah, it’s so damn confusing. All I know is that now, after being with you again I think that maybe back then was just, I don’t know…”

He lifted his gaze to meet my own, and my soul ached to be near his. Michael was being a lot more open with me than was usual for him, even when we were physically intimate.

“I think maybe back then was just the wrong time for us to meet each other.”

I stopped trying to take my hand back and stared at him for a long time. He let me sit and think until I was ready to speak.

“I don’t know, Michael. Sometimes you’re kind, and sweet, and I think that maybe you have changed and things are different.” My eyes narrowed. “But then, you act cruel to me and I wonder if the other side of you isn’t just an act. Just a ruse to lure me into a false sense of security so you can hurt me some more.”

“I don’t mean to be cruel, Jenna.” He shook his head. “Not with you. Or anyone else, really. I don’t like being cruel for cruelty’s sake, but there are certain realities with business on this level, with this high of stakes.”

Michael sighed before he continued.

“Look, Jenna, I know that rich guys like me and Evan, we’ll be alright even if this merger doesn’t go through. It will hurt financially for a while but our lifestyles won’t change all that much. Not so for the people who work at NonPoint and Leisure Unlimited. Their futures are riding on this, so we have to keep that in mind when we’re doing business. How it will affect the companies from top to bottom, most especially our people.”

I was flabbergasted. I could see it was important to Michael that I not think him wantonly cruel.

“Business is who I am and what I do,” he said firmly. “I have to see this deal through. You understand, Jenna? I have to see it through.”

His eyes grew softer and he squeezed my hand gently.

“But maybe after this whole merger is over, then we could explore where this thing between the two of us might lead—”

I leaped to my feet and glared at him.

“There can never just be only the two of us, Michael.”

“Oh, of course,” he says, shaking his head. “Of course, you mean Damon. Well, I understand that you and he are a package deal. That’s what I meant when I said the two of us, I meant you and Damon. He’s a great kid. I like him.”

I covered my face with my hands, my eyes peering out between my fingers. I think I may have sobbed. Michael leaped to his feet, sending his chair rolling backwards.

“Hey,” he said, embracing me in his warmth. “Come here.”

I buried my face in his chest and tried not to cry. Mostly I failed at this task. Michael held me for a while as a gentle rain fell against the windowpane.

“Hey,” he said softly, pulling away from me slightly. Michael lifted my chin gently with his fingers so our gazes met. “I don’t mean to pry, but what about Damon’s father? Is he going to be in the picture at all?”

I opened my mouth to speak. This was it, the perfect moment to tell Michael the truth. The perfect moment to tell him that Damon was his child.

And yet, as much as it hurt me, I decided to postpone revealing the news to him. Just until after the merger was done. Then I would try again, because I didn’t know what the consequences might be if I told him right there and then.

I had no idea how he might react. It might endanger the merger, and I knew that would devastate Michael.

“I wouldn’t worry about him causing you any trouble, if that’s what you’re getting at,” I said, biting my lower lip as I wriggled my body against his own. “In fact, I think that right now your hands are full of all the… trouble… you can handle.”

He pulled me even tighter into him. I could feel his erect member through the fabric of his pants. Michael swept his hand down my spine to the slope of my ass. Then he grabbed firmly of my right cheek and kneaded the pliant flesh.

I moaned deep and low, like an animal. Michael kissed me deep, and all of a sudden I forgot all about telling him Damon was really his son.

Chapter Eighteen

Michael

I ravished Jenna’s mouth with my own, my hands gripping her fine bottom and pressing her body tight against my own. My skin tingled with excitement, nowhere as potent as my cock. I twitched hard, and I knew she could feel it. Jenna knew she was the cause of it.

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