Page 42 of Meeting the Billionaire Boss

‘Daddy filmed it for you on his phone so you can watch it later with me.’ Joe smiles and I smooth his hair back from his forehead.

‘I’ll look forward to it,’ I say.

He taps the ring on my left hand. ‘You’re going to be my mummy now, aren’t you?’

‘Edward has explained to him that you’ll be his wife and so that means you’ll also be Joe’s mummy,’ Polly says.

‘Right.’ I nod. I wasn’t sure how Edward would tell Joe but I kind of thought we might do it together. However, this is good too because Joe has had some time to get used to it.

‘Now we’ll always be together.’ Joe slides off his chair and gives me a hug and as I rest my head on his shoulder, I thinkI hope so, because leaving him now would be unbearable. I can’t even bear to think ahead to how it will feel when our marriage of convenience comes to an end, as I assume it will do at some point.

Chapter43

Edward

Irushed back from London last night, knowing that Ava would be at home, but I was too late and she was already in bed. It was probably a good thing because even though she’d only been gone a few days, I’ve missed her and I might have behaved irresponsibly. And yes, by that I mean, taking her to bed. I can’t get enough of her sweetness, how she threads her hands though my hair and presses me into her, whispering my name as she climaxes. I’ve held back from penetrating her or letting her pleasure me because I’m afraid of losing control. Not physically, because it’s not the act itself but what it represents and what it could do to her. It could deepen whatever it is that’s going on between us and I don’t want her to get hurt. Plus, though I hate to admit it, for me it’s been over two years and I can’t bear the thought of losing myself to another woman. I can’t afford to be hurt like that again. But I can give Ava pleasure and I enjoy doing it. It’s something that I can offer her without completely surrendering myself. And she tastes so fucking good that I can’t get enough of her.

This evening we have a Christmas party at one of the neighbouring estates. I’ve known the family all my life. Joe will stay with Polly but Ava will come with me and then I can publicly share that we plan to marry in the new year, although the unofficial news has been out since Halloween.

The final draft of the contract is ready for Ava to sign and then we’ll be all systems go. While she was away, the house felt empty without her. Joe was a bit lost and I know I was too. Ava brings something with her and the only way I can describe it is that she’s like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. She brings warmth and joy that the house has been missing and the fact that she’s agreed to sign a contract that will keep her here for the foreseeable future offers me more relief than I can articulate.

Soon, Ava Thorne will be my bride. That day can’t come soon enough.

Chapter44

Ava

Edward drives us to the Christmas Eve party in his sleek, silver Aston Martin. The car is gorgeous and I sit back, watching the road ahead glowing in the moonlight as he drives through the country lanes, the frosty hedgerows and fields flying past in a blur. I catch him glancing at me several times and I wish I knew what he was thinking because he’s been quiet since this morning when I saw him at breakfast.

I’m wearing a short red-lace dress that I found on my bed after lunch, sent direct from a designer I suspect, and it’s risen up my legs in the low car seat. Underneath the dress I have on black holdup stockings and a lacy black thong that was provided with the dress. The thong is soft against my skin, teasing me where it touches. There was no bra so I’m not wearing one and with the low back of the dress, I didn’t have a suitable one anyway. On my feet are glittery black Manolo Blahniks that I keep admiring. They’re so pretty and sparkly and make my legs look far longer than they are. Along with the shoes was a clutch and in that I’ve put my phone and lip-gloss. Edward also arranged for the hairstylist and makeup artist to come again so I certainly look the part of the billionaire’s fiancée this evening.

I tug at the dress and try to pull it down but every time I move, it slides up again.

‘Stop fidgeting,’ he says, his eyes on my legs. Something rebellious kicks in. I’ve missed being close to him, feeling his hands on me. His sultry cologne is teasing my senses, making me want him, so I deliberately wriggle causing the dress to ride up and expose the lacy tops of the stockings.

His breath catches in his throat, and I bite my lip to hide my smile, but then his hand is on my thigh and my core clenches. He moves his hand higher, brushes it over the front of the flimsy thong and I can’t help myself, I moan. I’ve never been like this, so wanton, so alive, but Edward has this effect on me and I’m sure it’s because my feelings for him are far deeper than anything I’ve experienced before. No man has ever touched me the way he does and I want him constantly.

‘You like that?’ His voice is low, guttural.

‘Yes,’ I whisper.

‘More later,’ he says, flashing me a grin, and I could cry with frustration.

He removes his hand and gives my thigh a squeeze then manoeuvrers the car up a long, winding driveway. He pulls up outside a large, three storey blond stone Georgian mansion with a panelled door framed by two large columns. The front of the house is illuminated with exterior lighting that draws attention to the parapet and sash windows and I’m sure I’ve seen it in a Jane Austen adaptation.

Edward gets out then comes around to the passenger side and offers me his hand. I try to get out gracefully but in the short dress and heels, it’s hard, and as I stand, I lose my balance and fall towards Edward. He catches me and for a moment, I lean against him, feeling his strong hands around my waist, his hard body pressed against mine. He gives my bottom a quick squeeze and it’s all I can do not to press my hand to his crotch.

‘Good evening, Sir and Madam.’ I step back as a man in a dark suit appears at Edward’s side. Edward drops the car keys into the man’s open palm.

‘Shall we?’ Edward holds out his arm and I take it then we climb the steps to the front door.

I glance behind me to see that other cars are pulling up in front of the house and the man who took Edward’s keys gets into the Aston Martin and drives it away. It’s like something out of an awards ceremony and again reminds me what a different life Edward leads.

The front door of the house opens revealing a giant Christmas tree with sparkling lights and another man in a black suit smiles at us then ushers us inside. My stomach flips over because I’m suddenly nervous about meeting these people who Edward has known since childhood. What if they look down on me and think I’m out of place?

‘Don’t worry,’ Edward says softly. ‘You’ll be brilliant.’

And then we are immersed in welcomes and air kisses, and I hold on tight to my fiancé’s arm as he works the room. He’s so sophisticated and clearly well thought of by his peers. He shakes hands and kisses cheeks as he greets people, introducing me to everyone without fail and soon I give up trying to remember the names. Most of the people I meet seem friendly enough, to be fair, and I only receive a few cold glances. By now, I’m sure it’s out that I’m the nanny but Edward’s confidence rubs off on me and so I raise my chin and smile as if I have no idea that anyone could be questioning my right to be there.

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