Billion Dollar Stranger - Stephanie Brother Page 0,19

that. I don't get off on inflicting pain. I've experienced enough if it myself to ever feel comfortable on the other end.

"Well then," he says finally, standing and adjusting his jacket. "I'll send Holden in." He turns and strides toward the door, pausing before opening it. "It was nice to know you, Nicole," he says without turning, and then he exits the room, leaving me with a cold, empty sensation that feels remarkably like regret.

10

AARON

As I walk back to my office, I shake my head. I didn’t expect the meeting with Nicole to turn out this way at all. Maybe it will sound grotesquely arrogant to admit that women tend to find out who I am and how much I’m worth and seize every opportunity they can to be with me.

The night before, Nicole probably thought of me as guy version of her: a sales executive with a good income and some standing within whatever company I worked for. She was interested in me enough when I was an ordinary Joe, but now she’s found out I’m so much more, her interest has disappeared. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been rejected after my success has been discovered and it stings more than I’d like to admit.

When you have money, it’s impossible to know what truly motivates the people you form relationships with. It was refreshing to be with Nicole, knowing she was clueless about the size of my bank account or my business prowess. That she has turned me down because of it is hurtful. Or, maybe admitting that her rejection was probably more about how I behaved is the most difficult pill to swallow.

Back in my office, I ask my PA to dial Holden to tell him that Nicole has arrived. I’ll let their meeting progress as it’s supposed to and formulate a plan. She might think that she can say no to me and I’m going to just walk away. She doesn’t know how persistent I can be. She has no idea how much I can rise to a challenge. She has no idea what I’ve had to battle to get to where I am today.

What does she need to make her want what I want? That’s all I have to figure out.

It makes my cock hard to think that I’m going to have to work to get back inside her. And I’m going to get back there. I always get what I want one way or another.

I have financials to look over, a presentation from my Marketing Director to consider, and a speech to write, but I can’t concentrate. Sandrine keeps buzzing me with questions about my availability, which I find more annoying than usual. I just want to be left alone with my thoughts.

I find that there are many ways to approach seduction. Women say they want to be pampered and romanced with gentle persuasion but in reality, most want something rawer. They crave to be possessed with passion, and some, like Nicole, even desire to be dominated.

A man in control makes a woman feel safe. That’s just how it works.

Nicole may have had enough self-possession to turn me down, but I know what makes that girl tick and I plan to give her just that.

Fuck flowers, chocolates, or notes declaring the goodness of my intentions.

What I have planned for her will make it impossible for her to say no.

11

NICOLE

I can’t concentrate after Aaron leaves. My mind bubbles with what has happened between us, what he wanted to happen again, and what it would mean if I’d said yes. The latter is a dangerous place to dwell. I don’t want to feel regret. I’ve had enough of that.

Holden must notice that something is amiss because he asks me if I’m okay, and I have to confess to being tired and run-down, all layered with apologies that he seems to take on board.

The meeting isn’t a difficult sell. Holden and I have been reviewing the software requirements for AHP for at least a month. I’m simply here to make the agreement more personal. After an hour and a half of going over the presentation and paperwork, Holden takes the contract for signature by the legal and finance directors.

When he returns, I’m elated that it’s all over and I can go back to my hotel. What happened with Aaron didn’t impact anything other than my pride, but I’ll dust myself down and get back to my life. Maybe I’ll use the spa and relax before my