THE BILLIONAIRE'S DANCE(Billionaire Bachelors #2)(6)

“We’re most likely around the fourth floor so there wouldn’t be any noise from the lobby,” he reasoned. “I wonder what happened.”

“I went out earlier in the evening and there was a pretty spectacular storm outside. A power line most likely got knocked over,” she said. Talking to him was making a little of her fear subside and his touch on her arm let her know she wasn’t alone.

“I’m going to feel around for the phone and see if I can get someone on the line. They need to know we’re in here and I can find out what’s happening,” he explained before releasing her arm. She had to fight herself so she wouldn’t reach out and grab him.

She sunk to the floor and hugged her knees to her chest. She was grateful now she’d had a few extra drinks because it was the only thing calming her nerves.

“The phone isn’t picking up.” Alex’s voice startled her. “We’re going to have to wait this out but don’t worry, elevators are extremely secure and it won’t take them long to get us out.” His voice drew closer and then his foot kicked her in the ribs. She let out a whoosh of breath. “I’m sorry, are you okay?” he dropped to his knees and began running his hands from her legs up to her side. Her lungs exploded in a gasp, as heat pooled in her core.

“I’m fine, really, you barely touched me at all,” she said huskily. He seemed to realize what he was doing because his hands stilled suddenly and then they were gone. She breathed another sigh, not sure if it was relief or disappointment.

Alex could hear the huskiness in her voice and it sent a kick right to his gut. He wanted her badly and now they were alone…in the dark…for who knew how long. If he didn’t keep his distance he wouldn’t be responsible for what happened next.

“How long do you think it’ll take for them to get us out?” she asked, trying to fill the silence.

“It won’t take long. Did you enjoy yourself this evening? I think half a million was raised by the time I left,” he said, seeming to know she needed the comfort of words to fill the void.

She didn’t speak for several moments and he started to wonder if she was having a panic attack. He really hoped not. He didn’t know how to deal with hysterical women.

“You know, we really are safe Jessica. These things don’t just plunge through the shaft and explode on the bottom, like in the movies. That’s just Hollywood’s way of making things exciting,” he said in an attempt to comfort her.

When she still didn’t speak, he moved next to her again and let his leg rest against hers. Her body seemed to relax and he heard her breath escape in a sigh.

“Sorry. I just really don’t like the dark,” she finally said to him. “What do you do in your free time?” she asked, needing to hear the sound of his voice.

“I like to travel. I handle most of our international business, because my older brother has so much work to do here and Mark would choose to never fly if he could get away with it. I, on the other hand, am happy to be in a different country each month. My father usually has to drag me home,” he said with a chuckle.

He was noticing lately though he was staying home more often. He’d started to really miss his family.

He was even finding himself enjoying the time spent on his brother’s ranch, herding cattle.

Many things that had once excited him were starting to lose their appeal. He figured he was just getting older. Of course he was only thirty-two and shouldn’t be thinking of himself as aging. “What about you? What makes Jessica happy?”

“I used to travel a lot with my father but I grew bored of it. I’m really more of a homebody now. I do a lot of volunteer work which keeps me plenty busy. I’ve been taking some courses at the college, nothing major, just some fun art, cooking and photography classes. I have a Masters degree in Business because my father wanted me to go into the family corporation but I can’t stand sitting behind a desk all day,” she trailed off.

Alex was surprised she’d gone so far in school. Most of the ladies he knew, with her amount of money at their disposal, didn’t feel a need to go to school. They just lived on their parents’ money and name until they snagged themselves a rich husband.

Jessica sat there, extremely aware of Alex’s leg pressed up against hers. She was incredibly attracted to him but it didn’t matter because men like him didn’t give her the time of day except for a quick trip to bed. He was far too sexy and masculine for her. They always went after the ditzy blondes with huge breasts and no brains. The kind of woman like the bleach-blonde she’d seen him dancing with earlier that evening. The kind of woman who they considered a trophy for their arms.

She wouldn’t reveal to him how her heart ached to be loved for herself and not her money. She wanted to be desired and to be the only thing on a man’s mind. More silence engulfed them, making her hyper aware of his scent. It would be so easy to lean into him and find some comfort.

The elevator made a groaning sound and jerked slightly. Jessica let out a gasp and then she locked her arms around Alex, shaking in fear. She was going to die in the dark, tiny box.

“It’s okay Jessica, the elevator’s just settling a bit. I promise you it won’t fall. There are several back-up safety features for all emergencies. Even if it did fall, which I guarantee you it won’t, we’d get a little bruised up in the worst case scenario. You have nothing to worry about.” He pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her trembling body.