Tied to the Billionaire(60)

“I’ve got him, ma’am.”

Jade surrendered her position, watching as the newcomer—a bodyguard, possibly?—forced the attacker’s hands behind his back. Standing, she turned to face the blond man, who was glaring at his other guard, apparently oblivious to the stream of angry cursing and struggling that was going on behind her.

“We need to get upstairs and”—the blond man glanced at her appraisingly for a moment—“I need a drink. This young woman deserves one too.”

“Oh, look, you don’t need to—” Jade automatically responded, even though her mind was screaming. Shut up! He’s offering to take you up to his room! Take it!

“Oh, I insist.” The blond man looked at her, cool green eyes locking with hers, and Jade met his gaze unflinchingly, forcing herself to ignore the tingling in her gut. He held out his hand to her.

“I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Will.”

“I’m Jade.” Jade took his hand, feeling her face form into a smile that matched his own.

“It’s good to meet you, Jade. Not the best circumstances, I admit. Let’s go up to my room and I’ll make us a nightcap.”

It was the best offer she had had all night.





Chapter Two





Okay, Jade thought. This is just nuts.

Will had invited her up to ‘his room’ for a nightcap. By ‘room’, Jade had assumed that it would be similar to her own standard double room—or maybe a king or queen, since he was obviously able to afford his own bodyguards. At no point had she expected to be where she was now.

It was the f*cking Penthouse Suite.

The ‘room’ covered the entire top floor of the hotel. At the moment they were in the living area, carpeted and furnished in shades of white and teal green with accents of gold. Through a door at the far end Jade could just make out a four-poster bed and a second door which presumably led to an en-suite bathroom.

Facing her as she sat on one of the chaise longues was a marble-topped bar, where Will was pouring two glasses of pink champagne.

“Okay. Who are you really?”

Will paused, a wicked smile crossing his face.

“Who am I really? I don’t believe I lied at any point.”

“No, but you missed out a bit. Or a lot.” Jade looked at him coolly, not breaking her stare as Will crossed the room, placed the glasses on a carved coffee table and sat down opposite her.

“Actually, I’m rather surprised you didn’t recognise me.”

“Is that the polite version of ‘do you know who I am?’”

“No, I quite like it. But okay. My name is Will Vandenmeer.”

Jade caught her breath. Well, that explained the security and the Penthouse Suite.

Oh my God. Will Vandenmeer.

She had seen his photos, read his interviews. How had she not known his face? Will Vandenmeer, the public face of the Vandenmeer hotel and casino chain. Though his father, Eric Vandenmeer, was still owner and director, Will was the company’s main asset, always used for advertising, always quoted in the press.

She looked at him again as she sipped her champagne, hiding her eyes behind her bangs. Without the strategic lighting and makeup he looked quite different, although she could see now where the familiarity had come from. His blond hair was mussed rather than carefully styled, his green eyes paler than she remembered, catlike in an angular face, all cheekbones and pointed jawline.

And while he knew how to work a camera, the carefully chosen emotions he used publicly were absent tonight. He was watching her now, one eyebrow raised, his mouth twisted in a sardonic smile.

“Do I pass inspection?”

Jade smiled back at him.

“You don’t look like your photos.”

Will bowed in mock acknowledgement, then a darker expression crossed his face.

“Enough that that * knew who I was. And he won’t have been alone, either. I’m sorry, but I can’t let you leave tonight.”

“What?”

Will held up a hand, cutting off Jade’s outrage.

“Don’t worry, you’re in no danger here. I’m putting the suite under lockdown. It’s not the first time this has happened, and I won’t have any more innocent rescuers hurt in retaliation. Bryn and Matt have radioed my team and they’re dealing with it.”

For f*ck’s sake!

Jade screwed her eyes shut for a moment, forcing herself to calm down.

Okay. I don’t like it, but he’s right. Shit, what have I got myself into?

“Relax,” said Will, and Jade opened her eyes again to glare at him. “You’re safe with me. Despite what you may have heard.”

And Jade’s stomach spiralled as she remembered the other, less-publicised aspect of Will Vandenmeer.

His club.

It had created a frenzy in the press at first, but the stories had come to an abrupt halt—probably, Jade guessed, due to a heavy-handed legal team. The Sanctuary was hidden in the heart of New York City, a haven for those who lived the hardcore BDSM lifestyle. Patrons were protected, behaviour was strictly regulated, and membership was revoked for the slightest infringement. It was not a place for dabblers.

Will Vandenmeer was a dominant, and didn’t care who knew it.

‘You’re safe with me’. Will was holding her gaze now, and Jade refused to look away, although her body was rebelling against her—torn between the flutter of nerves in her gut and a stab of desire in her cunt.