Bargaining for the Billionaire (6 page)

“I didn't see his face. Only certain parts of him.” This time, fierce heat slid up Maddie's neck into her cheeks. She laughed and jabbed a pointed finger at Hannah. “And that's all the details you're getting.”

Hannah laughed and held up her hands. “I won't ask. Though I am glad you're having a good time.” Hannah bumped her shoulder. “It's good to see you happy, Madds.”

Maddie smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. “Ditto. I have to admit, though, the thought of meeting him has my nerves scattered. There are only three days until the auction, before I have to meet him in person. I don't want any more than something casual, but this gift has complicated written all over it.”

Hannah slung an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I'm going to quote a very wise woman I know, who once told me the same thing. It's just a date, Madds. If you're lucky, you'll get some hot sex with a guy who clearly toots your horn. It doesn't have to be any more than that. Stop thinking and enjoy it.”

Maddie shook her head. “I hope you're right, Han. I really do. 'Cause three years is long enough.”

Her phone pinged from where it sat on the counter, and Maddie's heart picked up speed.

Hannah nudged her with an elbow. “Hot sex, Madds. The sweaty, wake up the next morning sore and exhausted kind. It's a good thing. You can do this. But if you don't go for it, you'll never get it.”

Maddie turned her head and cocked a brow. Okay, so it was T.M.I., but she had to know. Curiosity and all that. “Wake up sore? Seriously? When?”

Hannah flushed to the roots of her hair but giggled. “Those first few months after Cade moved back to Seattle. You have to experience it once in your life to realize how glorious it is.”

Maddie could only stare for a moment before a grin bloomed. “And to think you were the shy one.”

Yeah, okay, so she was jealous of her best friend. She wanted that, the freedom and joy of loving someone. The thought only reinforced what she already knew. She could do this. She wanted this. Right? Which meant she had to take that step. Out of her box and into…his.

With trembling fingers, she picked up her phone and brought up her Gchat. As expected, the message was from Dave.

BookNerd: I sent you something. Please let me know when you get it.

Hannah flashed a bright smile then moved around behind the counter, busying herself with the inventory sheets Maddie had set out earlier.

Maddie drew a deep breath, staring down at her phone. Every body part seemed to be shaking, including her knees. God, here went nothing.

MadHatter3000: Just got here.

BookNerd: Oh, good. Do you like it?

Here's where she had to be honest with him. Hannah was right. Doing so usually settled her nerves.

MadHatter3000: It was very sweet. TY. But it's an intimate gift. I meant what I said. I don't want complicated. If ur hoping for more, I'm going to disappoint u.

That was almost rude to say to him, but it was the truth. She wanted sex, but she wasn't ready for anything serious. The question was, would this be the moment he backed out of their date?

BookNerd: Relax, babe. It's just a gift. I'm fond of surprises.

That was exactly what terrified her. Grayson had been, too. Their friendship back when had started much like this one, a text or an e-mail here and there. They'd eventually led to nights of lying in the dark listening to the sexy sound of his voice. She still had the bracelet he'd given her for her birthday three years ago. It was an extravagant thing, expensive for sure, but simple and beautiful. A thin gold chain with a round amethyst set in gold. It currently sat at the bottom of her panty drawer. She'd thought about pawning it, but hadn't been able to let it go. It was too sentimental and selling it seemed rude.

Dave's gift this morning left her with the same unsettled feeling. Look where her relationship with Grayson had gotten her. Was she insane for doing this?

When she didn't reply, because her stomach had twisted itself into a nervous knot and she couldn't think of what
to
say, another message popped onto her screen.

BookNerd: Look. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I happened to come across a copy, and I thought of you. Christina told me you owned a bookstore, and the book is a favorite. It's not any more complicated than that. You can send it back if it's too much. I hope our date still stands, though.

Regret tightened in Maddie's chest. Great. She'd offended him. His last statement, too, caught her, bringing up a whole slew of questions. Namely, was he actually worried she wouldn't still want to meet him? What did he expect from her? From this? This blind date had taken on a life of its own. She enjoyed the hell out of it for what it was, but this gift hinted at something else, something that only reminded her of the upcoming auction. At some point, she'd have to take her relationship with him offline and into reality. Was she ready for that?

Deciding she had to know, she typed in a quick response and hit send before she lost the nerve to ask.

MadHatter3000: Srry. Didn't mean to offend or sound ungrateful. It was very sweet, but r u hoping to get lucky?

The question was partly a tease, but she'd asked because his response would tell her what he expected. More to the point, it would tell her what
she
could expect.

BookNerd: You didn't offend. And yes. ;) Seriously? I enjoy you. I don't want to screw this up because of an impulsive decision. I have to go. Meeting in a few. Will I see you tonight?

Would he?

Yet even as she asked herself the question, the answer swelled inside of her. She would. Hannah was right. The flirting, the orgasms, their chats, were addicting. Now she had something that filled the empty silence of the night, something to look forward to besides her B.O.B. and her empty apartment when the lonely ache became unbearable.

And, okay, she couldn't deny it. She wanted more. She wanted something physical. She wanted him real and in front of her. The whole nine yards. His hands on her body, the taste of his breath as it mixed with hers, and his cock sliding into her. The thought had her knees shaking, but if she let this opportunity pass her by, she'd regret it. At some point, she had to leave the past where it belonged. So, she forced her shaking fingers to type in the response and hit send before she lost the nerve to do it.

MadHatter3000: C U 2night.

BookNerd: I'm glad. Later, baby.

When his name blipped off her screen, Maddie released a breath filled with equal parts excitement and relief.

Hannah lifted her gaze from the papers and smiled. “See? Piece of cake. You can do this.”

Maddie let loose a half-maniacal laugh. She was sure she sounded like she'd gone off the deep end, which summed up the emotions thrumming through her. “Oh yeah. Piece of cake, Han. Piece of cake.”

Hannah abandoned the stack of papers and stepped to her side, wrapping her in a tight hug that reminded her too much of Christina. “It'll be okay, Madds. You'll see. Do you want this?”

Maddie let the tension drain from her shoulders. “Yes.”

Hannah released her, the corners of her mouth tipped up in sympathy, and shook her head.

“Then swallow the fear and do it anyway. Let yourself have this. I was terrified the day I met Cade for the first time at The Space Needle. I was sure he'd take one look at me and go home. But he didn't. He took me in his arms and God, Madds. He had an erection hard enough to hammer train track spikes.” Hannah giggled, then rolled her eyes in bliss. “But that first time…”

Maddie's mind filled with the fantasy of Dave drawing her against that big, hard chest. A heated shiver ran the length of her spine. “That good, huh?”

Hannah pursed her lips and nodded. “So much better in person. I understand the fear, though.”

“Probably better than anyone.” Maddie dropped her gaze to her sneakers and nodded. Hannah had been judged one too many times for the scars on her face. Some men were shallow, and she'd met too many of them. She'd been as terrified at the thought of taking her relationship with Cade into reality. At least Maddie wasn't alone in her fear.

“Your past doesn't make you who you are, so don't let it. Cade taught me that.” Hannah hugged her again then released her. “Reach out and take this, Madds. Just because you can. You're twenty-eight, gorgeous, single and successful. Hold your head high. You deserve this. You owe it to yourself.”

Later that night, Maddie sat staring at her computer. Waiting. That had to be pathetic, yet here she was, pretending to watch TV, her laptop seated on her knees. Their closer, J.J., had come in early, leaving Maddie plenty of time to anticipate tonight's conversation. Plenty of time to work herself into a frenzy of nerves. She'd had dinner already. The kitchen was clean and her laundry was done. There were a million other things she could be doing. Like watching the paranormal program she'd recorded on her DVR the other night. Or reading the book Dave had sent.

What was she doing, instead? Sitting here waiting for his Gchat name to appear online. When it actually did, her heart leapt, a full-out giddy little flip-flop. When his message popped up seconds later, her heart took off on a sprint, and her hands began to shake. God, that was pathetic. Not only had she waited for him, but she was so excited to see him she was coming out of her skin.

BookNerd: Hey

MadHatter3000: Hey

Despite the fact that they weren't even in the same room, awkward tension rose like a tangible object. She had no idea what to say to him. Their last conversation had been awkward at best. So, she sat and waited, stomach rolling with nausea.

It didn't take long for another message to pop up.

BookNerd: We okay?

We.
His particular use of the word caught her and had her fear running away with itself. She didn't want a “we.” What she wanted was something in the middle.

She sighed. She was caught somewhere between her inability to trust men and the future she ached to have, but it meant taking that first step and this was it.

MadHatter3000: We're ok. Sorry about earlier. You spooked me. Getting that gift made me wonder what you're expecting from this.

BookNerd: Am I hoping to get you naked at some point? Yes. ;) Otherwise? I'm not expecting anything. I'm afraid to tell you, sweetheart, I really am a geek. Books are my idea of seduction. It was my way of saying I like you. I'm looking forward to meeting you, you know. I hope you are, too.

Was she? Hands down. She hadn't had sex with a man in well over four years, an entire year before she'd met Grayson. She'd wanted to make love to him, but hadn't been able to because the fear had gotten to her, filling her mind with ugliness. Well, no more. She was tired of being alone. Maybe she wasn't ready to give out her heart yet. Of that she was certain. Maybe this thing with Dave would only be a fling, but with any luck, she'd find her feet again.

Decision made, she typed in another response.

MadHatter3000: I have to be honest as well. This? Online? Is easy, b/c it's simple. It's a fantasy. This I can do. But in person? The thought scares the crap out of me. It's been a while for me. I meant what I said. I'm not ready for more than this.

BookNerd: I'm not asking you for more. Though, I may ask you to take off your panties. ;) Would that be a yes, then? Are you looking forward to meeting at the auction?

That he'd repeated the question stood out to her and had her mind shifting gears. Was he afraid she
wasn't
looking forward to their date? It hinted that he was nervous, too. Not for the first time since she'd start chatting with him, seeing his human side eased the worry gnawing at her stomach.

MadHatter3000: Yes. My panties are damp. I've been waiting for you.

Heart still firmly seated in her throat, she added another message, as an afterthought.

MadHatter3000: That's pathetic, right?

BookNerd: If it is, I'm right there with you, baby. Getting to talk to you is the best part of my day.

Knowing that sent little butterflies dancing through her stomach. Like she was sixteen all over again, sitting in Tom Wilson's pickup, in the dark parking lot of that deserted park.

BookNerd: Relax, okay? We'll play it by ear. No pressure, I promise. I'm just looking forward to seeing you. I want you close enough to touch. Now ask me what I want to do to you when I see you. ;)

Maddie smiled. Now this she couldn't resist.

MadHatter3000: Let me guess, you plan to drag me off somewhere quiet to have your way w/ me?

BookNerd: Not quite. Thought I'd start with your mouth first. Maybe work my way down your neck…

Nerves eased, she relaxed into the sofa cushions and fell easily into the usual play.

MadHatter3000: I might actually let you. ;)

BookNerd: Baby, I'm hoping you'll let me do a whole lot more than kiss you. I want to feel you tremble in my arms when I find all those sensitive spots. I want to feel your breath on my neck when my fingers find you hot and wet…

And there it was. The single solitary statement to send her stomach right back into a riotous mass of anxious nerves. It was beyond pathetic to be twenty-eight and still acting like a virginal high school girl.

MadHatter3000: Dave?

BookNerd: Yeah?

MadHatter3000: I'm nervous.

BookNerd: Me too, baby. Me too.

T
he name on his screen doused his libido like a bucket of ice water. Grayson sat staring at the word. The name Maddie had called him stood out on the page, all but lit up and blinking. So, that was the name Christina had given her. He supposed she'd had to tell Maddie something, but the name taunted him with what he wanted so damn bad he could taste it: to tell her who he really was.

Damn it. He slammed the lid shut, dropped his laptop onto the couch beside him with a little more force than intended, and surged to his feet. Pacing away from the couch, he dragged his hands through his hair. He hated lying to her. Oh for sure when she found out, she'd be pissed, but he'd waited three years for this chance. Three long damn years of trying to move on with his life, but not being able to. Because he missed her.

He needed her to know he hadn't hidden the truth to hurt her, that he hadn't intended for her to find out his real name the way she had. Damn it, he needed her to know the truth. Everything he would have told her that weekend, had she shown up.

It would mean eventually bearing an ugly, painful wound, though. He'd have to show her the scars on his back and share all those dark places. The things he'd spent sixteen years trying to forget. He still saw his father on occasion. He'd left home at thirteen, because living on the streets was better than living with an angry drunk, never knowing if he'd be safe going to sleep at night. Yet now that he'd gotten his life together, dear ol' dad would call or show up out of the blue, pretending everything was great. As if all those years of abuse hadn't happened. That the damn scars on his back didn't exist or he hadn't spent a year on the streets and not once had the man come searching for him.

“I don't care what you do with the little bastard….”

His father's words that long ago day rang in his head. That was the day Arthur had sought parental custody. Doing so had meant months in court and a restraining order, but in the end, his biological father hadn't contested.

The ping of an incoming instant message sounded from the vicinity of the couch behind him. Right. He'd left Maddie hanging. With a sigh, he resumed his seat and opened his laptop lid. A new message blinked out at him from the screen.

MadHatter3000: Did I scare you off?

For all her bravado and sass, deep down, Maddie had insecurities, like everybody else. It's what he loved so much about her. She was humble and honest.

And you're lying to her.

Guilt rose over him again, tightening his stomach, and for a moment, he could only stare at the screen. He hadn't meant for their chats to go this far. He'd only meant to draw her out of herself, for her to get to know him again. He couldn't back out now, though. Not without telling another lie, which would go against everything he wanted: to earn her trust. The only way for that to happen would be to act natural. Otherwise, she'd know something was up. This had to work. He couldn't lose her again.

BookNerd: Sorry. Had to get up for a minute. I'll quote somebody else I know. I don't scare so easily. ;)

MadHatter3000: Thought perhaps I was little too honest.

BookNerd: I like honesty. Truth is, my real name's not Dave. I wanted anonymity until we met at the auction. Tell me what you're doing.

MadHatter3000: I'm staring at you, actually. You're very yummy inspiration. I've started without you.

Grayson groaned, his cock twitching against his belly. He'd taken a huge chance by sending her that pic, on the off chance she'd recognize him somehow. His only saving grace was knowing she'd never seen him with his shirt off, a fact he'd made sure of up until now. Back then, she'd wanted to take things slow, and he'd been happy to let her, in part because he feared the scars on his back would disgust her. It hadn't happened yet with any of his previous lovers, but the fear was still there, nonetheless.

The thought of the conversation that would follow terrified him. Those were memories he only wanted to forget. He'd moved so far beyond the terrified boy he'd once been, but he would carry the scars forever.

Those words from Maddie, though, were the entire reason he'd taken the chance.

BookNerd: God, you have no idea how much of a turn-on that is, to know you're over there with your fingers buried in your pussy, thinking about me. Exactly how wet are you, baby?

MadHatter3000: Very. It's all hot and slippery.

The image filled his mind, the way it had a thousand times before. Her, with her legs spread and her fingers buried in her heat. All those nights he laid in his bed, alone, listening to the sound of her ragged breathing as she stroked that hot pussy. He dropped his head back and closed his eyes, fisted his cock, and stroked slowly as the sounds she'd made long ago filled his head. By God, she was beautiful in the throes of passion. He ached to be a fly on the wall of her apartment.

When he didn't respond—because he couldn't make his brain work much past that image of her—another message popped up.

MadHatter300: Guys like to know that stuff, right?

His heart twisted at another sign of her insecurity.

BookNerd: Sorry. You distracted me for a minute. You make my cock ache, sweetheart. That's perfect.

MadHatter3000: You want me?

More memories flooded his mind. He squeezed the head of his cock, swiping his thumb over the bead of slick liquid dripping out the tip as the sound of her voice filled his head. She'd said those exact words to him once three years ago, had spoken them on a breathless, distracted whisper. Her voice had become an erratic, jerky huff that filled his mind with images of her long, slender fingers flying over her clit as she raced toward orgasm. It had taunted him then and did so again now.

BookNerd: You have no idea.

MadHatter3000: What r u thinking?

BookNerd: I'm imagining you, with your legs spread, fingers stroking your pussy. I bet you look incredible. Christ, I can almost smell you. I'd be on my knees at your feet, worshiping that pussy. I ache to replace those fingers with my tongue.

MadHatter3000: God, u don't know what that does to me…

He let out a soft curse and dropped his head back onto the sofa. His cock was so hard, so engorged, every stroke had extreme pleasure shooting to his toes. He was a sneeze from the edge. A couple of long strokes would be all it took. The imagined sound of her voice wrapped him like hot velvet, like she was there beside him, and another memory lodged itself in his mind. Another heated phone call, once upon a time.
“Tell me what you'd do to me, Gray…”

Too ramped up and too damn close to imploding, he forced himself to open his eyes and released his cock, focusing, instead on the computer. If he didn't, he was going to come without her, and this wasn't about his needs. It was about hers. He could take care of himself later.

He thought for a minute, then dove into the fantasy.

BookNerd: I like it slow. I'd take my time with you. Caress your thighs, stroke your belly, pinch your nipples. I'd lean in and inhale your scent. I bet you smell incredible.

MadHatter3000: U like that?

God, did he ever.

BookNerd: A woman's scent is damn erotic. I'd have to lean in and taste. Long, slow strokes of my tongue, each one ending with a flick over your clit. I'd take my time, relishing the way you taste and the musk of your scent. Can you feel my tongue, baby?

MadHatter3000: God yes.

Grayson dragged a shaky hand through his hair. Christ. He could almost hear her moan that time. When she exploded, he'd no doubt go with her, and he wouldn't have to touch himself at all. Every inch of him was set to combust.

Encouraged, he continued, allowing himself to get lost in the fantasy, for her benefit.

BookNerd: I'd swirl my tongue around your clit, scrape my teeth over your mound, nibble the insides of your thighs, stroking your lips with my thumbs…touching everywhere but where you want me to.

MadHatter3000: Tease…

BookNerd: ;) All the while my hands are all over you. Caressing and massaging your breasts, twirling your nipples between my fingers. Are your nipples sensitive, sweetheart?

He knew they were, because she'd told him once, but for the sake of the charade, he'd asked. And because he ached to know what she'd tell him.

MadHatter3000: Mmm. Very. I like them pinched.

BookNerd: Do the opposite for me. Caress your fingers over them, lightly, like your tickling them.

Thirty seconds passed before her response popped up.

MadHatter3000: Gives me shivers and makes them harder…

He groaned.

BookNerd: I want to bite one.

MadHatter3000: Ohhh, I like that, the soft scrape of ur teeth. What would u do next? Don't stop.

Another memory lodged itself in his mind. She'd said that to him once him before, too. Her voice had been soft and trembling at the time.
“Don't stop, Gray…please don't stop.”

His fingers shook so much it took three tries to get his next message out.

BookNerd: Are you hot, baby?

MadHatter3000: Yessss. So close.

Grayson closed his eyes and dragged in a much needed breath. So was he. So close he was shaking. Every cell in his body was focused on her, to the point that the imagined sound of her voice filled his head. Every breath and sigh she no doubt made rang in his mind. He reached down, allowed himself a slow, luscious stroke of his cock, imagining her seated before him, thighs spread, chest heaving. God, this conversation was going to drive him out of his mind.

He released his aching cock, ignoring the urge to close his eyes and get lost in the fantasy she had swirling in his head, to allow himself the delicious orgasm hovering just beyond reach. Instead, he sat up, picked up his laptop and set it on his knees.
Focus, Lockwood. This is about her, not you.
He wanted her to trust him, to relax with him, and it started with something as simple as following her lead.

BookNerd: I'd dive in. Put my hands beneath your ass and pull you into my mouth, bury my face and my tongue in your pussy. Licking and sucking on your clit. Your hands would be in my hair, your hips rocking to the rhythm as I flick my tongue back and forth, like butterfly kisses…

She went silent then, and his head filled with more visions. Of her on her couch, exactly the way he'd described—legs spread, fingers pumping in and out of herself. Abandoning the computer for the sake of pleasure.

So, he did the same, sat back, leisurely stroking his cock to thoughts of her as he waited. When a full minute passed in silence, though, the urge to know overrode everything else. Damn it. He hated not being able to see her, or at the very least, hear her.

BookNerd: Tell me what you're doing baby. Be my eyes…

MadHatter3000: I'm sorry. I'm so damn close. This isn't as easy as I expected. If I type, I can't touch, but if I close my eyes and enjoy, I have to ignore u…

Grayson let out a frustrated groan. Of all things for her to say. God, she had no idea. What he wanted so badly he could taste it was to call her. To let the sweet sound of her voice wrap around him. Her voice always went soft and husky when she was close to orgasm. He ached to tell her everything he was thinking, describe in detail all the things he wanted to do her, the way he used to once upon a time. Because he knew. It would heat her up. She loved it when he talked that way to her, had told him once it made her hot, and he ached to take her over the edge.

BookNerd: Then don't. Stop replying and just enjoy. I'm right there with you. Close your eyes and feel me beside you. Be my hands, baby. Stroke that hot pussy for me.

MadHatter3000: Not fair…

BookNerd: Believe me, I'm getting just as much out of this as you are. Just imagining your pleasure, what you must look like…. Christ, you have me so damn hard.

MadHatter3000: Describe ur cock?

Grayson dropped his gaze to his lap, but couldn't help an ironic half grin. Now there was a question he'd never been asked. Maddie had never asked before. Leave it to her to push him out of the comfortable little box he kept himself in.

BookNerd: About six inches. Thick. The head is large and purple and it's leaking. All for you.

MadHatter3000: Mmm…I'm shaking, u know that? Are u stroking that beautiful cock? Wish u were here…

An agonized groan escaped him. The very thought of being inside her velvet heat had his cock throbbing. He was going to combust where he sat.

BookNerd: Me too, baby. Soon. I'm stroking in between talking to you. To be a little too honest, you have me ramped up so high, I'm taking it slow or I'll come without you.

MadHatter3000: Let it go. Come with me, Gray…

Grayson froze, blinking at the screen. His heart hammered and his mind raced. She'd called him Gray. It was a nickname he'd had since he was a kid. Maddie had never called him Grayson. She'd always called him Gray. His mind spun in panic. Had she figured it out? Did she know it was him? That he wasn't some random stranger? Oh, he wasn't exactly lying to her. He just wasn't telling her the whole truth. But he knew damn well she wouldn't see it that way.

Fuck…

Dejection hanging on him, he swallowed past the lump of fear stuck in his throat and waited for the berating he knew damn well he deserved. Waited for the moment when she'd announce she was canceling their date and her name would blip off his screen. Except as he stared at her name along the bottom of the message box, heart hammering in his throat, seconds ticked out to a full minute, and the reply never came.