Desired by the Billionaire 2: Claimed by Him (Lust, Love and Power Series)

  Desired by the Billionaire 2

  Claimed by Him

  Lust, Love and Power Series

  Other Titles in this Series

  Desired by the Billionaire

  Desired by the Billionaire 2: Claimed by Him

  By M.G. Morgan

  Copyright 2012 M.G. Morgan

  To learn more about this series and upcoming titles by this author contact her on millie.g.morgan@gmail.com

  Kindle Edition

  Waking the next morning Paige stared around the room. The bed was empty and Will was gone. She let her hand wander across the cold sheets. She wasn't sure how she felt. Had she really expected to wake up the next morning and find Will still beside her? He didn't seem like the type of man to hang around for cuddling.

  Climbing out of the bed she pulled the sheet with her and wrapped it tight around her body. The night before had been a blur. One minute she was helping Will to appease the shareholders and she was angry at him. The next and they were all over each other. How had it happened? How could she go from being so angry at him to wanting him so badly? Maybe there was something wrong with her? Perhaps worrying about the accounts and her career had finally sent her over the edge? All those sleepless nights had obviously caught up with her and made her forget herself.

  The sound of her apartments intercom made her jump. Paige stared at the small box beside the front door suspiciously. She wasn't expecting anyone this early in the morning...

  With a sigh she made her way to the door and pressed the answer button. A gruff male voice met her ears.

  "Package for a Miss P. Grey."

  Paige's curiosity was piqued. She hadn't bought anything lately. Whatever was in the package was nothing that she knew anything about. It was then she remembered. What Will had asked to her as they lay in bed together. He had asked her to be his for two whole weeks. He had said he would courier over a contract...

  Paige shook her head. It wasn't possible. She pressed the button to open the front door downstairs. Trembling she ran to the bedroom and tugged on a dressing gown. At least now she was a little more covered up. Two heavy raps on the door let her know that the delivery guy had arrived.

  Hurrying to the door she opened it wide. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared from the man to the box. The look he gave her made her feel a little uncomfortable and she pulled the dressing gown tighter around her body.

  He pulled a clipboard from underneath the box and handed it to her. His eyes dipping to admire her full cleavage that was barely concealed beneath her robe.

  "Sign." He thrust the clipboard in Paige's face causing her to jump. Fumbling with the pen she scrawled her name across the little white box and handed it back before taking the package. She stepped back and slammed the door shut, hiding herself from his prying eyes.

  She carried the box into the kitchen and laid it down on the counter. Her heart thrummed in her chest. She wasn't even sure why she was so nervous. The box itself was red satin with a large black bow holding it shut. Nothing to be nervous of?

  Paige sat on the stool at the breakfast bar and stared hard at the box. Why was she nervous? It was only a box. A very expensive, ominous looking box... Reaching out she ran her fingers down along the ribbon. They accidentally brushed against the box and she jumped as though it had burned her.

  Don't be so stupid, Paige. Grow a pair already. She reached out and grabbed the box roughly. She pulled the ribbon and the satin opened with a sigh. Taking a deep breath she pulled the lid from the box and stared down into its contents. Her eyes refused to believe what she was seeing. How dare he. Who did he think he was? Sending her something like this.

  Anger bubbled inside Paige. He had obviously lost his mind. And she was just the girl to help him get it back. She stormed into her room to get ready. The small card with his address written on it in his bold handwriting lay on top of the package. She would give him a piece of her mind. If he thought for one second that he could treat her like this... Then he was sorely mistaken.

  ***

  The cab had left the city behind and had wound its way out into the country. Paige was surprised that Will lived so far away from civilisation. It didn't seem like something that she could do herself. Although as the houses grew larger Paige found herself beginning to change her mind.

  The car pulled into a long and winding gravel driveway and Paige felt like telling the driver that he had obviously made a mistake. There was no way the Will she knew could live here... Although so many years had passed could she really say she knew him anymore. He had changed so much. It was amazing what a few years could do to a man.

  The package was balanced on Paige's knees. It seemed to burn a hole through the fabric of her jeans, and sear against her skin. Knowing what was inside made her neck hot and clammy. Thinking of what lurked beneath all the ribbon and satin hardened her nipples. Was she crazy? There was no way that she could possibly find it sexy. Sure she had often been curious about it. But not curious enough to ever want to find out what it was like.

  The car crunched to a halt in front of a large and very beautiful stone building. Paige's love of the Regency era had her imaging all sorts of story lines and characters coming and going from the large sweeping steps in front of the house.

  Handing her money to the driver she climbed from the car and stared up at the house in wonder. Was it really possible that Will lived here? Had he really done so well that he could afford a stately home? Or perhaps it was his father who had done well and Will was merely acquiring his father's wealth.

  Paige doubted that that could be the reason. The Will she had known was strong willed and passionate about everything he had ever done. He wouldn't merely have accepted his father's wealth as his own. The Will she knew would have wanted to make his own fortune.

  She climbed the steps and knocked on the large wooden door. It was solid she imagined it to be very heavy. The echo from within made her nervous. Maybe she had the wrong address. She turned and watched as the cab wound its way back down the drive and disappeared out onto the road. Well, there was no turning back now, all she could do was hope she had the correct address.

  The sound of the bolt being slid across sent the butterflies in her stomach skittering up her throat. The door opened inward and Paige found herself face to face with a tall bald man. Something in his demeanour made her feel even more nervous than before.

  Swallowing back her fear she cleared her throat and squared her shoulders. "I'm looking for Will..." Her voice faded off as the taller man before her seemed to take in her appearance.

  Paige hesitated further. The man intimidated her, there was something about him that made her want to turn and run. "I must have the wrong address..."

  The man's eyes darted down to the box Paige held in her hands. It was then he stepped back and opened the door wide enough for her to step inside. Paige froze. It was all far too weird. Who the hell was this guy and where was Will.

  "Are you coming in? Or do you want to hang around on the doorstep for the rest of the evening?" The man finally spoke. The sound of his voice made Paige jump. She hesitated further and the man sighed and moved to shut the door.

  Paige stuck her hand on the wood and pushed back. "Wait a minute, I asked if Will was here. You didn't answer that. You act all weird and I'm meant to just walk into the house with you?" She quirked her eyebrow at him.

  The man began to laugh and Paige stared at him in surprise. What the hell was wrong with him?

  "Paige?" The sound of Will's voice had Paige peering around the tall man who blocke
d the door.

  "You made it." Will placed his hand on the other man's shoulder causing him to step back out of the way. Paige strained to see where it was that he disappeared to but it was as though the darkness of the hallway simply swallowed him up.

  Will gestured for Paige to step inside and she followed him in. The door closed with a heavy slam. Paige scanned the hall for any sign of the strange man from before but she couldn't find him. It made her feel odd to think that he could simply be lurking anywhere and she couldn't see him.

  "Who was that?" She asked, lowering her voice in the hopes that no one but Will would hear her.

  "Aidan, he's part of the security around here." Will spoke so matter of factly that it took Paige a few minutes to grasp his meaning. He was a business man, why did he need security? She hadn't seen any security the night before when they were out for dinner with the shareholders. And she was more than positive that there wasn't any security when Will stayed at her apartment.

  Paige shook her head and hurried to catch up with Will. "Look I didn't come here to chat. I came to give you back your gift."

  Will turned and Paige thrust the box against his chest. "I don't know who the hell you think you are, but there is no way I'm wearing that."

  Will smiled and took a step back from Paige and the box she held out to him. "Now, now, Paige. I know you. I know how curious you are. And I know that deep down you are just itching to try it on. Just to know what it feels like..."

  Paige cut him off with an indignant snort. "You are mad!" She flipped the lid off the box and pulled the collar from its satin hiding place. She let it dangle from her fingers as she faced him with a face filled with fury. "I am not an animal. I don't wear collars."

  Will smiled, a slow curving of his lips that had Paige wondering what it would feel like to have them brush against her collar bone. As though he could sense what she was thinking. Will's smile grew wider. He moved quickly. His hand wrapping around her small wrist. The collar was gone from her fingers and Will was behind her. His grip twisted her hand up behind her back and Paige let out a small whimper.

  It wasn't that he was hurting her. In fact his grip on her was having quite the opposite effect. As much as she wanted to remain angry, it was slowly melting away in the face of such unabashed lust. Will's warm breath tickled down along the side of her neck and Paige's eyes fluttered shut.

  "I never said you were an animal. But when you belong to me I expect you to do all the things I ask of you."

  "I don't belong to you yet." The words left her mouth before she could stop them. The second they were out in the open she regretted them. What was she thinking? Of course she wanted to belong to him. It was madness but there was something in Will that spoke to a desire that had lain dormant within her. A longing that she had never wanted to admit to having before. Will brought it out in her.

  He released her suddenly and she stumbled on her heels. She was breathing hard and a blush had settled high on her cheeks. She turned to look at him but his face was closed and stiff. She had said the wrong thing. And she knew it.

  "If you want to leave the door is there." Will pointed back the way they had come. Paige shook her head.

  "Do you wish to see the contract?" Will asked. His voice was still cold and aloof but she could hear a faint trace of emotion lurking just beneath the facade.

  "Why a contract?" Paige couldn't keep the shake from her voice. It was all a little bizarre. Men from her past didn't normally turn up unannounced and ask her to sign herself over to them. There was something that Will wasn't telling her. She was sure of it.

  "I need you to do everything I ask of you. I need that guarantee that you won't suddenly change your mind half way through."

  Paige shook her head and bit her lip. Folding her arms across her chest she tightened her grip on the collar in her hand. "I'm not buying it, Will. You come back, out of nowhere just so you can put a collar on me and treat me like your dog? What aren't you telling me..."

  Will closed his eyes and ran his hands back through his hair. "You used to trust me once."

  "I was a kid. We both were and that was a completely different time. Either tell me the truth or I'm walking."

  He blew out a long breath before nodding slowly. "Fine. Come into the office and I'll tell you what you need to know."

  He turned on his heel and Paige followed closely behind him as he made his way down the corridor. Opening a large heavy looking oak door he stepped into what appeared to be a fully functioning office space. A young woman sat at a small wooden desk just inside the door. The look she gave Paige as she entered the room was icy.

  "Natalie, can you give us a few minutes." The young woman stood and made her way to the door. She brushed past Paige, her shoulder knocking into Paige's without apology.

  "You'll have to excuse Natalie. She doesn't quite understand why I had to get you involved in all of this." Will's voice was low as he made his way over to the window that overlooked the garden area.

  "As you know the business is in trouble..."

  "That doesn't explain why you need to own me..."

  Will held his hand up and let out an exasperated sigh. "You never would let me get a word in edge ways would you?"

  Lowering her eyes Paige scanned the floral pattern in the carpet. Her cheeks burned as she waited for Will to continue.

  "I want you to sign the contract, handing yourself over to me..."

  "But why? I don't understand, Will, it just doesn't make any sense."

  "When you have signed the contract we will take a little trip. You will be my submissive. You will do everything I ask of you. It is vitally important that you do..."

  Paige opened her mouth to speak once more. Will let out a frustrated sigh and pushed his hand back through his hair.

  "I don't own the business but I've agreed to take over the running of the company for a little while. It's my brother in-laws company and he is indisposed at the moment. However, it has come to my attention and a few others, that the funds the business normally rely on from the shareholders are gone."

  Paige's gaze flew up to meet Will's. Her throat was dry and her stomach rolled uncomfortably. "What do you mean gone?" The words barely came out as a squeak.

  Will's eyes bored holes into Paige. She shifted uncomfortably as his penetrating look seemed to delve deep down into her. It just wasn't possible. The money couldn't be gone. When she had been looking over the accounts everything seemed in order. The money was accounted for... Something niggled at her. Something she remembered looking at in the accounts and finding it odd.

  "You wouldn't know anything about the missing funds would you?"

  "You mean you think I?..." She trailed off. Her legs were suddenly very unsteady and her head was beginning to spin. How could Will think that she would do such a thing?

  As though sensing her distress, Will darted towards her and caught her as her legs collapsed beneath her. Gripping the front of his crisp white shirt she stared up into his eyes. Her own were beginning to fill with unshed tears. "I would never do something like that... I wouldn't Will I swear!" She pleaded with him, her voice going up several octaves.

  He softened, his arms cradling her against him. "I know. But I had to ask. I had to be sure."

  "Then who? Who is doing this?"

  "The others have their suspicions. They believe it to be one of the new shareholders within the company. Instead of putting money in, he has been siphoning off the money to finance his own dealings."

  "What sort of dealings?" Paige stood a little straighter and released the grip she had on Will's shirt. The fabric was rumpled where her hands had held on. It reminded her of the entire situation. It was too late to go back now. She was involved and what she knew was dangerous.

  "Drugs, trafficking. Just a lot of very nasty little businesses on the side."

  Paige nodded slowly. "So you wanted to keep me close to find out what I knew and if I was involved?" Bile rose in her throat as her mind took her back to the
night before. Everything he had done to her. Everything he had made her feel was a lie.

  "No. Don't think that. I've taken a huge risk telling you all of this."

  "What then? What am I supposed to think? That you actually cared about me? That you did those things to my body, made me feel like that because you cared?" Paige ripped out of his grip and stormed to the other side of the room. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks but she swallowed them back. She didn't want to cry in front of him. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how hurt she felt.

  "He is tying up all of his loose ends. First my brother in-law and now you..."

  Paige turned back to look at Will. Her anger vanished as quickly as it had arrived. She opened her mouth and then closed it again. There had to be some sort of mistake. She wasn't a loose end. She wasn't a loose anything. All she did was her job. She looked at the accounts and that was it. Will was obviously wrong.

  Paige started to laugh, long hysterical giggles erupted from her lips and she stumbled to a seat at the wall. She pressed her hands to her head and before dropping it down towards her knees. She needed to get control of herself. Will was wrong. He had to be wrong.

  "Paige, I know this is a lot to take in... But you have to believe me. I want you safe... That is why I suggested the contract... That and the trip I need you to take with me... We need to meet this guy on his terms... It is the only way to actually knock him off guard, he wouldn't expect something like this."

  Paige lifted her head and stared at him defiantly. She willed him to look away, to buckle first and show his true colours. There was no way he cared about her. She was a loose end that he needed to take care of. He was just as bad as the guy out to get her. Paige's thoughts swirled in her mind in an angry jumble. Well if he wanted to play the hero then who was she to stop him?

  "I'll sign the contract. I'll belong to you."

  The words hung in the air between them. Will looked honestly shocked and Paige could feel an odd thrill going through her. She wanted him shocked, it was only fair.