Bought By The Billionaire novel Chapter 13

“Mast… Mr Haswell. Is something wrong? Have I … have I done something wrong?”

He almost jerks back to reality and smiles at me. “No, not at all, Elizabeth. I just have a lot to think about right now. I’m sorry. It’s not very gracious of me to sit in silence. And also, here …” he takes my hand before continuing, “… here, in this place, in this setting, it is ‘Richard.’”

Relief washes over me. “I was beginning to worry that I had upset you, Richard.”

He leans close and kisses me on the forehead, cupping my face in his hands. “No, I am simply distracted. Please, do enjoy your meal. Is your fish good?”

“Yes, very.” In fact, the fish is divine, with tender white flakes in a buttery sauce, piquant with capers and lemon, and served with tiny, bite-size vegetables, crisp and fresh, that taste as though they were still on the plant five minutes ago. The restaurant deserves its reputation and is a world away from the takeout pizza I was living on only a short time ago.

Later, Ross drives the car to my apartment to drop me off.

Richard almost growls when he sees where we are. “I don’t like you living here, Elizabeth. It’s not safe. I can understand why you lived here … in your previous life … you couldn’t afford any better then, but it’s different now. Why haven’t you moved somewhere else?”

“Oh, I will. I have somewhere picked out, in fact. But I’m waiting for my first paycheck to come through. Then, trust me,” I laugh. “I’ll be out of here. They won’t see me for dust.”

“Of course, yes. That’s good. Good night, Elizabeth.” He kisses me as I step out of the car.

As I turn the key in the lock, I look back. The car is still there and Ross and Richard are both looking at me. “Waiting for something?” I call.

Ross replies, “Always do, Beth.” He tosses his head, pointing to the rear seats. “He’s made it clear that if I don’t stay long enough to see you in, he’ll have my ass.”

I chuckle. It’s nice to know that someone will take the trouble to watch out for me. “That’s great. Good night, Ross. Good night, Richard.”

*****

In my dingy apartment, my good mood evaporates into a feeling of let-down. Why? I’ve had a wonderful evening, have been wined and dined, had sex that left me wanting to scrape the top of my head off the ceiling. Why do I suddenly feel blue? The food, so delicious, sits heavily inside me.

In my bed, I admit to myself that I’m lonely for him. I would like to be curled up in his bed with his arms around me as I drift off to sleep.

But that is not the deal we have. This is not a relationship. I am not his girlfriend or even a fuck buddy. I am an employee, simply one with some very good terms written into the agreement we made. I will have all the good things in life, including the training and education I need, to one day be rich and independent in my own right. For that, I service my Master, billionaire Richard Haswell.

I cannot complain. It is the chance of a lifetime. Nonetheless, I wish for more.