Billionaire' s Revenge Read online

  “Oh I don’t know…tall walls locked gate…seems the perfect place for one” His loud laugh made her turn, finally losing the battle to stop the smile which rose to her own lips, as he looked at her, an appreciative gleam in the darkness of his eyes. “You always did have a sense of humour” His eyes moved forward once more as the gate swung open and he moved the car up the long driveway. Darius had almost forgotten how Sara would make him laugh so many years ago, her dry sense of humour never used to the detriment of others, unlike her sister. Why over the six years had he forgotten how she would smile and joke with the contractors, her one-liners and quick answers proof of her sweetness and intelligence Pulling the car up in front of the large house, he had known why. To remember why he had been attracted to the woman beside him would detract from his anger at her for her actions so many years ago, and that anger had sustained him in bad times.

  Darius slipped from the driver’s seat, moving quickly to open her door, extending his hand to help her from the low car as Sara stared at the large imposing house before her. Although made of stone - its imposing walls reminded her of some of the Scottish stately homes she visited on her one holiday to Europe - there was a softness to the building, set in such perfectly manicured lawns and gardens, her eyes like saucers as she drank in the beauty of his home. “What do you think?”

  Sara pulled her look from the house, suddenly aware that she still held his hand, pulling it from him, his lip quirking in amusement. “Very big…ostentatious…over the top, just like you”, her trite answer, seeing his eyebrow rise.

  “So…you don’t like it?” he asked softly, as she shuffled her feet nervously, feeling suddenly petulant as she gave a small sigh. “Of course I like it…what is not to like? It is stunning, beautiful” With another chuckle he placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the open doorway, his head leaning in to whisper so seductively “Also like me?” Sara gritted her teeth as he laughed at her.

  Chapter Four

  The inside of the building was no less impressive than the outside. Each room was decorated and furnished harmoniously for the house itself, the classic furnishings and sumptuous drapes subtle and elegant. Reaching the kitchen, she heard the radio playing, the classical music streaming down the hallway as they entered the large room. A middle-aged woman worked on what appeared to be a chicken dish, her attention held both by what she was doing and also the music she was humming loudly along to. Starting, she looked over at Darius, a huge grin on her face.

  “Darius!” her real pleasure at seeing him shining from her sparkling eyes, eyes which turned to focus on her, polite interest now lighting the warm blue of them as she nodded her head in acknowledgment, “Hello…Miss Balfour isn’t it?” Sara gave a shy smile back as she nodded, “Please…it’s Sara” “Edith…Sara Balfour. Sara, this is the woman who keeps this house running…Edith Clark” The other woman stepped forward, rubbing her hands on the apron she wore, the pleasure of his words stamped over her features as she thrust a hand out to Sara.

  “It is lovely to meet you dear” Sara was surprised at the thick English accent, as she shook her outstretched hand, muttering something appropriate back. Darius however, continued to talk, “Edith runs the house and has a few cleaners come in each week to help, and her husband John looks after the gardens”. The other woman grinned again.

  “And my son helps at the moment too…keeps him out of trouble”, she declared in a voice which held a laugh, Sara instinctively knowing that Edith Clark was a happy person as she smiled back, relieved that she and Darius would not be the only ones in the huge home.

  “Oh…Miss Balfour…your clothes arrived today and I put them in your closet” Sara bit back the small groan; what must the older woman think of her, a shaky smile rising to her mouth. “Thank you Mrs Clark”, she managed as the woman tutted softly, waving away the words. “Edith…nobody calls me Mrs Clark”, she smiled cheerily as Sara nodded back. “Only if you call me Sara”, she grinned back as the housekeeper nodded approvingly. “Well in that case Darius and Sara, dinner is in one hour” He made an appreciative sound as he took her hand. “We will be there…Edith is the best cook around…would never miss one of her dinners”

  Sara thought how easy it was for Darius to charm any woman, seeing how Edith gave an almost girly giggle, shaking her head happily as she returned to her work. As she was pulled out of the kitchen she thought about how he always had been able to get his own way with any woman. Six years ago she was nervous of the builder, never quite knowing what to say to him, his ability to flirt so effectively with the other girls in the office clear to her. Her sister took great delight in telling the many rumours of the women he was allegedly involved with, Sara only too aware how Angela longed to be one of them, her lips curling contemptuously.

  When he would appear in the office, his paperwork always done to a high standard, she had been aware of the way her stomach would flip seeing him. His insistence on dealing with her confused her. Sara told herself that it was because having her do the actual paperwork on their side left him free to flirt with the only-too-willing staff in the office.

  Pushing the thoughts to the back of her head she followed as he moved into each of the downstairs rooms giving her a tour. He explained the routine of the household and as they entered the large study he moved to his computer as she tentatively requested internet access. Sara watched as Darius set up the account for her, not surprised that he would be so proficient with computers, his ability to learn new skills evident in the time that he worked for her father’s company.

  Biting down on her bottom lip, her brow furrowed. “I…I was wondering what your expectations are for me while I am here?” His head rose in surprise asking, “In what way?”, before a small smile played on his mouth. “I thought that we already determined that” Darius once more enjoyed seeing the way her cheeks flushed slightly at his obvious reference to sex. “I…I meant during the day”

  His shoulders shrugged softly. “I work in the city most days…don’t come back till late…so do what you like”, his smile once more becoming playful, “so long as you are where I say, when I say…you are free to do what you want”

  “Like a well trained puppy”, she bit out, before she could stop herself. The large smile which spread over his mouth made her want to move over and smack it from him, “That a girl…so long as we understand each other” His fingers made one last pass on the keyboard before he stood again handing her a sheet of paper with logon details. “House is wireless, so you can access from anywhere”

  Sara gave a short nod, the anger still visible in her blue eyes. “I will ask Edith if she has a bus route” Darius gave another frown, his tone so matter-of-fact “Just take one of the estate cars if you want to go out. I will clear it with John” “Thank you”, her curt reply made him smile even wider as he leant against the desk “You really hate being reliant on anybody don’t you Sara?”, his tone full of curiosity as she regarded him back, eyes scoffing.

  “No…I just don’t like to be pushed around by some bully with some perceived vendetta” His eyes grew harder once more as he straightened, moving towards the door. “Let me show you our room” The mention of the reason she was there knocked the fight out of Sara, as silently she followed him up the sweeping grand staircase. There were many rooms along the corridor they walked, but he moved to the corner one, stepping aside to let her in.

  The room could have swallowed up the last flat she shared it was so big. A small sitting area was at one end of the room beside floor-to-ceiling doors which she could see led out to a veranda. Silently, she moved inside as he strode to one of two doors. Behind the first she gave a soft gasp at the most beautiful bathroom she had ever seen. Marble and glass, it retained a vintage feeling while offering all of the modern conveniences. The huge tub with what appeared to be Jacuzzi jets; the large walk-in shower, bigger than her last family bathroom, the room was wonderful.

  “I am so glad I don’t have to clean this”, she chuck
led, her sense of humour rising in spite of the awkwardness of the situation. Beside her she heard the throaty laugh of Darius as he nodded in agreement, moving to the second door in the room. With a groan Sara moved into the large walk-in closet, every woman’s dream she thought, eyes flicking over the walnut interior. One side was filled with his clothes - and there had been many of them - and the other, hers. While they shopped, Sara was shocked at how much they bought, but now seeing them hung on the hangers, the outfits seemed lost in the expansive closet.

  As they moved once more back into the main bedroom, she finally allowed her eyes to rest on the king-size bed which dominated the area, her throat suddenly feeling so dry as her hands shook. Trying to seem nonplussed, she gave him a small unsure smile, moving back to the door. “It is very nice”

  “Where are you going?” His body moved in front of her, stopping her exit, his voice seductive. Sara felt the instant awareness as his hand lifted a strand of her hair, his eyes focused on it as he allowed it to brush down her cheek. “E…Edith said dinner was in an hour”, she managed, her voice weak and raspy as he made a point of lifting his hand to check his watch.

  “We still have forty-five minutes” His arm moved to wrap around her small waist, Sara allowing herself to be drawn against him. She felt as her heart thudded within her chest, swallowing nervously as his fingers dropped the lock of hair and wound through the silky softness to hold her head.

  “What could we do for forty-five minutes?”, he whispered, his head moving ever closer, his look dropped to her slightly open lips, as her lashes fluttered closed, unaware as she raised her head slightly in invitation to his kiss. A kiss which never came, as stunned, she was released, her eyes flying open with surprise as she swayed slightly, more than a little disappointed.

  He stood a little away from her, his eyes running up and down her. “I would suggest that you have a shower and change…I am pretty sick of seeing you in those jeans” Anger flared within Sara as she glared back at him, swallowing down the words she wanted to throw at him, her eyes daggers of hatred, his mouth curled into a mocking smile. “Obedient – remember”, his voice soft as she turned, moving quickly into the bathroom, slamming the door closed behind her. Inside she pulled off her clothes, cursing under her breath at the way he tricked her. Angered more at her own reaction as she hungrily fell against him, wanted him, giving a small yelp as she kicked her shoe off, catching her toe on the marble side of the shower. As she jumped naked around the bathroom, tears filled her eyes, both at the anger she felt towards him and the pain.

  The door opened, a concerned Darius entered as his eyes took in the way she bounced towards the towel, another yelp leaving her lips as she pulled the towel around herself in a movement of coyness. “What happened?” he demanded, Sara noting the sound of concern on his voice, unable to focus on his face as tears filled her eyes. Dropping down on the side of the large tub she grabbed her foot, scowling up at the man before her. “It’s fine…I just stubbed my toe…please…I am fine”

  Darius however, moved forward, his hands taking her foot as he examined the toe, the heat of his fingers sending all kinds of tremors through her as she savaged her lip to stop the moan from tumbling from her mouth. “Its fine…thank you”, her tone stilted as she tried to pull her foot from his hold. He was staring at the foot intently, his hold tightening as she tried to move, before he released her and stood up leaning against the vanity, his arms and legs crossed in a relaxed pose. “Seems OK…don’t let me stop you from showering”

  Sara stared at him in horror. “I…I am not in the habit of showering in front of people”, she stammered, as he gave a smile, a roguish wicked smile. “Yes. I can see how that would be uncomfortable” Relief washed over her, before her eyes narrowed seeing as he began to unbutton his shirt, her eyes wary. “W…what are you doing?” Darius straightened and flicked on the shower, the powerful jets of water filling the room with noise, his eyes turned to hers. “Joining you”, he answered, his tone matter-of-fact, Sara staring back her eyes wide and aghast. “Y…you can’t”, she cried, her trembling fingers clinging to the edges of the towel, her eyes turned from him as her cheeks burned brightly.

  “I think that we are past false modesty Sara” His voice was full of laughter, as she swallowed hard, a teasing sensual touch to his voice, “Don’t you remember last night…when I…” “Enough!” Sara’s cry made him laugh louder. Her eyes flicked to him as his jeans were dropped to the floor. She had been unable to look away as he moved into the shower, a small groan rising once more within her. He was perfect. Tall, with muscular shoulders and long lean back, his stomach toned. Her eyes continued down, his long legs and tight bottom raising a hunger within her that was causing her breasts to tighten, a strange heat unfurling within her belly.

  “Join me”, his voice insistent as Sara rose, nervously moving to the shower, taking a deep breath before she allowed the towel to drop to the ground stepping under the punishing fingers of water, gasping at the suddenness and power of the shower.

  Darius took her by the shoulders, turning her to face away from him, his own body taking the brunt of the water as his hands slid down her arm. Not able to see what he was doing, she heard the sound of his hands slopping together. His hands moving onto her had been soapy and firm as they swept down her back, growing firmer as they moved to cup her buttocks, Sara having to brace herself against the wall as he scrubbed her so firmly.

  Pausing, she moaned as he knelt to soap her legs, his change of position causing the jets of water to hit her with full force, washing away the soap residue, taking her breath away. Sara had not known what to do, what to feel, as his hands moved inside her thighs, his fingers gently caressing the heat of her as the loud gasp had been torn from her lips. He stood, Sara feeling her legs tremble as his hands turned her around, having to close her eyes as the water hit her face.

  She heard the sound of his hands once more soaping up, before they descended upon her stomach. Once more he stroked her, the motion not so much sexual as thorough, even in the way his hands slid over her breasts; Sara was ashamed to know that the dusky nipples were tight with need. His kneeling again saw the jets of water pummel into her, she so aware of his head close to the small triangle of soft hair, shocked at the desire to pull his head in closer, her fingers pushed harder against the marble wall.

  As though unaware of any of the sensations he was raising within her, Darius stood, his thick black hair plastered to his head as his eyes swept down her as though examining for anything he missed. Smiling, he pulled her hands from the wall, Sara jumping as she looked at him, confused as he turned them both around so her back was now to the water, placing the bar of soap in her hands.

  “Your turn”, his simple declaration as he turned. Sara never even thought to argue with him as she soaped up her own hands, running them over his shoulders and down his back. She mimicked his movements and as she stood from soaping his legs he turned. Sara repeated exactly his movements as her hands caressed his stomach. That he was excited by her touch was obvious, his manhood twitching as she knelt before him. With her hair falling against him, a strange satisfaction filled Sara as he moaned, a shaky laugh leaving him as she once more stood. She wondered what was next as his hands enveloped hers, pulling them to the hardened length of him.

  “Everything”, he whispered, her hands wrapped around his erection. His eyes closed with pleasure as Sara allowed her fingers to slide down him, Darius letting her stroke him clean. With a moan he gave a shaky sigh pulling her hands from him, a smile on his face.

  “I think perhaps that will do…or we may be late for dinner” Sara was so close to telling him that she was not hungry, her whole body buzzing with expectation and a wanton need for him. The water stopped, confusing her Darius pulled a large bath sheet into his hands before he wrapped it around her. His hands rubbed her vigorously before taking another and doing the same with her hair. Dried to his satisfaction he then wrapped another around his waist taking her hand and l
eading her out of the shower.

  Still standing in bemused silence, he dropped a small kiss on the tip of her nose, before he left her standing in the middle of the bathroom as he moved to the door, pausing as a small smile played on his lips. “You’re right. Me just standing watching would have been too strange” His eyes danced before he stepped from the large room, the door closing softly behind him.

  Sara turned to look at herself in the mirror. She could still feel his hands on her body, the image of him knelt at her feet ingrained on the back of her eyes as she groaned. He had done that to show her that he was in charge. That any time she questioned him he would find a way of putting her in her place. Her hand shakily lifted a brush as she smoothed out her long hair, before having to drop it again, staring at her image as she whispered, “I am in so much trouble”. Pain filled her lovely eyes before she stood tall. “Pull yourself together Sara Balfour. This man is the enemy. Focus” Her hand once more reached out for the brush and pulled it more determinedly through her long hair.

  By the time she dried and styled her hair she was once more in control of herself. Moving out to the bedroom Darius had been ready, wearing a blue shirt and black chinos looking handsome as usual, his look trailing over her. “Leave your hair down”, he drawled softly, “and wear the dress on the bed. I will meet you downstairs”

  Her comment, “Yes mummy”, only saw his lips twitch once more before he moved out of the room. Sara looked at the outfit he chose for her, a fresh soft blue summer dress. For a second she considered putting it back and choosing one herself; however with a deep sigh she knew that it would be a futile gesture and that she should choose her battles with the enigmatic man who held her family’s future in the palm of his hand.

  As she entered the dining room, Darius stood beside the fireplace, his mobile phone in hand as he spoke softly in Italian. His eyes followed her as she made her way into the room, an approving look within them as he hung up. “You look beautiful…that dress was definitely the right choice” His words full of honesty, the fire that sprang into them sending a strange jolt of awareness through her along with the need to gain some control.