The limo came to a full stop. They were at the café, but the last thing he wanted right now was coffee.
****
Adora felt bereft when Tobias pulled off her body. The man didn’t get his playboy reputation for nothing. With a few kisses and his very skilled touch, she’d fallen hard for him. How could a kiss like that mean nothing? It felt like the he was devouring her soul.
It felt like love, but she knew it was all part of his seduction.
His dark grey suit hugged all those hard muscles in just the right way. The scruff on his face and those evil eyes made her entire body take notice. He was masculinity and sophistication combined. Yes, he was much older, but his age and experience made her feel safe, special. That deep down need she wanted to ignore kept climbing to the surface, a craving for the security and attention she lacked in her life. She wanted to be his, to be cherished and owned by the billionaire, but her fantasies were just that. He only wanted to use her. Tobias himself said he didn’t do love.
He winked at her. “Time for our coffee.” Only then did she realize she had a death grip on his lapel, pulling him towards her. He took one of her hands, and kissed her knuckles. “Later.”
How could he be so unfazed after what they just shared? No man had ever touched her the way he just had. She still felt lightheaded, her clit pounding and achy. She didn’t dare trust her voice, so she nodded and followed him out of the limo after slipping her sweater back on.
He kept his hand at the small of her back as they walked into the swanky coffee shop. She could only afford the cheap stuff. His possessive touch made her feel good. Too good. Several eyes turned to them as they entered, making her feel self-conscious. Being a plus-sized girl from the poor side of the city, she stood out in upscale neighborhoods, and it didn’t help that Tobias wore a full suit and walked in like he owned the place—maybe he did.
They sat at a small three-person table, the chatter of several conversations all around them. The rich scent of chocolate and coffee brought down her nerves slightly. “Do you come here often?”
“On occasion. Do you like it?” he asked.
She glanced around. Again, that feeling of not belonging weighed her down, and she just wanted to go home. Adora didn’t want to be rude, and she didn’t want to lie, so she shrugged.
“Hmm.” He tucked some hair behind her ear. “I don’t think you like it.” That too-cute smirk tilted his lips.
“I’m just confused about everything.”
This caught his attention. “That’s why we’re here—to talk.”
Adora wasn’t lying. She’d never been more confused and conflicted. All her life had been a struggle, and when she finally managed to get a student loan to attend college, Tobias showed up wanting to steal all her dreams. Yes, he tempted her with his promises and addictive kisses, but it was all false devotion. He’d probably get a kick out of fucking the maid’s daughter, and then he’d move on without a backward glance. From her experience, that’s what rich men did.
His offer included a baby, which meant she’d have to give up college, her dreams of making a mark in the architecture field, and her independence. She thought about running—her mother’s job could always be replaced, but Tobias Bennett had a hand in everything, including her college and probably every company she’d ever want to work for.
“You know, there are surrogate mothers out there. You could afford to hire one.”
He shook his head. “It’s not just about the baby.”
She frowned. “I thought that’s what this was all about, you and your precious heir. I can’t even say the word with a straight face.”
Tobias smiled, holding one of her hands on the table. He played with her fingers, then reached up her sleeve to hold her wrist. His warmth, his scent, his focus—it pulled her into his spell. “The kid’s important, but it’s you I want. I have more money than I can ever spend, but what I want to own is apparently not for sale.”
“If you’re talking about me, you can’t own a person. This is the twenty-first century, Tobias.”
He wet his lips. “I love the way you say my name.”
She exhaled, trying to appear exasperated when all she felt was that same burning need she’d felt in the limo. “Can we focus, please?”
“Of course.”
“You’re a businessman, so I’m going to make a counter offer.”
He nodded and sat straighter, trying to hide his smile. “Yes, ma’am. Let me hear this offer.”
“I’m in college, and I’m not going to quit. My education is important to me.”
“And?”
She struggled for words. What she wanted was his love, but she doubted that was on the negotiation table. “We take things slowly. If you want a relationship badly enough that you’d blackmail me, then we can start with dating. Like normal people.”
The lines on his forehead creased. “Counter offer.” He shrugged out of his jacket, carefully setting it on the free chair, then loosened his tie. She tried not to stare at his broad shoulders and toned biceps.
God, give me strength. “Okay.”
“You’ll get your education, I have no problem with that, and we can do the dating, but I want you in my bed tonight.”
She pressed her legs together. “You’re putting the cart before the horse,” she said. “I’m not like the women you bring home Friday nights.”
“So Maria’s been chatty. Not smart.”
The last thing she wanted was more trouble for her mother. “Okay, counter offer accepted,” she blurted. “I’m just saying, I have no experience. Tonight seems too soon.”
He appeared satisfied with her answer. “Okay, Friday night,” he said. “Make sure those college boys keep their distance in the meantime. I don’t want anyone touching you.”
“What about you? Will you still be dating other women?” She held her breath. Adora knew the answer, but the truth would shatter her fantasy of being his special girl. She almost regretted asking.
The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Why would I date other women when I’ve found the one I’ve been looking for?”
“So you’ll just keep sleeping around and not tell me about it? I don’t want to be lied to. That should be in our agreement.”
“You want the truth?” He shifted his chair next to hers, the legs scraping against the tiles. He put one arm around her, speaking in her ear, his voice deep and rough. “The only woman I’ll be fucking is you, baby girl. All I can think about is burying my face into those gorgeous tits and filling you with my cock. I’m going to take my time with you, claim every inch of your body.”
She focused on not stuttering. “I want more than sex,” she whispered.
“Trust me, emotions are overrated.” He raised one hand and a barista came right over. Tobias ordered their coffees. “I’ll give you everything else: loyalty, money, education. That has to be enough.”
She kept her mouth shut, wondering if he was even capable of love. They barely knew each other, so maybe things would change. Or maybe he’d break her heart and leave her alone and pregnant. She didn’t want history to repeat itself.