Billionaire Alpha 1(28)

"That's not good. Damon doesn't seem like the kind of guy who's okay with having news sprung on him."

"Yep. He was rightly pissed. We had a big fight."

"Are you guys a couple? I mean, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to."

"Yes. We were. Not sure what we are now. It was ugly."

"My fault?" Philip leaned forward, pressing his elbows to the table.

"Not really. More my fault for not being clear with him about Sadie. I think you were just the cherry on the sundae."

"How so?"

"He thinks we're seeing each other behind his back." She popped the last   of the donut in her mouth and stood as her name was called. She  thanked  the barista and walked back to the table. A quick sip of her  drink left  her tongue burnt and curse words slipping from her mouth.

"Did you tell him that we're not?"

"Yes, but he didn't hear me. I think I did." She took the top off of her   drink and blew at the hot liquid, steam rolling off the top.

"Is there a chance that we might start anytime in the future?"

She smirked at his confidence. His voice was beautifully different, his   features so handsome. Yet he wasn't a playboy. He didn't feel the need   to lord over her sexually and make her crazy. Was he an option?

"No. As much as I wish it were a possibility, I'm crazy about Damon. I   hate that I am. He sure as hell doesn't deserve it, but I am   nevertheless. I want to break into the core of his heart and steal his   breath like he steals mine." She set her coffee down, closing her eyes   for a moment to stop the flood of emotion headed her way.

"If anyone can reach him, I bet it would be you."

She looked up as the tears rolled over onto her cheeks. Philip offered   her a napkin, laughing as he shook the donut crumbs from it first.

"I think it's over between us. He's damaged goods and I'm pretty close   to it. He plays games with me and really every woman that he's with,   from what I hear."

"Most guys that are hurt do. It's a way to test the girl and save   yourself another heartbreak." Philip shrugged, breathing in deeply as he   watched her closely.

"I don't know how to pass these tests."

"Sure you do. Just push and remain agile when he pushes back. Meet him   in the middle and show him what he's up against. He doesn't want you to   break, Beth. He wants to see how far you'll bend with him. It's   natural."

"Why are we having this conversation?"

"Because I was being honest when I said I wanted a friendship if nothing   else." Philip laughed and nodded toward the pastry counter. "More   donuts?"

"Yeah, I think we need them." She smiled as he got up. Her phone buzzed.   Her mother letting her know that Kent had called and wanted to talk.

"Great..."





Chapter 2





The conversation the night before had gone much better than she imagined   it might. Where Damon had been accusatory, Kent was understanding and   willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. How Damon had turned out   to be so different from his father would be a mystery if she hadn't had  a  heart-to-heart with Matt.         

     



 

She finished packing her things, the house quiet. Her mother was most   likely at church. Not having heard from Damon, Bethany walked to her   small dresser and picked up her phone, growling softly. She would have   to get in touch with him to see when the flight was, if nothing else.   She dialed his number, her stomach flipping in circles and pushing   against her chest.

The phone rang three times before he picked up. She almost assumed he was asleep or just unwilling to talk to her.

"Bethany." It wasn't a question of who was calling, but a declaration that he was all business with her.

"I need to know what time to be at the airport today."

"Change of heart?" His voice was deadpan, the lack of any emotion toward   her stabbed hard at her. She let out a soft, shaky sigh.

"Yes. I spoke with Kent last night. We both feel it's a good thing that I continue on with the firm."

"I agree. I'll be there in an hour to pick you up. Be ready. I don't like being late."

The phone went dead. Bethany pulled it from her face and growled. He was   back to being an ass. Memories flooded her - one in particular. Damon   almost looked shocked the day before as he stood at the door, his face a   mixture of emotions.



"You love me?"



Did he not think himself worthy of receiving love or had it just scared   the hell out of him? Was he willing to love her back or was that proof   that he was too self-absorbed to consider such a fallacy as love? She   didn't know, and part of her didn't care. Emotions flying all over the   place left her confused and feeling out of place in the middle of the   large mansion, in the middle of this new life.

She focused on packing for the next bit and dressed in a comfortable,   but business appropriate, cream colored dress. Damon would most likely   be dressed to impress. Looking like a has-been next to him wasn't going   to fly. Bethany dropped her small suitcase in front of the door before   walking to the kitchen in search of food. She ran her fingers through   her long, chestnut locks, wanting him to notice how she had worked on   her appearance to touch on the things he liked best about her.

The sound of the front door opening had her heart stilling in her chest.   She reached up and brushed her fingers over her upper lip, a shaky   breath lifting from her. Everything was fine. They were going on a   business trip. He would treat her like an associate and she would treat   him like her wicked hot boss. She looked over her shoulder as her   stomach tightened. No matter how much she wanted to hate him, she   couldn't bring herself to do it.

His blue slacks hugged his thin waist. The white polo shirt that slipped   in just above his belt brought out the tanned creaminess of his skin,   the darkness of his gaze. He reached up and ran his fingers through his   hair, his eyes never leaving her face.

"You ready?"

"Yes. Just hungry."

"We'll grab a coffee at the airport. Let's go." He turned and walked   from the room as Bethany reached out and touched her hand to the   counter. She needed something to ground her, to pull her back into   reality. Should she apologize? It seemed trite, and honestly he was as   much at fault as she was for what happened between them the day before.

She grabbed a water bottle from the refrigerator and walked into the hall in time to see him pick up her suitcase.

"I can get it."

He looked over his shoulder and chuckled, the sound not joyous at all. "I have it."

She shrugged as he walked out the front door, her eyes moving to the   perfect curve of his ass. Remembrance flooded her. Watching him undress   in the open door of his closet, his body the most beautiful she had  ever  seen. How badly she needed to connect with him physically even if  they  were miles apart emotionally.

Bethany walked to her side of the car, breathing in deeply as she passed   him. He looked up and turned his head toward her as if questioning her   actions. She chuckled and got in the car, rolling her eyes at herself   when alone. Was she really going to use their physical attraction to   heal whatever happened between them?

Yes.

Even if it didn't assist in creating a long-term relationship and   fostering love. The sensually delicious man getting into the seat beside   her was every painfully good fantasy she had ever had. If he was   slipping away, she wanted to create a few more memories before he was   gone.         

     



 

Was she acting bipolar? Yes.

Did she care? Fuck no.

Damon got into the car and closed the door, started the car and pulled   out without so much as a grunt toward her. She reached up and turned on   the radio and the air conditioner before settling back. If he thought   the silence between them was going to cause her to choke up an apology,   he was wrong. She would surely give up eventually, but she wasn't near   that breaking point just yet.



*



The drive to the airport should have been uncomfortable, but it wasn't.   Sitting in silence and simply listening to the sound of him breathing   had almost offered relief. She was lost to him and no matter what   stupidity she threw at him or empty promises of being done, she wasn't.   Her fingers ran along her thigh, her eyes closed as she contemplated   reaching over and touching him.

His breathing pattern shifted slightly. Looking over at him subtly, she   wished for a different situation altogether. Would it still contain   explosive attraction if their relationship wasn't so taboo?

"What are you thinking?" He glanced over at her, the deep timbre of his   voice sliding between her thighs and stroking. She bit at her lip and   shook her head.