Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(58)

She didn't know him.

Finally, she stopped and listed a price. He knew it was about twenty percent above market value. He dealt in real-estate deals all across the world. If he were buying the property for business, he'd have the owner selling to him for half the price.

This wasn't business, though. It was pleasure.

Pure pleasure, he hoped.

"I'll take it. Fax me the papers tonight."

With those words, Joseph turned and walked away from the stunned realtor. He'd made his deal so there was no use in standing around any longer. He moved through the overgrown path, circling the small house. He gave the property a final look before walking to his car.

As he drove down the private road, he felt exhilaration rush through him, knowing he was going to occupy such a beautiful piece of ground. He was surrounded by water, trees, and not far away, the cascades, featuring Mt. Rainier. He was disappointed it was night and he couldn't spot the majestic mountain. The land was beautiful, and soon … soon, he'd bring his Katherine home.

As he entered the freeway and the lights of Seattle drew closer, his mind was consumed by thoughts of her. He had to see her, be with her, have her appease his rising hunger.

He hated the power she held over him, but at least she was unaware of it. If she ever got even a hint of how easily she could drop him to his knees, he was sure she'd be dragging him around by the collar.

He laughed as he put his foot down on the accelerator. He'd find her, hopefully in her apartment, where he could finish what he'd started several days prior. For that matter, five years prior.

He looked forward to the fight in her, though. He liked the game of wills they had going on. He had enough women falling at his feet. He needed the challenge Katherine brought him. She revitalized him, made him remember what intense wanting was like.

She told him no, he thought with a smile. A word he didn't hear too often. In fact  –  never.

She'd run, he'd pursue. Then, he'd capture.

He wouldn't have it any other way.

Joseph quickly arrived back in the city, then circled her block, looking at her apartment building, her lights turned off. She was either out, or asleep. He groaned, thinking of her lying on her bed. He yearned to join her.

Instead, he made his way to his hotel. It may be safer for both of them if he called. Maybe she'd even had time to think about them and would willingly invite him back to her place.

He handed his car to the valet, then impatiently waited for the elevator to stop at his penthouse suite.

As soon as he walked in the door, he threw his jacket aside and strode to the phone, dialing her number by memory. His heart thundered as he waited for her answer.




 

 

"Hello?"

The sound of her sleep filled voice fueled his desire even more than it was already stoked. He briefly closed his eyes to picture her, then snapped them back open when he realized it wasn't helping his situation.

Soon, he promised himself.

"Do you miss me, Katherine?" His voice was deep and soft, deliberately meant to seduce.

The phone was silent as he waited. For a moment he wondered if she'd hung up, but as he listened, he could hear the soft sigh of her quick breaths.

He knew she was having as hard a time being apart as he was. She was just unwilling to admit defeat. Soon she'd realize she was only punishing herself.

"I drove by earlier. I was going to stop, but decided twice in a row was ungentlemanly. I'd be more than willing to come back, though. I have the perfect remedy to help you sleep."

"Are you kidding me, Joseph? Did you really just give me such an asinine line? I don't see you in five years and you humiliate me to get in my apartment, then you call and try to use me like a cheap hooker," she snapped.

"I'd never use you, Katherine, simply please you."

"Humph."

Ah, she pleased him. He chuckled, not even attempting to hide his joy in simply speaking to her, or should he say, sparring with her. She had a quick wit that could slice a weaker man, and her strength had certainly grown in the last five years.

He'd loved what a spitfire she was back then, but the woman she'd become now was irresistible.

"You weren't eager to get away the other night … "

"That is easily explained by temporary insanity. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm over you, Joseph. I have been for a long time. I suggest you get over me, too. I know you just don't like to lose anything, but this is one battle you can't win. Now, go back to whatever hole you crawled out of and leave me be."

"Katherine, how quickly you forget that I never give up when I want something. And right now, I've decided what I want is you. I want you next to me twenty-four-seven, at least until I've sated the desire you left me with. Then, I may actually let you sleep."