Awakened by the Wild Billionaire, page 1
“Emma,” Alex said, pinning her against the wall in a spectacularly graffitied alley, the walls an ever-changing work of art, when he could bear it no more.
“I have to tell you. I really don’t care about seeing the city. I just want to get you back in my bed.”
He could barely believe that he wanted to take her back home. Sending her on her way was the smarter plan. But how smart was it really to deny himself? Emma knew the score. This wasn’t about feelings or a relationship. It was just sex.
“Give me the weekend. I promise you won’t regret it.” His voice was low and rough. He could see in her eyes that she knew just how aroused he was and, with his body against hers, she could feel it.
“I want that too,” she breathed.
“What I said before still stands. This doesn’t change things.”
“I know that.” She grinned. “I don’t want it to.”
Bella Mason has been a bookworm from an early age. She has been regaling people with stories from the time she discovered she could hold the dinner table hostage with her reimagined fairy tales. After earning a degree in journalism, she rekindled her love of writing and now writes full-time. When she isn’t imagining dashing heroes and strong heroines, she can be found exploring Melbourne, burying her nose in a book or lusting after fast cars.
This is Bella Mason’s debut book for Harlequin Presents.
We hope that you enjoy it!
Bella Mason
Awakened by the Wild Billionaire
To my three cheerleaders for your endless support and my wonderful husband, without whom this book wouldn’t exist.
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT FROM THE MARRIAGE THAT MADE HER QUEEN BY KALI ANTHONY
CHAPTER ONE
DEEP BREATHS.
Emma Brown ascended the stairs to the party venue, and as she entered the ballroom looked around the dimly lit, extravagantly decorated space hoping to find her best friend. She wanted to adjust her mask and flatten her cobalt dress for the hundredth time, but silently instructed herself to stop fidgeting.
She walked through the entrance, eyes searching for her friend’s tall frame amongst the sea of ballgown-clad women. There were masks of every colour, style and shape wherever she looked. Everyone seemed to be glittering in their adornments, and every hand was accessorised with an elegant glass of champagne.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the draped ceiling, reflecting light in all directions. Emma looked out at the wall of glass, a small smile playing on her lips as she walked, admiring the thousands of golden fairy lights as their glow danced on the surface of a pool. This hotel was always beautiful. She loved how the city rose up around it. There were very few places she loved as much as Melbourne.
She was so completely bewitched by her surroundings that she paid no attention to where she was walking until she hit a very solid wall that knocked the breath out of her. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her.
‘Oh! Ex-excuse me,’ she stuttered.
‘Are you okay?’ a deep, resonating voice asked.
She was mesmerised, both by the crisp English accent and the piercing sky-blue eyes that bore down into hers, and her stomach was doing somersaults. Emma could feel pure heat radiating from the hand on her back, but she wasn’t sure of anything in that moment apart from the fact her heart was going at a million miles an hour.
‘Um...yeah... Sorry about that.’ She laughed nervously as she righted herself. ‘Enjoy your evening,’ she murmured as she walked away from him, blushing furiously.
Emma looked back over her shoulder at the tuxedo-clad man in his simple black mask and was delighted to see he was still watching her. She turned around and spotted her sisters, who had already started mingling and were nodding to her to join them, but Emma was immensely thankful that Hannah was nearby, waving her over.
Hannah, her best friend, roommate and eternal saviour, was the only reason Emma had agreed to attend this charity masquerade. It had been Emma’s twenty-eighth birthday the day before, and Hannah had thought they could extend the celebration. And right now, as she once again stole a glance at the handsome stranger, she was very happy she had agreed.
‘Hey! You look amazing!’ Hannah gushed as she hugged her.
‘Thanks...’ Emma mumbled, fiddling with the fine silver filigree mask she wore. ‘You’re going to turn heads tonight.’
‘And beds.’ Hannah chuckled darkly, twirling a lock of red hair around her finger.
‘You’re terrible.’
‘Probably.’ Hannah handed her a tall flute of bubbly. ‘I think you’re going to need that in you before your sisters come over here.’
‘Got anything stronger?’
‘Left the poison in my other bag,’ Hannah deadpanned. ‘So, who’s the dreamboat that keeps looking at you?’
‘I’m pretty sure that’s Lord Alexander Hastings,’ Emma whispered.
‘Pretty sure?’
‘The mask adds some doubt.’
‘Why don’t you go over there and introduce yourself and eliminate the doubt? Seriously, he looks like he’d be interested.’
‘I very much doubt that—especially after I nearly bowled him over.’
Hannah laughed. ‘You’re an idiot. And speaking of idiots... Lauren incoming.’
‘Great.’
Emma and Hannah fixed polite smiles in place as the woman approached. Lauren, the eldest of her sisters, and by most accounts the most beautiful, was blessed in many ways. Tall, blonde, with hazel eyes with flecks of gold that could bewitch most. Eyes that her younger sister Maddison shared. Lauren had always made Emma feel plain. But perhaps her biggest blessing of all, was the unequivocal favour she enjoyed from their father.
‘Hey, sis,’ Emma greeted her. ‘Where’s Maddie?’
‘Somewhere around here. You’ve made an effort, I see,’ Lauren said haughtily.
But Emma wasn’t listening. Her gaze was fixed on the man who seemed to be pulling at her on a primal level. He stood with one hand in his pocket as he spoke to the group of people around him. She could see the smirk on his face despite the dim lighting, and knew he was watching her as much as she watched him. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking.
Emma tried to ignore the waspish conversation between her best friend and her sister. And she was so absorbed in watching him she didn’t notice when Maddison had joined them.
‘Emma!’ Lauren said impatiently.
That tore her attention back to her present company. ‘I’m sorry—what?’
‘Honestly! I asked you what made you come tonight? I thought you were staying home with the furball.’ Lauren pinned an accusatory glare on Emma.
‘I changed my mind. I had an invitation—just like you, Lauren.’ Emma could feel the night plunging into a nightmare. Clearly it was a mistake to have come.
‘Yes, well...just remember I’m here representing the company.’
Emma let out a breath of a laugh. ‘I know that, Lauren. I’d never dream of stealing your thunder—especially when I can enjoy my Friday night while you have to work the room.’
‘Guys, maybe we should go somewhere quieter,’ Maddison interrupted, casting an apologetic gaze at Emma.
‘There’s no need, Maddie. We’re just talking.’ Lauren flicked her hair back, raising her flute of champagne to her lips.
The vast room was still humming with the sound of conversation. People everywhere were chatting and laughing and smiling. It seemed no one had even noticed her. Except one person, and he frowned as he watched the beaming smile vanish from Emma’s face. She thought she caught his eye as she watched him walk away from the group of people he had been talking to.
‘I think we should go and mingle,’ Emma suggested, trying to defuse the tension. All she needed was time with Hannah and her mood would lift once again.
Unfortunately Lauren took Emma’s arm and dragged her away. She must have noticed Emma staring at Alexander Hastings and decided she was going to do something about it.
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ she said.
CHAPTER TWO
ALEX SAW THE two women approach out of the corner of his eye as he nursed his whisky, and had to swallow down his disappointment that the intriguing brunette was not alone. He silently chastised himself for feeling anything—after all, he’d barely interacted with her. It was ridiculous to feel anything.
But feel something he did. Whenever she set those blue-grey eyes on him. And every time he caught her staring...every time he’d seen her fidget. She was beguiling him and he had no idea why. Why should she hold any more appeal than the other mask-adorned women present?
When the two women finally reached him, he was rather put out that it wasn’t she who spoke first.
‘Mind if we join you?’ the stunning blonde asked, in an overly flirtatious manner that set his teeth on edge. He had dealt with too many women like her in the past.
‘Feel free.’ He gestured to the single free chair which she sank onto, the slit in her dress falling open seductively. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he offered up his own seat to the brunette, but before she could thank him the blonde interrupted.
‘Lauren Brown,’ she said, extending her hand. ‘And this is my sister Emma.’
‘Pleasure to meet you both.’
‘Mmm...an English accent.’ Lauren touched his arm. ‘Are you new in town?’ she continued.
‘Fairly,’ Alex replied with a forced smile.
‘Well, why don’t you ask me to dance and we can get better acquainted?’
Alex saw a muscle twitch in Emma’s jaw and watched with fascination as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them he could tell she was visibly calmer. That was interesting.
‘I think a dance is a lovely idea,’ Alex replied. ‘Emma, would you like to join me?’ He fixed her with his penetrating stare, his hand outstretched, waiting.
Appearing to be completely shocked, she placed her hand in his. ‘I would love to.’
* * *
Emma linked her arm with his as he led her to the dance floor. The last thing she noticed was the very sour look on her sister’s face. There was nothing Emma could want that Lauren wouldn’t have first.
She had no idea what music played as he swept her into his arms—she still could not believe that anyone would choose her over Lauren. That was definitely a first.
As his warm hand came to rest on her back she couldn’t hold back the shiver that ran through her body. She moved effortlessly with him, almost as if she was magnetised to move with him. This was certainly an attraction she had never experienced before.
‘I’m Alexander Hastings, by the way,’ he said softly.
‘I know. I think everyone in Melbourne knows. You’ve caused quite a stir.’
‘Have I?’
He had. And it wasn’t just because of his company. There were many pages and groups on social media dedicated to the appreciation of the thirty-two-year-old playboy billionaire, the son of an English Earl, and his good looks. In almost every picture he appeared with a different date. Every one of them tall, leggy. Polished. Now, being so close to him, she could see why.
She wanted to run her fingers over the stubble on his face, to kiss the sharpness of his jaw, to tug on the soft black hair cut in a short quiff. The look in the sky-blue eyes rimmed by thick dark lashes could set her aflame. It was both intense and predatory.
‘I think you know you have.’ She smiled.
‘I do like the attention.’
He smirked, sliding his hand down to rest on the small of her back, pulling her closer and trapping her in his gaze. Never in her life had she wanted to be kissed so badly.
* * *
Alex watched as Emma bit her lip, and it made him want to take her right there in the middle of this ballroom. He valued control and she was making that slip.
‘I think we should get a drink,’ he said, breaking the spell.
Even to his own ears he could hear how low his voice had become. He plucked two flutes of champagne off a tray as a waiter walked by and led Emma out onto the pool terrace. She made a beeline for the railing, looking out at the city bathed in light against an inky sky.
‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ There was a faraway look in her eyes.
‘Unbelievably,’ he said, looking down at her, and handed her a glass of the golden liquid.
A chill breeze blew, causing her to shiver slightly. He placed his own glass down and shrugged out of his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.
‘Thank you.’ She smiled.
That smile did things to him. How could he find her so mesmerising when he hadn’t even seen all of her face yet?
Alex wanted to kiss her right then. It didn’t matter that they were at a public event. It didn’t matter that he had only known her for the better part of an hour. He would be gone by morning anyway.
‘I love this city. Have you seen much of it?’
Emma’s voice cut through his thoughts and he had to force himself back to reality.
‘Not nearly enough,’ he answered.
‘Well, Alexander, maybe I’ll show you around sometime.’
The promise caused a stirring in him. He joined her at the railing and never before had he so desperately wanted to leave a party with someone. The sparkle in her eye when she looked at him made him think that maybe she felt the same.
‘Would you like to get a drink?’ he asked.
‘I thought we were having one right now.’ She laughed—a musical chime.
‘I was thinking about somewhere quieter with even better views.’
* * *
He bathed her in a crooked smile and Emma’s stomach flipped. She wanted to taste that smile.
She had to bite down a giggle at the errant thought. She was usually cautious. She was never impulsive. But with his scent all around her, she was overwhelmed by his presence. Maybe it was time for a little fun.
‘You know what? I’d love to.’
And there was that smile again.
They placed their glasses down on a nearby cocktail table and he led her out with his warm hand on the small of her back again. She felt the heat radiate through her.
On her way out, Emma caught the murderous look on Lauren’s face and had to stifle an urge to laugh, feeling a crazy level of excitement.
Alex held open the door for her when they got down to the lobby, and they stepped out into the night air. Holding Emma’s hand in his, he approached the valet and in no time at all a luxury black sedan pulled up in front of them. One of the sponsors for the night was a ride-share company, which had had all the guests driven to the venue. Emma was grateful. It allowed Alex to sit beside her after helping her in.
He gave the driver his address and Emma made to remove her mask. But he stopped her. ‘Keep it on.’
Staring into his eyes, and seeing all the carnal promise they held, she let go of the ribbons keeping it in place. That smile was back as he gave her hand a squeeze and looked out of the window as the city lights flashed by on the way to his Port Melbourne penthouse. It gave her an opportunity to study his features without being seen.
Emma fought an urge to place her lips below his jaw. They were still in public, and she was nothing if not proper.
The car pulled up in front of his building and he held his hand out for her before shutting the door and leading her inside. Her heart thrummed in her chest when the doors to the elevator slid closed. Alex’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his side, and his lips travelled along her neck. A sigh escaped her, and she felt as much as heard his chuckle.
A ding interrupted them, making her curse at how fast the elevator had ascended. With a cleared throat, and as much poise as she could muster, Emma followed him into his apartment.
CHAPTER THREE
THE WIND WAS knocked out of her. He really had been telling the truth. Emma didn’t even notice the rest of the apartment. The floor-to-ceiling windows called to her.
The view was magnificent. She slipped off his jacket, draping it over a large couch she didn’t even look at as she made her way to appreciate it. She could see the silver and gold lights of the ferry alongside the pier, all the way out to sea. Then she realised just how much she could see, and figured the glass panes must wrap all the way around the two-storey apartment.
The ceilings were high, and she could only imagine how much light filled the space during the day. She was surrounded by glass and steel. It was such an immaculately neat, modern space, but still warm and inviting, and for whatever reason, she felt this could not be a more perfect home for Alex.
