Chapter 5 TALIA

We didn't speak on the way to his place. I sat pressed against the window, nervous and tense. He'd been busy with his phone since we left the atrium. He seemed like a very important person. I could catch glimpses of his phone screen, and he was working. He wasn't the type to browse porn sites and stare at boobs to kill time. Time was money to him. He didn't waste it on useless things like most men I'd met.

Thirty minutes later, we arrived at his place. It was a mansion with a giant black gate and high walls surrounding the entire property. The top of the walls was studded with giant, sharp concrete spikes. It was impossible for a thief to break into the mansion. Near the giant gate stood at least ten burly, armed men. They all looked dangerous, and they could kill a thief in the blink of an eye.

"You have a wonderful residence."

"Glad you're impressed with my residence."

This man had seemed gentle in the ballroom, but I could tell he wasn't the romantic type. He didn't extend his hand to help me out of the limousine. He simply got out and waited for me by the door.

“Do you live with anyone here?”

“If you’re asking me if I live with a wife and kids, the answer is no. But I do live with several people. Jeff. He’s my cook. Marina is the housekeeper. And those armed men you saw earlier, they live in the building behind this mansion.”

“I wouldn’t be here if you had a wife and kids. The only reason I’m here is because I’m sure you’re single. Or are you single?”

It was stupid of me not to ask sooner. He might not have a wife and kids, but he could have a girlfriend. If he did, there was no way I could make him my husband.

“No girlfriend. I’m not the type to commit to one woman long-term.”

His words were like a bucket of ice water doused directly in my face. He had just made it clear that he only needed me for a one-night stand. He wasn’t interested in a relationship, let alone marriage. How could I ask him to be my husband if he wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship?

“Enough Q&A, baby. Time for the main game.”

He didn't give me a chance to speak, as his lips instantly sealed mine as we stepped into the largest and most opulent hall I'd ever seen. My legs automatically wrapped around his hips as his arms scooped me into his. My arms snaked around his neck. His lips explored mine like a hungry man. We didn't break our connection for a moment as he carried me up the spiral staircase with its gilded railing.

His residence was a goddamn palace. I felt like a queen, and he was the most desirable king in the world. The looks from all the women I saw in the ballroom suggested they wouldn't mind being his concubines.

"What did you do to deserve such a beautiful place, armed guards, and a luxury car?"

“I do a lot. I’ll tell you later.”

He winked and led me to the largest room I’d ever seen. Even the best suite at the Grand Hudson wasn’t as big as his.

It was absolutely enormous, with a gigantic, intimidating bed. The legs stood firmly on the polished marble floor. It could probably fit five people at once.

I jumped onto his black-sheeted bed, bouncing like a ball.

“My bed isn’t even this soft. How do you wake up every morning without feeling heavy to get out of bed?”

“I just wake up,” he shrugged nonchalantly.

My palms stroked the incredibly soft sheets. I felt like I was lying on a cloud.

I rolled onto my side and watched him strip off layer by layer of his clothes. He was fucking hot. His muscles, trapped beneath the tight clothing, were starting to come into view. He was more beautiful than I’d imagined. His tanned skin glowed in the dim light of the room. His shoulders were broad and strong, with pads of muscle covering every inch of his skin. His pecs and abs took my breath away. I was tempted to sink my teeth into one of his tantalizing pecs.

“You’re drooling, huh?”

“What?”

My palm automatically touched my lips.

He chuckled softly at my stupidity.

“Never seen a naked man in front of you?”

“Never seen anything as beautiful as you. I bet other women would do the same.”

“I haven’t shown you the best part yet,” he teased.

I licked my bottom lip, noticing the pair of boxers hanging tightly around his hips. The fabric barely covered the voluptuous swell beneath.

“No intention of taking them off?”

“Not now. I’m more interested in stripping off your dress and everything it hides.”

“I don’t have much to hide.”

“But you’re hiding the best part.”