The Billionaires Mistress (16 page)

As she had dropped into the bar stool leaning on the counter he had stopped for breath.

“Finally he took my card.......but I really didn’t think that he would go any further....I was a mess last night, and I don’t mind telling you Jenna......I had a drink to drown my sorrows” he had said sadly, giving her a sorrowful look that belied belief with the way his eyes shone.

“Well.......this morning, first thing Silverman himself called.....told me that he had given what I was talking about last night a lot of thought and that he had added our name to the approved contractors list, and that the first meeting is this weekend at a hideaway house in the country”.

Jenna had frowned worry lines creasing her perfect brow.

“Our names?” she had questioned with surprise.

Seeing as Craig had nodded his head.

“Yep, he insisted that you come along......I guess I must have mentioned you a couple of times “.

Laughing he had stopped thoughtfully, “although I don’t remember that”, before shrugging and filling the cups with the now boiling water.

“Well it is fine anyway, you are far better at presenting than me” he had chuckled, seeing as Jenna had grown silent, a pondering look coming to her.

“Did you talk to anybody else last night Craig?”

She had questioned softly, relieved to see as he had shaken his head firmly.

“Nope....after talking with Silverman, I was so down.....I made for the nearest bar”.

He had looked at Jenna, a look of relief in his face.

“I dreaded telling you that I had failed Jenna......after you pouring so much of your own money into the company”.

Jenna had given him one of her large grins, patting his hand as he had handed her a steaming mug of tea.

“I invested in you Craig because I have always believed in both you and your company”.

Chuckling softly as she had added.

“And now I am going to be rich” making an evil laugh “rich beyond the dreams of avarice” Craig laughing with her, nodding happily.

“Oh yes you will be” he had laughed back sitting across from her smiling, the two drinking their tea as they had made plans.

For the rest of the week Jenna and Craig had worked hard preparing for the weekend meetings. Mr Silverman’s secretary had sent them a copy of the itinerary, along with a contract laying out their expected role in the project. When the two had seen the scope of their responsibilities they could hardly believe it, seeing that they had been assigned a key role in the marketing strategy for the whole of the local area, the two hugging each other with excitement.

Each of the contractors was expected to make a presentation and introduce themselves during the three night four day event. During the week they had both poured a great deal of time and effort into the presentation, collecting as much information as possible to ensure that they were able to hold their own against the large household names they would be working with, both Jenna and Craig knowing that this was the opportunity of a lifetime to break into the lucrative international market.

Jenna had spent one of the afternoons buying new outfits for the weekend, blowing what little was left of her savings on three cocktail dresses and matching shoes and accessories, needing to ensure that she blended in well with the other guests, to whom money for such luxuries would be no object. She had taken Craig with her, knowing that he would give her honest advice on how the outfits looked, although he had shaken his head as he had sat watching her, his eyes full of laughter.

“Jenna you would look good in a bin bag”.

Seeing as she had giggled back.

“Yes, maybe, but I need one that has bling”.

Finally the week-end had arrived, and the two were impressed as a limousine had come to collect them to take them to the retreat, the exact details secret even from the delegates, to ensure that the press did not catch wind of the prestigious event.

It had taken over an hour to reach the country home, Jenna joking with Craig that they seemed to be moving countries just as the large car had turned into the impressive gates of the extensive estate.

She had looked out of the window, as the car had swept up the long driveway gasping at the wonderful house they were to be spending the long weekend.

“Wow, Craig...Look at it ...it. It’s beautiful”.

Beside her she had heard him chuckle, his head nodding.

“Well these people do not do things by half Jenna, welcome to the big league”.

As the car had stopped, their door had been opened by the doorman, who had gallantly taken Jenna’s hand and helped her from the luxurious interior of the car, directing them to the foyer of the building.

Jenna had been surprised to see what appeared to be a makeshift reception area, realising that the house most likely was not a hotel after all, her eyes wide with wonder at the opulence of the decor. Moving forward Craig had given their names, the girl behind the desk smiling warmly at them.

“Yes Sir, your room is ready for you and your bags will be taken up immediately”.

She had held out a key, her face smiling with expectation, as the two had looked at each other with surprise.

“erm...just one room” Jenna had finally managed, seeing the smile waver from the beautiful girl’s face.

“Yes....sorry yes I only have a note of one room”.

Craig had given one of his charming smiles.

“Would you happen to have another?” he had asked breezily, seeing as the girl had looked back at him her expression one of confusion.

“I...I’m sorry, I was told that you only required one room” she had began, looking down at the book before her as though to check something she already knew.

“I am so sorry, but your room was the last, there are no other rooms available”.

With a quick grin he had winked at the woman.

“Oh well....I’m sure we will manage”.

He had smiled, his eyes full of innuendo seeing as the woman had smiled back with relief as he had taken the key from her fingers, Jenna following him in stunned silence.

“But...but” she had began, as he had whispered quickly into her ear.

“We both need to be here Jenna...our presentation will not work without either of us...it will be fine honest. I promise not to try to seduce you or anything”.

Giving a sigh, Jenna had moved forward, knowing that what he said was true, neither willing to make an issue of the room situation and risk one of them having to leave.

“Fine, she had hissed back, but you owe me BIG” seeing as he had flashed her a grin.

With relief the room had turned out to be huge. Not only did it hold a large king-size bed, but also a large seating area with one of the biggest couches Jenna had ever seen. Moving over to it, she had bounced on the seat, lying along the full length easily. Looking over at Craig’s tall frame she had chuckled.

“Ok, I’ll take the couch......you have the bed”.

The other man had looked down at her nodding.

“OK...now I might be expected to argue...but hell that bed looks comfortable”, smiling warmly at her.

For the next hour the two had unpacked, laying out their plans on the table, to ensure that they did not lose anything they would later need. Looking at her watch Jenna had frowned.

“Dinner is at seven Craig....and it is 5.30 now, we should get ready”.

She had laughed as he had run for the bathroom, quickly locking it behind him.

“Bagsies first”.

He had cried before the door had slammed shut, Jenna shaking her head in exasperation.

Finally alone, she had moved over to the large window, looking out at the countryside, admiring the setting for the large country home. The immaculate lawns were spread out leading to the long driveway they had recently driven up, with wooded areas to the sides. She could hear birds and the sound of trees rustling in the warm air, sighing softly at the beauty of her surroundings. Once more as it so often did those days, in that unguarded moment the face of Ryan Trudeau had invaded her thoughts, her fists clenching with the determination to rid him from her mind, feeling once more the pang of loss filling her. Four years after they had split this man was still able affect her this way, her mind once more praying to be free from his ghost.

The bathroom door flying open and the steam filling the area along with the smell of cologne had pulled her from her reverie, as Craig had moved into the bedroom. With only a towel draped around his belly, he had indicated that it was her turn. Jenna had looked at the long lean figure of Craig, a good looking man with a great physique, knowing that she felt absolutely no attraction to him, smiling with the knowledge that he felt the same way, a perfect person to be stuck sharing a room with.

She had enjoyed the shower, noting that no expense had been spared for the guests, with the top of the range power jets which sent tingles throughout her body as she had washed. Setting her hair, she had pulled it into a soft bun, allowing curls to fall playfully down against her cheek as her friend had shown her, seeing the way it lent a sensual and sexy look to her.

Applying makeup she had been pleased with the way she looked, her blue eyes perfectly highlighted, sure that she would fit in with the A class guests that they would be meeting that night.

“Mmmm you are a sexy beast” she had mocked into the mirror, not really appreciating as her large smile had made her lovely face even more beautiful.

Finally slipping into one of the cocktail dresses, she had moved out to join Craig, who was struggling with a bow tie, the final part of his tuxedo outfit. With a grin she had moved forward and helped him with the unruly ends, the memory of doing the same for Ryan filling her, the pang once more thumping deep into her stomach.

“There” she had sighed when she had stealthily fixed the tie allowing him to smile thankfully at her.

“Damn awful thing” he had muttered, before kissing her softly on the cheek.

“You did that like a professional” surprised to see a small sad shadow cross her lovely eyes, before she had given a small noise turning to the door, pulling herself up as though entering the lion’s den.

“OK.........let’s knock 'em dead” she had said with determination, as the two had moved from the room, already hearing the sound of voices below them in the main living room.

In the large formal room, Craig had hooked Jenna’s arm into his, smiling down at her.

“OK.......floozy, you can be my bit on the side”.

He had chuckled, as she had smacked his arm playfully.

“You wish” she had returned seeing as he had winked good-naturedly at her.

The two had then moved around the room, meeting the other contractors, both very quickly finding themselves at ease with the other guests. Both Craig and Jenna were intelligent and charming, and soon found themselves fitting in well with the different heads of corporations, Jenna initially nervous, finding herself enjoying the night.

The loud gong indicating that dinner was ready had made many jump, as a ripple of laughter had spread around the assembled group. As one they had moved into the large dining room, taking seats as they went.

Finally all had seemed to be seated, except the seat at the head of the table, and Jenna had briefly wondered who the last guest was, her attention quickly pulled away by the man sitting beside her. The lull in the conversation had caused her to lift her head as the man beside her had chuckled.

“Here comes the boss”.

Jenna had looking around with interest, her expression becoming one of complete disbelief as Ryan Trudeau had taken his place at the head of the table, their eyes meeting briefly as he had stood before his guests.

“Ladies and Gentlemen” he had said, his silky voice once more sending familiar shivers running down her spine.

“I would like to welcome you all to my home”, Jenna groaning at the realisation of where they were.