Chained to You (Dark Billionaires 3, 4)

I secretly smiled. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing, after all. Using that particular word during our wild sex session had been a definite turned-on for sure.

At exactly seven o'clock, James--dressed in another sleek three piece suit that made him looked like a powerful, ruthless billionaire on top of the world, which he was--escorted me down the main entrance of the hotel and into a flashy silver Jaguar sports car. It was breathtakingly sexy was the word that I came up with to describe the vehicle. And of course, I gave up trying to figure out how many cars James owned. Every time when we go out, it'd be a different one. I also didn't missed the fact that every single person was staring at the car and James either, with me tagging along with him like a lost little duckling. I felt more than a little self-conscious at all the attention. I still wasn't used to this since I had always been the one in the background, the invisible Mia Donovan where no one new existed, and I liked it that way. Becoming well known and being the center of attention wasn't something I aspired to have.

Some twenty minutes later, we arrived at another fancy hotel, and after the car was taken away to be parked safely by the valet, James took my hand and led me in.

This hotel wasn't much different from the one that James and Matt owned. There was a large, grand foyer with reception, high chandelier, wall and columns made of marbles, and the furnishing was of the finest quality. It was busy, with peopled everywhere.

I couldn't help but take everything in. Needless to say, I was enjoying myself by taking in the sight of the scenery and the scent that was around me.

James was leading me up the grand stairs to the first floor where I assume the restaurant was when I thought I saw someone familiar. More specially, a girl I had just bumped into this afternoon, Savanah White. I wanted to make sure, and so I searched amongst the countless people amongst us. And then there she was, dressed in a pale peach cocktail dress and her long hair down, she was a pretty little thing.

I wanted to get her attention, and did my best trying to make eye contact with her. Still, she didn't see me. She looked lost, I thought, even though she was being escorted by a blonde, tall male of lean built in an expensively tailored suit. Oddly enough, I thought this man looked familiar to me, too. Where had I seen him? I was pretty sure I've seen him before. But at the moment, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

A moment later, I was a little annoyed when both Savanah and her escort disappeared from my sight. It must have showed on my face because James chuckled, drawing my attention to him.

I blushed and said, "What?"

"Trying to find a friend?" he asked.

I nodded. "I thought I saw someone I knew."

"Oh?" There was a tease within his voice I didn't missed.

"Well," I corrected. "A girl I've met this afternoon. She was awfully nice. I thought..."

"That you might become friends?" he finished off for me.

My blush deepened. "Am I not allowed to do that?" I retorted. If he really did mean I wasn't allowed to have friends, I'd be so pissed. After all, my personal life and the friends I made had nothing to do with our unconventional relationship nor did it had anything to do with our contract, right?

"I didn't say that," he said. "In fact, I encourage it."

My eyes brightened immediately at his statement. "Really?" I asked, pleased.

Jesus, why was I behaving like this? It wasn't like he owned me and that he had complete control over me, after all. It was a free country, and I had my rights to make friends as I pleased.

"Having friends is a good thing," he said. "Did you have any back in Mystic Spring?"

Sadly enough I shook my head. I had always been a loner back during my high school year, and then after that, I started work at the restaurant immediately. The colleague at work weren't friends, and of course I had no life outside of work. Nor friends for that matter. The only person I had ever had to console with about my dilemma and the sort or had any fun hanging around with was Andy. So technically, he was both my brother and my best friend.

"Only Andy," I said.

"I see," was his response.

We were entering the restaurant now, and I simply stared wide eyes at the sight before me. Wow! Just wow! It was indeed a grand hall, three stories high with massive chandeliers. The main hall was wide open and jammed-pack with clients. Around the left, right, and toward the back were two floors more of seats also jammed-pack with customers. They must be very famous here, I thought in awe. And the food must be very good. My stomach eagerly agreed with that by making a tiny sound as if to tell me it was ready for action.

A maitre d' greeted us a good evening, and without even James uttering a word, the man said, "Ah, Mr. Maxwell, welcome sir. I have your table ready for you."

James must be a regular here, I thought, for the maitre d' to recognize him so. Then of course, it was the man's job, too, to know who his customers were. After all, James was no doubt famous where billionaire elites were concerned.

The maitre d' snapped his fingers for one of the waiter's attention, and a brief moment later, we were taken up the stairs onto the first floor landing of the restaurant.

I took my seat the waiter slid out for me, and James sat opposite me. After James had ordered an expensive bottle of wine and I had taken a couple of sip, I scanned over the menu. Everything sounded so appetizing and my mouth started watering. James must have seen the spark in my eyes because he chuckled.

"Have whatever you want and as much as you want," he said. There was a twinkle in his eyes as he continued, "You'll need the strength for tonight."

My face flushed red at the unwelcome suggestion. I lowered my eyes and nibbled on my lower lip, my heart racing. Honestly, I thought annoyingly at myself, I had been with James for a while now and I should be used to his presence. My heart shouldn't race every time he made such sensual suggestive statement.

I frowned as I now glared at the menu, trying to concentrate, trying to calm my racing heart and eliminate the blush that was lingering on my face.

Warm hand touched my cheek, and I jolted at the unexpected contact. I flicked my gaze to see James smiling at me.

"Something bothering you?" he asked. "You're frowning."

I snapped back, "I'm frowning because you're saying things you shouldn't be saying in public."

He cocked his head to one side as he retrieve back his hand. "Why are you shy all of a sudden?"

"I'm not shy," I muttered, which was a lie.

"You blushing is adorable," he said.

My heart skipped a beat. Why did he say that? Did he know that he was making it worst? That the nicer he was to me, the more I'd drown into his dark embrace? Or was that his way of showing his affection toward his mistress? His pet? His toy? Which was me.

He changed the subject. "What would you like to have?"

"Lobster," I said eagerly. "It sounds so good." I exaggerated the 'so' by extending the 'o' to tell him I really wanted to have that one for dinner.

He raised a brow. "What else is so good?" he asked.

I replied immediately, "Hmm... the steak sounds good, too."

He laughed. "You're still innocent, aren't you?"

I was confused. "What do you mean?"

He shook his head. "Never mind," he said. "Let's order."

I nodded my head.

Chapter 16

Mia

The lobster was amazing. The meat was succulent, juicy and sweet, along with the white sauce and roasted vegetable that accompanied it. Of course the entre of an array of seafood such as prawn, oyster, and mussel were delicious as well. James, not surprisingly enough, had the steak for his mains. He seemed to like it, which was great. It made dinner even better when your companion wa

s in a good mood and enjoying his meal.

As usual, James finished his food before I did, and he sat there watching me. I was used to that by now, used to him savoring every action I made when I ate my meal. I wondered if that was common for a man to watch his companion eat. Then of course, because I was a curious beings, I couldn't help myself and decided to ask.

"So," I said, putting my knife and fork down. "I was just wondering... do you enjoy watching me eat?"

That brought a smile on his lips. Gosh! The man was truly handsome when he smiled. There was that something about him, that dark radiant that drew you in like a magnet, and that you had no willpower of your own to escape.

As always, he was blunt. "Yes I do," he said. "I enjoy watching you eat. You love food. You appreciate food, and I like that. You're adorable when you eat."

Adorable? Again? He had used the word adorable on me twice already within a few hours. Should I be basking in delight that he had used that particular endearing word to describe me? I had thought the word adorable was only used in relation to cute, little beings and things such as babies, kittens, and puppies.

I touched my hand to my face and wondered contritely if James thought I was like puppies and kittens. Pets! I was his pet, wasn't I? That was why he kept referring to me as adorable.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing," I said, my voice a little broken. "I need to use the restroom."

"Sure," he said.

I hastily got up from my seat, said, "I won't be long," and then rushed away.

In the restroom, I was pleased that there wasn't anyone around and went to wash my hands. Hesitantly, I glanced up to look at myself through the mirror.

Gosh, but my face was more than a little red.

"Adorable," I murmured under my breath. "I'm adorable."

I dried my hands with some paper towel and sighed. I didn't know if I wanted James to refer to me as adorable or not. Pet! I was his pet.

"Hi," a soft voice said, interrupting my thoughts.

I turned to see Savanah smiling at me, her green eyes large and bright.

"Hey," I said, pleased all of sudden. "Oh my Gosh, I thought I saw you before and I wasn't wrong. What are you doing here?"

Savanah blushed. "I'm out having dinner with..." She tucked her hair behind her ear.