Page 9 of Impulse (Infinitus Billionaire #1)

Lex’s jet had just left Dallas, after refueling, when Douglas called. He braced himself for bad news.

“Just a second.”

As he left the main cabin for the stateroom, he could almost hear the sigh of relief from his employees. They’d been subdued while watching a game on the big screen TV because of his presence. It didn’t matter how long they’d worked for him; there was an invisible barrier between him and them that they refused to cross.

That fact in itself didn’t bother Lex. He often stayed in the stateroom unless they were catching up on a project or contract and needed his input. He didn’t mind the solitude. In fact, he craved it. His creative juices tended to flow better when he wasn’t distracted.

Closing the door, he brought the phone to his ear.

“Is she okay, Douglas?”

“She sounded fine when we spoke, sir,”

Douglas said.

“But she canceled the drop off.”

Lex frowned, even as relief coursed through him. “Why?”

“She didn’t say, sir.”

Why had she asked for the money when she didn’t need it? Knowing her, she was probably testing him. He didn’t care about what she did with the money as long as it wasn’t illegal and she was safe. Though the notes weren’t marked, the serial numbers could be traced if she was in trouble, like being blackmailed.

“I’ll talk to her when I get home. We should be arriving around ten.”

“I’ll be there with the car, sir.”

Lex frowned.

“Are you okay? You sound, uh, different.”

“Just the sniffles. Nothing serious.”

“If you need to rest, I can hitch a ride home with Mathews.”

“That’s not necessary, sir.”

Douglas sounded insulted by Lex’s suggestions.

“I’ll be at the airport before ten.”

Lex debated whether to call Jillian after he disconnected the call. Asking her personal questions this early in their relationship could ease his mind. Or it could be disastrous. She was prickly and unpredictable. He threw the phone on the bed, and hit the showers.

The stateroom had a queen-sized bed and a private bathroom large enough for two. Jillian flashed in his head. He’d also spared no expense equipping the jet with every comfort imaginable. From the couches and wide leather seats to entertainment units—high-speed internet and unparalleled TV reception feeding a big screen and smaller, personal ones for those with discerning viewing tastes. The galley had a microwave, conventional oven, and a fully stocked fridge and bar. The Boeing 737 was his home away from home.

He’d missed a call, he noticed when he came out of the bathroom, but it wasn’t from Jillian. He recognized Sloan Noelle’s private number and hit redial.

“Will you be in town by Friday?”

his former college buddy asked.

“I’m flying back right now. What’s going on?”

“Great. I’m throwing a party on Saturday afternoon, and I want you here.”

Lex hadn’t been to one of Sloan’s parties in months. Sloan threw two-day private parties every month on his private island off the coast of Santa Barbara. The guests were usually the same. At least the men were, all of them former members of his fraternity. The women changed.

“I can’t promise anything, my friend,” Lex said.

“Come on, man. We haven’t seen you since Jocelyn left, and from the looks of things, you have a new lady friend. The boys want to meet her.”

“The boys”

were men with names on the letterheads of multimillion-dollar corporations they either owned or ran. They’d all made their fortunes during the dot-com bubble and had since diversified. Almost all were single and changed girlfriends often. The few married ones left their children behind for these weekends of decadence. Jocelyn, his ex-girlfriend, had loved Sloan’s parties. Lex wasn’t sure he was ready to take Jillian to one of them yet.

“Are you hiding her from us?”

Sloan asked.

“I hope not, because my yacht’s reputation is on the line and I’d hate to have Cade stink it up with his call girls.”

Lex chuckled. Cade Padwick was a computer genius with a popular social network company. He’d gone public six months ago and made a killing. For whatever reason, he preferred women with questionable reputations. Sloan, on the other hand, was a picky dater.

“I’ll call you tomorrow with an answer, Sloan. And stop using your yacht every time Cade comes up with some half-baked bet.”

He hung up and finished changing, then pinged the flight attendant for a drink. Once she’d served him and left, Lex settled on the bed and turned on the TV to ESPN.

After a while, he switched to news, but restlessness had settled on him. Maybe it was the plan to stop at Jillian’s that had him wired, or the fact that she hadn’t returned his call. He’d never had to worry about a woman returning his calls. He called and they came. He’d had his share of girlfriends, none long-lasting like Jocelyn, a Brit whose beauty was only matched by her sharp mind and ambitions. They both had family business to take care of and a list of relatives depending on them, so work always came first. So when Jocelyn had packed up and left for London to be the head of her father’s conglomerate, he’d understood. That was a year ago. Twice now, she’d flown to the US for meetings and they’d gotten together, but nothing would have come out of their sporadic sexual encounters.

The jet was close to landing when his phone went off. Once again, he thought it was Jillian, until he saw the number on the screen. He brought the phone to his ear. “Mom?”

“You will not believe who I had lunch with today,” she said.

Lex smiled and waited.

“Jillian.”

Lex tensed. “Why?”

His mother laughed.

“What kind of question is that? I went to talk to Barbs, and one thing led to another. I had a fun time with Jillian before that odious actress, Margo, interrupted us. The girl has no manners whatsoever and is impossible to work with. If only Barbs could replace her.”

“What did you and Jillian talk about?”

“This and that,”

Estelle said evasively.

“You went fishing for information about her? Mom, I will not have you harass Jillian with senseless questions.”

“Now why would you think I’d do something so tasteless? Is it because you refused to tell me anything about her?”

She sighed.

“If you must know, we discussed things we have in common.”

“You talked about me?”

His mother chuckled.

“No, dear. The world does not always revolve around you. We talked about movies and the industry. Your name didn’t even come up. But I was hoping you’d have her meet everyone. Maybe on Sunday?”

They had Sunday brunch once every other month. The last one had been two Sundays ago.

“Not yet. Maybe the Sunday after. Jillian mentioned filming in Vancouver on Monday, so she might be leaving over the weekend.”

“You can fly her out there after she meets everyone.”

“No, Mother. She’ll meet the family when she’s ready.”

The pilot announced that they were approaching Van Nuys Airport, where Lex usually kept the jet in a private hangar.

“I have to go, Mom. We’re about to land. I’ll stop by the house tomorrow.”

“Land where? I thought you were coming home on Friday.”

“We flew back early, but I’ll stay in the city tonight.”

“Oh. Do you and Jillian have plans for tomorrow? We could have family dinner on Friday.”

He heard the loneliness in her voice. Since she’d retired, she’d been involved in one charity work after another, but she didn’t find them challenging. His mother was smart and driven, and at sixty-two, too young to have retired. He’d thought getting involved with Barb’s new production might keep her busy and had invested in it. It wasn’t enough to keep her occupied.

“I don’t know if Jillian will make it, but I’ll check with her. Do you want to have dinner tomorrow night?”

“Oh, that would be lovely.”

“Good. I need help with something I’m working on and could use your expertise.”

There was silence, then a laugh.

“Of course, dear. I’ll have Mrs. Sandoval make some of your favorite dishes.”

Now he had to find a project for her to work on. Something real or she’d see through his machinations. His mother started Valdez Realtors before she married his father, and continued to run it until Lex took it over and changed the direction of the company. She’d mainly bought and sold existing listings, he preferred to buy, develop, then lease or sell them. He made one more call just as the plane started to descend.

Usually, Lex was the last to leave the jet. Tonight, he was on his feet and heading out the door by the time the jet stopped inside the hanger. He left the stateroom with the briefcase in one hand and his trench coat in the other, his mind on Jillian.

The others peered out the window and grinned. The scene outside was familiar—spouses, girlfriends, or boyfriends waiting to pick up their loved ones. Whether they arrived in the dead of the night or during the day, it was always the same. Often they stood in groups talking. Douglas tended to keep to himself, only stepping out of the car after he saw Lex.

The pilot lowered the airstairs, and Lex was halfway down when the front door of the Rolls opened. Instead of the familiar graying hair, a blonde head appeared.

Lex froze as Jillian straightened, turned, saw him, and waved. Her smile hit him like a punch, sucking the breath out of his chest. Douglas must have decided to let her drive.

Lex took the remaining steps without realizing it and hurried toward her, a vision in white skinny pants and a floral shirt under a black jacket. She somehow managed to look like a siren and the girl next door simultaneously. Lex opened his arms, not doubting for one second that she would step into them.

She did, slipping her arms around him. He didn’t care that he was paying her to pretend to be his girlfriend or that the hug was for their audience—his employees. She was in his arms. He buried his nose in her hair and inhaled.

He leaned back, noted the empty front passenger seat, and cocked an eyebrow.

“What did you do with Douglas?”

“The poor guy lost a bet. He should know better than to bet against me. I only go for sure wins, so here I am, your designated driver and all-around whip girl.”

A tinkle of laughter escaped her, the sound echoing into the night, sending heat straight to his groin. He had to capture the sound.

Her eyes widened when he lowered his head, but she didn’t shy away from the kiss. She met him, the enthusiasm of her response blindsiding him.

A thud told him his briefcase had slipped from his hand and landed on the ground. He sunk his fingers into her hair, anchoring her head in place as he indulged himself. His body pressed into hers, trapping her against the body of the car.

This was coming home. He nudged her legs and settled between them, one hand palming her thigh and lifting it around his hip.

When he broke off the kiss, her lips were puffy and her eyes glazed. Her legs straddled his hips. The position was so intimate he wished they were alone so he could relieve the ache in his gut. He’d never wanted a woman like he wanted Jillian.

He was aware of the others staring and whispering as they walked toward their cars. There was a first for everything, and Jillian couldn’t have chosen a better moment to pick him up. After the Sunday article about his mysterious date, this should feed the grapevine at his company.

“You’re a ruthless bastard, you know that?”

she whispered, sounding both annoyed and aroused.

“When I know what I want, I go after it.”

He planted another kiss on her lush lips.

“What’s this about a bet?”

Did this mean the three-fifty was a gambling debt?

Instead of answering him, she wiggled, silently asking him to let her go, but he wasn’t ready to do that yet. He liked the position. Besides, he had a massive erection, and even though he didn’t mind her knowing about it, he didn’t want his employees observing his lack of control. Her wiggling didn’t help.

“You keep up that seductive rub and I’ll carry you over my shoulder to the nearest bed, which just so happens to be inside the jet.”

She went still, a gleam entering her eyes. She glanced at the others, nodding at a few. They were starting to drive off. She leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“You’re pushing it, pal.”

“I don’t think I have anything to do with it,”

he teased.

“That’s all you.”

She groaned in exasperation, her warm breath fanning his ear and stroking his senses. Then she did something totally unexpected. She bit him. Trapped his earlobe between her teeth and bore down hard.

The sting was nothing compared with the surge of pure lust that shot through him. He groaned, his erection jerking in response. She went still, let go of his ear, and stared at him with round eyes as though surprised he hadn’t yelped or pushed her away.

“Do it again,”

he challenged.

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’re a freak.”

“Depends on what you consider a freak.”

He lowered her down and picked up his briefcase and coat. Jillian avoided his eyes and nodded at his last employee, who was getting into his car, his wife openly staring at them. Lex waved briefly to them.

“Where exactly did you leave Douglas?”

“Sick in bed.”

Her eyes met his. She had recovered from their kiss. Too bad. Arousal looked good on her.

“Don’t be mad at him. He looked like hell when he came to pick me up. I knew he was sick, but he kept denying it.”

She rolled her eyes.

“So I made a bet with him. If he had a fever, he was going straight to bed.”

Lex was more than relieved. Some gambler she was. He opened the back door and threw his suitcase and coat in the back seat.

“What is it with men and being sick?”

Jillian asked.

“I had to force him to take medication, to eat some soup, and to get in bed before I left. And do you know what he kept doing? Calling me every five minutes to make sure I was on my way. He even insisted I call him when the plane touched down. I have a feeling he wants to apologize for not personally picking you up.”

She scoffed at the idea.

“Like being sick is his fault. Oh, and part of our bet was no calls warning you that I was picking you up. I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Douglas’ quarters were attached to Lex’s penthouse, so keeping an eye on him wouldn’t be a problem. He’d done it before. The poor guy didn’t have anyone except an ex-wife, who was now remarried, and a teenage daughter, who lived with her mother.

“Let’s go,”

he said, opening the car door.

“I’ll check on him when I get home.”

“Oh. That’s sweet.”

Lex grimaced.

“I depend on him for everything.”

She laughed.

“Right. I know about how you’ve been there for him. He told me everything you’ve done for him and his family. Don’t you have luggage?”

Lex stopped, glanced at the plane, and frowned. He was so used to Douglas taking care of his personal things he’d completely forgotten. The flight attendant, pilot, and copilot were still inside the plane.

“It’s back in there.”

“Oh. Someone will bring it out for you,”

Jillian said.

Lex heard her teasing and shot her a glance.

“Not tonight. Douglas isn’t here. I told you he does everything.”

“Well, don’t look at me. I’m driving, not carrying and fetching.”

He fought a smile.

“No, sweetheart. You drove here, but you’re not driving us home. Not if I want to get there in one piece. You treat the road like your personal playground,”

he added and walked past her, knowing she’d follow. Jillian, he was quickly learning, liked to have the last word.

“I can’t believe you’d say that. I’m an amazing driver. I got here in one piece.”

She followed him.

“I didn’t even speed.”

He ignored her and started up the airstairs.

“Okay, so I did speed a little,”

she added.

“But the cop who stopped me was nice.”

Lex stopped and turned.

“You were speeding in my car?”

She wrinkled her nose.

“I couldn’t help it. It’s such a smooth ride. And you have a constellation on the roof of your car.”

She stopped a step below him and cocked her eyebrows. “What?”

He studied her and reached a decision.

“Okay. You can drive.”

She laughed.

“Yes! I mean, thanks.”

“No speeding.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Fine. Although with you in the car, the cops would just wave us by.”

“I’m not above the law.”

“I know, but isn’t your uncle with LAPD? He can fix the ticket for us.”

Lex imagined how his uncle would react to such a request.

“No. Come on.”

“I told you I don’t carry or fetch.”

“Then I guess your present stays in the plane.”

“Oh.”

She seemed lost for words.

“You bought me something?”

“Of course, I did.”

He reached out and touched her cheek.

“Let’s not keep the others waiting.”

The crew was about to disembark when they entered the plane. Sienna Whitfield, the flight attended, had her case and his. The co-pilot, Darren Ray, held the gift basket he’d bought Jillian. Mathews was doing his rounds. Within moments of introducing him to Jillian, she had Mathews showing her the cockpit. Lex caught snippets of their conversation. They were discussing engines and mileage of the Boeing. Typical. When he turned around to take his suitcase, the flight attendant and the co-pilot were already on the ground and walking toward the Rolls Royce. He went to join them.

“Thanks.”

He stashed his suitcase in the back and placed the fruit basket in the back seat. He’d make sure they were well compensated for going above and beyond their duties, and maybe even use them again on his next flight. They were both from the same agency. They were taking off when he went back to the plane.

Jillian and Mathews were laughing at something when he rejoined them. A feeling he couldn’t explain washed over him. Not liking or understanding it, he went straight to the stateroom to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything instead of joining them.

*

What the hell was that? Jillian watched Lex as he disappeared inside a room. Did he have a problem with her talking to his pilot? She hoped not. The last thing she needed was a jealous fake husband.

“Thanks for showing me around, Mathews.”

She shook the pilot’s hand.

“You’re welcome.”

Jillian headed outside to the car, started the engine, and ramped up the heat. Her phone went off. She saw the caller ID and groaned. She brought the phone to her ear.

“You should be fast asleep, Douglas.”

“Did you pick him up?”

Lex left the plane first. She watched him saunter toward her, his walk graceful. Even after hours on a plane, everything about him was perfectly in place—from the tailored pants to his thick head of hair. It made him both sexy and intimidating. Earlier, she’d been caught up in the moment and walked into his arms like she belonged. The kiss had been surprising and so typical of him. He tended to dominate. The problem was it made her want more. His lips on her body. Between her legs.

“Ms. Jillian?”

Douglas asked, yanking Jillian to the present.

“Yes, Douglas. I got him. He wants you to rest and stop worrying. He’ll check on you when he gets home.”

“Drive carefully.”

What a worrywart. “Will do.”

Lex slid in the front passenger seat and brought with him his masculine scents. The effect on her didn’t surprise her anymore. Heat pulled low in her belly. The spacious car suddenly seemed too small.

He glanced at her.

“Why did you leave? I was going to show you the rest of the plane.”

Jillian had to clear her voice before saying.

“I didn’t want to intrude. You ready to go?”

she asked, shrugging off her jacket.

“Somehow I know I’m going to regret letting you drive,”

he said, buckling up.

“You have trust issues, Lex.”

She put the car in gear and eased out of the tarmac.

“I’m letting you drive, aren’t I?”

Jillian rolled her eyes. She turned right toward Victory Boulevard instead of taking Vanowen.

“You know what your problem is? You control everything and everyone around you, so you don’t know how or when to let go.”

“Does that mean I control you, too?”

he asked in a voice gone husky, his arm coming to rest on the edge of the back of her seat.

She laughed. If he moved any closer, she might just forget she was driving, turn her head, and kiss him again.

“In your dreams.”

“You have no idea what things I do to you in my dreams.”

Not as naughty as what she did to him in hers.

“No man will ever control me, Alexander.”

“Oh, sweetheart, never issue a challenge to a man with a single objective.”

He lifted her hair from her neck and ran feather-light strokes along her nape.

The car swayed as Jillian lost control. Dang it! She trembled and hoped he didn’t notice.

“We’re going to end up in a ditch if you continue with that,”

she warned.

“Am I bothering you?”

“No.”

Yes. She leaned back and pretended his touch wasn’t distracting her.

His fingers slipped under her collar. Her breath quickened. This time she couldn’t control the shudder that rocked her body. Worse, her nipples pebbled under her silk shirt.

“What are you doing, Lex?”

“Trying to prove a point,”

he said in an amused voice.

“Real trust is putting your life in the hands of someone with the power to take it. You have a sensitive neck,”

he whispered, moving closer.

“How about this?”

He lifted her hair out of the way, stroked her ear, and then trailed his finger down to her collarbone.

Jillian shuddered. She really should tell him to stop, except she didn’t want to. It had been too long, and this was the most fun she’d had with a man in almost a year.

“And these.”

He grazed her nipple closest to him.

Jillian sucked in a breath. If this was his way of proving he trusted her, he should do it every day. The wanton in her wanted to see how far he’d go. The daredevil liked that he was doing it while she was behind the wheel.

She turned left onto Victory Boulevard and headed toward Burbank. It was almost eleven and there was still some traffic, but it was dark enough to hide his sensual exploration.

“Your belly button?”

He reached down and slipped a hand under her shirt to caress her stomach.

Jillian jerked, her foot pressing on the gas pedal. The car accelerated. Lex chuckled, but his hand kept stroking her belly. The feel of his large hand on her skin was heavenly.

“Remember, I don’t have control over you.”

Oh so that was what his sensual exploration was about? His movements were unhurried, his voice silky with decadence. He was driving her crazy. She glanced at him and caught the wicked gleam in his eyes. He was watching her every reaction, probably noting that she was beginning to breathe erratically and her nipples were pushing against her shirt.

“Eyes on the road, sweetheart,”

he warned and Jillian’s eyes flew forward. The next second, she whispered “Fuck!”

as his fingers swept under the waistband of her stretchy pants.

“I’d love to, but you’ll have to settle for this.”

He slipped under her silk panties.

Jillian tensed with anticipation. Her leg, the one not pressing the pedals, fell back against the door as she tucked her hips forward to give him access.

“Hmm,”

he murmured as he moved over her nether hair, parted her labia, and found the sensitive nub.

“You are so wet and hot.”

That was an understatement. She was burning and dripping. Her thighs trembled, hips lifting as he moved one finger over her moist clitoris. Jillian closed her eyes as sensation rocked her body.

“You can’t close your eyes, babe. Remember, I trust you to get us home safely.”

Jillian glanced at him again. If this was a lesson, she’d failed it the moment he’d flicked his finger across her nipple. She nodded and tried to focus on driving. But how could she when each stroke across her sensitized flesh was driving her insane? More fingers joined the first one, two parting her, while the middle one teased her and pushed her higher and higher.

She tried to move her hips and push against his hand, but everything worked against her—her jeggings, the seat belt, Lex’s hand holding her firmly in place. He was in control.

“Please,”

Jillian begged.

“I have to pull over.”

“No, keep driving,”

he ordered.

Her ass was almost off the seat, her heavy breathing filling the car and mixing with the wet sounds he made as he pushed his fingers in and out of her pussy. Sex on the highway was a first for her. Possibly, the most insane thing she’d ever done, and it was exhilarating. Cars zipped past them. She was going at half the speed limit as the pressure built inside her and pleasure fanned out from her core.

“Lex,”

she moaned.

“Focus on the road. You are in control.”

Damn right she was. She took one hand off the steering wheel and grabbed his wrist. At the same time, she widened her one leg and anchored it firmly against the door. She was setting the pace now, racing toward a mind-numbing orgasm.

Lex reached with his other hand and firmly guided her hand back to the steering wheel while he continued to stroke her, his movements fast, firm, and smooth. Jillian knew she was going to blackout when she came.

That she could still be rational amazed her, but she flipped on the turn signal, pulled up on the shoulder of the road, and shifted gears to park. Her hands gripped the steering wheel as she arched her back and yelled words she’d never dared utter with a lover as the first wave hit her.

Her body convulsed around his fingers, but he didn’t stop. Her body shook as she curled and hugged the steering wheel, her breathing shallow, her thighs wrapped tight around his wrist. The convulsion didn’t stop.

Fuck yeah!

Through the blood pounding through her veins, she heard him say.

“Beautiful.”

Beautiful couldn’t begin to describe what had just happened. Insane. Possibly the best hand job she’d ever had. She rested her sweaty forehead on the steering wheel and exhaled, willing her head to stop spinning, her heart to cease its offbeat rhythm, and the ringing in her ears to ebb. It took forever.

Funny she wasn’t even embarrassed by what had just happened. How could she be when he’d opened up a possibility she’d never considered before? Sex could actually be better than all the daredevil activities she loved.

Suckling sounds filled the car, and she turned her head to find the source. Lex was licking and sucking on his fingers.

“Hmm, love how you taste,”

he said. She could hear the laughter in his voice.

“You are insane,” she said.

“But we’re not in a ditch.”

This couldn’t be a lesson in trust. This was about control. That he could make her curse like a sailor and scream his name with a touch of his fingers. And what beautiful, long, and talented fingers they were. Jillian squeezed her thighs, the remnants of the orgasm making her throb.

“Nice way to prove a point,”

she said, sitting and trying to find a comfortable position that didn’t involve her sensitized organ rubbing against her panties.

“Nice? I thought that was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. I wished we weren’t in such a public place. I would have turned on the lights and appreciated it better.”

Now he worried about being in public? Jillian’s eyes went to his crotch, and a fierce longing washed through her. She wanted him. Wanted to see him naked. To hold and stroke him, and drive him crazy the way he’d done to her.

“Do you want to drive the rest of the way?”

she asked, her eyes lifting to his. The light from the headlights wasn’t enough to show his expression, but she heard the amusement in his voice again when he responded.

“No, sweetheart. I’m perfectly fine letting you be in charge.”

Yeah. Right. Jillian’s eyes dipped again to his erection. Her palm itched with a need to touch him.

“I can take care of that for you.”

He chuckled. “I know.”

He palmed her wrist and placed it on the steering wheel. Jillian hadn’t realized she’d reached for him.

“Not here.”

“I don’t believe in double standards, Lex. It skews things. You mess with my head, I mess with yours.”

“I’m counting on it,”

he said, and anticipation shot through Jillian.