The Billionaire's Virgin Pursuit (The Forbidden Series Book 1) Read online

  The Billionaire’s Virgin Pursuit

  The Forbidden Series

  Dee Stone

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Afterword

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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  The Billionaire’s Virgin Pursuit: The Forbidden Series Copyright 2018 © Dee Stone

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  All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the author.

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  Cover Design: Crimson Phoenix Cover Design

  editing by: Gray Publishing, The Plot Genie and Real Indie Author

  Dee Stone’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/c9AvC5

  Created with Vellum

  GREAT THANKS TO REBECCA HAMILTON FOR ALL HER HELP WITH MY WRITING AND EVERYTHING ELSE I HAVE LEARNED AND ABOUT TO LEARN IN MY NEW PROFESSION

  * * *

  THANKS TO HEATHER MYERS OF THE PLOT GENIE WITH HER HELP IN LETTING ME KNOW MY PLOT WAS INSUFFICIENT BUT IT WAS STILL A GOOD BEGINNING

  1

  MARKUS

  I stalked my way past the cubicles, ignoring the curious stares and raised eyebrows making it obvious they had no idea who I was, as I made my way to my partner’s office to try and get things straightened out. How could Paul do this? I had just come back to the States, from Italy, for the first time in ten years, and he does this. I clenched my fists, not bothering to hide my anger.

  Over the years, I had learned how to control that part of myself or I thought I had. But his trying to oust me from the board wasn’t going to work. I may just turn the tables on him, I thought. Yes, after this meeting, I’ll talk with each other member of the board, and get the low-down on their feelings about how things are really going in the company.

  I reached the large boardroom and took a deep, steadying breath. Pulling the sleeves of my suit jacket down, I pushed on my tie, tightened the knot, and straightened my cuff links. Ready as I’ll ever be. I gave a quick, forceful knock on the door before opening it.

  When I opened the door and stepped in the room, I looked around and felt like I had entered the Twilight Zone. No one was there. The room was completely empty. Well, except for me, of course.

  I hadn’t been this dumbfounded in years. I turned on my heel, storming toward Paul’s office. I was fuming. I’d been told a day and time, and I was damn well going to find out what happened. And there had better be a damn good reason.

  I was glad to see no secretary at the desk when I arrived.

  I heard laughter as I approached the door and knocked. A male voice announced, “Molly, I told you no visitors.”

  The door was suddenly thrown open, and my partner stood in the doorway. For a brief moment I saw shock on Paul Winters’s face before genuine delight appeared. He stepped forward to clasp my bicep and grabbed me for a back-pounding hug. I reciprocated briefly before removing myself.

  Glancing about the room, I noticed the large, empty desk with a sleek, polished surface. Sitting in front of it was a striking, young woman. She had long, blonde curls which bounced about her soft heart-shaped face. Instead of a sharp chin, hers was slightly rounded, with what looked like a stubborn jut. Her eyes were as blue as the sea, with lashes sweeping her cheeks in embarrassment at my scrutiny. Her high cheekbones were now bright red, and the color was travelling down her neck, which was long and delicate. I had such an urge to kiss her neck I shocked myself.

  I turned to Paul, who had walked over to the girl. She rolled her eyes as he pulled her from the chair and brought her over to stand before me. Seeing her close up made the situation worse. All I could think of doing was tearing that sexy blue dress off that sexy body and pounding my cock into her sweet pussy.

  “Markus, do you recognize this little girl?”

  “Dad!” she complained.

  Dad? Was this little Mary? I was shocked. I looked to Paul for confirmation and he nodded. He wouldn’t be so happy if he knew what I had been thinking of doing to his little girl. How old was she? I couldn’t remember. I hoped she was over eighteen, with my lascivious thoughts.

  “Mary?” I asked.

  “Markus.” She acknowledged me. “How was Italy? It must be wonderful to live there. What city did you live in? I’ve always wanted to visit, but we never made it there. Obviously.” Her voice had a light, lively lilt that trailed off as she squeaked in embarrassment, her cheeks deepening to a shade of rouge. When she had been asking her questions, her face was bright with excitement.

  “It’s too bad your father never brought you. I lived in Florence. There are many festivals and carnivals that you and your sister could have visited. There’s also many more different types of sweets and dolls than here.” I knew I was being an asshole acting like she was still a little girl, but I needed to keep my distance. She was the daughter of my business partner and off limits. I needed to be sure she would stay far away from me.

  “My little Mary is twenty years old now. Can you believe it? Makes you feel old, huh?” Paul hugged his daughter lightly before turning away from her.

  I could see I hit a nerve as the red faded from her face only to be replaced with the white of anger.

  Tossing her head back, her long locks floated down her back and her pink covered lips thinned slightly. Flouncing over to the chair she had been sitting in before, she plopped down inelegantly, crossing one long leg over the other, her skirt rising slightly up her trim thighs. Mary’s glare instantly became a smirk, as if she could see my unknown thoughts, which was impossible, since I didn’t even know them.

  But, she must have read something there and innocent girl she was, her fingers slowly inched the skirt of her dress up her thighs teasingly.

  Tormenting.

  She had a hidden temptress.

  I turned from her, as if she were unimportant, and out of the corner of my eye I could see her expression darken at being ignored. Done. If she was mad she’d stay away from me, and I wouldn’t have to deal with my nonexistent attraction for her. I just had to keep telling myself that.

  “Paul? I thought we had a meeting today?”

  He looked startled for a moment before a hard expression crossed his face. Stalking over to the door, he threw it open, bellowing, “Molly!”

  I heard heels clacking as a woman, not much older than Mary, came hurrying around the corner into sight. I thought there was no secretary there. Her face was unnaturally pale, as if she was ill, and I saw what looked like a baby bump on her slender form. I gave Paul a quick glance because I knew when he got angry heads tended to roll. I have to derail this mess before she ends up fired.

  “It’s alright, Paul. I see Mary is here and that’s what got you distracted.”

&n
bsp; The words seemed to be the red cape before the bull, because his face became red with anger as he stalked over to tower above Molly, who shrank back in fear.

  “Dad, calm down. Think about your blood pressure. Remember what the doctor said. Go in your office, sit down, and do some deep breathing. You don’t want another episode.” Mary took Paul’s forearm in her hand and tried to lead him back into his office, but not before he yanked his arm out of her hand. Straightening his back with purpose, he closed the door behind himself.

  All three of us, Mary, Molly, and myself gave large sighs of relief that that disaster had been averted. I turned to Mary, but she was fussing over the secretary, Molly, who was now sitting in an office chair, her hand to her forehead, and her head slightly bowed. She looked, like she was exhausted by what she had just endured.

  I turned to Molly, “Is there something I can get you? Hot tea or something?” I wasn’t good around pregnant women. We didn’t have any in the company in Italy and none of my family were. I wanted to help, but wasn’t sure how, so I hovered, my hands out but untouching.

  Mary looked at me impatiently, “She’s pregnant.”

  I was tired of her obvious anger, but tried to diffuse the situation by stamping down my impatience. She seemed to be perpetually angry, though that could be something she learned from her father. “I know that, but she looks ill. Maybe she should go home and rest?” Bending at my knees, so as not to overpower her, I spoke to Molly gently, “Would that be okay?”

  Molly lifted her head for a moment and studied me before she nodded, deep shadows beneath her eyes. “This baby is kicking my butt, but I need this job. Who are you? I’ve been here three years and never seen you before.”

  “I’m the partner,” I smiled. “I’ve been gone in Italy for the last ten years.”

  If it were possible she turned even paler. “I’m sorry, I forgot to call you. I got sick and forgot.” She shook her head at herself and her head sank down to her chest in defeat, probably expecting to be fired.

  “That’s okay. Disaster averted I think. I won’t let him fire you for this, and if he does, come to me and I’ll find something for you. I know our pregnancy benefits are great, so I understand you wanting to keep your job. Let me get my driver, and you get home and rest.” I handed her my card with one hand, and used my other to pull my phone from my back pocket to text, my driver, Leo, relaying the necessary information. “You just give him your address and get home. Okay?”

  She smiled in relief as I placed my hand under her elbow to help her up. She widened her smile in thanks and slowly, made her way to the elevators to meet Leo.

  I turned, happy a disaster had been averted, to meet Mary’s scowling face.

  2

  MARY

  “Lunch sounds great, kid.” Markus had a mischievous glint to his eye when he finished the word kid.

  “Sounds great,’ old man’.” I can give as good as I get. I lifted my stubborn chin to show I wouldn’t cow tow to any man.

  Markus smirked when I said old man. “So, where to?”

  “It depends upon what you want? Fancy food, burgers and fries, or sandwiches?”

  Markus raised his blue eyes to the ceiling and pursed his luscious lips, rubbing a hand over the dark brown scruff on his chin as he thought. He looked at me with an “ah ha” smile brightening his strong face. “Sandwiches. Deli.” Those two words were spoken with such reverence.

  I almost burst out laughing but snorted instead. We were both startled silent for a moment. This felt good. Friends.

  Our silence continued during our ride down, both listening to the elevator music. I think it was Good to You by…I can’t remember.

  The deli was close, so we walked, even with the drizzle coming down. The light moisture felt so good against my overheated skin, I stopped walking, and raised my face, eyes closed, to the grey sky.

  Most men, at the age of forty-five I had no interest in, but there was something about Markus Giovanni. He was so powerful, in both form and mind. The way he looked at me made me feel things I had never felt before. My heart beat faster when I looked at him, a shortness of breath took over me. My pussy clenching, my nipples tightened as they never had before as I thought about those tight abs I saw beneath that fine linen dress shirt he wore. And imagined what he had below.

  I couldn’t let him think I was interested though. He was too old for me, plus I was a virgin. I wasn’t just going to give it up to someone my father’s age.

  He made my heart beat faster the way he was with Molly. He seemed genuinely concerned about her, and whether she would lose her job. With his clean-shaven jaw, slight amount of scruff, black hair to his collar with silver strands throughout, and hazel eyes, it was going to be difficult to keep my attraction to myself.

  Stop it, Mary, I scolded myself. His being so forceful with my father was such a turn on for me. Would he be like that with me? Stop. Bad girl. A shiver overtook me, and my breath caught in my throat at what I was thinking. No way.

  “Mary, what do you have planned now?” Markus’s resonating voice gave me more shivers, and I gave a slight gasp as butterflies filled my stomach.

  Keep your mind on what you are going to do. What was that? Oh, yeah--lunch.

  “Lunch. Early lunch.” Where are my brain cells? I think I lost them.

  “Good. I’m hungry as well. Was in such a hurry earlier, I didn’t have breakfast. So, where’s good to eat?” His attitude had completely changed. Markus was suddenly happy and enthusiastic as if he didn’t have a care in the world, or a care about a certain someone. I was confused, and that wasn’t a good look for me.

  “Hmmm. Okay, we can go to lunch, and you can tell me about your life in Italy and what it was like.” I was hopeful we could keep this lunch on a family or friend level. Uh huh.

  Before I knew it, there we were. THE DELI.

  Markus opened the door for me, and we entered to find the place already packed, at only eleven in the morning. I should have known better. “There.” Markus said, as he began dragging me along with him, until we were sitting in the now empty booth, that with his extra height must have seen emptying.

  He grinned, so proud of himself, I half expected to see him beat his chest with his fists. And such a fine chest it is, I thought. Or might be if I saw it without a shirt. I shook my head. Get your head out of the gutter, Mary!

  We sat side by side in the booth, waiting for the waitress. The menu was pretty basic and was painted on the wall. Truth be told, I had been waiting for days to eat their pastrami and cheese––no pickles. Honestly, I hated pickles but loved mustard. And of course, I couldn’t come here without getting their mint chocolate shake. Yum.

  I turned to Markus and found him staring at the menu on the wall intently. His brows were lowered in consternation as he studied the menu. What was taking so long? It wasn’t as if there were a lot of choices. I pulled a small napkin out of the holder and began tearing it into tiny pieces.

  “Is that all there is?” he asked, staring at the menu.

  “It’s a deli. They only have sandwiches. Well and drinks and chips. I guess they don’t have a lot of delis in Italy?” I tried studying some of the other customers as we talked. I liked trying to decide what other’s lives might be like.

  “No not a lot. I think I’ll have the…Hm. Italian Sub and a vanilla shake.”

  “Vanilla? How boring.”

  Markus had an interesting glint to his eyes, though I wasn’t sure what it meant. “Vanilla doesn’t have to be boring. It can have–– different tastes. Strong…or mild.” I saw the smirk on his face as he hesitated. The way he lowered his voice when he said the last sentence made me shiver.

  A waitress finally came over and took our orders, bringing us tall glasses of ice water. I ordered a pastrami and cheese with a mint chocolate shake.

  As we waited for our food, we sat staring at each other silently, sipping at our water, not knowing what to do or say. I decided to start first, but Markus beat me to it. �
��So, how old are you?” I could see he was feigning disinterest. He must think I’m awful young.

  “I’ll be twenty-one in a couple days.” I almost saw his ears prick up at that news. As if he was relived. Why did I lie? I guess a couple days made a difference, I told myself. Difference for what I didn’t know. Either way––I wasn’t interested. I would keep telling myself that.

  “What are your plans?”

  “What do you mean?” I crinkled my brow, confused.

  “You and your friends. What are you going to do? Go bar hopping?”

  Ah! I needed to tell him the truth, that I was still twenty, but the words wouldn’t slip past my lips. Not that it should make a difference if I were interested. I’m an adult. Not that I was interested.

  “It’s weird, my friends are all busy right now. Dad’s going away tomorrow for business, so I’ll be alone. Thought I’d watch movies and have a couple glasses of wine.” Well, I wasn’t completely lying. Dad was going away tomorrow. He was going to Japan for a month, on business.

  Markus looked horrified. “You can’t be alone on your twenty-first birthday! When exactly is it? I’ll take you out. Put on your sexiest dress and you’ll wow those young men.”

  I laughed heartily, making most of the people in the restaurant stare, but I didn’t care.

  Markus looked almost hurt by my laughing. He had been like an uncle to me until ten years ago, and now he was trying to fix me up. It was felt ridiculous to me.

  “Markus,” I was still smiling. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I just can’t believe you told me to hook up with some guys.”