Seduced by the Billionaire Read online

  She was safe for now, but if she was missed, surely this would be the first place they’d look?

  Perspiration beaded along her hairline as she weighed up her limited options.

  Deciding she had to look for another hiding spot she listened to make certain the coast was clear, opened the door slowly and urged her tense muscles into action. Leaving the sanctuary of the powder room, she hugged the wall as she walked quickly in the opposite direction of the party—as far away from all the noise as possible. Cautiously, she went down a set of steps and found herself in a long corridor that led to the staterooms. Moments later she heard Crystal’s voice—protesting and crying in response to a cold, deep male voice.

  They were coming her way!

  Sarah almost went into the first room, then reconsidered. What if they ended up here? Or what if the room was already occupied?

  Her pulse pounding at her temples, she ducked under the stairs and found a smaller cupboard door. Cursing her height, she folded herself into the cupboard with the flexibility of a contortionist, and pulled the door closed just in time.

  ‘Leave me alone!’ Guilt ate into Sarah like acid as she heard Crystal’s pleas.

  Could they fight him off together?

  Steeling herself, Sarah cracked the door open a fraction and peered through the gap to see them coming down the corridor towards her hiding spot.

  No. She’d never overpower this man. He was well over six feet and the cut of his tuxedo emphasised the sheer breadth of his shoulders and strength of his athletic frame.

  A bit further down the corridor they stopped. He flung open a stateroom door and manhandled a sobbing Crystal inside.

  The door slammed shut behind them and Sarah heard a bolt slide home.

  Oh dear Lord.

  Tears streamed down Sarah’s face as she slumped helplessly against the cupboard wall. There was nothing she could do to help.

  Surely all the staff and male guests on the yacht were aware of the evening’s agenda. None of them would help her. She’d only put herself in danger if she went above deck.

  Running her hand along the expensive silk, designer label dress she wore, Sarah’s gut roiled knowing how stupid she’d been.

  Had there ever been modelling contracts on offer? It seemed likely those promises had been nothing more than a ruse to get all the girls on board. Oh God, she’d been so stupid!

  Sarah clapped her hand over her mouth to stop from throwing up the canapés she’d enjoyed earlier. The space about her seemed to tilt with far more than the ocean current.

  Then, over the hammering of her heart, she heard sirens.

  The yacht’s engines were cut.

  Summoning up the courage to open the cupboard door a fraction she just made out the words: ‘Water police. Prepare to be boarded.’

  Yes! She was going to be rescued.

  But … If she was discovered, would she be charged with prostitution? She’d accepted the payment for attending. It wouldn’t matter how hard she protested her innocence, gullibility was no defence.

  She’d have to go to court.

  She’d have a criminal record that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

  Pulling the door closed again, she decided she had to stay hidden, wait for things to die down and then make her escape.

  ‘Don’t leave this room. Do you understand? You wait for me to come back and don’t open the door for anyone else.’ The man had emerged from the stateroom and closed the door, leaving Crystal inside.

  Should Sarah check on Crystal or should she remain hidden?

  The police were here now.

  That man couldn’t hurt Crystal anymore.

  Sarah stayed huddled in the cupboard and ignored her burning shame as she listened to the ruckus breaking out above deck. Heavy footsteps tramped down the stairs above her. Stateroom doors banged open all along the corridor and men shouted out to each other as they searched the yacht. Sarah stayed statue still, barely game to breathe as she heard someone walk past her hiding place.

  What was going to happen to Crystal?

  What was going to happen to Sarah if she was discovered?

  Anxiety pricked at the back of her neck. Damn it all! She shouldn’t even be here.

  Guilt and remorse swirled in a sickening cocktail because she’d lied to Rose and said she was meeting friends. Now she might be arrested. More tears threatened. She couldn’t afford to lose her job as nanny for the modelling agent’s two small children. All she could do was keep quiet and pray she wouldn’t be found.

  The hours stretched but her body remained cramped in the cupboard long after the sirens had faded, the yacht had fallen silent and the only sound she could hear was the lapping of the ocean against the boat’s hull.

  Sarah was convinced she had a guardian angel because her prayers had been answered that night. She’d remained undiscovered, but now fate had thrown Crystal’s attacker back into her life.

  Lifting her head up, Sarah tried to shake off the bad memories. She caught her reflection in the mirror of the dressing room and was pleased she was no longer the naive seventeen-year-old who’d been beguiled by the charming talent scout at the shopping mall.

  It’d been easy to believe his promises when she’d been impatient to earn more money to help Ryan with his medical expenses. With the benefit of experience and maturity she realised she should’ve respected Rose’s judgement. Sarah should’ve trusted that Rose would launch her into a modelling career when the time was right and she was a little older.

  ‘All set to go and face your adoring fans?’ Rose asked as she re-entered the dressing room.

  The question brought Sarah back to her present plight with a juddering jolt and forced her to face the situation that raised more ghosts from the past. ‘You organised a smaller function room exclusively for VIP guests?’

  ‘As promised. French doors lead onto a balcony and there are double doors in the other walls. Plenty of exits in case of emergency.’

  Sarah let out a long breath and tried to psyche herself up. At least she didn’t have to go into the huge function room where there was sure to be a press of people. ‘How many people in the VIP room?’

  ‘Fifty maximum. Giovanni and I will be mingling there but we’ll keep our eyes on you. Ryan will be out networking in the main area.’

  Fifty people was a crowd of about forty-five more than Sarah truly felt comfortable with at any given time but she was determined to face her fears head-on. ‘I’m so sorry that even after all these years I still have to get you to make special arrangements for me.’

  ‘Hey! I think you’re incredibly brave, love. I know you’re working at conquering those horrific memories and you’re doing brilliantly. Never worry about creating work for me.’

  ‘I’m so lucky to have met you. I’m really grateful for all you’ve done for me, Rose.’

  Her agent winked at her. ‘Oh, I think it’s mutual. First a brilliant babysitter and now my number one model!’

  After having just re-lived the night that could’ve changed everything for the worse, Sarah felt close to tears. ‘Thank you for believing in me.’

  ‘All good.’ Having no idea of how emotional Sarah felt, Rose was all business. ‘Now, when you get into the room remember to focus only on the conversation you’re in and not everything that’s going on around you.’

  I can do this. Ryan needs me to do this and I won’t let my brother down.

  I won’t let myself down either. I will conquer all my fears.

  But she prayed to God that the man from the gallery—the man from the yacht—wouldn’t be there.

  Chapter 3

  Jittery didn’t come close to describing Sarah’s state as she entered the VIP room with Rose at her side.

  It was a huge relief to scan the room and see no sign of the man from the yacht. Still, she couldn’t relax completely. She did a second quick visual sweep to familiarise herself with the exits and to ensure she knew which was the closest in the event of a
n emergency.

  ‘Hi, Jocelyn.’ Rose greeted a tall woman whose dark hair framed her face in a sophisticated bob. ‘Sarah, I’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn from Henderson Haute Couture.’

  Jocelyn’s smile seemed genuine and Sarah warmed to her straight away. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jocelyn.’

  ‘Likewise. I’ve taken an avid interest in your career. I’m thrilled to think you’ll be working for me in the very near future.’

  Jocelyn couldn’t be as thrilled as Sarah. If the contract was signed tomorrow as scheduled, it would go a long way to replacing the contracts she’d lost with Eduardo and Manuel.

  ‘I’ve long admired your designs and the way you’ve branched out from haute couture to other labels that are more financially accessible to all women. If everything works out, it’ll be a pleasure to model your designs.’

  ‘We’re scheduled to meet at ten tomorrow morning,’ Rose confirmed. ‘There are a few details to work out but I’m sure you’ll be in Henderson designs before long, Sarah.’

  ‘And, after the contract is signed tomorrow, I believe we’ll see you in at the offices the following day for some fittings?’ Jocelyn queried.

  ‘It’s all been written in to Sarah’s schedule,’ Rose agreed. ‘I think tomorrow will be a mere formality.’

  Jocelyn positively beamed. ‘Actually, if it’s not too presumptuous, I have something else I’d like to raise with both of you.’

  Rose raised an eyebrow in enquiry. ‘Please, go ahead.’

  ‘Rose, my brother tells me he and his friends, Luca Borghetti and Max Bennett, have left a couple of messages at your office throughout the week.’

  Rose twisted her lips in an apologetic grimace. ‘I received them. I’m sorry I haven’t returned the calls but I haven’t had a chance to speak to Sarah about their proposal yet.’ Turning to Sarah she asked, ‘You’ve heard of the Neptune Ocean Conservation Organisation?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Better known as NOCO, the group was one she’d donated to because she was very keen to support ocean conservation. ‘I have tremendous respect for the work they’re doing.’

  ‘Although my brother’s not in the fashion industry he accompanied me today. Among other things, he’s a founding director of NOCO.’

  ‘Jocelyn’s brother, Nick, founded NOCO with two of his friends,’ Rose explained, ‘and they have a request of you.’

  ‘Ah. I’m definitely curious to hear their proposal.’ Whatever was coming sounded very interesting.

  ‘Nick’s hoping to meet you this afternoon. He’s stepped out to take a business call, but he’ll be pleased to hear you admire their work.’

  ‘They want you to do a special television documentary to highlight the pollution problems of the world’s oceans,’ Rose explained.

  Oh wow. Little bubbles of excitement floated around in Sarah’s chest. ‘I’d be very interested to meet him and also to take on the project if my schedule permits.’ The venture sounded fantastic for all sorts of reasons.

  Her parents had worked as marine biologists so it was an area of great interest to Sarah. It would also be fantastic to get her teeth into a project she really believed in. Unfortunately her modelling was a means to an end and not something she’d ever been particularly passionate about.

  This offer could enable her to branch out in an entirely new direction. It would also be a welcome break from hours of posing in front of the camera and the stress of strutting down a catwalk.

  ‘Ocean conservation is a cause that’s very close to my heart. I’d love to be involved.’

  ‘I thought you’d be keen.’ Rose nodded enthusiastically.

  Jocelyn looked beyond Sarah’s shoulder and waved. ‘Oh! We’re in luck. Here’s Nick now.’

  Sarah turned with a smile of welcome.

  The smile faltered.

  Nooo!

  The bubbles of excitement now became panicked explosions detonating at cellular level. Everything in her screamed in denial and loathing leeched through her system as the man she’d dreaded seeing strode towards the group. Each confident step he took underlined his commanding presence and she almost stumbled backward in the face of his aura of intense, masterful determination.

  Poor Crystal hadn’t stood a chance against his physical strength or sense of purpose.

  He was a man who looked as though he got everything he wanted in life.

  Had he been arrested that night or had he somehow managed to slip through the police net? She hadn’t seen his photo in any of the next day’s newspapers where articles reported the sting of a high-end prostitution ring.

  Shuddering as she recalled how easily she could’ve been forced to be a part of that ring, Sarah’s gaze tangled with his deep blue eyes.

  Even though she detested him, she couldn’t help but note how easy it would be for this walking cliché of tall, dark and handsome masculinity to command sexual attention. It wasn’t fair that his strong jaw with its hint of stubble, his sheer height and image of athleticism made him one of the most attractive men she’d seen.

  His divinely urbane exterior was completed by what had to be a bespoke suit, however no clothing could hide the raw, untamed animal masculinity he exuded.

  Animal was the operative word.

  Although Sarah wore a leopard print dress, this man was the predator.

  ‘Nick!’ Jocelyn greeted. ‘Your timing is impeccable as usual. I was just speaking to Rose and Sarah about your plans for the NOCO documentary.’

  ‘Sorry I haven’t returned your calls,’ Rose apologised. ‘I’m Rose Harris and of course you must recognise Sarah Bryant.’

  No. Please don’t recognise me.

  Nick held out his hand to Rose first in polite greeting, then it was Sarah’s turn.

  I don’t want to hold your hand.

  I don’t want to touch you.

  That’s the same hand that manhandled Crystal and did God knows what to her before the water police arrived.

  He loomed over her by several inches. She didn’t want to tilt her head and look up at him but she couldn’t ignore him—couldn’t refuse to shake his hand without looking rude. Calling on every scrap of self-control, she smothered her antipathy and tried to rein in the loathing that swirled in her gut. She wanted to sign a contract with his sister so it was imperative she didn’t allow her contempt of him to show in her features.

  ‘Mr Henderson.’ Her voice was steady, cool and impersonal but it was hard not to flinch under his excruciatingly assessing gaze.

  ‘Please, call me Nick.’

  What she’d like to call him didn’t bear thinking about.

  Whoa. His hand encased hers and his touch seared through her like a branding iron.

  She’d expected his hands to be slick and sweaty, befitting a slime ball who frequented sleazy parties and used force against young women. Instead they were firm, but not crushing. Inexplicably, comforting heat spread warmth from the roots of hair on her scalp right down to the tips of her toes.

  What was wrong with her?

  She couldn’t feel comforted by his touch!

  Confusion made her brain foggy.

  His eyes should’ve given some indication that he was looking at her as some sort of sex object—should’ve given some indication that he was the type of man who had no respect for a woman’s intellect and no regard for her feelings. Instead she saw the same degree of polite interest she would’ve expected from a gentleman.

  Oh no. The man was evidently a master at covering his true self but Sarah wasn’t falling for the superficial presentation when she knew exactly what sort of man lay underneath that veneer of gentrified sophistication.

  He let go of Sarah’s hand and she looked at it. She half expected to see steam rising from her skin it still felt so hot from his touch.

  ‘I’d hoped to meet you both today,’ he said.

  You were the last person I wanted to meet—today or any day.

  ‘Sarah was commending the efforts of NOCO and saying how inter
ested she is in ocean conservation. It sounds like she’s very keen to do the documentary,’ Jocelyn enthused.

  No. Not now.

  ‘My partners and I would like to discuss our proposal for the documentary.’ Damned if his attractive baritone voice didn’t make her legs weak. ‘We’d like to set up a meeting with you as soon as possible.’

  Never.

  How on earth was she going to backpedal now and maintain any credibility?

  ‘I said I’m interested in the project but what I didn’t have time to add was that unfortunately my schedule is insanely busy.’ From beneath her lashes she shot Rose a warning look. ‘I’m afraid I simply wouldn’t be able to fit it in for the next eighteen months to two years.’

  Jocelyn’s head drew back and she sent her brother a perplexed look.

  Catching on quickly Rose added, ‘Only so many hours in the day.’

  ‘I hope you’ve still left enough time for my contract.’ Jocelyn’s voice held a definite edge of irritation.

  ‘Absolutely.’ Rose rushed to give the assurance.

  ‘I’m sure something can be arranged.’ Nick’s smooth confidence grated on Sarah’s nerves as he proposed a solution. ‘We’d need you to film in some fairly exotic locations but we could always timetable in some fashion shoots in each place to suit Jocelyn’s needs.’

  ‘Ooh!’ Jocelyn’s frown disappeared and her eyes lit up. ‘That’d be perfect! I expect you’re filming in coastal locations and in that case we could even work in a swimwear shoot for one of my other labels.’

  ‘No swimwear.’ Rose and Sarah spoke in unison.

  ‘Beachwear yes, but Sarah doesn’t do swimwear or lingerie,’ Rose underlined.

  Sarah felt her cheeks flame because Nick sent an intense look in her direction and she knew she’d unwittingly aroused his curiosity. The horrid lecher was probably mentally stripping her down to her underwear right now.

  Bastard.

  ‘Those stipulations are written into the contract.’ Rose cleared her throat. ‘I’ll be going through the clauses tomorrow with you, Jocelyn.’

  A furrow appeared between Nick’s eyebrows and his sister’s forehead creased again at the mention of the additional clauses. But while they pondered over that, Sarah wanted to make her escape to the other side of the room.