To Tempt a Billionaire

Chapter One

“Mr. Winchester, your ten o’clock with the board is confirmed, and I’ve rescheduled your lunch with the investors to one-thirty,” Chelley said in a low and syrupy voice like she was savouring every word.

George, leaning back on a chair in his elegant Monaco office, watched as she leaned over the table, her shirt unbuttoned enough to draw attention to her cleavage.

“Is there anything else I can assist you with, George?” She asked as she rubbed her fingers down the unbuttoned part of her shirt and the top of her breast.

Her eyes glinted as they locked in his, a suggestive smile playing on her face.

George pressed his fingers down harder on the pen he was holding, the pressure threatening to crack it.

It had only been a week since he hired Chelley as his assistant after a rigorous interview process - one week - and ever since then it had been one attempt or the other.

But he did not have her time. He had shown her in many ways - he'd ignored her, asked her politely to stop - but she came back the next day with the very same goal in mind.

“Chelley,” He said, in a voice that showed his displeasure, “Just the schedule.”

She didn't back off, in fact, his tone seemed to encourage her. She trailed her hand down her neck, tilting her head ever slightly. Then, she sat at the edge of my desk, her skirt riding up so he could see where the lace of her garter tights began.

“Okay, George.” She purred. “You’ve got the meeting with Senator Petra Brooks about the fundraiser by 5pm. It clashes with your dinner with the Plume associate. Would you like to reschedule?

This time, she toyed with the golden penchant hanging just above cleavage.

“No, I'll see Senator Brooks. The associate can wait. He had his chance before and he played with it. I have no patience for that.”

“Okay then, I could help you prepare before you leave. Make sure you look the part of the most generous donor….”

“Chelley.” His voice sounded tight, colder. He already had a lot of work cut out for him and dealing with an obsessed secretary was not about to be part of it.

“One more thing, George.” She slid off the table and walked to the side of his chair. She reached out and touched the sleeve his suit jacket as she added, “You have a private call with the Tokyo investors by 9pm.”

Okay, that was it.

“Enough.” He barked as he slammed the pen down on the table. The crack made Chelley freeze, her seductive masks slipping as her eyes widened. “Do you think I'm an idiot? So you think I would actually fall for your desperate gimmicks? You're not here to throw yourself on me like a third rate opera act, Chelley. You're here to work. Get out of my office. Right now.”

Her face turned a deep red in shame. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came and frankly, George didn't want to hear it.

She grabbed her clipboard and walked towards the door, her hips swishing. Then she slammed the door behind her.

Almost at the same time, the door opened again and Davis walked in with a wide grin.

He glanced over his shoulder as the door shut and with a raised eyebrow, he dropped into a chair opposite George.

“What's up with Chelley? She looked like she would cry any minute. What did you do? Yell at her over missing reports?” He laughed.

“She has been crossing the line from day one. I'm sick of it. She won't be assisting me on anything any longer. I'll ask the agency to get me a new secretary. Maybe a guy this time so I can have some peace.”

Davis chuckled, shaking his head, “And she said she was different. Didn't I give her enough money last time?”

George paused, “What? You know what? I don't even want to know what that means.”

He knew David was quite the womaniser and he always tried to stay out of his affairs.

Davis laughed, running his hands through his hair. “You’re a fortress, man. You've rejected April, Sarah, Carmen, Chelley… damn, I could make a whole list. You know one of these days you're going to have to give one of these girls a chance. That is, unless you prefer men now.”

“I'm a married man, Davis.” George said, his tone flat.

“You're divorced.”

“Not completely.”

“Come on, man. You're gonna see the cooling off period as a marriage too. George, that's a technicality. Michelle has done a lot of things already but you still seem to be holding on to this marriage.”

“It's about principle, Davis, not loyalty. I made a commitment and I'm not ready to just throw it away because things got messy.”

“Messy? Come of it, man.”

George clenched his jaw, but Davis didn't stop there.

He never did when he thought he was right.

“While you're here playing the perfect loyal husband, Michelle is jumping on every available dick in the city.” Davis’s tone was sharper now. Seeing George's reaction, he added, “Look, I love you, man and that's why I'm telling you this. You gotta loosen up. And I have just the perfect thing to help.”

George cocked his eyebrow, “Oh yeah? And what would that be?”

“Belle Époque.” David said, his grin returning.

George leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk.

“Are you serious? Belle Époque? You're seriously suggesting I go to a brothel, Davis? You know the rumours about that place. Human trafficking, exploitation.” He said, staring hard at Davis.

Davis shrugged, his grin still in place, “So? It's just one night, man. It's not like you're in there everyday of the week. Besides, Belle Époque is the best spot in the city to get the most amazing girls. High-class, discreet, the works. They’re throwing a special party tonight. Exclusive, invitation only. You need to loosen up and stop playing saint, George and this is the perfect place. You need this.”

George exhaled sharply. Maybe Davis was right. Maybe he did need to loosen up. But going to Belle Époque was crossing a line.

“You think I'm worried about morality? You realize going to a place like Belle Époque can ruin my reputation. One whisper gets out and the media will have a field day.”

Davis leaned closer to him to emphasize his point, “The question is who would tell the media. At least, half of the city's elite is going to be there tonight and everyone has just as much to lose. Nobody can afford to talk.”

George hated how Davis had managed to make the idea very tempting.

“I'll think about it.” He said, hoping to end the conversation. He hated the fact that he was even considering going to a place as dirty as that.

But just for one night right? It wouldn't kill him.

Davis stood, adjusting his jacket, “ Think fast. The party is tonight.”

He turned towards the door and then turned around and faced George, smirking.

“Oh and one more thing, you're not the only one invited. Michelle’s already RSVP’d.”