Bound To Him: Three Dates with a Billionaire by Emma Lyn Wild Page A

hungry now?”
    I rolled over and leaned on one elbow. “I do believe I am,” I said.
    I would have joined him in the shower, but I didn’t want to make a stupid mistake. But he’d said he didn’t want me to touch him during sex. He was okay at the dinner, and kissing me before we came upstairs. I wanted to hold him, to feel his body under my hands, to have the intimacy of him next to me while we slept.
    Recalling tomorrow, I groped for my purse. It tumbled to the floor and I had to bend to pick up the bits that had fallen out, but I did find my phone and set the alarm. I wouldn’t have time to go home and change before I went to work otherwise. Luckily I wasn’t due in the gallery until nine, so if I got up at seven and raced home, I could make it. The commute took about half an hour, if I was lucky.
    With my phone alarm set, I felt better, and lay back against the cool sheets, tugging the cover over me. I didn’t recall falling asleep but the shower was still running when I drifted away.
    *****
    M y phone chirped. Automatically, I reached for it, and still half asleep, hit the off button. When I recognized where I was, the night’s activities flooded back over me, washing over me in a warm tide of memory. But I’d have to move fast now. I hadn’t even showered last night. I turned, anxious not to wake him, and, if I was honest, to see Troy Cooper lying next to me.
    The bed next to me was empty, the pillow undented. Had he slept there? Where was he?
    Sighing, I swung my legs out of bed and put my head in my hands, pressing my temples and blinking, trying to wake myself up. I’d kept my lenses in, and my eyes were sore. While they were sleep-in lenses, I wasn’t used to them, but I’d have to keep them in until I got home. The mascara smeared in my eyes didn’t help, either. I couldn’t wait to get home to my glasses.
    Blinking, I went into the bathroom and held a washcloth to my eyes before I found some cleanser. The hotel had provided all I needed in neat little bottles, a brand I couldn’t normally afford. I’d make myself decent, then go and say goodbye to Troy. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I wasn’t any different, just a bit flushed, with a few little marks on my breasts. No hickeys, though. But I still couldn’t see why he wanted me.
    Despite the handcuffs, I hadn’t had nearly enough of him. He was charming, handsome, attentive, and the best lover I’d ever had. I couldn’t ask for more. Actually I was completely overwhelmed, near to weeping from happiness.
    I kept my shower quick, despite the shower being as big as my bedroom and equipped with everything anyone could need. In fact, it took me a few minutes to work out the controls. It was a bit too high tech for me. I was frustrated with not being able to stay there longer. At the back of my mind, I thought he might come in and join me. Shared showers belonged in the books I read on my daily commute. I wouldn’t get a chance to try it anywhere else.
    More disturbing, I couldn’t imagine anybody I wanted to do it with, other than Troy.
    I rinsed my hair, deciding to tie it back rather than spend time drying it. Otherwise I’d be late. Dressing in yesterday’s clothes was a bit of a downer, but I didn’t have much choice. At least nothing was too creased. I left the pantyhose where it was. I hated those things, and Troy didn’t seem too concerned with them, either.
    He must be downstairs, waiting. Perhaps he’d ordered breakfast. Right on cue, my stomach rumbled.
    Then I saw it. A wad of money was set on the side table, by my purse. When I shifted it, I saw a note. I picked it up and read it.
    I’ve gone to rehearsals. Please be out of the apartment when I get back. Thank you for your services last night, they were appreciated. The amount I left is an adequate tip. Tell Madame X I enjoyed her latest escort.
    It was set on the card I’d stuffed in my purse. It must have fallen out last night when I groped for my phone.
    That was