Page 22 of Driving the Billionaire Wild

‘You said that taking Luca karting was a gift for me, something to give the man who has everything. I expect you to allow me to reciprocate.’

‘That’s not necessary.’

‘I disagree.’ His eyes met hers earnestly. ‘When’s the last time you did something selfish? Something that was just for you?’

She thought upon his words and how every instance she could think of involved him. Apollo hidden behind a mask, making her giggle and forget her job. Apollo kissing her in the darkness, tempting her with everything she knew she shouldn’t take. Then, a lifetime later, straddling him on his sofa and surrendering herself to pleasure…

‘I travel first-class by myself for work sometimes,’ she said breathlessly, pushing away those memories. ‘I buy designer shoes, get my nails done. I don’t know what else you expect.’

He tutted, shaking his head. ‘I’m not talking about stealing little moments here and there in between yourduties to our son or to Falco Roux. I’m talking about switching off completely sometimes and allowing yourself to just…be.’

‘I’m not really very good at that.’

‘I noticed.’ He smiled, a sinful curve of his full lips that made her stomach swirl. ‘You deserve to be unashamedly spoiled, Astrid Lewis. I’m asking you to let me.’

His fingertip traced a slow circle upon her skin and she felt her throat turn dry with the immediate effect that tiny touch had on her body. His eyes burned with intensity upon hers as he waited and she felt poised on the edge of a precipice. What on earth was wrong with her? The most beautiful man on the planet was asking permission to spoil her…and she was hesitating!

‘I…okay,’ she agreed, a strangled sound escaping her throat as his fingertip moved higher up the delicate skin of her wrist. ‘What did you have in mind?’

X-rated images immediately filled her imagination, her body heating at the look of pure hunger in his gaze. But to her frustration he removed his hand from hers and placed it back on his knee.

‘If I told you, that would ruin the fun.’

‘I don’t find surprises fun.’ She laughed nervously. ‘I like a loose plan.’

‘You likecontrol,’ he corrected. ‘I plan to show you that giving that up for a little while can be very enjoyable. Do you trust me to care for you, Astrid?’

The urge to lean into him, to let him take over, was so strong. Still, that scared part of her resisted—the part that craved schedules, routine and safety checks to ensure that the rug was never pulled out from beneath her again. Such as the time when she’d gone to her parents with herpregnancy, needing help and reassurance. Instead she’d been turned away and discarded for breaking their rules. So she’d created a brand-new life and rulebook all of her own that no-one could take away.

Apollo wasn’t asking her to do that, though, was he? He was offering her a gift, he’d said. Perhaps the greatest gift she could give herself was one last night with him before they returned to reality.

‘Yes… I trust you.’ She closed her eyes, swaying towards him, only for his lips to tilt and make soft contact with her jaw. He laid a few kisses along it, his breath coming just as hard as hers.

‘This actually wasn’t part of the plan,’ he murmured. ‘And I don’t think—’

‘Shut up and kiss me, Apollo,’ she breathed, turning and searching, offering herself to him in a way that would have made her sober self cringe with mortification. She was vaguely aware of his hands smoothing down over her hips, pulling her closer against the very obvious ridge of his erection. She pressed herself against him, glorying in his swift intake of breath. She’d craved his touch for the last two weeks, resisting the urge to break her own vow and go to him. She was so tired of ignoring this pull between them, so tired of worrying about the future. She was just tipsy enough not to care and the realisation made her bold. Then, the infuriating man pulled away. ‘Wait…where are you going?’

‘You’ve had a drink…otherwise, believe me, neither of us would be sleeping tonight.’ He trailed a finger along her cheek. ‘All will be revealed tomorrow. Sweet dreams,’ he murmured softly, walking inside and letting the veranda door snick closed behind him.

* * *

The first part of Apollo’s surprise turned out to be the arrival of Jem the following morning, much to the excitement of Luca, who immediately began pulling his nanny by the hand and forcing her to take a grand tour of the villa, the pool and his favourite treasure burial spots on the beach.

Apollo had been vague in his instructions: a car would pick Astrid up at noon, and she should pack a change of clothing and a bathing suit. As she retreated to her room to obey his orders, she fretted over whether or not Luca would be upset at her leaving. It had been a long time since she had taken this length of time off work in one go.

Even now, she hadn’t been able to avoid the urge to keep checking in on her emails, which evidently Apollo had noticed. Switching off from work usually meant throwing herself into caring for Luca, but with Apollo there to take up half the parenting duties, she’d felt rather…adrift. Perhaps she’d grown used to using busyness and productivity to avoid being left alone with her own feelings. She knew that her team was competent and, and as Tristan had advised her, she was far too close to this particular storm to be of any help. Plus, a large part of her was relieved to be hidden here in Apollo’s little slice of paradise, far away from the chaos back home.

She knew that opening herself up to all the commentary and opinions that were likely swarming the media right now would only harm her self-esteem and make it harder for her to return to work when the time came. She would have to brave the fallout eventually, but for now…she would enjoy the reprieve.

It turned out she needn’t have worried about Luca’sseparation anxiety at all, for her young son only ran to her for a quick hug when she prompted him, before hurriedly running back to continue a game of draughts with his grandmama. Jem had been starstruck by the sight of Leona Hart all morning, much to Astrid’s amusement, and the trio had practically shooed her out the door at noon to whatever mystery location to which Apollo had arranged for her to go for the day.

She had thought Apollo would accompany her and had tried not to show her confusion at breakfast when he’d announced that he had a day of meetings planned before a surprise karting lesson for Jem and Luca in the afternoon. But, as she made her way down to the limo, she felt her stomach swoop when he came striding around the far side of the villa, his hair wet from swimming and his shirt open to the waist.

‘Good, you haven’t left yet.’

‘Have you decided to come with me after all?’ she said, feeling mildly guilty at the pleasure that thought gave her.

‘Luca wouldn’t be too happy if I ruined his opportunity to beat Jem on the track.’ He smirked. ‘Besides, I told you this gift is for you alone, Astrid. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be much of a selfless act, would it?’