Bride By Design 2: Manchala On The Mind (Taken By The Billionaire) Read online

  The thin, grey-haired lady came forward to shake our hands, and her plump blonde assistant smiled at us nervously. "How can we help you today?"

  Colin eyed the boutique, racks of clothes hanging on one side, sexy lingerie on the other. "She'll get fitted first, and we'll get some bridal lingerie and whatever matches the dresses we get."

  I blushed and hissed at Colin, "Nobody's going to be checking out my underwear there!"

  He looked at me, and I wondered if he was imagining me in the lingerie. I blushed at the thought.

  "I leave nothing to chance," he said lightly, and nodded at the plump blonde, who led me off into a dressing room large enough for ten people, complete with small sofa and mirrors on three sides.

  I took off my top and allowed her to measure me, before she stepped out and came back with a beige padded bra. She looked away while I tried it on, and once I was done she nodded, pleased with the fit.

  She went away again and came back with a bridal lingerie set. "Why don't you try it on and let me know when you're done? I'll wait out here."

  She stepped out and I eyed the lingerie nervously, and finally tried it on. There was a lacy white bra, low-cut and leaving nothing to the imagination. The white panties, garter belt and tights added to the virginal look, while simultaneously making my body look like I should be in a men's magazine.

  "How are you going in there?" called the assistant.

  "Um, I'm fine, it fits ok."

  "Would you like to come out and show us?"

  "No, it's fine, thanks." I blushed at the thought of walking out in front of everyone like this, and I was glad Colin had closed down the store. It was a relief to hear the assistant walk away again, and I took a moment to look at myself.

  So this was what expensive lingerie looked like. My breasts looked perkier than usual, and the straps of the garter belt somehow made my legs and ass look incredibly sexy.

  I gasped out loud when Colin pulled the curtain aside and walked in.

  I crossed my arms over my chest quickly, burning with embarrassment. "What are you doing in here?"

  His eyes were roaming all over my body, and I seemed to feel the sparks flying out from him.

  "The girl said you didn't want to come out, so I came in to see you."

  "You don't have to see me!"

  He grabbed my wrists and pulled my arms down to my side. "Oh, but I do. I need to know everything, nothing to chance, remember?"

  He smirked and I felt myself burning up inside. I hated him seeing me like this, the thin scraps of fabric left me just about naked.

  Colin moved his mouth nearer my ear and whispered, "Of course, if you don't want this to be just about business…"

  His lips closed around my earlobe and he bit gently, before moving down the side of my neck, his lips leaving a trail of hot, burning flesh. He bit down on that sensitive place where my neck met my shoulders, and let go of my wrists.

  He grabbed my waist and pressed himself forward against my ass. I could feel his hardness, and it gave me a sudden thrill, my own arousal making me forget my shyness. He smelled of cedar, pine and musk, and I breathed in deeply.

  Colin traced his finger along the top of my low-cut bra. At his touch, my breasts seemed to swell, and I felt my nipples harden.

  "Very nice," he murmured, and I wondered if he was talking about the lingerie or my breasts.

  He pushed the cup down, freeing my nipple, and moved on to the other cup, pushing it down as well. My nipples stood erect, proclaiming my excitement, and he pushed my panties down. I watched in the mirror as he kissed my neck and rubbed my engorged clit.

  "We don't want to make your new underwear wet, do we now?"

  My moistness was seeping out, and with a shock I remembered where we were. I couldn't let him do this!

  I pushed him away roughly, and glared at him, my back to the mirrors. I covered my breasts with my arms and hissed, "Get out!"

  He raised an eyebrow and ran his eyes down my body slowly, pausing when they reached my hips. I glared at him, moving one hand to cover myself there, and trying to cover both my breasts with one arm.

  Colin raised his glance up again, his eyes glimmering with amusement and desire. "Your nipple's showing," he said lightly, before stepping out and closing the curtain behind him.

  I groaned silently. What was wrong with me? I wanted to slap myself back to life, why was I letting him get under my skin like this?

  I changed quickly back into my regular underwear and clothes, and walked out, horrified at my behavior.

  I refused to look at Colin, and felt his eyes on me as I let the two ladies pull out resort-wear for me.

  The first dress they selected was a skimpy white sundress.

  "Monsieur Colin has requested that you wear the white bra with this dress."

  I nodded, and went to try it on. It was horribly tight, my nipples poked through the thin material, and the short skirt barely grazed my thighs. I was led out like a show horse to display myself for Colin, and I felt strangely gratified when he looked at me with parted lips and wide eyes.

  He recovered quickly and shook his head. "Too skimpy. We want family-friendly clothes, more conservative stuff."

  The grey haired lady nodded, and loaded me up with longer sundresses, maxi dresses and other beach-friendly clothes. I tried them on, one after the other, being led out for Colin's approval. He nodded at some and grimaced at others, until there was a decent stack of clothes for me to take.

  I was also made to buy a two-piece swimsuit. I wanted to protest that a conservative one-piece bather might be more family friendly, but the two ladies insisted that I take the skimpy bikini, exclaiming that I looked lovely in it, and Colin sided with them.

  When we were finally done and got in the limo, Colin passed me a bag containing a shimmery blue dress and another containing the white bridal set.

  "Wear these tonight," he said, "I'll pick you up from Maxine's."

  He looked at my stunned expression and said, "You have an appointment at 5. I'll pick you up after an hour, they'll do your makeup for tonight."

  I felt grumpy and pouted angrily. "You never said anything about tonight," I whined, "The contract was for a week in Manchala."

  "Yes. But tonight is essential practice."

  Colin moved to sit next to me and placed a hand on my thigh. "Make sure you wear the white underwear tonight." His voice was husky. "We could get those panties wet, if you'd like."

  I giggled despite myself, and pushed him away. "I think I'd better bring my pepper spray with me to Manchala."

  Colin grinned. "I didn't hear you mention pepper spray in the dressing room."

  "Hmmph, well," I sought desperately for an excuse, "I was a bit overwhelmed by it all."

  Colin raised an eyebrow. "I hope you feel overwhelmed by Manchala, then."

  I grinned despite myself. His charm was catching, and I could feel the waves of desire vibrating between us.

  "Pepper spray it is," I said, and hopped out with the bags.

  Chapter Three

  By 6 pm, I was ready.

  Starting from my newly-styled hair, down to the tips of my freshly manicured feet, I felt and looked like a completely different version of myself.

  I felt relaxed, in what seemed like years. My makeup was flawless, and the shimmery floor-length blue dress accentuated my curves.

  When Colin walked through the door, I felt the charge between us. The hair on my arms stood up, and he looked me up and down slowly.

  "Isn't she gorgeous?" crooned Shane, and Colin nodded.

  "She is, indeed."

  I flushed with pleasure. "You look ok, too."

  Colin looked better than ok - in his dark tuxedo, he looked dashing and elegant.

  I took his arm and let him help me into the limo. "Where are we going?"

  "It's a charity auction to help raise funds for AIDS awareness. I just want you to see the kind of folks you might have to hang out with. Maybe the other guests on Manchala will be dif
ferent, but why not have some free champagne and dinner tonight."

  I nodded, and when we finally got to the hotel where the auction was being held, I let him help me out.

  I walked into the grand ballroom, admiring the high ceilings, elegant décor and lovely chandeliers. The whole place was buzzing with society ladies and obviously wealthy patrons.

  Colin nodded to some people from a distance, and chatted with some other people. He avoided introducing me unless he had to, and I wondered if he was embarrassed to be seen with me.

  A few ladies came up to him suavely, purring and batting their eyelashes despite my presence. I felt something inside myself growl instinctively, I wanted to claw their faces and rip off their fake eyelashes.

  But I forced myself to smile instead. After all, I was only with Colin for a week, and that too was a pretense. So if anyone wanted his cold soul, they were free to take it. I doubted they'd get it; he clearly discarded his used women and moved on.

  At last, the introductions and chit-chat were over. I felt glad for Colin's presence throughout - I was obviously a fish out of water here, and nobody deigned me worthy of conversation. I was a nobody in their circle, and they all knew from experience that they might see me again once or twice, but no more after that.

  I noticed the snide glances in my direction though. I wondered what they were thinking, but any nosy eyes were averted whenever I caught their glance.

  I sat through the auction silently, and Colin half-heartedly bid on a yacht, which he lost. When our food arrived, the portions were tiny. The lobster bisque was delicious, but the roast chicken seemed dry and the steamed vegetables were barely tolerable. The highlight of the meal was the delicious tiny fruit tarts served as dessert, and I munched through them happily, not caring that none of the other women touched their dessert and barely touched their main courses, either. One of the benefits of not being a society beauty, I thought happily, and licked my lips when I was finished with the tarts.

  We were about to leave, and were waiting for the limo to pull up, when a short, stocky man accosted us.

  "Colin," he slurred, "How nice to see you again."

  "Roger."

  Roger looked at me and grabbed my arm, trying to pull me towards him. I pulled back in fright, wondering what was going on.

  "Did Colin tell you who he is?" Roger sneered.

  I stared at him in surprise and Colin pulled me towards himself and wrapped an arm around my waist protectively. "Leave her alone, Roger."

  "He's a bastard," said Roger, delighting in Colin's discomfort. "His mother was a crack whore, he never had a father, and he never even finished high school. Tell her, Colin."

  He grinned, his breath reeking of alcohol.

  "You've had too much to drink again, Roger," said Colin lightly, trying to look unperturbed. "Why don't you get back to Celine?"

  Colin helped me into the limo and was about to step in himself, when Roger said, "That slut. She wouldn't come with me today." He looked at me again and said, "Be careful, sweetheart. You don't know who this guy is and you don't know what he's capable of."

  He began to mutter something I couldn't hear, and Colin stepped in and slammed the limo door shut.

  He turned to me, his eyes full of concern. "Are you ok?"

  I was shrinking into my seat, wondering if what Roger said was true. I nodded my head shakily, trying to see Colin through Roger's eyes. "You must have done something pretty bad to make him hate you."

  Colin shrugged. "I took away some deals he thought he'd get. Big whoop. Just because he went to Harvard and has the right buddies doesn't mean he can get everything handed to him."

  I nodded, unconvinced. There must have been something else, but Colin wasn't letting on.

  "Was that true?" I asked lightly, "About your mother?"

  Colin looked at me, his emerald eyes distant and glazed with fog. He ran a hand down my hair gently. "Don't let that jerk bother you, Lisa. My parents died when I was young and I was adopted by a lovely couple who raised me well. I'm not the kind of monster he's trying to make me out to be."

  I nodded, wondering who Colin paid off to hide his past from the tabloids. He wasn't going to tell me what had happened, and I guess I didn't really need to know. It must have been something painful, and I had no right to pry it out of him - I was nobody to him, and I was just with him for a week.

  I stepped out in front of my apartment, my mind still reeling from what Roger had claimed.

  "I'll pick you up tomorrow at 3 pm," said Colin, and the limo sped away.

  I was left to reassure myself, to convince myself that Roger really was just a drunken, jealous competitor, and Colin was much nicer than he claimed.

  Chapter Four

  Colin came by at exactly three, and I went downstairs with some trepidation.

  I'd packed my passport, brush and some old makeup. I was wearing a floral sundress that'd been picked out for me yesterday, along with some new underwear. It was a strange feeling to go away for a week and not know what to expect, or even carry old things with you.

  I'd told Katie I was going away for work, that I'd gotten a short-term casual job as an assistant to a rich businessman. She'd nodded understandingly, not pressing me for details, and I promised to call her each day to check up on her. At that, she'd laughed, and told me she wasn't a baby and would be fine.

  As soon as I entered the limo, I felt Colin's burning gaze on me. He eyed my new dress critically, and my body tingled under his inspection.

  I sat opposite him and stared out the window, ignoring the goosebumps he was giving me.

  "You look nice," he growled, "Are you wearing the new underwear as well?"

  I nodded curtly. "Not that it's any of your business."

  "Oh, but it is."

  I turned to look at him. The heat radiating from his body was magnetic and made me shiver.

  His glance dropped to my waist and he said, "Show me."

  "That wasn't part of the deal."

  "No sex - that was the deal. I'm not sleeping with you honey, I just need to know you're obeying instructions."

  I gulped and raised my skirt for him, thankful he couldn't see how his commands were turning me on.

  He nodded, satisfied, and I dropped the skirt over my legs again.

  "Now show me the bra."

  I gasped and stared at him, but his eyes were narrowed and he didn't look like someone who accepted dissention.

  I took a deep breath, slipped my arms out of the dress and pulled it downwards, freeing my breasts. The bra was made with flimsy lace, and when I pulled the dress downwards, one of the cups moved down too, exposing my hardened nipple. I pulled the material up quickly, but not before Colin had a good look and knew of my arousal.

  He moved swiftly to sit beside me, and kissed my neck.

  "You seem tense," he murmured, and placed his hand over my breast. "Let me help you with that."

  He started to press down, kneading and rolling my breast in a circular motion. It felt amazing, and he kissed me slowly down my neck, making a beeline for my nipple.

  His touch made me come to life, made me want more, but the rational part of me took over and I pushed him away roughly.

  I moved to other seat and sank back. He had somehow pulled both my bra cups down, and my nipples were exposed. I knew my face was flushed, and even though he couldn't feel my wetness, he knew of it.

  "We're not doing this," I groaned, and fixed my bra.

  "Why not? You sure seem to like it."

  I glared at him and started to pull my dress up. "Because I say so."

  "Leave the dress." Colin leaned back against his seat and stretched his legs. "Give me something nice to look at."

  I flushed and pulled it up decidedly. I wanted to glare at him, but I was too embarrassed by my body's reaction, and too worried what his gaze would do to me. I glared out the window instead.

  Would this happen every day? I imagined a series of inspections, having to strip for him every day. He
would eye me, maybe grope me. I imagined his hands on my breasts, on my ass, between my legs - I blushed and squirmed in my seat.

  Colin never missed a beat. "Changed your mind?"

  I crossed my arms, shook my head and tried to think of world poverty. Beached whales. The poor environment. Anything but Colin.

  It was a relief to finally get to the airport, and we were whisked through at a fast pace. This wasn't the main JFK airport serving commercial flights, but a smaller, private place for the ultra-wealthy who preferred to use their own planes.