Chained to You

The handsome man James Maxwell was busy typing away. There was that something about him I couldn't put my finger on. No, I thought, he would never get tired of doing anything. Just look at him. He was a man in great health. He could definitely manage sex every night without even exerting that much energy.

My body shook a little at the thought, in both fear and anticipation. Fear because I was stepping into the unknown and anticipation because… because it was James.

I knew I was jumping to conclusions, of course. To put it bluntly, I was going to be Mr. James Maxwell's mistress, his lover. That was all. There was nothing more to our relationship than that. All I had to do was give myself to him when he wanted me. Sex shouldn't take long at all. A mere twenty minutes at most. I could definitely handle that. And James was very handsome and, thus far, had been nice to me. Yes, I confirmed to myself, I have nothing to fear.

"Is something wrong?" His deep timbre came my way.

I jolted out of my contemplation and blinked. "Huh?"

James cocked his head to one side. "Would you like to add anything to the clauses?"

I blinked. "The contract you mean?"

"Yes."

I licked my lips. I didn't know I was allowed to contribute to the clauses. But since he asked, I jumped at the chance. I smiled and nodded. "Yes, please."

James laughed. "You like saying please, don't you?"

I was taught to say please every time I asked for something. If I forgot, my aunt and uncle would slap me on the cheek to teach me to be polite. It was difficult to forget the lessons when one had those types of teachers and even more so when the lessons themselves were brutal and painful.

"What would you like to put in the clause?"

"Is the clause mainly regarding the two million or our relationship?"

With that question, a sly smile formed on his lips and a gleam appeared in his eyes. My response was immediate. He looked both dangerous and seductive at the same time, and my breath was caught at the back of my throat.

"Both," he said.

I tried to calm my furiously racing heart, but it was difficult. I licked my lips and said, "I see." Once I managed to calm myself, I took a slow, deep breath. Then I suggested, "Can I get weekends and state days off?"

I thought I was acting smart, but James laughed. When he finally managed to stop, he said, "This isn't a normal work contract, Mia."

I blushed. Of course I understood it wasn't a normal work contract between an employer and an employee. But surely I was entitled to my days off too?

"I'm a busy man," he said matter-of-factly.

His blunt statement raised hope within me. Of course businessmen were busy people. They worked all hours of the day, and I would probably not see him most of the time except for maybe weekends. The sex things would only likely happen once a week. The thought both pleased and disappointed me, and I didn't know why.

"I see," I said. "Of course."

I raised my eyes and saw James watching me.

"Anything else?" he asked.

I shook my head, and he continued typing. I instead turned my gaze from him to the scenery outside. I watched the lovely view while he finished up our contract. It didn't take him long, and once done, he walked over to me and handed me the papers he'd just printed.

I nervously took them. The thin pieces of paper were warm against my skin. I concentrated and read through the clauses. I was surprised there weren't so many it made my eyes cross. To be honest, I'd never read a real business contract before except for the one I'd signed before I started working as a kitchen hand back home. This particular one had both my name, Mia Donovan, and the billionaire, James Christopher Maxwell, on it.

I couldn't help myself and glanced at the man before me, watching me closely with his expressionless face. I decided then the billionaire didn't look like a Christopher. James? Yes. Maxwell? Definitely. But certainly not a Christopher. It didn't suit him.

Returning my attention to the rest, I noted the words mistress, five years, two million dollars, and a whole lot of others I didn't know or understand. I wondered if I should take it to a lawyer and have it clarified.

Suddenly I heard a chuckle and glanced up. I blushed, knowing very well he found my lack of business knowledge amusing.

"Let me explain, Mia," he said, taking a seat beside me, his arm brushing against me.

"This clause here"—he pointed to the first—"simply states the agreement is between you and me."

I nodded.

"The second is simply that in return for your service, of which the duration is five years, the two million dollars your brother owes me is annulled."

I nodded again in understanding as I glanced down the long contract. "And the rest…"

"Clarifies the relationship between you and me," he stated matter-of-factly.

"I see," I said.

When he saw the sober look on my face, he suggested, "Do you want to read it a bit longer?"

I nodded immediately.

He chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not going to sell you off to the Albanian," he joked.

"Huh?" I couldn't help myself and looked at him in confusion. What did the Albanian have to do with this?

He suddenly looked serious, as if he were troubled with something. "Once you've signed the contract, you're mine, Mia. You'll be safe. No need to worry about your and your brother's safety after that."

I licked my lips. It suddenly struck me he was right. Signing this contract meant James Maxwell would protect me and my brother from those men we'd seen last night. Was that the Albanian he was referring to? I had no idea who they really were, but I knew they were after Andy and me.

"Take your time," he said and then headed out the door.