Her Lion Billionaire Page 3

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m only a freak.”

  “Then I’m a freak as well.”

  Charlotte looked up at her. “But you seem so normal. Are you… like… him too?”

  “Yes. I’m Danny’s half-sister, but I’m a pureblooded shapeshifter. My father, our father, was the alpha of our pride. He abdicated his title seven years ago, and now Danny is our alpha.”

  “Is there plenty of your kind out there?”

  “My, my. That’s classified information, you know?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “You’ll know more about us when you officially join our family.”

  “You make it sound like everything has been decided.”

  Anika laughed again. “One thing I know is that my brother is very determined. Once he’s decided he wants something, he’ll keep trying until he’s succeeded.”

  “He’s quite different from what I see in the media. I thought he was a nice guy.”

  Anika looked up to the ceiling while tapping her finger on her delicate chin. “Danny is a complex man. He can be such a bastard to his enemies, but he can appear like Prince Charming. I know, without a doubt, Daniel is protective and kind to the people who are important to him.”

  Is that so? Charlotte couldn’t help but be intrigued.

  “Well,” Anika clasped her hands together, “please make yourself at home. I’ll come for you a bit later.”

  After Anika left, Charlotte examined the clothing that had been prepared for her. Black sheath dress. Black lingerie. Black hosiery. A pair of black Mary Jane pumps. Akoya pearl necklace.

  Charlotte picked up the bra and checked the tag. She was astonished when she realized it was the correct size. Unconsciously, she was grinding her teeth. Did he snoop into her drawers at home while she was at work? Man, that man is a pervert.

  Nah. His PIs must have done it. Well, those guys are perverts.

  She sank onto the bed. The mattress bounced softly. She thought about it some more. Daniel had gone to such lengths to prepare all of this, the least she could do was hear him out. No, it wouldn’t be so bad. She admitted that curiosity had gotten the best of her.

  Charlotte took a shower and washed her hair. As she dried her hair with a blow dryer, she thought of how much of a pain in the ass these rich people were. They had to get dolled up like this for dinner. She put on the new lingerie and marveled at how nice the expensive bra and panties felt against her skin, unlike the cheap stuff she bought from K-mart. The silk dress and the Wolford tights transformed her into a stranger she barely recognized in the mirror. Dressed prettily for the first time in her life, Charlotte smiled. Whoa, I look nice!

  She decided against putting her hair up like usual and let her raven, waist-length hair hang down. It was nicer that way. The makeup set on the vanity caught her attention. She toyed with the idea of trying it all on but chickened out. She settled on just a red lip tint.

  Anika announced her arrival with a soft rap on the door. “Knock, knock,” she said. “Look what we have here. You cleaned up prettily.” Anika invited herself in. She stalked around Charlotte while studying her face. Anika’s gait reminded Charlotte of a lioness cornering her prey. “You’re missing something. A little makeup would have a big impact.”

  “No, I don’t do that. Makeup isn’t my thing,” said Charlotte.

  Anika rolled her eyes and said something that sounded like Russian. “I promised Danny that I’d make you shine. Let’s try some on.”

  Charlotte flinched.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t touch you. I don’t want you snooping inside my head. I have plenty of secrets of my own.”

  “Ah. Did Daniel tell you about my… ability?”

  “A little. I’m sure Danny kept the most important matters to himself. My brother doesn’t let anybody get too close to him, even his own family, but he let you, even though the two of you have just met. You must be pretty special to him.”

  “That’s not it,” Charlotte muttered under her breath.

  “No?” Anika’s hearing was surprisingly sharp.

  “It’s my ability that he wants.”

  “I’m quite sure it’s more than that. If Danny were only interested in your special power, he’d install you as his employee, not as his potential mate.”

  Hearing the words “potential mate” mad Charlotte blush. Yeah, like that’s really going to happen. “Actually, I came here to decline his offers. It has become a bit too much for a nobody like me.”

  “Good luck with that. Once Danny has set his mind on something, nothing on Earth can change it. Didn’t I tell you that already? Now, how about I pretty you up for the dinner? Just think of it as secret leverage for the negotiation. Makeup is a woman’s battle shield.”

  “Battle shield,” Charlotte echoed, marveling at the sound of it.

  “Yes. Danny is a born and bred businessman, as he is the alpha, and let me tell you something, alphas loves challenges. He wants something from you, and you should use it as leverage to protect your interests.”

  “But I don’t want anything from him; I just want him to leave me alone.”

  “Then, isn’t that something you want?” Anika’s pupils slit into feline form.

  Charlotte blinked. “You’re right.”

  “Of course I’m right. Make him comply with your own terms. Dictate your rules to him and set your own boundaries that you’re comfortable with.”

  Charlotte let out a small laugh. “You seem experienced with this kind of stuff.”

  “Why of course, just ask my three ex-husbands.”

  Charlotte remembered Anika had blurted out some long last name when they were introduced. She let Anika put on some light makeup. Everything was done by brush with no direct skin contact. When Anika was finished, Charlotte couldn’t believe what she saw. She almost didn’t recognize herself in the mirror.

  Anika watched her with satisfaction. “Just as I expected. You have much hidden potential. High cheekbones. Lovely big eyes. A little makeup will highlight those gems. All right. You’re ready. Shall we see him now?”

  “I think so. Let’s get this over with.”

  “Get it over with? Charlotte honey, my brother hasn’t even begun yet.”

  Chapter Four

  Daniel entertained her in the kitchen. Anika didn’t join them for dinner, so it was only the two of them. The table was set with white linen, Japanese chinaware and porcelain cups. White candles and an ikebana of white phalaenopsis orchids set the evening’s ambience.

  Charlotte sat idly while watching Daniel expertly work his magic on the kitchen counter. She hadn’t recovered from his compliment about her new look. She was one hundred percent giddy. Strange. Usually she wanted to disappear into the background when someone paid special attention to her, but this time, she wanted to look pretty for him.

  Oh, geez. Her cheeks heated. Am I starting to like him too?

  Daniel brought two plates to the table. The food looked sumptuous.

  “Broiled baja clam with Monterey Jack, chipotle seasoning, garlic and butter.”

  “I’d never have guessed you’re such a chef.” The clams were served in half shells. The aroma of citrus, cilantro and melted cheese teased her appetite. Charlotte scooped one and tried it. “Oh my. Very delicious.”

  “Thank you. I find cooking soothing. A Zen way to relieve stress.” Daniel sipped the red wine. “Besides, my friend once said that cooking for someone you like is love.”

  “Is that so?” A sliver of happiness slipped inside her heart. The feeling didn’t linger long when she thought of how many women Daniel must have invited to his special dinners before. Surely she wasn’t the first one.

  This is ridiculous. Why am I getting jealous for no reason at all?

  She sipped the wine and began, “About our conversation earlier—”

  “Please,” Daniel interjected, “I’d rather not talk about business during a meal. Wait until dessert if you don’t mind. I h
ave prepared our dining courses especially for you tonight.”

  “Sorry. And thank you.” Charlotte took another bite. “So delicious.”

  Daniel beamed. “That’s only the appetizer, my dear. Wait until I serve you the main course.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Sushi night.”

  “You,” Charlotte gulped, holding in her laugh, “make sushi?”

  “Why, you don’t think I can?” Daniel dabbed his mouth elegantly with the Boutross linen napkin. “From the dossier that my men compiled, I discovered that you’re a sushi aficionado. So I thought to myself it would be delightful if I treated you to a sushi dinner. I was planning to take you to Nobu, but then I was afraid you’d bolt in the middle of the dinner, and there’d be nothing I could do to remedy that situation, so I decided to invite you to my home. In the event you’re compelled to make a hasty exit, I won’t lose face, and the public won’t know the secret we both carry.”

  Charlotte blinked. She didn’t know what to say. This guy was unbelievable.

  Watching her looking dumbfounded, Daniel laughed softly. “Can you see I’m trying hard to impress you? With the culinary selection, I mean, not the pseudo-kidnapping.”

  Charlotte grinned along. “So you admit you kind of kidnapped me here.”

  Daniel relaxed, back against the chair, eyes calculating. “I still don’t like that word. Kidnapping is such a vulgar term. First of all, you’re not a baby goat, and secondly, there’ll be no napping involved at all. Can we call this a ‘forced negotiation?’”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I wasn’t going to take off in the middle of dinner anyway. I know some basic manners. Kinda.”

  “May I take your word as a promise?” Daniel extended his arm and held up his pinky finger. “Promise me you won’t run from me—ever.”

  Charlotte just looked at him.

  “Come on, for someone who loves Japanese culture, you won’t grant me this little promise?” Daniel wriggled his pinky finger. “You must be familiar with this gesture. Yubikiri genman.”

  Charlotte linked her pinky finger with his and sang. “Pinky promise, if I tell a lie, I will drink 1000 needles.”

  Daniel let her finger go only to catch her hand.

  “How did you know all this?” she asked. Pinky promise was a Japanese children’s pastime they did with their dearest friend. Daniel Addington didn’t show a drop of Oriental heritage in his blood. He was tall, tan and blond—all Anglo-Caucasian.

  She’d googled his information and found out that the Addington family came from Pietermaritzburg, a city in South Africa, in the late nineteen century. Harold Addington, the grand patriarch of the Addington family, was rumored to have come to New York a wealthy man. Harold was a mine digger in Kimberley until the diamond strike in 1868. He then squirrelled away a stash of raw diamonds and headed to America. In New York, Harold dabbled in the steel industry and built the family fortune until his golden year. His son, Evan, became an hotelier and opened the first grand hotel on Park Avenue. Daniel was the seventh generation of Addington’s empire and seemed as shrewd as the former family patriarchs.

  Daniel rubbed his thumb against the pad of her hand. “Let’s just say, I’ve studied many things that arouse your interests.”

  “Including sushi?”

  “Including the art of making sushi.”

  Charlotte pulled her hand away. “You don’t seem like a guy who likes raw seafood.”

  “I must say, I’m not a picky eater.”

  “What’s your favorite food, anyway?”

  “Steak. Beef and game,” said Daniel without hesitation. “Very rare. Raw almost.”

  Why of course. She shouldn’t have been surprised considering what Daniel really was. A lion hunted hot-blooded mammals, not fish or seafood.

  Daniel got up and took the plates. “Are you ready for the entrees?”

  “Ready Freddy. What are the entrees?”

  “Uni and Maguro hand-rolled sushi. I had someone fly the freshest ingredients in from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. They’ve just arrived this morning.”

  Charlotte was deeply impressed. “You’re going to make it now, right? Can I watch? Sorry, may I watch you prepare it?”

  “You’re more than welcome.”

  Charlotte traded her seat for a high stool by the kitchen counter, watching Daniel work deftly. The uni, sea urchins, still alive, were cooled in the sink. They looked like dust balls, only with long, menacing spikes. She was repelled and yet fascinated by it the first time she saw it. Who would think that kind of stuff was edible? However, she was quite an adventurous foodie and discovered that despite the appearance, sea urchin was delicious.

  Daniel put on disposable gloves and pried open the uni with two spoons facing opposite sides. Once opened, he carefully scooped the edible part, the roes, from the hard shell and plunged them in iced water. He prepared the Bluefin tuna next. With a sashimi knife, he cut the expensive tuna into strips. He took off his gloves and hand-rolled the vinegar-seasoned rice, smeared on a dib of wasabi and placed the tuna on top. He repeated the process with the uni and garnished the dish with pickled ginger and fresh shiso leaves.

  Charlotte helped him clean up the counter and bring the sushi to the table. Daniel replaced their wine with Japanese sake to complement their dinner. He offered a toast, and Charlotte raised her cup. “Kanpai, cheers.” She downed the sake in three gulps. Ooh, doggie. That was good stuff—strong, rather sweet with a clean aftertaste.

  They dug in. The sushi melted in her mouth. “Compliments to the chef.”

  “Thank you.” Daniel looked pleased that she was enjoying his food. “I’m thrilled that you like it.”

  Charlotte wondered why he was so much different from the Daniel she’d seen in her premonition—the primal Daniel. The half-beast Daniel. In that vision, Daniel was half-naked, feral, with a face covered in soot as he snarled and tore at someone, a man who was like him. The fury and incessant urge for blood is what had frightened Charlotte that day at the park.

  Now, sitting across from him enjoying a nice dinner, Charlotte questioned whether the premonition was false or if it was nothing but a glimpse into his deep, recessed psyche. She rarely got forewarning when she accidentally touched someone—except that one time with Grandmaman before her death. Charlotte foresaw Grandmaman being trundled out of a grocery store on a stretcher. Two months after the vision, Grandmaman had a heart attack while she was waiting in line for checkout in the nearby supermarket.

  Charlotte explored the thought a little deeper. If the vision she saw was going to happen, would Daniel be involved in a situation where he had to go all out? Making love and holding his baby-cub was nice, but to see that primeval part of him was downright scary.

  “So, Charlotte, how often did you speak to your father?” asked Daniel.

  “Huh?” She floated back to reality. “I thought we weren’t going to talk business until dessert?”

  “Getting to know you better isn’t part of the negotiation.”

  “I see.” Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows, trying to remember. “I don’t think I ever spoke to him in person. I dreamed about him when I was little. When I asked my mom about who he was, she always got mad. That subject was taboo in our household, so I never brought it up.”

  Daniel looked astonished. “You were never curious about your father?”

  “No. I just think of him as a deadbeat bastard. A lot of kids in my old neighborhood shared the same story. Their dads went to prison and never came back. Went to pick up a carton of milk and never came back. Same old, same old.”

  “How did your parents meet?”

  Charlotte shrugged. “Who knows? Neither Mom nor my Grandma ever raised the subject, and I didn’t feel like asking. I’ve got enough problems on my own, thank you very much.”

  “Interesting. A Dream Lord is an important figure in the Netherworlder community. Very powerful and as old as death itself, and also the most elusive. Meeting his daughter is a gre
at honor.”

  “Netherworlder. My grandmother used to say that. Such things exist?”

  A faint nod. “I take it you’ve never been in contact with anyone that shares our unique trait?”

  “If what you mean by unique trait is weirdness, then the answer is no. My grandma always said stay away from weirdoes, so that’s what I’ve been doing since her passing.”

  Daniel only smiled. “Don’t you ever wish to see your father?”

  “Many times in the past. He owes my mom eighteen years’ worth of child support, and he owes me twenty-four years of birthday gifts.”

  “I understand your anger.”

  “What about you? Do you get along with your dad?”

  “To be honest, my relationship with my father is quite complicated.”

  “How so?”

  He paused. “You see, my father is a womanizer. He left my mother for her sister. Anika and Jeremy are my half-siblings—”

  “Your stepmother is also your aunt? Wicked.”

  “Wicked. If I could describe her in one word, ‘wicked’ would be my choice.”

  “Wait, you have a brother too?”

  “Half-brother, yes. Jeremy is three years younger than me.”

  “Do you get along with him?”

  Daniel let out a sigh. “I wish it to some extent. My stepmother wanted Jeremy to replace me as the alpha of our pride and take control of our family fortune. But by birth right, Jeremy isn’t qualified, and it has strained our relationship since we were children.”

  Charlotte was intrigued. Daniel’s personal life rivaled a soap opera. “What about Anika? You seem to get along with her.”

  A weak laugh. “Ah, my dear Anika. She’s the wickedest one in the family. Anika has no loyalty to either side. She sticks to whoever entertains her the most. Once she gets bored, she’ll move on to a new green pasture. Hence, her three ex-husbands.”