Billionaire’s Regret: The One He Lost

Rain lashed against the car windows, wrapping the inside in a tight, charged hush. Maxine Mason was pressed flush against Braxton Payne, their movements making the old sedan rock slow. Desire bloomed between them like wildfire, unstoppable—his kisses, soft at first, quickly blazed into something hungry.

"Braxton, slow down…"

"You really think slowin' down feels better for you?" Braxton teased, never pausing his advance for even a second. "Someone's gotten way more sensitive lately."

Maxine's cheeks burned bright red. Conversation was the last thing on Braxton's mind, so he just trailed hot kisses down the curve of her neck and over her collarbone.

Much later, when the heat faded, Maxine lay limp and exhausted against his chest, his fingers still wandering lazily over her skin.

"Braxton, that's enough…" Maxine mumbled, pushing his hands away soft.

"You sure you don't want another round?" he teased, leaning in to nip gently at her earlobe.

A shiver raced down her spine, and a soft little moan slipped out, "Mmm…"

"My mom's throwing a welcome dinner for you tomorrow. Wanna go?" Braxton asked casually, his dark eyes growing darker.

"You can handle it like you always do," he said, totally unbothered.

Her legs still shaking, Maxine slid off his lap and started straightening her rumpled clothes. "Braxton… have you ever thought about gettin' married?" she asked, only holding his gaze for a split second before looking away.

His eyes went ice-cold, and he studied her hard. "No. Why d'you ask?"

"Oh, nothing. Just curious," she answered, faking indifference, even though his answer left a strange, heavy ache settled deep in her chest.

Maxine finished dressing in silence, the air growing thick and awkward.

"You're not askin' 'cause you wanna marry me, are you?" Braxton's eyes probed hers, a faint smirk of amusement playing on his lips.

Startled, Maxine laughed it off. "If I said yes, would you?"

His blue eyes stayed locked on her, unreadable, distant. After a long beat, he said, "No."

A hollow emptiness swallowed Maxine's heart, and all the color drained from her face. She'd seen it coming, but it still felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped right over her head.

Braxton's gaze grew colder, his voice sharp with warning: "Maxine, remember our arrangement. It's just physical, no strings, no emotions attached."

The truth cut deep. Their relationship was nothing more than a casual, no-strings hookup between two consenting adults. She was the daughter of a deadbeat gambler, and he was way out of her league.

From the very start, Braxton laid down all the rules. Five years ago, her dad piled up a mountain of gambling debt and sold her to pay it off. When she was terrified, about to be dragged away, Braxton stepped in and saved her.

After he brought her back to his place and let her clean up, his first words to her were: "You wanna be my companion?"

She had no other options. Refusing meant being forced into a life of indentured servitude at the casino. Staying with Braxton meant he wiped out her dad's debts and gave her a decent job.

By day, she was Braxton's secretary. By night, she was his favorite companion. In five years, they'd shared countless intimate moments in every spot you could think of—his car, his couch, even his office.

Braxton's hunger for her body only grew stronger with time, but she'd gotten tangled up in feelings she couldn't shake. She knew there'd never be a future for them, but she still couldn't bring herself to leave.

Noticing her silence, Braxton's face went neutral, all the warmth from earlier completely gone. "You don't actually wanna marry me, do you?" he asked, skeptical.

Maxine snapped back to the present, forcing a casual smile. "Don't worry, Braxton. I'm only here for your money and your skills in bed."

Satisfied with her answer, Braxton relaxed, chuckling soft. "I gotta say I appreciate the honesty, Maxine."

Even with him relaxed, Maxine felt a twisting unease growing tighter in her chest.

"I've got a meeting tonight with Grant Smith, the client leading the bid. I should go get ready." Not wanting Braxton to catch how hurt she was, Maxine slipped out of the car fast and walked away.

Through the rain-streaked window, Braxton watched her retreating back, his expression thoughtful.

...

Inside a private room of a high-end exclusive club, Maxine bent over to pick up the contract Braxton and Grant had just signed. Grant's eyes slid down her blouse, hot and lewd, and he swallowed so loud you could hear it.

"Maxine, you seein' anyone?" he asked.

Disgust curled in Maxine's stomach at his creepy interest, and she glanced at Braxton. He just stood there, impassive, his face unreadable.

Her heart sank, and she turned back to Grant with a polite smile. "No," she answered.

When he realized she was single, his interest spiked. He reached out, rubbing his thumb slow over the back of her hand, and it made her skin crawl.

Braxton's eyes caught Grant's wandering hand, and his gaze darkened—though his face stayed totally blank.

As Grant harassed her right in front of him, a bitter pang twisted through Maxine. What else did she expect? She was just his casual companion. He'd never get jealous, never step in to defend her.

A guy like him had hundreds of women throwing themselves at him; she was an idiot to ever think he'd actually care about her.

"Maxine, a pretty thing like you without a boyfriend must get lonely, huh? Why don't we go somewhere quiet tonight and get to know each other better?" Grant suggested, his eyes glued to her long legs.

Maxine frowned, but quickly stood up straight with a bright smile. "Mr. Smith, I have to work late tonight. Like you know, our company's totally swamped right now, I just don't have the time."

"C'mon Maxine, you don't gotta work that hard. A beautiful girl like you got plenty of easier ways to make money, don't you think?" Grant pressed on.