Across the Sea (The Complete Collection): Across the Sea, #5

By Ana Vela

Rachel Verano came to London, England to become a painter but instead is working long hours every night in a back-street bar and her dreams seem increasingly unreachable.

A fiercely independent woman, Rachel immediately resists the approaches of enigmatic Billionaire Edwin Waterman. But try as she might, and despite her belief that she could never give herself to any wealthy man... she cannot ignore the fact that in his presence the world seems to open up before her.

Is she falling under his powerful spell?

Fans of Bella Andre and Kristan Higgins will love this quirky romance series with strong, independent woman and sexy alpha heroes.

Note: Parts of Across the Sea were previously published as Lily and the Billionaire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roja Publishing
• Release date: Oct 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533746061

Book preview

~Volume One ~

Rachel Verano frowned as she tugged at the low-cut collar of her top, pulling it lower down to expose more of her breasts. The tight black synthetic fabric hugged and stuck to her every contour, accentuating her small but not insubstantial curves. 

Rachel’s reflection also frowned, clearly not impressed as she fiddled with the top, peering at her reflected boobs with increasing impatience before finally flinging off the top and reaching into her drawer for a different one. The black top joined a number of others on the floor of Rachel’s tiny bedroom, of varying degrees of skimpiness.  Rachel sighed, glancing at the time on her phone as she wriggled impatiently into the next top. Why did she always end up doing this just as she was supposed to be leaving for work? Yet it seemed too important to just give up. She had been working in this particular bar for nearly a year now, and knew from long experience that too skimpy attracted too much of the wrong kind of attention. But if she didn’t flaunt her figure a little bit, she was much less likely to get tips. She stared at her latest costume, a deep red number, for some moments, without enthusiasm. Well, she muttered through gritted teeth at her reflection, it’ll have to do.

She just hoped that Magda was not working with her tonight. That girl seemed to pull tips into her pocket without even moving an eyelid. Although the girls at the bar generally got on well there was a kind of frantic undercurrent of competition when it came to impressing the customers, and working with Magda could be pretty dispiriting. Rachel sighed. Grabbing her phone and keys, she dashed outside and down the stairs of the flat to catch her bus. 

As she stepped out of the drizzly London night into The Corner, her place of work, she noticed that the manager, Bill, was still up to his money-saving ‘ambience’ techniques. This one was simple: the walls were badly in need of redecorating and the electricity bills had gone up, so Bill had simply cut most of the lights to hide the cracked paint, creating what he would no doubt call ‘ a suave atmosphere’.  Rachel noticed this as she walked in because she nearly crashed into the pillar on her way from the door to the bar, so dim was it. Suave, huh.

At least it didn’t matter about her top; the customers could barely see the beer mats in front of them, never mind her cleavage.  Not that they seemed to care about their temporary blindness.  Rachel fumbled her way behind the bar, grabbing her till key and taking a deep breath to prepare her for another night of enforced friendliness. 

When she had first begun working at The Corner it had been easy talking to customers, but somehow the more time she spent here the more difficult it was becoming to uphold basic social skills. She faced away from the bar for a few seconds, pulling her top down out of habit now since the customers would have to be pretty sharp-eyed to even see what colour it was. Fixing her smile into place, she turned around to the first man waiting.

Hi there, what can I get you?

I’d like a bed, said the man, middle-aged and balding with a curling lip.

Excuse me? asked Rachel confusedly, not quite into the swing of customer prattle yet.

"Your bed, continued the man. With you in it!"

Rachel smiled fixedly, trying not to let her utter disdain show on her face.  And this from the first customer of the night! It wasn’t even remotely witty. She was going to need a couple of stiff drinks to get her through the evening at this rate.

Ha ha, she said, with all of the sarcasm she could muster, I’m afraid there’s no space in it for you.

Go on, you can make space, the man leered over the bar at her. Rachel backed away, disgusted.

Do you want a drink or not?

As the evening dragged on Rachel had the opportunity to sneakily down a couple of mis-poured drinks, and things became much more bearable. The customers were not so bad, after all – completely harmless, most of them, and at worst deeply pathetic. True, it was not exactly what she had originally envisioned for herself when she moved to London, but...she supposed she was happy enough.

London! City of free galleries and new art movements being born and experimented with every other second; of inspiration beckoning from the canvases of the National gallery to the spray-painted concrete of the council estates. It was painting which had drawn Rachel to London, painting which she longed to do. When she first arrived she could feel the passion of her creativity being stimulated; welling up inside her and longing to gush out.

Somehow, however, she had been on the way to her dream for over a year now, and had barely noticed the slow petering out of her tumultuous excitement from those first few weeks into the steady seediness of life at The Corner.

But, she thought as she poured another perfect measure of whiskey with unconscious precision, it wasn’t as if she wasn’t enjoying her life now. Her sense of dread from the beginning of the night had dissolved into the fuzzy embrace of her sneaked drinks, and she was joking with Mia and Emily, the other two staff on tonight, about the complete lack of sexy men in the bar.

Old fish-face over there is really trying, pointed out Emily, referring to a suited regular with a constant air of uneasy doom, who was attempting to flirt with a peroxide blonde with long plastic red nails. The blonde was tapping her teeth with her nails, gazing into the distance. Suddenly one of the red talons fell off, and she bent to retrieve it, unnoticed by ‘Fish face’, who persisted in his monologue. I mean it, I’ve never met anyone like you before, you’re something else... the peroxide woman continued to fumble on the sticky floor and the bar staff collapsed against each other giggling.

What happened with you the other night though, Emily? asked Mia, flicking her short black fringe from her eyes as they continued to serve. With that crazy lawyer guy – what his name?

Rachel laughed. Yeah, he was funny! He kept telling me that he was one of the most dangerous men known to the US government.

Ooh, sounds exciting! smiled Mia, flicking a glance at Emily. Emily grinned cheekily, a knowing look in her blue eyes. The other two girls manoeuvred their drinks orders closer to her, smelling a story.

Well, he took me back to his place and things got pretty raunchy pretty quickly, she began.

Did he take the lead? inquired Mia.

Oh yes.

Ah! I love that in a man, sighed Mia, skilfully picking up five drinks without touching the rims and placing them in front of their recipient. Fifteen ninety-five, please.

Really? asked Rachel, scooping ice with a grace that only comes from repeating an action hundreds of times every day. I don’t think I’d like it if I wasn’t in control.

Mmm, sometimes it’s nice to lose control countered Mia. If the man you’re with is man enough, that is – did you want anything else with your brandy?

Ha! Exactly, said Emily, if he’s man enough.

And the lawyer...?

Well, everything was going smoothly. He was throwing me down on all kinds of things – the sofa, the rug – and generally being very passionate. I have to say – that’s thirteen seventy-five altogether please, cheers – that I was very aroused.

Sounds like a strong character, said Mia.

Ooh yes, lovely and strong. And wild! He was making all kinds of noises continued Emily, her eyes misting as she remembered. I felt almost like an animal! They laughed.

So...? questioned Rachel from behind a vodka bottle, what next?

We got into a really good rhythm – him on top, of course...

Of course.

And we were both really into it, when I noticed he was going slower and slower.

In a romantic way? asked Rachel.

Well, at first I tried to follow him, thinking he wanted maybe to hold off, you know, for longer...

Uh huh, the other girls nodded. Very considerate, commented Mia.

But he just kept getting slower and slower, until he actually pulled out – here’s your change, have a good night – sorry, pulled out – and stopped completely!

Just...stopped?

Did he say anything?!

No, nothing! The other girls gaped.

At least, not at first. I was a bit surprised, to be honest, but he was just lying there and eventually I had to ask him what the hell was going on!

And what did he say??

He said... Emily giggled, narrowly avoiding spilling the glass she was holding. He said that it was no longer possible to continue-

What?

Because...hehe....because he’d just remembered that someone was listening in by bugging his flat!

He...what?!

And that I had to leave.

The other girls were disgusted by this poor show of manlihood. What an excuse! exclaimed Mia.

Well, that’s the funny thing actually, said Emily, shaking her long blonde curls in wonder, I think he did really believe it in fact. He was really scared!

How funny!

Yeah, he was shaking and everything.

What a horrible feeling though, to get turned on so much and then let down, put in Rachel. I know how you feel.

You’re telling me! Frustration doesn’t even come close! the other two girls shook their heads, lost in their own disappointed memories.

It was kind of worth it for such a funny time though, mused Emily. As he was showing me out he was still muttering, ‘the spies, the spies!’

All three girls burst into raucous laughter.

Some people are too paranoid! cried Rachel – Oh hi Bill, she added, as their manager loomed up from the dim press of customers.

Hope you’re not bad-mouthing our customers, ladies, admonished Bill.

Not without good reason, pointed out Mia.

Had another bad experience, have you? Who was it this time? the girls shrugged noncommittally.

Ah well, it’s good for our reputation if punters think you girls are easy. Keep it up! he grinned and faded back into the gloom.

Ugh, said Mia, talk about crude.

I’m pretty sure he’s joking, said Rachel. At least, I hope so...

*******

Wow, Bill has actually put on some good music for once, commented Mia, dancing her way to the ice bucket. It was a Saturday night and the atmosphere behind the bar at least was party-like; although beyond it were varying stages of drunken behaviour, some a little too stupefied to be described as merry. Still, the bar staff were in high spirits; unusually, Bill had put enough staff on that night for them to relax occasionally as they were serving and with seven girls working it was easy to have fun at the same time.

I saw this band once at Brixton – they’re amazing live! remembered Rachel as she loaded glasses into the dishwasher. She danced from the dishwasher over to the bar, singing along to the words. And you make me happy, make me so happy – hello, what can I get you?

Wow, you look like you’re having fun, said her customer, a young guy with brown stubble and longish messy hair. Surely that’s not usual?

How do you know?! retorted Rachel. You have no idea about me! The man laughed.

I work in a bar too, he explained. So, just a guess... he gazed at her with piercing hazel eyes.

Unusually piercing, Rachel thought. With an almost hypnotically sexy glint...she shook herself, noticing she was staring.

They’re a good band, continued the guy, inclining his head to indicate the music still coming from the speakers. I saw them at Brixton...

Rachel was already hooked. It was quite rare for her to be serving someone who she actually found attractive rather than just pretending to in the hope of tips, and on top of this he was into the same music as her! The man stayed at the bar most of the night, flirting with a receptive Rachel whenever she had a pause from serving.

At kicking out time, he came to say goodbye. I’m going to my bar now, if you want to come? he invited. The manager’s pretty safe, he normally gives me drink discounts.

Sounds fantastic! said Rachel, Where is it?

It’s the Green Goblin – just around the corner from here.

See you there, smiled Rachel she helped to clean up with her heart pounding.

"He’s a pretty one, isn’t he?! commented Mia. I like his eyes".

Me too, agreed Rachel. Shame about meeting him after work – I stink of alcohol, look at all these drinks spills on my clothes.

The other girls laughed. Rachel, you did it again! Making collages on your body!

Somehow she always ended up the messiest of anyone at the end of the night, no matter how clumsy any of the other workers had been. She got the feeling that the other girls were more practiced at keeping up appearances. Certainly they were all always very well presented and indeed this was one of the only things they had in common. Bill was not too picky about who he hired as long as they knew how to look pretty. It was one of the main reasons Rachel had stayed so long in the job; having no previous experience in bar work, or contacts in London, she had been grateful to find a job so easily with the only qualification being tight-fitting clothes and a winning smile. Of course, the clothes invariably got messed up but still...she nipped into the bathroom to inspect herself, hoping she did not look too unappetising. Luckily her outfit tonight was black top and black skin tight jeans – very good for concealing stains.

The black made the deep green of her eyes stand out from her pale face, and she hurriedly ran her fingers through her long dark hair, flinging it behind her back to conceal the tangles. She peered at her face in the mirror, trying to ensure it was ready to impress her new interest. Couple of spots coming up – it was surely too dark to see them, though. Her face was really getting pale from being inside so much. On her next day off she would go out walking, she decided.

Exiting The Corner into the chill winter night, she instantly revised her decision. This was weather for curling up inside with a blanket and only going out when it was absolutely necessary. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just cold, she thought, but it was also almost always raining in some form or another. Right now it was drizzling again and in the short walk to the Green Goblin her coat was lightly drenched.  It was a relief to step into the bar’s warm, bright interior.

Heey, Rachel! called her friend from the bar. She headed over, excited. Hey, uh....I don’t think you told me your name?

Well I can tell you now! grinned her friend. It’s Daniel. And this is Matt, the manager, he introduced a tall black man with a broad grin and a shaved head. So...I suppose after your shift you want a drink?

Yes please! enthused Rachel.

A couple of hours and many drinks later, Rachel looked up from laughing raucously at a joke Daniel had made, and noticed that the three of them were the only people left in the bar. Hey uh...what time does this place close? Daniel and Matt burst out laughing. I locked the doors about two hours ago, explained Matt. We’ve got the place to ourselves!

Matt lives upstairs so it doesn’t matter how long we stay, explained Daniel. Pretty convenient huh?

Much nicer than a lock-in at The Corner too, noted Rachel. In here, there are decorations. The Corner barely has walls!

Decorations? Mused Daniel.

Huh? Oh you mean the pictures on the walls? said Matt.

Hmm, funny, I never noticed them before, said Daniel, I wonder why?

They’re pretty good! I think stated Rachel, launching herself from her chair to have a closer look. Daniel came to join her and they stood, swaying slightly, gazing at the picture: a large black and white photograph of a man and woman in the middle of a dance. The only colour is the photo was the woman’s scarf, a curl of red trailing behind her back.

So you like art, huh? asked Daniel.

Who doesn’t? Like good art, I mean said Rachel.

I studied it for a bit, commented Daniel.

Really? What did you do? How long? They were standing very close together now, the photograph before them.  Daniel seemed a little put out by her question. Oh, er...just art, you know. For...a bit. I-

Hey guys, I’m off to bed called Matt from their table. You know how to let yourself out, Dan. Goodnight Rachel, it’s been lovely meeting you. He staggered up the stairs, mumbling vaguely.

Good night! Thanks! called Rachel. She turned back to Daniel. Where were we? she looked into his eyes, hungrily, though the alcohol level in her blood prevented her from holding his gaze for long. 

We were just...exploring this photo, said Daniel, his voice low and gentle. He moved his hand to her shoulder, slowly walking his fingers up her neck, feeling her tingle with desire. But I think there are probably...better things to explore... his fingers caressed her cheek, and she moved towards him, locking her lips on his. His tongue gently stroked the inside of her mouth, rubbing. She was moving her hands up and down his body, feeling his muscular thighs, then his firm bottom. She probed her hand down his pants to feel his buttocks better, relishing the tightness of his smooth skin.

There are definitely some things about you I want to explore more, she whispered in his ear, moving her hand around inside his pants to feel his hard penis. Gently, she stroked him, just once, with her index finger, sending them both shivering. She was surprised at the width of his cock; he was quite a slight-built man and on the skinny side, but what she could feel was an impressive girth, exciting her even more.  She licked his face and neck, and looked into his eyes again. I think you want to explore too?

Oh, oh, I want to. I really fucking want...oooh! he moaned as she stroked him again.

He looked around. In the middle of the room was a large leather sofa leaning against some iron pillars, and he guided her gently to it. They sank into the leather, kissing and fondling each other. He slowly pulled her top over her head and caressed her skin, very softly, stroking her back, her neck, her ears. Then he removed her bra and led the back of his hand lightly over her breasts, pausing at her nipple. She sat still, captivated. Very gently, he took her right nipple in his mouth and curled his tongue around it; first one, then the other, looking up to see if she was enjoying it. She was.

He moved his tongue down over her belly; she bent over him and undid the laces of her boots, kicking them off to facilitate his next move: removal of her trousers. When she was naked except for her faded lace knickers, he moved back to look at her, totally engrossed in her body. Wow, he breathed. You are absolutely...he stroked her some more, she stretching out on the sofa and reciprocating the caresses, tugging at his shirt and pulling it off over his head. Absolutely...fucking...irresistible... he continued as she kissed his face, hungrily biting his lip. She grabbed his belt, untying it, but as she was eagerly undoing the button of his jeans he jumped up, panting.

Wait there, please. Wait for just one second, he said, and ran to the corner of the room where his bag was.

He came back clutching three long silk scarves, which seemed to excite him immensely. Hey Rachel, he whispered, have you ever been tied up and fucked?

Rachel had not. But she was so turned on that she eagerly agreed to this new adventure. Taking her wrists gently, Daniel tied them, one by one, to a pillar each behind the sofa.  Then he moved his body around to press against hers, looking into her eyes. You can just relax, he whispered, and kissing her boobs, he rolled his tongue down her belly to her knickers. He took them in his mouth and gripped them between his teeth, feeling her pussy under his chin throbbing with desire.

With a smooth, graceful movement he tore the knickers down and