One Night With a Billionaire

by Jessica Clare

  She checked her phone for the millionth time that day, but Cade must have been busy. He’d only sent her a few small texts, like the occasional smiley face or ‘thinking of you.’ They’d been text flirting for the last week. While it was just as easy to pick up the phone and have a phone call, there was something fun and relaxed about texting. She found herself having to hold back on responding, just in case he thought she was sitting by her phone for hours on end, waiting for him to text back.

  Which . . . she was. But he didn’t have to know that, of course.

  She was still humming when Daphne threw herself in the director’s chair in front of Kylie and gestured at her face. “Let’s put this on, shall we? I have plebs to entertain tonight.”

  Kylie eyed the pop star. Was this Pleasant Attitude Daphne or Nasty Daphne? It was hard to tell sometimes. Lately it had been Nasty Daphne. “Sounds good,” Kylie said, keeping her voice reasonable and mild. “Any particular requests tonight?”

  “I liked that glitter and rhinestone shit you did at my temples for the last show,” Daphne said, pressing her fingertips on her forehead. “They stayed in place really well. But can we skip the fake lashes? I fucking hate that crap and one always starts to fall down midshow, and then I think there’s a spider attacking me.”

  Kylie chuckled. “We can always go a little wilder with the eyeliner to hide the fact that you’re not wearing fake lashes. Totally doable.”

  “Thanks, Fat Marilyn.” Daphne beamed at her. “I don’t know if anyone’s told you, but you’re all right.”

  “Wow, thanks.” She was actually touched by Daphne’s compliment. Celebrities were hard to please, so this was a rare treat. She was even going to ignore the Fat Marilyn stuff. This must have been Nice Daphne today. “How are you feeling?” she asked tentatively, since she was supposed to be watching Daphne for Cade. “You look great.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure,” Kylie lied. Daphne pretty much looked the same—skinny and pale—but her attitude was nice today, so she’d go with that. “Still clean?”

  Daphne’s eyes narrowed, and Kylie wondered if she’d pushed too far.

  She plugged in her airbrush and acted as if nothing was amiss. “You mentioned to me the other day that you were trying to go clean again. Only reason I asked.”

  “Well, it’s going great. I feel awesome.”

  “That’s really wonderful,” Kylie said, and meant it. She pulled out a bottle of primer and a makeup sponge and began to dab Daphne’s face. “I’m happy for you.”

  “I’ve been clean a week now,” Daphne told her, obediently closing her eyes and tilting her head back so Kylie could prime her entire face and neck. “Cade’s going to be so proud of me.”

  “I bet he will.”

  “I’m doing it for him, you know. He told me he couldn’t have a relationship with someone on drugs.”

  Kylie paused. Daphne’s eyes were still closed, so Kylie dabbed at the primer again and then continued to cover Daphne’s face. “So you two are in a relationship?”

  “Yup,” Daphne said, and she smiled. “He’s a great guy, isn’t he?”

  “The best,” Kylie said softly. She cleared her throat, blinking back angry tears. “Now, hold still. We have to do foundation once the primer dries.”

  It took a little over an hour to get Daphne’s stage makeup just right. To hide the track marks on her arms, they were airbrushed with foundation and then decorated with glitter, too. Kylie contoured Daphne’s face to make it seem rounded with health, then worked on sweeping glitter outward from her eyes. She made her black liner into an exaggerated cat’s-eye so the lack of lashes wouldn’t seem so odd, and added tiny rhinestones along the corners of her brows to draw the attention there. When she was done, she presented Daphne with a mirror. “All good?”

  “All good,” Daphne said triumphantly. “Thanks again. Off to wardrobe.” She winked at Kylie as if they were best buds, and then hopped out of her chair. As she sauntered to Ginger’s changing room, Kylie started to put away the stage makeup. Her hands trembled as she considered Daphne’s words.

  Was Daphne in a relationship with Cade? Was Kylie being played?

  Either way, things were messy. Her mind whirled with unhappy thoughts as she packed up her things, and then to keep her hands busy, she refreshed her own makeup. Not that there would be anyone to see it, but she felt more confident when she looked good.

  Daphne headed up to the stage area a short time later in her opening number costume, and Ginger emerged with a spare tutu from the night before. “I swear, that girl goes through more costumes than anyone I’ve ever worked for,” she said with an eye roll. “And when she’s not stepping on the hems, I have to take them in.” She paused near Kylie and peered. “What’s wrong, honey?”

  God, was she that obvious? Kylie blinked rapidly. “I-I’m okay.”

  “Bullshit. I’m a mom. My youngest is twenty-three now but I can still recognize when someone’s unhappy.” She nodded her head at the door. “Come on. Come out on a smoke break with me.”

  “I don’t smoke,” Kylie said.

  “Just come out on a smoke break with me,” Ginger repeated, staring pointedly at Kylie.

  “Okay.” Because clearly there was something that needed to be said that shouldn’t be said inside.

  Ginger just smiled thinly at her, snagged her purse, and headed out the fire escape. Kylie followed her, and they both showed their badges to the security guard, then strolled out along the back wall of the building, heading toward the Dumpster. Ginger leaned up against it, fished a cigarette out of her purse, and lit it. “Sure you don’t want one? Menthol. I tried that vapor shit but couldn’t get past the taste.”

  “No, I’m good,” Kylie said. She crossed her arms and gazed out at the far side of the building where crowds were forming near a barricade to get in to the concert. They’d be letting them in very soon and then the opening act would go on.

  “Daph sure seems to be in a good mood lately, doesn’t she?”

  “I guess so.”

  “She told me all about the new guy she was dating.” Ginger gave Kylie a pointed look. “New guy with blond hair and an old friend of hers.”

  Kylie winced and looked away again. “Mmmhmm.”

  “Which is funny, I think to myself, because I could have sworn I saw Kylie go home with some guy the first night of the tour. Some guy that showed up to see Daphne. Some guy with blond hair.”

  Kylie said nothing. What could she possibly say?

  “And I thought I should show you this,” Ginger said. She dug in her purse and pulled out a folded copy of Celebrity! Magazine and handed it to Kylie.

  She took it from Ginger and gazed at the cover. There was a starlet with a new baby on the front page, someone else’s cheating drama in a sidebar, and in a tiny corner picture, it read: DAPHNE PETTY: NEW TOUR, NEW LOVE! SEE P. 12. And because she was a sucker, Kylie flipped over to page twelve and skimmed it. There was a picture of Daphne on stage, surrounded by her dancers, her microphone held in the air. The caption box stated:

  New beginnings for troubled heartthrob? Everyone’s favorite pop princess, Daphne Petty, is starting her first North American tour since hitting rehab last year, and rumor has it that she has a new flame as well! Though we’re told that Petty is very committed to making her show the best possible, a source has leaked to us that Petty has been seen multiple times in the company of billionaire philanthropist Cade Archer, 30. The source says that they’re keeping things on the down-low for now, but seem “very cozy” when together. “They’re childhood friends,” our source says. “Cade understands Daphne better than anyone else, and he’s completely supportive of her. He’s been interested in Daphne for years, and has waited for the right time to make his move.” Sounds like someone’s right time is now!

  Ugh.

  Kylie closed the magazine and handed it back over to Ginger.

  “Revolting magazine, isn’t it?” Ginger said, then took another drag on her cig
arette. “Fucking puff pieces galore, and you know they’re planted by publicists who are looking to get attention for their clients.”

  “Do you think that was a puff piece?” Kylie asked, trying to keep the hopeful note out of her voice.

  “I have no clue,” Ginger admitted. “But he has been around a lot, they are childhood friends, and now Daphne’s blabbing about dating him. Let’s face it, kid. When it comes down to things, you and I are the hired help, and she’s the star of the show. If it comes down to you or her . . .”

  “He’s going to pick her,” Kylie said softly. Of course he would. He’d try to let Kylie down in the nicest way possible, but he’d still pick Daphne. How could Kylie possibly compete against someone Cade had wanted for years on end? “Thanks for the warning, Ginger.”

  “You bet, honey. I just don’t want you to get hurt, you know?”

  It was a little late for that, Kylie thought. She might have been okay with having a one-night stand if Cade hadn’t shown up again. If he hadn’t kissed her in the limo and romanced her over dinner and sent her funny little texts all week.

  Because now? Now her heart was committed. Now her heart wanted more, and if things went south from here? She was going to be really, really hurt. Best to just detangle while she could, without getting her heart broken.

  She pulled out her phone and flipped open her messages.

  “Whatcha doing?” Ginger asked, fishing out another cigarette to smoke.

  “Just checking the weather,” Kylie lied.

  “Uh-huh,” Ginger said.

  Kylie: Something’s come up. Can’t meet you tomorrow night.

  Cade: That’s too bad. Anything I can help with?

  Cade: Or did you want to meet after the show on Thursday?

  Cade: Kylie?

  Kylie: Busy. Can’t talk.

  Cade: Can you talk later?

  Kylie: Nope, gotta go!

  —

  All right, what the hell had happened? Cade stared down at his phone, frowning.

  Kylie—sweet, laughing Kylie—had given him the brush-off. Had he said something? Done something? Heck, he hadn’t even been around for the last week or so. Was something new going on with Daphne?

  Instead of texting, he tried calling Kylie. She didn’t pick up. Frustrated, he stared down at his phone, and then texted someone who knew a few things about women.

  Cade: What would you think if you ask a woman out, she accepts, and then a day later, she declines?

  Reese: Who is this?

  Cade: Very funny. I’m being serious.

  Reese: Man, you must be serious if you can’t even laugh at my joke. This isn’t a Daphne question, is it? Please tell me it’s not.

  Cade: Not Daphne. Done w/her. Daph’s makeup artist.

  Reese: That’s bad news, too. I would keep my dick far away from anyone or anything involved with her.

  Cade: Kylie’s different. Trust me.

  Reese: Okay.

  Cade: And help me. We already slept together. Flirted all week. Agreed to go out tomorrow night, and she just texted me 5 minutes ago and said she’s busy.

  Reese: Ouch.

  Cade: You’re not helping.

  Reese: It’s clear one of her friends got to her.

  Cade: It is?

  Reese: Yep. Unless you gave her something?

  Cade: Gave her something?

  Reese: You know, the kind of gift that keeps on giving and requires a doctor visit and medication?

  Cade: Jesus. I didn’t give her an STD! Why do I even ask you?

  Reese: Because you know I’m right. If it’s not that, then one of her friends convinced her you are a bad deal.

  Cade: So how do I change her mind?

  Reese: Convince her otherwise.

  Cade: How? She won’t talk to me.

  Reese: Do things that don’t involve talking.

  Cade: I’m sorry I asked.

  Reese: I don’t mean that in a filthy way (though that works, too). I mean if she won’t see you, send her presents. Or get her to come to the presents. She probably wants proof that you’re into her.

  Cade: Such as?

  Reese: Jewelry?

  Cade: I don’t know if she’s the type.

  Reese: Audrey isn’t. Jewelry types are much easier to buy for. So what does she like?

  Cade: Makeup?

  Reese: Jesus, I’m no help there.

  Cade: All right, I’ll think of something. So basically flush her out and shower her with presents?

  Reese: Bingo. And then, you know, fuck her silly. Make it impossible for her to brush you off again. Fuck the senses out of her.

  Cade: I’m going now.

  TEN

  “Delivery for Daphne Petty’s makeup artist,” the girl at the hotel front desk told Kylie over the phone. “That’s all it says on the box. I called a few of the other people in the show and they said I should call you. Do I have the wrong person?”

  “No,” Kylie said, frowning at the walls in her small room. “Does it say who it’s from?”

  “Nope. Maybe a vendor of some kind? It looks like a shipment or a delivery of supplies or something.”

  “Huh. I’ll be right down.” Kylie slipped on a pair of flip-flops, turned off the TV, and headed down to the elevator on her floor. She wasn’t expecting a package, but makeup samples from big-name companies sometimes found their way to Daphne’s people. And, hey, she never turned down free goods, because she was broke and cheap. As long as it wasn’t a shipment of drugs that Daphne wanted her to hide, she was cool with whatever it was.

  Part of her wondered if it was Cade, and her heart gave a traitorous little thump of excitement that she squashed.

  Yawning, Kylie got out of the elevator and headed toward the lobby desk. Since it was Vegas, it was still fairly busy in the lobby despite the late hour. She went to the counter and waited her turn. When the clerk smiled at her, she pulled out her tour badge and showed it. “I’m Daphne’s makeup artist. You have something for me?”

  “Yes, actually.” The clerk smiled at Kylie and retrieved a large box from behind the counter. “It’s rather light.” The look the attendant gave her was interested, and so Kylie examined the box there at the desk. The return address was one she didn’t recognize, and it had been sent airmail. Huh. “Got scissors?”

  The attendant handed a pair to her and peered over the counter. “From a secret admirer?”

  “God, I hope not,” Kylie said, but there went that traitorous thump in her heart again. She took the scissors, slit the packing tape, and peeled the flaps of the box back to peer inside.

  A pink balloon rose and bounced against her face. Surprised, Kylie pushed it aside, and it floated up another foot before bouncing again and stopping. The balloon’s ribbon was tied to a note and what looked like . . . breakfast.

  “Um . . . is that a waffle?” the girl asked as Kylie tugged the note free. “Attached to a balloon?”

  Kylie didn’t answer. She was too busy scanning the note.

  Dearest Kylie,

  I know you called off our date, but I can’t stop thinking about you. You say you’re busy, but I’ll only take five minutes of your time. Truly. Meet me outside the hotel so we can talk.

  Cade

  PS—If you don’t come outside in five minutes, I have a marching band out here ready to start playing, and fireworks that will spell out KYLIE GO OUT WITH CADE. Just FYI.

  PPS—Wasn’t kidding about the five minutes.

  Eyes wide, she crumpled the note in her hand.

  “Why’s someone sending you a waffle, if you don’t mind me asking?” the girl at the front desk asked again.

  “Because he’s insane,” Kylie replied. “Just flat-out insane.” She reached over the counter, grabbed the scissors, popped the balloon viciously, and then stormed out to see why Cade was outside. He thought he could strong-arm her? She’d let him have a piece of her mind.

  But all of that outrage disappeared when she went outside and saw the limo pull
ed up in front of the hotel. Cade leaned against the door, a flowerpot tucked under one arm. She looked around but she didn’t see a marching band anywhere. In fact, there was no one outside except for Kylie . . . and Cade.

  He grinned at the sight of her, uncrossing his legs and standing a bit straighter. “I take it you got my waffle?”

  “Where’s the marching band?” she asked, hands on her hips as she strode out to confront him. “Where’s the fireworks?”

  “Marching band got the sniffles,” Cade said. “And I lied about the fireworks.” He held the potted plant out to her. “For you.”

  She paused and took the plant from him, baffled. “What’s this for?”

  “I wanted to give you a present,” he said. “I thought about a pet, since you’d mentioned that you wanted one and couldn’t have one, but I couldn’t think of anything that would travel well and didn’t require walks. Except maybe Sea-Monkeys.”

  Kylie bit back her smile.

  “So I thought maybe a nice violet would do. I’m told they’re very hard to kill. And I wanted you to have company. It was either this or a Chia Pet.” His mouth quirked in a lopsided grin. “And you will not believe how many stores are out of Chia Pets at the moment.”

  She gazed down at the violet and then sighed at him. “I’m trying to be mad at you.”

  His smile widened, flashing a dimple at her. “I know, and I’m not sure what I did to encourage it, so I’m doing my best to be appealing.”

  “You’re far too good at it,” she grumbled. “But, really Cade, you should go.”

  “Go? Why?” He reached forward and brushed a lock of hair off of her shoulder. “I just got here and I’ve barely had a chance to look at you.”

  “Someone will see you here,” she told him. “You need to leave.”

  “Not before you tell me what I did wrong.” Cade’s eyes were so somber as he gazed at her. “Tell me what I did to mess things up and I won’t bother you any longer.”

  Kylie hugged the potted plant close. Part of her wanted to storm off in a fury. To declare you know what you did and let him stew. But that would be childish. Adults had conversations, and she was an adult, darn it. “You should have told me you were dating Daphne.”