Billionaire Romance Series: Dreams Fulfilled (1-3)

by Scarlett King

  “Did you perform any of the songs tonight?”

  India shook her head. “No, they’re not quite ready…I have some clips on my phone. Would you like to hear them?”

  For a world-famous music star, India Blue was not conceited in the slightest, Massimo thought, as he put in the ear buds she offered. She was nervous at allowing him to listen to the songs, her dark eyes curious and slightly fearful of his rejection.

  As she pressed play, his ears were filled with her sweet, husky voice, and Massimo felt his whole body react to the sound. It was as if he could hear every ounce of heartbreak and pain she ever had… He closed his eyes for a moment, immersing himself in the sound, then as he looked back at her, he imagined her with her tears flowing down her cheeks as her lover left, as her heart was ripped from her. Massimo saw her darkness and knew…it wasn’t just the music. What happened to you? The thought of anyone—a lover, an enemy—hurting her made him want to protect her. The song ended and slowly he removed the ear buds.

  “Wow. Just wow.” To his astonishment, his voice shook and he giggled.

  “Can you find a character for that?” She said softly and without thinking, he cupped her face in his palms.

  “I could—although I could kill him for hurting you.” His thumb gently stroked across her cheek. He could feel her trembling.

  Unexpectedly, they noticed Diana and Grey had left the table. India, checking her watch and seeing it was after midnight, frowned. “Where’d they go?”

  Massimo hid a smile. “I think they are, how do you say, being…discreet.”

  His arm was along the back of her chair, his fingers stroking the inside of her arm. India looked at him, studying his face. “They are?”

  Massimo nodded but remained silent. India’s eyes registered desire—but also panic.

  “So, this was…a plan?”

  Massimo shook his head. “No, not a plan, I swear. I had no idea they would leave us alone. If you prefer, I can call you a cab. Are you uncomfortable, Bella?”

  India shook her head. One beat of hesitation, then Massimo leaned in and lightly brushed his lips against hers. She tasted like red wine, and she responded softly to the kiss. He drew back, questioning. Her dark brown eyes were unreadable.

  “Scusami, signore? Signora? Your companions asked me to send this over with this note.” The waiter put down a bottle of champagne and handed India the note.

  She opened and read it, starting to both laugh and blush furiously. Massimo was curious. “What does it say, Bella?”

  India hesitated for a second and then handed it to him. As he read it, Massimo too began to laugh. “Well, now…”

  The note read:

  * * *

  Dear Disgracefully Gorgeous People,

  Thank you for a lovely evening. Now go! Get naked and fuck each other senseless because you’ve been practically doing that all evening. I say, Huzzah!

  We love you both!

  D & G xxx

  PS

  The check has been settled.

  * * *

  India and Massimo examined the note, then each other before bursting out laughing again. Massimo rose and offered India his hand. “How about a stroll through the city?”

  India accepted his hand, feeling it close over hers, his fingers warm and dry. His thumb stroked the back of her hand as they walked. Every cell in her body was reacting to this man and without a shadow of a doubt, India knew that soon they would be in bed, fucking and clawing at each other like wild bunnies. It seemed inevitable. A frisson of electricity coursed over her skin at the thought.

  So…she was amazing herself. She never did this: a one-night stand—to her, it just wasn’t worth it. But she’d never been as turned on as she was right now. She wanted him inside her, wanted to kiss him, bite him, and suck him. She felt breathless with arousal and desire, and when a few streets later, he gently backed her against a wall and kissed her, she sank into it, her hands curling around his neck as his lips moved against hers. His fingers stroked her belly, sending thrills through her.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered, and India sighed as his hand slipped under her skirt and began to caress her through her panties. Her hand snaked down to cup his rock-hard cock. God, he was huge. His eyes glittered with unreleased desire, and it took her breath away.

  “My place is a couple of streets away.” She gazed into his eyes. He nodded, his smile replaced by a torrid look of desire. What a dangerous man, she thought with a shiver. What an exciting, irresistible man…

  Her cell phone rang, and she ignored it as Massimo kissed her again, his tongue slipping in and caressing hers. His eyelashes brushed her cheek as his arms tightened around her. Her cell phone squawked again, this time with the familiar ‘911’ ringtone she reserved for emergencies.

  She broke away from Massimo, out of breath and with an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, I have to get that. It’s my brother’s emergency ring tone.”

  “You and your ring tones,” he grinned, “I’ll step over here for a moment.”

  He moved away to give her some privacy and for a moment India just watched him. He took out a cigarette and lit it, shooting her a smile. God, he was delicious. India smiled back and answered her phone.

  “Seriously, Laz, this better be good. You have no idea what you’re interrupting.”

  There was a silence on the other end of the phone, and India frowned. “Laz?”

  “Bubba…I’m sorry…are you alone?”

  “No, I’m with Massimo, a friend…what is it, Laz? What’s wrong?”

  “After I tell you this, can you ask this Massimo to escort you home? I don’t want you alone.”

  India’s body began to tremble. Lazlo was not a panicky guy, nor was he prone to dramatics. “Laz, you’re scaring me.”

  “It’s Carter, Bubba. The arresting officer was charged with corruption, and all of his cases have been thrown out. They let Carter out a week ago, and so far, he’s in the wind. He’s out. He got out of prison.”

  Chapter Three - Let’s Get Lost

  India’s entire body went numb. “It can’t be, Laz… How could they let him out? The evidence was overwhelming! I testified, for the love of God!” She became aware Massimo was listening, alarmed. She looked at him apologetically. He approached and put his arms around her. For a second, she resisted; she didn’t want this crap to sully their evening, and he was still technically a stranger, but…oh, the feel of his big, solid body against hers was so comforting, so safe.

  “Can you get back to your apartment? I need to tell you more but not in public. I’ve also arranged protection for you. They’ll meet you there. Nevertheless, don’t go home alone. Is Massimo trustworthy?”

  India smiled. “Yes,” she said, meeting Massimo’s gaze, “I would say Massimo Verdi is trustworthy.”

  “Massimo Verdi? That makes me feel better.” Lazlo was relieved. Massimo smiled at her, touching her cheek. India held his hand to her face for a moment, gazing at him.

  “Indy, you there? Can you get home?”

  India nodded and then realized that was no good to Lazlo. “Yes, I can get home.” She looked at Massimo, who nodded as well. Even if he knew nothing of what was going on, he clearly would be happy to accompany her home. “I’ll call you when we get back to my apartment.”

  She hung up. To give herself a moment, she put her phone away very slowly, taking a deep breath. She looked up to see Massimo watching her, his eyes wary.

  “Are you okay, Bella?”

  India drew in a long breath. “I don’t know. Something’s happened, and I…” She sighed and tried to smile. “I have to go home. My brother wants to talk to me.”

  Massimo held out his hand. “I’ll walk you back. Listen, you don’t have to tell me anything, but I’m here if you need to take a dump on me.”

  Despite herself, India burst out laughing. “Dude, it’s ‘dump on me’ not ‘take a dump on me’. Entirely different, very niche.”

  He shrugged, g
rinning good-naturedly.

  “My English idioms need improvement.”

  India smiled at him and stroked her hand down his face. “It’s tough to dislike a guy who knows the word ‘idioms.’ You’re perfect.” He smirked, deflecting her compliment with a shrug. He’s lovely, India thought. Absolutely exquisite.

  She took his hand and they walked through the quiet streets. All the sexual tension had dissipated, and India, despite the horror at Braydon Carter’s release, was disappointed. The timing sucks, that’s all, she thought. Massimo’s hand dwarfed hers, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. She moved closer, and he stopped to kiss her again, before walking on. In a few hours, they had forged a connection that wouldn’t easily be forgotten.

  At her door, Massimo pressed his lips against hers. “I don’t think I should impose on you any more tonight, Bella. Just promise me, we’ll reconnect soon.”

  India smiled. There was nothing she wanted more than to invite this gorgeous man into her apartment and make love to him—something that never happened to her—but she couldn’t drag him into her mess of a life. “You have my number.”

  “And you have mine. I’ll be disappointed if someone else plays your love interest in your music video.”

  She laughed. “That won’t happen. I’ll call you.” She hoped beyond hope he didn’t realize she was lying.

  * * *

  After he was gone, and she dead bolted her door and checked that her windows were locked, India curled up on the couch and called Lazlo back.

  “You okay, bub?” he said.

  “Not really. I can’t believe they let Carter out, Laz. After everything… everything.” Her voice broke but she was determined not to cry.

  “He won’t get near you, Indy, I promise.” Lazlo sighed. “The one good thing is that the tour is over, and you can go anywhere. He won’t be able to find you.”

  “Exiled again.” India closed her eyes. She knew this all too well: a life of disguise and solitude forced upon her by a man obsessed with her. She had other stalkers—it was an occupational hazard for people in the entertainment business—but no one as relentless, as destructive as Braydon Carter.

  No one as terrifying.

  “How was Massimo Verdi?”

  India’s heart thumped sadly. “A sweetheart. Surprisingly, a real sweetheart. Damn it.”

  “I’m sorry, Indy. I wish you would find someone who…well, you know.”

  India chuckled softly. “I don’t need a white knight, Laz. I have you.” She sighed. “So, what do you suggest?”

  “Leave Venice, obviously. Pick a country and get on a plane. When you’re there, call me, and we’ll step up security and find you a place to live. You have your credit cards?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Listen, Jess knows about this, too, and she’s going to challenge the release.”

  Jess Olden was India’s best friend and her lawyer, a stunningly beautiful woman who was a pit bull in the courtroom. India smiled fondly. “I bet she is. Tell her I love her and thank you.”

  “I will. Jesus, Indy, I’m so sorry about this. I thought we had finally gotten past this cloak and dagger stuff.”

  India stared out of the window at the Venetian night and tried not to cry. “Me, too, Laz. Me, too.”

  * * *

  Massimo Verdi spent the next few days on a press junket for his new movie but every moment he thought about India Blue: her soft, dark hair that fell below her shoulders, those large brown eyes, and perfect rose lips. He could still smell her delicate scent and his body felt charged and on edge. He needed to see her again; that was now an imperative.

  After his last interview, he fended off the meeting requests from his agent and his publicist and retreated to his hotel room, decompressing from talking all day. Massimo enjoyed the junkets to a certain extent, but he also valued his privacy. He changed out of the Saville Row suit he wore and got into a sweater and jeans, flicking on the TV and ordering room service. Before the food arrived, he called Diana, and she grilled him about what happened. “Your note was the opposite of subtle, Diana.”

  Diana was unrepentant. “So? Did you fuck each other silly?”

  Massimo laughed. “No, we didn’t. We were interrupted and India had something else to deal with.”

  “Well, don’t let her run away from you, Mass. She has a habit of pulling away even when everyone else can see what she wants. And she wants you, believe me. I have never seen her so…befuddled.”

  “Befuddled?” Massimo was curious.

  “Okay then, aroused. She was horny for you. Can I make it any clearer?” Massimo heard Grey muttering in the background, and Diana clicked her tongue at him. “I’m not interfering.”

  “Do you think it would be inappropriate for me to show up at her door?”

  “Go for it. She’ll get scared and try to push you away. Don’t let her get away, Massi.”

  After the call, he slowly ate his steak and salad, processing what Diana said. He sensed India might be a flight risk. There was something so vulnerable about her. Why did she look so devastated when her brother called? He grabbed his laptop and did a search on her. Strange. For someone so high profile, there was very little information about her on the internet—plenty of gossip and speculation, but actual facts…

  Weird.

  Massimo closed the laptop and sat back. No, he wouldn’t learn a thing from the web about this woman. To get to know her means being with her. He got up and grabbed his coat, stepping out into the cool Venice night. After all, he knew where she lived. He strode through the streets, ignoring the people who stared at him, recognizing their number one movie star.

  The doorman at India’s apartment building recognized him and let him in with a smile. “How can I help you tonight, Mr. Verdi? Always a pleasure to see you.”

  Massimo smiled back. “I’m here to see Signora Blue, thank you.”

  “Oh.”

  Massimo stopped. The doorman looked uncomfortable. “What is it?”

  “I’m afraid Signora Blue has left, Mr. Verdi.”

  “Left? You mean she’s out for the evening?” Even as he said the words, he knew what the man meant. India had left the building, the apartment, the city.

  She was gone.

  Chapter Four - Faded

  Helsinki, Finland

  * * *

  India cranked up the heat in the small apartment Lazlo rented for her in the Finnish capital and curled up on the couch to watch the falling snow outside. Everything was covered white in this beautiful city, and it gave India some comfort. Surely, nothing bad could happen in a place like this, right?

  Lazlo had this apartment rented for her before she even boarded the plane in Venice; she admired his tenacious, efficient manner. They grew up together, overlooking their fourteen-year age difference, both living with their single mothers in a commune in Canada, living in Maupin’s world in San Francisco, and finally settling in a New York apartment with no hot water and only a mattress on the floor. But they were happy. Lazlo’s fiery mom, Hanna, was a radical feminist. She and India’s mother, the flighty, dreamer Priya, were polar opposites but the best of friends. Even when Lazlo’s father had another son, Gabriel, with another woman, and the child was dumped on Hanna to raise, they were a joyous, thoughtful, creative group of nomads, working odd jobs and helping their communities as they had very little themselves.

  When Lazlo, Gabe, and India had grown and started earning an income, Hanna refused their help. “I’m happy, my darlings,” she would tell them. After India’s mom died, Hanna treated India as her own, raising her to be a strong, capable woman, never reliant on a man.

  Any man. India sighed. Massimo Verdi wasn’t just any man, and yet she ran from him the second she had reason to. Ever since that night, she dreamt of making love to him, that thick cock of his thrusting deep inside her, his full mouth kissing her, thoughts of tangling her fingers in his dark curls.

  Those dreamy, green eyes…

  Thinking a
bout him wasn’t a good idea now that her whole life was on hold again. God damn you, Braydon Carter! Haven’t you done enough?

  The fear of being murdered numbed her; she almost got used to the feeling that her life was limited. Staring out at the snowflakes, she rubbed her abdomen. The scars would always be there; the physical ones faded, but the psychological ones?

  Fuck this. India got up from the couch and went to the other room, where a piano stood. She would write songs. That was what she was born to do.

  She ran through the tracks she played to Massimo first and began to write a treatment for the video he agreed to costar in. She tore up the first three—all of them way too raunchy for a video—but it improved her mood to daydream about filming sex scenes with Massimo.

  If you want to continue reading this story, you can get your copy from your favorite vendor by searching for the title:

  His Hidden Love: A Reverse Harem Romance Their Secret Desire Book 1

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  * * *

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  ©Copyright 2020 by Scarlett King - All rights Reserved

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