Big Bad Billionaires

by Naughty Aphrodite

  “Not over the phone,” she said, a smile sneaking across her lips at the familiar back and forth. “Over dinner, instead.”

  “A business dinner?” He asked, and her grin widened. He was playing along with her. There was hope after all.

  “Sure,” she said, and her heart began to beat in overtime. “Tonight at eight,” she added before hanging up on him. With feet light as air, she began to bounce around the kitchen – still dressed up all pretty in the dress he’d given her – and began to pour her heart and soul into a dinner they would share.

  An hour later, with the table set, candles lit, wine and glasses in place, she took a second to breathe and smile at her handiwork.

  A knock at the door startled her and she rushed over to open it. On the other side stood Christopher.

  “You’re early,” she breathed. He scooped her into a hug and growled in her ear.

  “I couldn’t wait any longer.” With that, his lips met hers again and she melted into his arms. There was a clear difference between this kiss and the one she’d instigated. He was all in. Total control. Absolute domination.

  It left her weak in the knees and sent heat rushing to her core.

  He broke the kiss and she took a much needed breath. “I have to get back to the pork chops,” she whispered.

  “God you’re sexy when you talk dirty,” he said, and she giggled. He smiled and planted a quick kiss on her lips before letting her go.

  With quick steps, she rescued the pork and pulled out plates. To her surprise, Christopher began to help, finding silverware and napkins and left. She peeked out and caught sight of him setting the table. He took great care to place the silverware in just the right spots on the dark wood of the tall table. Precision that he used in every facet of his life shone even in such a small task.

  He met her glance and shrugged. “I know how to set a table.”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that.”

  “What is it then?” he asked, his expression serious on her face.

  “I can’t believe you’re here, I my house. That we’ve kissed. That I think I’ve got feelings for you.” She shook her head. “I’m so stupid.”

  He gave her a slight smile. “You know,” he said, nodding to her, “I’ve never let anyone wear that necklace.”

  Her fingers flew to the pendant and she stared at him, beyond flattered.

  His green eyes reminded her of verdant mountains as he spoke, “I didn’t tell you all of it. My grandfather told me to give it to the girl that made me feel lucky.”

  He stilled and her heart began to pound. “No matter what,” he said, his expression absolutely serious, “I want you to keep it.”

  “I couldn’t,” she whispered, her voice scraping painfully in her throat. Taking something with such sentimental value would keep her up at night.

  But he shook his head. “I insist. I’m lucky you came into my life. Do you know how long I’ve waited for someone to just be honest with me without worrying who I am or what I might do?” He placed a fork carefully where it belonged on the table, suddenly engrossed in the task of setting the table.

  “Still…” she said, unable to even consider keeping the necklace.

  “And at your most vulnerable, you trusted me,” he said, seeming to be talking more to himself than her now.

  “You’re trustworthy,” she said, needing him to know how she felt and what her reasons were. To her shock, he halted, his glare hitting her full force.

  “I’m not.” He said, his tone forceful.

  But she wasn’t buying it. “You are.”

  “Would a trustworthy person go behind your back and by up your stock?” He asked, but she refused to listen.

  “A trustworthy person would give them back and stand by me when I needed him to.” She said, her voice low.

  He growled, the sound raising the hair on the back of her neck. “Would a trust worthy person the prey on you while you’re in said vulnerable place?”

  “What?” She asked, confused.

  “Kissing you when you’re in no position to be in a place to give consent?” He said, dropping the napkins into place.

  “I kissed you,” she said, a blush stinging her cheeks. It was really out of character for her, but with him, it felt so natural. He wouldn’t tease her for her innocence.

  “You think that. When I first saw you that day, I knew you were a virgin and I wanted to take that from you.” His jaw rippled like he was wrestling with himself internally.

  “I want you to.” The words popped out and shock roared through her even as he jerked his head up and stared at her.

  “You won’t judge me,” she whispered, needing to explain. “You won’t make me feel bad for not knowing. You won’t hold it against me. I bet it would be amazing.” Her voice ended on a whimsical note, and she found herself in his arms before she even knew he’d moved.

  “You’re going to destroy me,” he whispered, and she giggled.

  “Maybe you’re doing it wrong,” she said, her heart singing. He was interested in her. In making love. In her.

  He growled, and his lips met hers, but the kiss was chaste. Still, his lips promised sizzling encounters, incredible nights filled with passion and maybe, just maybe, a dirty four letter word she refused to consider. She wasn’t there yet. But her heart was.

  “Dinner,” she said, before planting a kiss on his chin and slipping out of his arms.

  “You’re lucky,” he said, and she laughed. Once in the kitchen, she dished up the pork and the perfectly sliced, sautéed potatoes and carrots.

  Taking both plates, she found him standing still, staring off into the living room. Following his gaze, she saw his words framed on the mantle.

  He turned to face her, his eyes sparkling with joy and something warm, something so sweet it felt like home. To her surprise, he felt like home. He made her apartment feel fuller, perfect.

  “It’s perfect there, right?” she said, taking the plates to the table and placing them at each spot. She turned and found herself in his arms once more.

  “Not as perfect as you are right here,” he said, his voice a growl that sent her heart into overdrive.

  “Agreed,” she whispered, looking up at him. She swore she could see promises in his eyes that she wasn’t ready for. It wasn’t love, not yet. But it was something that promised to hold her hand and lead her down that path, should she so choose.

  CHRISTOPHER

  Christopher had never expected to meet someone quite like her. She was unique in more ways than he thought she knew. It was a full system shock to be here, in her home, feeling like someone important in her life. Not just in a business sense. Not because he had money. Not because of his power. Not even because of his influence.

  But because he was himself.

  Christopher stared down at her, aware of how much she meant to him. She was perfection personified. Sure, she had issues, but so did he. So did everyone. But her issues seemed to fit him just right, and he had a feeling she’d soften his had edges without thought or worry.

  And he realized that she offered something totally alien for him: he felt free.

  Free to speak his mind. Free to act. Free to be himself. Free to enjoy the glory that was life without fear of what she might think or say.

  It was the ultimate gift, and he could only hope that someday, somehow, he could give her something so valuable.

  And, if he was lucky, maybe she’d give him more than enough time to find an opportunity to do so. Maybe forever wasn’t in their future. But he’d spend every day – of the rest of his life if he had to – trying to show her just how much she meant to him.

  But for now, he’d settle to see if her pork chops could even hold a candle to her baking skills. If they did, he’d have a hell of a time letting her go. Because she put love into everything she did, and he was craving another taste.

  They sat at the table and she spoke of her childhood.

  Between bites, he asked questions, loving e
very flavor that crossed his palate. She spoke freely with an animation that captivated him. The food disappeared, time flew, the sun settled out of sight, but he couldn’t get enough of her words. He wanted to know everything about her. Every moment, everything that made her into the amazing woman before him.

  And he shared with her. She listened, fascinated at his words.

  The night faded into early morning, and they continued talking, though they moved to the couch. The necklace sparkled at her throat, and the dress was as out of place as his suit. But he didn’t care. It was perfect.

  She was perfect.

  He’d happily spend forever just listening to her, learning about her, talking to her. Because she was so much more than he dreamed. Not just because of her life’s story, but because she was quick to smile, because she spoke with an honest intensity, and because when he kissed her, she didn’t melt; she kissed him back.

  Perfect.

  THE END

  Caring Billionaire

  Chapter 1

  JORDAN

  It was a hot summer day in Dallas when we parked in front of the Henson Community Center. The dark tint on my windows shielded me from the glare of the bright sun. The air conditioner swirled cool air around in the roomy back seat of my stretch Navigator as I sipped wine from a long Champaign glass. It had only been a few weeks since I purchased the Henson Community Center and this area in North Dallas was desperately in need of something to liven it up.

  I pressed the button on my left and lowered the window so I could speak to my driver. “Kurt, do you know if Alex has made it here yet?”

  He locked eyes with me as he looked through the rearview. “I am not sure, Jordan. I can call him right now to see where he is at.”

  “I’d appreciate that, Kurt. Thank you.”

  I glanced to my right as we were parked near the curb. The Community Center was two stories high, and it took up 1/4th of the land that I had just purchased. The seller not only owned the land but the center that was positioned on it. The brick building was neatly kempt. The grass was freshly cut as vertical lines sat perfectly along the blades. A small crowd of children walked down the pathway with two adults leading the way.

  The bushes were trimmed neatly along the edges as the gardeners used shears to put the finishing touches on their works of art. A part of me hated that I was going to have to bring this place down, but business is business. A community center wasn’t going to bring more money into my pocket, and after the council, we decided that it was the best choice. A strip mall with upscale stores and restaurants is exactly what this area needed to boost its appearance.

  “Uh, sir,” Kurt said, breaking me from my imagination. “Alex said he is about fifteen minutes away. He said he ran into a patch of traffic on Highway 635.”

  I swallowed my last bit of wine, swirling it around in my mouth before it slipped down my throat. “No worries. I’ll just head on inside and catch him up to speed with whatever we discuss.” I looked at my Movado watch with one, lone diamond shining at the twelve spot. “Besides, it is nearly 1 pm, and I don’t want to keep the director waiting longer than he has to.”

  “Very well.”

  I waited for the driver to come to my side of the vehicle and open my door. The sun beamed down on me from above like a spotlight as soon as I stepped outside. I removed the shades from my suitcoat pocket and slid them over my eyes to deflect as much of the glare as I could. Afterward, I headed down the winding path until I made it to the front door.

  This was only the second time I had been inside the building since I purchased it. There was one staircase on my left and right as soon as I stepped inside. I removed my shades and slid them back into my pocket as children scurried past me, immersed in a game of tag. Their laughter bounced off the walls as they ran up the stairs, further away from me.

  “Slow down!” I looked to my right and saw a young woman quickly walking in the direction they were headed. Once she got close to me, she relaxed her pace. “Hello. Can I help you with anything?” Her smile radiated from her face like the rays of sun I had just escaped.

  “Um, yes. I am Jordan Hilton. I have a meeting with Travis Kepler at 1 pm.”

  “Travis? Ok. I can show you to his office if you want.”

  “Please?”

  Her smile never left. “No problem. Right, this way.” I followed her up the stairs as she led me to the second floor and down a small hallway through a double set of doors. I could hear children’s laughter and toys smashing to the floor as we walked along. “I am sorry for the noise,” she said apologetically, “these children seem like they hold all of their energy in until they come here for daycare.”

  I smiled as she walked beside me. “No apologies needed. Kids will be kids.”

  Moments later, we arrived at a closed door. She knocked twice. “Mr. Kepler? There is Jordan Hilton here to see you.”

  His voice was muffled on the other side until the door sprang open. He stood a few inches shorter than me, and he was balding on the top of his head. Hair gathered around the sides of his head like the top of a mushroom as he extended a firm handshake to me. “Mr. Hilton! I am glad you could make it! Please, come on in.”

  As he ushered me inside, I looked towards the woman who escorted me up. She had long, blonde hair and a thin frame with light brown eyes. A pair of prescription glasses sat peacefully on the bridge of her nose as her rosy red cheeks appeared as though they were stained with pulchritude. “Thank you for bringing me here, miss…”

  “Gloria,” she said bashfully. “Gloria Seeger.”

  I smiled, then moments later, she headed back down the hallway in the direction we had come. I kept my eyes on her until she made it halfway down the corridor. “Mr. Hilton,” Travis said, regaining my attention. “Please?”

  I was embarrassed to stare, but I couldn’t help it, and I hoped that Travis understood. “I am sorry, Mr. Kepler. Sometimes I can just get caught up in the beauty and lose track of where I am at.”

  “I understand. She is definitely a sight for sore eyes, but, she is married.” He closed the door as I sat down in his office. “However, there is another young woman here. Her name is Harper and,” he laughed as he thought about what he was saying. “I am not trying to play a matchmaker or anything, especially in this situation, but she is single, from what I hear. Heck, if I was a year or twenty younger, I’d make a run at her myself!”

  I sat down in a chair just in front of his desk, ruminating on his words as images of Gloria flashed in and out of my mind. “I see,” I humored him for that instant, and then immediately went into the business side of our meeting. “So, I understand that you will be leaving the community center later this week.”

  He sat down behind his desk, “yes, unfortunately. I mean,” he sighed as he leaned back in his chair and looked around his room. His eyes danced around to each plaque that hung on his wall. Years of service as the community director on display for everyone to see. “It is sad that everything is coming to an end in another month. I haven’t told any of the workers yet, you know since it isn’t official. But, they’ve heard the rumors. I am sure they are privy to what is going to happen.”

  I took a deep breath. “Yes, I understand, Mr. Kepler. I totally understand, but as we all know, this is business. Nothing personal at all. This area is growing, and one thing that will help growth exponentially is by funneling in more businesses.”

  “I know, I know. I understand, but, it doesn’t make things easier, you know? But hey, you’re the boss. You’re the boss.”

  I didn’t know if he was trying to swing me on a guilt trip and get me to change my mind or not, but it wasn’t going to work either way. I may look like the bad guy when it was all said and done, but I knew the community was going to thank me once this area livened up. I wasn’t in the business to make friends; I was in it to make money. That was the endgame for me, and I would have never gotten to this point in my life if I wasn’t willing to make the hard choices. The center was going
down, and that was that.

  Chapter 2

  HARPER

  “Well, there he is. Mr. Jackass,” Gloria said as we stood on the balcony of the second floor of the building. Jordan was being escorted out with Mr. Kepler and another man who looked to be one of Jordan’s business partners. “I can’t believe he is going to tear this place down. He probably is just going to build a strip club or something like that. Pretty boy billionaires. Ugh, they make me sick.”

  She folded her arms across her chest as I chuckled, watching Jordan close as he shook hands with Mr. Kepler. “Oh, please, Gloria. If you had the chance, I am sure you would let him do whatever he wanted to you.”