The Billion Dollar Baby_A Billionaire Romance

by Stella Andrews

  He pulls back and my breath hitches at the desire in his eyes. Then something switches inside him and that look is gone and has been replaced with the hard look of a man who likes to be in control. He looks at me for a moment and then says huskily, “If at any time you want to change your mind, then tell me. This is not going to be easy on either of us and I need your total commitment to the plan.”

  Shaking myself, I try to regain some sort of normal and say in as strong a voice as I can muster, “What is the plan?”

  He smirks as the elevator grinds to a halt and the doors open onto an amazing room. He laughs softly, “The plan is to enjoy our wedding night and face the rest of it tomorrow.”

  He pulls me from the elevator into the largest room I have ever seen in my life. All around is a panoramic view of the bright lights of Vegas, set against a room fit for a king. Plush carpeting stretches all around a room that houses only the best of everything. Soft comfy couches are set around a huge glass table. Seductive lighting illuminates the possibility of an unforgettable night ahead and the lights outside twinkle like the most magnificent jewels in the richest of kingdoms.

  My mouth falls open as Tyler turns to me and grins. “Impressive isn’t it?”

  I shake my head and just stare. “I can’t believe it. This room must have cost a small fortune. More than I earn in a year.”

  He shrugs nonchalantly. “Maybe it did, but the money isn’t the issue here. I wanted to give you the best from the start, Sydney. You’ve had so little in your life, yet you have so much. You’ll soon learn that money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does buy you a bit of comfort along the way. The money that paid for this room is tainted in deprivation and formed from broken hearts. The money used was earned for one specific reason – revenge.”

  I think I hold my breath as Tyler turns to me and I see a soul in torment. The pain, anger and hurt radiates from inside him and is laced with a lifetime of bitterness. It’s all there in his eyes and yet as he looks at me something else enters them. There is a tiny spark of hope fighting for position among the darkness. He looks at me with desperation and a longing that cannot be ignored. My world stops as I am seduced by that one look alone. Tyler needs me for more than just revenge. He needs me to survive and bring him back from the darkest place in his heart.

  Before I even know what I’m doing, I move toward him and stand as closely as I dare. Reaching up, I trace the lines around those weary eyes and then move my fingers to his lips. I run them around his heavenly mouth and see the tortured look of a man who is fast losing control. He shifts closer until we stand heartbeat to heartbeat and face each other with a longing that can no longer be ignored. Tyler leans forward and rests his head to mine and whispers huskily, “You do understand, don’t you, Sydney?”

  I say gently, “I do, Tyler. You don’t need to explain. I’m with you every step of the way. I trust you and you can trust me. We will face whatever this is together. You’re not on your own anymore and neither am I.”

  He pulls back and my heart flutters at the relief in his eyes. The hard edge is replaced by a sudden softness as he pulls me toward him with no more words spoken. He lowers his lips gently to mine and as I feel the contact everything rights itself. He is a stranger no more. I have always known this man. He is the one who crept into my dreams at night and promised me a future. He is the one who held my hand through painful memories and promised me everything would be alright. He is the one who I craved more than any other and the one I waited so patiently for.

  Then he kisses me so sweetly and so lovingly it takes my breath away. Everything else fades away except the feel of his mouth on mine and my tongue entwined with his. The first kiss of many and yet the most powerful one we will ever share. The first kiss is the sweetest and they don’t come sweeter than this.

  14

  Sydney

  When Tyler pulled away everything was understood, and I felt a calm enter my soul. He showed me to one of the rooms in this impressive suite and told me to use it to freshen up and get some rest for the night ahead.

  Then he left me alone with my thoughts and as I sit on the huge round bed overlooking the strip, my heart starts thumping with excitement and anticipation. Then there is a fear that creeps in and starts raising doubts in my mind.

  As I sit looking over the hustle and bustle below, my thoughts turn to what I have left behind. Little Ridge seems but a grain of sand in this vast desert before me. The dance studio and coffee shop seem like another life and the people I have left behind seem much smaller in the past that was my future only a few hours ago.

  My thoughts turn to Lucy and I reach for my cell. It’s suddenly important to reach out to something familiar to steady my feet on speeding ground.

  She answers almost immediately and my heart lifts as I hear her familiar voice.

  “Hey, Sydney. I’ve been worried about you. Is everything ok?”

  I fight back the tears and just say softly, “Yes, everything’s fine. I’m not sure I can tell you where we are but I just wanted to check in on you and see if everything’s ok.”

  There’s a short silence and then she says breezily, “Everything’s fine here. Don’t you worry, couldn’t be better.”

  My heart sinks. “Ok, Lucy. I know you’re not ok - I can tell. Is it Michael; is he pressuring you?”

  She sighs heavily and lowers her voice. “He came looking for you, with his men. They stormed into the apartment and wouldn’t take my word for it. When he found out you weren’t here, he got angry. He told me that unless you showed up there for work as normal they would be back for me. Someone has to pay the price and if you don’t, I will.”

  The tears burn my eyes and my heart sinks. “I’m coming home.”

  She shouts, “No you won’t! I’m perfectly fine. Dominic has arranged a room for me at one of the smartest hotels in town. I told him someone had broken in and I didn’t feel safe here anymore.”

  My heart sinks. Dominic Riley is Lucy’s boss and the man she is chained to with no access to the key. She hates him yet craves him at the same time. She is locked in a destructive relationship with a cruel man who uses her for his own pleasure. I’ve tried to steer her away from him but he controls every aspect of her life and without him, she would be stripped bare in every way.

  She says softly, “Don’t worry about me, Syd. I’ll be fine, you know me, I’m a survivor.”

  “But what about the classes? Michael will get to you there.”

  She sniffs. “I doubt it. His wife is one of your customers and he won’t want anything happening in front of his kids.”

  My heart sinks. “He won’t let that stop him. He’ll wait until you’re on your own. Maybe you shouldn’t take my classes. Place a note on the door saying we’re closed for two weeks due to a family emergency. It’s not worth the risk.”

  She laughs softly. “Don’t you worry, hun. I can take care of myself. Michael and Dominic are cut from the same cloth. They are business associates and I’ll use that connection to get me off the hook. If he tries to intimidate me, I’ll tell Dominic and let them fight it out between themselves. No, all that matters is that you are safe and away from this shit storm.”

  My heart flutters as I think of the shit storm I now find myself in. I have just ditched one impossible future for another. There are no guarantees in any of this but I have to at least try. So, I plaster on my brave face and say softly, “I do appreciate this, Luce. Please stay safe though. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you.”

  A hard edge creeps into her voice as she says harshly, “They can try but I’ll fight to the death. No fucking mobster is gonna get the better of me and that’s a promise. Dominic is my main problem. I need to work out a future for myself that he doesn’t control. I’m sure something will come up, so don’t worry and just look after yourself and return here a strong independent woman. That will make me so proud, honey. You know I love you like a sister, don’t you?”

  I sniff, suddenly overwhelmed wit
h the sacrifice she is making on my behalf. “You’re my family, Luce. Please take care because I love you more than I love myself and couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you, especially because of me.”

  She laughs softly. “You know me, Syd. I’m indestructible. The bastards can try but they will never keep me down. Maybe it’s about time we both took charge of our lives and broke away from our past. You go girl and show me how it’s done.”

  The line cuts off just as I sniff. “I love you, Lucy.”

  She probably never heard me say the words I mean with all my heart. I just hope everything works out and I can show her how much those words mean to me.

  Tyler

  When I left Sydney in her room, it took every ounce of willpower I possess not to join her in that huge bed overlooking the strip. When I felt her tremble against me, it almost sent me over the edge. What is happening to me? The business deal I had formed in my mind has ceased to matter. What if she finds out? I couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in her eyes as she sees me for what I really am. When she learns the truth, she will want to be as far away from me as possible and I don’t blame her. I just wish I could join her. I haven’t liked the man I’ve become for many years now.

  My heart hardens a little more as I remember the reason for all of this. When this is over I can rebuild the man I should have been. But now I need the man I became because he will steer me through the troubled waters ahead.

  I shift my focus from the desirable woman I just left to the business at hand. Reaching for my cell, I make the calls that will set this plan in motion.

  It must be only one hour later that things begin to happen when I receive a call from reception.

  Just as I take the call Sydney enters the room looking good enough to eat. She perches on the seat opposite as I answer the call and say abruptly. “Yes, send them up.”

  As I end the call, I look at her and grin at the questions in her eyes. “Don’t look so worried, honey. You’re about to become the beautiful bride you were always destined to be.”

  The elevator pings signifying its arrival and I take Sydney’s hand and stand to wait for the doors to open.

  There must be three women who step into the room and I smile my welcome as one of them steps forward.

  “Mr. Donahue, I’m Anna Cartwright from Blessings In Disguise. With me are my assistants, Lisette and Maria.”

  The women look around them with awe and I sense Sydney’s surprise. I laugh softly and turn to the women. “You can set up through there. Sydney will be in shortly.”

  We watch them leave the room and I laugh at the shock on Sydney’s face.

  “Don’t look so worried, honey. This is your wedding day, and every bride deserves the very best and you are no exception. Anna is good at this and comes highly recommended. She has brought everything with her to transform you into the blushing bride you are.”

  Sydney stutters, “But I thought we would just head off to some little chapel somewhere. I never really thought of dressing up and stuff.”

  Stepping closer I reach for her and draw her close. I take satisfaction in watching her pupils dilate as she runs her tongue nervously over her lips. I feel the ache growing in my cock as I hold her in my arms and feel strangely protective as I contemplate the beauty before me.

  Leaning down, I whisper, “I told you I want to give you the best of everything. It starts now and you will soon learn what that means. Enjoy this day, honey because you deserve it. This may be a business arrangement but it doesn’t stop us from having fun along the way. It also serves another purpose - proof that this wedding is real to any who question it. All of this will show how much we love each other when questions are asked and the proof is required. We need to do this thing right, not just for business but for ourselves.”

  I see the disappointment creep into her eyes at my words and my heart starts beating fast. My words have crushed her which strangely makes me happier than you will ever know. Those words spoken have revealed the true feelings of the girl before me. A business arrangement has been reaffirmed and the bastard in me loves the way it crushed her hopes. It proves that she sees me differently. It shows that Sydney craves more than just a business deal and that she has developed feelings for me. I laugh inside. Feelings. Tyler Mortimer has feelings. Well, who’d have thought him capable?

  She pulls back and says in a tight voice. “Of course. It must look real. Well, don’t worry I’ll play my part. How long do we have?”

  As she moves away, I immediately feel the loss and tell myself it’s only for a few more hours. When this is over there will be no more cold distance between us and it’s that thought that’s keeping me going.

  I look at my watch. “One hour. The chapel is booked and a photographer waiting. We don’t have long so you should get going and meet me back here.”

  As she turns to leave, I catch her hand and spin her around to face me. I stare at her long and hard and say gently, “You’ll make the most beautiful bride, Sydney.”

  She nods. “I’ll try, Tyler. Like I said, I won’t let you down.”

  Then she turns and leaves me feeling like the bastard I am. I saw the light extinguish when she heard my little speech. She was disappointed and now it’s my mission to re-ignite that fire in her eyes. When this is over I will have a lot of explaining to do and just hope she can forgive me for using her in this way. There’s a large part of me that is more scared than ever at the thought of failing her. If she decides to walk away, then I’ve lost everything and I’m not talking about the blackest revenge.

  The thing I will have lost the most is my heart.

  15

  Sydney

  The women fuss around me and it takes everything in me not to dissolve into a pool of crushed hopes and bitter regrets. A business deal. Of course, it is. I’m so stupid for thinking it was ever anything else.

  I don’t know how but over the last couple of days I’ve begun to see Tyler as more than just my Knight in shining armor, rescuing the princess from the evil villain. I’ve enjoyed his company and found myself gravitating towards the sexy man he is. I have watched him when he doesn’t know I am. I love everything about him from the sexy stubble on his face and the cute way he stares at me with a lost look when he’s caught off guard. I love the protective nature of him and the way my heart flutters when he directs that hard-moody gaze at me. When he touches me, it sends sparks through my body and I forget to breathe. My body folds toward his when he’s near and yearns to feel it against mine. But then again, he has a side to him that scares me. There’s a darkness and a danger that cannot be ignored. The dark eyes of fury flash like lightning in an angry sky. They promise destruction with no mercy and I feel the fear creeping across my soul when I think about what that will mean. Maybe I am well out of my depth here and will drown in my own foolishness. Perhaps the real devil in my life is but meters away instead of back in Little Ridge. Maybe I have just sold my soul to the devil for little more than an impossible dream.

  Anna steps back and looks at me critically. “Hm. You need a little more definition around your eyes.”

  She turns away and reaches for her tools as Maria fusses with my hair. I watch Lisette shaking a beautiful white silk gown from a carrier and feel my breath hitch as I stare at the garment in total wonder. That gown is fit for a princess. I am mesmerized by it. Even from my position across the room, it seduces me. It takes my full attention as it calls to the romantic in me. Beautiful white silk billows in the distance and screams desire. That dress is every woman’s dream and I feel impatient to feel it caress my body. I have never owned such a piece in my life and never thought I would.

  Lisette looks over with excitement in her eyes. She smiles. “Wow! You’re gonna look amazing. Your guy sure has exquisite taste.”

  I look at her in surprise. “What Tyler chose it? I thought you had it in stock or something?”

  Maria laughs. “We wish. No, Mr. Donahue had this flown in from Paris. It’s from one of the m
ost desired fashion houses and comes with a hefty price attached. He must love you very much to have gone to this sort of trouble. You’re so lucky, men like him are in short supply and there isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t be jealous of you right now.”

  Anna laughs. “I agree. You’ve hit the jackpot, honey. We’ve attended many brides like you in Vegas over the years. Usually, they’re spoiled princesses marrying men old enough to be their daddy. We’ve seen everything and not all of it the ‘happy ever after’ you’d think it would be. Not many live the fairy tale but by god, this one smacks of every word of it.”

  She steps back and I feel strangely alone as they all contemplate me sitting before them. Maria smiles gently. “You’re a beautiful bride, Sydney. Now it’s time to transform you into the princess you are.”

  Lisette beckons me over and sighs. “You need to put on this underwear first. It came with the dress and I would actually kill someone to have this on my body. Slip it on and tell us what it feels like. If it feels as good as it looks then you may not be safe from me.”

  The others laugh and I smile as I look at the slips of fabric held together with lace. As I touch the fabric, I almost moan out loud. Lisette is right. This underwear is every woman and man’s dream.

  As I slip it on I feel its gentle caress. It hugs my curves and sends shivers of desire through my core. It holds me in all the right places and gently strokes my skin. I feel super sexy in this and the woman in me is sighing with ecstasy. I never knew clothes could make me feel like this. These creations aren’t just clothing - they are a lifestyle. They transform the ordinary into something magical. I feel different and able to conquer small kingdoms with the confidence they give me. They make me stand a little taller and I haven’t even put the dress on yet.