Claiming Cinderella: A Dirty Billionaire Fairy Tale

by Amy Brent

  I rolled my eyes and snorted. I couldn't care less what a bunch of rabid sports fans thought. “All that means is that my writing is getting a lot of attention,” I said. “They can smear me all they want. You can't pay for that kind of publicity.”

  After Frank left, though, I couldn't help but wonder if my article was really the reason Hal was so distraught. None of his fans could know what had happened between Hal and I. What if, I thought, he was losing his games because he couldn't get me off his mind?

  Had the man really fallen for me?

  * * *

  I finally decided I had to call Hal. Not because I wanted to. Not because I was ready to. But because I missed my period.

  Three home pregnancy tests later, I was convinced of the truth. There was no avoiding it. Hal had been on my mind for weeks, and now I was out of excuses. I picked up the phone and found Hal's number. He still hadn't given up on me, as evidenced by the missed calls I still got every few days. He'd also sent flowers, chocolates, and a giant pink teddy bear to my office. My coworkers had been talking about it for weeks, trying to figure out who the mystery man was who was sending me so many gifts. I never let them see the name on the card.

  I was ready to dial the number, but I couldn't make myself hit the call button. This sort of news really couldn't be delivered over the phone.

  I'd have to talk to him in person.

  I checked the schedule of Hal's games. Next Sunday, he was playing in New York. That was about a two hour drive from where I lived, but I could manage. I wasn't sure how I'd get in to see him once I was there, but I knew I had to do it this way. He deserved to hear the news from me face to face.

  I spent the days before the game going over what I planned to say, over and over again. I couldn't find a way to get the words straight in my head, which was funny, considering that I was a writer. I thought about writing it all down so I could organize my thoughts, but that was too impersonal.

  When Sunday finally arrived, I left early to beat the traffic, driving upstate towards New York. I got there with plenty of time before the game. I searched through the stadium, which held only small handfuls of people this early in the day, until I found a “Player's Only” area guarded by a large man wearing a black shirt that read “SECURITY across the back. I walked up to him and told him I was here to see Hal Masterson.

  “Sorry, ma'am,” he said. “No fans beyond this point.”

  “I'm not a fan,” I said. I pulled out my press ID badge and showed it to him.

  “No press, either,” he said. “There's a press box reserved for...”

  He paused and read the name on my ID. “You're Jane Edison?”

  The scowl on his face told me that he knew about my scathing article and the effect I'd had on Hal.

  “Just a moment,” he said. He stepped to the side and spoke into a radio. I couldn't make out what was being said, but I heard an angry tone coming from the voice at the other end.

  Before the security guard said anything to me, the door behind him opened and Hal came bursting out. “Jane,” he said, breathless. It looked like he'd run all the way here. “I'm so glad to see you.”

  I looked him over. He was only half-dressed for the game, his chest bare and glistening with sweat. He drew some looks from the other people in the stadium, a few of them whispering his name.

  The security guard stepped up and leaned close. “Mr. Masterson...”

  Hal glanced at the man, then looked around at the fans ogling him. He took my hand and said, “Come with me.”

  He led me through the door and down a hall that lead to the locker rooms. He pulled me into a room to one side, filled with equipment for physical therapy.

  As soon as we were in there, he kissed me.

  He didn't stop at just a kiss. His arms reached around me, caressing my generous curves. I held myself stiff for a moment, then melted into his embrace. I'd wanted this, even when I'd tried to deny it. I still felt like I was a mess, that I would screw up any chance we might have at a real relationship. But I was aching for his touch.

  “Hal,” I said, pulling back reluctantly. I touched my forehead against his as he held me. “We need to talk.”

  “I know,” he said. “But you're here. That's a good thing. Right?”

  I looked into his eyes. He seemed so carefree and eager. I hated to break the news to him.

  Better to get it over with quick. Like a band-aid.

  I kissed him again, then stepped back, taking his hands in mine. “Hal,” I said. I took a deep breath. “I'm pregnant.”

  “Really?” he asked. His eyes widened.

  I nodded. I held my breath, bracing myself for his reaction.

  “That's wonderful!” he said.

  I let out my breath and stared at him in shock. “Really?”

  “Of course it is!” He laughed, squeezing my hands. “Wow. Damn. Pregnant?” He grinned, fidgeting where he stood. “Damn. I'm going to be a father!”

  I watched him carefully, wondering if the news wasn't really sinking in. “Hal, this is serious. What are we going to do? A baby is a lot of responsibility.”

  “Everything is going to be fine,” he promised me. “I'll take care of you and the baby. You know I can provide for it. Our kid is going to have a great life.”

  “But...”

  “But what?” he asked. He frowned in concern. “What's wrong, Jane? Look, I know you haven't been returning my calls, but...”

  I sighed and stepped back into his arms. “I'm sorry about that. I was...I was just scared.”

  “It's okay,” he said, stroking my back. “Everything's going to be fine. We'll make this work.”

  Then he was kissing me again, and this time I let go of all of my fears. There was still a lot to think about, a lot to plan for, but he'd taken the news far better than I could have hoped for. If he had been my ex, the news of a baby on the way would have sent him running for the hills. But Hal was actually excited!

  We didn't have much time before Hal had to start his game, but we seized the moment. Hal lifted me up onto one of the tables they used for medical exams, caressing my body with his athletic hands. I kissed him hungrily, feeling a rush at the forbidden idea of fooling around right here in the stadium. My body grew warm as I ran my hands across Hal's muscular chest. Then my fingers strayed down to his uniform pants, tugging at the laces.

  Hal dropped his pants, still wearing his cleats and his knee pads. I tugged at my own belt in a rush, afraid now of getting caught, but unwilling to stop what we'd started. Hal kissed my neck and nuzzled my soft skin while he helped me get my pants off. Then he took me right there on the exam table with eager, frantic thrusts of passion. I buried my face into his neck to stifle my moans, certain that someone would catch us, but not caring if they did.

  “Come on, baby,” I whispered in his ear. “I need you. You're going to be a father. We're going to be a family.”

  He grunted in exertion and pleasure as I guided him to his climax. Pleasure swept over me, filling me with a forbidden rush of energy. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders, panting and out of breath. He held me close, trembling, and I could feel that smile of pure contentment on his face.

  We heard voices from the hall and quickly got dressed. We were mostly cleaned up when the door opened and one of the coaches found us. “Masterson!” he shouted. “What the hell are you doing? We've got a game to play!”

  “Yes, sir,” he said. “On my way.”

  He turned and gave me another quick kiss, then hurried off to prep for the game. I was led to a VIP box where I could watch the game. Hal was in true form this time, showing none of the distraction that had spoiled his last few games. He was a warrior on the field, full of energy, showing all of his fans why they loved him. The crowd cheered, and I even cheered along with them. I didn't really care which team won or lost. But I was caught up in the moment.

  I cheered for the father of my child, and I knew that we were going to have a great life together. I kne
w I still had a lot of baggage to get over from my past, but for the first time in a long time, I could look to the future with hope about what was to come.

  ****THE END****

  SECOND CHANCE

  PART 1

  CHAPTER ONE

  The ocean breeze was strong as Mallory Linden walked out of her editing class and looked around the skies to see clouds gathering above. She sighed and tugged the teal hat that covered her thick honey colored hair down a bit before she took a step forward and gripped her messenger bag closer to her body. The Spring season could be so touch and go here on the Monterey peninsula and she winced as another breeze tore through the air and she found herself losing her balance as she yelped loudly. “Shit!” She was waiting to hit the ground when she realized that someone was holding onto her tightly before she looked up with wide blue eyes. “Oh my…thank you so much. Let me get my balance here.” Mallory knew that she wasn’t a light girl and it didn’t bother her at all, though she didn’t need a guy holding onto her for too long.

  What a guy he was. Despite him being dressed in thick workout pants, Mallory could see how muscular his legs were along with the worried look in his eyes that were the color of a deep green forest. His arms were tense and strong and he helped her up even as she struggled. “Are you alright?” There was an accent to his soft voice as she stared at him and nodded slowly. “That could have been a bad fall. I’m glad that I was here.”

  “I…yeah. Me too.” She blushed furiously and stood up to see that he was a good six inches taller than her five foot seven frame, at least. “Thank you.” She gave him a nervous look and licked her full lips. “Do you go here?”

  “Yeah, I’m a senior here and I’m helping a friend coach the rugby team. My major is sports medicine though I’d rather play than assist other guys.” He gave her a charming crooked smile and watched as she lifted her head and took a deep breath. “I’m Declan Meadows. Most of my friends here call me Deck.” He chuckled and shook his head. “That’s the polite name for me. I’ll spare you of the others.”

  “I’m Mallory. Mallory Linden. I’m a sophomore. You don’t play? You only coach?” She asked him curiously as he seemed to narrow his eyes.

  “I do but the assistant coach has a personal emergency. I’m just coaching until they figure out what to do, though I’ll step in if we’re down a man or two.” He shook his head. “I do love it here but even if I didn’t make it in America, there’s always home to play in.”

  “Home? Your accent…is it English?” Mallory asked him as the trees blew violently around them. She looked up and frowned as he glanced around. “I’m sorry. If you have to go or anything, I don’t want to hold you up.”

  “It’s not that at all. A bit chilly out is all. Do you have any classes coming up?” He seemed to study her face closely as she shook her head. “Something to drink then?”

  “I’ll buy since you saved my life today.” Mallory smiled he shook his head and cracked another smile.

  “It’s nothing at all, lass. My car is over here if that suits you.” Declan told her as he gestured forward to the huge parking lot with one large hand. They headed over as she pressed her lips together. “Yes, I am from England. I was born there but my Dad is originally from Ireland. I think my accent is a mix myself.” She raised an eyebrow when he unlocked the door of an immaculate black sports car that Mallory didn’t know the name of, though she knew enough to know that it was very expensive. Declan opened the door for her after hitting something on his key chain and she slid in as she took another look at him.

  Clearly, he was a rich kid but he said he was a student. Family money maybe that belonged to a guy that still wanted to do something, that had a skill. Either way, it made her beat up SUV look like a complete piece of shit.

  “What is your major, Mallory?” The way her name sounded with his slight accent gave her the shivers and she looked over at him as he pulled out of the parking lot. De clan was the picture of confident as he leaned back in his seat and drove, with his dark hair in waves around his shoulders as she watched him pull it out of the bun that it had been in. So few men could pull that off to begin with but she couldn’t decide if she liked it better up or down.

  “Film. I’m studying all of the aspects of it to see where I want to end up.” She responded after a moment and a look from him, followed by a nod.

  “I would think you’d want to be in the movies, not behind the camera.” He delivered the compliment with a careless ease that almost made her believe him as her thighs heated up along with her face and neck.

  “I think I’m more of the behind the scenes kind of girl. I just love when an idea forms in my head. The movie starts playing out almost too fast for me to jot down.” Mallory admitted, feeling the fire inside of her that sparked up whenever she talked about her passion in life.

  “I feel that way when I play too. It’s like a high that you can’t get enough of, isn’t it?” De clan mused out loud as she nodded before glancing at her at a stoplight. “I was thinking of a pub for some fish and chips. Does that sound good?”

  “Perfect.” Mallory responded, mesmerized by the way his cheekbones sloped down his face to his full lips. He was a big guy and muscular to boot but his face was gorgeous and he was making her move away from the business type that she’d seemed to date since school started. They drove into the better part of Carmel and he parked effortlessly on the curb and smiled at her before he opened his door and walked around.

  “It’s a perfect time for a late lunch.” De clan told her as he pulled her door open and leaned in to help her out.

  “I agree.” She was captivated by the way that he looked at her as she took his hand to get out of the low vehicle. Heat slid up her arm as they made contact and forced her eyes to his as she took a slow breath.

  Declan was everything that Mallory should stay away from but she found herself stepping closer to him as he closed the door behind her.

  CHAPTER TWO

  They were seated immediately once he walked up to the hostess stand, set apart from the rest of the tables in a cozy corner by a fireplace. He joked back and forth with the waitress as she took Mallory’s order of coffee and his tea, apparently being a regular. Mallory didn’t miss the look the pretty brunette gave her when Declan wasn’t looking but she let it pass as she leaned back against the chair. This wasn’t a date and it was nothing to even worry about yet. The look her gave her as he leaned closer suggested otherwise and she dragged her tongue across her lip as he watched her closely. “How long have you played rugby?” Her voice was soft as she tried to keep it from shaking.

  “Since I was a boy. I’ve always loved sports but rugby was it for me as far as any type of future. I’m a center and I love the fast pace of the game.” She could see herself in his face when he talked about it, the passion making his eyed shimmer as he seemed to lose himself in the thought. “I came two years ago to come to school here since my best mate Rory ended up moving here with his family years ago. I’d already lived here for a few years and played but he talked me into joining him and I got to be good friends with coach, so I’m helping out.” The faraway look crossed his eyes again as Declan sipped the water in front of him. “He lost his family recently…a break in at their home. I don’t even know of he’ll be back anytime soon.”

  “The Pebble Beach one a couple of weeks back? I heard about that but I had no clue that it was part of our staff. That’s so sad.” Mallory told him as he nodded, remembering reading that a woman and her five-year-old twins were murdered in the incident.

  “A man loses that and he’ll never be the same. That’s everything. Not that I was ever close with either of my parents. They worked in the family investment company back home and liked the money more than they liked being a family. I lived with my grandparents most of the time, though he was head of the company.” De clan told her as she frowned, taking back any bitter thoughts that she might have had earlier about him. All of the pretty cars in the world couldn’t replac
e a family, though Mallory lived with her best friend’s parents while they were both going to school. Hers had died when she was thirteen and after being moved around to uninterested family members, Mallory ended up with Rayna’s parents. They loved her and took care of her as good as they did their own kids.

  “I live with my best friend and her family. I lost my own parents years ago and they offered while I went to school. The other family members didn’t want a kid around.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Mallory.” Declan pushed his hair back with one hand with a tense look on his face.

  “Do you live with anybody here?” She asked him, wanting to hear that he had someone there so she wouldn’t be any further tempted to lose herself in his world.

  “No. I have a small place near the beach but I live there alone. Rory has a girlfriend who he lives with so I decided to just stay on my own.” Declan replied as she felt her willpower breaking apart within her body.

  The girl brought their food to the table, barely looking at Mallory as she placed a platter of fish and chips on front of her that De clan had insisted that she order. She leaned down to place his just in front of him, practically shoving her big breasts in his face. Mallory sipped her coffee as she observed the way he leaned back away from her and cleared his throat as he glanced at her with a dark look in his eyes. “Thanks, Brittany. That’ll do it.” His tone was polite but cold as the waitress stepped back and stared at him for a moment before glancing at Mallory with a dismissive look before she stomped away from the table. “Fucking hell. I’m sorry about that. I made a mistake with her when I first met her and she won’t let it go. I’ve never brought a girl in here before and I didn’t think she’d lay it on so thick.” De clan looked down at the plate for a moment before he took a bottle from the table to shake over the fish before he added some fresh lemon juice.