FOR.BIDDEN LOVERS

Chapter 8: Typical Billionaire

Claire

I don't know if my eyes are deceiving me, but it certainly looks as if Richard's lips are firmly pressed on the brunette. I knew it—typical billionaire bachelor. My instincts about him were wrong. I thought I saw something different in him, but he's another playboy like the rest of all men with tons of money.

I walk towards the end of the yacht and stare out into the ocean. I'm glad my best friend Laura will be here soon. Managing Hilltop Manor keeps me busy but not busy enough to escape the loneliness I feel.

I spend what feels like hours staring at the ocean without anyone coming to talk to me or offer me anything. I found myself a secluded spot in this yacht as soon as I arrived, and it makes me wonder why I came in the first place.

"Claire, why are you staring out into the ocean like a lost puppy?" Jill can barely stand straight without slumping over to the side. I can tell she's had one too many drinks. We haven't been here for more than an hour.

"Jill, I'm driving home tonight, ok?" I grab her arm and help her sit down.

"No, no, I don't want to sit. I can't sit. Don't you see all this money walking around here, Claire? I have to snag me a billionaire. Jill laughs and slaps her leg so hard I can see a red mark forming through her pink lace skirt on the side of her thigh.

“Don't you want a sugar daddy Claire?" Jill rocks back and forth as she stands up and stammers towards an overcrowded Jacuzzi.

I can't help but laugh at Jill. I know I probably shouldn't since I'm her boss, but no one is perfect, and I see a little of me in her—the overly ambitious woman trying to work her way to the top.

The main reason I'm not judging Jill is because she's honest. She was the first person to share information with me about some questionable behavior at Hilltop Manor, and I intend on keeping her by my side to find out more.

"What are you doing on my yacht?" A soft voice whispers in my ear.

I turn around to see Richard standing in front of me with a bottle of champagne in his hand. His blue and red Hawaiian shirt with green leaves is open, and I can't help but stare at his glistening eagle tattooed chest.

I bite my bottom lip as my eyes take a tour down his body. He has the V, better known as the indentations on men that run the length of their outer abdominal muscles, disappearing beneath their shorts leading to their hidden treasure spot.

"I didn't know this was your yacht, and if I did, I would've never come," I reply, rolling my eyes as I turn my head back towards the ocean.

"Yeah, like you didn't see my name on the invitation," Richard replies, leaning from side to side. I hope he isn't drunk, but I guess it wouldn't shock me if he is.

"Are you the only person named Richard?" I turn around and lean back on the rail.

"I'm the only Richard with a twenty-million-dollar yacht." He spins around with his arms in the air as if he's showing me he owns the world.

"Should I be impressed?" I reply, shrugging my shoulders.

"Who do you think you are? You had no right embarrassing me the other night. Why did you even come to Malibu?" He asks, holding the champagne bottle to his lips.

"Why do you care that I'm here? Do I threaten you?" I grab the champagne bottle out of his hand and take a sip.

Richard raises his eyebrows as if shocked to see me grab his champagne and drink after him.

I take a hard gulp trying not to spit the champagne out, and hand the bottle back to him. I hate champagne, but I want Richard to know I don't plan on backing down from the challenge of being the best and having the best resort on Malibu Blvd.

"No one embarrasses me. You'll be wise to remember that, Claire." He proceeds to snatch the champagne bottle from me. Our hands touch, and we both stare into each other's eyes. It feels as if time is standing still.

Richard pulls the champagne bottle out of my hand and turns around, slowly walking away from me.

"Going off to find your next prey to kiss," I reply, turning my head towards the ocean.

Richard stops and turns around. "What did you say?"

"I saw you kissing that brunette. I'm wondering who is next?" I reply, twirling my pearl necklace between my fingers.

"You saw what you wanted to see." Richard shakes his head, rocking back and forth while walking away.

What did he mean? I saw what I wanted to see? I'm confident I saw him kissing another woman. Why do I even care? Yeah, he's sexy, but it's not like I want to date him or anything. Who does he think he is? No more playing nice. It's time to put "Operation How to take a Down a Billionaire" into effect.