THE BILLIONAIRE BRIDE

Chapter 2

Blake

“I have searched far and wide, but you are the only princess I could find”

Cyndara and the Glass Slipper

~20 minutes to the ball ~

“Please,” she begged, her body perfectly arched in front of me, just the way i liked it. I dragged my gaze over her slowly, taking my time, not because I didn’t want her, but because I liked the control, the anticipation, the way they always gave in before I even touched them.

I slid her pants and underwear down her legs and then shed my own clothes with slow movements, like i had all the time in the world. My erection strained against my boxers as I stepped closer, positioning myself behind her, my tip brushing against her entrance....and then my phone rang.

“s**t!” I cursed under my breath, stepping back immediately.

Just like that, the moment died I grabbed my boxers and pulled them on, already reaching for my shirt and car keys.

“Where are you going?” she asked, turning slightly, confusion written all over her face. I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling in irritation.

“We are done, get out of here” I said and threw some cash in her direction and head out of the hotel room. I entered my car, and drove to the venue of the ball.

..................

She hasn’t showed up yet.

It’s been twenty minutes and still nothing. And yes! I am very much staring at the watch on my wrist like my life depends on it because it quite literally does. I gulp down what’s left of my wine, setting the empty glass on the table at the bar just outside the ballroom, my jaw tightening. The last thing I want is to walk into that ballroom alone with no girlfriend on my arm and be greeted by the smug, knowing smile on Peter’s annoyingly punchable face.

The Masquerade Ball is being hosted in honour of the company’s latest blockbuster, a film that has seemingly broken the internet just two days after its release. But to the Hawthorne family, this ball means more than just celebrating a movie. It is an affirmation of who will take over as Chief Executive Officer when Grandpa steps down next month.

I grew up learning the ropes of this company, how the market works, how to read people, how to stay ten steps ahead. And my love for film and production only made it all the more worthwhile. I thought I was a shoe-in for the CEO position, until a stipulation in my father’s will said otherwise.

Coming to this ball was a stupid idea.

I check my watch again and groan, irritation settling deep in my chest. I pull out my phone, and Emily’s name immediately appears on my call list, she was the last person I spoke to last night after instructing her to hire an actress to pose as my girlfriend tonight.

I am just about to press call when.......

“Blake, fancy seeing you here eh?”

I turn, already annoyed, and my gaze lands on Nancy Federrington dressed in a pink gown that falls just below her knees, a matching purse hanging neatly from her wrist.

“Nancy,” I say flatly, “what are you doing here, this isn’t even your scene” I said lazily gesturing to the ballroom. She pulls out the seat beside me and practically drops into it like she owns the place.

“The night is young” she says, eyeing the empty glass in front of me. “And you have already had – what ? Two bottles of wine? “ she says poking my chest with her wrinkled finger. “I’d say you’re trying to drown a problem.”

Nancy Federrington was my mum best friend more like sisters really, which unfortunately means she treats me like family too. And, if there’s anything Nancy Federrington loves more than attention is a good gossip.

“Like i said,” I mutter, glancing back at my phone, “this isn’t your scene so fancy seeing you here”.

“Waiting for someone eh?” She asks wiggling her brows, and I roll my eyes.

“Nothing gets past you.......” I say dryly, already standing up. Because as bad as walking into that ballroom alone would be, sitting here discussing my love life with Nancy is worse.

Much worse.

Don’t get me wrong I love Nancy, but I don’t like people up in my business. And if there is anything Nancy loves to do is get up in my business.

“Of course it doesn’t. They don’t call me Nancy Drew for nothing, boy,” she says proudly.

I signal the bartender, pay my bill, give her a quick peck on the cheek, and head toward the ballroom. The moment I step inside, I immediately spot a woman crashing into a table. The whole room goes silent, heads swivelling in her direction. Some people are already taking pictures, others lean in to whisper, eager to dissect the moment, while a few don’t even bother to hide their laughter. From where I stand, I can see it clearly, she’s at a crossroads, torn between making a run for the exit or staying and playing it off like she meant to do that.

Of course. When I hired an actress to play my girlfriend, I really should have expected a dramatic entrance.

I drag a hand down my face, shaking my head as I start walking toward the scene, already spotting Liana making her way there. Her satin long gown accentuating every hips and curves.

“Whose guest are you?” She asks sharply, “Because I’m quite sure I’ve never seen you before.”

The woman’s back is to me. I can’t see her face yet, but her strapless black gown fits her perfectly, and her blonde hair cascades down her back.

“I…” she stammers, running her hands through her hair, and adjusting her already fitted black gown on her body.

Right! This is already going badly

I step forward, folding my arms across my chest. “She’s mine.” My voice cuts through the room before I even think twice about it.

Everyone turns to look at me, and then the whispers follow, and just like that, everyone goes back to pretending they weren’t just watching. The security guards nods at me and retreats outside.

“Blake? She is your guest?” Liana asks, her tone edged with suspicion and jealousy?

“Yes. She is my girlfriend ” I say, easily letting the lie roll off my tongue, I can already hear the next question brewing but before Liana had the chance to ask I already grabbed the woman’s hand, pulling her away.

“Hey, let go of me!” she protests.

“Interesting way to say thank you for saving your ass,” I reply, not slowing down. We pass the bar and turn the corner. I push open the male restroom door, pull her inside, and lock it behind us.

“Did no one teach you basic decency?” She snaps, rubbing her arm.

I pull off my mask, exhaling. “Smart mouth,” I say, watching her carefully. “I like that."

I watch as her eyes widen, clearly not expecting me.

Good. Emily followed instructions.

I made sure Emily didn’t tell whoever she hired who I was. The last thing I need is a stalker applying for the job.

“Now,” I continue, stepping closer, “why were you late?”

“First of all,” she fires back, “I don’t know who you are”

I laughed because that alone tells me everything.

“And secondly, I don’t care. Just because you saved me doesn’t mean I’m at your beck and call.”

She turns to leave, but I catch her wrist instantly and pull her back, my hand settling at her waist. She inhales sharply, emerald eyes locked on mine and then I couldn’t drown my curiosity any longer so I removed her mask.

Damn! When I said I wanted an actress, I didn’t mean someone this stunning. She has emerald coloured eyes, blonde hair that catches the light. She is not just pretty, she is dangerously so, the kind of distraction that looks harmless until you realize too late that you have already lost control.

A slow smirk tugs at my lips. “Get your hands off me…” she mutters, avoiding my gaze. I tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at me, and immediately regret it.

Her eyes are green, with a hint of grey. The kind that pulls you in before you even realize it.

“You didn’t answer my question,” I say, my voice lower now. “I hired you to pose as my girlfriend. Why were you late?”

She shoves me back, harder than I expected. For someone with a slim frame, she’s surprisingly strong.

“I had other business to attend to,” she says coolly, folding her arms across her chest. “Let me make you an offer” I say adjusting the watch on my wrist and staring at her plump lips.

She tilts her head slightly, a confused look on her face.

“Marry me”.....