Catching the Billionaire

by Elizabeth Blakely

  I frowned. “Since when do you like Rain Taylor?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. It could be fun. And he’s pretty cute.”

  I grinned despite myself. “Yeah, he is.”

  My face fell as my mind immediately jumped to Brandon and my conversation in the park that day. He’d teased me about calling Rain cute, and then… I sniffled. Then it all fell apart.

  “I don’t know if it’s a good idea,” I said, forcing back tears.

  “Why not?”

  “Because the only reason Rain gave Brandon the tickets was because we were dating.”

  “So?” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t let a guy stand between you and opportunities.”

  Why did it sound like she was speaking from personal experience? I wanted to ask her about it, but she didn’t give me a chance. She smiled and tugged on my hand, pulling me out of bed. “Come on. Let’s get ready. Charlotte even offered to walk us through some makeup on FaceTime.”

  I laughed, and it felt foreign. “That’s nice of her, but I’m not going to wear any.”

  “Really?” she asked knowing that since I’d started dating Brandon, I’d taken to wearing makeup more often. Especially for a night out or a big event.

  “Yeah, really,” I said, and I meant it. “Well, it is a concert, so maybe some mascara and lip gloss wouldn’t be out of place.”

  Ellie had been right all along—I didn’t need makeup to attract the right guy, I just needed to be myself. Unfortunately, I hadn’t been enough for Brandon. But I pushed my maybe I would be enough for someone someday, I pushed back my shoulders, walking over to the closet. Even if I couldn’t imagine being with anyone but Brandon. I slumped.

  I told myself I’d fallen for him because he was larger than life—he was a celebrity and a billionaire, for crying out loud. I told myself that what we’d shared seemed so alluring because it wasn’t reality. It was a fantasy—nothing more.

  But I knew that wasn’t completely true. I knew that despite what he’d done, my heart still wanted him. And I knew that it would be a long, long time before I’d trust again. Before I’d love again.

  Sometimes though, the only way to survive was to keep going. And tonight, I was going to do just that.

  When we arrived at the venue, people—mostly women—were lined up down the street. Thanks to Brandon’s connections, the driver bypassed all of them and headed through a security check point where a guard checked our tickets and ID. After waving us on, we were directed through a parking lot filled with trailers toward the venue’s back entrance.

  “Come on,” Ellie said, flashing her VIP concert pass at the security guard before he waved us through. “This is so exciting. I’ve never been to a concert.”

  “Me either,” I said, finally taking a moment to take it all in—the sights, the sounds. It reminded me a lot of being at Brandon’s football games, except instead of a predominantly male crowd, this one was almost entirely comprised of women. Still, there was that thrum of excitement in the air, and I couldn’t deny that it was contagious.

  “This way, please,” one of the ushers guided us toward the backstage area.

  I paused before the door marked “Green Room.” My stomach was churning, my heart attempting to keep time with the fast-paced song pumping through the speakers. “I don’t know. I’m not sure we should go.”

  “You’re going to give up a chance to meet Rain Taylor?” Ellie asked, her expression incredulous.

  “I don’t know.” I glanced down at my shoes, suddenly finding the laces infinitely interesting. “What if meeting him is a let-down? Maybe I’d rather keep a perfect image of him in my head.”

  “What if meeting him is even better than you imagine? What if meeting him changes your life?” Her intensity was unnerving, and I wondered if we were still talking about Rain Taylor.

  “It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.” She gave me an encouraging smile, and I wished I could be as positive as her.

  Still, I had to trust that she was right. She’d certainly been right about Brandon and me. In the end, separating truth from fiction had been impossible.

  People bustled about the backstage area, some with headsets on as they prepared for the show to start. A woman who couldn’t be much older than Ellie introduced herself as Rain’s manager before she led us over to a set of couches where Rain was chatting with some of his band members. He stood as we approached, reaching out to shake my hand after his manager introduced me.

  “Staci,” he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  When his manager introduced Ellie, I noticed the way Rain’s eyes lingered on hers. The way he seemed reluctant to release her hand. Ellie seemed similarly flustered, and I smiled to myself.

  “Come, sit,” he said, before introducing us to the rest of the band.

  They hung around for a few minutes, making conversation before leaving to make their own pre-show preparations. I felt energized discussing music with Rain, and his band. It almost made me want to sing again.

  “Brandon told me you were special.” Rain smiled after I’d offered a solution to one of his more recent struggles with song composition.

  I didn’t have much formal training with composition, but I’d always been told I had an innate ear for music. Rain’s compliment felt like validation—like pursuing my passion for music was the right path. But hearing Brandon’s name reopened the heartache I’d been trying so hard to hide.

  I wanted so badly to ask when Brandon had said that. If he’d said anything else. But I’d already endured enough public humiliation to last a lifetime.

  “I’m sure you hear this a lot,” I said, finally gathering the courage to tell him how much his work meant to me. “But I love your music.” I hoped he could hear the sincerity in my voice.

  “Thank you. I have to say—I love your voice. I think you have a unique sound—so clear and strong. And I’d love to feature you on one of my new songs.”

  This was huge. Not only was Rain Taylor an amazing artist and a huge star, but to be featured on his next song… my heart rate picked up and I felt like I could run laps around the building.

  I stared at him a moment before Ellie nudged me. I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I think I must be dreaming because I heard you say you want to feature me.”

  He chuckled, leaning back on the sofa with his arm draped over the cushion. “You heard correctly.”

  I wanted to bust into a happy dance. I wanted to shout from the rooftops. But more than anything, I wanted to tell Brandon.

  But…I couldn’t. Which reminded me—I was only here because of him. And while I’d appreciated the chance to meet Rain, I couldn’t take this further.

  “Honestly—” I placed my hands over my heart. “I’m so, so honored. But I’m not sure it’s the best idea.”

  He cocked his head to the side, and Ellie started coughing. “Why not?”

  “Well, I don’t—can’t—accept if you’re just doing it as a favor to Brandon.”

  “Staci.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “This—” He gestured between us. “Has nothing to do with Brandon. Sure, he passed along your songs, but I wanted to meet you because of your voice, your talent.”

  “Yeah, but…do you really want to take me on considering all the recent press. You know—” I could feel my cheeks heating, and I looked anywhere but at him. “—as a fake girlfriend for hire.” I could only assume that’s what they were saying about me. Though that would be on the nicer end of the spectrum.

  Rain shrugged. “If anything, that only makes you more attractive in my eyes. You’re being touted as the woman who tamed the Heartbreaker.”

  I jerked my head back. “I am?”

  “Yes.” He chuckled. “In this industry, there are always rumors swirling. Yesterday it was that Brandon was retiring. Tomorrow it will be that you’re having his baby.”

  I swallowed hard at that image. My mind struggled to make sense of his words, even though I knew he was
only using them as an example.

  “This is how the business works. Harsh but true. And the more your name is out there, the better.”

  “If you say so,” I finally said, not entirely sure how to respond.

  “Rain,” his manager said before flitting off. “Thirty-minutes.”

  “Hey, guys,” Rain said, standing. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Here’s my manager’s contact information. You can coordinate with her.”

  “Great. Thank you so much,” I said.

  “Of course.” He grinned and pulled me in for a hug. “I hope you enjoy the show. It’s definitely going to be memorable.”

  I wondered what he meant by that, but I shrugged off his comment.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Brandon

  I could hear the crowd chanting, but it wasn’t my name they were calling. “Rain Taylor. Rain Taylor. Rain Taylor.”

  The band was on stage, everything was in place for my grand plan. And now, all I could do was hope I’d make it through without vomiting. That and hope it would work—that by the end of the evening, Staci would be mine once more. But for real this time, for keeps.

  The sound tech approached, doing one last check before disappearing. I glanced at Rain, hoping I could do this. I’d never put my heart out there—not like this. And it was absolutely terrifying.

  “You got this.” Rain gave me a reassuring grin from where he stood a few feet away, with his guitar slung over his shoulder.

  “She’s here, right? You saw her?”

  “Yes.” He shook his head and chuckled. “I saw her. Talked to her and her sister.”

  “Ellie or Amy?” I asked, suspecting it was the former.

  “Rain. You’re on in thirty seconds,” someone spoke into the earpiece.

  Rain gave me a nod then turned his attention to the curtain, taking a moment to center himself as one of the other guitarists started playing. A moment later, the curtain rose, and the crowd went wild. I knew their excitement was for Rain, but it felt like it was for me. It was electrifying.

  “Hello, Dallas,” Rain called, and the audience gave him an enthusiastic greeting.

  “I hope you don’t mind—” The crowd immediately quieted, not wanting to miss a word from his lips even as the other guitarist continued playing in the background. “But we have a special guest for our first song.”

  The intro chords started playing, and I could feel myself sweating. I hadn’t even stepped beneath the harsh stage lights, and I was already ready to combust. How the heck did Staci do this? How did she perform, share her voice?

  I guess people could wonder the same about me. Question how I handled pressure on the field, but this was a million times worse. This time it wasn’t my career on the line, it was my heart.

  Rain kept glancing over at me, and I knew I had to go or risk losing my chance. I took a deep breath and stepped into the spotlight. Despite the large size of the crowd, I scanned it looking for the one person I wanted to see.

  “Please welcome to the stage my good friend, Brandon James,” Rain said and the crowd’s response was immediate and gratifying.

  “Thank you.” I cleared my throat, hoping the front row couldn’t see how badly my hands were shaking. “I’d like to dedicate this song to the woman who captured my heart. She made me realize there’s more to life than football, and that’s why, I’m announcing my retirement from the Eagles.”

  There was a chorus of awes, and I smiled from behind the microphone, knowing I’d have to start singing soon or risk losing my chance. But I really wanted to do it right. I wanted it to be absolutely perfect—for her.

  And with that thought—of Staci—I opened my mouth and poured my heart into the lyrics. I looked at the audience, as if I were looking directly into her eyes. As I sang about love and happiness, promising forever and always, I hoped it would be enough.

  I didn’t deserve Staci, but I wanted her all the same. And if I was lucky enough to have her in my life, I’d do everything within my power to ensure her happiness.

  When I noticed her standing in the wings, my cantering heart leapt to a galloping pace. Our eyes met, my heart tethered to hers by an invisible string. I could see tears in her eyes, but I knew that this time, they were tears of joy.

  Making such a public gesture was a risk, especially considering she thought I cared about appearances more than her. But I hoped she’d hear the sincerity in my voice. I hoped she’d realize how much I was putting myself out there.

  I infused every word with love, and I could feel it vibrating through me, around me. When the last chords faded into nothingness, the crowd was completely silent. They could’ve booed me off the stage for all I cared, as long as Staci gave me a chance to talk to her.

  A moment later, the crowd burst into applause, but I couldn’t wait for Staci’s reaction any longer. I ate up the stage with my long strides.

  “You sang,” she said as the band launched into their next song behind me. “It was…you were incredible.”

  I grinned down at her. “It was all for you.”

  We stood there a moment, cataloguing each other’s features. She looked beautiful, as always, and all I wanted to do was kiss her. But first, we needed to talk.

  “I know how much you love Rain,” I teased. “But can we talk?”

  She nodded slowly, and I placed my hand on her lower back. When she didn’t tense up, I took that as a good sign. I removed my earpiece and lead her to the green room, knowing we’d have more privacy there.

  “Can I get you a drink or something to eat?” I asked. Her comfort was always forefront in my mind, especially after the accident in the park.

  She shook her head, glancing around as if uncertain. Was she having second-thoughts? I needed to start talking and fast.

  I led her over to the couch and sat next to her. Our thighs brushed against each other and it amazed me that my body could have such a strong reaction to such a seemingly innocent touch.

  “Staci—” I cleared my throat, wanting to get this right. Singing on stage in front of thousands of people almost seemed easy in comparison. “I can’t pretend anymore.” She tensed, as I’d expected, but I hoped she’d hear me out.

  “I can no longer pretend you’re not the best part of my day,” I said, and I watched as her expression softened.

  Encouraged by the soft smile playing at her lips, I kept going. “I can no longer pretend that I’m unaffected by your every touch, your every word.”

  I stared at her pink lips, wishing I could kiss them. Instead, I took her hands in mine. “I can no longer pretend that football is the most important thing in my life.”

  “It’s not?” she asked, glancing up at me from beneath her dark lashes.

  I shook my head. “You are. And I can no longer pretend that I don’t love you.”

  She sat there, staring at me as if stunned. But the longer the seconds ticked on, the more anxious I became. She swallowed, and my normally low resting heart rate slowed to a crawl as I awaited her response.

  “Please say something.” I searched her cornflower blue eyes for an answer.

  She blinked a few times, then said, “I can no longer pretend that I don’t love you too. I should’ve given you a chance to explain and—”

  I didn’t let her finish the sentence, but I couldn’t hold out any longer. I pressed my lips to hers. It felt like a homecoming and a celebration. And as I held her in my arms and kissed her, I hoped this would be the first of many. I hoped this was only just the beginning.

  I cupped her cheeks, meeting her eyes once more. “I love you.” I placed a kiss on her forehead. “I love you,” I repeated, needing to say it again. “I love you.” I grazed my lips against hers knowing that if I was going to retain any control of the situation, I couldn’t handle more than that.

  She smiled at me, a small tear running down her cheek before I swiped it away with my thumb. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

  She laughed. “They’re happy tears, you big oaf.”


  “Does that mean you’ll be my girlfriend? For real this time?” I asked. I had a pretty good idea how she was going to answer, but I wanted to hear it all the same.

  “Hmm…” she said tapping her finger to her lips. “I think so, but first we should discuss some ground rules.”

  I chuckled, remembering our conversation that day in the park. The day I’d asked her to be my fake girlfriend. I was relieved that her playful, feisty side was back. And that she was able to joke about the fact that we’d been pretending all along.

  “Such as…?”

  “How long are we going to date?”

  “Forever.” My answer was immediate and unequivocal.

  Her brows pulled together. “That sounds more like marriage than dating.”

  “I know,” I said, though I wasn’t ready to propose yet. Well, I was ready to marry her; I just didn’t want her to feel rushed.

  “Kissing?” she asked, and I didn’t fail to notice how her cheeks pinked. Interesting.

  “As often and as much as possible,” I said, dotting kisses on her cheeks and jaw before moving to her neck. She giggled, so I did it again just to hear her beautiful laughter.

  “One final question,” she said. “Are you doing this for your image?” Her expression was serious, but there was a teasing lilt to her voice.

  I straightened and shook my head. “I retired.”

  “You weren’t joking?” Her eyes were wide in shock. “Why?”

  “Because I decided it was time for me to play a new position—team owner. And hopefully, one day, husband and father as well.”

  “Are you…” She sucked in a sharp breath, placing her hand to her chest. “Are you proposing to me?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think you’re ready to give me an answer. But one day, I will ask you that question.”

  She bit her lip and nodded. Perhaps I was being a bit aggressive, but I wanted her to know how I felt—how I really felt. I was done pretending. I was done holding back.