The Marriage Mistake_A Billionaire Hangover Romance

by Natalie Knight

  Trish is jealous I know, but I couldn’t really care less. Now that I know her name...Claire...I can make it my mission to conquer her.

  The fact that she built her company from scratch is endearing. I built Dignity Creative from the ground up. Granted, I have amassed a billion-dollar fortune in the process, but who's counting?

  Claire has smarts and a tight body who sharp curves could cut glass. It's the perfect combination and the perfect thing to jolt me out of my recent boredom.

  I spend the rest of the ride back to my office thinking about how I'm going to win her over. Flowers? Candy? What would be the perfect scenario for our first introduction?

  The limo makes its way through New York City traffic. I people-watch and think about Claire. Rarely does an infatuation overcome me like this. The rush is intoxicating and it reminds me of a time when I wasn't so jaded and when I had a sense of idealism and still believed in people.

  We arrive back at my building and I abandon Trish. I head straight up to the penthouse so I can brood over what to do with this new girl.

  I pace around my penthouse office, determined to handle the situation. I need to meet her again, and it needs to look like a coincidence—or fate.

  I haven't been this excited about a woman for so long. I wonder what it is about her that's stirring something in me. My lust is starting to awaken and it can't be contained.

  I make myself whiskey on the rocks and sit in my favorite leather chair in the corner of the room. It overlooks the city from an almost 360-degree angle.

  The view calms my heightened state. NYC never fails to enchant me, especially from my place at the top. I have an empire. I have everything I want, except for one thing and that will change soon.

  Little does Claire know I'm about to make her mine.

  My vice president, Evan, comes in without knocking.

  “Hey Liam, how’d the meeting go?”

  I look at him and decide to divulge my new obsession.

  “The meeting was fine,” I say. “The presentation was okay. But the real thrill was when I found the girl of my dreams.”

  He looks unfazed. “Oh yeah, who’s that?”

  “Her name is Claire and she owns Epica.”

  Evan helps himself to some whiskey and sits opposite me.

  “That’s funny,” he says, “because I was just coming in here to discuss Epica. You see, it’s a small company. No more than a dozen people work there, and they’re on the brink of ruin. But I think we could acquire the company and take the people as part of our own, Dignity Creative.”

  I look at him with interest. “And why would we want to do that?”

  “Because this Claire girl may not know a scrap about business, not even enough to keep her company afloat, but she is a genius in terms of creativity. Her company is known for fostering the artistic spirit. I’ve heard she has the best people on board.”

  “Hmm, that’s a good idea then.”

  “Yes, she needs this Velvet Luxe campaign or her company will go under. Once that happens, we can make her and everyone who works for her an offer they can’t refuse. They can work here and we’ll have eliminated some of the competition.”

  Evan’s plan is devious, but he’s part of the reason we are the biggest ad agency in New York. He thinks ahead and he knows how to undermine the competition.

  “I like it,” I say. “But then, we have to make sure she doesn’t win this big client.”

  “That’s where you come in. You have a way with women and if you can seduce her, then maybe she’ll reveal some of her ideas for the campaign or maybe you can find them on your own or something.”

  “So, essentially, you’re asking me to spy on her?”

  He looks unfazed by the disregard of morals his plan requires. Evan is a good businessman, but his code of ethics is all wrong. I don’t necessarily mind because he brings in a lot of business.

  “If you want to call it spying you can. But come on, man, I’ve seen Claire. I know she’s hot and that it won’t be asking a lot from you to sleep with her and to do a little digging.”

  I laugh. He’s right, of course. I’m already intending to fuck her. I guess it won’t hurt to see if I can steal some of her ideas for the campaign or at least get an idea of the direction she’s heading in.

  “Fine, I’ll do it,” I say swigging back my whiskey.

  He grants me an ignoble smile and, again, I wonder at his lack of ethics. As long as I have Evan here to do my dirty work, I don’t have to be the bad guy.

  “That’s good, Liam. Now, what do you say we go out tonight and celebrate?”

  “What’d you have in mind?”

  “There’s this new club called Embassy. Everyone who’s anyone will be there and they have a nice VIP section.”

  “I’ll meet you there later,” I say and he takes that as a dismissal.

  He finishes his drink and leaves.

  I think about how to uncover Claire’s plans. Maybe I can get her to tell me the direction she’s planning on going in.

  The only thing better than fucking Claire would be stealing this client from her. Hey, she hasn't won yet and it's every man for himself.

  She might have a little boutique ad agency, but I’m a giant among men. My company dominates the rest and I have every intention of getting this client.

  I pour myself into work for the rest of the afternoon and, as evening falls, I order dinner and relax for a minute before getting ready to go out.

  I eat pretty clean and tonight is no different. I have salmon and vegetables on the terrace. Menacing storm clouds threaten to outshine my evening, but I like this weather. I hope it rains and pours and proves to be a wild night.

  I go inside and take a long, hot shower. It's rare that I have a night out on the town but maybe being with my boys and stalking new women—new prey—will shift me back to my old self.

  I wear my finest slacks and a shirt with an open collar. I slap on some cologne and aftershave and run my fingers through my hair.

  Then, I meet the limousine downstairs. I warn the driver that I'll need him later tonight when I bring home my latest conquest.

  "Just be sure you're ready at a moment's notice."

  "Of course, Mr. Alton."

  I never leave a club without a gorgeous girl on my arm. Tonight will be no different. Of that I'm sure.

  Claire

  The line looks long and menacing and I don't know how we'll ever get through.

  In truth, this is not my scene. I go out to the clubs sometimes, but usually, I'm more of an intimate bar kind of gal. I like to hang at the lounge of an upscale hotel, like the Ritz and be able to relax with a martini.

  I prefer to hear the conversation and not have to scream over the noise in order to be heard.

  Nonetheless, we're here. And noise is exactly what I need to get my mind off Liam. I'm determined to drown him out no matter what it takes, even if that means dancing at the hottest club in town and standing in line for an hour.

  Luckily for me, Charlotte darts to the head of the line, whispers something in the bouncer's ear, and he pulls back the velvet rope and lets us right in.

  "How'd you do that?" I ask.

  "Are you kidding me? I know every bouncer in town. I make it my mission to get on their good side so that I can always get into whatever club I want."

  "You are unbelievable."

  "Yeah well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I don't want to miss out on any of the action. It's all about who you know," she says.

  I knew there was a reason I'm best friends with Charlotte. She's very crafty. And she's also known around town as somewhat of an ‘It’ girl. It makes me look good to be with her.

  Even though I feel out of my element, I'm determined to make the most of it. I slip off my little shawl and put it in my purse so that I expose as much skin as possible. Tonight, I want to attract a guy—a guy who is not Liam.

  He just gets under my skin and I can't pinpoint why. Maybe it's his arrogance o
r the way he was staring at me with reckless abandon, not even trying to hide it. Something about him simultaneously attracts and infuriates me. It's a dangerous combination.

  Charlotte takes my hand and leads me to the bar.

  "What will you have?" the bartender asks.

  "Two shots of Patron and two Coronas please," Charlotte says.

  She always knows exactly what to order in order to loosen things up. She's like a connoisseur of cocktails.

  The tequila shots arrive and we toast to our friendship before gulping down the harsh liquid. I immediately chase it with my beer and am feeling better already. It's gonna be a good night.

  More and more people are starting to filter into the club and it's becoming pretty packed.

  I guzzle down my beer and Charlotte looks at me in surprise.

  "Wow, you're really going for it tonight, huh?"

  "Go big or go home," I say as I pull her away from the bar and onto the dance floor.

  Dancing in a club is such a dizzying experience. With the DJ's vibrating music and so many people around, I feel like I can finally let loose. I feel like my real life doesn't exist and the only thing that matters is this moment and my ability to let go.

  I pull her to the center of the dance floor and, before long, there are various guys surrounding us. None of them attract me, of course. Like I said, I have high standards.

  But tonight, it's not about that. Tonight, it's about escapism. I'm trying to escape the memory of one hot guy. I'm trying to escape my feelings for someone that I know I shouldn't be with. And because of that, I'll dance with anyone who's offering.

  One guy comes up close and he seems good enough.

  "You look nice tonight," he says over the loud thumping of the music.

  "What?" I say to him over the heavy music.

  "I said you look nice tonight."

  "Oh, thank you."

  Charlotte is eyeing our exchange and I can tell she knows exactly what I'm thinking. This guy is not worth my time. But I don't care. I just need to dance with someone.

  There are so many people around us that he presses up against me. The encounter makes me uncomfortable. I don't like to be touched by strangers. But I try to dance with him and I try to make it fun.

  We stay on the floor for a few songs and I have to admit the DJ's really good. New York has the best nightlife in the country. That's for sure.

  Charlotte has found her own guy to dance with and for a while, it's really fun to just forget about real life.

  My concerns about the precarious financial position of my company and about needing to land the Velvet Luxe campaign all go on the back burner. For now it's just me and her, these random guys, and the dance floor. That's all I need.

  After a while I feel exhausted. Charlotte and I are both hot and sweaty. I decide it's time to break away from these guys.

  "Want to get a drink?" I yell to her over the music.

  "Yes, let's get out of here," she says.

  I follow her through the crowd and, at last, we break free and get to the bar. I definitely need a drink and a breather.

  We find a couple of seats in the corner.

  This time I order for the both of us. "Two vodka sodas, please."

  As soon I do, I look up and see him...Liam’s at the bar.

  Liam

  My limousine pulls right up to the club’s VIP entrance.

  I get out of the car and escape into an unmarked alleyway door, hoping not to be noticed.

  I try to keep a low profile but pretty much everyone in this town knows who I am. It's hard to be successful and not garner some attention.

  Thank God for VIP areas where prying eyes can't get ahold of me. Privacy is everything.

  Evan’s waiting. It's the usual crowd. We surround ourselves with the most wealthy and successful people in the city.

  Normally, I travel in this pack of other successful men because it's nice to have a wingman when I'm trying to get girls. Granted, with me there's no trying. I always win over whoever I want. My square jaw, dark green eyes, and large stature make it easy to hunt.

  "Hey man," I say to Evan who looks like he's a few drinks in already.

  "Oh, look who's finally here. Liam has finally deemed it time to grace us with his presence," he says, eyes dancing with humor. “I’m not like you. I don't need to go out every night of the week. I prefer to actually get things done in life," I say to him.

  He laughs and slaps his hand on my shoulder while offering me a shot of vodka. It's top shelf and the right way to get this night going.

  "Thanks," I say. "Now, where are the women?"

  He flashes me a shady grin. He knows exactly what I'm talking about. My boy here is as much of a player as I am. We have kind of a system of looking out for each other.

  Neither one of us would be caught dead settling down with one girlfriend. In fact, I don't think anyone in this crowd has a girlfriend. We travel light, so to speak. It makes it easier having no strings attached.

  "Well, the club is starting to fill out. But from the balcony, you can see virtually every girl in here. I suggest you take a look," he says showing me the way upstairs.

  I climb the stairs to the VIP balcony and he's right; there's a perfect view of nearly everyone in the place. I peruse the offerings and try to find the prettiest girl in the crowd to make my conquest.

  And that's when I see her...Claire.

  She’s dancing right in the center of the room.

  I watch her intently, gaining satisfaction in knowing that I see her but she doesn’t know I’m here. I can see her in her element and damn does she look amazing.

  What is it about Claire that makes me both love and hate her?

  Is it because she's my competition? Is it because she's so damn beautiful that it makes me feel things for her that I'm dead set against?

  For her, I want to break all my rules. I want to abandon the single life and make sure I'm the last guy she tastes for the rest of her life.

  I watch her very carefully. My cock hardens against my pants despite my best intentions to keep a low libido. I try not to care about her, but I’m failing spectacularly.

  I take a long swig of my vodka and try to discern my next step.

  She's wearing practically nothing. Her small lace dress is barely covering anything. I’m itching to go down there and cover her up. But I can't do that. She's not mine. I barely even know her.

  And yet being possessive is in my nature. When there's someone as stunning as her at the receiving end of it, it’s hard to be indifferent.

  I don't care if I bed her tonight or for all of eternity, I just know I have to get inside her soon or I’ll likely explode with desire.

  At a shadowy distance on the balcony, I can just watch the way she moves, the way her slim hips sway to the music. I imagine I'm down there with her, fingering her under that little lace dress, making her want me.

  I see the guy she's dancing with is getting a little too close. His hand grazes her arm and it ignites fury within me. I feel like going down there and punching his lights out.

  This girl is mine. And he looks like a scumbag, not worth one second of her time.

  Even if my claim to her is only fleeting, I feel like I have rights to her already. The idea of her with another guy angers me.

  "You see her, too, don't you?" Evan says as he comes up behind me. "Little does she know we’re about to steal everything she has right out from under her.”

  His plan is not a bad one, especially if it means Claire will have to work for me. Then I can fuck her every day at work just like I’ve been fucking Trish as of late.

  “It’s not gonna be hard to get close to her,” I tell Evan. “She’s fucking gorgeous.”

  He looks satisfied. "So, you’re down with mixing business and pleasure? That’s good, Liam because we really need her and her people on board.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” I say, annoyed by the fact that he keeps mentioning my role in this plan.

&nbs
p; I wonder about the ethical dilemma of fucking her for her ideas. What Evan doesn’t know is that I was planning to lay claim to her anyway. Now, I just have an added element of illicit behavior to adhere to.

  I know we don’t need her in my firm, but I’m willing to indulge Evan because I want her in the firm. I want to have eyes on her every day. I want to know what she’s up to at every moment.

  I want to own her and to be her boss. I want her answering only to me.

  If Claire is so good at her job that she gives my company the added bonus of creative potential, then so be it. But for me, this spy game is entirely personal. I will make sure that she’s unable to resist me.

  Then I see her walking off the dance floor with her friend. I'm thankful that she's gotten away from that scummy guy. I'm the only guy she should have eyes for.

  The girls cuts through the crowd to get a drink at the bar. I think it would be the perfect opportunity to reemerge into her life.

  I give it a few moments before I make my way out of the VIP section and towards the main bar. I'll be the surprise of her night.

  It’s crowded at the main bar, but I find a place in the corner where I order Jack Daniels straight up.

  Then, I watch and wait for her to appear. Soon, she does. She and her friend sit across from me. Her blue eyes are piercing and I imagine them peering up at me while she’s on her knees, sucking my cock.

  I sit up straight, knowing that I appear aloof. I take a sip of my drink and wait for the games to begin.

  Claire

  Oh my God, he's looking right at me.

  What is Liam doing here?

  I came here to escape him, to banish thoughts of him. Instead, I'm laid bare in front of that penetrating gaze once again. When Liam looks at me, it's as if he's staring into the depths of my soul and there's no hiding from it.

  "Shit, Charlotte. Um, that guy is here. Remember Liam from Dignity Creative? He's right over there," I mutter and turn my head in the opposite direction, pretending not to have seen him.