Billionaire Bad Boys: A Collection of Contemporary and Paranormal Bad Boys

by Calinda B

  “If my dad weren’t dead, I would never have met you.”

  “I saw you a few times. Thomas had me curious the way he always talked about you, so I found you. Checked you out from a distance.”

  Of course she had. I laugh because I should’ve known. “Where was the first time you saw me?”

  “In your office. I walked in pretending to be lost, and asked you directions to the Diamond Club.”

  “Smart move, except I didn’t know anything about it at the time. I think I remember you… although I was probably concentrating on some project, unable to engage in conversation. I have a vague recollection of giving directions to someone.”

  “That someone was me.”

  Harlow’s plump lips find mine and we kiss. For the first time she’s initiated intimacy, and I give her full control with pleasure.

  “I know I said I wouldn’t kiss you again, but it’s hard not to when I’m with you,” she pants out against my mouth.

  Our moment is heating up; my hands enjoy the feel of her skin, the curve of her hips. She’s perfect. My kind of perfection.

  “TJ.” She pulls away with closed eyes. “This is way too good, we have to stop. I can’t…”

  “I know.” I breathe deep. “Just a few more days to go, and then you’ll be mine, Harlow. And I’ll be yours—one hundred percent.”

  “The days are dragging.” She snorts.

  “I’m sorry.” I try kissing her again, but the moment has passed. She’s not engaging back. Too bad.

  We spend the evening doing more talking than we ever have. As the witching hour approaches, I know her more than before the night began, but I know she still hasn’t told me much. She’s a book containing many stories, and I can’t wait to discover them all.

  With the music playing in the background, I don’t want to go anywhere. Here’s exactly what I need. Us, snuggling and having a good time after too many emotions and back stories bad enough to give me nightmares.

  “I could stay like this forever.”

  Her arms hold me with so much strength, telling me how real this is. My eyes close and I try to imprint this moment in my mind. This will be my motivation to get things over with Cassie as fast as possible. A life with Harlow awaits me. I can’t wait for us to be real.

  12

  HARLOW

  * * *

  “You can’t let him down, Low. I promised his father I would guide him, but I’m here, so I can’t.”

  Talking is taking all of Dad’s energy. I know we won’t be able to talk much longer, but I need him, and his advice. His eyes are already heavy with exhaustion and his voice so low, it’s hard to hear.

  “We’re working together but I don’t think he wants this. He’s much more like his mother in that regard.”

  He lets a long sigh speak for itself. “You know how hard it is to lose a parent. He’s going through a tough time. Grieving is hard, and it can take months, if not more, to work through it.”

  Though we almost never mention it, I know exactly the pain he is experiencing. It’s hard to know how Thomas’ son is holding up when I didn’t know him before. To me, TJ looks okay. Yes, sometimes there is sadness in his brown eyes, but it never lasts. This is something I’ll have to be more careful about. He must be hurting; I know I was after Mom’s death.

  “He wants to honour Thomas’ demand, but he’s scared and feeling helpless, too. This is surreal to him, it’s like living in Oceans Eleven, except this is real.”

  “Have you thought of a backup plan to make this easier for him? You know since he’s involved with the owner of the diamond, it could go any direction.”

  Cassie… I don’t dare think about her. “There’s no love on his side.” Saying this to my dad is admitting I’m ready to declare TJ mine.

  “Low, be careful not to get hurt,” he warns me.

  “Trust me, he isn’t going to hurt me. The feeling is mutual.” And it is. The way TJ looks at me sometimes can’t lie.

  He laughs and squeezes my arm. “You know, I told Thomas so many times that you would be good for his son, but Dana had big walls around her kids which made them untouchable. It’s sad he had to wait for his death to share the Club with TJ.”

  “We see the Club as family, Dad, but to outsiders, we’re criminals.”

  He remains quiet but the torment is clear in his eyes. “I hate to say this, Low, but we are. We aren’t hurting anyone physically, or worse, killing anyone, but we are taking from them, feeding off their wealth.”

  Listening to Dad speak, it slams into me: I could always stop everything and try to live a normal life. I will if it’s necessary to keep TJ.

  “You’re a smart young woman, I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.”

  “I know.” I kiss his forehead. “With time, I’ll figure out what to do.”

  He smiles and his eyes close for a split second. “I need a nap now. Be careful, Low.”

  “Of course, Dad.”

  He falls asleep, and I watch him for a long time hoping the answers are going to pop out of his mouth. All his life he’s worked hard, his body is getting tired. He’s the one who needs to be careful.

  After my visit to the hospital, I go back to the apartment and change into my black attire. I have to do something about the diamond now, before the party. I hide most of my hair under my black NY Yankees cap, and then slip on black yoga pants followed by a black pullover. I grab my small waist bag, the kind joggers use to keep a few belongings with them. My work instruments are in it. At this point, I look like a runner, so there’s nothing suspicious about me.

  Walking through Cassie’s neighborhood, looking at the surrounding area and studying the entrance of her property, I’m surprised to see TJ’s car arriving. This is the last thing I want to see. The man I love on the arm of another woman? Hell no. I hide behind a tree pretending to stretch, and wait to see what’s happening. My rival comes out of the house with flashy pink heels, that’s all I can see from my location, and climbs into TJ’s car.

  If this isn’t jealousy, I don’t know what is. I can’t look at them together, it hurts.

  They leave, and after I’ve calmed a bit, I focus on waiting to see if there’s further action in the house. No lights turn on or off, no shadows appear behind the curtains, nothing. I jog closer. The property is located on a corner, so I opt for the side entrance. Looking left, then right, the street is clear. It’s just me.

  It helps knowing her parents aren’t home. However, the maid could be, even if there’s no car in the driveway and no action inside whatsoever that I can detect. I find myself in the backyard looking for cameras but I see none, and know from experience that the secondary doors are often left unlocked. Not wasting any time to get inside, because I’m not stupid enough to stay outside any longer than I have to, I try for the door. It’s locked after all. From my pouch I pull a lock pick, and unlock the door. Alert for the tell-tale beeps of an alarm system, again, I hear nothing. Luck is on my side today. Inside, I analyse the environment, keeping silent to hear any noises which might come from inside the house. It’s dead quiet. The keypad for the alarm system sits right next to the front door, and I inch close enough to make sure it isn’t about to go off. Finding Cassie didn’t care enough to set it, makes me laugh. Not that I’m going to complain. One less thing to worry about.

  It’s a beautiful home, much like the ones I’d imagined growing grown up in. I climb the stairs two at a time. With my gloves on, I’m not worried about leaving any traces behind. All the houses I’ve entered without permission, I’ve never gotten caught. I’m meticulous.

  Bedroom after bedroom, I make my way down the hall, unsure which one I’m looking for. Until I find one plastered in light pink, heels, and girly perfume, that is. “I don’t understand the attraction, TJ,” I whisper to myself. He may not have feelings for her now, but he once did.

  One of TJ’s tees is flat against her makeup chair. It shouldn’t be here, the sight of it throwing me off my game. “Fuck!” My
eyes go on the hunt for the safe. I try to remember the details in TJ’s pictures, but don’t have time for that right now. I go for the obvious, the walk-in closet, I dig through the pile of clothes, scarves, and shoes.

  “There you are, waiting for my magic fingers,” I croon when I find the black box tucked inside the cupboard.

  Tumblers are easy, I can do this. Retrieving my stethoscope, I place the buds in my ears and the bell against the safe. It may sound like a joke, but it works. When I’ve got time, I can get into a safe without it. Wasting time isn’t an option tonight.

  I need to know how many numbers the combination has, so rotate the dial clockwise until I hear my two clicks. My heart is beating hard, I’m nervous because I don’t want to screw up TJ’s plan. Counter clockwise this time, I concentrate on an obscure click next. Got it. Moving on, I keep working the tumbler until I get the final click which gives me the number count.

  Three. Easy.

  I start testing for the number, making notes so I don’t mess up and can get my ass out of here fast. Deep breaths help me stay calm. There is no time to let the anxiety get the best of me. Once I get the numbers, I try every possible sequence until the damn thing opens. Each time I try to pull open the safe, and it doesn’t give, adds to my stress. My being here is unplanned and dangerous, the adrenaline is skyrocketing in my blood. Stay Calm, Harlow.

  Although I could live comfortably without stealing now, this is why I keep doing this. I love the drive it gives me.

  After my sixth attempt the safe opens, and I could cry from happiness. Inside are quite a few diamonds, but only the large pink one interests me at the moment. Grabbing the box out of the safe, I close the door, then make sure there isn’t any trace of my visit before leaving her room. I could take it with me now, and the job would be done, but this is TJ’s gig, not mine. The stairs disappear beneath my feet. On the main floor, I search for the nearest bathroom to where the party will most likely take place, and hurry inside. The drawers seem like a good place to hide it. After checking them one-by-one, I decide on the last, which is filled with towels. At home, we almost never reach the last one in the back, so I slide the box under and make sure it’s secure, not apparent. There must be a least five towels over the box. It’ll be fine. I bet she doesn’t even use this bathroom anyway.

  Job done! I’m out of here. My exit comes as fast as I entered and with no neighbors in sight, I can finally breathe. I walk a few blocks away before sitting on the curb to catch my breath. Untying my hair, letting it loose feels good. Free.

  It’s still early, and since TJ only left with Cassie a little while ago, my place is back with my father. He’s going to call me insane, and maybe I am, but this is who I am. What I do.

  13

  I’m cold when I wake up to find the other half of the bed empty. Not a single noise can be heard out in the apartment. Strange. We’ve been cuddling and snuggling for a couple of nights now, and it’s been the best feeling I’ve had in a long time. Harlow always does something when she wakes up. Cleaning, organizing my mess, or watching TV, but this morning... Wait, what time is it? Ten o’clock. That’s late and still, there is not a single creak of the floor to be heard.

  Stretching then hurrying from the tangled mess of sheets, I check her room first, followed by both bathrooms, and then the kitchen area, where a little note awaits me on a shining table:

  TJ,

  I didn’t want to wake you up. I’m at the hospital with my dad.

  14

  Well... that makes sense, but the gentleman in me feels like I should’ve gone with her. Of course, I have to go see Cassie, too. With a sigh, I decide that I might as well get that out of the way while Harlow is otherwise busy. It’ll be easier on her, I think. Forty minutes later I’m on my way to have breakfast with Cassie.

  She asks to stop at Victoria’s Secret on the way to the restaurant, so my morning gets sabotaged. A strapless bra is what she’s looking for. Although I’m pretty sure she has few of them already, but what do I know? She never seems to have enough. It’s looking we’ll have lunch together instead, because by the time we get out of the store, it’ll be mid-afternoon. I keep a smile on my face and our fingers entwined so she’ll think I’m the nicest boyfriend in the world.

  “Should I get the nude one or the lilac?”

  “The purple one’s fine.”

  “I think I’ll have both. Since the surgery, I’m having a hard time finding a perfect fit.”

  Maybe if she had gone with a smaller implant she wouldn’t have this problem.

  “Sounds good to me,” I say hiding my disinterest the best I can. I mean, I’d rather go bra shopping with Harlow at this point; I’d get more involved, that’s for sure. This attitude makes me a fucking asshole. If I ever have a daughter, I vow to keep her away from men like me. Rubbing my forehead, this feeling inside of me is shameful.

  “Of course, I’ve always known that you like bigger breasts.”

  What? Her statement shocks me, in particular since I don’t remember saying that. Ever. “I liked your natural look better.” The words are out before I can stop them. Dammit. That was meant to stay in my head. If her eyes were knifes, I’d be fighting to survive right now.

  “I’m sorry, Cass. I’m not going to lie to you about this, though. I never complained before. Your body was perfectly fine.” Trouble, here I come. Deeper into the hole I go.

  “Thomas Junior!” She’s fuming. “I did this for you.”

  Is she insane? “Look, I’m not going to fight with you here, but I’ve never asked you to get implants, nor have I ever said anything negative about your body.” I pause. “You got those things after we broke up, remember?” Frowning at her because I don’t get why she’s putting this on me, I wait for her response.

  Tears slipping down her cheeks, Cassie closes the door of the dressing room behind her, leaving me alone amidst six pairs of infuriated eyes. A man can tell when he’s not wanted.

  “I’ll be outside.”

  I might have screwed the whole plan, too. Breathe, just breathe. Maybe it’s time to end this and proceed with a different plan. I can’t keep going on with Cass when all I want is to spend time with Harlow.

  “TJ. Are you hungry now or..?” She’s been crying. I can see it on her face, in her red cheeks and the rims of her eyes.

  “Yeah… yeah, I am. Are you?”

  A small movement in her shoulders answers me while her eyes look down. Our conversation has affected her. Although what I said to her was harsh, it was the truth.

  “Cassie, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just… You need to know the truth. You were fine before which is why I never asked you to change. Going under the knife in hopes of being with me again, was that your plan?”

  “Yes, no… maybe. You always showed interest in models. What was I supposed to think?”

  “Never change who you are for a person, Cassie. Not even me.”

  Covering her face with her hands, her breathing is heavy. All these years of knowing her, I never imagined Cassie would have self-esteem issues.

  “Do you want to go home? It’ll be fine if you do.”

  “Yes, please. My appetite is gone.”

  Will today ever end?

  Back at her place, Cass has been looking at her reflection in the mirror for over an hour. If this isn’t to make me feel bad about what I said to her, I don’t know what her motive is.

  “Do you want me to go? I think you need time,” I say then step away from her and walk to the door.

  She doesn’t try holding me back like usual. In fact, Cassie isn’t saying anything to me.

  I’m profoundly sorry that I’ve hurt her. For real. Hurting people is the worst thing. Knowing my mood isn’t good enough to hang out with Harlow—she doesn’t need to suffer the consequences of my crap with Cass—I head to the cemetery where Dad rests. It’s the only place I want to be right now.

  “I wish I could talk to you again, Dad. I’d listen to whatever advice you have for me. My
plan is turning into the worst idea I’ve ever had. So many things have changed. Me, Cassie, and now, Harlow’s here. Why did you keep me away from her? She was a handful when we first met but now, she’s perfect. It feels like we’ve known each other forever.”

  My thoughts drift to how we’ve been together in the past few days. She’s made her limits about us clear, and I have to respect that. As soon as I get out of this mess with Cass, we’ll be together. I can’t wait to be more intimate with her.

  “Harlow has a history—and a life—I’m not sure I can agree with, but you and Mom did it for so long…” My gaze looks out over the cemetery while I gather my thoughts. “I don’t see why we can’t do it, too. Why we wouldn’t be able to make it work. I would love to hear your thoughts about that, Dad.”

  The cemetery is quiet. No chirping birds, chattering squirrels, or even whispers of wind. There’s nothing but the sound of my voice.

  “I’ll bring Harlow to Sunday dinner.” I laugh because the idea makes me nervous and I’m almost certain Dad would give me that look. The one with his eyes frowning and asking me if I’m being serious. Hell, yes, I am. “She’s special, and I think it’ll be a good distraction for Mom. Having someone new around the family that is. Harlow’s so much more than Cassie, so I don’t see why Mom wouldn’t like her. I know she may not like that I found out about the Diamond Club, but it’s too late now. Besides, I’m old enough to make my own decisions.” Shivers run down my spine. “Don’t be angry with me, please. I have to do this.”

  In my head, I repeat I’m sorry, but I don’t back down. I won’t. “For Harlow and me to work, some of those barriers will need to be destroyed.”

  Strong emotions battle inside of me. Somehow, I can feel my dad interjecting with decisions, but my feelings for Harlow are powerful enough that I’m not going to stop myself from living the life I want. My insides trembling, I look up to the grey sky, and breathe. My phone vibrates in my pocket, alerting me of a text message coming in from Harlow.