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

by Calinda B

  “Where were you?” Her hands grab my shoulders then skim down to hold my hands.

  “I’m right here, Cass.” My voice comes out low, more intimate than intended.

  “You’re all flustered. How much have you had to drink?”

  “Too much.” Biting on her bottom lip, I recognize that face and know what she’s thinking. “Not a good idea right now.” I step away, not interested in engaging in any sort of act with her ever again.

  “And why the hell not?”

  “Look around you, Cassandra. Do you want everybody noticing that we’re both gone, only to be back thirty minutes later? It’ll be obvious why we were gone. Since when are you that type of girl?” My teeth bite the inside of my cheeks. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Thomas Junior!” she shouts my name, but I’m not letting that stop me.

  The door is locked before she can reach it. “Check the last drawer on the right side, under the towels.” I don’t care about how many times Cass knocks on the door; the drawer is opened in a rush, towels are tossed, and then, there’s the little box. Waiting for me like Harlow said it would be.

  I open the velvet box while the adrenaline kicks in. The knocks are getting louder. The pink diamond sparkles under the light for my eyes alone to see. In the background I hear Cassie’s frustrated voice, but my mind is way too preoccupied to listen or care. Heat spreads in my face and arms. How much more intense can this get?

  “Okay, Dad. I have it. It’s all yours,” I whisper and place the box into the inside pocket of my jacket. It feels so heavy, like this small box weighs a ton. All I think about is taking it to Ramsey, or whoever is going to take care of it at the Club.

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  Fed up with her banging on the door, I unlock it and it swings open, making me step back against the wall. “What the hell is wrong with you? Did you want to hurt me?”

  Her body presses into mine and she tries to kiss me, but I’m having none of that and push her back.

  “She told you, didn’t she?”

  “It’s good to know who’s honest, and who isn’t. It’s over, Cassie. I’m disgusted by you. You want us to get married, but I don’t even know who you are anymore.” Her eyes fill with tears before I can pull myself away from the wall and her fake Ds. “Let me go, please.”

  “No, TJ. Not without a fight. We’re meant to be together, don’t you see it? I had to push my limits, have experiences of my own at least once in my twenties. But you know who I am, you know the real me.”

  “I don’t, and I’m done. I won’t say it again. I’m leaving now.” With that, I walk out of the bathroom followed closely by a hysterical Cassie.

  “TJ, please,” she begs. “Harlow isn’t any better than me. She works there!”

  Harlow won’t be brought into this. Turning around to face Cassie, I want to make myself clear. “Never bring Harlow into this. She has nothing to do with us,” I lie then feel bad that Harlow is involved in my lies.

  The one responsible for this mess is me, nobody else.

  Harlow’s curls come into view, she’s watching me with intense scrutiny. “Harlow, we’re out of here.”

  “You can’t leave,” Cassie throws out. Stubborn, she’s pulling my arm as hard as she can to keep me by her side.

  The house has grown quiet. Everybody is watching us, and giving them a free show wasn’t part of my plan. Cassie’s red dress barely covers her breasts anymore, and tears mixed with mascara stain her cheeks. Everything is falling apart for her now, and it’s mostly my fault. Cassie is at fault, too, though; she’s not as innocent as she pretends to be.

  “I’m leaving now. Let go of my arm.” She tries to cup my face with her free hand but I get out of the way, away from her touch. Again, I yank to get my arm out of her hold. Of course, she doesn’t listen, she tries to hold me tighter than before, but it’s not enough. “My patience has run out. We’re done, it’s over.” This time, my arm slips out. I free myself.

  She gulps and breaks down, falling to the floor.

  Harlow stands by my side, then locks her arms with mine. “Come on, TJ. We have to go.”

  The alcohol, the drama, the diamond, and the adrenaline rushing through my blood are making it hard for me to breath. My eyes lock on Cassie a last time. I know I’ve hurt her again, more than the last time. There’s a strong pressure in my chest.

  “TJ, come on now,” Harlow says and yanks me out of my trance.

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  Harlow shouts back at the people who are calling me names, but I don’t hear words. I’m numb.

  “I’m driving.”

  No way am I stopping her. I’m way too deep in this mess I created and can’t think straight. Sitting in the car, we drive away. Far away from the nightmare I couldn’t wait to get rid of. My eyes closed, I focus on breathing to ease this feeling in my chest.

  The car comes to an abrupt stop, and I look out the window, noting we’re parked right outside my building.

  “Why didn’t you park inside?”

  “Let’s drop the diamond off and then go out to celebrate.”

  “I’m not sure I can celebrate.” There’s something wrong with me, everything is fuzzy. My thoughts, my limbs, and my heart keeps pounding on my rib cage.

  “This will be our first night as an official couple.” She looks at me with puppy eyes. “Please.”

  That face is too adorable; she knows my weakness. “Yes, you’re right. We should go out to celebrate Us. Do you mind if I change into something more comfortable first?”

  “I think you’re hot in a suit.” She runs her hands through my hair, watching me in a different way, like I mean a great deal to her.

  “Or I can keep this on,” I offer.

  She chortles. “It’s okay. I’d actually like to change clothes, too. If you don’t mind?”

  “We’ll have to find another occasion for you to wear this again.” That’s a promise.

  She blushes.

  We get in the elevator, alone, and don’t stop kissing as it climbs upward. Kissing her is so much better now that it’s real. No more guilt or second thoughts. I’m free to kiss the girl I’ve fallen for.

  Ding.

  Her eyes open as I whisper to her, “Come on.” Our hands inseparable, I rush us down the hall to my apartment. “Remember when you waited for me, right here? You were in bad shape, but the color of your eyes mesmerized me that night.”

  “I do remember. Best decision I’ve ever made.” She moves in for a small peck which soon gets out of control.

  “I agree.” I smile as our eyes lock and it feels like time has stopped.

  “Are you going to unlock the door, or you want me to do it?” Grabbing the keys from my hand, her upper body pushes against mine when she exaggerates her reach for the lock behind me. I’m a prisoner between her arms. Who knows what’s going to happen once we’re inside. Things could happen fast in there, now that nothing’s holding us back.

  The door lock disengages, and I take a deep breath before pushing it open.

  I’m not sure what happens next or who does what, but the door gets closed. My jacket lands on the couch and then shirt buttons are flying across the floor. Harlow means business. I try to lift her in my arms, but her dress is too tight and prevents her legs from parting. Pulling it a few inches higher up her thighs frees her to jump into my arms and get those long legs of hers around my waist.

  The bright green of her eyes hypnotizes me, making it impossible to look elsewhere. Our chests rise and fall with our heavy breathing.

  “Weren’t we supposed to get changed and go celebrate?” she teases in a breathy whisper.

  “I’m halfway there.” I look down at my bare chest, and her cheeks redden. Delightful.

  “I’m in love with you, TJ.”

  “And I with you. You’re perfect for me.”

  Wetness surrounds her eyes and a beautiful smile laces her lips. “I always thought I was meant to stay in the dark, but I
think you are my light.”

  “Kiss me, Harlow.”

  With zero hesitation she does, the intensity we had a few minutes ago still strong, and building. Her mouth parts against mine, and our tongues dance together. Harlow isn’t cautious at all. Every whimper and moan she makes tells me that she’s all in. Letting her legs fall from my waist, it only takes one swift movement for her dress to be removed.

  “Stunning. Gorgeous. Sexy. I can go on and on. You take my breath away.”

  “I don’t know.” She looks down at her body.

  “I do. You’ll have to learn to trust me.”

  Her chuckle is endearing. “Come on now, I thought you were a gentleman. You’re overdressed.”

  So, this is how it’s going to be? I laugh while undoing my belt. My pants drop to my ankles and I step out of them, leaving me in my boxer briefs.

  “You’re hot.”

  “This is getting awkward.” I laugh. “Tell me, what do we do now, sweetheart?”

  Now one step closer to me, Harlow traces my shoulder with her fingers. “We can stay here all night getting acquainted.” Her fingers venture lower, to my abs. “Or, we go have some fun downtown. Let our crazy side out all night long, and then return home tired, tipsy, sweaty—and ten times more ready to get acquainted.” She winks.

  “Sounds like a high, pushing all our limits.”

  “I’m all for it.”

  The curves of her ass fit like a dream in my hands as I pull her flush against me. Her face nuzzles in my chest. Fuck, she’s beautiful. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”

  I know tonight is all about stepping into her world, her life, and I’ll do it without looking back. Part of me knows what I’m getting myself into.

  A new life.

  19

  In the taxi, Harlow fixes her hair in a high ponytail, and I can’t take my eyes off her. We’re on our way to a club near Chinatown. I haven’t gone out like this in a long time but this is exactly what she’s used to. The night life. To me, it’s nerve wrecking, but to her, it’s the air she breathes.

  Snuggling next to me in the backseat of the cab, her arms circle my waist.

  “Are you cold?” We’d left the house wearing light clothes because we didn’t want to bother with the coat check. The night isn’t getting warmer, though.

  “I’m okay for now. At least we won’t have to wait. I got us on the guest list. An old barmaid from the Club works there. We’re all set to go straight in when we arrive.”

  “Great, because I’m ready for a couple of beers.”

  “Hey, we got the rock, and we’re together. All this drama is over. You’re free. Now, relax.”

  I exhale. “I’m trying. The rock is at home, hidden. It’s just Us. No more Cassie.”

  Her lips meet my cheek. “See? It’s going to be a good night. Time to let go of that stress. This’ll be therapeutic.”

  After an endless taxi ride, we arrive and enter the club. It’s not what I thought it would be. The music blares louder than a rock concert, and eighty percent of the club is dance floor. There are few seating options. The wide bar is staffed by about ten barmaids who seem to think clothes are an option.

  “Come on, let’s go. After a night like this, you won’t need to run for the next five days.”

  We rush to the dance floor, where her face lightens and she starts jumping with her arms up in the air. Harlow is in her element, I can tell. Though I’ve never been much of a dancer, tonight is different. This is a place to let go rather than show off dance skills.

  “Come on, babe.”

  Once we start dancing I can’t keep my hands away from her. We end up kissing. Her arms around my neck draw me down until our lips melt together under the heat of the atmosphere and our bodies.

  “You can let it all out now, TJ. We have everything we ever wanted.”

  “I have you, that’s the best part of the deal. The diamond was for my dad, and I’m glad that part’s over.”

  Her slim waist fits in my embrace while we stare into each other’s eyes. We’re living in the moment. This is real. We’re together. Though it doesn’t want to register in my head; this is all so surreal.

  The DJ’s beat grows on me, the vibrations from the techno music resonate into my chest and keep the adrenaline pumping. My skin is covered in a thin layer of sweat, and so is Harlow’s. Her chest sparkles with the tiny droplets. Around her forehead, her hair is damp, as if she’s splashed water on her face.

  Always in motion, be it dancing or kissing, I notice the people around us are all so much younger than me. Some are under the effects of drugs, and others are drunk. While this isn’t somewhere I’d be willing to hang every weekend, right now, it is the type of relief I need. She was spot on with that.

  “Are you thirsty? I think I’m headed toward dehydration.” She laughs. “Come on, let’s grab a beer.”

  “Yeah, my mouth is dry. That beer will go down in one clean shot.”

  Walking through the dense crowd, she keeps my hand around her waist as she pushes her way to the bar. “Hey, Joe. Long time, no see.” They kiss each other’s cheeks then hug across the bar.

  “Hey, Low. How’ve you been?”

  “Good, keeping busy. You?”

  “Working here and at a gym, too. It’s a lot but I got bills to pay.” He shrugs. “What can I get you and your friend?”

  “Joe, this is my boyfriend TJ. TJ, this is my old friend Joe.”

  “Nice meeting you.” We shake hands.

  “Can we get a couple of Heinekens? Thanks.”

  “Sure thing, and it’s on the house.” He slides the beers down the counter to us. “Your space is reserved upstairs. Have fun.”

  We take our beers and I follow her to the second floor, which I hadn’t noticed before. A large man guards the bottom of the stairs.

  Harlow smiles at him and steps closer, announcing loud enough for him to hear, “We’re on Joe’s list.”

  He lets us go without further questions. That was easy. Once we reach the second floor, I’m surprised to see how many different reserved zones there are. Another man approaches us. This time Harlow answers his question before it’s asked.

  “Joe’s section.”

  The gentleman escorts us to our reserved area. Leather couch, a good bottle of champagne, and a nice view of the dance floor await us. Not bad at all. This place is kinda great.

  “Thanks,” we say in unison.

  By now, I’ve downed half my beer and am already thinking of the second one. Resting on the couch, my legs are throbbing with exhaustion. About fucking time we take a break.

  “Come here.” I pat my thighs, welcoming Harlow to sit on them. She does and then her lips are back on mine. A beautiful sound comes out of her mouth—she’s giggling. We won’t be back on the dance floor anytime soon. “Do you do this often? Come here, I mean,” I ask between kisses.

  “Only when I need to release steam. It’s a good stress reliever. I dance the night away and am able to forget everything for a few hours.”

  “Yeah, I can see why you like it. We’re having a good time.”

  “How are you feeling about the whole thing?”

  “Too soon to tell.” What I’ve done is wrong, but going through the process had me focused like never before. It’ll take a few days for my head to clear.

  “Okay. Well, just so you know… I think Ramsey has something lined up for me.”

  I nod. “Let’s talk about that later.”

  Warm hands reach up to my face and I lose myself in another hot make-out session. Touching Harlow, feeling her, each time gets more difficult to maintain control and stop myself. We’re in public, so that should force me to stop. Except, it doesn’t.

  “Harlow, we have to get back on the dance floor or I’m not going to stop.”

  “Who said you should?” She smiles. “Come on, let’s go.”

  “I could do with another beer, though.”

  “Then let’s go see Joe.”

  We f
lag him down again and enjoy another round before hitting the dance scene again. The DJ knows how to throw the right amount of energy and suspense into his music. Every drop he creates sends the crowd wild. All arms are up in the air jamming to his beats. I feel it again, coming alive in me as the music infiltrates my veins.

  Harlow sports a huge grin the whole time and keeps screaming at the DJ. She’s making the most of our night, enjoying every second of it. On my side it’s a lot to take in, but I’m hanging in there.

  Hours later, we’re part of the stragglers closing down the club, and are exhausted and starving. We stop at a restaurant next to the bar and grab a couple of burgers, which we eat on the way home since we’re too famished to wait any longer. The taxi driver doesn’t seem to approve, but it doesn’t stop us.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever needed a shower more than I do right now. My skin is sticky. Pretty sure I smell, too.”

  “Yeah, you do. But it’s a good smell. You always smell nice.”

  With the back of her fingers, she brushes the side of my face, then pulls back while screwing up her face. “Oh, that’s nasty.”

  “What’s nasty?” I check the mirror, then touch my face where she touched me. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re sticky. Like double-sided tape.”

  “I hate you. When we get home, I’m going to shower and go to bed. Without you.”

  “I dare you.”

  Laughter starts bubbling out of me because I know what I’m going to say next is going to make her laugh even more. “I’ll lock my door.”

  Her responding laughter is so loud, the taxi driver jumps in his seat. “As if that would stop me. You’re ridiculous, sticky man.”

  “Oh, stop, I’m not that bad.” She cuddles into my side for the duration, until the driver gets us home.

  Once we’re home, I want to shower, but I want so many other things as well, and so does Harlow. The moment we step inside, she throws herself at me and gets rid of most of my clothes before I have time to take off my shoes.

  “Slow down, little tiger. We’ve got all night.”

  “It’s already morning, TJ,” she whispers. “Let’s get into the shower.”