The Billionaire's Package (Thirsty Thursday Book 1)

by Autumn, Kyle

  Don’t worry? The fuck? That’s not a normal response to my text message about not being able to wait to see her. What the fuck happened last night? Obviously something I’m not aware of. Because nothing about this makes any goddamn sense anymore. Absolutely nothing.

  By the time I hit the button to call her, she must have turned her phone off. The call goes straight to voicemail again. I think about contacting Blake again, but, one, he might still be at his “friend’s” house and, two, I already know what he’s going to say. She said she’d be there. I shouldn’t poke the bear when I have no reason not to believe her. She promised to be at the party, but maybe I should have made her promise to only be with me.

  When I close out of everything on my phone, I notice an e-mail from Blake. The board is livid about my name having been dragged through the mud last night. But they don’t need to be. I am livid enough for everyone. I tried to keep her and this whole situation under wraps. I must have missed when the media first announced our relationship. Or maybe they didn’t. That just goes to show how far removed I’ve been from everything this past week.

  Everything’s been about Shiree. And every part of me wants everything to be about Shiree from this day forward. I don’t care about what happened last night. Well, that’s a lie. It just better be some kind of misunderstanding. A photo taken out of context. And, if I ever meet that guy, I might lay him out flat. But her text this morning and her lack of contact last night tell me she’s stuck in that pretty little head of hers. I see a long talk in our future. And an even longer make-up session. The kind where she’s on her back and I’m between her thighs.

  Until then, I have to smooth things over with the board. Assure them that everything’s full steam ahead. Even if I’m not one hundred percent sure myself.

  This is going to be the longest day of my life. And my blood pressure may shoot through the roof and kill me before it’s over.

  ***

  Shiree

  This is the longest day of work in my life. Every delivery feels tedious and drawn out. And I don’t even have one for Chaz. I was kind of hoping I’d have that excuse to drop by, but his name wasn’t on my list. And I won’t very well make up a delivery just to see him. I’ll go home, get ready for the party, and then get this whole thing over with. I don’t need to deal with this nonsense anymore.

  When our shift finally ends at four, Lyra and I head out to her car and drive back to my place. She got everything she needs for the party tonight before we drove to work together this morning. So, as soon as we get to my house, we’ll get ready together.

  On the way, though, Lyra picks my brain.

  “So, what do you think will happen tonight?” she asks, looking out the windshield as she drives.

  I let out a big sigh. “I think I’ll put that dress on, play the doting-fiancée part, and then go back to my regular life.”

  “You really think this was all a big ruse, Shiree? I just don’t see that after everything you’ve told me.”

  I twist in my seat and stare at her. “Make up your mind, would you? I can’t keep going back and forth about this.”

  “I was playing devil’s advocate before,” she reasons. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, but I honestly don’t think he was playing games with you. You’re no fool, and I’ve never seen you the way you’ve been this last week.”

  After a moment of thought, I admit, “I don’t know. My gut wants to trust him, but my heart feels broken and my head’s confused. I have to protect myself and not get my hopes up right now. If, next week, he still wants to see me, then I’ll know.”

  She gives me a nervous side-eye look. “Protecting yourself is great and all, but that stops you from experiencing things as they happen.”

  I blink at her a couple of times as she pulls into my driveway. I know her history with men, one in particular, so that’s a huge thing for her to say.

  “When did you become all wise?” I ask her.

  She puts the car in park and says, “When the man of the hour happened to be on your front porch.” Then she gestures with her chin toward the door.

  I face the front of the car and find Mr. Charles Masters on my front porch. Just like Lyra said.

  As soon as I’m out of the car, I slam the door and start marching straight for him. “What are you doing here? I said I’d be there tonight,” I spit out.

  He raises his hands in surrender. “And I believed you, but I think we should talk about some stuff first.” Then he lowers his hands, choosing to cross them over his chest. “Like maybe why you were dancing with some fuckhead when you were supposed to be out with your friends. When you were supposed to be loyal to me.” He points a finger at his chest.

  My jaw falls open. “How about we go inside before you insult me more than you already have. I don’t need my neighbors to hear the scene you’re making over nothing.” I rush to the door and unlock it, Lyra hot on my heels.

  “Nothing? You think finding a story online about this with a photo of you and that fuckhead is nothing?” he presses as he enters my home behind us. “My job is at stake here, Miss James. Or have you forgotten what tonight’s really about?”

  At that, I whirl around and let him have it. “How could I have possibly forgotten, Mr. Masters?” I shout. “Blake sure as hell didn’t let me forget when he told me how you really feel yesterday!”

  Lyra closes the door.

  “Blake did what?” he asks, appearing genuinely confused.

  I’m about to scream even louder when Lyra cuts in.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” she exclaims, her arms up, separating me and Chaz. “Let’s take it down a notch here.”

  When she quiets, all I can hear is my blood rushing around in my head. And my deep breaths as my chest rapidly rises and falls from the anger coursing through my body. But I try to relax as I watch Chaz do the same. He adjusts his stance to something less threatening, something more let’s-calm-down.

  “Let me start over,” he says. “I didn’t think you’d come out swinging when, as far as I know, I’m not the one who did anything wrong here.”

  Lyra gives him a little glare.

  “What exactly do you think I did wrong though?” I tick the night’s actions off on my fingers. “Yeah, I went out with my friends, had a few drinks, and let a guy put his hands on my hips while I danced.” Then I put my hands on my hips. “I didn’t know that was so wrong after Blake told me the truth!”

  Lyra now swings her glare at me, so I close my mouth. Then she looks back at Chaz.

  Chaz throws his arms out to his sides. “What truth did Blake supposedly tell you?”

  Here comes Lyra’s gaze toward me.

  “Oh,” I say, folding my arms over my chest, “just that, you know, all you’re interested in is a fake fiancée to save your precious position at your job.”

  Lyra continues bouncing her gaze between the two of us like she’s watching a tennis match.

  Chaz tosses his arms in the air. “And you believed him without talking to me?”

  Now, my arms are out at my sides. “Yes! He’s your ‘right-hand man.’ I didn’t think I had a reason not to believe him.”

  “That’s preposterous.” He takes a step closer to me. “He knows exactly how I feel about you, and what he said to you isn’t at all how I feel.”

  “How was I supposed to know?” I ask, stepping closer to him too. “He told me that you should be focused on your job, not another woman who’s trying to trap you like Shannon, whoever the fuck she is.”

  “Trap me?” he exclaims, taking another step in my direction. “Shiree, that’s the last thing I think you’re doing. If anyone’s trapping anyone, it’s me.”

  “That’s what I told him!” I practically shout, inching nearer.

  Lyra only has to move her eyes at this point. Her head stays perfectly still. But I’m barely aware of her. I realize I’m crying only when Chaz closes the space between us and palms my cheeks. He swipes my tears with his thumbs before landing his lips
on mine.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers against my mouth. “I tried to call you last night, and I even came over, but you weren’t home. I thought you were with that other guy, and I saw red. No one else touches you. Ever. Only me.”

  “I wanted to call you last night,” I say around sniffles, “but I was so mad about what Blake said. I was confused and upset, and I didn’t know what was right. So I shut everything down and spent the night with Lyra, Patti, and Zo. Nothing happened with that guy. It was a minute tops of dancing. And I had no idea anyone was taking photos that would be posted online.”

  “I’ve tried to shelter you from that,” he explains, “but that’s my life in this city. Once we’re out as a real couple, people might try to take photos of us more often. Are you okay with that?”

  I look him right in the eyes and mean every word as I say, “As long as everything I thought two days ago is real, I don’t care. But that has to be real.”

  “It is,” he insists, the truth shining in his gaze. “I swear it is.”

  “I don’t know what to believe,” I whisper, on the verge of tears again.

  He takes a deep breath. Then his eyes go wide. “Blake told you about Shannon, you said?”

  “He just mentioned her name.”

  Smoothing his hands down my shoulders and my arms, he says, “She and I were together a few years ago. I fell hard for her, and I thought she had for me, but she really just wanted my money. She put on a good show for a long time, and I fell for that too. Right up until she insisted we get married. When everyone told me to be smart and get a prenup, I pressed for one, but that wasn’t part of her plan. That’s when her true colors came out and I found out what she really wanted.” He takes my hands in his. “My heart was broken, so I sought solace in nonattachment. It worked.” He pauses and squeezes my hands. “Until I met you.”

  ***

  Chaz

  To our side, Lyra, who was almost forgotten about, lets a happy sigh go. When we both look at her, she covers her mouth. “Oops. Sorry.” She grins.

  Shiree faces me again. “I’m not sure what you’re saying though.”

  I take a deep breath to prepare myself to lay it all out there. “I’m saying that I knew in my heart not to trust her. If I had, I wouldn’t have asked about the prenup. But things are different with you—when our communication is solid. Not when we’re shutting each other out and making snap decisions based on what other people said.”

  Speaking of which, I’m going to hand Blake his ass when I see him later. Yeah, he was trying to protect me and the company, but that was a shitty way to go about it. And to not tell me? He’s in for a rude awakening.

  “And, if I can trust you,” I continue, “then I hope you can trust me. We both have our hearts to lose, but I also have my job on the line, of which I so rudely reminded you before.”

  We both laugh a little at that.

  “You’re right.” She nods, but then she schools her features into something more serious. “But I’ll feel more secure in this when we’re past the party. Once the whole reason we got together in the first place is over, I’ll know for sure you still want this.”

  At that, I shake my head. “That’s the thing though. About trust. Mine isn’t conditional.” Cupping her cheeks again, I lean close to her face and say, “Even if you do want me for my money, you can have it. At this point, I’m nothing at all if I don’t have you by my side and in my bed.”

  Her eyes widen as they fill with fresh tears. “Me? Even though we’re from two different worlds?”

  “But we have so much more in common than you think.” I close the space between us and take her mouth in a passionate, love-filled kiss. Right before I tell her exactly how I feel. “I love you, Shiree James.” My lips stroke hers with every word. “Even though we’re from two different worlds.”

  Her smile brushes against mine before she says, “I love you too, Chaz Masters.” She giggles. “Even though you’re a caveman.”

  Lyra reminds us of her presence with another dreamy sigh. This time, she even wipes a tear.

  Then Shiree’s smile fades. “But I’m scared.”

  I fill my lungs with air, hoping against hope that my next words don’t freak her out. “Then let’s do something crazy. Want to do something crazy with me?” I wait for her nod of approval, which I receive. Then I dig my phone out of my pocket and make two phone calls.

  One is to Jay, requesting his services, which is simple enough. The other is to Blake. But I make that simple too.

  “First of all, fuck you,” I tell him. “Second, we’ll both be at the party, but we’re gonna be late.”

  Chapter 18

  Shiree

  Tap, tap, tap comes from the microphone. Then someone says, “May I have your attention? It’s finally time to announce the arrival of the couple of the evening! Everyone, please welcome Mr. Charles Masters and Miss Shiree James!”

  That’s our cue to open the door, but I look at Chaz for one more assurance that my hair doesn’t look like we just fucked in the back seat of his town car. Because we did. And no one else needs to know that.

  “You look perfect. My grandmother’s diamonds look brilliant on you. And I fucking love this dress,” he tells me as the doors open. “But,” he whispers near my ear, “I’m gonna love it even more when it’s on the floor tonight.” Then he kisses me on the cheek and ushers me into the massive ballroom filled with thunderous applause and every person the board of his company invited: other CEOs of successful companies, customers of the business, and even the mayor.

  While clutching my necklace, I spot Lyra, Patti, and Zo. Unfortunately, I spot Blake too. Sitting right next to them. And two open spots at the table for us. Right next to him. Oh joy. But nothing can get me down right now. I’m on the highest of highs, so I put Blake out of my mind. I’ll deal with him later. We will deal with him together.

  Chaz bypasses their table and heads straight for the microphone. He smiles and raises his free hand, the one not attached to mine, in the air, signaling the crowd to quiet down. Which they eventually do. Then he aims a toe-curling smile at me before addressing the room.

  “Thank you, everyone. Shiree and I appreciate your presence at our party this evening.” He holds his right hand out for me to join him.

  I melt inside, my stomach going all fluttery, as I take his hand and stand next to him.

  He slides his free hand in his pocket and curls his other around my waist to tuck me into his side. “As some—or most—of you may know, I don’t have a sound history of relationships. My personal life over the past few years has had its challenges. Ups and downs, but mostly downs.”

  Someone in the crowd shouts, “A lot of going down!” and everyone chuckles.

  Including Chaz. “Yeah, yeah.” He waves them off, grinning.

  I find it entirely inappropriate considering the setting, but a smile gets the best of me anyway.

  “But,” Chaz continues, looking out over the audience, “while I didn’t mind the personal setbacks, the nonattachment, and the lack of anything permanent, the company I built from the ground up started to suffer from it. And that was not my intention. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, and I can see now how my behavior negatively affected the business. So I thank the incredible board of directors for their astute observations and their willingness to do what it takes to steer the ship back on course.”

  The crowd applauds as he gestures a hand toward the table with the board members. They smile and tip their heads in acknowledgement. Then the clapping dies down and Chaz speaks again.

  “But I’ll be transparent here. This whole engagement party was their idea. They wanted to show the world that I’m a changed man. A family man ready to settle down and make a life the company would be proud of.”

  Everyone’s still smiling—until he says his next words.

  “Even though I didn’t have a fiancée when they scheduled the party.”

  The whole room goes quiet and still. People look around at
each other like they might have misheard Chaz. But they definitely didn’t.

  “In fact, I didn’t even have a girlfriend.”

  If it was quiet before, it’s utterly silent now.

  I turn my head toward my man. He looks powerful but vulnerable in his honesty. He speaks so well, and he’s a clear leader. But he’s about to put all of our cards on the table. There’s something so sexy about him telling our story to this crowd of people who can make or break his career. I’m so very proud to be the one at his side right now. As he takes a deep breath and drops a bomb.

  “But, now, I’m honored and delighted to call this beautiful, stunning, and strong woman next to me my wife.”

  Utter silence erupts into utter chaos as everyone in the audience gasps and starts talking over one another. Some whisper, but some actually shout. Most are surprised, though it’s mixed between good surprised and not-so-good surprised. The former is from older women and most of the men, while the latter comes from the eligible bachelorettes. Not Blake though. He doesn’t look surprised, so Chaz must have let him know.

  I can’t help the pure joy that vibrates from me, though, from being the one he chose. There are some seriously gorgeous women here, but Chaz married me.

  As the crowd quiets down, Chaz squeezes me closer to him and gives me a gorgeous smile. I grin back, hoping that it will give him some more confidence to drop the last bomb of the evening. When the noise level has lowered, he turns back to the audience, and I snuggle deeper into his side.

  “That’s not the only major announcement I need to make tonight though,” he says. “This past week and a half has taught me a lot about life—my life specifically. I have a lot more learning to do too, and I’d like to do that with my new bride. Not while being stuck behind a desk, running a company I’m not as passionate about any longer. So I’m also announcing that I’m stepping down as CEO effective immediately. And I’d like Blake Cornwell to step into the role.” He gestures a hand toward Blake.