“Izzy, get back to your seat. It’s dinner time. You can pack your things when you have finished what’s on your plate.”
The firm tone of her voice caught me off guard, but Izzy listened to her right away and sat back down in her seat. She didn’t seem upset by the rule that was set for her either. Instead, she simply started to eat her dinner quickly so she could go do what she wanted. It was a small peek into what it would someday be like to be a parent. Setting rules and enforcing them wasn’t something I was prepared to do at this point in my fake marriage to Devin, though.
After dinner, Devin and I sat on the couch while Mrs. Edwards helped Izzy pack a small backpack with her things. It all felt so grown up as we walked back out to the car and loaded in to head back to the hotel. I was no longer just pretending to be Devin’s wife, but I was also pretending to be a step-mom. The lie was starting to give me an upset stomach. Lying to a grownup was something I was alright with, but lying to Izzy wasn’t sitting well with me.
“Should we stop at the mall so you can get an outfit?” Devin asked as we got on the interstate.
As much as I didn’t want to spend any of Devin’s money, I hadn’t gotten my paycheck before I left Chicago, and I did need something to sleep in and something to wear the next day.
“Sure,” I answered.
“I’ll give you my credit card, and you can run in and grab what you need. Will that work?”
“Um, no. I don’t want your credit card,” I protested.
Devin looked at me and then clearly looked back at Izzy as if to tell me not to protest his offer in front of his daughter. I had no choice, so I agreed.
“Okay, sorry,” I said.
It only took me about twenty minutes to run into the mall and get back to the car. I grabbed a casual pair of jeans, some leggings, and a T-shirt. I figured I could mix and match them as needed to get through the evening. I purposely did not get a swimsuit though because I wanted Devin and Izzy to get some time alone in the pool.
“Here you go,” I said as I handed him back the card. “I spent thirty-three dollars and eighty-five cents.”
I handed Devin the receipt for what I had purchased, and he laughed at me and then crumpled it up and threw it into the back seat. This made Izzy laugh as it ended up landing right next to her.
“You don’t need to give me your receipt.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted you to know how much I spent so you could balance your checkbook.”
Devin continued to laugh, and I wasn’t sure what was so funny.
“I don’t balance a checkbook.”
“Then how do you know how much is in your account?” I asked.
It was a genuine question I had. Even if he had a lot of money, I thought everyone balanced a checkbook either on paper or digitally. Obviously, I was young and didn’t know that much about finances, but I knew what it was like to have a bounced check on my bank account, and I didn’t want something like that to happen to Devin because of the money I spent.
Before pulling out of the parking lot, Devin pulled his phone out and pressed his finger onto the home button. The phone unlocked, and he opened his banking app.
“I’m not worried about how much is in there.” He laughed and handed me the phone once he had his banking app open.
The number on the screen took a good twenty seconds for me to register. I counted the zeros and then counted them again. Devin had $87.017.760 in his checking account. The number was beyond anything I had ever seen on a digital bank account app. My personal account had never reached more than $400 at any one time.
“Oh,” I managed to say as he took his phone back and put it in his pocket.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be cocky. Was that cocky? Sorry.”
“Ha, well I think that was a little cocky, but I’ll let it slide.”
“What does cocky mean?” Izzy asked from the back seat.
Devin and I both widened our eyes in the realization that we certainly weren’t paying attention to what we were saying.
“It means someone is full of them self or bragging too much,” I said.
“Oh, what does full of yourself mean?” Izzy asked.
I pointed to Devin to take this question. I wasn’t about to figure out how to explain that funny little phrase.
“Um, it means someone who is cocky.” Devin laughed and so did Izzy. “Basically, I shouldn’t have shown Lilli my phone.”
“Lilli, are you coming swimming with us?” Izzy asked as she quickly changed the subject.
“I’m not. I’m really tired, so I was going to take a shower and then go to bed. Is that alright? I also don’t have a swimsuit. I forgot to bring mine with us.”
“That’s fine. Dad, will you throw me up in the air while we are in the pool?”
“Sure honey,” Devin said, and Izzy finally went silent for a few minutes as we drove the rest of the way back toward downtown and our hotel.
When we arrived back at the hotel, Devin and Izzy quickly changed into their swimsuits and made their way to the rooftop pool. I was exhausted and didn’t even bother showering as I slipped into my new leggings and T-shirt and climbed into the bed. I moved all the way over to one side of the bed and closed my eyes.
It was very tiring trying to be something I wasn’t. Everything I did, or said, was replayed in my mind as I tried to get to sleep. Had Mrs. Edwards believed the lie we were portraying? Did Izzy believe us? Did Izzy even understand what being married was or that Devin and I were saying we were married?
There were so many questions that I didn’t think I was going to be able to fall asleep at all. I tossed and turned for a while, but about thirty minutes after crawling into bed, I finally drifted off to sleep.
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Why He WANTS It
An Alpha Billionaire Romance
COMPLETE BOX SET
Sarah Brooks
Copyright © 2015 by Sarah Brooks
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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Chapter 1
“I can’t go any faster Bella.”
“Well we have two hot guys waiting to dance with us, so I think you should try.”
“I’m going. I’m going. Why don’t you go say hi to your Dad upstairs or something? I’ll work faster on my own. I’ll come up when I’m done.”
“Alright. But 15 minutes, tops!”
“Ok.”
Elizabeth Cleveland, or Liz, was always working and her best friend Isabella Wellington was never working. It was the one thing the two of them always could count on. Luckily Isabella, Bella, was so busy with her socialite life that she hardly noticed how much Liz actually worked.
Liz finished up her work in the filing room of the WellBright Law Firm, and then headed up the elevator to the top floor. She hated going up to the boss’s floor and only did so when Bella was there. Bella’s father, Harrison Wellington was a partner in one of the largest law firms in New York City. Although, Bella and Liz had been friends for two years, Liz still did not feel comfortable around her father. There was something about that man that made her knees weak.
Harrison Wellington was one of the youngest partners of a successful law firm in all of New York City. He became partner at only thirty-two years old. For the past seven years he had lived and breathed his business. But he always made time for Isabella when she wanted to see him. He was intimidating to Liz, not just because he was her boss. Harrison was insanely handsome. Liz found it
hard to even look him in the eyes because he intimidated her so much.
As the elevator ascended to the top floor of the building, Liz could feel her heart rate quickening. There was just something about this man that made it hard for her to breath. She stepped off of the elevator and sat in the reception area.
“Ms. Cleveland. You can go inside. Ms. Wellington is in there.” The impeccably dressed blonde secretary said.
“No thank you.” Liz was perfectly fine sitting in the lobby and waiting for Bella.
The secretary picked up the phone, but Liz could not hear what she was saying.
Suddenly Bella came bursting out of the large mahogany door.
“Come say hi to my father Liz.” She says with so much excitement that Liz couldn’t bear to say no. In fact, most of the time when Liz was around Bella she found it hard to say no to her.
Bella was three years younger than Liz, but so much better with all the social aspects of life. Which she should be, Bella spent her entire life socializing with people and Liz spent it trying to survive.
“Elizabeth, how do you like working here?” Harrison asked as Liz walked into his office.
“It’s good. Thanks again for the job.” Liz briefly looked up and smiled at him.
She thought a short glance at him would be safe. But instantly she felt the red hot heat start to fill her cheeks. His deep blue eyes just penetrated to her soul, it was impossible not to feel the electricity shoot through her body. Liz was sure this was not a mutual feeling. She was just a school girl with a crush.
“Well that’s good. Bella says you are living with your boyfriend off campus now? No more dorms for you?”
“I couldn’t afford it. It’s cheaper off campus.”
“Yes. I bet it is. See Bella, this is what a responsible young woman does, pays attention to the costs of things.” Harrison jokingly nudged his daughter.
“Oh Dad. I couldn’t work as hard as Liz. I think I would actually die.”
“Yes, I think you would.” Harrison winked at Liz when he said this.
“Ok well Liz should we head out?”
“Yes.” Liz said, so relieved to be able to leave this office.
“You girls be safe tonight. I’m heading to Boston for a week, but if you need anything I’m just a call away Isabella.”
“I know Dad. We will be safe. Don’t worry, I’m with responsible Elizabeth.” Bella hugged her father and Liz made a straight line for the elevator. It was amazing after knowing Bella for two years now Liz still felt weak in the knees around her father.
It wasn’t like Harrison was a fatherly looking guy though. At thirty-nine years old, he was still very young. He was tall, probably close to six feet two inches. His dark brown hair always impeccably styled with just the right amount of length so you could see the natural waves. His chiseled jaw line and deep blue eyes made him the dream guy that thousands of girls wished they could take to bed.
Liz wasn’t interested in taking him to bed; he really was out of her league. Not to mention he was her best friend’s father. But Liz couldn’t deny that he was the guy she had always dreamed about. Not just for his looks either. He was a great father to Bella, despite getting a divorce a few years earlier. Harrison was very involved in Bella’s life and always there for his little girl.
As the elevator doors closed Liz finally breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at her reflection in the shiny elevator doors and can see the bright red blush of her cheeks. It always happened when she was around Bella’s Dad.
“Geesh Liz, why are you so mean to my father all the time?” Bella jokingly says.
“I’m not mean!”
“I’m kidding. But you never want to be around him. He’s a nice guy.”
“Bella, he’s my boss now. It’s just a little weird.”
“Whatever…I’m texting Matt and Wade to meet us at Roxy.”
“Yes, I could use a night of drinking and dancing. But one of these days your Dad’s going to find out you have a fake ID and kill you.”
“Oh Liz, I’ve got him so wrapped around my finger.” Bella smiled a sly grin. Liz knew what she said was true. Although Liz was twenty-two and legally could get into the dance club, Bella was only nineteen and would have to use her fake ID. It made Liz more nervous than Bella though, she didn’t seem to have a care in the world. Well, she really didn’t have to worry about much in this world. Not like Liz had to.
Chapter 2
The Roxy was busy as usual. It was Friday and everyone was out and ready to dance all night long. Bella and Liz arrived and were let in very quickly by Marco the bouncer. Bella had tipped him $500 once to let them in and ever since then he just opens the rope when they arrive. Bella gives him what looks to be another $100 as the girls walk past hundreds of people in the line.
“Now that’s how you get into a club.” Bella flashes her infectious smile. Liz knows she is right. Bella has probably been tipping people longer than Liz could even imagine. That was just the way things were in New York. The tippers and the people taking the tips.
Liz knew she was one of the people taking the tips, at least most of the time. But someday soon she’d have her marketing degree and get a sweet job that paid great. Anything would be better than working all day as a file clerk and nights as a waitress; plus trying to go to school.
“Oh Shit.” Liz said as they came to their usual table. There was Wade and Matt and two other girls. The girls were obviously flirting with the guys. Wade was being a gentleman and was a decent two feet away from the girl on his side of the table. But Matt was not so much of a gentleman. His arm was wrapped around the blonde bimbo’s waist.
Bella noticed too and stopped dead in her tracks.
“Geeze Liz, he’s a jerk. When are you going to cut him loose?”
“Bella, you know I can’t afford to pay for my tuition and an apartment. He’s my only option right now. He’s not so bad. He just likes to flirt.”
“Whatever! You so deserve better than him.”
“Let’s just go dance. I don’t even want to deal with him right now.”
“I’ve got to say hi to Wade Liz. I’ll break up Matt’s little love fest.”
Liz walked behind as Bella marched right up to Matt and the girl he was talking to. She put her arm around the girl and whispered something in her ear. The girl, took off so fast, she was gone by the time Liz got to the table.
“Bella, you didn’t have to be rude.” Matt said.
“I wasn’t rude you jerk. I offered to eat her pussy till she begged me to stop.”
“Oooh fuck yeah! That’s my girl.” Wade said as he grabbed Bella and the two of them started to make out.
Liz couldn’t help but laugh. Bella was a wild woman. Much crazier than Liz was, well at least from the stories Bella had told her. Liz was shy. She definitely was not the type that would say something like that to anyone or do something like that with another girl.
“Enjoying yourself?” Liz said as she stood next to Matt.
“Come on babe. She came over to me. I couldn’t be rude.”
Liz wanted to say so much more to Matt, but she couldn’t afford an argument or losing her place to stay right now. She was only one semester away from graduation. It had taken her five years of working and slaving away to get this far. She wasn’t about to let this stupid jerk get in her way of her dreams.
He really wasn’t that bad. She would just have to tough it out for a few more months. She could do it. Liz knew the only other option would be to drop out of school and that wasn’t really an option. She had worked for five years to get this degree.
“Fine. Let’s just go dance.” Liz grudgingly offered a truce.
“Right on babe.” Matt eagerly grabbed Liz and pulled her close by putting his hand on the back of her neck. She tried to pull away at first, but finally gave in. No use being mad at him if she couldn’t really be mad.
Matt never really stopped at just a kiss though.
Soon his other hand was sliding up her skirt. Liz tried to pull away but he held her close to him. Matt slowly moved his lips to her neck and down toward her breasts. He didn’t care that they were in a club full of people. By this time he was already pretty drunk and obviously horny. Liz knew that fighting him off was a mute point so she tried a different approach.
“Babe. I want to dance. Let’s go dance.” She whispered in his ear.
Matt either didn’t hear her over the club music, or didn’t care. He kept moving his hand up her thigh and soon he was pulling her underwear off to the side.
Liz looked over to Bella to see if she was watching, but Bella was too busy making out with Wade.
“Babe. Not here. We are in the middle of the club. Let’s go dance.” Liz tried again.
Matt again ignored her. Instead, kissing her hard so she would stop talking. Then he let his middle finger slide inside of her.
Liz arched back and let out a primal moan. As much as she didn’t want to do this here, in the middle of the club. It was still exciting. Her body was reacting to Matt and she couldn’t stop herself.
As his finger moved inside her, Liz looked around nervously. But no one in the club was paying attention to her and Matt. She again tried to push him away, but it felt so good.
His thumb moved to her clit and started rubbing. Liz couldn’t stop herself now, it felt so good. Matt slid a second finger inside her. Now Liz was done for. Her body was getting wet and she could feel the rumbles of an orgasm building.
“Matt, god. Matt.” Liz mumbled as his fingers moved faster and harder.
“You like that, don’t you babe.” Matt said with pride.
“Yes.”
Matt thrust his fingers in and started wiggling them around. His thumb pressing hard against Liz’s clit. She couldn’t resist any longer. Liz put her hand on the table for balance as she started to cum. Slowly the wave of ecstasy swept through her body and her legs got weak.
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