BWWM: Bad Boy Billionaires Box Set (A Bad Boy BWWM Billionaire Collection)

by Jameson, Jasmine

  “Here you do it.” I mumbled. Eric called himself from my cell and he saved my number in his phone before saving his number in my contacts.

  “I just put my number in your phone.. Call me if there is an emergency. And by the way I’m not asking you, I’m telling you. Alcohol poisoning can be pretty serious. Don’t let your ego get in the way of your health.” He pursed his lips at me and handed me my phone. “Okay I’m leaving for real this time. Goodbye Giavanna. Enjoy the rest of your birthday.” Eric’s voice was solemn.

  “Bye Eric” I whimpered as he turned and walked away. I waited until a few moments after I heard my apartment door close before peeling off my dress, throwing my panties in the sink and climbing into the shower. I leaned against the shower wall for balance. I barely had any energy but I bathed, washed my hair and brushed my teeth quickly. I wrapped myself in a towel, tossed my toothbrush in the trash and put Amber’s dress in the sink with my panties. I was so embarrassed I didn’t even want to tell Amber what happened but I had to because I had no idea how to launder her two thousand dollar dress. I hoped it was salvageable. I knew Eric’s shoes weren’t. I cringed as I had flashbacks of tonight’s events. I deeply regretted being coherent enough to remember everything. I grabbed a bucket and placed it on the side of my bed. I was too tired to find pajamas so I crawled under the sheets in just my towel. As soon as my head hit the pillow I blacked out into a dreamless sleep.

  ***

  When I opened my eyes for a few moments I didn’t know where I was. My head was pounding and my stomach was queasy. I blinked rapidly to clear my thoughts. I groaned as I propped myself up on my elbows and looked at the clock. It was noon. Why did I sleep so late? I looked down. Why am I naked? Did I…? No. Oh Eric Gadouas took me home and I cried all night and kicked him out.” I cringed as I remembered last night’s train wreck. Day two of being a twenty three year old woman and I woke up naked and humiliated with a bucket next to my bed. Great. My self deprecating thoughts were interrupted when I remembered that I had to be on the set of Extra at four this afternoon. I only had a few hours to get my act together. I went to the kitchen and made myself some lavender tea. It soothed my frazzled nerves and my uneasy stomach.

  I spent a couple of hours nursing myself back to health with tea, water, ibuprofen and quiet music. I got dressed and sat down at my computer to prepare for tonight’s interview. I was distracted by thoughts of Eric so I decided to Google his name. Lots of breathtaking images and a few articles populated on the screen. One of the headlines read “Hollywood Heartthrob Eric Gadouas Engaged to America’s Sweetheart Chastity Donovan.” Engaged!? What!? Chastity Donovan was the daughter of Richard Donovan one of the most prominent television producers in the industry. Chastity was average looking at best and her acting skills left something to be desired but she was a big name television actress because her father created all of the most popular shows. And I’m sure it didn’t hurt that she was rail thin and blonde. I clutched my chest in shock as I read the article. I felt sick with disappointment but I masochistically searched for more information. I went back to my search results and found an article that read “Gadouas & Donovan Engagement is a Sham.” The article went on to say that the engagement was staged for publicity reasons and that they both see other people. My stomach churned from the new information. I was broken hearted that Eric may be taken but I was relieved that we didn’t do anything. I scrolled through my search results and found another that read. “Donovan Denies Her Engagement Was Staged.” My face was hot with emotion. He seemed to be so concerned about me last night even at my worse. There was no way he wasn’t into me. Hmm.. maybe he faked his interest in me. After all, he is an actor, ugh. Thinking about Eric made me feel sick. I decided to put him out of my head so that I could focus on my big television appearance. I efficiently prepared for my interview, grabbed my purse and headed out the door as I involuntarily wrestled with my thoughts.

  ***

  My interview with the Full Moon cast was a success. We had great on air chemistry. I couldn’t wait until I got to do interviews like that full time. When I got home it was late. I wanted to go straight to bed but I had several missed calls. I saw Amber had left me multiple messages. I had a voicemail from my agent. And there was a missed call from Eric! I wondered if he had left a message. Part of me wanted to hear his voice again and part of me wanted nothing to do with him. I immediately called Amber back without checking her messages. I was too distraught to call her last night and I knew she must be worried. She picked up the phone on the first ring.

  “Gia, are you okay?” Amber sounded frantic.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m so sorry I didn’t call. Last night got kind of hectic and I was out all day today.”

  “What happened to you? You said you were sick?”

  “Yeah, it was a nightmare I don’t really want to talk about it.”

  “Aww, well I hope you feel better.”

  “Thanks. I’m getting there.”

  “So, did anything happen with Eric last night?” Amber sounded like a gossipy school girl.

  “No nothing happened with Eric aside from me getting drunk and embarrassing myself. I hope I never have to face him again.”

  “You couldn’t possibly have embarrassed yourself that bad. He seemed really into you.”

  “Oh well, it’s water under the bridge now. I think he’s engaged anyway.”

  “Engaged? Really? To whom?”

  “Chastity Donovan, Richard Donovan’s daughter.”

  “Oh yeah!.” I heard the light bulb go off inside Amber’s head. “I vaguely remember hearing something about that a long time ago. I swear I heard they broke it off though. I’m not sure. I don’t really keep up with people outside of the music industry.”

  “ I don’t know why I even care to figure it out but if you hear anything about them let me know okay?”

  “You know I’ve got you. I’ll do a little digging and get back to you.”

  “Thanks Amber. Sometimes I swear you should be the journalist and not me.”

  “Oh I’m no journalist, that’s all you. I’m just a big gossip.” Amber laughed at herself.

  “Speaking of gossip, please don’t tell anyone about me getting sick or about Eric taking me home.”

  “As always your secrets are safe with me.”

  “Good. I keep trying not to think about Eric but I am so crazy about him there are actually no words in the English language to describe the overwhelming chemistry between us. Perhaps, I should learn French so I can actually articulate the intensity of my feelings for him.” I sighed. Amber and I giggled together.

  “It seems like the feelings are mutual Gia. I could tell he was pulling out all the stops to get you to like him. And I haven’t seen you smile the way you smiled at him in forever. I really hope things somehow work out between you.”

  “ It would only work out in my dreams, Amber. I don’t want to get mixed up in his on again off again mess with Chastity and I don’t know if I can look him in the eye after last night.”

  “You should at least call him and thank him for getting you home last night if you have his number.”

  “Yeah, I have it. But as much as it pains me I think I’m going to let this one go.”

  “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. You always do.”

  “Thank you Amber. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” I could sense Amber’s smile even though I couldn’t see her. I couldn’t bear to tell her about her dress. It could wait until tomorrow.

  “Aww, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy.” I giggled. “I think that’s a sign that it’s time for me to get ready for bed.”

  “Yeah, me too. I have to be in the studio early to record tomorrow.”

  “Ooooh exciting. Good luck!”

  “Thanks, have a goodnight girl.”

  “You too.” I hung up with Amber and went to bed without checking my other messages.

  I woke up bright a
nd early and full of energy. I had a lot of stories to write today and I was excited to get them done. I put on some hard rock music while I bounced around my apartment getting dressed. I think I’d finally recovered from the mortifying events of my birthday. I checked my phone before I sat down to my computer to write. There were still voicemails that I hadn’t check from last night. One message was from my agent asking me if I would be interested in auditioning for an entertainment correspondent position for a major network. I was bouncing out of my seat with excitement. I immediately called back to get more information. My agent’s assistant informed me that they may be interested in doing a screen test with me but they wouldn’t have any more details for awhile. I let her know I was very interested and I told her to keep me posted. Yes! This could be my big break!

  The other voicemail was from Eric. Oh my gawd! I can’t believe he actually called me after I acted like a drunken basket case in front of him. My heart fluttered when I heard his sexy voice and his irresistible French accent. He said he was calling to see if I was feeling better and he said his offer to take me out for French Cuisine was still on the table. I was so giddy my knees felt weak and I had to sit down. My mind was racing with a million thoughts. I sighed as I mentally reminded myself that my focus was on taking my career to the next level. I realized that Eric would probably just be a big distraction. My heart sank as I remembered that he was probably engaged anyway. Even though I couldn’t stop thinking about him all day I decided not to call him back. It was a good decision. I actually got so much work done that it put me ahead of schedule. I would actually be able to take a few days off this month. Score!

  ***

  Over a week had passed since my birthday and I was settling into my next year of life quite well. I hadn’t had any television appearances since my spot on Extra but I had broken several stories in print. Eric had texted me a few times since leaving me that voicemail that I’d ignored. He seemed sincerely worried that I hadn’t responded. He thought something had happened to me so I finally gave in and texted him back to let him know that I was okay. I skirted around accepting or declining his invitation for dinner. Even though I had only spent time with him briefly I missed him with every fiber of my being. When we met the chemical reaction I had in my brain made me feel like I was high on a one of a kind designer love potion. I so desperately wanted to feel that rush of exhilaration, titillation and intoxication once again. I was going through a painful withdrawal. I could almost feel my longing for Eric pulsing through my veins. Every time he reached out to me it made it worse. As much as I wanted to see him again the thought of having to face him horrified me. He held me in his arms while I was covered in my own waste. I didn’t think I would ever be able to look him in the eye again. And even though I was a journalist I didn’t think I had it in me to confront him and dig up the truth about him and Chastity. It was never a life goal to be a home-wrecker so I decided the best option was to just ignore him and hope that my feelings faded with time.

  I was driving home from a late afternoon on the beach with Amber when I heard my phone vibrate. I hoped it was my agent with information about the television audition. I reached over to the passenger seat and used one hand to rifle through my purse and one hand to steer my Mistubishi Eclipse. I couldn’t find my phone even though I could hear it vibrating. I glanced over so I could look in my bag. When I looked up a motorcyclist in front of me made a sudden stop. My heart raced as I slammed on my breaks. My seat belt tightened to prevent me from flying through the windshield. Unfortunately, my purse was not restrained in the passenger seat. I heard all of the contents of my bag dumping onto the floor of my car. My phone was too far away for me to reach and I was still a half an hour away from home. I was really shaken up from almost hitting the biker and I was even more anxious from not being able to check my phone to see who called. I was shaking as I switched lanes to get away from the motorcyclist. I drove slowly and kept my eyes on the road all the way home.

  I pulled in front of my apartment, parked on the street and raced inside to check my phone. It was dead. I plugged it into the charger and glanced at the clock as I waited for it to charge. It was past 5:30pm so if the call was from my agent I probably would miss her today and would have to wait until tomorrow to talk to her if my phone didn’t charge within the next ten minutes. Gah! After what felt like an eternity but was actually only five minutes my phone actually had enough power to turn on. I tapped my phone to check the missed call. Eric Gadouas My heart fluttered as I simultaneously processed that I still hadn’t heard from my agent about my audition and Eric had actually called me. My entire body trembled from the stress of missing the call on the ride home and trying to figure out if I should call Eric back. I impulsively decided to call him back without checking to see if he left a message. His voice was about the only thing that could calm me in this moment.

  “So you’ve finally learned that I am not a man to be ignored.” Eric picked up the call on the second ring. I was shocked by how much his cockiness turned me on. I was suddenly pleased with my decision to return his call.

  “Well hello to you too.” I paused as I stifled a smile and put on my most assertive tone. “ I just had a very rough commute home so unless you want me to continue ignoring you I suggest you go easy on me.”

  “Why should I? You haven’t gone easy on me. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for over week. Now that I finally get you to talk to me, you’re giving me attitude. You’re lucky I like you.”

  My heart skipped a beat at the sound of Eric’s voice saying he liked me even though he said it playfully. “Well just how lucky am I? Do you really like me or are you just playing the game?”

  “I don’t know what I have to do or say to get you to see that I’m not one for games. As I’ve told you before women come to me so I’ve never had to use any kind of trickery in going after them. You’re one of the few women I’ve ever pursued in my life. I have no desire to chase after someone who doesn’t want me. It’s not my thing. But the reason I’m so persistent with you is because I know you’re craving me. You don’t have to say it. I could feel it when we first met. And I continued to sense it even though you’ve been running away for me for whatever reason. Let’s cut the chase Giavanna. Let me take you out.”

  I exhaled as I was left speechless by Eric’s assertiveness. I couldn’t believe he was still attracted to me after my drunken birthday fiasco. I’d never been swept off my feet like this before. I wanted to hang up the phone and run into his arms. But there was a possibility he was a taken man so I did my best to stifle my desires. “Alright, Eric since you are such a direct get to the point kind of man, let’s get to it. Are you engaged?”

  Eric didn’t miss a beat. “That depends, am I speaking with Giavanna the journalist or Giavanna the woman I’m courting?”

  “Don’t try and spin this Eric are you engaged or are you not?”

  Eric was silent for a moment. “No, I’m not engaged. I’m supposed to report to the media that I’m engaged for the sake of my and Chastity Donovan’s career. But in reality I’m a single man. Chastity and I are barely even friends. We dated for awhile briefly but once we started having to put on a show for the media everything went downhill. Her father and both my and Chastity’s publicists want us to keep up the charade. There is even talk of having us star in a movie together.”

  “So I’ve read.”

  “I think the movie would be a success but sometimes I don’t know if it’s worth living a staged life. Chastity doesn’t mind the act because it is helping both of our careers. And she has a boyfriend that she has somehow kept under the media radar probably with the help of her father.”

  “Oooh scandalous.” I mumbled under my breath

  “But I on the other hand have no one. The Donovans are so worried that if I start dating it won’t be discreet enough and it will get out to the media and ruin the storyline our publicists cooked up. There have already been leaks to the tabloids about the engagement being fake. We�
�re trying to keep it together until after my movie premiere, Chastity’s new television pilot and the movie that we may co star in. It’s all been quite stressful for me but enough about it. I don’t want to dump all my problems on you.”

  “Oh, that sounds complicated.” I uttered as I tried to regroup after having so much information thrust upon me. I felt so much compassion for Eric’s situation even though I probably shouldn’t have. “I’m sorry you are going through this but I must ask. But I’m curious how did you allow yourself to get into such a messed up situation?” I prodded

  “You’re right it is complicated and it is messed up. When I moved here from overseas to try and launch my career as an actor all I could get is little bit roles as a foreign exchange student. But one day when I was out for coffee I met Richard Donovan. I thought it was my lucky day. We started chatting and he said he saw potential in me and he took me under his wing. He introduced me to lots of important people including his daughter. All at once my career took off and Chastity and I started dating. Mr. Donovan was so pleased when Chastity and I had gotten together because he really wanted to marry her off. He’s said on more than one occasion that he hand selected me for her.”

  “Interesting.” I mused. I was strangely intrigued by this Hollywood cluster fuck.

  “ He pushed us to get engaged because we looked good together and the media loved our relationship. The problem is we were always incompatible in every since of the word so we made an agreement that we would never actually get married and we’d only pretend to be engaged for the media. In our arrangement she is permitted to date by I am not.” Eric paused. “ It’s been killing me more than I care to admit. I never knew how trying it was to go without human affection for so long until I got into this situation. When danced at The Hotspot it was the first time I had been so close to a woman I was attracted to in a long time. It felt like heaven. Even we if we never go out again I’ll never forget it.”