Freedom (Billionaire Secrets Series, #2)

by Lexy Timms

  “Please be careful.” She sounded panicked. Out of breath.

  The best way to be careful was to lose the photographer, but Simon didn’t say anything. He kept his eyes on the road and maneuvered through traffic. Dropping Heather off at her place was out of the question. If the photographer followed them that far she’d never be rid of the guy. Her son was home, and Simon knew how much Finn’s safety meant to her. Their only option was to lay low at his apartment. Security was tight enough there that they didn’t have to worry about a photographer getting in.

  Jaw clenching, he looked in the rearview mirror. “Hold on,” he told her before he veered off onto a side street.

  BY THE TIME THEY MADE it to his apartment, Simon was certain they’d lost the photographer.

  Heather sank into the sofa in the living room, her eyes glassy. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “I’m going to call Linda,” he said.

  She shook her head. “No, don’t. I’ll call her. I’m responsible for this mess. I kissed you and then we got caught.”

  “I didn’t try to stop you,” he pointed out. “And the truth is, I kissed you first. When we were dancing. I probably shouldn’t have asked you to dance in the first place.” That song playing had been the start of the trouble. It had made him all nostalgic. Which had led him to recklessness and a loss of self-control. Always inevitable when Heather was part of the equation.

  He wished he could say he didn’t know why he’d kissed her forehead, but he couldn’t. Heather considered their prom night together to be important enough to keep it between them. Something private that they’d only share with each other. Prom night was just as special to her as it was to him. That had made him wonder if maybe she still had feelings for him.

  She had abruptly ended things between them over a month ago, but there had never been any closure. No explanation. He had guessed a million reasons why she didn’t want to pursue a relationship with him, but none of that really mattered if at the end of the day he couldn’t have her.

  “Let me call her,” she said firmly.

  If she was determined to face Linda, then the least he could do was make her feel at home. “I’ll get you a drink while you call her,” he said.

  Simon crossed the open-concept room and walked into the kitchen. Alcohol. That’s what they needed. After getting into a car chase with an overzealous photographer, he wouldn’t be calm until he got some liquor into his system.

  He headed back into the living room just as Heather hung up the phone.

  “How is she?” He set a glass of vodka in front of her and took a seat beside her.

  “Well, Linda yelled at me.” Heather sighed. “But she calmed down long enough to ask if we were okay. Then she said she’s going to do everything to kill the story. I doubt she’ll be able to do it, but she did also promise to try to give the board the runaround over the weekend while she figured out how to fix this.” She buried her face in her hands and let out a groan. “She said something about trying to remember the past and then arguing that the picture was photoshopped from high school. I doubt that’s going to work.” She sighed. “Why does the press or anyone care so much about this?”

  “You’ll have to stay here for the night,” he said gently, not sure how to answer. Probably the last thing she wanted to hear under the circumstances, but he wasn’t about to let her go home now.

  “Oh.” She lowered her hands. “I don’t want to get in your way.”

  “I own the whole building,” he reminded her. “If you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in this apartment there are at least twenty other furnished apartments to choose from.”

  A soft chuckle escaped her, and her gaze landed on the glass of vodka in front of her. “Sometimes I still think of you like you’re the same person from ten years ago, but then I’m reminded of how ludicrously wealthy you’ve gotten since we then.” She reached for the glass and downed its contents in the blink of an eye. “I needed that.”

  He swirled the scotch in his glass. “Would you like another?”

  “No, thanks,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “One is more than enough for me.”

  “I’ve got some takeout in the fridge if you’re hungry,” he offered.

  “Thanks.” She gave him a shaky smile. “We have really screwed things up, haven’t we?”

  “This is why I don’t let people in,” he said after a moment. “After Neil screwed us over tonight, it’s easy to remember why I choose to be alone. When you keep people at a distance, you don’t get stabbed in the back and used to make a quick buck.”

  That came out harsher than he’d intended, but his old classmate Neil turning out to be two-faced was a reminder of why he rarely let people into his life. He trusted no one. Because after things began to change for him in high school all anyone cared about was getting whatever they could out of him. At first that had been attention and popularity. But after he struck it rich, fame and money had been the goal of so many unscrupulous people.

  It was why he didn’t do relationships. And why the only woman he had ever been interested in for any length of time was Heather. She had always been the only person who didn’t want a piece of him. That was why he was so captivated by her. So enthralled with her. She was everything he had ever wanted, and everything he could never have. It wasn’t just that she had ended things between them. It was that now, with tonight’s disaster, Dover was in so much jeopardy that if they were ever caught alone in the same room together they’d be ripped apart for the good of the company.

  Which was why being alone with her now was such a risk, even if he was trying to guarantee her safety.

  “Do you want to turn in for the night?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No. You can go ahead and get some rest, but I’m too jumpy to sleep right now.”

  “I’m not tired,” he said. “I was trying to be a good host.”

  “Well, you’re doing a good job.” Heather smiled. “How about another tour of the place? I never did get to see the indoor pool.”

  STEAM ROSE UP FROM the placid blue water to caress her skin. They were standing side by side at the edge of the heated swimming pool in the basement of his apartment building. The pool was enormous, ripples of blue light bending and reflecting on the walls and the ceiling. It felt like she was standing underwater with Simon and her heart started fluttering.

  “Do you come down here a lot?” she asked.

  “All the time,” he said. “Swimming helps me to think. Doing laps in the quiet really clears my head. I get my best ideas down here.”

  She smiled. That much hadn’t changed since they were kids. Simon would always have his flashes of genius when he tuned out the world. “I don’t think I’ve ever swum in a heated pool.”

  “It’s a shame you don’t have a bathing suit,” he said. “Maybe next time.”

  “Do you really think I’ll be able to visit you here after today?” She swallowed hard. “Linda can try to help us all she wants but the board is going to do whatever it takes to separate us, thanks to my screw up. You suggested I move to another department and I refused. Now, we’ll be lucky if I get to work at Dover at all.”

  He looked down at her, his piercing blue eyes as hypnotic as the water of the swimming pool. “Don’t say that.” Simon reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m going to make sure you have a job after this, Heather.”

  “I’ll need one,” she said. “I can’t fight Gary without a lawyer. And they don’t come cheap.”

  “Let me pay for the lawyer,” he said.

  “No,” she said sharply, her voice echoing off the walls. “I won’t take any more of your money. The last time I did, you ended up in this mess. I refuse to put you through that again.”

  “But I have the money to help you—”

  “I’m going to get in the pool,” she said, cutting him off. Now was the time to change the subject. She didn’t want to argue about money. Not here. Not now.

  He r
aised an eyebrow. “You’ll ruin your dress.”

  “Then I’ll take it off.” She slipped her hand out of his and kicked off her shoes.

  “Heather.” Simon took a step towards her and ran his hands down the length of her hair before he cupped her face between his hands. “What happened tonight at the reunion... I don’t regret that kiss.”

  She took his hands from her face. “Then help me out of this dress.” The words rolled easily off her tongue, but inside she was a bundle of nerves. Seducing him always gave her momentary pause. What if Simon finally saw that she was just dull and drab? That he was a man way out of her league?

  In silent response, he reached behind her and slowly unzipped her dress. As the sinfully red fabric slid down her body, his eyes locked on hers. There was that old, familiar heat smoldering in them. With just one look Simon was already devouring her.

  She was down to a strapless bra and lacy panties, her skin flushed with heat. Her insecurity started to slip away as the heat of his gaze made her face flush. His desire was so blatant. So obvious. She had no idea how he managed to hide it at work, because right now she could see the lust that had been building inside him. The same lust that she had carried with her for weeks.

  When her dress hit the floor, she stepped out of it and lifted her hands up to his shoulders. “Now, it’s my turn.” She slid his jacket off, eager to get him out of his clothes.

  He leaned forward to gently nibble on her bottom lip and the sweet ache made the place between her thighs throb with need. Her breath hitched as he pulled her closer, crushing her against his hard body.

  As his tongue stormed into her mouth she let out a muffled moan. Putting her hands between them she quickly started to undo the buttons of his shirt, their tongues colliding in a desperate dance.

  With trembling hands, she unbuttoned the last button, and he tore his lips away to toss his shirt aside. He unbuckled his belt and his shoes and pants were next to go, until he was stripped down to his black boxer briefs, hanging low on his hips.

  She had to bite her lip to keep from moaning at the sight of him. Those chiseled abs were making it hard to think clearly. No wonder his body looked so good. He swam all the time, which kept him in excellent shape.

  “Want to get in?” he asked.

  “You first,” she said breathlessly. She didn’t want to let on, but she’d give anything to watch him get into the swimming pool.

  Thankfully, he obliged without further questions and got into the pool, the water glistening on the muscles of his toned body. The view of his incredible body was making her lightheaded.

  The steam wafting across the pool was so inviting that she slipped into the water after him, the delicious warmth enveloping her.

  She sighed, enjoying the moment. There was so much chaos outside these walls but being here with him relaxed her. Tension that had been building for so long began to fade away.

  Simon reached for her hands and pulled her close, her body gliding through the water until she was close enough to lay her palms on his chest and look into his eyes.

  “Why did you close the door on us?” he demanded.

  This wasn’t what she wanted to discuss. All she wanted to do was hold off the inevitable. Hold off the fights and the goodbyes that she knew in her heart were in store for them.

  “Let’s just enjoy the moment,” she breathed.

  “No. Not until I get an answer from you,” he said. “I’ve been in hell these past few weeks.”

  Guilt wracked her. She had never given him an explanation, because talking about ending things would be like reopening a wound. They hadn’t even talked about their first breakup all those years ago. When she had closed the door on them weeks ago she had known it must have been a surprise for Simon. But she hadn’t anticipated that he would be in this much pain over it.

  “I never meant to hurt you,” she finally said, her lower lip trembling. “None of this was supposed to happen.”

  “But it has happened,” he said. “There’s something between us. Pretending otherwise hasn’t worked. Especially not tonight.”

  “Maybe we shouldn’t have gone to the reunion until we talked things out,” she said. “The reason I kept my distance and moved on so quickly, was so I didn’t cause any more pain for either of us. Staying professional was working.”

  “Not for long.” His jaw clenched. “We tried things your way and I can’t keep my hands off you. And I don’t want to.”

  “I don’t want you to either,” she said softly.

  “So why?” he demanded. “Why did you end things without an explanation?”

  She took a deep breath and let out a long exhale. “I ended things because I have to focus on my family now. Getting a divorce was a mutual agreement, but I don’t think Gary has been taking things well.”

  “He tried to punish you for moving on from him.” Simon scowled. “That isn’t fair to you.”

  “Fair or not, it’s what I have to deal with right now,” she said. “But, as hard as the divorce was on me and Gary, it’s been hardest on Finn. Gary took Finn away from me.” Slowly, she set her forehead against his and closed her eyes. “I wouldn’t have gotten Finn back without your help and I’ll never forget what you did for me, Simon. I’ll be grateful to you for the rest of my life.”

  “I can be there for you,” he said. “Let me protect you.”

  “You can protect me, but you can’t protect my son,” she said. “Protecting Finn is my job, not yours. If you and I get into a relationship, Gary will hold it against me. Which means he’ll take it out on Finn.” She opened her eyes. “Maybe years from now, when Gary has gotten over it, we could try again, but right now I can’t lose my son. I won’t.”

  Agony lanced through her heart and she pulled back, lowering her eyes so he wouldn’t see the tears start to roll down her cheeks. Saying goodbye to Simon a second time had been the hardest thing she had ever done. But if this raw ache was the price she had to pay to protect her son, she would pay it. Every day for the rest of her life if she had to.

  “Look at me, Heather,” he ordered.

  Reluctantly, she did as he told her, facing him with all the sadness she had bottled up now spilling over. With gentle strokes, he brushed his thumb across her cheeks, wiping her tears away.

  “You deserve to be happy,” he said forcefully. “Gary never made you happy. I saw how he talked to you. No man should ever speak to you like that. Ever.”

  Wanting to get even closer to him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and their bodies met, a sudden tangle of limbs. Her legs wrapping around his waist, his arms wrapping around her body, holding her fast.

  His mouth took hers in a kiss so demanding she arched her back, pulling him to her. She didn’t know how he had the strength to do it, but with his tongue still swirling into her mouth he gripped her ass and walked up the steps out of the pool, her legs still wrapped around him.

  Somehow, they managed to get into the elevator and stumbled into his apartment, barely stopping to breathe as the kiss went on until he slammed the front door shut.

  Water was sliding down her skin, but she didn’t care. She was warm and tingly all over. Tonight might have been a disaster, but it couldn’t end until she got into his bed.

  “I’ve never seen your bedroom,” she said, her voice low and husky.

  He took her hand and tugged, leading her into the one room in the entire building she hadn’t seen yet.

  His huge bedroom was luxuriously furnished, with a navy-blue background, black leather furniture, and a chrome finish, but it wasn’t ostentatious.

  Her eyes widened when they fell on the king-sized bed. Heart racing, she focused her attention on him, hoping she didn’t look as shy as part of her felt. This was the most private place in Simon’s life and he was letting her get a glimpse of it. Hell, he was about to do more than simply let her see it.

  “We should get under the blankets, so you don’t get cold,” he said.

  “Smooth,” she
said. “That’s a very clever way to get a girl into bed.”

  He gave her a lopsided grin. “Is it working?”

  “Like a charm.”

  Simon pulled the comforter back and motioned for her to get under the soft fabric.

  Wordlessly, she got onto the bed, slid under the covers, and let out a satisfied sigh. This was like floating on a cloud. Pure heaven.

  He climbed into bed beside her, then wrapped his strong arms around her. “We can go as fast or slow as you want,” he said against her ear. “We don’t even have to do anything. I’ll hold you all night long if that’s what you like.”

  “I thought you were trying to get me into bed, Simon,” she said with a soft laugh.

  “Oh, I am,” he said, eyes flashing with need. “But tonight, like every night we’ve spent together, is about you and what you want.”

  That practically stole her breath away. She didn’t say anything as she reached behind her to unhook her bra and then quickly tugged off her panties. With the comforter covering her she didn’t feel nearly as self-conscious as she might have after so many weeks keeping him at arm’s length.

  “I want you,” she said softly.

  He leaned forward to press a kiss against her lips and a delightful heat inched across her skin. Simon broke the kiss to take off his boxer briefs and reach for a condom from the nightstand by the bed.

  She watched him pull back the covers so that he could sheath himself. Suddenly, she was wet with an arousal so intense she practically ached for him to touch her. To do anything to her that would give her the release she craved. Licking her lips, she said, “I’ve wanted this for so long—”

  “I’ve wanted you, too,” he murmured. “You’re all I’ve been able to think about. And now, all I want to do is make you feel good.”

  Heather lay down on the bed, her head pressing down on the soft pillow underneath. Wantonly, she spread her legs. They had spent so long trying to avoid even a hint of impropriety and now they were about to destroy that. In this moment, she didn’t care. Didn’t care how much the outside world had judged them or wanted to keep them apart.