Eric: A Clean Billionaire Romance

by Benjamin, Christina

  Charlotte is busy of course, constantly out on shoots. To say I’m envious is an understatement.

  “I just wanted to check in and make sure you were hanging in there,” Chloe says breezily. “The office is closed today so I’m stuck at home trying to entertain myself. Honestly, this conversation is more for me than for you.”

  “Oh no, poor Chloe stuck in a beautiful penthouse with a view!”

  She laughs and I can tell she’s rolling her eyes. Then, from under the door, I suddenly hear my name whispered in soft utterance though I can’t tell exactly who’s speaking.

  “I can’t talk now, Clo. I’ll call you back,” I whisper-hiss, hanging up before my she can argue.

  Carefully, I tiptoe over to the bathroom door and press my ear against it.

  “Did you do what I asked, Hanson?” the voice purrs. “Does Morgan know she’s out?”

  I realize it’s Charlotte speaking and my bones go cold. Why is she talking to Hanson about me?

  “I really don’t know if this is the best idea,” he answers quietly. “She’s beautiful and clients love her personality. I’ve been giving you her jobs like you want, but she gets requested a lot. Even with you and the other girls picking up her calls there’s too many to keep turning away her jobs.”

  Turning away my jobs?

  “We both know she doesn’t have what it takes. She’s holding us back. Besides, there’s only room for one top model here. With me as your anchor your agency could be so much more. Just cut her out of the picture and you and I will own this city!”

  Unable to help myself, I force open the bathroom door and stumble out rather gracelessly to find Charlotte and Hanson whispering farther down the hall. Charlotte is pressed against him, batting her eyelashes and clinging to his shirt.

  Charlotte gasps in shock when she notices me.

  Hanson’s face goes bone white. “Morgan, whatever you heard—”

  “I’ve heard enough to realize you’re a snake, Hanson. I trusted you. I can’t believe you would turn away my jobs and make me believe that I wasn’t talented! I refuse to be treated like this!”

  “Morgan—”

  “No! We’re done, Hanson. I’m out. I’d rather go out on my own than have anything to do with an agency like yours. And you better believe I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you can’t do this to anyone else.”

  Charlotte grins broadly. I know I’ve just given her what she wants by quitting, but I don’t care. There’s no way I can continue working in an atmosphere like this. All I want is to kick her right in her pretty, porcelain teeth, but I plaster on my best smile and glare down the bridge of my nose. “And you, Charlotte, you just wait until he turns on you. It’ll happen. Mark my words. A newer, prettier girl will come along, and he’ll do exactly what he did to me. It’s called karma, look it up.”

  I flick my hair over my shoulder then storm deliberately toward the door. Behind me, both Charlotte and Hanson are left gaping.

  Even though I just quit the only agency I’ve ever had, I suddenly feel full of hope. Without them holding me back I’m more ready to face the day than ever before. By the time the bright afternoon sun hits my shoulders, however, I realize the extent of what I’ve just done.

  Not only am I without an agent in one of the most cutthroat modeling industries in the world, but Hanson could easily blacklist me from other agencies and clients for speaking to him the way I had. Sure, he was in the wrong, but it’s his word against mine. By walking out of there so dramatically, I might have just sent my dreams crashing down even faster than they were before.

  Though how could I stay?

  He’d admitted that he was basically trying to smother my career before it even took off.

  What was I going to do? Give up and go to Kansas? Start passing out my headshots in Times Square?

  I feel numb as I stumble up the stairs of my apartment and strip out of my tight shirt and jeans to replace it with a sweatshirt and yoga pants. As tears well in my eyes, I remove my makeup and try to wash away my worries, but I can’t. I’m still sobbing when I hear the front door swing open.

  “Morgan!” Stacy calls, her head popping in through the bathroom door. “What are you doing home so early?”

  I turn, throwing my arms around her shoulders and holding on tight. She jumps in surprise but then squeezes me back and strokes my hair until I manage to stop crying.

  “I quit!” I wail, overwhelmed by the choice I’ve made and the effects it may have on my future. “I found out Hanson was turning down my bookings so I just walked out!”

  “That’s great!” she says, always one to try and turn a negative into a positive. “Now you’ll be free to pursue your dreams on your own, right?”

  “No! Now it means I’m never going to get another offer once Hanson tells every potential client in the state how obnoxious and difficult I am or whatever other lies he spins to badmouth me.”

  Stacy pulls back, her warm palms on my shoulders. While I sniffle, she smiles at me gently. “You are obnoxious and difficult,” she teases, though her comment only makes more tears well in my eyes. “But that’s what everyone loves about you!” Stacy adds with a soft laugh and another hug.

  “What am I going to do?” I moan.

  “You’re going to come with me,” she says firmly, cutting me off before I can start lamenting about moving to Kansas again.

  Not hesitating another moment, Stacy grabs my hand and hauls me outside to hail a cab. I’m too busy moping to even pay attention to where we’re going until we roll up in front of a gorgeous apartment building. Stacy pulls me by a doorman straight to an elevator with crystal buttons and sleek black doors. My tears are starting to dry as I take in the luxurious surroundings.

  When the doors glide open, Chloe is standing in front of us with a wide smile. She doesn’t comment on my sweatshirt or tear-streaked face, too excited to see both of us at her new home.

  “Welcome!” she cries, wrapping us both in a hug and dragging us through a waiting door at the end of a long hall.

  “I can’t believe you live here,” Stacy says in awe.

  “Me either,” Chloe admits.

  “Donovan has good taste,” I add, admiring the space.

  The suite is gorgeous, decorated in elegant whites with pops of bright color to accentuate the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows pour beautiful light through the home and warm the floorboards as we walk. It’s a modern-day castle, and Chloe is the lovely queen.

  We collapse together on a sleek white couch. I curl up into a ball as Stacy fills Chloe in on my dismal career move. Chloe’s silent for a moment, tapping away on her phone. After a second, she passes me her phone, a number already dialed on the screen.

  “Whose number is this?” I ask suspiciously, half expecting her to tell me to start making business calls.

  “Donovan gave me the number of the concierge downstairs. Our top priority today is pampering you. It’s all on Donovan. He said to order the most expensive, decadent, outrageous things we can imagine.” Chloe squeezes my hand. “I just want to take your mind off all this stress and remind you why you came to New York, the city where dreams come true.”

  To be honest, she’s right. Lately, I’ve lost sight of why I moved here. I felt so worn down from the pressure of failing to achieve my dreams that I forgot how they started.

  Sighing, I take the phone from Chloe mouthing a silent thank you.

  How did I get so lucky to have these girls in my life?

  I rattle off a list of menu items, my stomach already growling at the prospect of real food. I’ve been depriving myself of everything delicious for far too long. I suppose there’s no reason for that anymore. Even if I decide to continue to model, it’s going to be on my terms. No more starving myself to fit someone else’s idea of beautiful.

  In less than thirty minutes, Chloe’s apartment is covered in plates of decadent food—lobster and chocolate covered strawberries and elegant mini cheesecakes. There are so many thin
gs here that I hadn't eaten in years trying to keep up a perfect figure, but today I don’t care Today I help myself to anything I want.

  “I can’t believe this is your life, Chloe,” I say softly. I don’t know how many hours have passed, but the food and wine have begun to dwindle. “You’re so lucky.”

  Chloe sidles over to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders. I can see a Chloe pep talk coming from a mile away. Stacy looks on, sucking the last bit of cheesecake off her fork.

  “The reason I have all this now is because I refused to give up. I knew it was a long shot to get a job at Dunn Advertising, but I went for it anyway. I was willing to do anything to make that dream come true and eventually it did. It didn't happen overnight, Morgan. It took time and perseverance.”

  “But I’ve put in so much time and perseverance already,” I mutter.

  “Then you’re nearly there,” Stacy adds with a kind smile. “Please don’t give up on your dreams, Morgan. You’re beautiful and you’re going to be a success whether Hanson throws roadblocks in your way or not. This is what you’re meant to do. A face like yours is rare, and even more so is your heart. You work hard and you’re a good person. Keep that gorgeous nose to the grindstone and it will pay off.”

  “A year ago, I never would’ve imagined I’d be sitting here with you two girls in my boyfriend’s penthouse. But here I am!” Chloe sighs with another gentle squeeze of my shoulders. “Who knows where you’ll be tomorrow? Just have a little faith, Morgan. And know that Stacy and I are here for you. We’ll support you for as long as you need.”

  Tears well my eyes as my friends speak and I have to swipe the back of my hand hard against my cheek to stop from breaking down into a full-blow ugly cry. Their love is so clear that it makes my heart want to sing.

  They’re right. I don’t really want to go home to Kansas. I can’t give up yet.

  If modeling is what I want, then it’s what I’ll do. Tomorrow, I’ll start the hunt for a new agency, or perhaps I’ll freelance for a while, or maybe I’ll reevaluate my portfolio. There are avenues I haven’t explored yet, ones that Hanson won't be able to touch. And even if he does badmouth me, I’ll just be so damn good at my job that clients won’t have a choice but to hire me.

  But today I’m just going to be grateful for my friends and I’m going to take my very full belly back home for a well-deserved nap.

  “Thanks, girls,” I say, squeezing them tight. “I needed this. But I think it’s time I head home. I need to rest up so that I can start fresh tomorrow. It’s gonna be a long road, but you’re right, I’m not ready to give up.”

  “You really mean it?” Chloe whispers enthusiastically. “You’re going to stay?”

  I nod, laughing when the girls squeal in delight. I can’t imagine being without them. Plus, who knows, if I stay in the city maybe someday my mysterious rockstar and I will cross paths again. Even with everything I’ve been going through, he remains at the back of my mind, creeping in every time I try to sleep or distract myself from my failing career.

  “I’ll go with you,” Stacy offers. “I have some materials I have to put together for tutoring tomorrow.”

  We walk together to the elevator doors, still chatting softly about Chloe and Donovan and how happy we are for them. Stacy reaches toward the gleaming elevator button, but before she can press it, the doors swing open on their own.

  “Excuse me,” a deep male voice says making me go still.

  Familiar dark eyes lock on mine. My hand flies to my chest, my heart already thundering against my ribs. “It’s you!” I gasp.

  Chapter 19

  Eric

  There she is! My angel, looking even more beautiful than I remembered in a faded gray hoodie and yoga pants hugging those legs that won’t quit.

  “It’s you!” she gasps.

  For a moment I’m positive that I’m back in that hospital having another vivid hallucination about my dream girl, because what in the world would she be doing at Donovan’s apartment?

  But then she moves, her blonde hair catching the shimmering sunlight off the windows nearby, making it gleam like spun gold.

  This is no dream.

  I feel drunk even though I haven’t had a drop of booze. But I don’t know how else to explain the euphoric feeling that’s just settled over me. I came here to apologize to Donovan for the mistakes I’d made and tell him how much I want to change, but instead, I found the woman of my dreams waiting for me.

  I knew instantly it was her. It’s not like I could ever forget that face. There are some things that just stick permanently in your mind. That embarrassing thing you said in front of your fourth-grade class. The first time you truly felt proud of yourself. When you got locked out of your apartment in nothing but your boxers right after high school graduation. And the face of the first woman you go crashing head over heels for.

  I’ve been seeing that face in my dreams since the day we met. How many times did my mind wander back to that night, wishing with all my heart that I hadn’t let her slip away?

  This is fate, pure and simple.

  It’s been weeks since our tryst but somehow it felt like mere seconds and an eternity all at once.

  Before I can help it, I’m moving toward her as fast as my legs will carry me. We may only be a few feet apart, but any amount of space is too much when it comes to this woman. I don’t care how lame this makes me, or that I won’t leave her wanting more like Donovan always says I should, but I’m throwing myself at her one hundred percent.

  Nothing matters but feeling her in my arms one more time. Her eyes are shining like sapphires and her lips are curved into the most beautiful, radiant smile that I’ve ever seen. She looks just as ecstatic as I am about our reunion.

  Could she have been searching for me too?

  Our bodies collide with passionate force. She leaps into my arms. Her messy bun unravels, letting her hair tumble around me. The other women and the apartment beyond them disappear, just like it did the first time I laid eyes on the angel in front of me. I don’t feel the floor under my feet, nor do I hear the elevator whirring behind me.

  All that I see is her.

  And now that I have her in my arms, I don’t plan on ever letting go.

  Chapter 20

  Morgan

  My heart is pounding so hard that I don’t hear the confused gasps of Stacy or Chloe behind me. The sound of my heart against my ribs drowns out everything, even my own thoughts.

  He’s here!

  How is this happening?

  I can barely comprehend the fact that after finally coming to grips with never seeing him again, my rockstar has magically appeared right in front of me. Not only that, but he’s excited to see me. So much so that he’s just swept me off my feet.

  Why would he be this enthusiastic after he totally ghosted me?

  His chest is heaving as he crushes me to him, his dark-as-night eyes scouring mine with fiery intensity. Even though I have a thousand questions, the moment I’m in his embrace they all disappear.

  He looks down at me, his arms just as powerful as I recall. My own arms loop around his neck, my fingers running through his silky hair. He has a bandage on his hand but he seems to have forgotten it.

  Slowly, he slides me down his chest so that my toes touch the floor, but our arms remain locked tight around one another. I want to ask him why he didn’t call but I can’t get the humiliating words out. My lips are desperate to kiss him again, but I’m also eager for answers. The last thing I need is to make a fool out of myself after finally finding the courage I need to restart my career from scratch.

  I study his handsome face. He looks so overjoyed that it can’t possibly be an act. His expression is of pure delight, not just the face of someone who’s excited about the potential of another hookup.

  My entire face feels hot, like I’ve flushed to a thousand degrees. I’m sure my cheeks are bright crimson. I suddenly remember my horrible outfit and start to get embarrassed, but he’s looking at me li
ke he’s dying of thirst and I’m the only oasis for days.

  Has anyone else ever looked at me this way?

  If they have, I’ve never cared. Not like this.

  He looks like he wants to devour me, and I want to let him.

  “Please,” he begs, “tell me your name.”

  Confusion settles over me. “My name? But I left you a note with my name and number.”

  “The note got ruined before I could read it,” he answers in that gruff voice that makes my body shiver. “You have no idea how much time I’ve spent looking for you. I kept going back to that bar just hoping to catch sight of you again.”

  “That’s all I’ve wanted too,” I answer, unable to suppress my emotions.

  How long had I fantasized about this moment?

  About kissing his lips once more, holding him, feeling him, stripping every inch of clothing off his strong, muscled body . . . I stretch onto my tiptoes as his palms graze my back, feeling the dimples of my spine beneath my thick hoodie. His hands wander me, reacquainting with the curves of my body.

  His lower lip is pinched beneath his top teeth, a soft growl rumbling from his throat. He cups my cheek before his fingers slide behind my neck and weave through my hair, his powerful arms pulling me harder against his chest, so hard that not even a small breath of air would be able to part us.

  Before I can beg for a kiss, his mouth descends on mine. His lips possess me as he lifts me back into his arms, my legs twining around his hips. We cling to each other desperately, our tongues dancing with renewed passion. Heat pulses through my body, making the hall wobble dangerously back and forth. My legs would have gone to jelly had he not been holding me so firmly against him. My hair falls in a sheet around our heads, blanketing us from the prying eyes of my completely stunned friends.

  Eventually I’ll explain this to them, but for now I can’t be bothered to tear myself away. I want to soak up every second of this man. I’d almost convinced myself that I’d dreamt him up after I left the show that evening and never heard from him. But here he is, as delicious and passionate as ever.