Billionaires Next Door : A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by J. P. Comeau

  “I just can’t think of a single good reason why she’s doing this. I’m not a bad guy.”

  Danielle let out an audible sigh. “Of course you’re not, Richard. You’re a wonderful man who deserves to see his daughter. The only thing I can think of is retaliation over the breakup. You mentioned that she wanted you to change, right?”

  I nodded. “Yes, and I’m glad that I never did change for that woman.”

  “I am too,” my attorney replied. “Check the pictures, breathe deeply, and know we are going to work all of this out. Okay?”

  “Will do,” I said. “And thank you.”

  “You are more than welcome. We’ll talk soon.”

  After we hung up the phone, I ran my fingers through my hair and closed my eyes. One way or another, I was going to see my daughter.

  Then the phone rang again, and it was Annie.

  What a pleasant surprise.

  10

  _____

  RICHARD

  I got out of the shower and wrapped a large, grey bath towel around my waist. It was almost time to pick up Annie for our date. We hadn’t agreed on an actual destination, so I decided to surprise her by taking her to a local Italian restaurant. Something told me that a health nut like her would enjoy a night of indulgence, whether it be their award-winning lasagna or their delectable Tiramisu.

  As I cleaned up the facial hair, I kept thinking about my daughter. Danielle said that she’d be sending pictures over to me, but so far, I hadn’t received any. Hell, I didn’t even know my daughter’s name. I saw my face grow red with anger in the mirror, so I exhaled deeply to try and calm myself down.

  I was about to go on a date with Annie, and there was no point in wasting energy by being angry with Heather.

  After I was satisfied with my reflection in the mirror, I walked into my bedroom and heard my phone go off. I nearly broke my neck racing over to get it, stubbing my toe on the edge of my bed. I quickly regained my composure and checked my incoming text messages.

  I had one from Danielle. “Meet your daughter, Addison!”

  I sat down on my side of the bed, forgetting the fact that I was still partially wet and stared at her picture. Holding back the tears, I ran my thumb over the screen - Addison was the spitting image of me.

  There was a picture of me at about the same age on the mantel at my parents’ house. Our facial features were so similar, especially our eyes. Her bone structure, and even her thick hair resembled me so much that I wanted to tell Danielle to forget about the DNA test. It would just be a waste of time.

  There was no doubt in my mind that I was her father. But I knew better than to suggest it because Danielle had already told me that would be a mistake.

  Just then, another text came in, and this time it was from Annie. “I can’t wait to see you!”

  Her excitement made me smile. If it weren’t for our upcoming date, I knew that I’d just spend the entire evening at home, staring at Addison’s picture while cursing Heather for keeping her from me. Even at that moment, as I thought about the past several years that I missed with my child, I found myself getting angry again.

  After replying to Annie, I put my phone back on the dresser and finished getting ready. I had wanted to go out with her ever since the night we slept together, and it was finally happening. I would only be letting Heather win if I spent our first date being upset. Plus, I kept thinking about what Danielle had said. There was no point in being so angry.

  One way or another, though, I’d find a way to see my daughter. When I finally did get to meet Addison, I didn’t want her first impression of me to be one of an angry man. I wanted her to see a kind, generous person who loved her very much and was eager to get to know her.

  That was an even bigger reason to let go of all that resentment.

  I decided on a black Armani suit that I paired with a red Oxford shirt underneath. After getting dressed, I remembered to put on some Black Polo cologne. The look on Annie’s face when she smelled it was so erotic.

  I made a mental note to always wear it around her.

  As I went through a few work emails before leaving to pick Annie up, I thought about telling Annie about the whole Heather situation. Just lay it all out there for her. After all, Annie and I had been friends for quite some time. We weren’t just two people who had drunken sex. We were going on an actual date to get to know each other better on an intimate level.

  We had a history together.

  I decided not to tell Annie about it until I knew more, though. As of that moment, I wasn’t sure what would come of the situation. Despite what Danielle had told me, I might be ordered to pay a large lump sum to Heather for some sort of trumped-up damages and still be forbidden from seeing Addison. I’d heard and read about such things happening. In which case, there’d be no reason to tell Annie at all.

  There were just far too many complications. Being a single guy was one thing, but being one with a child was another ballgame all together -- especially under the circumstances. Anna might suspect I had known about Addison all along but never admitted it to anyone, making me one hell of a jerk.

  I pulled up to her place right at eight o’clock, and she quickly came outside, looking as stunning as ever. Annie was wearing a red wrap dress that tied at the side, sheer black stockings, and a pair of black heels. It was quite different from her usual look, which was a bit on the hippy side with lots of loose blouses and casual pants.

  “Good evening, Richard,” she said after getting into the car. “I’ve never seen this car before. Is it new?”

  I owned several luxury cars, all of them vintage, and decided on a 1955 powder blue Cadillac.

  “It’s from the fifties, so technically no. But yes, I purchased it last month. What do you think?”

  She smiled and gave me a thumbs-up, glancing down in a flirtatious manner. My heart was beating so hard that I thought it'd jump out of my chest.

  Del Monaco’s Italian Restaurant was usually reservation-only, but they always made an exception for me. The hostess seated us at a private table in the back, far out of anyone’s view, which I appreciated since the place was fairly busy that night.

  In the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if Heather was also at the restaurant. She knew it was one of my favorite places to eat, though, and it was apparent that she was going out of her way to avoid seeing me.

  “Are you alright? You seem a bit distracted.” Annie had such a calm, collected voice that immediately put a smile on my face.

  As she glanced up at me from over the top of her menu, I contemplated telling her about Addison. Maybe it was best just to tell her, especially since I had vowed to see my daughter regardless of what Heather said.

  “I…”

  “Good evening.” Annie and I looked up at our server, who was standing there holding two bottles of wine.

  “Could we have a few more minutes, please? And we’ll take a bottle of your 1985 Jefferson Shiraz.” The server nodded and then left. “I’ve had shiraz on several occasions. You’ll love this brand and year.” I went back to reading my menu, deciding not to tell Annie after all.

  “Were you going to say something?”

  “I, uh, was going to suggest their lasagna. It’s won a few local food contests… But you probably already are aware of that.”

  Annie smiled and nodded, then went back to reading her menu.

  We spent the entire dinner talking about Jake and Julianna’s wedding, what they were probably doing on their honeymoon and some River Valley gossip.

  “Did you hear about the Johnson’s getting a divorce?”

  Annie nodded while sipping her wine. “I was just telling my dad about it. And you’re right. This wine is delicious.”

  “I’m surprised they’re getting divorced. Both the husband and wife were fooling around on each other. It sounds like they should just be in an open marriage.”

  Annie smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

  “Some people just don’t do
well with commitment,” she said. I knew what she was suggesting.

  It didn’t surprise me that she was apprehensive about us dating each other. She had lived in River Valley her entire life. Annie knew the kind of life that I had and that I was a serial bachelor.

  “That can change over time, though.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I smiled as she looked at me; her eyes were brightening up. “Some people, you know, they’re afraid of being hurt. So, they decide to fool around and have consensual, sexual relationships. It’s a way of having your cake, but without fear of gaining any weight. If that makes any sense.”

  She laughed at my failed attempt to use a metaphor.

  “They have the intimacy without putting their trust in another person,” she said, once again using that soft, sensual voice that drove me wild.

  “Exactly. Not everyone who sleeps around is incapable of settling down one day. It just takes the right person.” I placed my hand over hers, and she immediately began to melt.

  It was like I’d just put a flame up to an ice statue. “That makes sense. It’s natural for humans to crave companionship, but that often comes at a price.”

  We spent the rest of the evening talking about our career goals. I knew that Annie wanted to have her own line of holistic foods and supplements. “So, tell me more about the health line that you want to start.”

  “Well, it’s a lot more complicated than I’d originally thought. Holistic health is my true calling in life, and it’s so much more than yoga. It’s about taking care of your body from the inside out.”

  I nodded. “Absolutely. I try to exercise every day, but I still feel like crap after eating a cheeseburger and fries.”

  She laughed. “Everything in moderation. I say excess in moderation.”

  “That’s an interesting phrase,” I said.

  “Between you and I, I don’t eat healthy all the time. It just doesn’t taste as good as, well, cheeseburgers and fries. In addition to supplements, I want to find a way to make healthy food taste like, well, junk food.”

  Annie discussed the various nutritional supplements she was interested in offering in her studio.

  “Will you be making anything for grey hair?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Why on earth would you want to get rid of that gorgeous, sexy grey hair?”

  I could tell that she’d had a few too many glasses of shiraz, but she was also starting to open up to me.

  “I’ve heard that it shows my age,” I said, referring to some of her comments from the bachelor party.

  She rolled her eyes and finished off the glass of wine. I held out the bottle, and she gave me the go-ahead to fill it up.

  “I apologize for my ageist comment,” she said, smiling at me. “I didn’t realize that older men could be so appealing.”

  After we enjoyed dessert and she had some more wine, we got into my car, and I invited her back to my place for a nightcap.

  “I’d say that I’ve had plenty to drink tonight, but I’d love to spend some more time with you. This evening has been so enjoyable. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was a bit guarded after we slept together. Sorry.”

  I put her hand in mine and squeezed it. “Don’t be. You have every reason to be wary. I mean, I’m not exactly someone who’s known for being in long-term relationships. But like I said earlier, people change when they meet someone special.”

  I drove us back to my place, and she rested her head on my shoulder the entire way home.

  I helped her out of the car and into my house, then told her to relax on the couch. I decided against giving her any more alcohol. Instead, I grabbed her a bottle of sparkling water and then made myself a whiskey on the rocks. It wasn’t until I plugged my phone into the charger that I remembered the child custody drama.

  I had made Addison the background on my cellphone. It was a decision that I questioned at first, but now that I was looking at her, I realized that I’d made the right one. Regardless of what happened, she was my daughter. Heather could never take that away from me. If Heather decided never to let me see her, well, that was only legal until Addison turned eighteen-years-old. And according to Danielle, the father had certain rights.

  There would come a day when Addison would know her father. Of that, I was sure.

  I walked back out into the living room, drinks in hand, and found Annie fast asleep on the couch. It was evident that she'd had a long day. I placed the drinks on the coffee table, picked her up, and then tucked her into bed in one of my guest bedrooms. I quietly stepped back, admiring her as she slept. Annie was utterly beautiful, and I knew she was much more to me than a friend and neighbor.

  11

  _____

  ANNIE

  I woke up and yawned. As I rolled over to look at the clock on my nightstand, I found myself squinting through a double-take.

  That wasn’t my nightstand.

  I usually kept a Victorian-style vase full of pink flowers on top. The vase I was looking at was a modern one, with straight lines and a green plant inside. I ran my hands through my hair, wondering if I had replaced the flowers with what I assumed was a fern.

  Then, I shifted my focus to the alarm clock. Mine was vintage and pink, with a pearly white face and black hands. The one in front of me was square and had no character.

  That was when I realized that I wasn’t in my bedroom.

  I looked out the window, which at my place was above my studio, and I had a clear view of the coffee shop across the street. I often went there before heading into work, where I ordered an organic coffee with coconut milk.

  The view from that window was nothing but trees, and I suddenly realized that I wasn't in the city. I was in the upper-class countryside of River Valley.

  I plopped my body back down on the bed, covered my eyes with my hands, and tried to remember the night before. I’d had some alcoholic beverages, but I couldn’t remember what kind and just how much I’d consumed. As I squinted my eyes, I started to remember an Italian restaurant, eating lasagna and having dessert.

  I shot up in bed, and that’s when it hit me. Tiramisu. I had eaten the Tiramisu that Richard had recommended, right as he was about to tell me something important, and the waiter interrupted us.

  As I looked around the room, I started to remember where I was. I was at Richard’s house. Julianna and I had crashed there the year before. It was after a massive party with her, Richard, and Jake. Richard had invited us over along with some of his friends, which I didn’t like. They seemed like the type who frequented strip clubs. After a few too many mixed drinks, Richard let me sleep in this exact room.

  After the party that year, Julianna had stayed in the guesthouse with Jake. Richard had woken me up with breakfast in bed, concerned that I’d partied a bit too hard. I didn’t know where he was at that moment, though. The bed I slept in didn’t appear to be rumpled, which made me breathe a sigh of relief, and my dress was still snug around my waist.

  That meant we didn’t have sex.

  As I rubbed my temples, I realized that I’d fallen asleep on his couch. Richard must have brought me up there and tucked me into bed. Most guys would have taken advantage of the situation, but not him.

  That type of romantic gesture made me realize that, despite my reservations, I wanted to be more than just friends. I wanted to be in a committed relationship with him. To hell with all of my concerns about getting hurt. If Richard was half the playboy that I thought he was, there was no way that I’d have woken up alone in one of his guest bedrooms.

  I’d be in his bed with his naked body lying next to me.

  I saw two bottles of water on the dresser across from the bed, with a large bottle of ibuprofen on the side.

  Thank God.

  I popped the top from the pills and shook three out in my palm, dropping them into my mouth. As I washed the pills down with some water, I overheard Richard talking. It was hard to get a clear understanding of what he was saying, but he sounded
angry—something about an attorney and having to sign some documents.

  I laid back down on the bed and closed my eyes, deciding to give the ibuprofen a few minutes to work before I went out to see Richard. His voice seemed to be getting louder, though, as if whoever he was speaking to didn’t want to cooperate.

  “Tell her that I’ll sign those papers when I’m good and ready, and only if she agrees to my terms. I refuse to let her jerk me around anymore. What she's doing is pretty low, even for someone like Heather.”

  I thought back over the past year to all of our conversations but couldn’t remember Richard ever mentioning someone named Heather. I realized that it probably had to do with some property his company was purchasing. Richard worked incredibly hard, which made me like him even more even though his father was a billionaire too.

  “The test isn’t necessary, Danielle. I’ve seen the pictures. I mean, I see what you’re saying, but it’d just be a waste of time and money.” As he paused to let this Danielle person speak, I started to wonder who she was.

  The name sounded familiar, but I still couldn’t put a face to it.

  “That’s fine. Heather knows that money isn’t an issue. I’m surprised she isn’t asking for more.” My mouth fell open a little bit.

  Richard was strict when it came to negotiations. Either way, it wasn't any of my business.

  When he stopped talking, I slowly slipped out of bed and put my shoes on. One look in the mirror, and I rolled my eyes. My hair was a complete mess, and I desperately needed a cup of coffee.

  I pulled my hair back and let myself out of the guest bedroom. Richard’s office was directly across the hall. He was sitting behind his dark oak desk, staring at something on his cellphone, and his eyebrows scrunched together. Whatever that conversation was about had put him in a bad mood.

  He looked up at me and smiled, but his eyebrows remained scrunched.

  “Hey,” I said. “Is everything okay?”