Bait: Alpha Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (9 page)

“I’m Emily Banks,” she introduced herself.

I smiled. “Nice to meet you.” I hoped I sounded sincere.

Her eyes flicked down my dress, to my shoes and back up again. “You aren’t his usual type,” she said in a low tone. “And I hear you’re a lawyer. Smart. Too smart. Smart enough to know better.”

I inhaled a sharp breath, shocked by her sudden change in demeanor. How dare she judge me? Judge him. I knew Nolan had his share of supermodels and actresses, but who was she to say that I was not his type? She might as well have just yelled ugly throughout the entire ladies’ room. Not that we were actually dating, I reminded myself. Rude.

She leaned so close to me that I could smell her expensive perfume and the champagne on her breath. “Dear, you must know that my son never stays with the same woman for more than a few weeks. And if he were ever to find something serious, it would need to be with a young lady of wealth and breeding. Like him. I’m sure you understand? Do yourself a favor and don’t fall in love with my son. He’ll only hurt you in the end.” And with that, she swept by me and left the room with the smell of Chanel in her elegant wake.

I slumped down on the couch in the ladies’ room as my head spun in all different directions. Did I already have feelings for Nolan? If this was all a charade, then why the hell did I care what his mother thought? She was right about one thing. Nolan did bounce from one woman to another. And he was out of my league. I struggled to pay my rent every month, saving every penny I earned.

I was only in this for the opportunity to do some good for the community, I told myself for the hundredth time. I couldn’t let myself fall for his playboy ways. I wasn’t going to fall in love with Nolan. I took a deep, cleansing breath and left the restroom, vowing not to tell Nolan about meeting his mother. And vowing to erect a wall so tall and solid a battering ram couldn’t burst through it.

“Charlie, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you,” Nolan said with concern as I approached. He took in the sight of me and his lips turned up in a smile so dazzling it lit up the room. “Are you all right?”

My heart raced and I plastered a fake smile on my face. “Everything is all good.”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” he asked as if he could read my mind. “Would you like to go home?”

“I’m ready whenever you are,” I said. “This is your night.”

Nolan looked at me closely. “Something’s wrong. I can tell. What upset you?”

“Why do you care?” I snapped at him. I didn’t mean too, but tonight had taken a toll on me. The lying, the deceptions. His mother’s passive aggressive threats. But she was right. I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. As Nolan stared at me with concern, his eyes concentrating on me, I started to feel bad for snapping at him. “I’m okay, really.”

He put his hand in mine and said, “Come with me.”

“Where are we going?” I asked as he tugged me to the middle of the ballroom.

Nolan pulled me into a deep embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around me. He buried his face in my neck, kissing me before whispering in my ear, “Proving something. Please trust me.”

My heart fell to my stomach. What was Nolan about to do? I felt a sense of dread so intense the hair stood up on my arms. An overwhelming need to flee the sparkling ballroom overtook me. But Raminsky’s hand stayed me when I tried to turn and leave.

Nolan turned and called over his shoulder. “Just trust me,” he said again.

All of the sudden, the music from the DJ stopped and everyone turned to look at us.

“Charlie,” he said, his voice carrying across the ballroom. “We’ve only been together for a short time, but in that time, I’ve come to realize that you and I were made to be together. I love you more than life itself. You are my moon, my stars, my universe. You make me a better man. And I couldn’t imagine living that life without you.”

He paused for a moment. The crowd around us murmured with pleasure while my heart fell to my stomach and warred with my butterflies. What was he doing? I felt like I was the only one that wasn’t in on the joke.

Nolan continued, “You deserve nothing but the best. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Together, we can conquer the world.”

Oh my God. No, he wasn’t. This was not what we had planned. My eyes pleaded with him. Please don’t do what I think you’re about …

“Charlene de Monaco, will you marry me?”

I gasped as Nolan pulled a small velvet black box from his pocket. Inside was the most beautiful diamond engagement ring, nearly the size of a large marble. My heart skipped a few beats. The crowd was silent at first. Waiting for me to answer.

I didn’t know what to say. I was in shock as the crowd started to murmur. I felt like I was going to pass out. Another panic attack was coming on; I could feel it. I couldn’t breathe. Nolan started to slip the ring on my finger.

“You haven’t given me an answer, Charlie. Are you going to make me the happiest man on earth?”

I swallowed hard, struggling to regain my composure and reached up to his ear and whispered, “This wasn’t part of the deal.”

“The deal will have to be renegotiated. I’ll make it worth your while. Just say yes, Charlie.” He kissed me on the cheek. “You won’t be disappointed.”

I looked out toward the crowd. They were eagerly waiting my answer. As I scanned the faces, I saw Raminsky and his wife smiling from ear to ear. Nolan’s mom was standing behind them. The look on her face was priceless. I thought about what she said to me in the bathroom. I was just another girl Nolan was playing with? Really? Take that, you Chanel smelling bitch.

I took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe I was about to do this.

Pride goeth before the fall.

“Yes,” I said loudly. Then my knees buckled.

The crowd went wild as Nolan caught me then lifted me off my feet and kissed me so hard I felt branded. I saw his mother again over his shoulder and gave her the biggest smile I could muster as she squinted her displeasure.

Nolan put me down as we were suddenly engulfed with well-wishers, hugging our backs and smacking wet kisses on our cheeks. Tonight ended up being a whirlwind and I felt like I was being tossed around like a rag doll. I would have been if it wasn’t for Nolan’s strong hands around my waist, gently guiding me around the ballroom. The canary yellow diamond ring glittered on my finger.

Holy shit. I was fake engaged to Nolan Banks.

BAIT

BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE PART 2

By

Colleen Charles

Chapter One

I was the luckiest man in the world. Being engaged to Charlene de Monaco was an amazing blessing and a stroke of luck. I’d not only managed to convince Charlie to marry me, but I’d also wrapped up one of the biggest financial deals of a lifetime. All in one night. I was literally dancing on the moon.

There was just one snag. Charlie didn’t look too happy
.

“I can’t believe you bamboozled me into a fake engagement!” she sneered in my ear.

“Keep smiling, dear,” I reminded her through gritted teeth, knowing it would hit the fan later. Not caring. I’d convince her this was the right decision. Charlene de Monaco belonged with me. “People are watching us.”

Before Charlie spit out a snarky reply, we were surrounded by the media and a throng of well-wishers. Bright flashes of light from cameras and smart phones snapped in our faces. Questions pelted my body like stones being thrown from every side.

“Charlie! Nolan! Tell us how the two of you met?” one of the reporters shot out in a shrill scream, trying to get his voice to carry over the din.

Before I could open my mouth to reply. Hell, before I could even bat an eye, several more blood-thirsty reporters popped up like gophers on a golf course, salivating over their next headline.

“Have you set a date?”

“What is Nolan Banks really like in person?”

“Charlie, how do you feel about marrying New York’s most eligible man?”

Champagne flutes came out of nowhere and I smiled at Charlie as we clinked glasses. I drained mine quickly and tried to field a few questions. If I didn’t, the sharks would never go away. Not until they were sated with my answers.

“How many children do you want? Or, maybe there’s one already on the way.” Elaine Blake asked with a wink. I’d see her take on tonight’s happenings tomorrow in the Daily News.

I scoffed. “Let’s get through the wedding and honeymoon first.”

Her colleagues chuckled, smelling blood in the water.

“Charlie, will you continue to work with Nolan as his attorney?”

Before I could answer for her, Charlie interjected, always the confident and competent woman. I wanted to tell her how much I admired her brain. How much I admired her independence. How much I admired
her
. “Yes, I will continue to work for Banks Realty. If I don’t keep him out of trouble, who else will?”

Another roar of laughter from the talking heads. They looked like cartoon bobble heads in the rear window of a 1970 Chrysler wagon complete with wood panels. I reached around and gave Charlie a discreet caress to her rounded ass.

“Nolan,” she said through gritted teeth. “What the hell was that for?”

“Support. Solidarity.” I kept my voice to a whisper and leaned in close so she could hear me. “For telling the truth. I trust you, Charlie.”

And I’m not afraid to admit it. To make myself vulnerable. Which I’ve been doing ever since I laid eyes on you. Even though you didn’t know it.

“Are you afraid people will think you’re only marrying Nolan for his money? I mean, this all came about rather quickly,” one of the reporters had the audacity to ask.

Gold digger? That’s my future wife you’re talking about, asshole. The mother of my fucking children.

Charlie wrapped her arms around me and replied again before I could even throw an insult his way. Or a punch. “I just snagged New York City’s hottest bachelor. The money is a bonus.” Then she laughed as she ran her tapered fingers under my tuxedo coat to land on the waistband of my dress pants. They slipped inside and my cock twitched in response. I had to get her the hell away from this three-ring circus.

“What does Mrs. Banks have to say about your impending nuptials?” This question was from Lucy Wells, owner of a top internet blog about society weddings, Cake Topper. Now, I had to tread lightly. My mother needed to keep her nose out of my business. And away from Charlie. She still thought she knew what was best for me. She didn’t now and she never had.

I changed my mind. These reporters weren’t sharks. They were scum of the earth. Lower than scum. Cockroaches. They continued to swarm around my head like hornets, buzzing their questions so I couldn’t move or break free. I continued to let Charlie take the lead and reply to the insane number of questions. God. She was such a poised woman. One to be proud of. She held her own while I looked for an escape route. I glanced up and locked eyes with an unlikely savior. My mother.

I put my arm around Charlie and pulled away from the questions that continued to land at my feet via rapid fire. My mother’s diamond clad hand reached out to clasp mine.

“Sorry, ladies, gentlemen, but we need to give my son and his fiancée some space.” She gave a slight tug and pulled me forward as the reporters made a pathway. Christ. I should never underestimate my mother’s place in society. She parted that crowd of media vultures like Moses with his staff.

Once we were free from the crowd, my mother turned to us, her face frozen in a semi-permanent smile thanks to a regular dose of Botox and a lifetime of disapproval. Of me.

“Congratulations are in order, I see.” Her gravelly voice still made my insides shrivel up. That tone reminded me of the time I’d punched Dean Wellington back in boarding school. She’d had to fly in to take me home after I’d been expelled. “I take it that you’ve impregnated this girl?”

“What?” Charlie asked, looking between me and my mother. She pulled her neck forward to make herself more rigid as she bristled underneath her designer gown.

“Mother, Charlie is not pregnant.” I clipped the words out staccato style.

“Why else would you ever ask her to marry you?” my mother questioned, looking at me as if I were addled. As if Charlie were less than. I wanted to slap that superior look right off my mother’s face. “You’re young and successful, Nolan. There’s plenty of time to settle down later. After you’ve made your mark on the world.”

Charlie dropped my hand and her body went stiff. Her gorgeous eyes fell flat, the fire slowly leaving them. Damn this rude woman. Where in the hell was my dad when I needed him? He needed to control this bitch. But then, she’d been dismissed in my father’s eyes shortly after their wedding.

“Because I love her. It’s what two people normally do when they’re in love and want to spend the rest of their lives with each other.” I scanned my eyes up and down her petite frame. This woman who had given birth to me but never really wanted me. “But then, you wouldn’t know anything about that. Would you, Mother?”

She snorted and scrunched her nose up into a grimace. I’d gotten to her. Good.

“Nolan Abraham Banks, do not attempt to placate me with your false words,” she hissed as she tapped a stiletto clad foot on the ballroom floor. “I know this marriage is a sham. Why don’t you level with me and save yourself the humiliation when I find out the truth?”

Charlie looked at me. Then my mother. Then back to me with a look of shock on her face. I wrapped my arms around Charlie. Making a choice.

“This is the woman of my dreams. We are getting married. Final answer.”

My mother studied our faces for a few moments, then shook her head. “If this is the way you want to play this. Fine. But you’re playing with fire. Prepare to burn.”

“Thank you for your cliché,” I said through a clenched smile. Not wanting to get into it any deeper with her. Not caring what she thought.

“Congratulations to the two of you,” my mother said, a forced smile on her lips. “I’ll see to it that you’ll have a proper engagement party at my house within the next few weeks for the sake of appearances. Your father wouldn’t want to do anything that might jeopardize the business in any way. Charlie, I’ll have my assistant call and arrange a suitable date with you.”

My mother’s words were drenched in icicles. Charlie and I could freeze a menu selection from Cold Stone on her ass. Why wouldn’t she just shut up?

“We’ll have brunch tomorrow, my darling,” she said in the same tone, not warming even a smidgeon and continuing to coat Charlie in her judgmental glare. “Bring her along so we can all get to know each other better. I can’t wait to learn all about your future wife’s background.”

“I need more champagne,” Charlie informed me as she released a breath the moment my mother was out of sight. But her eyes. Those passionate eyes that I adored were so tired. I knew she’d be worried about her meager upbringing. Now, I’d deliberately put Charlie in a position to feel inadequate when I wanted nothing more than to make her feel special. What had I done?

I snapped my fingers at a passing waiter in the hallway and grabbed the bottle of Dom he held in one hand.

I am such a selfish asshole.

“No need for glasses,” I told him. He shrugged and continued on his way.

I popped the cork and took a long swig before handing my fiancée the bottle. I had no idea what to do or what to say. All I knew was I wanted that tragic look off her face before I became a puddle at her feet. “You look a little peaked, which is not uncommon after having a conversation with my mother.”

Charlie blew out a breath. “Is that what you called that?”

I laughed and took the bottle back from her. If I could get her back to my place, I could explain. Explain and fuck the negative feelings right out of her gorgeous body. “Let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

We managed to avoid the reporters and crowd of well-wishers by sneaking out of the terrace door. The crisp, fall evening air felt like heaven on my heated skin, as we waited for my driver to pull around. I held the door open for Charlie as we slipped into blessed obscurity behind the dark tinted windows. Another flash went off in my face just as I slammed the door and slinked down in the buttery leather seats.

“Shit,” I said with a long exhale. “Didn’t those dipshits see Justin and Beyoncé’ tonight? We are just not that important in comparison.”

Charlie slid her hand onto my knee and I felt an answering tug in my groin. It amazed me how this woman could turn me on with the barest of touches. The first time in my life I’d ever been this affected by someone. I wanted her. So badly.

“Nolan,” she whispered as those magic fingers began to slide back and forth, creating a delicious friction. “You always give them something to report. You’re an easy mark.” Then her fingers pinched the inside of my thigh, the sensitive place right above the knee. I yelped and she pinched me again. “Like tonight, for instance. Tossing a fake engagement into my face.”

I reached down and clasped my hand over hers, lacing our fingers together before she could pull away. Yes, her anger was there, simmering beneath the surface. But something else too. Heat. And electricity. The life in her eyes had started to return as I flipped her palm over and rubbed the sensitive part with the pad of my thumb.

Thankfully, the limo bar was fully stocked with liquor because I needed some. Or a lot. I hadn’t had enough tonight to even begin to take the edge off. Hell, who was I kidding? The only thing that would take the edge off would be to pull that gold and white dress down and free her perfect tits.

I poured two fresh glasses of champagne and added a splash of peach nectar juice in each. Handing a Peach Bellini to Charlie, she snuggled back into the seat.

“Just keep them coming,” she said with a sigh, breaking physical contact. I didn’t like the idea of her trying to escape me. I wanted her close. By my side forever. Maybe someday I’d tell her why.

I gulped down the delicious elixir and closed my weary eyes. Who knew that getting engaged could be so draining? When I peeked a glance at Charlie, she was staring at me. No, staring wasn’t the word. Glaring. Angry.

“What the fuck did I just agree to?” she asked, swilling the champagne around before draining the glass.

I raised an eyebrow at her. “It was your idea, Charlie.”

She nearly choked on her champagne but spat it on me instead. “Have I stumbled into an alternate universe, Nolan Banks? Did you just ‘beam me up, Scotty’ from some planet where terrible ideas percolate? I hate to break it to you, mister, but this is Earth!”

“Your eloquent words are so charming,” I said, putting a hand on her shoulder and giving it a small squeeze. My fingers ran the length of her collarbone as I leaned over and kissed her neck. “Relax, Charlie,” I pressed a whisper against her ear. Not ready to divulge anything. Yet. “This is just a strategy move. Basic PR 101.”

I could tell by Charlie’s demeanor that she was questioning our engagement and my strategic moves. Probably questioning me as a man. Stroking her arm soothingly, I was pleased when Charlie rested her head on my shoulder. I wanted nothing more than to gain her trust. I wanted her to know that I would take care of everything. She didn’t have to worry about my mother, or the company, or the real estate deals I was putting together.

Lowering my voice to a whisper, I said, “Charlie, you know this isn’t Cinderella. My mother won’t lock you in the attic and make you live with talking rodents. You don’t have to scrub floors on your hands and knees and empty bed pans …”

Charlie gave a snort. “Wait a minute. I’m confused. I don’t get to live in a beautiful castle and magically become a princess? Where’s my pumpkin, Nolan? I want my pumpkin.”

I chuckled as I ran my hand through her elegant locks of hair. I wish she’d stay on my shoulder forever, dreaming of magic squash.