The Billionaire's Mistaken Match ( A BWWM Romance) (10 page)

She looked shocked again and a little incredulous. Her demeanor changed in an instant and she scooted a little closer to him in her seat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why don’t you come on in and we can skip the meal for now.” She leaned in to try to kiss him, but Reid pushed her away.

“I want an answer.” His voice was low as he tried to control his rage. Jovie could see he wasn’t playing around. She scooted back to her side of the car and huffed.

“Fine. Miranda is my friend. I’ve been trying to get her to hook me up with one of you rich guys for some time. I do fine by myself, but I don’t want to work. I would love to just be a kept woman. I thought if I could get my foot in, I’d be able to get one of you to love me and insist I leave my job and stay at home and, I dunno, raise babies or whatever rich housewives do.”

“Out.”

“What?”

“Get out of my car!” he shouted. The second she was clear of the vehicle, he pulled out, rubber squealing as he laid on the gas.

Paloma hadn’t left her room since returning from the beach. It had been a couple of hours, but she couldn’t show her face, not even to Kit. Her shame and betrayal were the worst feelings she had even had. Her phone rang, startling her. She grabbed for it and looked at the screen. Reid? No, no way. She hit the button to block the number and tossed her phone back on the floor. She was done with him for good. What did he even want? Frustrated, she got up and went into the kitchen. Slamming through all the counters finally brought Kit out of her own room.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Do you know who just called me? Reid. He just called me!” She let out a snarl of rage and slammed the fridge shut.

“Okay, but what does that have to do with our kitchen?”

“Comfort food, Kit. I need something fattening or fried or both. I don’t even know. I’m so angry.”

“Well, what did he want?”

“I didn’t answer it.” Kit finally grabbed Paloma and moved her over to the couch. “I didn’t want to talk to him. After what he’s put me through and then he thinks he can just pull me back in. I’m not having it. I don’t want to hear his side of the story.”

“This sounds familiar.” Paloma gave her a sideways look. “Isn’t that exactly what he did to you that made you so mad? He didn’t give you a chance to tell your side of the story. Well now you are doing the same to him. I don’t think that’s fair.”

“Now you’re on his side? I thought you hated him.”

“I haven’t even met him, but it’s clear to me that you don’t hate him. Paloma, you really care about him and that’s why he was able to hurt you so much. I think you should at least give him that little bit to tell his side of the story.”

“I don’t know, Kit. I’m so hurt. I don’t even think I could face him.”

Just then there was a knock at the door. Kit looked at Paloma, shrugged, and then got up to get the door.

Reid stood on the other side with a to-go box of food and a bouquet of purple flowers. “You must be Kit. I’m—”

“I know who you are. She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“I know. I know. Look, I’m a terrible person. I found out that she wasn’t who I thought she was and I cut her off. Now I feel like a total ass and I just want to talk to her. That’s all I want.”

Paloma appeared behind Kit and looked right into his eyes. “Let him in,” she whispered.

“You need me to get rid of him, you just holler.” Kit walked into her room as Reid and Paloma stared at each other in the living room.

“I, uh, I brought these for you.” He handed her the flowers. “I also thought that you’d like a chicken fried steak and potatoes from this little house place down on Milton.”

“You went to Gran’s?”

“You know it?”

“Of course I do. Best chicken fried steak in town.”

“It’s still warm. I went there after I saw you at the pier. I couldn’t get you out of my head. Then I found out that my date was just another conniving liar and I couldn’t take that. I felt betrayed again, just like I did when I found out that you had no money, or a job, or a home. It was a little overwhelming and I didn’t handle it well.”

Paloma took the food and retrieved two plates from the kitchen. She split the meal in two and set the plates on the table. “Join me. Let’s talk about it.” Her voice was low and quiet. Sad. He sat across from her and took the fork he offered. “I’ll go first. I was going to tell you. I was going to come clean with you that night but I couldn’t figure out how to tell you.

I really liked you so much. I still do. At first I wanted security, that’s true, but when I met you and we really hit it off that all changed. I genuinely like you, Reid. I had a great time and I’m sorry I ruined it.” Tears welled in her eyes and he reached across the table to wipe them away. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should have given you the time to explain it to me. Truth is that I really like you too, Paloma. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that day. I wish we could erase the past and just start over.”

“Let’s do that. Right here, over this amazing food.”

Reid looked down at his plate. The food was still warm and smelled amazing. He cut into the steak and took a bite. Paloma watched him chew and savor the food on his plate.

“Jesus, this is amazing. She makes that out of that tiny kitchen in her little house?”

“Yep, she lives in the upstairs room. I bet it’s hot up there.”

“Do you think she’d be offended if I bought her out and set her up in a real restaurant?”

Paloma’s eyes brightened. “You would do that for her?”

“Of course. Plus, she would need a manager for her restaurant. And a protégé. Do you think we would be able to talk her into it?”

“I think it’s an amazing idea.”

“Then let’s go ask her.” He stood and held out a hand to help her up. When she was standing, they were close enough that she could feel his body pressed up to hers. He leaned in and kissed her passionately, causing her whole body to tingle. She returned his kiss with gusto, letting him explore her mouth with his. He took her breath away in so many ways. “I think, maybe, we could ask her later.”

Paloma laughed and started to back towards her bedroom. The passion they had felt that first night was reignited and they couldn’t hold it back. They tore at each other’s clothes, trying to get the threads off as fast as possible. Paloma kicked her foot out and closed the door behind him. “I think she can wait.”

Reid smiled as he pulled his shirt over his head. She followed his lead, releasing her heavy breasts and showing off her dark skin. He couldn’t wait to get his hands all over it. His fingers danced on her rib cage before wrapping around her waist and pulled her to him again.

“I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t believe it took me so long. I was such an idiot. I’m crazy about you, Paloma.”

They fell into a heap on the bed, his lips dancing along her skin and causing goosebumps to rise all over her. A sigh escaped her lips as he ran his tongue around one small, hard nipple before taking it gently in his teeth. He slid his hands down her sides, causing her to giggle and squirm. “I didn’t know you were ticklish.”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

“I’m going to find out. All of it.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Their lovemaking was passionate and unhurried. Paloma felt home for the first time in many months and was finally at peace. She knew that her life was going to change for the better, and it wasn’t just the money he had, it was him, all of him. Reid Winslow was the kind of man she needed in her life and she was going to go to great lengths to be the woman he needed in his. Their giggles and moans continued well into the night.

THE END

Thank you for reading!

      Turn the page to read: “A Twin Deception” by Izabella Brooks

Sadi sat in the black leather high back chair, watching the news as the chemical in her hair set under the dryer. God knew she hated going through this every couple weeks, but Luke liked blonde hair. She had heard that as a passing comment when she had been little more than an admin assistant at his company, Pearson and Pearson.

Sadi had set her sights on the boss and she wasn't going to stop until she had him. She had died her hair blonde, spent what little money she had on better, more expensive clothing which fit her just right. She had used her long legs and curves for all they were worth. She had started working out four times a week and drinking more water. And she had dyed her long auburn hair a platinum blonde that she had always hated on other women.

  Apparently whatever she had done had worked. Luke Pearson had noticed her within a couple days of the transformation. He had stopped in front of her desk, arms crossed across his chest, grinning that familiar Pearson grin which never failed to make Sadi’s heart stop.

                She frowned. At least it never used to fail. Now.... she was engaged to a successful, wealthy, attractive man. The rock on her finger cost more than what most people made in a year. She had a huge house complete with a pool, tennis court, and sauna, a black sports car and a red one too, a personal trainer, a dietician, a hair stylist, a personal shopper, a cook, and a cleaner. She didn't have to do a damn thing if she didn't want to.

                Sadi picked up a magazine and glanced at it absently. She wondered why none of those things made her happy anymore. They had at the beginning. She had loved when Luke courted her, taking her out to expensive restaurants, fancy clubs, plays and shows. She had loved his house and all his cars, the giant pool in the backyard, and the fact she never had to cook or clean or grocery shop if she didn't feel like it. She didn’t even have to work.

                She used to have a purpose beyond getting herself to her latest appointment. She didn't even have to do that if she didn't want to do so. They had a driver who would take her. She supposed she could use her upcoming wedding to give her life meaning, but even that fell flat, just like her relationship.

              Lately she and Luke hadn’t had the spark they used to have. They hadn't made love in months. Sadi still found Luke attractive. He was tall with a physique to die for. All the time Luke spent working out had left him with a god-like physique. Well toned muscles, rock hard abs. His sandy blonde hair and grey blue eyes topped everything off.

He ate healthy and his skin glowed. He still looked like a god to Sadi, yet they hadn't so much as touched each other in weeks. He had seemed too busy with work to even notice her. At least Sadi assumed that’s what kept him busy. She hadn't asked about his hobbies or his business in a very long time, though she used to work at Pearson and Pearson and she should have cared.

                Luke used to plan getaways for the two of them, little romantic liaisons stolen when his demanding schedule would allow, but even those had faded into the background as well.

                Sadi missed the man Luke used to be. She flipped a page in the magazine and stared at the shiny lipstick covering the perfect model’s lips on the glossy paper in front of her. It wasn’t right to put the blame all on Luke. If Sadi were honest with herself, she missed the woman she used to be. She knew it was true what everyone said. That money couldn't bring you happiness. It could buy you nice things and give you a comfortable life, but it left a hollow spot in her chest that she couldn’t seem to fill.

                She watched the bad news images flash across the TV screen in the corner, and shifted uncomfortably in her chair under the dryer, the smell of chemicals burning her nose. No wonder they made her scalp itch and burn like fire. The stuff felt completely toxic.

                Setting the magazine aside, Sadi thought about her upcoming wedding. She knew deep down inside that she should break off her engagement to Luke. He was a good man and she liked to think she was a good person as well. Lately though, she doubted it.

She knew she wasn't happy, but she was unwilling to go back to a one bedroom apartment and a minimum wage job. Getting engaged to Luke had been like winning the lottery. Sadi just wished she could find some light in the current darkness in which  she was stumbling around.

              Part of her wanted to marry Luke because at one time she had loved him. Then there was the other, far less proud part of herself that selfishly wanted to be looked after. Sadi hated that weak part of herself. Hated that she had been raised in squalor and poverty and feared going back to it like she had never feared anything in her life.

              Sadi thought the one thing that could save her if she married Luke was to have children. She could live for them. Raise them and love them, even if she no longer loved Luke. Many people stayed married long after the spark faded. People lived together unhappily for years and it wasn’t like there was a noticeable rift between them yet. Luke had never said he wanted children. The thought made Sadi sad. She loved babies. Maybe she could find a way to change Luke’s mind. Likely he would give her what she wanted if it came down to it. He always had before.

                The wedding was only weeks away. Sadi hated herself for not having the courage to do what was right and break off the engagement, but going back to her old life- in debt and living in a dank apartment- filled her with fear. When she had moved in with Luke it had been the first time in Sadi’s life that she felt safe.

        Her mother had been a single mom, working hard to make sure that Sadi had enough to eat and clothes to wear, yet no matter how hard her mother worked, it always seemed like they were being evicted and that Sadi was going to school with hunger pains in her belly and wearing tattered old clothing that no longer fit.

       Sadi knew that her mother loved her. At least, she thought she had. She had always been a good mother and had always tried so hard to make ends meet. When Sadi turned eighteen, her mother must have figured she was now old enough to fend for herself. Sadi had come home from school one afternoon to find the apartment stripped of her mother’s belongings. After eighteen years, her mother had finally broken. She had left to find the freedom she craved. Sadi hadn’t heard from her since. Part of her wanted to know if her mother was still alive, and yet part of her was still too wounded over being left alone to imagine tracking her mother down.

                At least that was something she and Luke still had in common. His parents had left Luke and his twin brother, Connor, with an established business, an education, and more money than they could ever spend. The boys had been raised by one nanny after another.

       Luke hardly had any memories of his parents. If pressed, Sadi knew that he didn’t even know what they looked like, then or now. Like Sadi, Luke had no idea where his mother and father were now. They hadn’t contacted him in years.

              Sadi couldn’t imagine having a child and leaving. Never reaching out and caring about what happened to them. The thought broke her heart and brought a lump to her throat.

         She had wondered for years what she had done to make her mother abandon her until she finally realized that she herself couldn’t imagine being so broken she would do such a thing. She knew there were depths of emotion, sorrow, pain and blackness that she had no idea how to comprehend. Sadi preferred to think there was something wrong with her mother that had made her leave. She needed to believe it. It hurt so much less that way.

                She had worked two jobs and finished high school. She had kept the wretched apartment where she and her mother had survived and lived there for another eight years after her mother left. She had applied at Pearson and Pearson for an admin assistant position on a whim. She never thought she would get the job, even though she had experience.  But she didn’t have any post-secondary to back it up. She was surprised when she got the phone call the next day, offering her the position. Sadi never guessed how her life would change.

                She had started at Pearson and Pearson, unsure what to expect. It was a prestigious company, though it sounded more like a law firm. She had heard of Luke and Connor Pearson, the identical twin brothers who were taking the business world by storm. She had heard they were kind and caring people who cared deeply about bettering the communities in which they did business.

                Sadi wasn’t sure whether it was Luke or Connor she had first seen. She still couldn’t tell them apart, even after years of dating Luke. She remembered thinking that whichever brother it was, he was handsome. Both brothers were tall, with sandy blonde hair and eyes the colour of the sea on a cloudy day; a storm tossed blue that sparkled with all the emotion of life. The brothers were tall, yet not tall enough to be intimidating. It was clear they worked out, judging from their broad shoulders and trim waists.

       Sadi could tell they were still in the prime of their youth, their skin bronzed with tans from the outdoor activities they loved. It was beyond Sadi how two brothers, even twins, could look so alike as adults. It blew her mind that not only did they have similar features but they had the same physique as well.

                She had asked after Luke, as he was the brother she thought she had seen first. The other girls in her department had trouble telling the brothers apart as well, but the first name Sadi had heard had been Luke's. She had stared at him from across the way when she thought he wasn’t looking. She had found him attractive. More than attractive actually. Sadi had observed the way Luke carried himself, his poise and his athletic grace. She thought he looked like a god. A bolt of desire had shivered through her stomach at the thought of what it would be like to be seduced by him. At what it would be like to press her lips against his perfectly shaped ones, to feel the rigid muscles she knew were hidden under the polo shirts he wore to work.

                One girl had mentioned that Luke only dated blondes. Sadi had immediately been turned off at the suggestion. She knew the kind of women men such as Luke liked. She was so far from that she knew she wouldn’t even be on his radar. Though Sadi told herself she found fake, ditsy women distasteful, it didn’t stop her from dying her hair blonde a week later and making changes to her wardrobe and her diet. She had hoped Luke would notice. And he had. She had been lucky enough to be asked out to dinner a week later.

                Sadi shifted under the dryer again, touching the tin foil in her hair in an effort to quell the itch of the bleach. How had she come so far from those early giddy days where even the slightest touch could send shivers of passion racing through her body? Even the smallest smile Luke sent her way never failed to brighten her day. Now Sadi felt like she was living someone else’s life. She felt as if she were using Luke. Sadi felt like she was adrift, floating in a sea of apathy and being swallowed by the waves of a meaningless life.

                She turned her attention back to the television when a large red banner flashed across the screen. The TV was on mute and Sadi couldn't hear anything, but she could read what the neat tiny white writing said as it flashed along the bottom of the screen.

              Bombing. Pearson and Pearson.
                Sadi felt like she had been punched in the gut. She was completely winded. She watched in horror, pinned to the chair, hair dryer continuing on, blissfully unaware that Sadi's world was collapsing in around her.