Hot Billionaire Faking It: So Hot Billionaires, #2

By Melody Love

Natalie is recently separated from her boyfriend Chris of three years. Her brother is getting married and she refuses to go home a single lady, especially when her mom expects her to be engaged. She's dreading going home, until her boss tells her he needs a vacation.

 

Nick is a thirty-one year old billionaire. His job is super demanding and he's exhausted from being over-worked. Now Natalie has presented him with the opportunity to be her fill-in boyfriend to her brother's wedding. Nick is so desperate to get away that he can't say no.

 

Soon he is falling for Natalie and she's developing feelings too. Everything is going great until Todd shows up. Will Natalie reveal who Nick truly is?

 

A HEA that proves that sometimes the best things in life are unplanned.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM
• Release date: May 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393886037

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Chapter 1 – Nick POV Friday

IT WAS ANOTHER DAY in the grind. I didn’t know if I could take another year at this company, but as the CEO, I knew that I was in too deep right now to get out. I’d have to suck it up and keep going. I ran my hands through my hair and sighed. At least it was Friday. Thank God for that, I thought to myself as I responded to an email that had just come in.

Having been raised by a workaholic mother and father, it was natural that I’d end up in a work situation like this—over my head, backed-up with paperwork, and constantly under siege by employees. Sometimes I just locked myself in my office and turned off all the lights to get away. I’d burn a stick of incense, take a shot of whiskey, and meditate. That seemed to work well until the arrogant IT guy mouthed off that I was trying to burn down the building by lighting candles. I resorted to putting up a dart board to blow off steam, instead.

Yeah, Marty, I know you need another contract signed with those guys in Asia, I said out loud as I scrolled through my phone. I was getting hammered with messages since it was Friday and all the big heads wanted my attention. I just wasn’t in the mood today. It was getting late. In fact, as I walked toward the window, I realized the entire day had dwindled and we were now facing nightfall in Ohio.

Shit, I said and sat down at my desk. A stack of paperwork loomed before me and I had over two-hundred emails in my corporate email folder to attend to. I wondered if there was another career out there for me, but as the top CEO at Saffron Enterprises, a multi-national technology corporation with locations worldwide, I just didn’t think there was any other place that would pay me what I was worth.

I feel like I live here, I said as I shuffled the papers around on my desk. It had to be almost nine o’clock, I figured, based on the darkness. I checked my watch, a Rolex that the head of human resources had given me last year as a gift. I was spot on. Already nine and I was nowhere close to being finished for the day. I responded to the first email in the list and then took a sip of my water. Maybe if I just banged out a few of these, I’d be ahead of the game on Monday, I thought. 

I typed away and then stopped abruptly. What was that? I asked out loud. It sounded like someone was in the hallway, so I got up and walked toward the door.

Bro. what the hell are you doing here? asked Brian. He poked me on the shoulder and walked in my office.

How the hell did you get in here? I asked, looking down the hallway to see if any of my employees were still in the building.

The damn door is unlocked down there, said Brian with a laugh. He smelled like alcohol. I sighed and then plopped down on my leather couch that overlooked downtown Cleveland. Brian sat down on the burgundy chair and propped his feet up on the ottoman.

Brian was my buddy from college. He and I had both gone to Cleveland State University and we’d both majored in Business Administration. I wasn’t surprised that our friendship had lasted over the years. We were a lot alike. Brian worked for a huge digital marketing company just over the bridge downtown. He was making a ton of money in his position, but he still thought I had an edge on him because I was a CEO. The good news was that he took it lightheartedly and didn’t try to compete with me to the point of ruining our friendship.

I guess security decided they had better things to do than lock up, I laughed. Mitch and Bert handled the entire building. It wasn’t really like them to forget to lock the main doors downstairs, but with Friday on their minds? I chuckled, knowing they liked to hit up the bars for happy hour. I figured they rushed out in a hurry to get their buzzes on. Luckily for them, I had a soft spot for blue collar workers and I always did my best to treat them right.

Yeah, man. You better tell those dudes to get on top of their game, Brian laughed and got up from his chair. You don’t want all your leather furniture making its way out the door one of these nights, he said and walked gallantly toward the window. Come on, man. Why the hell are you still in this place at nine-thirty on a Friday night? Brian shook his head and ran his hand through his hair.

You’re kidding. Right? I gave Brian a sarcastic grin and then went back to my emails. I had fifty emails come in at seven and another ten at eight. It’s like these guys don’t think I ever eat or sleep, I said as I glanced sleepily at my computer screen. Brian gave me a playful bop on the shoulder.

Come on, Nick. Close that shit up and let’s get out of here, said Brian with a boyish grin. I’ve made it a point to rescue you so that you don’t miss out on the exotic dancers they got at Daphne’s tonight, Brian winked and I grimaced.

Daphne’s? That place is a dump, but whatever you say, man, I sighed and closed the screen on my laptop. Brian stood eagerly at the door.

I need a life besides this company, I said as I turned off the light to my office and locked the door. Brian tapped the button on the elevator and looked at me, bewildered.

Dude. I’m not being an ass. I’m being your friend and telling you that this place is sucking the life out of you. I swear it’s the only place you ever spend time at anymore, he said with a shake of his head. You really need to branch out and try to find time for other shit, said Brian.

I’m not even half-through my quarterly reports, I said as we stood inside the elevator. I’m going to be penned up inside this place all weekend, I said with a sigh. But that’s what it takes to be the man, I laughed. Brian gave me a playful punch in the arm.

You ought to hire more employees, dude. I’m telling you, said Brian as we headed down thirty floors to the bottom of the building. The ding of the elevator sounded and we stepped out and into the lobby.

I can only hire people for the first three tiers of sales and after that? It’s all on me, I said. I’m not sure it was always set up to be that way but if I don’t do the work, I don’t get the results, I said. There’s too much to risk by hiring outside and expecting the same level of quality, I said as we walked toward the front desk.

I shuffled around in the lobby office until I found the extra fobs that we always secured in a lock box by the new hire paperwork. I got them out and then tuned out the lights and headed to the door. This ought to work, I said as Brian followed me. With a quick swipe, I was able to get the code entered and lock up the building.

It’s a good night for some dancers, I laughed as we made our way through the dark parking lot. Being outside seemed to lift my mood. I looked up at the sky and drew in a deep breath. I was ready to unwind with a few drinks.

Good thing Daphne’s is right around the corner, laughed Brian. I’m planning on a good time tonight, my friend, he said. Oh, yeah. A good time and a good buzz, he added as the two of us crossed the busy Cleveland street and headed north.

I was thinking this week, I said as we reached the corner, about a half-block away from the club. If I were to change careers now, I’d probably be almost forty before I even came close to making as much money as I’m making now, I said, sifting through the calculations in my mind. Brian laughed.

Maybe it’s time for you to start thinking about something besides money, said Brian as he elbowed me in the ribs. I jabbed him back with a laugh and then we both rounded the corner for Daphne’s.

I know this much, I said as we opened the door to the crowded club, I like being able to take off and jet-set around the world and I also love all the women I get to meet doing it. It was true. All women loved a man who made money. The major drawback to being loaded was that I never quite knew if a woman was interested in me for who I was as a person or if she was just out for my dough. Sometimes it got confusing.

Oh, Nick. Wait till we get seats, man, said Brian as he bee-lined for the bar. I followed close behind him, making my way through the thick crowd of sweaty bodies inside the tight space. Daphne’s was dark and cozy, the kind of place I liked to go to when I really wanted to tie one on. I could retain a sense of anonymity inside that place and I never got harassed by any of the staff, either.

Brian somehow managed to get us two seats right at the front of the stage. I squeezed up to the bar and ordered a Jack and Coke, then carried my drink to the table. The dim lights made it hard to see who was next to me but I could smell sweet, floral perfume. I closed my eyes and savored the womanly air that surrounded me.

Nick! I heard Brian shout from the front of the stage so I snapped out of my daze and moved as quickly as I could to meet him. Check out these women, he said with a grin as I sat down next to him. A tall black woman with thick thighs and a mane of thick, wavy hair smiled at me.

Cheers, I said and held up my drink. Brian held his drink up to mine and we dinged our glasses together, then took large swigs of the alcohol that swirled around inside them. It felt like a weight slid right off my shoulders when the cool liquid slid down my throat. I listened to a drum sound on the stage and looked up just in time to see three more dancers saunter onto the stage in short, black skirts and tight, red bandeaus. 

Yeah, man, I said. The black woman I’d locked eyes with was gyrating on a pole right before my eyes. Her breasts were large and robust. I wanted to reach out and put them in my hands, but I knew better than to make a fool of myself this early into the night. I pretended that I was caressing her body and running my fingers over her tits.

Tellme this doesn’t beat being locked up in a high-rise all night, said Brian as he nudged me on the arm. I chuckled and took another sip of my drink, already feeling the light tingle from a buzz seep through my limbs. All I wanted to do was stay in this seat all night and get drunk while hot women danced in front of my face with their tight asses and big tits. So that’s exactly what I did.

Chapter 2 - Natalie POV Sunday

OH MY GOD, I SAID as I kicked off yet another pair of high heels. These are the most ridiculous shoes ever, I said as I chucked them back into the closet. I ought to just show up in a pair of Converse sneakers, I laughed as I flopped face down on my bed.

What’s wrong with the black velvet ones? Beth asked.

For one, they are two sizes too small, I sighed, my voice muffled from being pressed into the bedspread. And two, they are totally the wrong color for the dress I’m supposed to be wearing to this, I said and then rolled over, my hair plastered to my face. Beth laughed.

Then let’s skip the shoes for now and just focus on the dresses. Get up, said Beth as she yanked me by the hand. I lunged forward and almost landed inside the closet. We both laughed and then straightened up to continue the serious task of outfit-selecting. Here’s a super sexy plunge neck you could wear with a black skirt, said Beth as she pulled a gold long-sleeve shirt off a wooden hanger.

I like that shirt, but I think it makes my boobs like really flat, I grumbled and tossed it aside as soon as Beth handed it to me. But wait, I said as I rummaged in the back. I think I have a really cool purple shirt with sequins back here. I leaned in to the closet and yanked out the shirt. Ta-da! I announced as Beth stood back, her hands on her hips.

You sure about that? It looks a little, she paused and then pursed her lips.

It looks a little strip-club-ish?" I asked, my nose scrunched up. Beth nodded her head.

Okay. Let’s try dresses, instead, I said, growing tired of digging through an endless pile of clothing that was either too small, too out of style, or too inappropriate for my brother’s upcoming wedding.

Girl, you have a ton of dresses back here. Holy shit! exclaimed Beth. You could open up your own Macy’s, she exclaimed as she stepped in and reached for the dresses in the corner. I laughed and waited to see what she revealed.

I like that one, I said as Beth handed me a red maxi dress. It was one of my favorites. I’d worn it to a couple of graduations as well as a cocktail party last year. I wore this number to Katie’s engagement party, I said, nodding my head. Remember that night? I rolled my eyes. Beth laughed.

You know, that would have actually been a great party if Chad hadn’t acted like such a dick, said Beth. I mean, he knew that Katie and Ethan had been talking about getting married for the last five years so why the hell would he decide to hit on her in front of Chad? Beth shook her head and sat down on my ottoman.

Yeah, that was real messed up, I said as I unzipped the red maxi dress from the hanger. Katie’s engagement party had been one of the reasons why I’d decided not to date anybody for the subsequent year. It had left me wide-eyed and reluctant, to say the least. Not that I had anyone dying to propose to me, anyway, but I was even more turned off from dating after that crazy event.

Remember? He just grabbed her by the arm and practically shoved his tongue down her throat, said Beth as she shuddered. He’s not even that attractive, she added, to which I nodded in agreement.

Yeah. I don’t know what that was all about, I said as I squeezed into the red maxi. Beth stood back, eyes widened.

Natalie, that looks absolutely amazing, said Beth with a smile. I’m not joking. It fits you perfect, she said as she helped me zip it up in the back.

You sure? I asked, reaching behind my head and pulling out my hair that was getting caught in the zipper. I mean, I don’t want it to look so good that I upstage the wedding or anything, I said with a wink. Beth giggled.

Girl, it looks mighty hot, said Beth, shaking her head. Now you just have to pick out shoes to match, she said as she squatted on the floor and started rifling through my massive shoe pile.

Let me try on that black dress, too, I said. Just to be safe. I didn’t know why I was feeling so self-conscious. Maybe it was because this was my brother’s wedding and I knew that I was going to see so many people that I hadn’t run into for years. I loved weddings but this one had me feeling anxious.

Aren’t you excited to see your brother get married? I mean, you guys used to be close. What’s his fiancé’s name? Beth asked as she picked up a pair of stiletto heels and then chucked them back in the closet.

Yeah. Me and Jason are pretty tight, but you know how it is when you live so far apart, I said with a shrug. Jason was three years older than me and lived in San Diego, California. We got along well for most of our young adult lives. In fact, we used to have a blast when we were in high school. We both rode the same bus and we both played sports so we had mutual friends. We were both popular and well-liked in school which made it an easy place to spend four years.

I always thought Jason was so cute, said Beth as she pulled out a pair of black striped heels and placed them on the floor. I don’t know about his taste in women during the college years, she said with a roll of her eyes, But he’s a good guy, your brother.

Jason had dated his fair share of what we used to call floozies. I laughed to myself, thinking about the chick he brought home when he was a senior. She was a total slut but she was also really pretty and had a sweet personality. Her name was Brenda and she and I got along really well. My mother didn’t approve of her at all; therefore, the relationship was short-lived. I could still remember the night Jason tried sneaking her into his bedroom. My mom caught him red-handed pulling Brenda up the siding of the house with a knotted sheet.

I know. Jason really is a good person. He deserves someone who treats him right, I said. I’m just not looking forward to seeing my parents at his wedding because I know they’re going to give me a hard time about me and Chris breaking up, I said with a sigh. You know how much my mother wants me to have this perfect life, I rolled my eyes.

I wouldn’t worry about it, Natalie, said Beth. You can always just get really drunk and find a new guy at the reception, she said and gave me a playful punch on the shoulder. I laughed. She did have a good point, I mused.

It’s just that I know my mother is expecting to see a giant diamond ring on my finger, I said. I held my hand in front of Beth’s face and wiggled my fingers in front of her eyes. I only have a mood ring and a Band-Aid on this hand to show her, I said jokingly.

Well, it’s better than getting your hand chopped off in a work accident, so at least you have a hand to show her, Beth shrugged. I laughed and rolled my eyes, then jumped on the bed.

Beth, we have been in this room for almost two hours. I have two dresses picked out, I said observing the mound of clothes heaped on the floor. We both laughed and Beth rummaged through the shoe pile once again.

Okay, let’s finalize your shoe choices, she said and pulled out a pair of silver colored pumps. I nodded my head.

I like those, I said, brows raised. Toss them in the pile with the red dress, I said and reclined on the bed. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what my mother’s reaction would be when I showed up at Jason’s wedding without Chris in tow. I wasn’t sure what her reaction was going to be when she saw not just my naked hand, but my absent mate.

Why is your mom so caught up in what you do, anyway? I understand her wanting you to be happy and successful, but why does she think she has any say in who you date? Beth asked the question that I always asked myself.

I have no idea, I groaned, shaking my head. She’s one of those control freaks, as you know, I said. When you ever known her to not to be all up in my business? I asked as I scooted off the bed and picked up the shoes.

I guess you’re right. She’s been that way ever since I’ve known you, said Beth. What can you do about it? she asked as she put the dresses in a pile. She just puts this totally unbelievable amount of pressure on you, she said.

I wish I could say that I’ve gotten used to it, I said, tossing the shoes into the dress pile. But it never really gets any easier. I just feel more anxious every time I have to see her, I said, dragging my suitcase across the floor and propping it up next to the closet. Beth sat down on the bed and rested her head in her hands.

I’ve got it, she said and popped up off the bed. I know what you can do.

What? I asked, curious.

Bring a guy with you, she said, her eyes wide.

You mean bring a guy to the wedding and pretend that he’s Chris? I laughed.

Yup, said Beth. Why not?

That is a crazy idea, Beth, I laughed. But maybe it would work, I said slowly, thinking it over in my mind. What could go wrong? I wondered. My mother had actually never met Chris so there was no risk in her noticing that I was with a different man. Why not give it a try? I thought.

I think you should do it, said Beth. Your mother is going to be so wrapped up in Jason’s big day that I doubt she would even notice if you brought a different guy. She’s only seen pictures of Chris, anyway. Right? she asked. I nodded.

You’re absolutely right, I said. She wouldn’t know Chris from a can of paint, I said and then smiled. This idea is growing on me, Beth. I got up and zipped the suitcase, then rolled it to the doorway and sat back down on the bed.

Okay, girl. I think you’re all set for this wedding. Two dresses, two pairs of shoes, said Beth as she went through the checklist. I think all you need now is a few pairs of underwear, some jewelry and a man. I laughed and then dragged the suitcase from the bedroom to the hallway.

Chapter 3 – Nick POV Tuesday

THESE PEOPLE MUST BE crazy, I said as I answered my twentieth email of the morning. Surely I am not the only person who is capable of answering all these questions. I took a giant swig of my coffee and then wrung my wrists. I was feeling the pressure of tending to multiple projects at once and I wasn’t enjoying it. I had originally liked the thrill of business, of making sure that all I’s were dotted and all T’s were crossed. Now? I just wanted a break from it all.

Hey, Nick. I have a call on line three for you. It’s Alex from Sunimar Designs, said Shelia, the assistant secretary. I wondered where Natalie was since she was the one who usually took my phone calls. I shook my head.