Billionaire In Vegas Page 14

  Kelly thought about Aaron and how much this might hurt him if he were to know about this. She was so confused. She knew that she should choose one or the other, but it was impossible to know which one to choose. Which one would make her happy? Did she even have a choice? John was not a man to be tied to any woman, but did that make her want him more? In the back of her mind was she secretly thinking about how many other women he was probably having casual liaisons with on a daily basis? She would have been stupid to think it was just her, but he was so damn good. The way he touched her and dominated her was what she needed sometimes. But she also needed a more tender touch like she had with Aaron and someone who respected her and listened to her. She saw a future with him, but the thing with John was like a drug that she lusted for daily. Once she had sampled it, she had to have more and more.

  She left John’s shop feeling both exhilarated and dirty. It was almost a blur and she found herself almost wondering what had just happened. She had gone there to ask the man a simple question, and had ended up naked on his couch. She needed a good hot shower, to wash away the dirt—both physical and emotional. She could feel patches of grease on her body and she found this somehow turned her on. The man was able to just at the drop of a hat have her submit to his every need.

  She didn’t know what to do. She wanted to stop this thing, but she knew that if she were in that situation again she would allow it to happen. A part of her needed it, but she couldn’t continue to have both. Could she?

  The night of the fight came faster than she anticipated and somehow she suddenly found herself at ringside watching the fight. Her friend Amy had decided to come along and surprisingly she had ditched her poor excuse for a boyfriend, so it was just a girl’s night out which they had not had in quite a while.

  She had waited through two other fights, before the main event, which was Aaron and Jack. She heard his entrance music, “The Sickness” by Disturbed blasting through the speakers and the crowd was suddenly on its feet. Aaron came into the ring and removed his robe. He looked great and the look on his face showed the kind of determination and raw aggression that Kelly had seen in him when they first met.

  Jack entered a few minutes later. John was trailing right behind him working his corner. John spotted her in the front row and smiled at her. She really hoped that he didn’t do anything stupid, but with that man you couldn’t tell.

  The fight started off with a bang. Jack ran right at Aaron releasing a flurry of kicks and punches. Aaron was ready for him and he easily side stepped it all. He went for a takedown tackling Jack’s legs and pulling him down. In an instant Jack was back on his feet. He grabbed Aaron in a clench and began to use knees and elbows to his ribs and chest. Aaron took a few hits, pushed Jack back releasing the clench. Then Aaron let loose a hard kick to Jack’s leg. Jack’s face clenched in pain as his leg buckled.

  Aaron seized the opportunity and tackled Jack again, this time gaining a half guard position on top of him. Jack struggled to get loose, but Aaron kept his position. From there he began to let loose on Jack, raining down punches upon him. Jack managed to block a few but some hard shots were getting through. There was blood spewing from Jack’s nose now and Aaron showed no signs of letting up on his attack.

  Jack struggled and managed to get a leg up across Aaron’s chest and he quickly went for the arm bar. He had it about halfway sunk in when Aaron stepped against Jack and twisted away from him pulling his arm out of danger. Jack tried to quickly get to his feet, but he no sooner stood on his feet then he caught a round house kick from Aaron right to the jaw.

  The blow was devastating and dropped Jack to the ground.

  “Go Aaron!” Kelly yelled.

  John turned and looked at her. His face was stone for a moment, but then he smirked at her and turned his attention back to the fight.

  Aaron leapt on Jack, pounding punch upon punch down upon him. Jack quickly turned his back, grabbing Aaron’s leg and pulling him off balance, offering relief from the onslaught of vicious blows pouring on Jack’s head and face.

  Aaron steadied himself and pulled his leg free. He instantly hit Jack hard on the shoulder blades, causing him to drop his guard from his face. Aaron wrapped him up, with both arms wrapped tightly around Jack’s neck, cutting off the air. He jerked and pulled harder, locking the rear naked choke tighter. Jack was in trouble. He was passing out. After a few seconds of being unresponsive the ref called the fight.

  Aaron had won.

  “Yes!” Kelly screamed. Amy gave her a hug and high five.

  Aaron stood in the ring victorious as crowds from both parties began to invade the ring and the announcers all clamored to interview the winner.

  Kelly smiled. She knew what her choice was.

  It had been clear all along.

  The End

  Part II

  Bad Star

  Billionaire Romance

  About the Book

  Meet film star Jack Bradley.

  She came to me like an angel, so pure and beautiful. Not only does she have a face and a body that no supermodel girl friends of mine can compare with, she has a heart of gold.

  The money, the body, the fame - I have it all. The whole world knows it, except her.

  She can’t see how beautiful she is, and she can’t see how good looking I am.

  I want her in my life, I have to bring her down to my level.

  Meet blind musician Rainn.

  So he’s the guy in the movies. It’s a shame I don’t really watch movies.

  Jack is different. He’s a good guy, deep down... I know that.

  I feel as though I can see him, who he really is. If only he’d let me help him. His lifestyle, the drugs and the casual sex… he’s really not doing himself any favors.

  The only way I can get through to him is to join him.

  But what if I like it too much?

  Chapter One

  Rainn was out walking with her sister Yvonne near Liverpool Street; it was their tradition. Rainn would smell the curry, the vegan burgers and the coffee-shops. She would listen to the sounds of people chatting, looking through shop windows and checking each other out. Rainn would sense the change in the daylight and many other things that she could only imagine on the black canvas of her mind. With her newly gained French accent, Yvonne would describe the world to her. She made sweet, witty descriptions, highlighting the strangeness of human interactions before them.

  It was warm May evening and many people were out; walking; hurrying home; drinking outside pubs or simply enjoying the evening air.

  The two sisters were waiting at a crossing when Yvonne spotted a youth attempting to steal a woman’s handbag. She immediately ran to help. In the moment Yvonne left Rainn’s side, Rainn stumbled out into the street and was hit by a Porsche.

  Rainn woke up for a second. Someone was holding her head up, asking her to speak to him. She inhaled his woody, masculine scent. It struck her as natural and clean: reminding her of skin that was out in the sun all day. She passed out feeling strangely safe in his hands.

  She woke up again at the hospital: Yvonne told her she was hit by a car and suffered minor surgery for a broken arm. She told Rainn about the man who hit her and rushed her to the emergency room. Yvonne painted an intimidating picture of the wealthy stranger. Rainn remembered his smell and felt strangely aroused and in love in a very deep organic way. She felt he would come and see her soon, giving her mixed feelings that she just couldn’t understand.

  He walked in at that very moment. Rainn completely blown away by the now familiar smell, the happiness and worry in voice. They shared an emotional conversation together, brief yet intense. The wealthy stranger introduced himself as Jack.

  He left, as did Yvonne, and Rainn was left alone to rest. She drifted off thinking about all she was experiencing. She fantasized about Jack and remembered the conversation they had over and over. She imagined what she should have said and looked like. She felt excited and a little sad, already deeply in
love but intimidated. What chances would she have with a man that any woman would die to get their hands on?

  She fell asleep knowing this accident would change her forever.

  Upon returning, Jack gave Rainn a book. She could feel the book was old and used. She told her it was his favourite book as a child. He read a story to her about a prince who never understood the joy of sharing his wealth. The prince died, with his soul remaining trapped, in a statue raised after his funeral. The statue was covered in gold and had two huge, blue eyes made from hundreds of sapphires. Through his precious jewels, he saw beggars, orphans and the elderly pass him every day. He had a bird that told him each of these people’s stories. The prince felt so sad for them that he asked the bird to give these people, one by one, the sapphires that made his gleaming eyes, leaving him blind. The bird became his sight. Towards the end of the story, the prince also gave his golden coating to the poor, losing all his shine. He became a simple statue, made of only lead. The prince was torn down and melted. When the metal melted, the only thing remaining was his heart. Jack ended the story and they both remained silent. Rainn asked Jack if his eyes were blue, like the prince. Jack replied that they were, adding that he would gladly give them away for a heart. He left her the book. Rainn fell asleep with it in her hand, as she wondered how this irony would unfold.

  Chapter Two

  The day after Rainn was released from hospital her cousin visited her at home.

  “I’m sorry,” said Margaret. “I wanted to come while you were still in hospital.”

  Rainn laughed. “You mean you wanted me to stay in hospital longer?”

  “You know that’s not what I meant. I wanted to get an earlier flight, but I couldn’t.”

  “Margaret, you needn’t have. It’s such a long way to come and I’m fine, really.”

  “Rainn, you were hit by a car! Of course I was going to come. I’d have come to wherever you were.”

  “I’m not badly hurt. I was shaken but these injuries will heal.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” said Margaret. “I wanted to come.”

  She was silent for a while and Rainn knew what she was thinking.

  “Where’s Yvonne?” she asked, eventually.

  “At work.” She heard Margaret shift in her seat. It was enough to know how she felt.

  “Don’t be angry with her,” she said.

  “How can I not be angry?” said Margaret. “How can she be so negligent?”

  “It wasn’t her fault. It was me. I was stupid.”

  “It wouldn’t have happened if she had kept an eye on you.”

  “She can’t keep an eye on me all the time.”

  “You could have been killed.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  “That was just good fortune.”

  “Maybe,” said Rainn. “I’m not sure what it was.”

  Margaret poured tea from the teapot. Rainn took her cup and she listened to Margaret stir in her milk and sugar.

  “And the car driver?” Margaret asked. “What will happen to him? Was he speeding? Have the police spoken to him?”

  “It wasn’t his fault. I stepped off the kerb straight into him.”

  “Well, maybe. But he should still apologize.”

  “If anything, I should apologize to him. I knocked the wing mirror clean off his Porsche.”

  “Oh, poor him,” scoffed Margaret. “He’ll probably ask you to pay to have it replaced.”

  “I offered,” blushed Rainn.

  “What?” Margaret spluttered on her tea.

  “He came into the hospital. I said sorry and asked if I could pay for the damage.”

  “Are you crazy?” asked Margaret.

  “That’s what he said. Anyway, he wouldn’t hear of it.”

  “Probably feeling guilty.”

  “Maybe.” Rainn nodded. “He didn’t seem like that though. He seemed . . .” she tailed away.

  “He seemed, what?” asked Margaret suspiciously. Rainn could imagine her eyes narrowing.

  “Nice,” said Rainn. “Kind. We got on very well.”

  “You got on,” repeated Margaret. “How many times did you see him? I meant meet.”

  “I know what you meant,” smiled Rainn. “A few times. He brought me gifts.”

  “Did he? I wonder what he wanted.”

  “I told you, we get on. There is no need to be suspicious.”

  Rainn cast her mind back to those conversations in the hospital ward. The smell of Jack, mixed with the heavy scent of flowers had lulled her into a pleasant mood, as she lay on the plump cushions. Maybe it was the medication, maybe it was the shock, but there had been something in that room, something in Jack’s melodious voice that Rainn had found soothing. She had never felt like that before.

  “You get on,” said Margaret, interrupting Rainn’s thoughts. “Do you mean get on or got on?”

  Rainn smiled. “I don’t know. We will see what happens.” She could imagine Margaret frowning at this.

  “And what do you know about this man apart from he drives a Porsche and gives gifts?”

  “What else is there to know?” asked Rainn. She was grinning as Margaret tutted.

  “He sounds like a criminal. What’s his name?”

  “Jack. He did tell me his surname but I’ve forgotten it. I was a little disorientated at the time.”

  “And what does he do?”

  “Works in film.” Rainn could feel Margaret’s suspicion which amused her greatly.

  “Anything else?”

  “Just that he’s a nice guy. Interesting and funny. And he’s got a lovely voice. I feel like I’ve heard it before. Do you think he’s famous? Maybe he’s an actor. He said he worked in film. Perhaps he’s just being modest.”

  “Wait a second,” said Margaret, “you said his name was Jack?”

  Before Rainn could answer, she could hear Margaret rushing through to the kitchen. When Margaret returned, Rainn could tell she was carrying a newspaper.

  “Yesterday’s paper,” Margaret said. “I picked it up at the airport.” She proceeded to thumb through it. “Do you think that maybe the man’s surname might have been Bradley?”

  Rainn clapped her hands. “That’s it! Exactly! Have you heard of him? Is he famous? A celebrity?”

  Margaret found what she had been looking for and read in a rather world-weary way.

  “‘Dangerous Jeopardy’ actor, Jack Bradley (32), admitted to being involved in a car accident near Liverpool Street station at the weekend. At first, Karolyn Jones, his agent had denied the heartthrob’s involvement. However, when footage was uploaded to social media by onlookers, she was forced to issue the following statement.

  “Mr Bradley was present at a small traffic accident. It was in no way his fault and the police have not been involved. He has since visited a hospital to visit the woman who was injured and has left her flowers and other gifts.

  “Jack Bradley, who has been involved in recent controversy over allegations of drug use on the set of his current set, was photographed last night leaving an exclusive restaurant with his girlfriend, Chelsea Lopez (24).”

  “Oh,” said Rainn. There seemed nothing else to say.

  Margaret sighed. “There’s a photograph. Looks like a nice restaurant. Italian, I guess. He’s a good looking man. I recognize him now. He’s wearing a nice suit.”

  “What about his girlfriend?”

  “I’ve no idea what she’s wearing. Not very much. Her legs are ridiculous. Can’t tell much about her face. She’s hiding it behind a pair of huge sunglasses.”

  Rainn felt tears form in her eyes. She wasn’t sure whether it was because of sadness, or frustration at her own naivety.

  “Oh, come on, Rainn,” coaxed Margaret. “Don’t feel like that.” She handed her a tissue. “Now we know who he is, there’s no need to feel bad.”

  “You mean because he would never want someone like me.” Sobbed Rainn.

  “That’s not what I’m saying. Quite the opposite. You
would never want someone like him. I can’t say I know much about Jack Bradley, but all I know is bad. You deserve better than someone like that.”

  “What do you know?” asked Rainn.

  “Well, I know that he uses his wealth and fame to surround himself with young, trophy girlfriends who are usually no more than a pair of long legs and a pair of designer sunglasses. I’m sure he doesn’t even like them anyway, as he cheats repeatedly, with no qualms. I read that this has made him lose all respect for women and cynical to the core. He strikes me as the jealous type. Possessive even though he won’t stay faithful himself.”

  Margaret paused to sip her tea with a very superior air.

  “I know he is going through a very public career crisis. It’s probably why he was flying round in his Porsche.”

  “He wasn’t speeding,” interrupted Rainn.

  “Well, whatever,” shrugged Margaret. “Then there’s the rumours of drug use and his horrible temper. You could imagine how the violence in his films might spill over to his private life.”

  “Is that a fact or your opinion?” asked Rainn.

  Margaret folded the paper. “It’s what people say.” And then to change the subject, she asked “Have you heard from John?”

  “John?” repeated Rainn, as if she had never heard of him. “Oh, God, John! I hadn’t thought.”

  “You mean you haven’t told him about the accident?”

  “I didn’t have chance!” protested Rainn, wondering if she looked guilty. “I probably should have.”

  “You two are still friends, aren’t you?”

  “Of course we are. We’re always friends. Always have been. Always will be.”

  “Invite him for dinner,” said Margaret. “I’ll make something. You, me, Yvonne and John. It will be fun.”

  “You’ve just flown in, you can’t be making dinner.”

  “Nonsense,” snorted Margaret, standing up. “You can call him. Your phone is in the kitchen, I’ll get it.”