Billionaire In Vegas Read online

  “Named after your mother. This is your organization?”

  Jude nodded. “Yeah, I started it when she first started getting sick.”

  “Did she know about it?”

  He shook his head. “She passed away so quickly, we were still getting off the ground when she died.”

  I found myself taking his hand. “I’m sure she would have been proud of you.”

  He nodded. “So now you know my secret, tell me about your family.”

  I dropped his hand and moved away. “You already know I was raised by my aunt.”

  “What happened to your parents?”

  I sighed, knowing that I couldn’t continue dodging his questions. “I never knew my mother. I was raised by my father, but I don’t remember him either because he died when I wasn’t even one.”

  “I'm so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I had a great childhood. My aunt treated me like a daughter and my cousin Leslie was a blast. My aunt was very loving. It’s just that I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks per se. I was bused into the richer neighborhoods for school and the kids there never let me forget that I was the poor kid, only there because of a scholarship. They made it clear that I didn’t fit in there.”

  “Rich kids are the worst. You weren’t missing much.”

  I guffawed. “Says a rich kid.”

  He held up his hands. “Actually, my dad disowned me years ago.”

  “What? You’re kidding.”

  He shook his head. “I wish I were. But he cut me off when I was twenty.”

  “So how are you funding this operation?”

  “Mom left me some property and I saved some money from when I played pro-ball, but I wanted to expand outside of the city to other states, even internationally eventually. Right now, I don’t have the funds to make that happen, but one day...”

  I nodded in understanding. “That’s why your inheritance is such a big deal to you.”

  He nodded. “I’m not some spoiled rich boy. I mean, I was. But life has a way of throwing things at you, pulling the rug from under you that makes you stop and pay attention.”

  “Don’t I know it! I woke up naked next to a stranger in Vegas who I thought was a billionaire but turns out is a broke CEO of a nonprofit.”

  “Disappointed?”

  “Not even a little. You’re an enigma, Mr. Foster.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment given other things I’m sure you’ve called me behind my back.”

  “You misjudge me. I only talk badly about you when you’re within earshot. What’s the fun of trash talking you when you can’t hear me?”

  I smiled broadly as he laughed. “You’re a woman of integrity, Lacey.”

  He took my hand, surprising me.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I want to introduce you to my crew, you know since you’re my wife and all.”

  I felt honored for some reason, but I told myself not to give into the feeling. Our marriage was a farce; he was only doing his due diligence.

  I was lost in thought and was surprised when he pulled me into a conference room where a meeting was underway. There were about six people sitting around a long oval conference table engaged in animated conversation that abruptly stopped when they noticed me.

  I saw a few grins and appraising looks and was suddenly self-conscious. I reached up to make sure my hair wasn’t a complete mess and smiled brightly at the group in front of me.

  “Everyone, this is Lacey, my wife.”

  “So the rumors are true? I thought you’d dreamed it all,” said a young dark-skinned man with a light Caribbean accent. He wore glasses and a dress shirt with a tie. He was dressed more for a corporate environment instead of a casual day at the office like the others who wore jeans and plain t-shirts.

  “Lacey, meet Aidan. He’s my VP. And apparently he thinks I’m delusional and made you up.”

  Aidan smiled wide and said with a shrug, “It wouldn’t be the first time. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  I wasn’t sure if I should have offered my hand or just nod, so I returned his smile and waved my fingers at him. God, I was awkward.

  I then nervously did the same with the others who went around introducing themselves and explaining who they were in the operation. And then Jude surprised me by saying, “Alright Lacey, so I’ll let you get acquainted. Aidan, can you join me in my office?”

  And as soon as they disappeared the others sat there in silence staring at me.

  “Sooo….” said one of them whose name I couldn’t remember. “You’re Jude’s wife…”

  I nodded and nervously looked down at my ring. “Yep. I guess I am.” I felt so stupid. I guess? Gosh, what was wrong with me? I was about to cast doubt in everyone’s mind that our marriage was real.

  “I mean, yep. I’m Mrs. Jude Foster,” I laughed nervously and sank into a chair. “Soooo….” I said changing the subject “What’s Jude like as a boss? Tell me all the dirt.”

  “He’s cheap. He hasn’t bought us lunch in weeks.”

  The rest of them began to laugh and I realized it was a joke. I awkwardly laughed with them.

  “But seriously, Jude’s a great boss. This is by far the best team I’ve been on and hey, he’s really nice to look at, not that you haven’t noticed.”

  I laughed, finally loosening up. “I guess he’s okay looking,” I said with a casual shrug.

  We sat around joking and getting better acquainted. Jude peaked his head around the corner.

  “Want to help out with the operation today?”

  I nodded enthusiastically. The next thing I knew, I was packing boxes with Jerry and helping Anna with a few social media tasks.

  Before I knew it, five o’clock had rolled around and I was exhausted.

  “You can tell you guys are newlyweds,” Anna said with a laugh.

  “Oh really? How’s that?”

  “He doesn’t stop looking at you. I caught him a few times staring at you and he always looks the other way and pretends to be doing something else. It’s really cute.”

  I blushed, unsure what to say. I’d thought it was my imagination, but I could feel his eyes on me most of the day. And a few times when I thought he wasn’t looking, I’d found myself staring at him. I felt like I’d seen a whole new side to him. I saw how much he cared about the cause and the people he helped. I admired him. He hadn’t just withdrawn when his mother was dying, he’d done something to help others. I found myself proud of him and feeling so much respect for the man he was.

  I waited for him in his office while he said goodbye to his staff.

  He came back in and exhaustedly collapsed into his chair.

  I leaned my elbow against the desk and put my chin in my hand. “Tired?”

  “I’m beat,” he said rubbing his forehead.

  “Got a headache?”

  He shook his head. “I think I have the beginnings of one, though. It was just a busier day than usual for a slow day—”

  My eyebrows shot up. “A slow day? This is the busiest company I’ve ever worked at.”

  “So did you enjoy your time here?”

  “It was great. Anna, Jerry, even no-nonsense Aidan is growing on me.”

  “They’re a great group and they seemed to really like you.”

  “You’re being nice.”

  “I’m not. I enjoy being around you, most people do.”

  I narrowed my eyes and said playfully, “You just want me around for free labor.” I was admittedly trying to lighten the mood with humor. I hadn’t expected the compliment. It had made feel special. No emotions, Lacey. Remember your rules.

  “I want you around for a lot more than that,” he said quietly and his tone wasn’t playful anymore.

  “Well there are like a billion dollars at stake, so yeah there’s that too.”

  He ignored my comment and said softly, “Come here, Lacey.”

  “No, I think I’ll stay on this side of the desk.”

  “Okay
then.” He stood up and came over to me.

  He stood in front of me and crooked his finger. I shook my head. I felt if I stayed seated I could control myself.

  Apparently, Jude had other plans.

  In one smooth motion, he picked me up and placed me on the edge of the desk. He started kissing my neck and I moaned when his lips finally met mine. He slid his hands between my legs, raising my dress up so that the skirt was around my hips. He parted my thighs, spreading them wide, and stood between them, alternating between rubbing my heated sex and kissing my face, my eyes, my cheeks.

  He pushed me back onto the desk and freed my breasts from the constraints of my dress and bra.

  His warm mouth pulled at my nipples and I grabbed his face, trying to keep him there.

  “Oh god, Jude,” I groaned as he roughly sucked my nipple, alternating between one breast and the other.

  I felt his hand between my legs and gasped as he moved my panties to the side and dipped a finger into me, stroking me, making me crave him like I’d never craved him before.

  I shimmied a little to get my skirt further up and parted my legs wantonly, turned on by the thought of forbidden office sex, coupled with the eagerness that Jude displayed, as if he couldn’t wait to be inside me.

  He reached into his pocket, put on a condom, and rid me of my panties, sliding into my wetness in one pleasurable stroke. I brought my hips up to meet his thrusts, burying the heels of my feet into his bare buttocks with every thrust.

  Comically, the desk below me rocked loudly each time he pushed into me. But I didn’t care. I could feel my insides squeezing around him and I knew I was about to come, but I wanted to enjoy it a little bit more. I wanted to enjoy the feel of Jude buried inside me just a little longer.

  “Don’t stop, Jude, please don’t stop,” I managed to moan.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, before kissing me again and pushing me over the edge as he slowly pulled out of me and then with incredible slowness, pushed himself deep into my waiting wetness, inch by inch.

  The pleasure was so intense that I held my breath. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. And then I started to come. My body shook all over as he buried his head in the crook of my neck.

  “Oh God, Lacey. You feel so good,” he said, and I could feel him coming too. My sex squeezed his, determined to memorize the feel of him.

  He thrust into me one last time and my hips drove upwards as I came again.

  “Jude!” I shouted as my head hurt from the force of my orgasm.

  And then we were spent, holding each other. He slowly pulled out of me and I made an involuntary groan, saddened as I missed his warmth.

  He extended his hand and pulled me up from the desk. He pulled up his pants and helped me arrange my clothes.

  I was afraid to look in his eyes, but I knew I had to say something. We were quickly crossing the point of no return and one of us had to do something about it.

  I opened my mouth to speak when he stopped everything I had to say by kissing me thoroughly on the mouth.

  He then pulled back slowly and placed a finger against my lips, quieting my next words.

  “Let’s go home,” he said, taking my hand in his and ushering me through the door.

  Chapter Nine

  I stood in front of the mirror staring at myself. I couldn’t take my eyes off my reflection. I was dressed in a long evening gown that was most likely the most elegant item of clothing I’d ever owned (not to mention, the most expensive). It was black, off-the-shoulder and fit like a glove. I’d never worn anything so close fitting so naturally, I was uncomfortable.

  “Would you stop pulling at it?” Emmaline said for the second time in the past five minutes.

  I gave her an annoyed look before saying, “Stop being so bossy.”

  She laughed. “I’m just saying that you look great. Stop fussing with your dress.”

  I couldn’t help but not take her advice as I attempted to hike the top part of the dress further up. I felt the dress didn’t do enough to keep my important parts hidden, but what did I know? Emmaline was right. I looked pretty darn good.

  “Do you think this bust line is way too low?”

  “Nope. Your boobs are supposed to look like they’re about to spill out.”

  I frowned, “Really? That’s a good look?”

  “Trust me. I might not be very fashionable, but I know fashion.”

  “Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense,” I said, mostly to myself because Emmaline was looking down at her phone.

  “Hey, a little attention here.”

  “Sorry,” she said, burying her phone under a pillow.

  “Were you texting someone?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

  “What? No! That was no one.”

  I could hear her phone beeping incessantly under her pillow.

  “Go ahead and get it.”

  She bit her lip as if deciding whether to keep playing coy, decided against it and dove for her phone. I watched her smile spread from ear to ear as she read the text messages. Whatever was being said, she was apparently happy to hear it.

  Her daughter, Theodora, came running in and gushed at the sight of me.

  “Auntie Lacey you look sooooooooo beautiful.”

  “Thank you so much,” I beamed. I’d let my hair grow out over the months and it was now hanging down around my shoulders. I had to get used to the longer length which seemed to frame my face perfectly. Emmaline had let me borrow her shoes and had helped me with my makeup. The result was stunning. The sexy dark red color made my lips look pouty and inviting. And my eye makeup gave me a hint of mystery. I was like a new woman. Glamorous, mysterious, and oh so nervous about tonight.

  “You’re going to be the most beautiful woman at the ball.”

  I laughed. “You think so, Dora?”

  “I know so. Jude is going to freak when he sees you.”

  I secretly hoped she was right. I wanted Jude’s attention more than anything tonight. It had been three weeks since the incident in his office and we’d continued our lives as if nothing had happened.

  We didn’t talk about it. We didn’t repeat it. And to my disappointment, Jude had kept his distance. He worked late and came home even later. I rarely saw him anymore. He wasn‘t cold towards me, just distant. Gone was the flirtatious banter and furtive, meaningful looks when he thought I wouldn’t notice. We never again snuggled on the couch or went anywhere together. We were living two different lives under one roof and although it had been both our ideas to make the charade work, I couldn’t help but feel a little resentful that it all was a charade. I would never admit it out loud, but I wanted more from Jude.

  I’d decided to go to Emmaline’s to get dressed because I had no idea what to wear and I needed help with my makeup for the evening. Misha was busy at a convention, but she’d wished me good luck. She adored Jude and I think she knew how I really felt about him. Which was funny, because I wasn’t even sure how I felt about Jude.

  Speaking of which, I’d given Jude Emmaline’s address and I had to admit, I was nervous as I waited for him to arrive. I wondered how he’d react. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling different. I didn’t think I’d ever find myself in this predicament. I didn’t feel like myself and emotionally I didn’t know what I wanted. I was the decisive type, but my feelings for Jude made me second-guess myself, which made me feel vulnerable. I hated feeling like that.

  A knock sounded at the door and I listened intently. It didn’t take long for me to hear the sound of his voice and I instantly smiled at it.

  I made my way towards him, nervously tugging at the bust line of my dress. He was turned away from me, so he couldn’t hear me as I approached.

  He was in a serious conversation with Theodora about something. She was animated as she spoke to him and laughed at something he said before spotting me. She smiled in my direction and Jude turned towards me.

  “You look beautiful,” were his first words to me as he stood slowly an
d I finally got a good look at him. He was wearing a tuxedo that made him look powerful and untouchable. I gulped hard. This man was so out of my league. What was I thinking?

  But apparently, he thought otherwise as he quickly moved towards me and took me by my hand. His brown eyes examined me from head to toe. And he twirled me in a circle, making me giggle. He made me feel young, beautiful, and carefree. I loved that feeling when I was around him. It was like I had the old Jude back tonight. I smiled in relief.

  He let out a low whistle and I heard Theodora giggle.

  I blushed, saying, “Well, I think we should head on out.”

  “See you later, Lacey,” Theodora called out.

  “Have fun, Lacey!” Emmaline called and then she winked at me and made a face that made me blush.

  I was surprised to see the limousine waiting for us out front. He took my hand in the limo and said once again how beautiful I looked. I expected him to kiss me, but to my surprise, he didn’t even try.

  I felt dejected, but told myself to not think too much of it. To my surprise, he held my hand the entire time, staring out the window and not saying anything.

  The silence became maddening and I felt the need to say something, anything. “Are you not going to talk to me the entire night?”

  He looked at me sharply, as if taken aback by my blunt words. He smiled at me, but his eyes were guarded. He touched my face gently.

  “I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. This ball always makes me a little nostalgic.”

  I instantly felt bad for making this night all about me. Of course he was sad. This whole evening probably reminded him of his mother.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, I just wish—” he laughed humorlessly. “Never mind.”

  “No,” I urged him. “Tell me. What is it that you wish?”

  “Another time,” he said as the car pulled up. “We’re here.”

  He got out first and extended me his hand. As he helped me out of the car, cameras flashed in all directions and I wasn’t prepared for them. I instantly attempted to hide my face, grabbing Jude’s hand and practically forcing him along.

  He laughed and said, “How do you walk so quickly in those heels?”