Ruin The Billionaire

Lilly.

“You can pretend in front of Jake,” Leah said with a wide smile on her face. “But we can see right through you. You want to go talk to that man.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t want to be anywhere close to that man.”

I was lying, and the three of us knew it. I wanted to drop everything and go and have some drinks with Jake Rylland. His perfume was still lingering in the air and the image of that handsome face and hot body was stuck in my mind. Who, in their right mind, could refuse such a sexy man?

Mary and Leah narrowed their eyes at me in a way that showed just how they did not believe my lies.

“Okay, but I can’t be near him. His mother threatened me, remember? I don’t want trouble.”

Leah looked around the bar. “I don’t see Carrie Rylland around here. Mary, do you?”

Mary shook her head. “Nope. No sign of her, and I doubt she would expect her son to come here anyway. Someone already took a picture of him. Whether you meet up with him or not, you’ll probably get accused of it. You might as well do it.”

The temptation was strong and I was only using that excuse because I was scared. I was very sure that I was attracted to Jake. Being in close proximity would make me feel things and he might notice which wouldn’t be good for me.

“Please go,” Mary said. “This might be your real chance of love.”

I chuckled. “As if Jake Rylland could ever be interested in me. Have you seen his exes?”

“Well, he didn’t come to the bar with any of them. Billionaires don’t hang out here. He came only to see you.”

I rolled my eyes. If I listened to them, I would end up believing that Jake Rylland was actually in love with me yet the truth was that men like him had nothing to do with average women like us. They only played us and moved on.

“I’m going to talk to him,” I said, standing up.

“Yay! That’s my girl. Go and get that man.”

“I have no intention of getting anything. I just want to know what he wants.”

“He wants you, obviously.”

Shaking my head, I grabbed my purse and walked towards the inner door like I was heading to the restroom. When I was in the hallway, I took the stairs and went looking for private room 5. When I reached it, I took a deep breath and stood for a while before knocking. I was debating whether to go in or retreat.

Suddenly, the door opened by itself, nearly giving me a heart attack. My eyes met those of Jake. He was seated on a black leather couch facing the door. There were two bottles of wine on the table in front of him and four glasses. Three were empty and one had wine it.

Jake lifted a remote, the one he had used to open the door, it seemed. “There’s a screen by the door that shows who’s outside.”

Embarrassed, I walked in and the door closed itself. I looked back. He was right. There was a small screen that showed who was outside the door.

“Take a seat,” Jake said.

I sat on the couch furthest from him. “What do you want?”

Jake smiled. “So direct, so firm. I like that. Would you like me to pour you a drink or you can do it yourself?”

“I’ll remind you that if you try anything, my friends are downstairs waiting for a signal from me. You will not get away with it.”

Jake smiled and picked up his phone. He swiped and dialled a number. “Come here.”

A few seconds later, Cory walked in.

“Give him your phone,” Jake said.

“You still don’t trust me,” I said and removed the phone from my pocket before handing it to Cory who walked away. I promised your mother that I wouldn’t write about you anymore. ”

“I’m curious about that,” Jake said. “How did she do it?”

“You don’t know?”

He shook his head.

“Then I won’t tell you. You have to ask her.”

“Okay. So, do you want a drink or not. One of these bottles has never been opened. I knew you would trust me so I got it.”

“I’ll take from the bottle.”

“Okay,” he said and poured some in an empty glass. “Why don’t you come and sit closer. It’ll be awkward, us talking when you’re so far away.”

He was right about that. I stood up and went and sat on the couch he was seated on, making sure I was far enough that our bodies wouldn’t touch even by accident. My whole body was suddenly feeling warm and my throat dry. I grabbed the glass of wine and sipped. The wine was warm and fruity with a slight bitter taste.

“Nice,” I said, glancing at the bottle. “Never taken this before.”

“It’s expensive.”

“I believe that. I’m too poor to afford such things so I may as well enjoy this.”

“Do you want I like most about you?”

I gasped, exaggerating it for dramatic effect. “You like me.”

“What if I do? Is that a bad thing?”

Jake was not making this easy for me. I could feel butterflies running amok in my stomach and my entire face warming up. I was pretty sure my cheeks were tinged with a blush.

“I wouldn’t believe it.”

“If I didn’t like you, why would I be here chatting with you when I can have a lot of other people around me?”

“I could think of many reasons. You may be wanting to play me like that Ian guy you hired.”

“Why do you believe I was the one who hired him?”

“Who else would do something like that to me other than you?”

“I’m telling you the truth. I like you, Lilly and I was us to spend more time together. What I like most is your directness and honesty, and the fact that you won’t back down from getting what you want easily.”

“I backed down from writing about you.”

“Because my mother did something to you. I know how Carrie Rylland operates and only a few can dare go against her once she is done with them. I’m sure she warned you to stay away from me, and yet here you are.”

“I don’t even know what I’m doing here.”

“You’re here because you’re falling for me.”

I nearly spit my drink out as I started laughing. Placing the glass on the table, I leaned back and stared at the door. “You’re too full of yourself, Jake.”

Jake didn’t say anything, but I could feel him staring at me. I turned my head and looked at him. Our eyes met. His intense gaze held mine. I wanted to turn away but I couldn’t, I was trapped by his magnetic eyes.

Even as I saw Jake moving closer, I didn’t move. His head leaned down and his lips met mine. My body caught fire, and I could feel it spreading all over, dissolving all the shocks. The fruity taste of the wine on his lips was intoxicating. I kissed him back. Our lips started moving in sync while his hand went to caress the exposed sides of my face and neck. I found myself moving closer so I could feel more of him.

A sudden knock on the door had me pulling away at the speed of lighting.

“Who’s there?” Jake inquired while staring at me. My heart was beating very fast as I regained my senses.

“Cory. There’s an important call for you. It’s about Michael Strong.”

Jake’s face changed when he heard them. He sat up straight. “Come in.”

When Cory opened the door, I grabbed my purse and ran out of there.

“Miss Hellman,” Jake said, but I paid no mind.

Cory ran after me. “Your phone, please.”

I waited for him near the stairs, grabbed my phone before descending.

What. Just. Happened?