The Billionaire's Secret Girlfriend

[You have received 500 dollars.]

Every birthday since her mother’s passing thirteen years ago, Sarah Mitch received 500 dollars. Only on her birthday. The lawyer never took into account inflation or that her needs had grown over the past decade. It was a savage reminder that her mother had been a businessman’s mistress, and Sarah was the disgraceful secret that had to be hidden from the world.

Her own biological father—Philip Stone—had slapped her with two options: change her identity and live like a shadow, or be executed. As an 11-year-old girl, she had been scared and simply changed her name. Sarah Mitch… a girl whose parents died and who grew up in an orphanage. That was who she was now.

Sarah’s attention was drawn away by a phone call. “Hello,” she murmured, knowing it was Amanda, her college classmate.

“Seriously, Sarah. Is this the kind of hello I get on your birthday?” Amanda asked, making Sarah roll her eyes.

“Are you going to wish me happy birthday or not?” she chuckled in response.

“Happy birthday, girl. Now, will you join me in the Forest tonight? Blow all your money?” Amanda was quite the party person, and always knew the places to hit to have fun.

And for once, Sarah didn’t say no immediately.

24-year-old Sarah was in her final year of post-graduate school and had seen enough of the world to know she had been stupid as a child. One night, just one night, she wanted to play it wild. She wanted to go to a club and get blackout drunk and groove to the music. She wanted to show off how brilliant she was before going back to her life of invisibility.

“Didn’t you go home for the vacation?” Sarah pointed out. Amanda answered with a giggle.

“Silly girl, I am already fifteen minutes from the apartment. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer this time.”

And just like that, Sarah Mitch was going to a club.

- - - - -

In the club, Sarah made her way to the bar on the first floor and found a seat. She wasn’t much of a drinker, but she ordered a dirty martini and sipped it lightly as she watched the crowd dance. A few men smiled at her, but she was unsure of what to do. She had never been a flirt and she had never dated. She was completely out of her comfort zone but determined to make the best of the night.

As she looked around, her eyes locked with the eyes of a delectable-looking man. He stood on the other side of the bar, and he appeared to be looking intently at Sarah. He had dark brown hair and, despite the play of light and shadow, she could make out his dark grey eyes. He was definitely the most good-looking man Sarah had ever laid her eyes on.

Just as she was about to break eye contact, the man’s lips broke out into a dazzling smile. It set off alarms in her head. Sarah knew he was bad news but that smile had taken her prisoner. She returned the smile shyly before looking away.

“Compliments of the gentleman,” the bartender said to her as he handed another martini, signaling towards the gorgeous stranger. She tentatively took the drink and smiled at him in gratitude. She personally wasn’t going to approach him. Before she could think so much, the man glided around the bar to where she was seated.

“I’ll have what she is having,” he said slowly.

This was her cue to chat him up. Why not, she thought.

“Thank you for the drink.”

“It was my pleasure,” he purred in a voice that made Sarah’s body tingle in anticipation. It was almost... “I am William, by the way.”

“Sarah.”

“Such a pretty name. Do you come here often?” William asked.

“I can’t say that I do,” Sarah replied, studying him.

“In that case, I should keep you company,” he stated.

“I should warn you, I am not much fun.”

“Oh? You look like you are.”

“Oh yeah, only when I am around this guy called William,” Sarah said casually. If she was perfectly sober, her response would have been less confident, but she found herself enjoying his company.

William’s eyes danced with amusement. “William sounds like a good guy. I am sure he will use every excuse to get close to you.” His smile was blinding.

“We’re talking right now. You don’t need an excuse.”

Sarah quickly found herself swaying to the beat of the music.

“Do you want to dance?” William inquired, offering her his hand.

“I don’t know,” she replied cautiously.

“I don’t bite,” he said as she took a deep breath and clutched his hand. They shimmied to the middle of the dance floor when he pressed his body against hers, his lips inches from her ear. “Unless you want me to.”

She gasped, but she was distracted as his hands rested on her waist, controlling the tempo of their dance. The dance wasn’t rough, drunk dancing like she had imagined. It was careful and they were acutely aware of each other. Without fully realizing it, she put her arms around his neck, feeling the silky soft shirt and William’s muscles beneath her sensitive fingertips.

The song ended, flowing into the next one and the music became slower. They both stopped and she stiffened in his embrace. She was about to release her arms from his shoulders when he pulled her close again.

“Do you want to leave?” he asked after a moment.

“There is no need to feel obligated, I can find my own home.”

“I’ll drop you home. Don’t worry, I have no intentions,” he promised.

They walked out of the bar. And other than the sound of passing cars, they were only left with their footsteps. Normally, she would welcome the conversation, but as William remained silent, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye.

They finally reached her apartment building. The outside lights quietly illuminated the street.

Sarah walked up the steps of the front door and heard William’s footsteps on the pavement follow. She turned around, certain she would tell him goodnight, but he was so close that she almost slammed into his chest.

William looked down at Sarah with amusement and steadied her with two firm hands. Before Sarah could speak, William leaned down toward her face. Her breath hitched in surprise. She leaned away, biting her lower lip, unsure what a moment of weakness would really lead to.

William’s gaze dropped to her biting lip for a moment and then he leaned past them, grazing the bridge of his nose along her jaw slowly. His touch was as light as a butterfly.

Sarah shivered as he paused right below her ear, his breath tickling her skin. Finally, he whispered, “Goodnight, Sarah.”

Her stomach fluttered and she swallowed nervously. She found herself intoxicated and played with. She had never met a man who had that kind of power over her. She didn’t want to be toyed with by him. Instead, she wanted to play him.

William straightened as his eyes simmered with need. He then gave her a smile before backing down the front steps. When Sarah’s trembling body caught up with her brain, she moved forward and grabbed him by the collar.

“You’re coming with me.”

Sarah pulled him to the door, jammed her keys in the lock, and wrenched the door open. She brought him inside and shut it with a slam. Her face was flushed and her desires were unsatisfied.

William Colton had entered the club to grab a hard drink. After a long day of work, all he wanted to do was grab a drink and enjoy being alone. Instead, as he stood at the bar, his eyes stopped on the brunette who made his stomach tighten. He stared at her, trying to understand what was happening to him. And finally, unable to quench his curiosity, he made his way over.

He knew by the look on her face that she was going to be his by the end of the night. If he continued to play his cards right, he would drink and dance with her. He got the time to speak to her, to get accustomed to the heat of her body grinding against his. She felt soft under his palms. But his curiosity was extinguished the moment he found himself on the staircase of her apartment, being dragged inside by her.

William’s hands wandered freely over the silken material of her dress. His tongue took control of the kiss they shared. He effortlessly picked Sarah up, wrapped her legs around his waist, and pushed her against the closed entrance door.

He groaned into the kiss as she began to work the buttons of her shirt. His senses were on overdrive as he was overcome by the smell of fresh lime and the ocean. The woman in front of him was a goddess, and he couldn’t move fast enough.

He guided her to where he hoped was her bedroom. Her eager response was amazing. William soon had her out of the little dress, and his own clothing joined it on the floor. William barely had enough time to slip protection on before he pushed inside her body.

- - - - -

William opened his eyes and took in his surroundings. He was in a small room with beige walls and basic furniture. He wasn’t able to tell much about who lived in the apartment from what he could see, but he had an idea that she was a student or working all the time. His head was aching and his stomach grumbled. His eyes finally fell on the woman in his arms and a small smile spread across his lips.

He slid a strand of her hair behind her ear and his eyes softened. He had never spent a night out of his own bed before, but he quite liked the feeling of a warm body curling around him. Now, he felt compelled to stay with the woman he had slept with a little longer.

He carefully lifted Sarah’s arm, which was draped across his stomach, before slowly rolling up into a sitting position. He had to be careful, though; he was really hungry and he didn’t want to wake her up. He sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments before slowly getting up. He slipped on his clothes and buttoned his shirt, which was near the door. He took one final look at Sarah’s angelic sleeping face before he walked out of the apartment.

- - - - -

Sarah groaned in pain the minute she opened her eyes. The brightness burned her eyes, and even the chirping of the birds outside felt like trumpets playing directly into her ears. She was definitely not having a good morning, and there didn’t seem to be any room for improvement.

She slowly sat up and gasped when she realized she was naked. She remembered flashes of the night before. But she was in bed alone. She had a nagging feeling it had not been the case a few hours ago. The bed beside her was still warm, and she sighed in satisfaction.

She wasn’t the type of girl that slept with strangers—this was the first man she had been with. She remembered how good it felt and felt a blush cross across her face. Good thing he had left by himself and left her alone.

She slowly made her way to the kitchen, humming and singing, not bothered by being alone in the morning. Still, as she sipped on her coffee, she wondered if the stranger had left in a panic or not. She hoped she was not that repulsive.

She shook her head at the duality of her emotions. She was no supermodel but she was pretty enough to turn heads. Her phone rang and she picked it up.

“You’re still alive!” Amanda exclaimed.

“Hello. Isn’t it too early for you to be calling me? I am just having my coffee,” Sara said.

“I just wanted to make sure you were fine and not in some ditch,” Amanda said.

“I am alive and well,” Sarah responded with a smile.

“I want details, Sarah. I saw you leave with a guy.” When she didn’t respond, Amanda added another sentence. “There is no shame in having a little fun. So, you slept with some guy. Big deal.”

Sarah choked on her drink. “I am not making it a big deal.”

“Then why do you sound peeved?” Amanda questioned.

“I have a hangover, what do you think?” Sarah groaned.

Sarah heard the knock on her front door and furrowed her brows. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Still, without looking into the peephole, she was stunned upon seeing the brown-haired man in his wrinkled shirt and pants. He looked nothing like the night before.

“What are you doing here?” Sarah squeaked.

“Who is it?” she heard Amanda ask on the phone. Sarah panicked and spoke to her friend quickly.

“Amanda, I will speak to you later,” she hastily said.

“Is it the guy from last ni—” Before Amanda could finish the sentence, Sarah had already hung up.

William stood on her doorstep with a bright smile. He had no business looking so good. In his right hand was a bouquet of flowers and in his left was a paper bag.

“Did you miss me?” he asked with a smirk. “I hope you are hungry—I brought us breakfast.”