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  Billion Dollar Baby

  Simone Holloway

  Billion Dollar Baby 2

  Simone Holloway

  Billion Dollar Baby 3

  Simone Holloway

  Published by Simone Holloway at All Romance eBooks

  Copyright 2012 Simone Holloway

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  “Next!”

  An older woman stood in front of an open office door flipping through papers. Her glasses dangled on the edge of her nose as she read an application.

  “Sal- Sally?” she called.

  “Selene.”

  “Suh-lean,” she sounded it out while scribbling a note. “You need to work on your handwriting young lady. He’ll see you now.”

  Selene took a breath, stood and straightened her skirt. She had decided to wear a black pencil skirt, a white button up top, and high heels. She’d agonized over her outfit before deciding to dress professionally with a slight sexy edge.

  She was convinced all of the girls auditioning would try too hard to impress the man in the ad. They would wear clothes too revealing, too obvious; by dressing conservatively she would stand out, so she hoped.

  Still not entirely confident in her theory, she unbuttoned the top button of her shirt and let her auburn hair hang free before leaving the house.

  Selene first heard about the audition from a friend of a friend. The woman was a call girl for an exclusive escort service called, ‘Belle Amie.’ The clientele were all billionaires who spared no expense to fulfill their sexual desires.

  Selene had always found the service curious, but was too shy to ask any questions.

  One day, she heard there was a kind of open casting call for a new girl. The catch was that the girl had to be willing to have a baby.

  The client promised that the woman selected would be handsomely compensated.

  Selene found the proposition intriguing. She was drowning in student loan debt and a mortgage; she worked sixty hours a week and lived pay check to pay check. She needed the money, and in truth, she was lonely.

  She had been stuck in a rut for years: no boyfriend, no prospects, only a few lackluster one night stands. She needed a drastic change to break free from the direction her life was headed.

  What the hell, she thought, I’ll go in to the audition.

  Now, as she faced the open door she began to have doubts. What kind of man would solicit a stranger to have his baby? Surely a man of his means wouldn’t have any trouble finding a woman. What if he was a criminal or mentally disturbed? Selene was talking herself out of the meeting, but for some reason her feet kept moving, carrying her through the office door.

  Once inside, the door slammed shut behind her, making her jump.

  The office was clean and modern. It was sparsely decorated and at present empty.

  Selene fidgeted not sure if she should sit, or stand and wait to be instructed.

  A voice called out from an open door leading to what appeared to be a closet.

  “Make yourself comfortable. Have a drink if you like. The bar is to your right.”

  The voice sounded calm, confident; not the voice of a psycho killer, she thought.

  Thinking it was inappropriate to drink on a job interview she started to move towards the couch to sit, but felt oddly compelled to head to the bar instead. She wasn’t a big drinker but she was nervous and this was an unconventional job application.

  Might as well go all in, she thought and poured herself a sherry. She swallowed it in one gulp and helped herself to another.

  The man came out of the closet buttoning the cuffs of his shirt while she was downing her second drink.

  He smiled at her, amused by her obvious nervousness and said, “I’ve always been fond of sherry as well. Have a seat so we can talk.”

  Selene was struck first by his eyes, a deep blue that made her think of the Mediterranean sea, a place she had never been, but always wanted to go. A sudden determination filled her: she would see it and more; she was going to get the job.

  She put her drink down and walked to the couch. The man followed close behind and took a seat in the adjacent chair.

  “So,” he said rubbing his hands together, “we should be formally introduced: my name is Ethan.”

  “Selene.”

  “Selene, it’s lovely to meet you. You’re probably wondering why I would want a baby. It must seem like an utterly bizarre request.”

  Selene shrugged.

  “Well, the truth is, I own this building it’s my company, but we’ve fallen on hard times.

  With the economic collapse and… well I won’t bore you with the details. My parents were extremely wealthy. They passed when I was a child.”

  “Oh I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.” Selene thought she detected a hint of nervousness from him.

  He cleared his throat. “As I said they died and left me a substantial amount of money in trust. There is a catch however: the trust states that I cannot collect the money unless I have an heir, a child of my own blood. I need the money to save my company.”

  Ethan paused and watched her closely. Selene’s face remained calm though her mind was reeling with questions. “Why did they demand you have children?” She immediately regretted using the word, ‘demand’ after it left her mouth. She thought it came across hostile, like she was insulting his parents choices. And well, she kind of was, it seemed a bit silly to her.

  “My parents were… overly concerned with dynasty, it appears. Anyway, I’ve gone over your background: no arrests, excellent grades in school, not so much as a speeding ticket.

  What am I missing?”

  “Sadly, nothing. I wish my background was more interesting, a bit dangerous even. I just…” She felt as if she were starting to sound a bit pathetic. Switching to her professional voice she turned a steely gaze on him. “If I was you, I would wonder what sort of person would answer an ad like this; it’s insane. The kind of woman that would agree to this would have to be… well the point is I’m not that kind of woman. Today is as much an interview for you as it is for me. I want to know who you are, what sort of work you do, what sort of life my-our baby would have.”

  Ethan was taken aback. “You know, you are the first applicant today to ask me a single question about my life.” He thought for a moment and deciding on a course of action pushed forward. “I think we should move on to the next ph
ase of the interview process.”

  “Which is?”

  “Dinner. Arrange it with my secretary, she’ll see you’re taken care of.”

  Ethan rose and offered his hand. She took it in her own; he shook it gently. His hands were soft, well-manicured and large. His thumb softly brushed her palm before releasing her hand. It sent a small shiver up her spine.

  Standing so close to him she found herself analyzing the landscape of his face. He had a strong jaw line, pale skin, a scruffy dark beard like he hadn’t shaved in a couple of days and a slight bump on his nose as if he’d broken it in a fight.

  His features were classically handsome, even a bit pretty, but there was something in his eyes that gave him an edge. He may have been born rich, but an aura of world-weariness hung about him.

  His eyes never left hers. His gaze was hypnotizing, she couldn’t make herself leave his office.

  A creeping tingling sensation rose deep inside her; she felt a combination of excitement, anxiety and arousal.

  A sudden urge to take him right there on the couch overwhelmed her. She knew it was a bad idea. She needed to wait, to find out who he was first.

  Besides, if she gave in to temptation now, he might think she’s easy or manipulative.

  Something needed to happen soon or she wasn’t going to be able to control herself.

  Thankfully, Ethan’s secretary walked in at that moment. Her cold appraising gaze fell on Selene.

  “Miss Suh-lean?” There was a disapproving shrillness to her voice that reminded Selene of grade school. It was like she was being called out in front of the class for forgetting her homework.

  “Yes Mrs. … ?”

  “Ms. Miller. You may come with me now. If you’re finished.” Her stern eyes scrutinized Ethan.

  “Yes, thank you for coming,” Ethan said nodding to his secretary. “We’ll be in touch.”

  Selene followed Ms. Miller out the door and awaited instruction. There were two other women in the lobby; Ms. Miller quickly dismissed them.

  “Now,” she said turning to Selene, “this won’t do.” She was alluding to her clothing. “Do you have anything more appropriate for your dinner date?”

  “Uh…”

  “ ‘Uh,’ is not an answer. I know a place. They’ll take care of you.” She scribbled an address on a piece of paper and handed it to Selene. “Listen to their advice and remember you want to impress Mr. Cole.”

  Selene assumed she was referring to Ethan. Ms. Miller came across hard, but Selene detected a protectiveness about her. It was as if she was looking out for Ethan. The way he had blanched in her presence made Selene smile.

  “Are you listening? You look like you’re day dreaming.”

  “No, of course not. I mean- yes I‘m listening, no I‘m not daydreaming.”

  “Good, I’m scheduling your dinner for tonight at eight. Will that be enough time?”

  “Uh…” she could sense Ms. Miller’s disapproval, “I’ll make it work.”

  The boutique was lit like a museum. Dresses lined the store, lit from above like works of art on display. Selene was feeling the soft fabric of a ball gown when a sales girl approached her from behind.

  “May I help you?”

  “I was told I could find a dress here- the store was recommended by Ms. Miller.”

  “Yes of course you must be Selene. The staff is at yours and Mr. Cole’s disposal. Now, what sort of dress are you looking for?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What’s the occasion?”

  “A dinner date. I want something simple and pretty.”

  “For a date with Mr. Cole?” The salesgirl stared at her incredulously. “No, honey, simple won’t cut it. I know the perfect dress.”

  After pressing a glass of champagne into her hand and ushering her off to a dressing room, the sales girl went to hunt down the dress.

  Selene stood alone staring at her reflection in a mirror. She set the champagne down and placed her hands on her face. She imagined her face covered in wrinkles, her hair thin and gray. She pulled her skin back tight; it made her eyes look pointed like a cat. The clock’s ticking away, she thought.

  The door was thrown open by the sales girl, startling Selene. She handed her the dress and closed the door. Selene squeezed herself into the dress it was tight and red with a plunging v-neck.

  When she stepped out of the dressing room the sales girls gasped.

  “I told you. Is that the one or what?”

  One of the other sales girls nodded her head in agreement.

  Selene dreaded the question but she asked anyway, “How much is it?”

  The girls looked up in surprise. “How much?” one asked. “It’s taken care of by Mr. Cole.

  We‘re to see that you have whatever you want. Now about the shoes…”

  When she arrived at the restaurant Ethan was waiting at the bar. One look at Selene and he nearly choked on his drink. Her dress hugged her curves and propped up her breasts in a way that took ten years off her age.

  “Selene, you look stunning.”

  He took her hand and brought it to his lips. His beard tickled her skin sending a fresh wave of shivers through her body.

  He held her hand and stood, then led her to the table. It had been a long time since a man had held her hand. The small gesture left her weak in the knees.

  For a moment she let herself hope that their relationship might grow to become more than just professional.

  Ethan pulled out her chair and she sat down. He ordered a bottle of wine, then silently watched her. Selene suddenly became nervous about the arrangement, it was all too good to be true.

  “What exactly would my responsibilities be?” she asked.

  “You will be required to undergo a medical examination. I’ll also need a full family history- their health: mental and physical. Then, if everything checks out, we conceive a baby.”

  He paused and smiled.

  The whole situation was a bit surreal, but she couldn’t help smiling with him. The thought of having his child filled her with a warmth she didn’t know was missing.

  “You will of course be the child’s mother,” he continued. “You will have full rights.

  There is an apartment attached to my home where you may live. You will also receive an upfront fee as well as a monthly stipend. I will provide for the child’s expenses. I would like to be a father to this child. I didn’t have a father. I want him or her to have what I didn’t.”

  “How is it you couldn’t find a girl on your own? I mean, you’re perfect.” Ethan laughed.

  Selene could feel her face grow hot. “Well not perfect I mean- well you know what I mean.”

  “I am far from perfect,” he said it morosely. In a tone that seemed to suggest he wanted to change the subject he added, “And of course there’s the money. I’m thirty-three years old.

  The trust fund says I must have a child before my thirty-fifth birthday.”

  “How would we- um you know?”

  “Conceive the child? Well I’d hoped the old fashion way,” he smiled ruefully at her.

  “Unless that makes you uncomfortable, we could use in vitro fertilization.”

  “No, I like the old fashioned way.”

  “Oh do you?” he said teasingly.

  Selene rolled her eyes and took a long sip of wine. “Does this mean I have the job?”

  “If you want it.”

  She paused. This was one of those moments when life turned on a dime. “When do we start?”

  “Well, there’s paper work we both need to sign, then we can begin.” There was tone of wonder in his voice. Selene realized this was a turning point for him as well.

  He took her hand and stroked it gently with his thumb. “This is going to work. I don’t know how, but I have good instincts. I can feel it- we’ll be good together.”

  Selene felt warmth spread throughout her body. His strong, sure voice, his soft touch it kindled a fire in her she thought had been long ext
inguished.

  She fidgeted in her seat. When she moved, her foot brushed Ethan’s leg. Instead of pulling away she let it linger.

  His gaze never left hers as she moved her foot up and down his leg.

  She slipped out of her high heels and worked her foot up the cuff of his pants. She could feel the hair coating the hard muscles of his legs. She wanted to feel more of him, but was restricted by his pants.

  She removed her foot from inside the cuffs.

  Stretching across the table, she placed her foot between his legs. It was the only time Ethan’s gaze faltered. He licked his lips and looked down at his wine.

  Selene could tell by the look on his face he was aroused.

  She moved her foot along his thigh slowly, until she came to his crotch. Her toes gently explored his bulge. Just as she was working her way up to his cock the waiter brought there appetizers.

  His sudden appearance made both Ethan and Selene jump. It startled her so badly she banged her knee on the table, sending Ethan in to fits of laughter. The waiter looked bewildered.

  “We’ll take our food to go please,” Ethan said to him.

  The car ride back to Ethan’s home was long. The ride was silent. Selene stared at his face silhouetted in the dark: his strong jaw and high cheek bones, he was handsomer than she had first realized.

  Her eyes weren’t drawn away until they pulled up to his house. He lived in the country on a sprawling estate. It was hard for Selene to imagine he was having financial difficulties, his home reminded her of a hotel.

  He led her inside and offered her a drink. Selene declined and said, “Show me your room.”

  The house was like a labyrinth. They walked up the stairs and down a series of hallways before coming to Ethan’s bedroom. The room was large, but sparsely decorated.

  Ethan walked over to a large canopy bed and sat on the edge. He removed his shoes, socks and coat.

  Selene approached him slowly, she didn’t know whether she should make the first move or wait for him to.

  He stood and met her in front of the bed. He brushed her hair out of her face to better see her, then ran his hands over her shoulders and down her side. Watching her expression, he stopped at her hips and asked, “Is this okay?”

  Selene laughed and stepped towards him. She pressed her body firmly against his, then took his hands and moved them over her ass. His hands gripped her firmly. Selene slowly grinded against him. She could feel his cock grow hard.