Lustful Billionaire - Short Story Collection (Volume 4): Lustful Billionaire, #22

By Alexia Austen

A BBW BDSM Billionaire Romance Series with a HEA

Lustful Billionaire - Book 10

Rose finally comes to a decision about her feelings for Deacon, while Deacon makes a surprising discovery about his erratic heartbeat. Would the two finally be on the same page with each other?

Lustful Billionaire - Book 11

With Deacon seemingly recovered, Rose struggles to accept his sudden change towards her. Pushed onwards by her slowly building courage, she throws herself at him. How would Deacon respond?

Lustful Billionaire - Book 12

Rose receives a huge opportunity to present an award at the Golden Globes. Would she survive the event without incident? And more importantly, was she really able to hide the lust she felt deep inside for Deacon? Or was she just deluding herself?

FULL COMPLETE SERIES AVAILABLE NOW

Volume 4 of 6.

20,000 words.

Intended for mature audiences only due to explicit content.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexia Austen
• Release date: Oct 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519922342

Book preview

Lustful Billionaire

Part Ten

Chapter 1

It wasn't something I had expected. Of everything that could occur, the last thing I imagined was Deacon potentially risking his image to save me from the onslaught I was receiving from everyone. After he'd given his little speech to the reporters, he'd asked me to follow him to the waiting room inside the studio.

It was just the two of us, but Deacon had spent several minutes focused on his mobile phone. I watched as his face changed from smiles, to frowns, to smiles once more. Deacon suddenly placed his phone in his pocket.

Generally speaking, said Deacon, the reaction to my donation is good. Your shoes have also managed to become popular. If you manage to make yourself more likeable to the public, you might even receive a contract for an advertisement.

You should take the contract yourself, if there is one, since you did the charitable deed, I said.

That doesn't sound too bad. That area has been monopolised by sports stars for too long. I can try to attack it with a new public image. I need to speak to Margaret right away.

You know, I was really shocked just now. You appeared all of a sudden so I...

You thought I would tell them all that I bought the shoes because I like you? said Deacon.

Aren't you afraid you'll end up disliked by the public if you get involved with me? I said. I don't want that to happen. It'll be a burden to me.

Although my heart is slightly broken because of you, my mind isn't so broken as to get into a scandal with someone who dislikes me. I've decided to acknowledge my unrequited love. Of course it's shameful, but I think it gives me some advantages too. I'll carry on with this alone. So I'll never bring this to reality, and involve you.

Since you've decided that, please don't do things like buying my shoes for ten thousand dollars in the future.

I'll take care of my own business, said Deacon. The advantage of an unrequited love is that I get to do what I want. Although I know you won't be moved no matter what I do, I won't demand you to be affected either. So don't worry about it.

I wanted to say that it wasn't unrequited, that I wasn't someone who disliked him, but in the end, all I could do was watch him leave. The confidence I needed to be able to say those words to him wasn't within me.

***

The production crew had almost finished setting up for the final segment of the recording. After what had happened with the reporters, and the trouble that had been caused, I was fully expecting it to be my final day on the show. Keeping me around was going to make things difficult. It wasn't my fault, but at the same time, the team would likely keep their show's best interest at heart first.

Peter approached me with a bottle of water. I accepted it thankfully. Maybe it was obvious from the way I looked that I was concerned.

Are you okay? said Peter.

I nodded.

You were in a tight spot earlier. Peter was no doubt referring to the reporters. I'm sorry I wasn't able to do anything.

I've gotten over it, I said. It's okay.

I don't belong in the entertainment world, so perhaps I can't protect you using the ways of your industry. I'll just do it in my own way.

If you have to eliminate me today, don't be too bothered about it. I won't blame you for it.

We received a cue that we were ready to begin filming, and Peter left with a brief smile. He made his way to the podium on the other side of the stage. I followed the other three contestants to stand behind our respective podiums. The crowd applauded as the filming began. Scarlet grabbed her microphone, and introduced herself brightly for the closing moments.

It's time for the second round of the elimination, said Scarlet. There are three stalks of roses left, and four participants. They're all waiting nervously to receive Peter's rose. So, who will be eliminated in the end? It's time for Peter to hand out the roses. Please go ahead!

Peter slowly picked up the roses, and headed towards our podiums. He came to a stop in front of me. I glanced at him briefly, and Peter held out a rose. The crowd murmured in surprise as I accepted it. Scarlet's displeasure wasn't unnoticed by me.

Peter remained standing in front of me. His eyes hadn't left me, and I felt slightly nervous under his gaze. It was different from usual. I stared down at the rose he had given me instead of looking back.

His first choice has been made, said Scarlet. Peter, please hand out your second...

Scarlet was unable to finish her sentence, and the crowd burst out into audible murmurs. I looked up to see Peter holding up the second rose in front of me. The contestants to my side weren't happy, and nor was Scarlet. The audience continued to exclaim their surprise at what was happening. I was unsure of how to react as I looked around, but eventually, I reached out my hand and accepted the rose. Peter's eyes remained fixed on me, and he held out the third and final rose.

Everyone was shocked. And I was no different. Slowly, I accepted the third rose. What had just happened? If I'd received all three roses, Peter had essentially eliminated all the other contestants. I wasn't sure what was going on, why he had given me all three stalks, but I was sure of one thing. This was going to cause an issue for the production team.

Scarlet called for a temporary break, and as she did, reporters encircled both me and Peter. Their camera flashes went off, but I was only able to focus on the three roses I had received.

***

Why did you do that? I said.

Both Peter and I sat in the dressing room. The production team was in a meeting. We were all left uncertain as to what was going to happen next. It was the first time something like this had ever happened in the history of Cupid's Match.

Even if this doesn't make it to broadcast, I said, "the reporters there all saw what