My Rockstar Billionaire 2 (Billionaire Romance 2) (2 page)

I feel a little bit like I'm going mad. I just hope the rest of those thoughts will leave soon because I don’t know how much more of this I can stand. I sigh heavily. I can't believe how much I miss him already.

I slowly pull myself out of bed unwillingly. What’s going on? I just got back yet I can't stop thinking about him. I try to distract myself as I stumble into the bathroom to prep for the day.

A few minutes later, I hear a buzz at the door. I run over and open the door to see a delivered package left on the floor. It must be for Julia. But as I pick it up, I see it's addressed to me.

I step back into the apartment and put it on our kitchen counter. Who could this be from? For a second, I worry that my ex-boyfriend has sent a peace offering trying to get me back. I am repulsed by the thought. I don’t recognize the return address. Well, I guess there's only one way to find out.

I open up the mysterious package and pull out a gorgeous, high-end designer purse. It’s stunning, richly elegant and classy. I immediately know it’s not from my cheapskate ex. The purse strap is a finely crafted stylish chain that’s securely connected to the beautiful soft leather black purse. I think I’ve seen this only in luxury magazine ads. Wow. It's breathtaking.

I pull my hand in and feel a couple other objects in the package. Next I pull out a tablet computer. Oh wow, so cute. Is this the latest iPad? Then I see there is a piece of paper. It's a handwritten note.

It's a sweet, beautiful note from Ricky! My heart beats faster as a huge smile spreads on my face. In the note, he's wonderfully sweet and I can hear his sensuous voice in my head as I read it.

Beautiful Belle,

Here is a more secure purse that I thought would look amazing on you. And I hope you enjoy the tablet. Turn it on and play the video on the screen. I'm thinking of you and miss you already, beautiful.

Ricky

My heart leaps and I can't stop grinning from ear to ear. I quickly turn on the tablet and find the video on the screen. I tap it and it quickly opens. What
is
all this? And how did he find me? He's so cute and mysterious. I smile to myself.

To my surprise and giggly amusement, the video pops up with a close-up of Ricky serenading me at the bonfire on our trip last week! Where did this video come from? It looks like someone was filming close by. The realization hits me. Oh right, Ricky's friend Edward may have been filming it on his phone camera. The sound comes in clearly and I can't stop beaming.

Ricky’s exotic tanned and beautiful face, drop dead sexy eyes and sultry singing voice coming from the screen mesmerizes me. It brings me back. For a moment, I'm there again, remembering his heart-wrenchingly sweet serenade at the beach bonfire, making me so weak and crazy for him all over again.

It's a short video clip but the couple of minutes captured are perfect. I’m overwhelmed with my emotions. I feel tears well up in my eyes and fall quickly on my cheeks before I brush them away with a quivering smile. Wow.

I don't expect to miss him so much. I can't help feeling elated to hear from him. And how in the world does he think of everything? Of course, none of this was necessary or expected. But I'm still stunned by his thoughtful, sweet gesture and elegant gifts. I giggle loudly to myself as my heart sings. He misses me, too!

But what does this mean? While I'm excited, I'm also shocked to hear from him and get his delivery. How did he even have my address? And I never found out how he got my cell phone number on our trip. But with so many friends and managers and help around him, it seems to me that Ricky is a man of means.

I never did question him about his profession. With his leading man good looks, I guess I assumed he was some kind of successful model. He's clearly a beautiful, talented and wealthy man. But while we were on vacation, I didn't want to push it. After all, I was the one who kept reminding him of no expectations.

Coming off the heels of my last disastrous relationship with that chronic cheater Mike, the only way I could continue, was if there were no expectations. I still don't know if or when I'll ever feel comfortable trusting a man again. You give all of yourself, your heart, your mind and soul to someone you consider your trusted best friend, lover and possible soulmate. And over the years, you think you know a person. Only to find out, it was all a scam. It was all selfish games, manipulation and lies. It made my stomach turn.

Sadly, Mike was my first long-term relationship, and the betrayal and pain is still too fresh to me. So when a seemingly perfect man like Ricky walks into my life, I don’t trust it at all. It scares the hell out of me and I don’t know what to think. And I still don't know if I can do it.

I may have tried to resist at first on the trip, but he quickly broke down all my defenses. And he was right -- without any expectations for our time together in paradise, we enjoyed every single second of our time together. It was the most exciting, wonderful and perfect time in my life.

A loud beep interrupts my thoughts. It's an alert from my phone with a text message. Maybe Julia is texting me. I walk over and look down at my phone. My heart stops and jumps for joy, as I see it's a text message from Ricky! It reads:

Belle, I miss you. I know what you said about no contact, no expectations and that we would just have our week. But I lied. I really want to see you.

I find myself smiling hugely again. Another text balloon pops up from him:

Please meet me tonight, beautiful. I'll send the driver to pick you up at six.

Wow! A date with Ricky? Ohmygod. And tonight? I’m shocked and I can't believe this is happening. I thought he was out of my life. Our incredible time together, I thought, was going to be limited to last week. Our chemistry and the sex…I bite my lip absentmindedly. Oh God, the sex…

Everything was too perfect. I just can't believe were both reneging on our agreement to only keep it to a one week experience. But he's seems so perfect. And he makes me crazy. Crazier than anyone has ever made me.

It's evident I can't get him out of my head. And I have to admit, I am over the moon that he contacted me. All I want is to hear his sexy voice and look into to his beautiful face again. And feel him so close to me. My heart is racing as I can't believe I get to see him tonight! I squeal in excitement and run back to my bedroom.

Luckily, the day seems to go by quickly. I’m immensely distracted but still manage to get some important work items done at home. And before I know it, it's time to wrap up and get ready to see Ricky tonight. As I race around to get ready, our apartment door opens. Julia is back from work.

"Hey, Belle. I’m home!” She stops short in surprise. “Well, well, well! Look at you! Where are you going tonight?" Julia admires my hot black dress, heels and the designer bag that Ricky got me. I smile sweetly at her without saying a word.

"Oh my God! Belle, do you have a date?" She seems to laugh and mock me in a friendly and excited way.

"Maybe. Oh, okay. I do have a date." I can’t help smiling like a fool.

"You've been holding out on me? When were you going to tell me? Who is the guy?"

"I met him on the trip. Do you want to see what he looks like?" I ask mischievously. Oh what the hell. I can’t contain myself anymore.

"Hell yeah!"

I take out my new tablet and play the video for her. Her eyes immediately grow huge as her mouth dramatically drops wide open. She shakes her head in disbelief, rapidly blinks her eyes and grabs at the tablet.

"Oh my God! What the…? Oh my God, no way!" Julia looks and sounds stunned and speechless. I look at her quizzically.

"Belle! Are you freakin’ kidding me? Do you know who that is?!" She screams and looks at me with a ridiculous face of utter shock.

"Um, yes, that's Ricky. He's the guy that I met on the trip." I’m both amused and nervous at her crazed reaction.

"What the…? Yes, but…Ohmygod, this is the guy?! Wait, you DO know this is Ricky Iglesias, don't you? You know, the
insanely
wildly popular international singer superstar?" She stares at me in wide-eyed disbelief.

I smile and shake my head at her. What? I know I'm not up on pop culture and all the latest, but I cannot believe her reaction. And that somehow, I had no clue.

"Belle, this is freakin’ Ricky Iglesias!! He's been one of THE most popular singers in the last several years. His father was also a really famous singer. In fact both his parents and family are disgustingly wealthy and famous. He may be one of the most well-known, richest billionaire rock stars in the world. How in the world do you not know this??"

She looks stunned still. I'm frozen. For some reason, what she says is not quite sinking in.

In that moment, images of our sexy moments together flash back to me... His emotional, heart wrenching and pitch-perfect serenade to me at the bonfire. His commanding presence, perfect rhythm, skillful hips and how he expertly moved on the dance floor at the club. How he was always surrounded by “friends” who seemed more like bodyguards and managers. His frustrating mysteriousness and unwillingness to talk about what he did for a living.

Oh my God. I feel numb from the shock. How did I not see it before? It all made more sense now.

She clearly could not believe that I had no idea who he was. It was a little embarrassing that I had no clue. At that small Dominican Republic island resort, it was probably easier for him to travel incognito and away from the paparazzi and crowds. I’m floored by the sudden realization but manage to collect myself quickly.

"You can't say anything, Julia. I don't know exactly what's going on, but don't tell anyone. Please. Promise?" I lock eye contact with her. She nods slowly, still looking shell shocked.

"Wow, Belle, you're dating Ricky Iglesias. Um, this is maybe the last
bit of news I expected to hear today. Holy crap!! Oh my God!" She smiles and laughs maniacally, squeals and jumps while grabbing and hugging me.

Our doorbell rings, making us both jump. It’s six o'clock on the nose. Prompt as usual. Julia answers the door. I guess that it's one of his drivers, one I have not met yet.

"Is Ms. Belle available?" The handsome driver smiles and politely asks.

"Yes, I'm ready." I grab my purse and give Julia a quick hug goodbye. "Don't wait up for me," I smile and quietly whisper to her on my way out. She still looks stunned but manages a smile.

"Is Ricky waiting in the car, I suppose?" I ask. "Ms. Belle, I will be driving you to meet him in a nearby undisclosed location. Mr. Iglesias prefers it that way because it will be more private and secure."

I nod slowly in agreement and understanding. I'm trying to wrap my head around this. His rock stardom and worldwide fame surely makes all of this secretiveness necessary. It must be hard to live that way…always being watched and under a microscope. As a self-conscious, curvier girl, I know that I personally hated the feeling of being watched by others. But somehow, with Ricky I was able to let go and enjoy myself on the dance floor, even if I felt a little bit on display knowing that people were watching.

“By the way, my name is Antonio and I’ll be escorting you to Mr. Iglesias this evening. He is quite eager for your arrival,” he says with a charming smile.

O
f course. Another good-looking Latin bodyguard type with disarming grace and charm. Ricky sure has a good staff surrounding him.

We walk up to the awaiting black stretch limo. He politely opens the door for me. 

As he gets in the driver’s seat, he turns and says, “Please make yourself comfortable. It won’t be a long drive. Mr. Iglesias is expected to arrive right on time.”

I smile and nod as I sink
comfortably into the plush leather seats. The inside of this limo is even more opulent than the last one in the Dominican Republic. I’m sure he’s accustomed to only the best. A quiet nagging voice inside asks,
then why is he messing around with you?
I push the uncomfortable thought away.

We drive in silence for most of the way. I ask, “Antonio, can you tell me where we’re going now?”