Billionaire Temptations: Rich, Ruthless & Obsessed

Prologue

Prologue

Chloe

I nervously rummaged through my closet, trying to find my Louboutin black stiletto heels— shoes that were half off and another seventy-five percent off the half-off price. They were a freaking steal, and the only pair that was left happened to be my size. I stumbled upon them by accident earlier in the week when I was looking at the clearance rack, trying to find the perfect pair of shoes for my date tonight with Corey. He was taking me to my favorite restaurant because he needed to discuss something with me. It was no surprise, though. I already had my suspicions. He was going to ask me to move in with him.

Corey and I had been dating for almost nine months. We met when he and his mom came into the art gallery where I worked, looking for a painting for her bedroom. We got to talking, and he asked me out for coffee the next day. At first, I didn’t think he was really my type, but then again, I never really knew what my type was. We had so much in common that it wasn’t hard to fall for him. Corey, by far, had been the longest relationship I’d ever been in, and he was a really nice guy. The only thing that bothered me was that he wasn’t very sexual. Once every other week was more than enough for him, and it was usually over before it started. But I overlooked that problem because we always had so much fun when we were together. We loved the same movies and the same music, and he loved art almost as much as I did. We were perfect for each other, and I knew the time was right to move in together. Although we never talked about it, I sensed it was what he planned to ask me. You’re probably sitting there thinking that he’s going to propose. That was off the table because neither one of us wanted to get married until we were at least a couple of years older. Being twenty-four, we both felt we needed to be completely established in our careers before making a lifelong commitment.

I stood in front of my full-length mirror as I slipped into my heels and ran my hands down the sides of my short black dress with the V-neckline and three-quarter-length sleeves, which I also picked up on sale. Running my fingers through my long brown hair, I lightly sprayed the curled ends, grabbed my purse, and headed to Sur in West Hollywood.

When I arrived, Corey was already seated and waiting for me. Butterflies fluttered around my belly at the thought of us moving in together. As I approached the table, Corey stood up and kissed my cheek. He was always such a gentleman.

“Hey. You look beautiful. I love that dress. Is it new?”

“Yeah. I bought it earlier this week along with these babies.” I smiled as I stuck my foot out.

“Are those Louboutin’s?” His eyes widened.

“Yes! And they were half off and an extra seventy-five percent off that!”

“Wow. What an awesome deal. They look good on you.” He smiled.

We started with a glass of Chardonnay while waiting for our dinner. My mind was in overdrive with excitement, and I couldn’t wait for him to ask me. His apartment was much bigger than mine and had way more closet space. As I stared at him from across the table, I could tell he was nervous because his eyes were twitching.

“So, what did you want to discuss with me?” I asked with a grin.

He reached across the table and took hold of my hand.

“You know I love you, right?”

“Yes. Of course, I do.” My heart started to race.

“You’re my best friend, and we are so good together.”

“I know we are.” I smiled, waiting patiently for him to spit it out.

As his blue eyes intently stared into mine, he gently squeezed my hand.

“Chloe, friends are all we can ever be.”

“What?” I cocked my head in confusion. “I don’t understand, Corey.”

He took in a long, deep breath. “What I’m trying to tell you is that I’m gay, Chloe.”

I couldn’t help the laughter that escaped me.

“Yeah, right. Come on, Corey. You wanted to talk about moving in together. You don’t have to be so nervous about it. In fact, I’ll make it easy for you. Yes, I would love to move in with you.”

“Chloe, didn’t you hear what I said? I’m serious. I’m gay. I’m sorry.”

Tears filled my eyes as I silently shook inside. I pulled my hand away from his as I looked up at the ceiling to avoid the embarrassment of the tears that were about to fall in front of a restaurant filled with people.

“Chloe, talk to me. Please don’t cry,” he begged.

After a few moments of silence, anger tore through me like a hurricane traveling over the ocean, making its way to destroy whatever was in its path.

“How could you do this to me?” I asked through gritted teeth. “Why now? Why didn’t you tell me this nine months ago? Why did you stay in a relationship with me if your sexuality was in question?” I spoke in a loud voice, and the couple sitting at the table next to us glanced over.

“Will you keep your voice down?” he spoke calmly. “I didn’t tell you this to hurt you. I’m being honest with you before things go any further.”

“Any further?” I angrily spoke. “You had nine months to tell me. Why now, Corey?”

He looked down and slowly closed his eyes.

“Oh my God! You’ve met someone. Haven’t you?” I barked at him across the table, and suddenly, all eyes in the restaurant were on us.

“Not here, Chloe.”

His attempt to silence me to avoid causing him any further embarrassment pissed me off even more. I threw my napkin on the table and stood up.

“Not here? Really, Corey? How did you think I’d react to this news? Did you think if you told me in a public place I would graciously accept it with a smile and walk away quietly? I gave you nine months of my life. I gave you my heart, and you took it.” The tears started rolling down my face. “You took my heart, knowing that you could never give me yours. I do believe that is the cruelest thing anyone has ever done to me. I guess the joke is on me. Have a nice life, Corey.” I turned on my heels and stomped out of the restaurant.

I was shaking so badly that I couldn’t walk down the street to my car, so I took a seat on a bench outside the restaurant. As I sat there with tears streaming down my face, trying to make sense of the last nine months of my life, Corey sat down beside me.

“I’m so sorry, Chloe. I never meant to hurt you.”

“Go away, Corey.” I wiped my eyes.

“I love you. You have to believe me. We are so good together as friends, and I don’t want to lose you.”

Even though I was hurt and angry as hell, a sincerity in his voice calmed me.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

“Travis.”

“I hate that name.”

Corey chuckled.

“How long have you known?”

“Pretty much my whole life. I just kept trying to deny it, and every day, I became more miserable.”

“Thanks.” I shot him a look as I sniffled.

He hooked his arm around me, and I laid my head on his shoulder.

“Don’t take it like that, Chloe. You make me happy, but not in a romantic relationship way. Does that make sense?”

I nodded my head. “I guess.”

“You’re a beautiful, smart, and fun woman, and you deserve someone who is not gay and who will love you like you deserve to be loved. I wanted to tell you now, not for my own sake, but for yours. With you leaving for London in a couple of weeks, I wanted you to be free in case you met someone.”

“That was kind of you,” I spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“Hey. I know it hurts, babe. It hurts me too. This is the last thing I wanted to tell you. But I had no choice. I couldn’t live like this anymore.”

“I get that. I really do.” I lifted my head. “But I’m so hurt right now, and I need a couple of days to process all of this.”

“I understand.” He looked at me as sadness filled his eyes.

I got up from the bench, and as I started walking away, Corey grabbed my hand.

“I don’t want to lose our friendship. You’re too important to me, Chloe.”

I pursed my lips together and slowly gave him a nod before heading home and collapsing into my bed.