Freedom (Billionaire Secrets Series, #2) Read online

  Now, as he walked towards the door, his chest tightened. Linda had instructed that they needed to show up at the reunion venue early, and he’d volunteered to pick her up from her place.

  Simon rang the doorbell and Heather opened it moments later.

  Damn. She looked so beautiful he was actually at a loss for words.

  Here he was, standing at her front door, gaping like a fool. This was a little bit too much like prom night for his liking.

  He cleared his throat. “Heather. You look...”

  Don’t say adequate.

  Her lips twisted up into a shy smile that made his heart hammer.

  “Honestly, I don’t think beautiful is a good enough word,” he forced out, still grasping for the right words. “You look stunning.”

  And he sounded like a babbling half-wit. But he couldn’t help it.

  Her slender body was draped in a red cocktail dress that stopped right above her knees. The dress was strapless, and her auburn hair cascaded over her bare shoulders.

  Heather didn’t usually wear much makeup. He didn’t know what the reason was, but he was almost positive it was because she didn’t need it. But tonight, her lips were a dangerous shade of red and she had put on her contacts, her hazel eyes dazzling even in the dim evening light.

  “So do you,” she said before she flashed him another smile.

  His pulse was racing. Simon could practically hear the blood rushing in his head and it was suddenly difficult to breathe. The way he was already reacting to her unnerved him. Tonight was about putting rumors to bed. If he came across like some love-struck admirer, their careful plans would blow up in their faces. Everything was on the line. Her son. His career.

  Simon had been working on trying to get over her. Move on. But tonight, he was going to have to give it his all to set his feelings aside. Heather’s family and Dover’s staff were counting on them.

  He cleared his throat and straightened. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes, let me just say goodbye to Finn,” she said. “My parents are going to tuck him in and he’ll probably be asleep by the time we get back.”

  “I can wait out here if that would make things easier,” he offered. “I know we’re not seeing each other anymore, but I figure you don’t want to confuse Finn by having him officially meet me.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want him to meet you.” She inhaled sharply, her discomfort obvious.

  “You don’t have to explain anything to me,” he said. “I totally understand. You’re trying to protect your son from all this chaos, and I respect that.”

  “Thank you, Simon.” She let out a breath. “I’ll be right out.”

  She stepped back out minutes later and he offered her his arm.

  It was probably not a good idea for them to touch like that, but he wanted her to be at ease. Any high school reunion would be stressful, but with her name in the headlines the pressure must have been intense for her.

  Without a word she took his arm and leaned against him, her warm body already making his thoughts spin out of control. As he led her to the car he inhaled the scent of her seductive perfume. The scent reminded him of spices. And something else. Something forbidden.

  Simon opened the passenger door for her and then got into the driver’s seat. He navigated the car down the driveway and sped off.

  “I called the reporter who will be shadowing us tonight,” he informed her, trying to keep his tone light.

  Linda had chosen a reporter from a national tabloid that she trusted to write a favorable story. Tech wasn’t a tabloid’s usual beat, but for some reason the glossy rag loved getting access to young, wealthy CEOs. His scandal with Heather seemed to intensify interest.

  “Okay, good,” she replied. “Linda sent me a message with some last-minute tips.”

  “That sounds like Linda,” he said with a chuckle.

  “She means well,” she murmured. “Besides, I think she really cares about you.”

  He nodded. “She’s the one who convinced the board to let us go to the reunion tonight. I probably wouldn’t have held on to my position at Dover for this long without her. Linda isn’t just good at controlling the media, she’s good at internal corporate politics, too.”

  “And corporate politics isn’t your thing.”

  “Definitely not.” His grip on the steering wheel tightened. Playing the corporate game had never been his style, and now he was going against everything he believed in. Privacy. Keeping his head down and focusing on the work. Worst of all, he had dragged Heather into this.

  “Hopefully we’ll be able to leave relatively early,” she said. “Ten or eleven o’clock would be good.”

  “Do your parents expect you back at a certain time?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No. They’ll probably stay the night no matter what time I get in.”

  “I remember how great your parents were with kids. They put up with my weird antics for my entire childhood.” He grinned.

  She laughed. “Are you kidding? They adored you.” Heather paused, and her laughter died. “The truth is, I had hoped Gary would come over to watch Finn, but he flat-out refused. He won’t even take my calls anymore because he wants all our communications to be through our lawyers.”

  Anger made his blood boil. What was wrong with her ex-husband? Was he really so jealous that he was willing to ruin his kid’s life to get back at her? “He’s still trying to get full custody of Finn?”

  “Yes. But if tonight is a success, I want to use it to prove to the judge that I’m a responsible parent and that Gary and I should be sharing custody.”

  He disagreed. Gary didn’t deserve any custody of Finn. He kept the thought to himself. “You’re a responsible parent,” he said. “A judge would be crazy not to see how great you are with Finn.”

  “Thanks. Now, all I have to do is focus on working the room and convincing the tabloid reporter,” she said. “I’m not going to let my anxiety get the best of me. Especially since I’ve got a good feeling about tonight.”

  He hoped she was right.

  Chapter 10

  They stepped into the hotel ballroom, Simon making sure he didn’t stand too close to Heather. He decided it was best to let her lead tonight. She was the one the media seemed to like, and she looked so beautiful he doubted anyone would even notice he was there.

  The ballroom was packed with former Washington High students. When Heather stopped in her tracks to look around the room, scores of people paused to glance at her. Some of them started nudging each other knowingly and whispering when they noticed her.

  Already annoyed at their obvious judgment, Simon walked over to her side and forced an encouraging smile. “Looks like a good turnout,” he said stiffly.

  The tabloid reporter that Linda had sent suddenly appeared, digital camera in hand. Simon recognized the reporter from photographs that Linda had sent him. “There you are.” The reporter grinned. “I thought you guys would want to be fashionably late, but I guess you’re both sticklers for rules. I’m Toni, by the way.” Toni stuck her hand out and Heather shook it enthusiastically.

  This was already a tedious chore, but Simon forced himself to greet Toni with as much warmth as possible. Getting permission to allow a reporter in here had been difficult. Other than Toni, the reunion was barred to all members of the press.

  “Hey, don’t mind me,” Toni said. “I’m supposed to be just blend in while you two do what you’d normally do at an event like this. Have a good time. Network. The usual.”

  “We don’t usually do things like this,” Simon muttered.

  Heather shot him a warning glance that ordinarily would have been enough to make anyone back down. But she looked so damn sexy with her hazel eyes flashing dangerously and her cheeks flushed in anger that he wanted to keep pushing.

  “Networking has never been my strength,” he continued. “If I’m successful tonight it will all be Heather’s doing.”

  Another warning glance. Her blush de
epened, and he was suddenly filled with an unshakeable need. A need he had to eliminate if this night was to go as planned.

  Luckily Toni seemed to take Heather’s warning glance seriously and said, “Well, I’ll be looking for all the other billionaires you two went to school with. I think I see a washed-up rock star making a fool of himself on the dancefloor. See you later!”

  “Simon, try not to give the reporter any ammo to use against us,” Heather said the minute Toni was out of earshot.

  He breathed out a heavy sigh. “Fine. I’m glad she’s gone, though.”

  “She’ll be back,” Heather reminded him. “It wouldn’t surprise me if she was looking for a far more scandalous past student to compare us to. That way we’d end up looking good by comparison.”

  “That’s the angle?” He frowned. “Throw somebody under the bus to save us from scandal?”

  Her gaze followed Toni as she made a beeline for the washed-up rock star. “I think the rock star would welcome the media attention at this low point in his career.”

  “I didn’t even know there was a rock star at our school,” Simon murmured.

  She laughed, her body leaning against his. “Why am I not surprised that you’re not up to date on your pop culture?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t listen to music with lyrics. It’s too distracting.”

  That made her laugh again and she shook her head. “I think I see some familiar faces over by the punch table. How about we go over and say hello?”

  There was nothing he wanted to do less, but he didn’t have a choice. If Heather was going to rise to the occasion, then so was he.

  “Lead the way,” he said.

  MOMENTS LATER THEY approached the table, and a former cheerleader named Dannicka waved them over. Simon didn’t remember her very well, except that she’d been the cheerleader who’d invited him into the popular social circles at school after he bulked up and got into sports. With Dannicka’s approval, the rest of the school had followed.

  “So, how’s the tech business been for both of you?” Dannicka asked after they greeted each other.

  “It’s fine,” Simon said.

  “Oh, come on. Don’t pretend with me.” Dannicka took a sip of her punch. “I watch the news and keep up to date on gossip. You know you’ve hit it big when the mainstream news and the gossip rags are talking about you. You two are like celebrities.”

  “Gossip is just gossip,” Heather said breezily. “We try not to let it affect our work.”

  Dannicka raised an eyebrow. “Well, ever since that video of your ex went viral the rumor mill has been going crazy. You claim you’re not sleeping with your boss anymore, but your ex says that’s a lie. It’s like a classic he-said, she-said.” She smiled at Simon. “So, you’re single, then, Simon? And Hannah, I’m sorry. I almost don’t remember you from high school. Did you graduate with our class?”

  Heather’s cheeks turned bright pink and Simon narrowed his eyes at Dannicka. He knew the whole purpose of coming to the reunion was to smooth things over, but he didn’t like Dannicka’s tone. “It’s Heather. Her name is Heather,” he said sharply. “Heather’s actually younger than you, Dannicka.” But apparently a lot more grown up.

  “Heather. Whoops, sorry.” She smiled, but it didn’t seem genuine. “I mean, I don’t blame you for sleeping with the boss. If you aren’t blessed with talent, a girl has to get ahead however she can,” Dannicka rushed on. “I know she’s younger, Simon. Silly. You two were inseparable back in high school. I understand the urge to go back to an old flame. However, if you’re not together, that makes sense, too. I always thought you two were mismatched even back then.” Dannicka reached her manicured hand over to him and ran her fingers up and down his chest.

  Worry flickered across Heather’s face, as if Dannicka’s words were already cutting through her confidence. “How so?” Heather asked in a small voice.

  Dannicka shrugged, but her green eyes were now trained on Simon’s. She licked her lips none too subtly. “I dunno. You were such a goody-goody, Heather. So... studious. Meanwhile, Simon ended up being the school’s golden boy. So handsome. So smart. Athletic scholarship material. The total package.”

  Simon narrowed his eyes. “Heather and I have known each other since we were children. There was nothing mismatched about us.”

  Dannicka pursed her glossy pink lips. “Then why did you two break up after you graduated, Simon?”

  Heather lowered her eyes. She mumbled something under her breath that he couldn’t hear, and shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

  Simon wanted to tell Dannicka to back off, but they couldn’t afford to draw any more attention to themselves. But it was obvious Dannicka was getting to Heather. Things might have changed in the years they had been apart, but he knew his assistant. Heather had always been the type of sweet person bullies liked to go after. “High school was a long time ago, Dannicka. At least for some of us.”

  “I never told you this, Simon, but I always had a big crush on you back then.” Dannicka let out a breathy laugh.

  “I didn’t know that,” he said curtly. He also didn’t remember Dannicka being this rude either.

  “But now that little old Heather is out of the picture, I’d really like to get to know you better.” Dannicka batted her eyelashes at him and linked her arm through his. “Make sure I give you my number before you leave tonight, okay?”

  Annoyance made his jaw clench. There was no way Dannicka had noticed him during the entirety of high school. She had only given him the time of day after he had bulked up. It was Heather who’d always noticed him. Always been there for him. Hell, he wouldn’t have Dover if it hadn’t been for her encouragement.

  He looked down at her, taking in the forlorn expression on her face. All through high school Heather had been invisible to girls like Dannicka. Sure, the cheerleaders had been polite to Heather whenever he was around, but it was now obvious that they merely tolerated her to get to him. Even now they refused to see her. Refused to see how special she was.

  Yet here she was, braving this ridiculous event to save a company she had only been working at for less than three months. She was fighting for her son. For her reputation. This must have been such an uncomfortable situation for her, but she was putting on a brave face and doing something that had to be taking a toll on her emotionally. Meanwhile Dannicka was here, trying to make things even more difficult for her. Dannicka was belittling Heather and trying to make her feel small for no reason other than to boost her own ego. Anger gripped him. Consequences be damned. He didn’t care what happened now. Simon wasn’t going to put up with this.

  “Little old Heather isn’t out of the picture.” He slipped his arm out of Dannicka’s and put it around Heather’s shoulder and pulled her close. “In fact, we’re very much still together.”

  Heather gasped. “Simon.”

  Dannicka’s eyes nearly popped out of her head, her face suddenly turning a shade of green. “But... didn’t you release a statement saying you two were over? I thought that’s why you were here. To put those vicious rumors to rest.”

  “You thought wrong,” he said firmly. “I’m not interested in cheerleaders. Never have been.”

  “I only came to this stupid reunion because I heard through the grapevine that you were coming,” Dannicka hissed. “I got assurances that you were single and available. I can’t believe I wasted all this money on a new dress.”

  “You heard wrong.” Simon kissed the top of Heather’s head, the familiar sent of her shampoo sending him into a haze of desire. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Heather and I would like to enjoy each other’s company. Go through some old memories of our own.”

  Without so much as a goodbye, Dannicka flounced off in a huff.

  Heather pulled away from him and crossed her arms. “Simon, what the hell are you doing?”

  “I wasn’t going to stand there and let her get away with talking to you like that,” he growled. Let Heather be angry. He wasn’
t about to apologize for defending her.

  “I could hug you for trying to help me.” She flashed him a faint smile. “But someone could have seen you with your arm around me. And now Dannicka might go and tell people that we’re together.”

  He sighed. “I’m sorry I let my anger get the best of me, but that’s all I’m apologizing for. Dannicka got exactly what she deserved. She was throwing herself at me at your expense. It was embarrassing. For all of us.”

  “She’s probably just holding on to her jealousy,” she said.

  “Holding on?” He frowned. “You knew she liked me back in high school?”

  “Everyone knew.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “That’s because you’re oblivious.” She laughed. “You never saw all the girls panting after you.”

  “I wasn’t oblivious to you,” he pointed out.

  She bit her lip and gazed at him. “I’m glad you weren’t.”

  Suddenly the lights in the ballroom dimmed and the sound of a slow melody filled the room. It was one of those old pop songs they must have played at a hundred schools dances when they were growing up. The singer started crooning and Simon recognized the voice instantly.

  Heather’s eyes lit up. “It’s our song.”

  “We danced to this at prom,” he said. Memories of that night raced through his mind. Memories of their first time together made his blood start to race. The old, familiar song was taking him back to one of the best nights of his life.

  He watched her as she started to sway gently in time to the music. The low sound of her humming along with the song almost did him in. Seeing her like this did something to his insides. She looked like the weight of the night was lifting from her shoulders. And she was now somehow lighter. Freer.

  Right now, he’d give anything to share that freedom with her. Without another thought he reached for her, taking her small hand into his. He was about to risk everything for a stolen moment with her. But he knew that it was a risk worth taking. “Dance with me, Heather. For old time’s sake.”