Fake Marrying The Billionaire

Chapter 3: She's Dangerous

Ares Callisto

“Are you telling me we’re down by .1% because you thickheads didn’t change the font on the ad? Are you kidding me right now? I’m the goddamn CEO of this company and I have to handle marketing, too? Get your s**t together!” I shouted on the phone, to the man that was supposed to be good at his f*****g job, but I guess not.

Damn it, why can’t these people be competent at their jobs?!

I picked up a dart on my table and threw it with so much force the dart board almost unhooked itself on the nail on my wall.

“Whoa, easy tiger. You need to stop scaring your own employees or you won’t have anymore left. ”

I turned to my side and saw Nate, my best friend since childhood, and he was looking at me with an amused smile.

“It’s for their own good. They work better this way.” I explained to him and he just nodded his head unconvinced.

I looked him up and down. He was wearing a black shirt, dark gray pants, and white sneakers. His dark blonde hair was ruffled like he had just woken up, but he had always made that hairstyle somehow fit him. I would know because ladies were always all over him, but he never really entertained them.

“Didn’t you say we were going to one of your clubs tonight?” I asked with a raised brow.

He scoffed, feigning offense. “Are you saying there is something wrong with my outfit, Mr. Callisto?”

I rolled my eyes at him while shaking my head as he obviously played with my name. “For someone that was worth billions, you still dress the way you did back in college.”

“Well,” he said as he started walking towards me, mischief in his eyes and stopped as he was just a step away from where I stood.

He placed his hands on my shoulder. “At least I know how to still dress young, while you, on the other hand–” he paused as his eyes scanned me then looked back up, shaking his head with a pout.

“You don’t own a single normal shirt in your closet, do you, Mr. Callisto?” He asked, as if there was something wrong with wearing expensive suits and shoes.

We were no longer kids. We were both bosses of big companies, and frankly, one of us didn’t seem to be understanding that. Nate was always the unruly one, except for when it came to his girl.

“One of these days I’m telling your girlfriend to burn all your frat-like shirts and replace them with only dress shirts,” I threatened him before pushing his hands off my shoulders.

“You wouldn’t dare!” He cried out, but I ignored him, continuing my walk out of my office.

I stopped by the door and when I turned around, he was still on the same spot, probably wondering if I meant what I said because he knew me well enough to know that I never backed out on my words. Ever.

“Hurry up, big shot. You’ve got a club to manage, remember?” I reminded him and this immediately brought him back to the present.

While we were walking to the car in silence, he suddenly stopped, placed his hand in front of me so I wouldn’t be able to move, then turned to me with slight fear in his eyes.

“You seriously won’t do it, right?”

I let out a laugh at how gullible this guy was. “If you don’t stop annoying me then I will. Now get a move on, Nathan Trevino.”

A big smile formed on his face when it finally dawned on him that I was just messing around, making him go back to his usual self.

“You’re the best, Ares!” He said upbeat before hopping his way outside where the car was waiting for us.

A smirk formed on my lips.

“I know.”

-

As expected, the number of people waiting to get into the club was so numerous that the long line reached two blocks.

The Midnight Club, a play on The Breakfast Club, was one of the many nightclubs that were owned by the Trevinos. This one in the city was Nate’s favorite, though, as it was the first one he was allowed to manage after he graduated.

His father thought he wouldn’t be able to handle it, but with time, and with my help of course, we managed to make it the most famous one out of all their other clubs, and the city. No wonder people were willing to wait in the November cold to get inside.

“Mr. Trevino, Mr. Callisto. We’re happy to have you here tonight.” A lady in a tight black dress greeted us as we stepped out of the car at the side of the club.

She was Dahlia Summers, Nate’s club assistant manager. Contrary to her name, she didn’t remind me of summer. I only ever saw her at the club at night and she always wore dark colors.

Her brown eyes continued to stare at every inch of my body as she bit her lip hungrily. I looked away from her before she would assume anything else, and by that I meant that I would go for a second round with her.

I fooled around here and there, carnal desires and all, but my one rule? I never go out with a girl more than once. Once I’ve tasted them, I do not, under any circumstances, go back to them. It’s called a one night stand for a reason.

Right before we were being ushered inside to the side entrance of the club, I caught a glimpse of two girls by the main entrance talking to the bouncer.

For a split second, I thought one of them looked so unbelievably similar to… her.

I brushed it off and continued my way inside the club.

“Whiskey on the rocks for Mr. Callisto,” Dahlia passed me a drink, making sure to brush her hand against mine.

God, I’m going to need a stronger drink if I want to survive this looong night.

“On second thought, make that neat.” I gave her a small forced smile before passing back the drink to her.

She did the best thing she could do this whole night, turning around and clicking her heels on the ground further and further away from me.

“I wish my assistant would stop eye-f*****g you so obviously,” Nate commented while looking down on his desk where papers were scattered.

I chuckled lightly at his conflict. “I promise I won’t sleep with any more of your assistants.”

Nate looked up at me with a glare. “That’s because I don’t have any more assistants you haven’t slept with.”

I couldn't help but laugh at his possibly accurate comment. “You can always get new ones, right?” I teased and he threatened to throw one of his pens at me. I raised my hands up in defeat.

After Dahlia came back with my drink and fortunately had to manage other things downstairs right after, I decided to look at the club from Nate’s office. He had the perfect spot with a glass window that was one-way. You could see the entire club from the bar to the dance floor and all the other tables even by the pool.

Something inside of me was suddenly hit by the thought – could that girl I encountered earlier be around here? Was it possible that she looked exactly like her or was I just imagining it?

My thoughts were disrupted when Nate cleared his throat.

“You know, it’s been over three years since–”

“Don’t,” I cut him off before taking a sharp inhale and turning around to face him. “Don’t even finish what you were going to say.”

Nate pursed his lips, but I could see that he was still debating whether or not to continue it.

“Oh come on, Ares. You’re going to have to eventually move on. There’s a lot of girls down there that could hel–”

“f**k, Nate. I told you not to, didn’t I? Goddamn it.” I said, pissed off that he decided to continue.

“I’m sorry, but–”

“I’m going to get more drinks downstairs. Call me when you’re done being an asshole.”

I stepped out of his office, closed the door and immediately, the loud music of the club filled my ears. I could barely hear my own thoughts, but I guess that was a good thing in this case.

“Mr. Callisto! We could have just brought your drink upstairs.” A surprised bartender told me as he stared in disbelief.

“Don’t worry, I have my own hands and legs. I can get it myself from time to time, too.” I said it as a joke, but gathering from how the bartender looked at me with widened and frightened eyes, he definitely did not get it as a joke.

“I’m just kidding. Relax.” I said to him and he immediately loosened up before running to pour me another drink.

I let out a deep exhale before turning around and assessing the crowd tonight. Who will it be this time?

The girl on the left that was already undressing me with her eyes? No, too clingy. She’ll have my number and address before the night ends and I’ll never hear the end of it.

The one in the middle in that extremely short dress and no underwear? Not a good idea unless she gets tested to see if she wasn’t carrying anything.

My eyes continued to look around for someone that could take my mind away from things, business problems, and most specifically that s**t Nate made me remember. Even if it was just for one night, I couldn’t care less. One night to forget was more than enough.

And then, as if on cue, there she was.

A glass of something cold spilled on my shirt out of nowhere and the girl started apologizing frantically while also wiping the drink off. Or at least, she was trying to. I’m quite certain that she was just spreading it more.

Tilting my head, I tried to get a better look at what this girl looked like, but it was much too dark and the flashing lights made it impossible to make out her face.

I debated between leaving due to annoyance that she was just messing up my shirt further or staying to see if this girl could be my distraction for the night.

After a few seconds, I lost interest and decided to just get this night over with.

I held her hands to stop her from scattering the drink even more. “It’s okay, I think I’m just getting wetter.” I said with a forced and impatient smile.

All of a sudden, she looked up and that’s when I saw what she really looked like, her eyes being the first thing that I noticed. Even with the strobe of lights almost blinding you, it was hard not to stare at the way the green mixed in her hazel eyes. I was a little too stunned, to say the least.

And God, the moment it hit me, made me freeze.

She really did look like her.

“What?!” She shouted, trying to overpower the loud music, but this brought me back to the present as I shook my head.

Doubting that she could hear me, I decided to pull her away to the bathroom as we both needed to clean up as well.

Holding her hand and feeling the warmth coming from her made me feel something I couldn’t understand, but all I knew was that, I couldn’t let go.

And then it was at that moment when we stepped into the hallway where the bathroom was and the more brightly lit place helped me to see her face better that I was at a loss for words.

With this light, I could see that she had similarities and differences, like how her wavy brunette hair was a somewhat lighter shade and was much longer, reaching the front of her chest, and how her eyes were more green than hazel. Nonetheless, I couldn’t deny that she was… even more breathtaking up close.

It didn’t help that her dress was slightly damp so I could see a bit of her underwear showing, but I had to stop myself from looking inappropriately.

Fuck, get your s**t together, Ares.

“I said you don’t have to wipe it off, it was just getting wetter.” I told her with a smile, but deep down it was taking a lot of my self-control not to do something else.

For some reason, it seemed like she got shocked when I said that and apologized again. It was kind of cute how her soft green eyes opened up with such innocence, and the way her red lips pursed up as if she was shy.

I asked if she was good, trying to stop myself from staring at her even more. Although I noticed that her dress started becoming even more see-through.

“I think you should take care of that.” I told her and pulled her closer to me when I noticed people walking towards us in the hallway. I felt her tense up a little bit, and honestly, I did too as I felt her on me.

I led us to the bathroom but only the shared one was available. I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable so I asked if it was okay with her, but I don’t think she minded because she kept on walking, giving a little shiver.

Suddenly feeling bad at how cold she must be with such a thin dress on, I ushered for her to go ahead and that I’ll be waiting outside. I was about to close the door when she almost fell down to her knees, but luckily I managed to catch her in my arms before she hit the floor.

She was most definitely tipsy.

Just a while ago, I was determined to finish this night, but right now, I think I’m starting to prefer the second option – that maybe a distraction would prove to be good. Especially if it looked this good.

For a second or two, there was just intense silence between us as our eyes continued to pierce into each other and I held her closely. Then all of a sudden, she asked if she could kiss me.

And the thing is…

I knew my answer the second I saw her.

-

I never stay with anyone I sleep with. Once I was done, I would slip out of the night, never looking back for a second glance, but with her, with this woman, last night was so indescribable that before I knew what I was doing, I had ended up sleeping next to her in bed.

When I woke up, she was the first thing I saw. It had been a while since a woman was my first sight in the morning, but I couldn’t deny that it made me feel… different.

She laid there beside me, and I couldn’t help but trace her facial features, my eyes so delicately admiring every inch of her beauty. She looked so peaceful, just as the woman I once knew before did, too.

I almost didn’t want to wake her up. Until I felt my stomach grumbling from lack of food.

“Good morning,” I said to wake her up and she immediately peeked her eyes open and did a small stretch.

For someone who just woke up, how the hell did she look that good? I was so used to women slathering makeup on their faces that I wasn’t sure what anyone looked like without them anymore.

“Breakfast?” I hinted that I needed something to fill me up.

Out of nowhere, her cheeks blushed a little, seemingly getting shy and telling me to go ahead before covering herself with a blanket.

I chuckled lightly, looking at her confused because I have seen all of her already so didn’t see why she was so fussed about it, and frankly, if I wasn’t practically starving I really wouldn’t mind seeing and feeling it all over again.

After she hurriedly ran to her bathroom, I stepped out of her room. Her place was not small, but I was used to a big place so to me, it was smaller than I was familiar with. I scanned around the area for my clothes, remembering we had thrown it to God knows where while we couldn’t keep our hands off each other last night.

Couch? Not there.

Living room table? Not there either.

By the front door? Nope.

Well, guess I’m cooking butt-naked.

I walked over to her kitchen and was instantly impressed and knew that a woman definitely lived here. One that liked to be organized. Cereal boxes were all labeled, chips and biscuits in separate cabinets, and even utensils looked like they were sterilized after getting washed.

I smiled to myself. She used to do the same thing, too.

When I opened her fridge, I saw bread and it almost made my stomach do a backflip and I knew that was exactly what I needed. As I finished cooking, I heard her come out and she asked if she smelled french toast.

I turned around and saw her in matching lingerie and I felt myself getting harder. I mentioned to her that I couldn’t find my clothes, hoping she wouldn’t find it weird that I was just butt-naked in her kitchen. I don’t think she did. Not with those eyes that were trying their very best not to look further down my body.

I put the french toasts on the plate as she came closer to me, her vanilla scent getting stronger and there was a stirring inside of me that was overpowering my self-control.

“Smells amazing”, she said with a soft voice, slightly brushing her arm against mine.

And that’s when I knew I couldn’t control myself any longer.

For now, the food had to wait.

I had something more delicious in mind.

-

After eating, let’s just say in more ways than one, my little festive weekend was coming to an end.

As I was walking to her front door, a part of me was slightly torn about leaving, but the other half was thinking – what the f**k? Did I seriously just break my rules all for this one woman? Goddamn it.

She opened the door and led me out to the hallway.

When I turned around to face her again, I felt the urge to give her another kiss, a goodbye of some sorts.

I got a hold of her hand and pulled her close to me, gently grabbing the nape of her neck and in a second, our lips collided into each other and it didn't take her a second to reciprocate, kissing me back with as much intensity as I kissed her.

I pushed her against her door and slowly caressed her face. She opened her mouth as if giving me permission, and I take this opportunity to taste her even more with my tongue, and f**k, did she taste f*****g good.

She gripped onto me, and even with my shirt, I could feel her nails digging into my skin, all while our tongues danced with so much passion. At one point, her hips were moving oh so slightly, brushing against my c**k, and making me hard in an instant. Even just the little things she did turned me on.

Fuck, I could kiss her for hours.

But being with her last night and today was already too much. I needed to go.

I needed to go before I did something I would regret.

I move away from her, untangling ourselves from each other. I saw her bite her lip and her eyes were looking at me with a bit of longing and frustration.

We said our goodbyes and just as I disappeared at the corner of her hallway and I could no longer see her as if she was never even there in the first place, I realized something.

I never even got her name.

My finger brushed along the seams of my lips, feeling for the last remnants of our kiss, of her, and I figured that that was only for the better. This way, I wouldn’t look for her. I wouldn’t want to know her more. I wouldn’t be tempted to.

Because I shouldn’t. She had already made me break too many rules, and breaking more would be what I could only imagine as dangerous.

She is dangerous.

-

“Mr. Ares, I have sent you an email of possible new assistants since you fired the recent one last week. Please let me know if you want more choices. Have a good Sunday, Mr. Ares.” Violet, one of the longest assistants I’ve had, left a message on my voicemail.

I unbuttoned my shirt and my pants, threw them on the couch, and walked straight to my office in my apartment. I had placed my office table right in front of the glass window that was overlooking the streets of Manhattan. A one-way window, of course. I valued my privacy more than anything else.

“Alright,” I sighed heavily. “Back to business.”

It may be a Sunday, but that didn’t mean anything to me. Any day was a day for me to take care of the company and today, I had to look through a few women to replace an old incompetent one.

I am aware of what people think of me. They criticize me for being too strict. I am feared by most, if not all employees, but it’s not my fault that they lack the capacity to work in a way that meets the company’s standards. My standards.

If they can’t handle that, then that’s their problem.

I cracked my knuckles before proceeding to open my email, clicking the one from Violet, and started scrolling through resumes.

I had a group of assistants, a team of men and women that worked closely with me day and night. Some would pass this task of choosing to their other employees, but because I value who I would work with for almost 24/7, I prefer to choose them myself.

Scrolling through almost fifty applicants, a specific resume suddenly appeared that made me pause, my finger hanging midair at the down key.

“It’s… her.”

There was no denying it. I could distinguish that light brunette hair and those deep hazel-green eyes in between other applicants.

Don’t do it, a part of me thought.

Do it, the other part said.

I let out a deep and heavy breath, just before taking my phone and clicking the speed dial.

I know that she’s dangerous. I knew the moment I locked eyes with her, and doing this would cause ripples in an ocean that has stayed calm for a while.

But f**k me, danger never looked so god damn fine.

“Mr. Ares, how may I help you?” Violet spoke on the other side.

An intrigued smile formed across my lips.

“Please call Ms. Lilith Sinclair and tell her she’ll be starting with the team immediately tomorrow morning.”