Read Online The Billionaire's Forever by Ava Claire - Free Book Online Page B

day in and day out.
    I was about to cry all over again, and not tears of happiness.
    This call was a huge mistake. “Mom, I should probably--”
    “I should have told you to fight.”
    My mouth fell open. “W-What?”
    “Not beat them down, because that would have opened up a whole new world of problems. I’d be lying if I said I’d get no satisfaction at ringing their skinny little necks though.” She cleared her throat, getting worked up.
    It made my face burn warm, a smile creeping in to replace the frown. She hadn’t just shrugged it off. She cared, all of this time.
    “I should have told you to stand up for yourself,” she continued. ‘To look them right in the face and tell them that you were beautiful and kind and someday, you were going to do amazing things. Like finish top in your high school and college graduating classes with a full schedule of clubs and honor societies under your belt. That you’d get your dream job and work with actresses like Rachel Laraby and save the lives of young stars who were as lost as you once were. That someday you’d fall in love with a billionaire and his love for you would be so great that it shone in every picture.”
    The tears came one after the other as I gripped the phone.
    “Don’t ever apologize for standing up for yourself, Leila,” she sniffed. “Because I couldn’t be prouder of you.” She let out a thick laugh, each note coated with tears. “I hope I’m not messing up your makeup.”
    I avoided the mirror, smiling. “That doesn’t matter right now. I love you, Mom.”
    “I love you too, hon. Now go marry that man and give me lots of grand babies.”
     

****
     
    The sky was a swirl of ebony and charcoal as Naomi pulled the mule to a stop in front of the wooden bridge that would take me to the sand where Jacob was waiting.
    I turned to her, feeling a rush of excitement that made my heart race and my mouth to dry.
    "How do I look?"
    She fixed a curl and gave me a big grin. "Fantastic, of course."
    I flashed her an unsteady smile. "Thanks again. For everything."
    I stepped out of the tiny vehicle and took a few steps before I stopped and turned back, panic gripping me by the throat. She flashed me a thumbs up and I relaxed a little, swallowing the golf sized knot lodged in my throat.
    This was really happening.
    I’m really getting married.
    I took it one step at a time, remembering everything that brought me to this beautiful place. Bumping into Jacob Whitmore on the way to my interview. Mouthing off then realizing with horror that I'd just given the boss lip. Following him to the corridor and realizing that he had no intention of giving me an interview.
    I bit my lip, the warmth of all those feelings rushing back to the surface. I had no idea that tryst would lead to the contract. And that signing on the contract Jacob used to keep people at a distance would have the opposite effect and I'd fall in love with him. And he'd fall in love with me.
    I'd almost run out of bridge and I could see the warm glow of tiki torches near the water. A sheer white tent rose out of the sand, the fabric billowing in the breeze. I made out the outline of Jacob and another figure, assuming it was the officiant.
    The person who would make me his wife. That would make Jacob my husband.
    We’d come so far and braved so many obstacles. Tearing down the wall Jacob built to prevent being hurt. My self consciousness and doubt that a man like him could ever live happily ever after with me. Even She Who Will Not Be Named--fate didn't make it easy for us and there were moments when I wondered if we'd make it. But we did. He was waiting for me.
    I stepped on the sand, the coarse grounds squeezing between my toes. I clutched the hem, hiking it up as I tried to maneuver to him and moved slower, sinking and fighting the wind and thick sand. The picture of me gliding to him like some beautiful mirage was quickly being replaced by the reality of a sweaty, flustered, red faced bride.