Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance (13 page)

Amy fidgeted in her seat and checked the program. The acts were an embarrassing mix of tap dances, piano playing, singing, and comedy skits. The organizers passed out pledge cards listing the celebrity and how much one would like to contribute for each act.

Teo sat next to her, strangely silent. He didn’t clap or fill in his card, but blew out several breaths as the show rolled forward. Maybe he was nervous, although for what reason? He was hot, rich, and charitable. What would he have to be nervous about?

On the other side, Teo’s grandmother had fallen asleep. Her wispy gray hair was fluffed on the seat back, and she emitted a purring snore. Amy could see why Teo wanted to make her happy, but hiring a fake girlfriend meant he didn’t want to be in a real relationship. Which was fine with her, since she also had no room for distractions from her acting career. The worst would be a jealous and possessive boyfriend going nuts every time she had to kiss someone on screen or during rehearsal.

The audience clapped as the magician bowed on stage. Teo leaned over and whispered, “I have to go to the dressing room. Keep Oba-chan company?”

“I will.” She poked his chest. “Why are you so nervous? What happened to all the meditation and inner peace?”

His leg jittered. “This isn’t like riding a motorcycle. They want me to sing.”

“And? Just do like you always tell me. Be in the moment. Empty your mind of negative thoughts.”

Teo kissed her softly. “Promise me you won’t laugh.”

“Why? Are you going to be a clown?”

“Close. I’m not telling.” He peppered her lips with another kiss. What was it about this guy that made him so kissable? Amy hung on longer than she should have, taking and receiving smacks and slurps. “Mmm … Can’t wait to hear you sing.”

“It’ll be for you.” He made his way to the aisle, his gaze lingering on her.

Sigh. If only he weren’t a bad boy billionaire, a playboy racer, a guy who’d rather hire a girlfriend than actually have one. She had to remain firm and not get swept away by his act. It was hard not to.

Amy glanced at her brother who sat several rows down with his date. He and the girl were shyly holding hands, their faces pointed straight at the stage, as if they didn’t know each other. So funny.

“All right,” the emcee said after the intermission. “Take your seats, folks, because we have some hip rocking action up next. Keep those pledge cards coming in. Don’t forget to check your celebrity’s name and enter the amount. So far, we’ve raised forty-three thousand in the first half alone. So grab a card and a pen, and put your hands together for rocking and rolling Teo Alexiou.

At the mention of Teo’s name, his grandmother snorted and woke up. She rubbed her eyes, blinking. “Did I miss anything?”

She was too cute.

“No, Teo’s about to go on stage. I have no idea what he’s going to do.” Amy checked Teo’s name on the pledge card. With the twenty grand he gave her, plus the money she’d made so far on the reality show, she could afford to be generous.

“That’s a large amount,” Oba-chan said. “May I borrow your pen?”

“Sure.” Amy cringed. Wasn’t it rude to look over someone’s shoulder? Or was Oba-chan delivering a reprimand? One could never tell with Japanese, especially the older generation.

The curtains opened and a rousing cheer roared through the audience. The men in front of them stood and whooped.

Amy craned her neck to see Teo while the people behind them yelled, “Sit down.”

What the heck? Teo was dressed like Elvis Presley, complete with poufy wig, sideburns, a white jumpsuit and gold bling. He held a black guitar and wore dark glasses. The sound system started up the swinging beginning of “Burning Love.” Teo jumped around the stage shaking his leg and jerking the guitar up and down.

The audience went wild as he twirled scarves at the women crowding the stage. Teo’s voice was deep and booming, and both Amy and Oba-chan bounced and clapped along with the beat. His hips went crazy at the hunka-hunka part. What a show-off. At the end he slid across the stage in a half-split and raised his hand up high.

Women threw leis at him, and a red thong looped over his guitar. Teo thanked the audience, bowed and handed the guitar to a stage assistant.

The sound system segued into a set of introductory chords and Teo sang, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” He prowled the stage like Elvis, lowering his dark glasses and bending over to the women below, handing out kisses and taking leis. He swaggered from side to side, his hips rotating, pointing at the babes. “I’ll get you later.”

The entire audience yelled, “I can’t stop loving you,” whenever he threw a scarf into the crowd. What a total flirt. He had the women swooning in droves.

Amy’s brother scooted to the seat next to her. “Why don’t you go up there? Aren’t you his girlfriend?”

The girl he came with was too shy, but she kept nodding and blinking, as if she’d go if only Amy would take her.

“No, no, let him have his show.” Amy waved them back. “You two go up there.”

It was too late as everyone screamed, “Yesterday!” and the drums rolled to the finish.

“Thank you, thank you,” Teo said. “Don’t forget to update your pledge cards. Show the Wishes Come True Foundation how much Fremont loves the children.”

Women mobbed the stage throwing pledge cards at Teo. He blew kisses at them and tapped the mic. “Thank you. Thank you. You’re a wonderful audience. Now, this last song is from my heart for a special woman.”

A sizzle zinged through Amy at his words.
How special would it be, if it was me?

The women up front mobbed the stage raising both hands to get his attention.

Teo’s gaze locked onto Amy as she shrank into the seat. “Amy-chan, I know you’re out there. Come to the stage.”

“No, no, I can’t.” Amy’s head shook. Her heart couldn’t take it if this were an act designed for his grandmother.

“Here, here,” the other women yelled, thinking he was taking volunteers.

Teo swiped his hand over his Elvis wig. “I bet many of you know Amy Suzuki since she grew up in Fremont. Who out there went to school with her?”

Oh, the rascal. He’d embarrass her into going up. Amy cupped her hands over her face and ducked.

Screams and cheers erupted from the crowd. “I know her. I know her.”

Joe jumped up, tugging her arm. “Amy’s right here. She’s my sister.”

The spotlight glared into her eyes as Joe dragged her from her seat and pulled her through the mass of women.

“Stop, this is embarrassing.” Amy struggled. She spotted her former classmates, her school friends, and even her daycare teacher.

“Come to me,
moro mou
,” Teo said, reaching down with both hands. “My babe. You come up here.”

Her brother hefted her up, and Teo lifted her onto the stage. Her blouse was rumpled and her skirt lopsided, but Teo took her hand and signaled for the music to start.

He swayed to the lilting intro, his eyes boring into her, tender and relaxed. Pulling her in for a kiss, he sang the first line into her mouth. “Love me tender …”

“Ahh ….” The audience made a collective sigh.

Amy’s heart fluttered with a million butterflies, and her knees melted into goo. Warm tingles danced over her skin as Teo sang. For her.

When he got to the part about the “wreck,” he slid in a quick aside, “not on my bike,” and the audience busted out in laughter.

Romance, sweetness, love. What was there not to like about him? For whatever reason, he’d picked her, of all women, to present to his grandmother. He’d showered her with fun dates, protected her from the paparazzi, and kept her on the show.

She couldn’t help swaying with Teo as he sang “Love Me Tender,” asking her to fulfill his dreams, to hold him tight, and take him into her heart. His eyes glistened with passion, and she was drawn to him in a way she couldn’t explain.

Teo sang the final word and covered her with a deep kiss, bending her back until her hair touched the ground.

Flutters and sparks exploded from her heart and she almost let it go, almost went with the moment. But a little nagging voice slammed the brakes with its warning,
It’s not love. It’s pretend.

* * *

Teo thanked the audience and led Amy off the stage. “Do you want to come to my dressing room?”

He couldn’t stop kissing her. Whatever had happened at the beach would not stop his joy from having her on stage as his girlfriend. He’d been at fault, but he’d made amends by giving her the check. Besides, Oba-chan seemed to like Amy, and no one got past her bullshit detector.

Amy backed away from him. “I should probably get back to your grandmother. She might need help when we exit. I wouldn’t want her to get run over by the crowd.”

“She really likes you. We’re going out for sushi afterwards. Do you want to ask your brother and his friend to come with us?”

“Oh, they can’t. They’re high school students and have school tomorrow.”

“Okay, see you at the exit.”

Out on the stage, the pledge cards were still coming in. Every child deserved at least one wish to come true. Teo wiped the sweat off his face and entered the dressing room.

Closing his eyes, he tried to picture his mother, but her image was fading. Long black hair which she only let down in private. Large doe-like eyes and a quiet smile. That much he remembered.

Obviously his father had destroyed all her pictures. Besides, she’d been a servant and she would have only appeared in the background. No one in the family liked her, not even Tasha, his closest sister.

Teo stripped the polyester jumpsuit and folded it. Removing the fake sideburns stung, but he rubbed moisturizer onto his face. After washing himself, he sprayed his sexiest cologne, Le Male Terrible, and pulled on a dress shirt, suit jacket and slacks.

A man with a talking parrot was on stage cracking jokes. Teo packed his costume and made his way back to the auditorium. He had to sit in the back since Amy’s brother had moved into his seat. Thankfully, the bird was the last act.

He closed his eyes. Earlier, he’d heard what Amy told Oba-chan, how she wanted to love him and make him forget his hurt. If only she could plaster over the crack in his heart. He sure couldn’t. He’d tried everything. Danger, women, wine, although he’d never indulged in drugs. But nothing could plug the hole. Why would his mother leave him? Even worse, why did she refuse to see him? He’d made a sizeable donation to her convent, but it hadn’t mattered. Was her shame over his birth so much, it overshadowed maternal love? Or did she hate him because his birth ruined her prospects of marrying a man she loved?

The talent show was over, and the lights were turned on in the auditorium. Teo rubbed his eyes and made his way against the exiting crowd to his grandmother’s side.

He held her arm and steadied her. When they got to the lobby he said, “Sit here and I’ll get the car.”

“No, don’t bother.” Oba-chan darted a glance at Amy who was talking to an old school friend. “I’ve something to say to you.”

“What’s wrong?”

Oba-chan pressed her lips and gestured to a corner under a palm tree, away from Amy. “She said all the right things and she seems concerned. But something’s not right. She doesn’t seem to care if you get into an accident or not.”

He put his hand on his grandmother’s shoulder. “We’ve been through this already. I need to race. I need to do something that I earn on my own. Out there on the track, the bikes don’t care whose son I am. It’s me, my bike, the track, and the other guys.”

“You’re getting old.” She shrugged. “What will you do in three years, five?”

He was only twenty-seven, hardly ancient, but Oba-chan was right. The life of a racer was fraught with danger. He didn’t want to be that has-been shuffling around the pit, boring everyone to tears about his glory days. He wanted to quit on top, and he’d never been as close to the top as he had this season. He was within shooting distance of the leaders. Last week’s crash saw him advance relative to them. He could win the championship if he continued to place high each race and win a few.

He leaned in and kissed Oba-chan on the forehead and gave her the adoring look that always got him out of trouble. “I’ll make you proud, I promise. After I win the championship, I’ll start a charitable foundation, something similar to Wishes Come True.”

“Oh, there you are,” Amy said, trailed by her brother and his friend.

Teo couldn’t help smiling. “Everyone up for sushi?”

“I’m tired.” Oba-chan jutted her chin. “I’ll call for my driver to take me home.”

Her driver was all the way in San Francisco. No way would he allow her to wait for her driver to get here and turn around. Sweat ringed Teo’s neck. This was another indication Oba-chan wasn’t feeling well. Usually she enjoyed sushi.

“I’m sorry,” he said to Amy. “I have to take my grandmother home, but I can still drop you guys off. Rain check on the sushi?”

“It’s okay, Teo. Frank here will take us home.” Amy glanced at the Asian man standing behind her, drinking in her beauty. “He’s an old friend from high school.”

Teo’s throat dried up and his stomach clenched. Of course Amy had friends besides him. She could do what she wanted. But did she have to embarrass him in front of his grandmother?

He wanted to grab her and kiss her, wipe the smug grin off the preppie guy’s face, but instead he grunted. “Sure, thanks for coming.”

“Good night, Oba-chan.” Amy bowed deep. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“Remember what I told you.” Oba-chan’s voice was stiff. “Good luck.”

Amy nodded and her eyes telegraphed a message to his grandmother. What had they been up to? He’d have to ask her.

Too late. Amy’s male friend put his hand around her back and guided her entourage toward the parking lot.

“Some girlfriend you have there,” Oba-chan muttered. “She didn’t even kiss you goodbye. But there’s one thing I like about her though.”

“What?” Teo’s ego was already deflated. He wasn’t in the mood for his grandmother’s backhanded jibe.

“She’s generous. She pledged twenty-thousand dollars to your Elvis the Pelvis performance.”

“Father, I came as soon as I could.” Amy stepped into her father’s hospital room. He’d been moved out of the ICU and into a regular bed to recover from his triple bypass surgery.

He barely lifted his head, but his eyes sparkled and he half-grinned. “I’m sure you’re not used to seeing me on my back. Tell me what’s going on in your life.”

“What do you want to know?”

He rolled his hand. “Everything. Your job. That man you’re hanging with. Your mother tells me you’re quitting your job to take care of me. I don’t want you to do that.”

What? This was her father speaking? Hadn’t he wanted her to come home and work in his office?

She resisted the urge to palm her hand over his forehead to check his temperature. “Dad, it’s the least I can do for you. My job wasn’t all that important anyway.”

Besides, it would mean more embarrassing situations with Teo, the kind that left her back scraped and her insides boiling with unreleased lust.

Her father cleared his throat and coughed. “Any job that pays a hundred grand for a few months of work is worth it. Your mother checked with her business connections. Silver Studios is legit and this is a stepping stone to the big screen.”

“But, Dad. You’re more important.” Amy took his hand. Even though he’d constantly criticized her growing up, he did it because he cared. Her mom meanwhile, would do underhanded things, like delete emails from schools she got accepted to that her mother didn’t want her to attend.

“What about this man? They tell me he’s a billionaire. Is he your costar or something more?”

Amy’s face heated, and she stared at the blanket across his lap. Neither of her parents had ever asked about her private life other than to lecture and tell her to use protection.

“He’s a costar, although we’re acting as girlfriend and boyfriend off the stage. It helps with the publicity.” Amy tried not to cringe. Since when had she become such a liar?

“You be careful. These rich men can get away with just about anything.” Her father’s voice was weak and he wheezed. “Don’t get your hopes up. He’s probably just having a little fun with you, especially since he races Suzuki motorcycles.”

“Don’t worry. I figured as much.”

Her father’s eyes closed. Amy dabbed a napkin over his forehead. The effort to talk had weakened him, and his voice was frail and creaky, so unlike his usual booming loudness.

“Don’t screw up the job on account of me,” he whispered. “I’ll hire a nurse.”

“I want to stay with you.”

He shook his head slowly. “You have to audition, and work on your skills. Come visit more often.”

“I thought you wanted me to work in your office. What changed?”

He took a deep breath and then another. “I’m tired.”

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Amy leaned over and kissed her father’s forehead. “I love you, Dad.”

She walked toward the door, her gaze lingering on her father. He looked like he’d aged ten years. How could he be so weak? Was he going to retire after this ordeal?

Quietly, she stepped into the hallway and latched the door. A tear trickled down her cheek. Her father had always been the strong one and the one who’d cared. Whenever she was sick, he was the one to sleep on the floor in her room. He’d hold the bucket and wipe her face when she threw up. Yes, he was strict and bossy. But he was her father.

“Amy? You okay?”

Teo. What was he doing here? He bent over her, his hand on her shoulder, a caring look in his eye.

“I don’t know.” She threw herself into his arms, needing him.

His embrace was solid and comforting, his scent infuriatingly attractive, spicy and sexy and clean. A sob wobbled from her throat.

“Hey, hey, I’m here.” He stroked her shoulder and back. “Whatever you need from me, tell me.”

“I can’t go back to the show. My father needs me.”

“I can hire a nurse.”

She pushed away from him. “Don’t. Even. A nurse is not the same as a daughter. There’s no love. Don’t you get the difference?”

Teo winced and bit his lip. “Believe me, I do.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Dang. She was so wrapped up in her problems, she’d just stepped on Teo’s sore spot. “I’m tired. Been worrying about my dad. They had him intubated until this morning. He had some complications. They’re going to keep him another week or so.”

“I understand.” Teo took her hand. “Shall we walk around the lake or do you have somewhere you need to be?”

“I’m free. Mom’s on a business trip and Joe’s at school. I stopped by the AT&T store this morning and replaced my cell phone, so I guess I’ve nothing to do.” Gah. Why was she babbling? It was only a walk around the lake with her costar, not a big deal.

“Great. You’re all mine, then.” Teo took her hand.

They exited the hospital and approached his motorcycle.

The shiny gleam on his bike screamed speed. Amy gulped. Last night, her brother had gone on and on about Teo’s fast bike whose nickname was ‘The Falcon,” and how he wanted a red and black Suzuki Hayabusa when he’d saved up enough money.

“Promise we’re only going to the park?” She crossed her fingers.

“Scout’s honor,” Teo smirked and handed her a helmet. “How about dinner in Napa?”

“No, I can’t.” Her back was still sore from their encounter against the rock wall. “It’s better if we’re only together in public. No real dates, please?”

“Are you worried about what happened at the beach?”

Well, duh. Wouldn’t any woman be? Especially since being within striking distance of Teo had her hormones revving, and riding on his bike, plastered against his back got her hot and horny.

“Let’s take that walk.” She bit her lip and remained firm.

Fortunately, the ride to the park was short. Teo locked the helmets onto his bike and put on his sunglasses. He strode down the path toward the lake, not bothering to take her hand.

Amy shouldn’t be bothered, but her hand protested, feeling empty. Her feelings flattened at his coldness, but she flipped her shades on too, as if she could care less.

They walked side by side in silence. The lake was calm and peaceful, so smooth that the hills of Fremont were reflected in its expanse. The horrible drought had left the water levels lower than she’d ever seen before.

Canadian geese mixed with regular white geese grazed on the parched grass, and flocks of ducks waddled in the reeds. Amy stopped at the canal at the side of the lake and spotted a turtle floating in the water, his red ear spot prominent on his peeking head.

“Think there are gators down there?” Teo stood at her side, leaning over the fence.

“Of course not. Otherwise there wouldn’t be so many turtles, ducks, and geese around.” She was glad he’d broken the silence. At least they could go back to being casual friends.

“See that shiny greenish black duck?” He pointed at a beautiful duck standing apart from the rest. “The one with the long neck? He’s all by himself. All the white ones are together and the mallard ducks all have mates.”

Was Teo telling her that was how he saw himself?

“He’s very pretty,” she responded. “I wonder if someone left him here.”

“I can imagine the day they dumped him here. Just opened the car door and dropped him off.” Teo’s mouth turned down in a grimace.

The duck sat on the concrete slide near the canal, preening himself.

“He seems to be happy.”

“He has no choice.” Teo shrugged.

“But you do.” Amy put her hand in his and leaned against him. Last night, she’d opened the locket Oba-chan gave her. It had belonged to Soledad Maria Apostol. Inside was a picture of her and baby Teo. She hadn’t signed the picture. Instead, there was a single word on the back, “Choose.”

“We’re not talking about me.” Teo swept his arm in a semi-circle covering the hills to the lake. “I have all the choices in the world. I’m not stuck anywhere.”

“What would you give up for love? Do you know?” Amy’s hand shook. Should she show him the locket? Or should she find his mother first?

“Why would I have to give up anything?”

“Do you wonder why your father keeps marrying? He’s still looking.”

“I’m not.” Teo rubbed his chin. “I’m perfectly happy the way things are, like that black duck.”

“That’s why you’re settling for a fake girlfriend to show your grandmother, isn’t it?” She almost bit back her retort but it slipped out anyway.

His lips thinned and his eyebrows dipped behind his dark glasses. “What do you want from me?”

“Nothing. I just think you shouldn’t be tricking your grandmother. She’s probably the only person in the world who truly loves you unconditionally. It’s not right to lie to her.”

He edged away from her and continued down the path. Should she let him go? If so, she should give him the locket. She’d promised Oba-chan.

Teo glanced over his shoulder. “Amy, talk to me. Tell me what you want.”

Of course she’d go to him. His vulnerability exerted a magnetic pull on her. She was a sucker for happy endings, and Teo needed one badly.

“I’ll help you, Teo. But this is going to end badly if you don’t tell her the truth.”

“I know.” He put his arm around her. “Oba-chan’s sick. I hacked into her email last night. A lot of it was in Japanese, but from what I can gather, she has aggressive Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and she’s refused treatment. They’ve given her three to six months.”

“Oh, Teo, I’m so sorry.” Amy hugged him, rubbing his back. No wonder his grandmother wanted to see him settled in a loving relationship. But these things took time, and he’d gone about it all wrong. He should have sought a genuine relationship.

“I guess I’ll truly be alone once she’s gone.” Teo kissed the top of Amy’s head.

“You still have time to find someone. Three to six months is enough time. You don’t need a fake girlfriend.”

“I don’t want just anyone.” He held her close and rubbed her back. “I want you to be my girlfriend.”

“Uh, that wasn’t what I was angling for.”

“Isn’t it?” Teo crouched to eye level with her. “Twenty thou wasn’t enough?”

She broke from his embrace. Shame engulfed her. She wasn’t a whore, and she darn well wasn’t going to fall for a man who thought he could hire her for her feelings.

“No, Teo. Any real relationship needs to start on a clean slate, with honesty. What we have is broken.”

Amy tore herself from Teo’s side and ran. They were on the far side of the lake from the parking lot, but she didn’t care. Her sides ached and pain shot through her stomach. He couldn’t pay for her love. Wave his cash and expect her to care. Even worse, if she started to care for him, to love him, a man incapable of loving her back, she’d have no one to blame but herself when he left her after he no longer needed her.

Teo’s footsteps closed in and he snatched her shoulder. “I don’t have time to find another woman. Do this for me, as a friend.”

“I can’t. What will happen if your grandmother wants us to get married? Or live together? I hope she doesn’t die. I hope she lives a long time, but when will we tell her?”

“We won’t have to. She only has six months max. We’ll break up after the funeral. No one will care.”

Amy shoved him, pain lancing her chest. “You don’t get it. I can’t play the part. I can’t act like I love you and walk away.”

“I can make you very rich. Let’s say we had to get married before she dies. I’ll make sure you’ll never have to work again.”

“No. I can’t do it. I’ll give back your money, call Ronaldo and let him know I’m off the show. They can find someone else.”

She walked off and Teo did not follow. She didn’t dare look back. Didn’t want to. He was probably calling a casting agent to find another actress. She’d been nothing but a highly paid escort, a low down dirty whore after that encounter at the beach.

Amy swiped her tears and reached into her purse for the bus fare. Teo’s mother’s locket dropped onto the sidewalk. She picked it up and stared at the innocent baby with the large sad eyes. No woman could replace what he’d lost or fill the gaping hole in his heart. No one but the one who’d left him.

* * *

Teo’s heart shrank into his gut as he watched Amy run away from him. What more did she want? He’d been prepared to give her half of his wealth. Plenty of women would have welcomed the opportunity to be his girlfriend. Maybe he should find someone else. Oba-chan had a list of eligible girlfriend candidates, but pride had made him insist he could find a girlfriend on his own.

He placed a call to Ronaldo, keeping an eye on Amy. She was crossing the grass, heading for a bus stop.

He told Ronaldo what was going on with Amy.

“Hey, hey, I figured you’d come to your senses,” Ronaldo said. “Amy’s not the best actress. She’s probably not even that good on the mattress.”

Teo’s throat clenched. “How do you know?”

“People talk. Shall I cancel out Indianapolis?”

“Probably. She’s quitting anyway because her father’s sick.”

“Good coincidence. Saves us from being the bad guys. Okay, I’ll wait for her resignation. Why don’t you come down to L.A. and interview her replacement?”

“I should spend time with my grandmother. She’s terminally ill.”

“Oh, man. Sorry to hear that. Don’t worry. I’ll find you the most awesome replacement. You still want Japanese?”

“Yes, someone who looks like Amy. Oba-chan’s eyesight’s not that great. If the actress can pretend she’s Amy, I won’t have to explain that we’ve broken up.”

“Brilliant!” Ronaldo’s too cheerful voice grated in Teo’s ear. “An Amy Suzuki clone coming right up. Mia’s such an awesome make-up artist she’ll have Amy replicated so no one can tell.”

“Okay, hopefully.” Teo’s stomach ground rocks. He didn’t like it, but he had no choice. Unless … What did Amy say about her father? That they’d keep him at the hospital another week?

It could still work. She was angry at him for offering to pay. Maybe if he wooed her instead, showed her he cared, she’d relent.

Teo hopped on his bike and zoomed to the bus stop. Amy was sitting there staring at something in her hand. She startled when he braked in front of her.

“Get on.” He yelled over the noise and unlatched her helmet.

She closed her hand and shook her head.