The Billionaire's Sextape: An Adult Billionaire Romance (10 page)

He was arrogant and cocky and had absolutely no perception of the real world. He had never had to worry about money before, and because of that, he saw the world in some sort of unrealistic, fairy-tale way. She always hated people like that. She liked real people who knew what hardships were all about.

And yet… she found herself laughing with him and enjoying his company. She wasn’t sure if it was because he was just the type of person who was good with his words, because he was good at charming the socks off of anyone – or if perhaps deep down he really was a good guy. She guessed time would tell.

              “Are you ready to eat your words, Mr. Gere?” she asked as she lifted the last of her sandwich up to her mouth. She popped it in, chewed it easily, and then swallowed.

              “Okay – I’m officially impressed.” She watched as he looked down at his plate where a few mouthfuls remained.

              “Do you need help with that?” she asked as she batted her eyelashes at him.

              “Lilah Delilah – I have never met anyone like you before.”

              “You mean, someone so greedy?”

              “I mean, someone so inspiring.”

              “Because I ate all of my food? Wow – you’re easily pleased. I like that.”

Chapter6

Delilah knew that James was used to being in the papers. She also knew that he was used to seeing things about him that were not true. But she was sure that it was strange to see things about himself that he himself had fabricated. The media had lapped up the story about her and James with ease and hadn’t seemed to question it at all.

They did seem torn, though – while some of them kept going on about how wonderful it was that James had finally found love, others were slaying him for dating a stripper. If only they knew the truth – that not only were they pretending to go out with each other but that James wasn’t even sleeping with her. Nobody would believe the last part at all because Delilah knew that he was known as being a party boy.

She wondered if he had assumed that they would also sleep together as part of the deal, but so far he hadn’t said anything, so she hadn’t said anything either. That was the last thing that she wanted to do. Her stripper days were over.

From what she had read in the papers, the media seemed equally torn on their thoughts concerning Delilah. Some of them loved her – she had read words such as “beautiful” and “striking” being used to describe her. Some of them even went so far as to say that her life story had been heart-wrenching and they were happy that she had found her knight in shining armor.

But others were not so kind. They condemned her for being a money-grabbing whore and said that she was only with James for one reason. Delilah tried not to read the papers after that – she found herself getting too wound up and wanting to set the record straight.

She’d called James once, and he had told her that this was normal – that even when he hadn’t done anything wrong, he was always loved by some and hated by others. He told her not to read the papers, and that if she did, not to take what was being said too seriously.

              “It’s a funny little life, this celebrity thing. And certainly not all that it’s made out to be. I’m used to it because my father has been in the limelight for so long – which means that I’ve been in the limelight, too.”

              “But how do you not take it to heart? Doesn’t it anger you that people say things about you without even bothering to find out who you are?” Delilah felt personally attacked by all these people who had spoken out against her.

              “I used to. But there’s no point. Those same people who say bad things about you one day will say something good about you the next. They are honestly not worth my time, and they shouldn’t be worth your time either.”

A thought had occurred to Delilah. “James, I don’t care about the media. Well, I’m trying not to. But, do you think this is all going to affect my chances of getting into college? Or finding a job?”

He had laughed, “Not at all. In fact, it might end up having the opposite effect. I really wouldn’t worry. You’ve done nothing bad. In fact, quite the opposite – you’ve been honest about yourself and your life. That’s all anyone wants. I promise. Now, let’s forget all about that. I have something I wanted to ask you.”

              “Ask away.”

              “Would you please accompany me to a party? It’s a launch of some big documentary that my father somehow got involved in. I think he helped to fund it or something. Anyway, he actually can’t make it as he has a million other commitments, so he asked me to go.”

              “Does your father know about me?” Delilah had been meaning to ask him this question for a while now. The reason they had created this lie was really because of his father.

              “Yeah. He knows. He was a little weird about it at first, but I explained how much I liked you and he seemed fine. He’s a very forgiving man, and he always sees the good in others. Sometimes I think it’s his greatest quality, and other times I think it’s his biggest downfall. But whatever it is – I’m grateful for it now. He said I sound very happy.”

Delilah giggled. “I’m glad our fake romance has made you sound happy.”

              “Yeah – it’s been quite fun actually. I was nervous at first, but now I’m getting into it. Maybe I should’ve been an actor.”

              “If you are an actor, then I am your leading lady.”

              “Well, leading lady, will you join me at this event?”

              “How fancy are we talking?”

              “It’s pretty fancy. But there’s free food and drink, and you basically just have to sit and listen to a couple of speeches.”

              “Free food? I’m in.”

              “Do you have something to wear?”

Delilah wondered if she should be offended by his question but chose not to. She would assume that someone like her didn’t have a dress either. “Actually, I do. I have one dress that’s perfect for fancy events. I’ve only worn it once.

It was given to me by my old boss, actually, when we had some smart event at the club that we all had to dress up for. She said I could keep the dress. But it’s literally the only one I have. So hopefully it’s the only fancy event I have to go to during our short relationship.”

He was laughing, “This is by far the strangest relationship I’ve ever been in. But yes, I plan to break up with you in a few months, and I don’t foresee any more of these events. So one dress should do it. And considering we’re only in this for a short time, we might as well go out and enjoy ourselves!”

Delilah giggled, “Let’s do it. Let’s show the world how in love we are.”

The whole thing had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that Delilah was getting ready for the event, she was suddenly not so sure anymore. She was standing in her bedroom in just her underwear, staring at the dress on the bed. She couldn’t help but remember the last time that she had worn it and how different this event was to that one.

The event at Betsy’s had seemed like a big deal at the time, but it was just an excuse for the super-rich to come in and watch the girls take their dresses off. The dress had a long zip down the back which made for easy removal. She tried to put that out of her mind as she put the dress on again.

This event would be different. And as she looked in the mirror at herself, she smiled – she finally felt like a lady. The dress was a light sapphire with an undercurrent of sparkles that could only be seen under certain light. It fit her tightly and hugged around her body. It was impossible to hide in a dress like this.

Every angle and curve was on show. But because it had a high neckline and stopped just below her knee, it still covered her enough to be seen as elegant rather than slutty.

She put on a pair of silver heels and put a small necklace around her neck. And that was it. She’d always hated anything that was too showy, and she felt good in this outfit. She felt as if she might actually be able to pull the night off.

James knocked at the door at precisely 7 p.m. When she peered behind him, she saw a stretch limousine parked outside and her eyes widened.

              “Oh, wow! I’ve never been inside of one those!” she exclaimed. She felt herself getting giddy. A giggle escaped from her mouth. “Sorry, I’ll be more composed when we get there. It’s just quite exciting!”

              “Trust me, it gets less exciting the more you ride in them.  But you are making me feel bad for not getting excited anymore. It almost seems like a normal car to me. I can’t believe you’ve never been in one. But enough about the car. Lilah Delilah, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. You were right – that dress is perfect.”

She did a little twirl for him and then laughed. She hadn’t felt this excited in a long time. “Thank you.”

When they got into the car and he poured her a glass of champagne, she grinned at him. “You and I lead very different lives, James. But it’s good to be in yours for a change.” She took a grateful sip of the champagne and hoped that it helped calm her nerves a bit.

When they arrived, she started to open the door. James told her that the driver would come around and open it for her. She was about to tell him not to worry – that she could easily do it on her own – but then she remembered that she had to start acting differently. This was his world. Not hers. And just as he had said, the doorman opened the door and helped her climb out.

She’d seen enough gossip magazines to know how important it was to be careful when climbing out of a limousine, and she did her best to remain as lady-like as possible. She was grateful that she remembered – especially when she saw the flashes going off.

The event was being held at a nearby hall, which had been transformed into a sort of winter wonderland. It was breathtakingly beautiful. James took her hand and smiled at her. He mouthed “thanks for doing this” as he took her inside.

They took forever to get to their table because they kept getting stopped by either media who wanted to take their picture, journalists who kept shouting questions at them, or guests who wanted to say hello.

James seemed to know everyone. He may not have known what he wanted to do with his life, but there was no denying that he was good with people. Whatever he did, he should definitely work with the public. Delilah made a mental note to tell him that.

Inside, they finally found their table. They were seated near the front, along with eight other guests. Delilah had no idea who they were but did her best to pretend that she did.

              “Any idea who they are?” James whispered as they sat down.

              “No! Should I?”

              “Depends. They’re famous to some and nobodies to others. See that couple over there – the young ones? They’re famous because they had a camera follow them around for the first year of their marriage. They became even more famous when the camera caught them both cheating on each other.”

              “What? But they’re still together?”

              “Oh yeah. They sort of made up on camera, too, and declared never to cheat again. I’ve seen him out at the clubs though, and I don’t think he’s living up to his promises. But I don’t think she is either.

And those two women next to them? They’re big shot producers who became famous when they created a celebrity documentary called ‘Who am I?’  It was incredibly dull and yet highly successful. Those other four are TV Entrepreneurs – well, that’s what they call themselves.

They’re a group of friends who started a reality show detailing their tycoon lifestyle. Each episode focuses on a new venture. It’s actually pretty cool. My dad loves that show, even though they have become a little bit too big for their own good lately.”

              “Wow. These guys are all on TV then? Flip! And I’m just a nobody.”

              “You’re not a nobody. And anyway, what about me – I’m a total imposter. I’m only famous because of my father.”

Delilah wanted to tell him to stop beating himself up about that. She could see that, while he loved being famous and rich, he also hated that he had not become so because of who
he
was. If it wasn’t for his father, he’d just be a regular guy.

In fact, if he was a regular guy, he’d just be seen as a lowlife scum with no ambition. But because he was his father’s son, he was still put up on a pedestal. Life sure was funny. Delilah wanted to find out more about this man who seemed to only want to party his life away.

She wanted to know who he was besides what the world thought of him. She wanted to know if he had any dreams of his own. But she couldn’t ask him any of that. Because just as she was about to speak, one of the TV Entrepreneurs turned to face them.

              “James, my man. Good to see you. You’ve been very popular in the news lately! Every time I open up a magazine or turn on the news, you’re all I see.”

              “Well, what can I say – I just have that kind of face.” James had immediately switched on his cocky charm – which Delilah never saw when it was just the two of them. She was about to see the James that the rest of the world saw, and she wasn’t sure if she was going to like that James.

              “You do have a particularly good face, I hate to admit it. But this time I don’t think it’s your face that they’re looking at.” The man looked to Delilah. “You must be the lovely Delilah everyone is talking about. Or Lilah, I hear you go by? I’m Eric.”

              “Lilah is fine. I don’t mind either way. Lovely to meet you, Eric.”

              “Oh, but she is absolutely gorgeous, James. I see why you couldn’t help yourself with this one. A massive improvement on the last girl, might I say,” Eric spoke to James as if Delilah wasn’t sitting right there.

              “I must agree. I do not miss Tammy at all. And you’re right -- Delilah is definitely the hot topic at the moment. She certainly looks good in the magazines. She’s got that model type of face that looks good in all situations.” James, too, was talking as if she wasn’t right there.

              “She also looks great on camera,” Eric laughed, obviously referring to the video that was leaked. Delilah felt herself cringing.

              “Anyway, how’s work going? Your last show was excellent by the way,” James changed the subject quite abruptly. Talking about the video tape in front of her had obviously been too much for him too.

              “Work is going fabulously. The ratings are high and everyone seems to love us.” Delilah already hated this man and had decided not to watch his show.