In Love with the Secret Billionaire

DAHLIA

I dart between stores in the bustling mall, my heart pounding profusely within my chest as I heave faster than the beat of a drum.

With only half the breath I yearn for coming through my slightly opened mouth, I force my tired legs to carry me past the stairs and onto the next floor, my eyes sweeping the area, looking for the best hiding place.

I can’t keep running from the police forever. I need to find a hiding spot.

And I think I’ve found one!

Spotting a turn two pillars away, I turn my head to check for the two hefty security men behind me who seem too nurtured to be in a foot chase.

When I can’t find any trace of them, I know this is my chance to disappear.

With a swift turn, I drift into the corner, stuffing myself between some cartons and the cold brick wall.

This is one of those moments I am thankful for my petite figure. So now, all I need is to stay quiet and pray my shadow, created by the beam of light, won’t give me away.

As the sound of their stomping feet grows louder, I press my back against the rough, chilling wall, my chest tightening as I fight to stifle the ragged breath that threatens to betray my presence.

How I wish the cartons were taller.

“You there!”

I snap my head toward the masculine voice that tears through the silent darkness of the corridor.

I can’t see his face, but I can tell he is tall.

He comes up to the beam of light I was avoiding, and with the way he stares at me with baffle, I can tell he has probably been standing there all along, watching me try and fail at keeping myself hidden from any human.

But I can’t begin to think of why anyone would be hanging out in a place that smells like trash and heat… except for me and this tall stranger. So I pull my index finger to my lips, creating a silencing shush amidst the furrowed brows that convey my escalating fear.

We can talk about preferred places to hang out later.

But despite my attempt to quell the situation, my efforts turn to vain as I hear the chatter of the security men like bees in my ear.

“Officers?” The stranger decides to alarm the guards of his presence, which I suspect.

I squeeze even more into the cartons and the wall, hoping that’s where the conversation will end. But as soon as I hear the footsteps stop just feet from where I crouch, this annoying stranger continues. “Are you looking for someone?” he asks rather innocently, and one of the officers, with a tense tone in his voice, quickly responds.

“Yes. A young girl with long brown hair, dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans. She has a school ID card tied around her neck. See anyone like that come through here?”

It might just be me, but this tall stranger shooting me a glaring look before turning to face the officers sends suspicious signals down my spine.

I bring my brows into a slight furrow, turning my head to the left and right in quick progression, hoping that’ll convince him against any devious plan he might be cooking up.

But he lifts his head and, with a sly smile plastered on his lips, announces my presence, pointing his finger at my face.

Really, dude?

Stabbed with a pang of betrayal, I spring up from my crouched position, taking two steps back, away from the clutch of the officer walking towards me.

“Stop!” I command with a rather weak tone, unsure of what I should do to change the course of the fate this stranger has dumped me in.

My eyes drift across every figure illuminated by the beam of light, a jittery tension coursing through my nerves.

Without a second thought, I throw myself toward the tall stranger, my heart racing in recognition of my impulsive act. But the soft embrace he pulls me into takes me aback, my nerves all too aware of where his hands are—my waist.

I look up at him, and he’s staring right back at me, a violent storm brewing within his eyes.

“What—”

“He knows me. He’s my boyfriend!” I yelp out in desperation, cutting him right before the rest of the words could roll off his tongue. His deep eyes turn bright as his brows relax into a confused state.

What the hell are you doing, Dahlia?

I quickly mouth an ‘I’m sorry,’ but he doesn’t seem interested.

The officer steps back a little bit, but as soon as this tall, blonde-haired, and actually beautiful man turns his head in the direction of the officers, I can see them suspect the blackmail in my little charade.

“Sir?” one of the officers asks with a hesitating tone. “Is she?”

I scan each officer, jumping from one to the other as I catch their suspicious exchange of glances depicting their not-so-hidden plan to tear me away from this warm embrace I almost don’t want to be free of.

I bring my gaze to the stranger’s, meeting his intent stare as his formerly blank expression hints at trouble brewing.

His thick, cupid lips form into a side smirk, and his eyes give off his intention of another betrayal as he squints at his nose—a behavior I assume is unconscious.

But just before he can let out any sound, I nudge forward, standing on my tiptoes, and crash my small, pouty lips onto his.

What the…

My eyes flutter close as his hands gently encircle my slim waist, straying down to my hips. His touch sends a shiver down my spine, and as he lets go of my lower lip, seizing it again with a soft pinch, the lingering sensation fills me with an electrifying tease.

Holy fuck. He is hot!

But as quickly as it started, he pulled back, creating a space between us charged with longing and restraint. A pang of disappointment fills my stomach, but then again….

I just kissed a stranger.

A very handsome stranger.

I tear my eyes away from his after sensing the simmering rage emanating from him, and without a word, I gently press my finger against his lips, a silent signal for him to stay quiet.

Quickly recalling the reason for the kiss in the first instance, I dash to the left, pushing past his wide shoulders, happy to find that the officers have vanished.

He turns to confirm my assuring sigh, immediately yanking my hands off his cushioned lips, which I have now tasted and can tell is indeed cushioning.

“Now that they’re gone, you owe me an explanation!”

Okay, Dahlia. All you need is to cook up an explanation, and that’ll do it.

Only that, my head is blank.

It’s not like I go around kissing strangers or kissing at all. This was my first kiss, and if things went according to plan, it would have been with someone I was in love with—or at least someone I knew.

But I just rubbed lips with someone whose name I don’t know and whose face I might not remember.

“You know what?” I start, allowing my voice to drift away as I pull myself away from him. “Bye!”

I scurry away, leaving him in the dust of my shoes, with a deliberate choice not to look back.

I can’t believe I kissed a total stranger.

And on top of that, I’m running off like a child.