The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Flair

POV

I felt his hand on my shoulder as I put the earrings into my ear, my smile wide as I turned my head surreptitiously to the side.

"You look stunning," he said as I swallowed hard.

I was nervous. It was the day of the party and today was the day. Whether I was ready or not, my identity was about to be divulged. My secret would no longer be my secret. I would be outed. Somehow it no longer seemed to matter anymore. Nothing did. Only the love I had for my husband and the love he showed me, was all I cared about now.

"We need to redefine our relationship" he had said and my heart had skipped a beat.

I had waited for him to explain we needed to separate or ask for a divorce. I had been afraid that it was just like being with Johnathon all over again. Instead what he'd said had made me look at him in a state of disbelief, certain I had been dreaming. "I don't want a contract marriage anymore, I want a real one."

It had shaken me to the very core. It was like all my dreams were coming true at once, but anybody who has seen a Disney movie will tell you there's always a catch. Something always happens to the heroine in the story. I waited for the shoe to fall, waited for the inevitable piece of information that would no doubt hurt me and cause nothing but devastation and grief.

"I think we should wait and worry about getting pregnant later."

For a moment time had stood still and I thought I had misheard him. Had he just told me he wanted to wait? What about the company that he had wanted so badly? I had looked at him taken aback, wanting him to explain further. "What about the company?"

He had taken a deep breath and his eyes had been steely as he stared right into my eyes.

"The company is not as important as having you in my life is. I would lose the company ten times over if it meant keeping you as my wife."

Tears had trailed down my cheeks. I had been stricken. My chest had tightened so much I had struggled to draw in oxygen. Was this real? I had thought it might be a figment of my imagination, but Grayson's touch on my cheek, the solemn expression on his face, and the trembling of his hand all spoke volumes about what he was saying. He meant every single word he was expressing to me and he was afraid that I wasn't going to reciprocate. To access the complete chapters for free, visit Jo b ni b.com. He was afraid that my feelings did not extend as far as his did. The foolish man had no notion of what his words were doing to me, to what they were doing to my very soul.

"But the company" I had whispered through a flood of tears "you wanted it so badly."

"Screw the company" his voice was fierce "I'm choosing you, Flair. I want you. It's always been about you" he had confessed as I stood there in shock, "my heart skipped a beat from the first moment I saw you and even now, it skips a beat just looking at you. You do that to me," he said hoarsely.

"But Charlotte" I breathed "Charlotte will get the company."

I was trying to protest, but he was breaking down all my defenses and knocking down all my walls.

There was a look of guilt on his face as well as decisiveness. "It's unfortunate but I've made up my mind. If it means losing to Charlotte, then so be it. As far as I'm concerned, I've already won, because I have you. I can do anything, including continuing to grow my law firm, as long as you remain with me."

Silence. For a moment all I could do was look at him in awe. The way he spoke of love and affection for me was honest and unashamed. He was delving right into his feelings and laying himself bare. He was making himself vulnerable, for my sake and I sobbed, becoming emotional.

"You would give up the company and all it entails, money and all, for me?" I asked, wiping my tears with the back of my hand.

"I would give up the law firm if I had to."

There was complete sincerity in his tone. There was no hesitation, no doubt in his words.

I sobbed, flinging myself into his arms. His hands wrapped tightly around me. I trembled and shook violently. His hand stroked my hair.

"I can't make you give up the company for me" I whispered.

"I'm not doing it for you, I'm doing it for us" he had told me firmly, brushing a loose tendril of hair behind my ear.

For us. The look of steely resolve on his face had told me instantly there was no changing his mind.

"As soon as the party is over and you've come out to the public, I'll inform Grandfather of my decision. I don't want to take away your moment in the limelight" he had said, cupping my cheek as I smiled tremulously at him "and I want to stand proudly next to my wife as she is finally brought out and revealed for the gracious and fantastic woman she really is. Nobody is going to steal your moment in the light tonight" he had promised me, his voice dripping with meaning, "Nobody."

Now I stood in front of the mirror fastening my earrings and glancing at myself in the mirror with a critical eye. I was still growing used to my new hair color and I wore a gorgeous royal blue dress designed to stand out. It was a one-shoulder, floor-length gown with lace over the top. It gathered tightly around the bodice and then flowed neatly downwards. I had white heels on beneath it and a white clutch bag to complete the look, along with white gold jewelry and earrings. I looked stunning but part of me was hesitant. Perhaps I should have dressed up more considering it was my come-out day.

"You look beautiful" Grayson's voice came from behind me as he kissed the top of my head "Nobody will be able to take their eyes off you and that's how it should be" he complimented me huskily.

I relaxed against him. He was looking pretty handsome himself, I thought wickedly, clad in his black suit with a white business shirt. He wore no tie and his shirt was unbuttoned slightly, showing off his chest slightly. I felt myself turn around and put my hands around his neck, his hands going to the small of my back and around my waist.

"You clean up pretty well yourself," I told him sweetly.

He chuckled "Careful what you say" he warned "We can't delay going to the party tonight and with the way you look" he paused and raked his gaze over me deliberately "I've half a mind to ravish you."

I placed a hand on his chest, my fingers playing with his shirt as I giggled "Are you ready to go? Or do you need more time?"

My heart was beating so loudly in my chest, that I suspected he could hear me. He gripped my hand with his own, clasping it tightly. "I'm ready," he said lightly "Are you?"

Was I ready? Really ready? I slowly picked up my clutch and smiled brilliantly at my husband as he regarded me with

concern.

"I'm ready as I'll ever be," I said quietly.

He took hold of my hand. "I'm going to be right by your side" he promised me, taking the clutch off of me and grinning "Now let's go, Mrs Oakes, before I lose control of myself and do something that I ahem" he coughed "Should regret but probably won't" he admitted guiltily.

I laughed out loud and began to head down the stairs with Grayson in tow. I held my dress up with one hand so I didn't trip and we made it outside while Roscoe whined at being left behind in the house. I gave him an apologetic look as Grayson shut the door behind him. I didn't have to glance around to know there were security personnel keeping a close eye on us. We glided to the limo and Grayson helped me inside. We leaned against the seats as the driver shut the doors and began to pull out into traffic. It was time. I could feel my breathing becoming shallow.

"Just breathe," Grayson said "Whatever happens, just remember that you will always be Flair. It doesn't matter what your last name is, it doesn't define who you are" he touched my chest, his hand resting where my heart was beating "you define who you are." I closed my eyes. Grayson gripped my hand tighter. Within minutes we were pulling up to the Grand Hotel where the party was. The driver opened the door and Grayson assisted me out. I grabbed the invitation from my bag. The doorman halted us at the entrance to the ballroom.

"Name?"

"Grayson Oakes and Flair Oakes," Grayson said smoothly as my mouth went dry.

He ticked off our names. "The party is just inside. Enjoy" the man said with a wide smile.

"That was easy" Grayson muttered as I put the invitation away, both of us stepping inside the room and halting.

I had forgotten just how luxurious and outlandish wealthy elite parties were. I was instantly reminded by the extreme gold, blue and silver decorations hanging from the ceiling, while the tablecloths and centerpieces matched. It looked beautiful and expensive, while the women were attempting to outdo each other with their designer gowns and the men showed off their expensive Rolexes. Waiters and waitresses walked around with hor devours and champagne, offering it to the guests and soft music played in the background. There was no sign of my father or brothers yet, I noted with disappointment. Or Rachel and Timothy. Grayson calmly took two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to me.

"To us," he said quietly.

"To us," I said smiling back and beginning to sip as Grayson began to subtly lead me around the room.

With luck my father and brothers would arrive shortly and we could get this whole thing underway. For now it was time to enjoy the party.