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Chapter 16: Her Temporary Home
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 17: Her Father
Hailey stepped into her room, flashed Noah a smile then closed the door. If she'd had any idea how her day would end when it began, well, she might not have done anything differently. This house was amazing. As appealing as it was, she shouldn't get used to it. This was a stop. A means to an end. She would be back in her apartment in a few months. Sooner if she could convince Noah it was a good idea. That way lay foolishness, she was sure, but she liked her independence. A soft knock interrupted her musings. She opened the door to see Rochester with her bag. "Miss."She reached out her hand, but Rochester brushed past her and rolled the suitcase into the room. "I can unpack for you, Miss."Her eyes went wide. She didn't need this man to do that. "I'm good. Thanks.""Do you require anything else while I'm here?" Rochester asked. "No, I'm good, thanks."He left and she leaned on the closed door to the bedroom. She probably would live out of the suitcase because she doubted she'd be h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 18: Noah's Call to His Mother
Noah settled at the desk in what he assumed was an office. He didn't need one, but he liked the idea of one. This room had a large oak desk on which he could set his laptop. He did most of his songwriting with pen, paper, and his guitar, but sometimes he jotted notes. He paid his bills and did any telecalls from his laptop in his office at home. Bookshelves lined one wall. A globe sat on a round wooden table. The floor-to-ceiling windows looked out onto an orchard. Noah liked the space and had to give his agent kudos for picking this place. He'd given the man a set of instructions and he'd followed them well. Noah wasn't sure how he was going to broach the subject of Hailey with his mother, but he needed to do it sooner rather than later. He didn't want her to see that picture and hear the conjecture about his relationship with Hailey. She deserved to hear it from him. Even if it wasn't real. He loved his mother and she'd be happy that he was dating. Why was he nervous then? Becau
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 19: Hailey Out of Her Element
Hailey had known it was a private conversation, but the warmth Noah had used to talk to his mother had been hard to resist. She'd wanted to bask in his tone. He didn't look angry at her for eavesdropping. He shifted his weight to one leg and leaned on the doorjamb. "Is this how you get your stories?"He had every right to feel betrayed. She should have backed away when she'd first heard him. "Uh, no. I was lost."She had been lost. She couldn't find the dining room where dinner supposedly was being served. Noah's face softened. "Yeah, I get it.""I'm sorry that I overheard part of your conversation," Hailey said. His conversation, the way he spoke to his mother, meant he could be a nice guy. He was probably as good a guy as his reputation spoke of. She'd never met anyone like him. Before she could embarrass herself and say anything Rochester appeared in the hallway. "Dinner is served. If you'll follow me."Hailey couldn't believe her luck. Noah didn't close the door behind him but p
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 20: First Day on the Set
Noah hadn't felt this nervous the last time he made a film, but that time he'd been new to acting. It had been exciting at first then amazingly boring. He wasn't looking forward to the downtime, but he did bring his guitar along to write songs in between filming. On his first film, he'd watched the tedium of resetting the set. Now he had no desire to look or act like a newbie. He wasn't a veteran, but he knew how things worked. Today would be a table read, but there would still be some downtime if the director wanted to begin filming today. Noah hadn't been updated on what was going to happen so he was prepared for anything. "You still have that same guitar? I would have thought you would have bought a new one."Noah looked up to see Cassandra in clothing more appropriate for a Hollywood party than a table read of a film. She never stopped playing a part. He'd never truly known where she ended and her roles began. He wouldn't ever be duped like that again. That's why his fake relat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 21: Hailey's Editor
Hailey groaned when she saw her editor's face on her phone. Martine probably wanted to see if she had any stories about Noah. Hailey had no idea how she was going to tap dance around this. She signed a paper saying she wouldn't write about her new pretend boyfriend. "Hello, Martine."Hailey wasn't looking forward to this conversation. She couldn't outright tell Martine about her agreement with Noah. Instead, she had to keep putting her off. Maybe if she got a scoop on someone else then Martine would forget about Noah. He wasn't as interesting for her line of work because there wasn't a lot of gossip. Everyone had assumed he just hid his dirty laundry well. There wasn't any dirty laundry as far as Hailey could see. The only dirt on him was his breakup with Cassandra. It had been public, but despite that the details in the press were scant. "Hailey. Setting in okay?"Did she know where Hailey was living? She hadn't revealed that to Martine because she didn't think it was any of her b
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chaper 22: Noah Agrees
Noah looked down at Hailey's surprised face and smiled. It was odd that he'd just stepped out of a helicopter, but he wouldn't have noticed without her here. "What?""I forget how many resources billionaires have. The rest of us have to grin and bear it when the expressway is backed up. You hire a helicopter." She paused. "Or do you own it?""The studio rented it," Noah said "Right. Because you're a big star."He didn't detect rancor. Instead, he detected some sarcasm. He couldn't help how others saw him, but he didn't want Hailey to think less of him. It was important to him that she saw him for the guy he was. Why? He'd have to ponder that another day. "Did you bring dinner?" she asked. "Helicopters can't go through the drive-thru," he said.She laughed. "Besides we have a chef here," Noah said. They stood in the evening light, but he liked the idea of coming home to someone. He'd never lived with anyone before other than his family. He wanted to share what his day was like min
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 23: The Interveiw
If anyone had asked Hailey, she would have been honest and said that she was nervous to meet Cassandra. The woman was a major star and had a larger-than-life personality. She harkened back to the heydays of Hollywood in that she dressed like an old-time starlet. Hailey suspected that the Cassandra interview would be like no other. Then there was the Noah factor. She'd agreed not to talk about him, but the biggest story in this situation was Cassandra breaking up with him. She had no choice. She studied him after her words and she'd seen him flinch. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Noah. He'd turned out to be a nice guy. He was helping her out of a jam though not for completely unselfish reasons. "Our breakup?""Yes. My editor insists. I wanted you to be warned."He frowned. "We talked about this.""It's my job, Noah. I have no choice or I will lose it. I can't lose my job. When you leave here and go back to your normal life I still need to pay rent.""You're being compensat
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 24: Noah, Bruised and Battered
Noah felt the breakup all over again as he listened to Cassandra. She'd spouted lies, but at least she hadn't said he was abusive. Everything she accused him of, she'd done to him instead. Hailey sat there recording it all. Noah had kept silent as he'd promised. His heart hurt in a different way from the breakup. He hoped that Hailey didn't believe any of it, but he couldn't be sure. Her face hadn't shown any reaction. They rode down in the elevator in silence, but in her peripheral vision, he could see Hailey glancing his way. He couldn't tell if that meant Hailey had believed Cassandra or not. Noah wasn't ready to talk about it. What Cassandra had said, reopened wounds that Noah had thought healed long ago. His heart lay raw in his chest and he wanted out of the situation. If he could have run screaming from that hotel room, he would have. But he was happy to be there for Hailey. Cassandra would have been worse if Noah hadn't been there to see things. As it was, she'd looked down
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 50: Noah Comes Clean
"Noah," Hailey said as she slid off of her father's bed. Noah strode into the room. He still had manners so he extended his hand to Hailey's father. "I'm Noah Magellan."Judd took his hand and the grip was firm. He looked a lot better than the last time Noah had been here. Judd had been unconscious. Noah had done his best to give Hailey and her father space while he was recuperating. "Judd Johnson.""I've heard a lot about you," Noah said. His gaze strayed to Hailey who hadn't moved away from her father. Her mouth hung up as if she'd been surprised to see him. "I've heard a lot about you, too.""Thank you for that note, sir. It has made a difference in my life," Noah said. That was why he was here. Life was too short to be away from the woman he wanted by his side. "I'm glad. It's important to remember that," Judd said.Noah now couldn't take his gaze off Hailey. "Can we go somewhere and talk?" Noah asked. "If you don't mind."Judd waved a hand. "I think it's time for my morning
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 49: Hailey Makes Some Moves
"You look amazing, Daddy," Hailey said. She wasn't sure how much of the last few hours she should share with her father. He would want to know everything. He'd want to know the truth. He was probably healthy enough to help her deal with it all or even just listen.She sat on the edge of his hospital bed. He would be released later today back to his rehabilitation facility. His prognosis was better than it had ever been. She couldn't be happier to know she would have her father back. Having made a mess of her life, it might be nice to just be under his wing again. Even if it was only for a little bit. "I'm not sure about amazing, but I feel better than I have in a long time. The surgery worked and I couldn't be happier.""Me, neither.""You don't look so happy, Hailey. Troubles?"She frowned and sighed. "It's been a crazy day and now I'm adrift."She couldn't keep any thoughts in her head. She had no idea what her future held, but she knew Noah wasn't in it. Even if Cassandra had bee
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 48: Noah Finishes Filming
Noah asked a crew member to bring Hailey to the set. She'd never seen him act and he was excited for her to be there. Even if he never planned to make a movie again, he wanted to share this with her. He wanted to share everything with her, but the contact had held him back. That was ending and then he could tell her how he truly felt. His heart leaped in his chest at the idea that he and Hailey could begin a true life together. No contract. No lying. He couldn't wait to bring her back to Tennessee and work out the logistics of them being together. He could build a house for her father on their property. He would do anything for Hailey. He wanted to spend his life making her happy and if she needed her father close then he would accommodate. The crew member came back. "I can't find her.""Maybe she was in the restroom."The crew member shook his head. "Cassandra said she'd seen her walking towards the parking lot."What had Cassandra done now? Noah couldn't deal with it. "Could you s
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 47: Hailey Questions Things
Life is short.That was what was on the piece of paper that Hailey's father had given Noah. Hailey wondered if she should take that advice also. Production of the film had been delayed because of Noah's stitches, but now they were down to the last days. She hadn't made any moves and they'd hummed along like friends who kiss. If Hailey was going to express anything to Noah, she needed to do it soon.He'd invited her on set that day and she accepted. She hadn't gotten to see much filming last time and her editor had had her busy with other assignments. Today would be the day. Hailey would stake her claim. She'd gotten the impression from Noah that he was interested so she was going to go for it in a public way. Kevin parked the new limousine Noah had rented. The driver still had some bruising on his face, that was the last of the evidence of their accident. A man had been arrested in the case and Noah and Hailey would have to testify. She wasn't afraid and it would cause Noah to come
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 46: Noah's Change of Heart
Noah breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't one of his fans that put them in the emergency department. It was some random person.He didn't like that they were there at all, but at least he didn't need to feel responsible. She squeezed his hand as she answered questions. "I'm sorry we couldn't tell you more. It was dark."The office grimaced. "It always is and it isn't the same car every time, but we think it is the same person. The accidents have happened in the same mile stretch of that road," the officer said.He closed up the notepad he was writing on a frown on his face. He handed Noah a card. "If you think of anything else, please call me.""Will do," Noah said. "You're going to have to get a new limousine," Hailey said. "If there ever was a first-world problem, this is it. Kevin called a tow truck. I called a rental place to get a car to drive us home," Noah said. "Should any of us be driving?" she asked. She had a point and Noah had no plans to make Kevin drive them home. He
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 45: A Turning Point
"Is everyone okay?" Kevin asked from the front. When Hailey looked that way, she could see blood. "Sore, but I think I'm okay. What about you Kevin?""The airbag hit me that's it. Nothing was broken from what I can tell.""Noah?" Hailey asked.He had been quiet, but he reached out to her. "I'm bleeding."Hailey could see that he had a gash on his head. "I'll call for an ambulance.""Already done," Kevin said.Hailey had an overwhelming desire to just get out of the car. She needed fresh and to make sure she was still in one piece. "Let's climb out."Her door was wedged into a bush and she couldn't budge it. "Let's try my side."Kevin was outside yanking the door open. "Let's assess and meet the ambulance crew by the road. We didn't travel that far down the hill."Noah took Hailey's hand as they ascended to the road. When they reached it, they found a streetlight where they could look at their wounds. They were all bleeding. "We are a sight, I'm sure," Hailey said. "Do you think that
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 44: Trouble
"Filming always seemed glamorous."Noah grimaced. "It's a lot of waiting around to make it all look seamless in the end.""I guess it's like sausage. You shouldn't see it made. It loses its appeal," Hailey said. "I have a confession to make," Noah said. Hailey's heart seized. What could Noah need to confess? "Okay.""I've been putting off telling you something.""Go ahead," Hailey said.She couldn't imagine it was any worse than her revelation of juvenile hall. If Noah had something comparable to say, he would have said it then. Still, she couldn't imagine what was going on in his head. He stopped them and turned to her. "I have an event tonight.""Okay." She shrugged. "What kind of event?""It's a fundraiser for a charity I often give to. I'm not in town usually, but they always invite me. I should have told you sooner. It's tomorrow night."Hailey wasn't sure how to unpack all of that. "Do I need to attend?""Yes, and be a loving girlfriend."That wasn't going to be difficult. She
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 43: Their Date
Hailey studied him. "Like a date?""Yes. It's normal for a man to take his girlfriend out for dates.""But I'm not a real one.""But we need to be in public at least a little bit. I feel as if you've been cramped in this house for days since your father's operation. You've been to see him and nothing else. Let's go for a drive.""Is Kevin available?""I gave him the afternoon off. Just you and me, Hailey."She liked that idea, but why was he doing this? No one would see them."I scoped out a cool road along the river," Noah said."You have a plan."It sounded like a date. It felt like a date. Why was he doing this? She would have preferred to only pretend when they had to. She would lose her heart to him if she kept spending time with him. His face had that small smile on it that she found irresistible. She was going to give in and she knew it. She'd have a good time, but at what cost? "It'll get your mind off of your father," Noah said. He was always thinking of her. "So what's th
Her Reluctant Billionaire Boyfriend Chapter 42: Day of Filming
Noah was still thinking about that kiss the next day when he was on set. He was distracted, but he'd learned his lines so no one noticed. Well, Cassandra might have noticed. They were filming outside again and the weather was cooperating. Noah couldn't complain about the day. What he could complain about were the constant interruptions. He and Hailey had laid low since their interaction with the reporters. He knew eventually they would have to make a statement, and his publicist was working on it. Until then, she's insisted that they stay out of the public eye.Noah would do that happily if there wasn't a gaggle of his fans in the parking lot to the studio. An amateur could have found out where they were filming. The director, Marvin Knight, had built it himself so he could be close to his family. What he hadn't provided was enough security to keep the crowd away. Marvin grimaced as he yelled, "Cut."The crowd shouldn't be there making that much noise and Noah sighed. Cassandra loo
