The Billionaire's Birthday Surprise

by Jenna Brandt

  Vanessa made two laps around the garden’s paths, feeling better after each pass. She was about ready to head back to her room, when from across the courtyard, she saw Samuel making a bee-line straight for her. She glanced around her, looking for an exit, but there wasn’t one nearby.

  “There you are. I called up to your room from the lobby phone but there was no answer. I asked a couple of the workers where you might be. They mentioned you sometimes come out here to walk.”

  “Why were you trying to find me?” Vanessa asked candidly. “I didn’t think there was anything left to discuss.”

  “Something didn’t set right with our conversation. I swear, the moment I saw you, I felt like I knew you from somewhere. It bothered me the entire time you were in the lounge. Then I come to find out you’re from New York, like me. I just know I’ve had to have seen you somewhere before. Can you tell me where we know each other from?”

  Vanessa pressed her lips together, debating whether or not she should tell him the truth. She decided it didn’t matter; she would be on a private jet back to New York tomorrow. When he arrived back in the city, she’d do whatever it took to avoid him until she left for Yale again. Samuel Butler belonged firmly in her past, and she wasn’t going to change that, now that he suddenly showed back up in her life.

  “There isn’t anything to tell,” she stammered out, before darting past him frantically. “I have to go. I have a long flight back home tomorrow.”

  She didn’t give him a chance to form a rebuttal. She rushed out of the gardens and towards her room, sending up a grateful prayer that in a few short hours, she’d be free of the island and Samuel for good.

  Chapter Three

  Samuel’s mind kept drifting back to how he stood by and just watched as Vanessa walked away from him the previous night. He’d only known her for less than an hour, but something about her made him want to spend more time with her—and not just in a physical sense. She intrigued him; from her easy banter to her sarcastic wit. It was clear she was smart, which was only further confirmed when he found out she was heading back to Yale to start her doctorate in the fall.

  The problem was, she’d left him high and dry in the garden. He’d searched for her with the intent to ask her to stay longer on the island with him, but she’d made it obvious by darting away, she wasn’t interested in getting to know him.

  Even though she was flying back to New York today, he’d purposely gone down into the lobby early, hoping he might run into her as she was leaving. He knew it seemed desperate, but he hadn’t been taken with a woman like this since…no, he wasn’t going to let himself dwell on Fiona. If he let himself do that, it would ruin the rest of his day. He wanted to start his birthday celebration off right, and to do that he needed to focus on being carefree.

  “Are you ready for your departure, Mr. Butler?” Simone inquired as she came to stand beside him in the lobby.

  Samuel turned his attention to the redhead. “Absolutely, Simone. Are you going to tell me what we’re doing today?”

  She shook her head with a playful smile on her face. “No, you told me to surprise you and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I can promise you this; you’re going to love what I have in store for you.”

  “I have no doubt. The club always does a terrific job of pulling out all the stops.” He gestured towards the door. “Lead the way.”

  Several minutes later, they arrived at the waiting Gulfstream jet. Samuel climbed the metal stairs and took a seat in one of the plush leather recliners inside the aircraft’s lounge area.

  A pretty dark-haired woman with olive skin in a flight attendant uniform came up beside him. “May I get you something to drink, Mr. Butler?”

  “I’ll take an espresso with heavy cream.”

  “Right away, sir,” she said with a friendly smile before sauntering off.

  “Make sure to enjoy all the amenities of the plane. It’s going to be a long flight to our destination. If you need anything else, I will be in the back of the jet in the dining area going over some of the details for your celebration.”

  Simone turned to leave, but before she could go, Samuel reached out to stop her. “Can that wait? I was hoping to ask you a few questions about one of the other club guests.”

  “Mr. Butler, it’s the club’s policy not to discuss other guests.”

  “But your job is to grant my every wish for my birthday, right? I’ve already met the guest in question, so you won’t be crossing a line. I just want to get a little more background about her.”

  Simone seemed to think about his request before taking a seat across from him. “I’m assuming you want to know more about Vanessa Lewis.”

  Samuel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “How did you know that?”

  “It’s my job to make sure you have everything you need while you’re a guest of the club. In order to do that, I have to keep tabs on you and what you’re doing.”

  He should have known that the club was spying on the guests. It should have bothered him, but he knew that it was the best way to make sure members were happy with their experience.

  “Yes, you’re right. I’d like to know if Miss Lewis has come to the club before? If she has, what type of requests did she make? Did she enjoy herself? Does she have any intentions of coming back, and if so, does she have plans for her own birthday?”

  “Mr. Butler, you know we can’t disclose another member’s itinerary or activities,” Simone reminded him, continuing to keep her unwavering smile spread across her face.

  “Well, she isn’t exactly a member of the club, but more a guest of a member. Unless, by not giving me any details about her, you’re confirming she was at one point a member.”

  “I never said that,” Simone quickly scrambled to her feet. “And I think it best if you focus on your own celebration rather than another guest of the club. If you and Miss Lewis are meant to run into each other again, then it will happen in due time. After all, you both live in New York.”

  For now, Samuel thought to himself with bitterness, but by the end of the summer, Vanessa would be hours away, completely entrenched in her academic life. As persuasive as he might be, he doubted he could pry her away from her studies to go on a date. She seemed determined to keep her distance from him.

  There was no point in dwelling on a woman he was never going to have a chance with. He forced himself to push Vanessa from his mind, determined to chalk up his reaction to her as simple infatuation.

  Samuel spent the next several hours being pampered on the luxury jet, from having a deluxe massage to a gourmet meal in the dining area. He spent a few hours watching classic movies in its theater, then decided to relax with a glass of wine while listening to music for the remainder of the flight.

  It wasn’t often that he got time alone, usually opting to surround himself with pleasure-seeking friends and beautiful women to keep himself from thinking too much. They were welcome distractions because, when he was left to his own musings, his thoughts often returned to Fiona.

  She sure did a number on him, being the first and only woman he ever loved. He fell for her right after he made his first million as a celebrity chef. He thought she loved him for who he was. As it turned out, she was more attracted to the money and power, not to mention the fame, then the man behind the public image. When he found out she’d been selling personal details about him to the press in exchange for being featured on the cover of magazines, he’d broken up with her. He’d also vowed to never let another woman get close to him again.

  There was a knock on the door of the private suite at the back of the Gulfstream jet.

  “Yes, who is it?”

  “It’s Simone, Mr. Butler. We’re about to arrive at our destination. You’ll find a custom Armani tuxedo in the closet, tailored to your measurements, along with platinum cufflinks and Gucci dress shoes. Please, change into the outfit and join me in the lounge.”

  “Will do, Simone.” Samuel stood up from the chair he’d been sitting
in and made his way over to the closet. Just as Simone described, there was a garment bag holding a high-end black suit. He slipped the clothes on as instructed, curious as to where they would be going next.

  Simone was waiting in the lounge, no longer wearing the lavender business suit from earlier, but a designer black evening gown instead. Wherever they were headed next, formal attire was required. Could it be a private art gallery opening in Prague, or perhaps an exclusive opera performance in Paris? Possibilities continued to roll through his mind as he approached the concierge.

  She reached out her hand, revealing a long piece of black satin cloth in her palm. “I need to put this on you.”

  A blindfold? This was a new and unexpected addition to the experience. Nothing like this had happened on his last birthday at the club. Samuel wasn’t sure what to make of the request, but he also didn’t mind being out of control. He turned his back to her, bending down low enough so she could tie the satin material over his eyes. The blackness took over his senses, causing him to rely on Simone to guide him off the jet.

  He had no idea where they were going, and charging into the unknown was tantalizing. With complete abandonment, he gave into the moment, ready for the ultimate birthday adventure that was most certainly just around the corner.

  Chapter Four

  Vanessa couldn’t believe that her sister had talked her into going along with her impulse decision. Heather lived her life jumping from one whim to another, but Vanessa was much more calculated in her choices. She didn’t like being out of control, and still couldn’t believe she’d let her sister badger her into coming along.

  When the club invited them to attend another guest’s surprise celebration halfway around the world, Vanessa’s first instinct had been to decline the offer, especially when their concierge explained that he couldn’t divulge the guest’s identity until the guest of honor arrived at the destination. Heather insisted that she should go with her, telling Vanessa to live a little before going back to school. After Heather spent a good amount of time riddling her with guilt, Vanessa finally relented and agreed to come along. She had spent most of the flight reading her devotional and watching classic movies to avoid listening to her sister going on about the endless parties she planned on attending back in New York.

  “Aren’t you excited, Nessa?” Heather squealed with delight as the jet landed and taxied on the tarmac. “Who would have thought that when we went to the club’s island for my birthday, we’d get invited to another billionaire’s celebration? We’re going to have so much fun.”

  Vanessa knew there was no point in arguing with her sister. At least she was getting to visit Ireland because of Heather’s sudden impulse. She’d always been fascinated with the country and enjoyed visiting the romantic land whenever possible. Filled with rugged terrain, coastal mountains, and lush, green fields, it was justly nicknamed, “The Emerald Isle.”

  “It’s time to head to our destination, ladies,” Luke, Heather’s club concierge, announced with a wide grin. “I’m glad to see you’re both happy with the dresses we provided.”

  Vanessa glanced down at the Prada strapless, red chiffon evening gown that was perfectly tailored to her body. She had no idea how the club managed to get the outfit together so quickly, but here she was decked out in full glamour after the onboard hair stylist and makeup artist spent hours on her mid-flight. Gold, strappy Louis Vuitton stilettos and a matching necklace and set of diamond earrings finished the ensemble.

  Her sister was wearing an equally beautiful silver Prada gown, completed by her own set of high-end accessories. Heather insisted that William come with them, and he’d also been outfitted with a designer tuxedo. She wasn’t sure where they were going or what they would be doing, but they looked like they were ready to hold their own at any society ball back in New York City.

  A short half hour limo ride later, Vanessa, her sister, and William were climbing out of the limo to find themselves at a train depot.

  “What are we doing here?” Heather whined in an accusatory tone. “This doesn’t look like a place we would need to get all dressed up for. Are you sure we’re at the right location?”

  Luke nodded. “Miss Lewis, trust me, you won’t want to miss this.”

  Off in the distance, there was a light coming towards them. The faint sound of a train horn could be heard, and as the light came closer, the horn grew louder. The metal beast shuddered to a stop just in front of them, beckoning them to come closer.

  “We’re going on a train?” Heather questioned in shocked disdain. “Isn’t that a little old school?”

  “Yes, we are, but it’s anything but outdated.” Luke handed them each a mask that matched their outfits. “You’ll need to wear these.”

  “A mask?” William asked with confusion as he looked at the black leather one in his hands. “Why on earth would we need to wear one?”

  “You’ll have to put it on and follow me to find out.”

  The trio complied and secured their masks in place. Vanessa’s gold one matched her jewelry and shoes, accenting the red dress perfectly.

  Dozens of other people arrived, their identities equally obscured by masks that made them all strangers for the night. The guests were ushered onto the train and brought into an extra-large car that had been transformed into a breathtaking ballroom, complete with a long rectangular gold-leaf encrusted dance floor. On opposite ends of the room, there was an elegant table filled with decadent appetizers and desserts, as well as an opulent bar with gleaming bottles of top shelf liquor.

  “Welcome, everyone; you’ve each agreed to join our guest of honor—who should be arriving shortly—on an unparalleled journey aboard the Belmond Grand Hibernian,” Luke declared with pride. “Each of you will have your own private, luxurious cabin, as well as a sitting room while we travel throughout the Irish countryside. Tonight, we kick off the festivities with a masked ball. Please, enjoy the amenities while we wait for our final arrival.”

  A group of men appeared in the room. They picked up their instruments and started to play classic Irish folk music. Couples began to trickle into different parts of the area, and soon the area was thick with a throng of masked guests. True to form, Heather made quick work of dragging William onto the dance floor, leaving Vanessa on her own.

  There was clapping and cheering from the other end of the car, and Vanessa assumed the guest of honor had arrived. Caring little as to who it was, she decided to make her way around the room and inspect the lavish Georgian decor. She stopped and sampled the macarons and puffed crab pastries. Her last stop was at the bar, where she ordered a Sazerac.

  Vanessa turned to face the crowd, leaning back against the bar as she watched the other party guests interact with one another.

  “You’re far too sexy in that dress to be standing here alone. Let me rectify the situation,” a blond man with a deep voice asked, as he extended his hand to her.

  “Thank you for the offer, but I’m content on my own,” she stated dismissively. She wasn’t even sure why she was there, but the last thing she wanted was to have some elitist snob think he could entice her into a weekend dalliance while they were on the train.

  “Don’t be like that, baby. We could have fun together.” He moved closer to her and brushed his hand down her arm. “Why don’t you let me get you a better drink? Maybe it’ll make you a little bit more pliable.”

  Angrily, Vanessa gritted her teeth together. Letting out a heavy sigh, she finally turned her attention to the man who wouldn’t leave her alone. “Like I told you, I’m good on my own. I don’t need you getting me a drink so you can roofie it while I’m not paying attention.”

  The man huffed with indignation. “Why, I would never do that. I simply wanted to get you something better to drink. What kind of odd cocktail is that, anyway?”

  “Sazerac,” she heard the familiar voice of Samuel say from beside her. “And it’s her favorite.”

  The blond man’s brown eyes grew wide with frightened reco
gnition as his head snapped towards Samuel. “Sammy, I didn’t know you got here already.”

  “I told you not to call me that; we aren’t kids anymore. That’s your second strike, Scott. I’m regretting inviting you to come to my birthday celebration.”

  “What was my first strike?” Scott asked in a confused tone.

  “Continuing to hit on Vanessa when she made it clear she wasn’t interested,” Samuel expounded. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll disappear for a while and hope I don’t make the decision to have you kicked off the train in the middle of nowhere.”

  Scott scurried off, like a dog with its tail between its legs.

  “I’m sorry for my friend. He can’t seem to control himself around women.”

  “How unfortunate for women,” Vanessa stated snidely, still irritated to be treated so crassly. “I can’t believe you associate with someone like that.”

  “He isn’t all bad. He’s a great doubles partner for racquetball, and our families have been friends for decades.”

  “If those are his two redeeming qualities, I pity any woman stupid enough to get mixed up with him.”

  “That’s a valid point; he’s an idiot. Harmless for the most part, but he can be…a lot to handle.”

  Vanessa slammed her glass down on the edge of the bar. “Look, Samuel, I’m not in the mood to hear you make excuses for your friend after he treated me so crudely. I think I’m going to head to my cabin so I can rest.” She turned to leave, but didn’t get far before Samuel stretched out his hand and stopped her.

  “Please, don’t do that,” he begged. “Stay with me.”

  It was the sincere vulnerability in his voice that made her pause. Slowly, she turned back to face him. Even through his silver mask, she could tell the look in his eyes matched the tone of his voice. She could tell he meant what he said. He didn’t want her to go.