Gambling With The Billionaire (Gems 0f Love Book 2)

by Agnes Canestri

  Bianca gave a small kick with one of her feet and it landed on Ryan’s tibia.

  “Oh, sorry!” she shrieked.

  “No problem. Did I surprise you with my question?”

  The bed wiggled as Bianca nodded. “Yes. It’s a memory I don’t like to recall. I did try to reach out to my mother once. It was before Matteo and his wife, Eleni, got married. I wanted to surprise my brother and invite our mother to their wedding. I convinced my cousin, who works for my dad’s private investigation firm, to retrieve all the information he could on her. Without my dad knowing about it, of course.”

  A dry chuckle sounded from her throat. “As you can guess, the whole thing turned into a futile chase. I got an address in Seattle, and I actually flew over there, just to find that my mother left the apartment a month before without a forwarding address.”

  Ryan’s heart went out to Bianca. He could picture her green eyes clouded by disappointment. The urge to protect her from such feelings overcame him and he reached out and pulled her closer.

  Bianca didn’t recoil from his touch, but rather she nested her head into his armpit. He grazed the soft skin on her neck with his fingers a few times before speaking. “I’m sorry. I imagine your brother must’ve been sad, too?”

  “Matteo? Oh, no. He didn’t care. He never wanted to see our mother. It was my idea. I just think that as long as both of our parents are alive, it would be great to have them witness such important events. Even if mom left us, she’s still our mother. Maybe she wants to participate in our lives, but she’s just too afraid to reach out.”

  Ryan peeked down at her. “You tend to assume the best of people, don’t you?”

  Bianca raised her head until her mouth was only a few inches from Ryan’s. “You can say that. I usually pay the price for it, but I still seem unable to change it. No matter how many times I’ve been taken advantage of.”

  The pit of Ryan’s stomach fell. Was it men Bianca referred to? The saxophonist’s coy smirk came to mind, and a muscle in his jaw twitched.

  “I’m never going to take advantage of you,” he mumbled.

  Bianca smiled. “I hope so.”

  Her hot breath tickled Ryan’s chin, and his mouth watered. He wanted to capture Bianca’s soft lips. Taste them, nuzzle them, and kiss them.

  She pushed her head a bit forward so their noses touched.

  Was she going to…? Oh no, he couldn’t resist if she did.

  His wish to let their breaths unite was so brutal that all his cells vibrated with it. Ryan inhaled and steeled his heart. He was still officially seeing Jenna. First, he needed to set that record straight. Didn’t he just promise Bianca he’d never take advantage of her?

  He forced himself to move back two inches.

  As he did, Bianca gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” She shrank away from his embrace and turned back to her original position with her back to him.

  Ryan bit his lip to stifle a curse. How could he be so idiotic? Maybe he should just tell her he had to end things with Jenna first?

  No, that would make him a liar. Didn’t he make Bianca believe he had no strings attached? Why did he keep that detail from her? His dad was right when he said a lie always generates more trouble than a difficult truth.

  He watched Bianca’s shoulders rise and dip.

  The rhythm of her breathing was heavy but steady. Did she fall asleep? She certainly didn’t move anymore.

  Tomorrow he’d call Jenna. Then he’d try to amend things with Bianca.

  He would tell her that he wanted to kiss her, too. Yes, tomorrow… He closed his eyes and let his mind drift toward unconsciousness.

  Chapter 20

  Ryan sat in his hotel room, staring at his phone. His fingers brushed the screen. He couldn’t decide what to do. Should he go ahead and call Jenna?

  His shoulders sank and he gave out a sigh. What if Bianca refused him? What if he had misinterpreted her signals, or worse, he had ruined everything with his rude refusal?

  Based on the cold glint in her eyes during their climb back to the car, the chances of getting things back to how it was between them in the hut were very slim. Even at his father’s house, she only smiled at Ryan’s old man but seemed to avoid speaking to or touching Ryan as much as possible.

  Ryan rubbed his face with both hands. Maybe he shouldn’t have been such a man of principles and taken the moment when it offered itself. No, he would have hated himself for doing it. Even if all his cells ached in anticipation of tasting Bianca’s lips.

  He picked up the phone and searched for Jenna’s number. Yes, he was going through with it. He wasn’t doing it for Bianca. It just wasn’t fair to keep Jenna in his life if he had such feelings for another woman. Regardless of whether anything was ever going to happen between Bianca and him.

  Though deep down he couldn’t stop hoping it would.

  He dialed Jenna’s number and waited for the beep.

  He knew what he needed to do, but he lacked the right words. Most of his previous relationships were ended by the women he dated. When they realized Ryan wasn’t going to move forward with them, they simply left. The last time Ryan had to make an actual breakup speech was probably in college.

  Jenna’s shrill voice woke him from his thoughts. “Ryan, how good that you’ve called. I was just about to text you. Mr. Weaner isn’t living up to his promises. He said he’d expand my lines, but he didn’t. I can’t understand why. You did call him last week, didn’t you?”

  Ryan’s jaw went slack. He hadn’t spoken to Jenna for a couple of days now. Was this really the first thing she was going to ask?

  He tried to keep his voice calm. “Yes, I spoke to him. But he said he might enhance your role in the play, not that he was certainly going to do it. Jenna, you need to be patient. Building up a career doesn’t happen overnight. Neither in business, nor in acting.”

  Jenna snorted. “Oh, please. Don’t start with your work morals. Alyssia’s boyfriend made her lead after two months of dating.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “He works in the theater. I don’t.”

  “But you are a freaking billionaire. Can’t you donate a sum to the theater?” she whined.

  Ryan’s nostrils flared. “It’s not the type of expenditure I was planning on. I would rather you earn your own success. You will be much prouder if you achieve it without me paying off your bosses.”

  Jenna smacked her lips. “Oh, sweetie. Thanks, but I’m not that delicate. So if you could transfer a decent amount of money to Mr. Weaner personally, I’m sure it would work wonders.”

  Ryan massaged the spot between his brows. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this kind of conversation. Nonetheless, it was the first time Jenna’s words revolted him.

  He used to think her way of expecting help from him was a sign that she needed protection. Ryan wanted to be able to provide and help those he loved with his money and influence. The problem was that Jenna literally coaxed him into doing it.

  Also, if he was honest to himself, he kept doing it in Jenna’s case not because of his love for her but only to avoid further discussions.

  But not this time. No, after meeting Bianca and seeing how generous and modest she was, Ryan couldn’t look at Jenna’s demands with the same acceptance.

  It was a right decision to end things. He just needed to come out with it somehow.

  How upset would Jenna be?

  He unclenched his fists and inhaled. “Jenna, I called you because we need to speak about something important.”

  “So about Mr. Weaner, sweetie. When do you think you can—?”

  “Jenna, please hear me out. It’s something that might impact your role in the theater as well.”

  “Oh?”

  Good, he had her attention. “Lately I’ve gotten the feeling that our relationship is stalling. You seem to seek me out only to smooth your work difficulties. We don’t really speak about anything besides your aspirations to become an actress and how you cou
ld achieve that through my help.”

  Jenna gasped. “Are you labeling me a forty-niner, Ryan O’Connor? After all I’ve done for you?” Her voice was high-pitched and Ryan could picture her creasing her perfectly plucked eyebrows.

  What had Jenna done for Ryan? Besides attending some social galas and expensive dinners, his girlfriend’s attention to Ryan’s needs had been very limited.

  But he couldn’t blame Jenna for it. It was Ryan’s fault. He’d picked her to be his companion. After all, as you make your bed so you must lie in it.

  Ryan sighed. “Jenna, don’t take it the wrong way. I just don’t think we have a future together.”

  Jenna drew in a big breath and burst out in loud sobs. “But I-I-I love you.”

  Love? Ryan pressed the phone closer to his ear. Did he hear it right? Jenna had never spoken to him like that. Could it be that she was hiding her real feelings for so long? Or was it only her acting talent kicking in?

  Whatever it was, Jenna’s sudden outburst destabilized Ryan.

  He decided to go for a softer approach. “Jenna, you’re a very beautiful woman. And a great actress. You have so many qualities I haven’t discovered yet. I’m just not the right man for you. That’s all.”

  “Do you have someone in Rocky Harbor? That’s why you travelled there multiple times in the past months?” Her voice became suddenly less whiny and more calculating.

  Ryan grabbed at his chest. Did Jenna have a sixth sense like cats? How could she know that Ryan’d met Bianca? No, Jenna was just fishing. She wanted to see if she’d managed to make him feel guilty. She knew very well that Ryan was traveling to see his dad on all of those occasions.

  Before he had the chance to react, Jenna continued, “I should go to the tabloids with this, you know. You’ve managed to keep our affair out of them for now, but I could change that.”

  Would Jenna go so low as to gossip about Ryan to reporters? And then again, which tabloids? Probably only the readers of Financial Success and Business Today would be truly interested in hearing about Ryan.

  He shook his head. “Please stop these senseless threats with the journalists. And, no, there’s nobody else. It’s all coming from me. I don’t want to lead you on when my heart isn’t in it. ”

  A wave of nausea washed over him as he negated Bianca’s existence. It didn’t feel right. But it was for the best. Who knew how vindictive Jenna could be if she suspected another woman was involved.

  Also, nothing had actually happened between Bianca and him, yet. And who knew, maybe it never would. So technically, he wasn’t lying to Jenna.

  “But what about Mr. Weaner? You won’t pay him? Maybe as a farewell gift?” Jenna sounded suddenly calmer, almost businesslike.

  Ryan arched his brows. Was she asking for a pay off? Would an offer from him make Jenna accept the situation more quietly? “How much money did you have in mind?”

  Jenna cleared her throat. “Not much, maybe twenty grand or so. Directly to Mr. Weaner, of course. What do you say? I do deserve that much for the memories we’ve shared?” Now her voice was veiled and trembled slightly.

  Man, Ryan never realized Jenna had such a talent for acting.

  He shrugged. Twenty grand was peanuts for him. He spent far more on cancer charities each month. Then why was he so reluctant to accept this? It could smooth things over with Jenna.

  He sighed. “Fine. Consider it done.”

  The line was silent for a second.

  “Great, thanks.” Jenna’s tone didn’t sound relieved like Ryan expected. What was happening? Wasn’t Jenna happy that Ryan had agreed? Could she genuinely be sad about their breakup? No, most probably she was just irritated for not having asked a higher sum.

  He shifted the phone to his other ear. “I guess then this is farewell. I wish you the best of luck with everything, Jenna.”

  Jenna sniffed. “Oh, don’t worry, sweetie. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”

  Ryan didn’t like the ring of Jenna’s last words, but she didn’t leave time to contemplate it. She hung up.

  Ryan dropped his phone to the bed and rolled his neck in small circles.

  Step one was accomplished. Now, on to step two.

  His heart jumped to his throat. He needed to see whether Bianca was interested in him at all. But after last night’s fiasco, he needed the perfect setting for it. Maybe he could invite her to a proper dinner?

  He stood up and went to the window. It was dark outside. The street in front of the hotel was deserted. The inhabitants of Rocky Harbor were probably all in their houses, enjoying a homey dinner.

  What could Bianca be doing? Ryan didn’t even know where she lived.

  He could call Stefano and ask. But it would probably come across as creepy if he showed up on her doorstep unannounced. No, he needed to be patient. He still had Monday to speak to Bianca before he decided about the details of the deal he wanted to propose to her boss.

  He went to his wardrobe and pulled out his sneakers.

  He was going to go for a run. Sweating out his concerns was the best solution for his confused mind. After all, he was planning to do something he had never done. He was about to go after a woman he truly liked.

  Chapter 21

  Bianca poured some olive oil on her hands and took the pizza dough out of the ceramic pot. The sweet acidy smell of the mother yeast reached her nose and she inhaled.

  Thank God for cooking. Whenever she needed peace, she could count on her favorite activity. She flattened the dough into a large disc with her palms, and as her fingers squeezed the air bubbles to the surface, she closed her eyes.

  Big mistake. As soon as the kitchen lights disappeared behind her closed eyelids, the sensation that she’d tried to keep at bay slammed her right in the face.

  Her tongue hardened in her mouth and she felt like gagging. How could she have been so dumb? No, this word didn’t even get close to the level of stupidity she had exhibited last night.

  Why did she have to misinterpret Ryan’s friendly gesture of consoling her?

  She opened her eyes and raised the dough with both hands and smashed it back on the counter with all her force. This wasn’t working. Not even kneading pizza was calming her nerves.

  She brushed her hand across her forehead. Why did it happen again? For once in her life she’d hoped her body wasn’t betraying her. That she finally felt attracted to a man who was attracted to her.

  And what a man. Bianca shook her head and gripped the sides of her table. She wasn’t going to let this emotion get any further. Yes, she’d begun to fall for Ryan. But there was still time to stop this nonsense.

  Luckily last night Ryan gave her the right motivation to do so. Now it was up to her to get her treacherous brain to accept the truth. Ryan didn’t care for her as a woman. He seemed to like her as a person and appreciate her as a professional. But he didn’t feel the same magnetic pull that clenched Bianca’s stomach every time he approached her. So that settled the question.

  A loud clank echoed from her bedroom.

  What was that? Bianca jerked her head back, dried her hands on a napkin, and bolted toward the sound.

  Her bedroom window stood open. The night breeze made Bianca shudder as she entered. Her eyes darted from her bed to the armchair then she turned toward the corridor.

  “Rainbow? Rainbow! Where are you?”

  Where was her cat hiding? Could he be…? She hurried to the window just in time to see Rainbow’s furry tail disappear behind a large magnolia tree.

  “Rainbow! Come back here. Stop right now.” The cat didn’t acknowledge her.

  Bianca quickly closed the window and hurried to the entrance.

  She had to catch Rainbow as quickly as possible. He was a house cat, and he was blind in one eye. He couldn’t be left outside.

  Where did she put her flats? Bianca found a pair of sandals with heels and slipped them on. She grabbed a pack of cat snacks and opened the door.

  After jumping down the stairs, she looked aro
und. Where should she start?

  A faint meow reached her ears. Was it coming from the nearby park? She needed to hurry. Angie told her that once she’d met a fox at night in that park. Would foxes hunt tiny Persian cats?

  It was all that stupid tempest’s fault. Bianca’s neighbor Clara must have heard Rainbow cry and come over to feed him. Perhaps she’d opened the window to let in some fresh air. But why on earth didn’t Clara close it properly before leaving?

  Bianca pressed forward with energetic steps. “Rainbow, honey? Where are you?”

  Let’s hope she found him in time. Rainbow wasn’t a young cat anymore. He could easily get distracted and never find his way home.

  A silhouette of a jogger appeared in front of Bianca. She’d stop him and ask whether he’d seen Rainbow. The man seemed to come from the main road that led to the Regency Hotel.

  That’s where Ryan is staying. The thought popped into Bianca’s mind inadvertently, and her heart stuttered.

  Her eyes narrowed as she observed the jogger approaching her. Was…? No way.

  Her hands moved up to her hair, combing through her curls with a brisk movement. She glanced down at her Ariel T-shirt. Should she hide? She couldn’t let Ryan see her like this. Why did that stupid cat need to escape exactly tonight?

  Before she could decide what to do, Ryan recognized her.

  He sped up, and in a few seconds, he stood in front of her panting slightly.

  “Hi, Bianca. What a surprise. What are you doing here in your…” His gaze dipped to Bianca’s shirt and he chuckled. “‘Never mess with a princess?’ You like tough heroines, huh?”

  Bianca whacked him in the chest. His T-shirt was slightly moist and his muscles were hard as a rock. She drew her hand back immediately. “Stop laughing. It’s unfair. I only came out because my cat decided to take a walk for the first time in his life.”

  Ryan’s forehead creased. “Your cat?” His glance wandered to Bianca’s sandals and a smile tugged at his lower lip.