The Billionaire's Big Risk

by Christie Logan

  “Glad the weather’s holding up for us,” he remarked.

  “Mmm.” It was a mild, sunny day. “So where are we going?”

  He gave her a smart-aleck grin. “You’ll find out when we get there.”

  “Oh, so it’s like that.”

  “That’s right.” He looked mighty pleased with himself, but she supposed that was fair. She didn’t feel at all unsafe with him, so might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.

  Which she did, enjoying the scenery as he drove out of the city. They didn’t talk much, but Claudia didn’t feel the need for conversation. She was content to ride in companionable silence.

  An hour later, they pulled up a long dirt road and stopped at a grassy field where a couple of SUVs were parked.

  “Where are we?” she asked as he opened her door and she climbed out of the car.

  A couple of men emerged from the back of one of the SUVs with a large colorful bundle. They laid it on the grass and began to unfold it. It grew larger and larger as they spread it out like a multi-colored patchwork quilt. Out of the other SUV came a large wicker basket.

  Claudia gaped at him as it began to make sense. “It’s a hot air balloon?”

  Aaron nodded, grinning.

  She gulped and her heart began to hammer. “Is it safe?”

  “Very safe. Our pilot is licensed and has years of experience.”

  Somehow that didn’t ease her nerves. That balloon material looked awfully flimsy. And the wicker basket thingy—would it really hold them? It didn’t look too sturdy.

  Maybe she could wear a lifejacket. No, that was just for water. What, then? A parachute?

  As though sensing her panic, Aaron took her arm. “It’s all good, I promise. I’ll be with you the entire flight, and you have to know I’d never do anything to risk your safety.”

  She saw the sincerity in his eyes and believed him. Still, a shiver moved through her as she glanced again at the silky balloon, now swelling with hot air from the burner. Just how high would it take them? Her father had fallen from scaffolding thirty feet high and had never walked again…

  Aaron gently squeezed her arm. “If you don’t want to, we won’t do it.”

  Embarrassment heated her. “You think I’m silly.”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Chicken-hearted, then.”

  “No. If you were a chicken heart, you never would have confronted me at the gala that night. An obnoxious drunk stirring up trouble.”

  She smiled. “You weren’t drunk.”

  Aaron grinned back. “You didn’t know that, though, when you first spoke to me.” He turned serious. “I mean it. We don’t have to go up.”

  There was no derision or contempt in his face. He was simply accepting her, fears and all. He wouldn’t blame her for refusing or pout because his plans were spoiled.

  Knowing she had the option to say “no” without judgment gave her the courage to say “yes.” He’d gone to all this trouble to please and surprise her, and that touched her. Her little fears didn’t seem a big enough reason to disappoint him. She didn’t want to let him down.

  And her parents didn’t raise a coward. They’d taught her to face things head on. Stiffening her shoulders and her resolve, Claudia said “Let’s do it.”

  As he helped her into the upright basket, she understood why he told her to dress casually. Climbing in was awkward enough without wearing a dress and heels. The basket rocked tipsily as Aaron followed her in and she clutched the frame. Would this flimsy thing really carry them?

  Glancing Aaron’s way, she caught his understanding smile and without thinking, grabbed his hand. His firm hold grounded her as the pilot fired the burner and they surged into the sky.

  Then, as the balloon drifted into the air as gently as a cloud, her fears dispersed and wonderment took hold. The patchwork in shades of green below was crisscrossed by grey-black strips of road and the geometric shapes of rooftops. The shadow of the balloon floated on the ground below, resembling an inverted teardrop.

  Lightness filled Claudia’s chest. She was a feather drifting in the air, a bird soaring with its wings spread, a fluffy white cloud hovering in the sky.

  She looked at Aaron, still holding his hand, not because she needed comfort but because she wanted to thank him. To communicate her joy and amazement through touch. Connect with him on a different level.

  She didn’t need words to convey her feelings. As her eyes met his, their fingers interlaced. He understood.

  They rode like that for an hour, their hands clasped. Occasionally Aaron would quietly point something out, but mostly they floated in silence, for which she was glad. She wanted nothing to pierce the bubble of wonderment surrounding her. All her fear had disappeared.

  They descended slowly when the ride ended, and the basket bumped solid ground a few times as they landed. Aaron disembarked first, then helped her out. A couple of SUVs waited for them, one to collect the balloon, the other to carry them back to their starting point.

  When they were alone, Aaron pulled a basket from the trunk of his sports car. “I picked up a few snacks before I came for you. Just some odds and ends. I thought we could have a little something here. Does that work for you?”

  Again, he was giving her a choice. “Sounds awesome. I’d like that.”

  He’d made it sound so casual and off the cuff, but Claudia could tell he’d prepared their “snack” very carefully. He pulled a soft blanket from the trunk, which he laid on the grass, inviting her to sit. Then, opening the basket, he pulled out a plate of prosciutto and melon, a wedge of cheese, a bunch of grapes and a bottle of champagne.

  If he was trying to impress her, he’d succeeded. “Wow. When you said snack, I was expecting a couple of bags of chips and cheese curls.”

  Color crept up his face and he shrugged. “No big thing.” He popped the cork from the bottle and poured. When he handed her the champagne flute, she realized it was real crystal.

  He tinged the lip of his glass to hers in a toast. “To more days like this.”

  She nodded and sipped, the bubbles tickling her nose as the champagne danced on her tongue. Swallowing, she looked around. “Will whoever owns this land mind that we’re here?”

  He shook his head. “No. They make arrangements with the balloon company for use of the property. And I made a few arrangements of my own. We’re good.”

  It looked like pastureland to her. “Will any stray cows be crossing our path?”

  He grinned. “I think we’re safe.” The grin faded and he looked a bit hesitant and unsure of himself. “So did you…enjoy yourself?”

  The uncertainty made him seem charmingly boyish, a look so much more appealing than that of the snarky bad boy. She smiled. “Yes. It was amazing.”

  “I’m glad.” He popped a red grape into her mouth and its sweetness burst onto her tongue, blending with the tart taste of the champagne.

  They ate and drank, speaking of nothing much as the sun lowered, coloring the western sky in shades of lilac, pink and orange. Though Claudia only had one glass of champagne, a fizzy sensation bubbled through her, making her head spin. Knowing he’d planned this entire adventure with her in mind made her feel special.

  When their picnic was over, he packed up the basket and slung his arm through the handle. Then he stood, extending his hand to help her up. “Shall we?”

  Yes. She really didn’t want to go, but it was time. Taking his hand, she rose, her knees wobbly, her head still woozy. She laughed as she teetered, then flung her arms around his neck to steady herself.

  He settled his hand on her waist and looked into her face, his gaze soft with concern. “You all right?”

  She laughed and set her forehead against his. “Yes.” Then sobering, she pulled back a few inches to study him. “Yes.”

  He had such a beautiful face. Claudia placed her index finger in the cleft of his philtrum and rested it right on the top of his upper lip. His hand twitched on her waist, but he said nothin
g as he submitted to her touch, a hint of humor in his eyes.

  Then she kissed him. She hadn’t planned to, yet in the moment she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Moving into his arms, pressing her lips to his felt like the most natural thing in the world. And his lips…so soft as he gently moved them against hers.

  Oh, wow. The man could kiss.

  He let the basket fall from his arm, then drew her to his chest in a tight embrace. She’d have happily remained there indefinitely, just kissing him. He was the one to finally pull away, giving her a soft smile. “Let’s get you home.”

  Aaron picked up the basket and bundled her into the car as though she were some delicate, fragile piece of porcelain. And she felt delicate, somehow, trembly and soft inside. Some men would have tried taking advantage of her state, but he was the perfect gentleman. He walked her to her door and just as she was tempted to ask him in, he shook his head, anticipating her invitation. “Not a good idea, Claudia. We’re both feeling a little too…vulnerable right now.”

  As she stood there outside her door, watching him drive away, Claudia knew she was falling for Aaron Sinclair.

  Chapter 6

  Aaron finished his sandwich as Claudia ate her soup. He appreciated her apology for misunderstanding his relationship to Summer. His ex might be quick to judge but she was just as quick to ask forgiveness when she was wrong. And to forgive when others hurt her. He was the hardhead when it came to that.

  “I’ve heard how well My Sister’s House is doing,” he said. “About your plans to open a second shelter to accommodate more clients. And that most of the praise belongs to you. Congratulations.”

  She blotted her lips with her napkin before answering. “I only wish there wasn’t such a need for another shelter. And the credit’s not just mine. The entire board’s been working hard. Not to mention the staff.”

  Modesty became her. She’d always done more than her part and was quick to share praise. “I’m sure they have, but you’ve been the driving force behind their success. They must think so too, because they’re honoring you at that big event next month.”

  A special dinner had been planned to raise funds for another building and to honor all the work Claudia had done for My Sister’s House.

  “It’s a great honor,” she answered. “But it takes a great team to accomplish something that important. And of course, our donors. There are some very generous people backing us. Including you.” She gave him a look from beneath her lashes. “I don’t know that I’ve ever thanked you for the support you’ve given us. Even after we divorced, you remained a benefactor. Not everyone would have done that.”

  He shrugged away the compliment. “The people you serve need help. Our divorce didn’t change that. And I’m just writing a check. You’re doing the hard work. I’ll say this for you—when you care about something, you give it your all. No one can ever question your devotion to My Sister’s House. Even after we married and you could have quit the job, you stayed on.”

  She set down her spoon and gave him a serious look. “Did that ever bother you? My continuing to work when I didn’t have to?”

  “Not at all,” he answered, taken aback by the question. “I admired the way you held it all together—working, raising the boys, taking care of the house.” They’d had help, sure, but Claudia had never shirked her responsibilities as a mother or an employee. “Don’t tell me you’ve worried about that?”

  She sighed. “Maybe it’s just working mom guilt. You certainly provided a generous lifestyle for us. I just couldn’t see giving up my career. What would I have done with myself, with the boys in school all day? There’s only so much shopping one woman can do. But I do sometimes wonder if I shortchanged you and the boys…” she bit her lower lip. “If our marriage might have…”

  He quickly reached across the table to grasp her hand. “Don’t ever feel that way, Claudia. Whatever problems we had, your career wasn’t one of them.”

  Suddenly his cell phone vibrated. A start went through Aaron when he glanced at the screen. Chris Kozlowski was calling.

  He looked at Claudia. “I’d like to take this. Do you mind?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. Go ahead.”

  As he stepped into the corridor, he said “Hello, Chris? Hold on a minute, will you?”

  When he found a location designated for cell phone use, he spoke again. “Chris?” Guilt needled him. It was just like his old friend to reach out. At a recent reunion of their small group, Chris told them he didn’t have long to live. Aaron had been shocked and saddened by the news, but since his own family’s emergency, he’d barely given Chris a thought. “Hey, it’s good to hear from you.”

  “I just wanted to call because I heard about your son. I’m so sorry. How is he doing?”

  Aaron’s throat tightened at the concern in his friend’s voice. “Hanging in there. That’s about all I can say.”

  “If he’s anything like you, he’s a fighter.”

  Aaron’s hoarse laugh scraped his throat. “He’s too much like me. That’s what landed him here.”

  “Don’t blame yourself, Sinclair.” Good old no nonsense Chris. He’d been the unspoken leader of their little crew back in the day, when Aaron was an angry young man, getting into all kinds of trouble at Horace Hill Academy. He’d nearly gotten himself expelled more than once. But his cocky “I don’t care” attitude had only been an act. Somehow his friends knew that. He wouldn’t have made it through without them.

  “Is there anything I can do?” Chris asked.

  “Pray, if you’re a praying man,” Aaron said. “Aside from that, all we can do is hope.”

  But Chris had his own troubles, and there was nothing Aaron could do to help him. Just as there was nothing he could do to help his own son.

  Upon ending the call, he noticed his lawyer had left him a voice mail message. He cursed quietly under his breath and called back.

  This had better be an emergency. He had let his staff know he’d be out of office indefinitely and left strict instructions they should only contact him in case of a dire emergency. He wasn’t about to be troubled by business when Andy needed his full focus.

  When his lawyer picked up, he spoke. “Hello, Katherine. I saw you called. What’s going on?”

  “Aaron. I’m sorry to bother you, but your parents have contacted my office again. They’re still complaining about that matter we’ve discussed—”

  “And I’m still not prepared to budge an inch. They have nothing to complain about. You’d think they’d be grateful for what they’re getting. It’s certainly more than they deserve. For goodness sake, why are you bothering me with this?” He growled as itchy heat climbed the back of his neck. “After all, I pay you to handle these things.”

  “You also pay me for legal advice,” she answered calmly. “And I’m advising you to consider their request. They’re pretty wound up, and I’m concerned about what they might try if they don’t get their way.”

  “If they get their way now, they’ll want even more next time. I don’t care how wound up they are.”

  “It’s your call, of course. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t offer my opinion.”

  Katherine’s professional tone of voice cooled his ire and shame pricked him as he recalled his earlier bluster. “I’m sorry, Katherine. I know you’re just doing your job and I shouldn’t shoot the messenger. But I know these people, and they’re never satisfied.” It wasn’t personal. It was a matter of principle. He was not about to bow to the demands of people who had never truly loved or cared for him. In this case, blood was not thicker than water.

  “That’s all right.” Her tone was warmer now. “You have a lot on your mind. How’s Andy doing?”

  “He’s…holding his own.” Whatever that meant.

  “I’m praying for him.”

  “Thank you. We appreciate that.” All prayers, good wishes and blessings were welcome. Maybe they would help Andy, and they certainly couldn’t hurt.

  Cha
pter 7

  During the next several days, while Andy remained under sedation, Aaron took turns with Marcus and Claudia to see he was never left alone. This system gave each of them a chance to run home, bathe, change clothes, and take care of a few daily tasks before returning to the hospital.

  Aaron had grown used to the sounds of the ICU—the beeps of the monitors, the whoosh of the ventilator, the soft squishing of shoes on the floor as nurses and aides went about their duties, the quiet conversations drifting in from the hallway. He’d become accustomed to the sharp scent of alcohol wipes and other antiseptics.

  Standing at Andy’s bedside, he gazed down at his sleeping son. “His whiskers are growing in. He’s getting to look pretty scruffy.”

  “That look’s in style now, Dad,” Marcus said. “Women think it’s hot.”

  “Oh, yeah?” His chest tightened as he touched his sleeping son’s stubbly cheek. Tears stung his eyes as love overwhelmed him. His boy.

  Marcus spoke. “When Andy and I were kids, we used to love to watch you shave.”

  Aaron grinned at the memory. “That’s right. I remember you sitting on the edge of the tub watching me when you should have been getting ready for school.”

  “And Mom would always yell at us to hurry or we’d be late.”

  “Yell? Who, me?” Claudia asked as she stepped into the room, a plastic container under her arm. “Just what am I being accused of here?”

  “Nothing. I was just remembering back in the day. Andy and I couldn’t wait to be big like Dad so that we could shave, too. I was so excited when I finally grew some whiskers.”

  “Yeah, I remember that. You had about three hairs on your chin, didn’t you?” Aaron teased.

  “Aw, more than that.” Marcus played at being insulted. “I was so proud that day I could stand next to you in the mirror and shave.”

  “And Andy insisted he had whiskers, too.”

  “Yeah, he never could stand to be left out of anything.” Marcus looked over at Andy with the mingled love and frustration of an older brother for a younger. “He had nothing but peach fuzz, but you still let him squirt on some foam and shave it off.”