The Billionaire Takes All (The Sinclairs Book 5)

by J. S. Scott

  “Okay,” Mara agreed eagerly. “Then let me fix you up with my marketing manager. He’s a successful guy, and he’s pretty hot.”

  Truth was, Kristin didn’t feel anywhere near ready to date. Her mind was still on Julian and what had happened over that magical weekend. Well, except for the times she was vomiting and then hungover. But the rest of her time spent in Sin City was something she hadn’t been able to forget.

  She hadn’t heard a word from Julian after that stolen weekend, not that she’d expected him to show up for her. Going in, she’d known that those few days were going to be an experience that could never last. But it didn’t make her heart ache any less. She had gotten to know a different Julian, a separate man from the one who constantly did anything he could to annoy her.

  Foreplay.

  The word floated through her mind in his sexy, husky baritone, making her feel goose bumps on her flesh. As she rubbed her arms over her sweater to calm down her reaction, she told Mara, “Not now, okay? I just got some free time, and I’d like to do some things.”

  Mara stared at her suspiciously. “What?”

  “Read some books. Catch up on the TV shows everybody is talking about. Maybe see a movie some night.”

  “Movies are perfect for a date. You just basically told me you didn’t know what to do with yourself. Now you’re saying you want to hide like a hermit?”

  “Yeah, I kind of do want some time alone. It’s something I haven’t had in years.”

  Mara’s expression softened. “I know. Just think about it, okay?”

  “I’ll let you know when I finish my books and TV shows,” Kristin said as she smiled at Mara. She took a sip of her soda before adding, “I never did thank you for the dress.”

  Mara shot her a confused look as she polished off her burger. “What dress?”

  “The new one you packed in my suitcase for the wedding—along with the other . . . stuff. You went to my parents’, right? You packed my clothes.”

  The brunette shook her head as she dipped her onion ring in ketchup. “I didn’t. Honestly, I was thrilled when I found out you were coming to the wedding, but I didn’t pack your bag. Though I would have if I thought that would bring you to Vegas.”

  What. The. Hell.

  “Then how did Julian get a packed bag for me? Some of the stuff was mine.”

  Mara shrugged. “I don’t know. You’d have to ask Julian.”

  “You and my parents are the only ones who have a key to my apartment,” Kristin said, still astonished to find out that Mara hadn’t been the one to add that sexy underwear to her suitcase . . . or the tiny dress.

  The mystery was killing her, and she knew she’d end up dropping over to her parents’ house later.

  “Ask your mom and dad. Maybe they gave it to somebody to pack your stuff.”

  “Julian lied. He told me you did it.”

  “Does it really matter?” Mara answered softly. “I’ve known you most of my life, Kristin. If he hadn’t pressed the issue, you would have stayed here worrying about Shamrock’s.”

  “Very possible,” Kristin answered stiffly, not bothering to bullshit her best friend. Mara knew her too well.

  “I would have been Julian’s accomplice had he asked,” Mara confessed. “But he didn’t. It had to be your parents.”

  She shuddered as she thought about the possibilities. Had Julian gone straight to her parents, or had somebody else intervened?

  “There’s something creepy about not knowing who went through your underwear drawer,” Kristin admitted unhappily.

  Mara laughed. “Afraid your dad might find your vibrator?” she teased.

  No. I’m afraid a stranger might have seen the pathetic state of my intimate apparel. I never thought about it being my dad, but the thought is almost as bad.

  Kristin shot Mara a mischievous grin. “Nope. I don’t hide it in my drawer.”

  Her best friend laughed even harder as she finished off her dinner. “That was delicious.” As Mara’s eyes darted up to the clock she added hastily, “Damn! I have to run. I have a meeting at the factory.”

  Kristin refused to let Mara pay, telling her it was on the house for trying out the new food. She watched as her friend pulled on a beautiful wool coat, still not used to seeing her previous doll-maker friend as a successful CEO of her own business.

  Kristin hugged her when Mara threw her arms around her while telling her, “I’m going to start working on your dates. Now that you’re finally free in the evenings, there’s no excuse not to try out some new guys. Just because the old ones were selfish duds doesn’t mean they all are.”

  “Reading time, remember?” Kristin reminded her as she followed her friend to the door.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Mara blew her off. “Start reading soon. I’m going to ask Rob if he’s free for dinner tomorrow night.”

  Really, Mara was right. She had no reason not to do some casual dating now that her evenings were free, but for some reason, the idea didn’t provide even an inkling of interest for her.

  Am I secretly waiting for Julian? He’s not coming back for me. It was a one-weekend thing. I knew that when we were together. It’s over. He’s already moved on and I haven’t heard a word from him.

  She waved at Mara as her friend hustled out the door before Kristin could answer.

  Grabbing her own jacket and purse from behind the bar, she pulled on the old coat and hurried out the door behind her friend, eager to finally figure out the mystery of how exactly all of the changes had occurred at Shamrock’s . . . and more importantly . . . why?

  Her father had given her a halfhearted explanation, but she was pretty sure it wasn’t the entire truth.

  The cold air took her breath away as she stepped outside and started down the sidewalk determinedly, knowing exactly where she wanted to start.

  “So you’re telling me that you just decided to invest in Dad’s bar for no reason?” Kristin questioned Liam Sullivan as she stood in a newly renovated Sullivan’s Steak and Seafood restaurant, speaking with Tessa’s brother.

  Her father had told her Liam had helped him out when she’d returned from Vegas. Kristin wanted to know just how much Tessa’s brother was involved.

  The restaurant wasn’t open for business yet, but it would be shortly. She had suspected Liam would already be at Sullivan’s. Luckily, she’d caught him during prep time, and she was determined to make him talk.

  “Not for no reason,” Liam answered evasively, his back to her, preparing lobster for Sullivan’s famous lobster rolls. “I’ve always thought the place could be . . . more. Now that Tessa is married, I have more time on my hands.”

  Putting her hands on her hips, she knew she had to call bullshit. “And tons of money? Somebody had to have given my dad an influx of cash. This didn’t all happen without a significant investment.”

  “I have money, and I have . . . a partner.”

  “Who?” Kristin demanded doggedly.

  Liam turned, his expression frustrated. “Julian Sinclair. I went in with Julian because I thought his ideas and visions were good. I didn’t really know him, and he knew me only by reputation because we worked in the same business when I was in Hollywood. But I didn’t need him to partner with your dad. He wanted to be part of my half of the investment.”

  She glared at him, still trying to understand why Julian had tied himself to an investment in Amesport. Liam wasn’t what she’d call conventionally handsome, but he was muscular and big, and her casual conversations with him had been cordial. “Did you pack my suitcase for Vegas?”

  He shot her a confused expression. “Hell, no. Why would I want to do that?”

  “Somebody did.”

  Liam shrugged. “Probably Julian. He might have gotten the key to your place from your parents when we signed the papers.”

  “I can’t believe my parents did this before they even asked me,” she answered irritably.

  “Why? It’s their business.”

  “One that I’ve b
usted my ass to keep afloat for them by working every damn minute of the day,” Kristin exploded as she panted for breath. “I went there every night, knowing my dad needed to be at home. I stressed myself to death about their welfare. I thought they’d at least consult me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Liam replied gruffly. “I know none of this has been easy on you. But the place is making money like crazy. People came here to Sullivan’s because of the quality of the food, even before we remodeled. The place was always prosperous. But I’ve seen the books for Shamrock’s. It was barely making a profit, even though it has the better location. It needed a boost, Kristin. Either that or it was going to eventually go into the red, and then go under. You couldn’t keep working the hours you did forever. You doing all the labor was the only thing saving your dad from bankruptcy.”

  He was right. Kristin knew Liam’s words were true. But it didn’t help the empty feeling of knowing her parents hadn’t even bothered to consult her before selling off half of the bar. “I wish they would have told me.”

  “What would you have advised?” Liam asked curiously.

  Knowing what she did now, she would have encouraged it. Her dad was able to work hands-off, and the business was helping him get relief of his worry that he wasn’t going to be able to make a living. However, if she’d known before the changes happened, she might have felt differently. “I don’t know,” she admitted quietly.

  “Then maybe it worked out for the best.”

  “Why was Julian interested?” she asked inquisitively.

  “I think you’d have to ask him that. He was actually the one with the plans. We met up for a beer one night after we found out we knew each other by reputation. It was his idea. After that, he moved pretty fast, and I wanted to be part of the project. I had the money to invest, and I couldn’t think of a place in that location that wouldn’t thrive with the right menu, entertainment, and management. It’s not your dad’s fault it’s gotten run-down, and it isn’t yours. It’s the circumstances.”

  “He made a good choice,” she answered, shooting Liam a small smile. “I know you’ve been around Shamrock’s a lot, making some excellent decisions.”

  He shrugged. “It keeps me busy, since we’re only open for dinner here.”

  Kristin smiled wider, knowing Liam was full of shit. He had bought into Shamrock’s, and he was ambitious enough to make it successful. “What’s Julian’s role in this partnership?”

  “He set up the training programs, which went off pretty damn well. But since he has to be away most of the time, he agreed to be basically a silent partner after setting up the training. He didn’t really want anyone to know what he was doing, but you’re damn good at wringing information out of a guy.”

  “Not always,” she said with a sigh, thinking about the fact that she hadn’t gotten nearly as much from Liam as she would have liked. What in the hell was Julian’s motivation to do all of this for her parents?

  “For what it’s worth, I think he was trying to help,” Liam said earnestly. “The investment and profits are going to be like pocket change to him.”

  “What about you?” she asked curiously.

  He turned and grinned at her, transforming his face to one that was ruggedly handsome. “Spending money,” he answered mysteriously. “I may not be as rich as the Sinclairs, but the investment isn’t going to affect me much one way or the other.”

  She thanked Liam and left the restaurant, clearer about what had been transpiring at Shamrock’s, but more confused about Julian Sinclair than she’d ever been in her entire life.

  CHAPTER 10

  True to her word, Mara had set up a coffee date with her marketing manager, Robert Larkin. Not seeing any way out of it without being rude, Kristin had gone to meet the guy at Brew Magic the next evening. Turned out, he was pretty attractive, pretty nice, and pretty darn polite.

  Unfortunately, Kristin couldn’t see him ever being anything more than a friend. There was just no spark, no chemistry.

  Because he’s not Julian.

  Irritated with herself that she was still thinking about him, she took another sip of her chocolate caramel coffee as she listened to Rob talk about how much he admired Mara, and how much he appreciated his job.

  “Kristin?”

  She suddenly realized that her mind had drifted off somewhere else as Rob had been singing his praises about Mara’s company. “Yes?” She trained her eyes on his face, determined not to let her mind wander . . . again.

  Rob had a kind face, dark hair and eyes, and the slight, slender build of a man who looked like he worked in an office.

  “I asked if you wanted to go to the office holiday party with me. You didn’t answer.”

  Maybe because she hadn’t heard the question. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”

  He smiled at her, and she noticed his teeth were perfect. Rob had the kind of friendly smile and brilliant teeth that were perfect for a marketer. Kristin was pretty sure he could be persuasive given the right audience.

  “Say yes,” he said, his smile growing even larger and more inviting.

  She didn’t want to think about holiday parties, but Christmas would be here and gone before she even noticed, this year, if she didn’t start planning her Christmas list. She’d done the Christmas cards for Sarah’s office right after Thanksgiving, but she hadn’t done anything for her personal friends yet.

  This just isn’t working for me!

  Rob was a nice guy, and he deserved to be going somewhere with a woman who was really interested in him. As much as she’d tried, this evening, Kristin knew she was edgy and distracted. Honestly, she wondered why Rob even wanted her to go to the party with him.

  Maybe because I’m Mara’s best friend and he thinks it will get him in a better position with the boss?

  Instantly, Kristin hated herself for thinking the worst of a guy who’d taken the time out of his evening just to meet her. Sure, Rob was polished, but it was part of his job to be a communicator, a polite person who was able to persuade people to buy Mara’s products.

  But, for Kristin, she couldn’t lead him on by accepting and giving him the impression that she was interested in anything more than being his friend. It wouldn’t be fair to him. “I really—”

  “Can’t make it,” a husky baritone finished her answer as he slid into the seat beside her. “Sorry, she can’t go.”

  She turned her head in surprise, already knowing who was sitting right next to her because his scent and his voice had immediately gotten her attention.

  Julian.

  He looked angry, his blue eyes emanating malice as he looked at Rob.

  Annoyed, Kristin told Rob, “That wasn’t what I was going to say.” Turning to Julian, she asked irritably, “What are you doing here?”

  He shrugged. “Where else would I be, sweetheart? Sorry it took me so long to get back. There was a little accident while we were filming, so we went over schedule. And the damn location was in the middle of nowhere. Bad cell service.”

  He looked all banged up, bruises to his forehead and plenty of scrapes on his face. “What happened?” she asked, concerned as she looked at his visible injuries.

  “Nothing real serious.” He blew off her concern. “Who’s your friend?”

  “My date,” she corrected, looking back at Rob. “This is Julian Sinclair.”

  Obviously not one to miss a good connection, Rob reached across the table to shake Julian’s hand. “I recognized you. Robert Larkin. I work for your cousin’s wife, Mara. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve seen your movies. Liked the last one the best.”

  Julian mumbled under his breath, “You seem like the type who would.”

  Kristin jabbed him in the side with her elbow, only to hear him groan with pain. “Oh, God. You really are hurt.”

  She was starting to get worried about Julian’s physical condition.

  “I’m fine,” Julian answered gruffly, his eyes still focused on Rob. “You aren’t really on a date,
” he informed Rob matter-of-factly.

  “We are,” Rob pronounced happily. “I just met Kristin tonight, but I can tell she’s special. She and Mara have been friends forever. I can see why. I’d like her to go to the holiday party with me this year.”

  “She can’t,” Julian remarked angrily.

  “I don’t see why not,” Rob replied, still wearing a winning smile.

  Julian leaned forward, putting him physically closer to Rob as he stared the smaller man down. “Because if you ever touch her, I’ll have to kill you.”

  “Julian, don’t be ridiculous,” Kristin told him, her heart starting to pound in alarm. What the hell was wrong with him? Had he hit his head harder than she imagined?

  “Hey, man, I didn’t know you liked her.” Rob put his hands up in surrender.

  “Of course I fucking like her. She’s my wife,” Julian growled, seizing Kristin’s hand and pulling her to her feet. “Let’s go home.”

  Rob shot Kristin a questioning look. “You’re married to Julian Sinclair?”

  She shook her hand from Julian’s, noticing that people around them were starting to stare. “Stop it. Stop making a scene.” She turned to Rob. “No, we are not married. I think he’s delusional. Maybe he hit his head. But I am not married to Julian Sinclair. I’m sorry. I have to go get him some medical attention.”

  “Nothing a little attention from you won’t cure,” Julian whispered into her ear as he moved closer to her.

  She grabbed Julian’s hand to shut him up and squeezed hard for him to stop talking. Then she dragged him toward the door.

  He went willingly enough, but stopped briefly to say to Rob, “I meant what I said.”

  Kristin was mortified as she yanked Julian out the door. “Are you crazy?” she asked him as they stepped outdoors.

  “Yeah. I probably am.”

  She turned and faced him, letting go of his hand. “Are you all right physically? Because if you are, I swear I’m going to kick you in the balls for telling Rob we’re married.”