Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe_The Billionaire Trap

by Dominique Eastwick

  “The mountain is taking it as a loss.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  “Because I own a part in the mountain,” he murmured.

  She sat because she knew he had money, but not this kind of money. “How big a part?”

  “I’m the controlling owner.”

  “And what about Lance?”

  “He has the smaller share. We bought it shortly after we each came into our trust funds. We always liked this part of New Hampshire and wanted a place where our future families could go. Something to be proud of. My sisters are here for the long weekend with their children and husbands.”

  “Why aren’t you having dinner with them?”

  “Because I will guarantee the children are asleep, and if the adults aren’t, then they are making more babies.”

  “Oh.” Heat infused her cheeks. She was saved for the moment as he placed an order for both of them.

  “I get to spend the morning with them. I’ll run the bunnies with the two older kids.” He grinned.

  “You like children?”

  “I like some children. But I love my nieces and nephews. My family is very close.”

  “Must be nice.”

  “You’re not close to your family?”

  “There is only me and my sister.”

  “Two against the world?”

  “More often than not, it’s one against the world and holding the leash.”

  “You must be the eldest.”

  “I am. You, too?”

  “Oh no, the middle child. I have chain marks from having my leash yanked more than once.” He moved his collar to show the imaginary marks. But all she could think about was putting her lips on the hollow area of his clavicle. “They might have had good reason to hold me back.”

  “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” She laughed imagining him in his younger years. “So, what made you change your ways?”

  “Oh, I didn’t change. There were two more baby sisters for Becca to focus on, saving me and my neck from her controlling reach.” He thanked the waitress who brought them their coffees. “What about you? Do you still hold the leash, or has she broken free?”

  “She tends to run me in circles.”

  “We do that well.”

  “She won’t see me or speak to me, usually. She’ll text me up a storm, though.”

  “Why is that?” he asked.

  “Probably because I’m like a human lie detector.”

  “Excuse me?”

  She swallowed hard. This was where people either scoffed or ran for cover for fear she would discover their deep dark secrets. “My job is not only to read lie detector tests, but people.”

  “That is a bit intimidating.”

  She choked on her water. “You believe me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because most people think it’s a pseudoscience.”

  “I know a lot about running successful businesses. So I know there is something to reading body language. Telling when someone is bluffing or desperate. If I can read it, why can’t there be someone better at it than me?”

  “Hmm.” A novel way to think of it. “Well, my sister hates it. “

  He reached out and cupped her hands as she fidgeted with the straw wrapper.. “You worry about her.”

  “I do.” She decided to tell him more and see what his reaction might be. “Sarah keeps telling me she is in love with this guy, but I’ve never met him.”

  “How long have they been involved?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Yes,” he said, tapping his coffee cup. “I mean, my baby sister dated her husband for two years and told no one about it. She didn’t want us getting involved.”

  “Us?”

  “Me. She was afraid I would get all, ‘What are your intentions for my sister?’ on him.”

  “I don’t know how long. She’s talked about him for over a year. But only last month did she let on it was more than a professional relationship.”

  He paused at that. “Bad move to date someone you work with. Never seems to end well.”

  “You speak from personal experience?”

  He shook his head. “No, not me. But I have certainly witnessed enough office romances to see the outcomes. What does she say about this boyfriend?”

  “She tells me about how he looks, how he smells, about his personality.”

  “What about what they do?”

  “She doesn’t talk about that.” And she had worried about it.

  Good lord, the man would have made a good interrogator. “How about what he likes about her?”

  “I’ve asked. but she changes topics.” She closed her eyes. God, she had been blind. Too close to her sister to read clear misdirection.

  “He doesn’t exist.”

  A part of her wanted to call his bluff now and scream, “You very much exist.” But she took a calming breath. “Why would you say that?”

  “When someone is bluffing or lying, and they are good at it, they stick to facts, yes? She might be telling you facts about a man, but I would bet they aren’t an item.”

  “That’s a big assumption.” And looking more and more like the right one. It pissed her off that a man she’d known for a short period of time could read a situation better than she.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t know all the facts.”

  Shit. She didn’t know why his pulling away bothered her. Was it that it backtracked on her plans to break his heart the way he broke her sister’s? Not that she really believed that story, anymore. Or maybe something inside her liked that they were connecting. Which was demented, as there was no way they could be anything to each other. Damn. She wished she had met him…

  No. She wasn’t going there.

  Connor eased into the corner, his body language making it clear he had pulled away. He circled the rim of his coffee cup with his index finger. The awkward silence stretched. She checked her phone to see if she had any messages. Still nothing. This is what happens when your plans went to shit. Plans? She had not planned this well at all. She had let her emotions lead her, and this was the very reason she didn’t deal with emotions.

  Their meals came. His, a big plate of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Hers, some oatmeal with honey and two slices of wheat toast. God, she hated oatmeal. She eyed his hotcakes, and her stomach groaned. She was surprised to find a forkful of pancakes waved under her nose.

  “Go ahead. I won’t tell.”

  “But I thought I was only to have oatmeal.” She emphasized her disgust by spooning a lump and letting it drop again. “Besides, didn’t your mother say something about oatmeal and toast?”

  He waved the fork under her nose again. “I neglected to tell you my father snuck me in pancakes. It’s why I thought we should come here.”

  She closed her lips around the bite and groaned. “That’s good.”

  “I know.” He took a bite himself then offered her another. “Go on. We can order more.”

  “Do you own this place, too?”

  He shook his head. “Sadly, no, but they have promised me first refusal should they choose to sell.”

  “Are you kidding me?” How much money did this guy have?

  “If I can buy a ski resort, I think I can afford a diner.”

  “When I asked the ski patrol who rescued me, they didn’t seem to know.”

  “Most of the seasonal employees don’t know me. They just think I’m a regular with a season pass. I prefer it that way. I get to ski like everyone else and can still see to the day-to-day running of the company from my offices in Boston. I have great managers who I trust and who know better than I what it takes to make this place a success.”

  “So, you sit back and make more money.”

  He frowned. “Perhaps it is you this time who doesn’t have all the information.”

  “Tell me, then?”

  “I don’t know you well enough to share my business secrets. But I’ll share my pancakes.” He push
ed the plate toward her.

  “These are preferable,” she said, taking a mouthful.

  “I rarely share my food with anyone. But I do love a woman who eats.”

  “Really?” Her sister was stick thin and never ate anything more than a dry salad.

  “Really. I want someone who isn’t going to pass out on me. I enjoy food, all kinds, and I want a woman who will enjoy it with me. And before you say something about high-end cuisine, let me assure you, I love a good greasy burger from the joint on the corner.”

  She took another bite. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Perhaps you are a human lie detector, but you suck at lying.” He signaled for another cup of coffee. “How about we call it even? I insulted you unintentionally. You insulted me—unintentionally?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, how about safe topics?”

  “Funny how what you do and family isn’t a safe topic for us. Perhaps we should go with religion and politics?”

  “Brilliant idea. Have dinner with me tomorrow?”

  “I can’t. We’re leaving tonight.”

  “You have to work Monday?”

  “No, it’s a holiday. But—”

  “As it happens, my parents were unable to come up this weekend. We have a room at the hotel sitting empty.”

  “I can’t, really.” Her phone rang. A picture of Kimberley with Octoberfest glasses came on her screen. “I’d better take this.” She answered, “Kimberley.”

  “Oh my god, Brea, are you okay?”

  “I have a concussion.”

  “Damn, girl. I am so sorry. My phone died, and I finally found a charger. Where are you?”

  “You know the Waffle Diner down the hill from the resort?”

  “You went for waffles?”

  “Pancakes, actually.” She glanced over at Connor who was lifting another forkful. He cast her a guilty smile before shoving the bite into his mouth. “Really good pancakes.”

  “I’m on my way.” The phone disconnected.

  “She wasn’t impressed with you going for waffles?”

  “You heard that, huh?”

  “I think the whole diner did.” He smiled. He pulled a card from his wallet, turned, and grabbed the pen off the table behind him, and wrote a number followed by RM 400. “Think about my offer. I’m not asking for anything more than dinner and a chance to get to know each other better.”

  She studied his facial features. “Hmmm.”

  “What?”

  “You’re telling the truth.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t be adverse to a kiss tomorrow night, but I don’t expect it.”

  She stood up in the booth, leaned over the table, and brushed her lips against his. She closed her eyes then opened her lips as he took the kiss a little deeper. She didn’t know if it was the hit to the head or the power of her damned attraction to him. She stumbled back into her seat. This wasn’t happening. She wasn’t sexually attracted to the man her sister was accusing of leaving her at the altar.

  “You look a little green around the edges.” Connor stood up and came to her side of the table. “Drink some water.”

  “No. I’m fine,” she lied.

  “This is a first. I’ve never had a woman turn that lovely shade from a kiss.”

  “Oh no, your kiss was…” She smiled.

  “I love your smile.” He cupped her check and ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “Please have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

  “I told you this was only a day trip.”

  “And I told you there is a room for both you and your friend. No ties.”

  The bell over the front door rang. “Brea?”

  “Over here.” She waved but didn’t stand.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Kimberley asked, fingering the bandages. She addressed Connor. “You are?”

  “This is Connor. He found me,” Breanne answered. “This is Kimberley.”

  “Pleasure.” He reached a hand out in greeting. “Now that your friend is here, I will leave you to it.” He handed a sheaf of papers across the table. “Kimberly, this is the concussion information. I wish she would see a doctor, but she refuses.” He glanced at his expensive watch. “She’s due for another ice pack.”

  “Thanks,” Kimberley said.

  He turned back to Breanne. “The offer is still there should you want it. Use it or not, it’s up to you. Nice to meet you, Kimberley.” He kissed Breanne’s cheek and left without a backward glance.

  “What was that about?” Kimberley sat across the table from her. “And who is Connor?”

  “Connor Rankin?”

  Kimberley leaned forward and lowered her voice. “You mean your sister’s boss and the man who left her waiting at some cheap tacky drive-thru chapel in Vegas?”

  She blew out a breath. “That’s what I thought.”

  “Thought?”

  “I’m not so sure now.” She rubbed above her eyebrow.

  “Did you plan this meet up?”

  Breanne chose not to answer. “Do you know that I’ve never met one of my sister’s boyfriends?”

  “That can’t be right.”

  “It is. Connor made a comment. It pissed me off at first, made me emotional.”

  “Which you hate to be.”

  Her friend knew her too well. “Once my emotional fog cleared, I thought about what Connor said. First, he said her boyfriend didn’t exist.”

  “Of course he exists. You were looking at him.”

  “Then he said, if he does, they aren’t together.” She picked up the unused butter knife and tapped it in her hand. “When I asked Connor if he had a girlfriend, he said no…”

  “And the human lie detector knew he was telling the truth.”

  “Yep, but that means my sister isn’t.”

  “And you started thinking that perhaps none of her tales are true.”

  “Perhaps. I can’t believe my sister would lie to me. And if she did, then I need to get her to see a doctor. Don’t I?”

  “Your sister is a grown woman. You can’t baby her forever.” Kimberley stood. “Okay, girl, you ready to head back? It’s a long ride, and it looks like I’m doing all the driving.”

  “I forgot to ask about the guy you met,” she said, also standing up.

  “He is staying through Monday, but we have a date set for next weekend.” She turned and squealed.

  Her friend was in the early stages of a crush. And Breanne was not really up to a three-hour drive back home. “What are you doing tomorrow and Monday?”

  “Oh, you know, laundry and perhaps some binge TV watching in my jammies.”

  “What if we could stay here through Monday?”

  “Right? With what money?”

  “Connor has a room in the Diamond Run Inn for us.”

  Her eyebrows rose in surprise as her mouth opened. “You’re joking?”

  “No, but we don’t have a change of clothes. Or even an overnight bag.”

  “We can deal with that tomorrow. Tonight, we are sleeping in five-star comfort.”

  Anxious, Breanne made her way up the hill and back into the lobby, accompanied by her excited friend. She half expected him to have lied, been the kind of liar who could fake it. That would make her sister’s story more plausible, wouldn’t it? She approached the front desk. “I believe you have a room for Breanne Scott.”

  The receptionist typed in the names. “Yes, Ms. Scott. We have a room for two. Number 312. Mr. Rankin would like for our hotel doctor to see you. Would it be okay for me to call him and ask him to come up to your room?”

  “Ah sure, I guess.”

  “He also asked if you would like us to call you every two hours to check on you, or if your friend will wake you?”

  “I think my friend can handle it.” At least she hoped so.

  “Wonderful. Do you have any baggage we can take to your room?”

  “No. we’re good.”

  They were given directions to their room and handed two water bottles
each and a key. Neither spoke until they opened the room. “Holy cow.”

  The sage-green and hardwood decor took her breath away. Through the long hall which included the closet and bathroom, the room opened up to two queen-sized beds. On each bed lay a single large boxes, one with her name on it and one with Kimberley’s. Kimberley opened hers first and gasped. Inside lay all the things one could need for a weekend away. A note on top read…

  With the compliments of the hotel. Should you need a different size, please contact the front desk who will accommodate your needs. A laundry bag is in the closet. Please let us know when you are ready for a pickup. Delivery will be made by six a.m.

  She opened hers to find the exact same items in a larger size.

  One pair of super-soft pajamas, one pair of jeans. Two pairs of silk underwear, functional but sexy. Two pairs of socks. One white tee shirt with the inn’s logo on it and a large gray sweatshirt with the same embellishment. She moved to the closet and found four pairs of sneakers in a variety of sizes and four of hiking boots on one side. On the other side of the closet, there was one of each. He knew her size from the rental shop.

  Kimberley came out of the bathroom. “This man thinks of everything.”

  She could not quite talk over the lump in her throat as she peeked through the door. In the bathroom were two pink bags with toiletries and a reservation card for them both to the spa in the morning. “I don’t know. Perhaps we should head home and have a jammie day tomorrow instead.”

  “Girl, you are a lousy liar.”

  The doctor came by and assessed her head and determined she looked far better than he’d anticipated. Didn’t think she actually had a concussion but promised to check on her in the morning. After her shower, she tried to call the cell number he gave her, but he didn’t answer so she picked up the hotel phone. “Can you connect me to room 400?”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. That room isn’t accepting outside calls.”

  “Oh, thank you.” She bit her cheek and paced the floor. “Should I go up and thank him personally?”

  “He gave you his cell number. Call him.”

  “I tried that first but it goes straight to voice mail.”

  “Ah. Then, why not?”

  She threw on the new jeans and the sweatshirt and headed barefoot to the elevator. A minute later she reentered the room, deflated. The fourth floor button would not work for her in either elevator. She walked over to the phone. “Can I help you?”