Her Billionaire Betrayal (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 3)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  Grief pulled at Indigo from the depth of its lonely ocean, but the waves didn’t come as often or as strong. Some part of her had given into the reality that Sam was gone. She twirled her wedding ring again, the diamonds shining in the light. Was she cheating on Sam if she made room for another in her heart? She slid the ring from her finger, considering the naked feelings of her soul with it removed. Glancing down, she could still make out the indentation on her skin. Maybe that was what her love for him was like, impressed into her heart so she didn’t need to wave it around at the world.

  Ballroom music wafted toward Indigo, pulling her back to the present.

  “Knock, knock.”

  Cole’s voice shook her from her reverie, and she slid the ring back in place. Heated anticipation filtered through her earlier grief. “Come in.”

  Cole came through the curtain, dressed in a long-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, and loafers. His black curly hair was slick, but a lock fell across his forehead.

  Indigo’s knees weakened. “You’re a sight,” she whispered, before her brain could stop her mouth. She drank in his presence.

  “You are, too,” Cole whispered as he reached for Indigo.

  Slowly and with hesitation, Indigo went to Cole and placed her cheek against his chest. His heart beat strong and steady against her own pulse as he enfolded her in his arms. The solidness of his presence eased Indigo, and she breathed deeply as his hand ran up her neck and held the back of her head.

  He stepped back. “I come with a proposition.”

  “Oh?”

  “I have to fly to Miami tomorrow. We’ve got a restaurant down there, and I need to have my biannual meeting with management. I’ll go to the restaurant first thing in the morning. If you come with me, we can spend the rest of the day on the water. The weather is perfect this time of year. What do you say?”

  Her earlier hesitation ebbed, replaced with excitement and anticipation. Just thinking of spending the day with Cole was a blessing. “I say … yes!”

  Cole brightened. “Really? I thought I’d have to talk you into it.”

  Indigo shook her head. “Not this time.” She was ready for this and for the trust that came with it. When they were apart, she wished to be in his company, even though Sam wasn’t too far from her thoughts. And although Indigo didn’t know how it happened, each minute spent in Cole’s company expanded her ability to take in what he offered while leaving room for Sam.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. He reached up and caressed her cheek. “Make sure you dress for temps in the seventies and eighties.”

  “I’ll have to dig around for my summer clothes, but it’ll be a fun job.” She touched Cole’s arm, becoming serious. “Are you staying for today’s practice?” she whispered.

  Cole leaned close. “I’ll be here for a few minutes. Why?”

  “Is Pamela out there?”

  “Yeah. She’s sitting on the bleachers with some of the parents.”

  Indigo turned the dress form with the ruined costume to face Cole.

  He jerked back. “What happened?”

  Anger, hot and indignant, flashed through Indigo once again. “Pamela happened. She came in here, telling me to stay away from you, and when I refused, she ruined this with her nail.”

  Cole’s eyes narrowed. “Why that—.” He made a move to leave the curtained area.

  “No! Don’t!” Indigo grabbed his arm, her voice a harsh whisper.

  “Why not? I’m not going to take this kind of thing.”

  Indigo flipped the tag over to show Isabella’s name. A sliver of sympathy splintered her earlier irritation. “She ruined her own daughter’s costume. Plus, if you talk to her, it’ll embarrass Isabella, and she’s already having a hard time with her mother. And if you make a scene with Pamela in front of others, she might try something more devious—but if you talk to her in private, she’s getting a little piece of what she wants.”

  “Or she may back off.” Cole’s eyes threw darts. “I want her to stay away from me and you … from … us.”

  Indigo’s heart rose with the idea of her and Cole forming something together. A small flush tingled up her spine. “We won’t have to be around her forever. The program will be over in a few months, and I’ll never have to see her again. Let’s just wait, okay?”

  Cole relaxed. “I don’t like the idea.” He considered the dress. “What do you want to do about the costume?”

  “Start over. I’ve got just enough Lycra and chiffon, but I’ll probably need more lace.”

  “And more time. I’ll pay you for that. It’s not fair that you should be punished for Pamela’s stupidity.”

  Indigo shifted on her feet. “Cole, I have to ask. Is there something between the two of you? Something that would give her the impression that you and she have some sort of … understanding?” A timid fear settled somewhere in Indigo’s chest, one of being cast off or played with. She’d never faced that feeling before, and it was scary.

  Cole reached for Indigo and pulled her close, his arms holding her gently against him.

  His masculine smell mingled with the clean scent of lavender detergent, soothing Indigo. Cole spoke gently. “No. Absolutely not. I’ve told her I’m not interested in her. I hope you know that.”

  “Was there ever anything romantic between you two?” Indigo wanted to be sure everything was covered, including anything from their shared past, before she started working on the costumes.

  “No.” Cole’s words were decisive. “She came to my house once with Isabella for an evening Cara and Phillip asked me to host. It was before you came on board. All of the parents were there. But that’s it.”

  “Okay. I didn’t want to step in the middle of anything.”

  Cole shook his head. “There’s nothing between Pamela and me.” He shifted the curtain to take a look out of the partitioned area before turning back to Indigo. “Look, I’m going to stay for a while, and you can bet I’m going to be watching her. But I’ll respect your wishes and leave it alone.”

  “Don’t watch her. Your attention is what she’s after. Don’t give her any. Maybe that will shut her down.”

  Cole was silent for a moment before changing the subject. “I’m glad you decided to come with me tomorrow. Can I pick you up at around five-thirty in the morning?”

  “How about if I meet you at the airport? It’ll save time.”

  “Sure thing. Be in lot C by six. There’s a little booth there. Tell them you’re with me, and they’ll escort you to the plane.”

  A new and fresh joy lightened Indigo’s heart. “I’ll see you then.”

  Cole gazed at her, his smile warm and inviting. “You won’t be sorry,” he murmured.

  “I know.” Indigo brushed her hand along his arm and gazed up into his appealing smile.

  Cole brought her to his chest once again, encircling her in his arms before stepping away with a caress on her jaw, his thumb brushing her lips. The sweet warmth of his embrace and touch of his fingers across her face and mouth left a new and soothing glow like pixie dust on her skin. She smiled as she reached up and touched her own cheek, expecting to see gold on her hand when she pulled her fingers away.

  The swell of the music from the studio pulled her back to the moment, and she turned to her dress form. Quickly, she removed Isabella’s costume. She would need to start on it later.

  She placed Abigail’s costume over the head of the dress form and began working on pinning the skirt to the bodice. Slipping pins into fabric, her work became her first priority, and everything else dropped away, until a coolness gave her a slight chill. Somehow, she knew Cole was gone. Rising from her knees, she went to the window. Cole looked up at her and waved. Indigo returned his salutation before he climbed into the Tesla. Never before had she felt such a kindred association, where she knew if someone she loved had left the room.

  She pulled back from the window and looked down at her wedding ring. The bond that was part of her marriage to Sam was still there, but it
wasn’t the same as the synergy between her and Cole, and what she and Sam shared refused to stay fixed. Even after a year and a half after his death, their marriage was still changing, evolving into something different from when he was alive. If she was willing to make room for that shift, she might be able to keep it close forever.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Indigo unfolded herself on the oversized sea-green and sapphire-blue cushions that lay against the white couch on the stern of the Jazz. The tropical Florida spring sun flushed through her. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so relaxed or pampered.

  When she tilted her head back, the warmth of the splashy light touched the pulse on her throat, making her restful and drowsy. If it weren’t for everything going on inside her brain, she would easily fall asleep among the luxury that enveloped her as soft piano music lilted in the background that kept time with the turquoise and emerald waters lapping gently against the yacht.

  Earlier in the day, during Cole’s morning meeting, Indigo had wandered the high-end shops near Café Oceanus in Bal Harbour and marveled at the landscape art known as “Moongates” covered in orchids in all shades of purple, yellow, and white. She laughed at the shopkeepers, who took in her Wal-Mart shorts, T-shirt, and sandals and sniffed before they turned away.

  Cole had offered Indigo a credit card for shopping, but she’d turned him down. She didn’t care about fancy clothes or shoes. She was happy to gaze through decorated windows and meander through high-end boutiques. Her anticipation was saved for the afternoon they would spend together.

  Now, with her skin bathed in the sinking sun, nothing could touch Indigo’s sanguine mood. A shadow fell across her eyes, and she opened them to see Cole standing in front of her, holding a canning jar of iced tea. She took the frosty offering with a smile while she wondered if she had slipped into a glass slipper somewhere. The liquid washed down her throat as Cole sat beside her. The sun began its slow descent into evening, lengthening its beams and adding to her serenity.

  “Tell me about your meetings.” Indigo sat up.

  “They went well. The restaurant is on track for sales. The manager runs a tight ship.” He laughed. “No pun intended. And everyone seems generally happy.”

  “How do you know?” Indigo swung her legs around and folded them underneath her.

  “I look and watch. We have a process where employees who are having a problem can report to us directly, if they don’t want to go to the manager. We’ve always taken insider issues seriously, but since Jessica …” His voice trailed off for a moment. “We’ve started paying more attention. Sexual harassment is a big issue, and we investigate each claim. Landon, my brother, has more to do with that sort of thing, but we have no tolerance for harassment of any kind. We’ve had to fire a couple of managers who used their position to bully or harass some of the staff. I watch for it.”

  “Anyone can make nice while the boss is in town,” Indigo said.

  “That’s true,” Cole replied. “But I hope by showing up regularly and talking with all members of the staff, people learn they can come to us. I’m not just looking at numbers. It’s about building relationships. Some of the people who work for us have been here for twenty years or longer. We’d like to think it’s because it’s a good place to be and that feeling spills over into our patrons.”

  “You must be doing something right,” Indigo replied. “To have something so fine as all of this.” She swept her arm across the yacht with its three decks, hot tub, and crew, all of whom seemed experts at running the yacht and taking care of her and Cole without being visible. “I mean, you even have a baby grand in your living room.”

  “It’s for Mom. She loves to play when we’re here together.” Cole turned serious, taking Indigo’s hand.

  Indigo’s breath stopped at the contact as she moved closer to Cole, her eyes locked with his.

  He squeezed her fingers, making her wedding ring rub against her skin. “How does some dinner sound?”

  “Lovely.”

  “I thought we’d eat here on the boat, if that’s all right. Sunset should be in about an hour. The crew is setting up the meal on the bow.” He stood, breaking contact with Indigo. “Care to join me?” Once again, he reached out his hand.

  Every hard thing softened in Indigo; Sam’s loss, the crushing debt, and worries over the Silver Stitch all dropped from her with every care. “Yes. I’d like that very much.” She stood, taking Cole’s fingers in her own, the feel of his roughened and warm palm sending a small pleasure through her as they walked along the starboard side of the boat.

  Indigo gasped when she took in the dinner preparations. A white tablecloth fluttered in the balmy sea breeze, and the flames from two candles in petite crystal hurricane lamps created a small inviting glow along with the dimming sun.

  “I didn’t even hear any of this going on,” she stammered.

  “That means it’s been done right,” Cole replied as he pulled her chair out before she sat

  The light meal consisted of a mushroom tart followed by a warm shrimp salad brimmed with spices and flavor. Indigo savored each bite, along with the soft air against her bare arms and Cole’s attentive company. The sun continued to dip into the water, colors of bright orange and rose bursting over the turquoise ocean.

  Indigo studied Cole. “What’s on your mind?”

  “There is something I’m thinking about.” Cole wiped his mouth with his linen napkin before placing it back on the table. “And some things I feel the need to tell you.”

  Indigo furrowed her brow. Was this about Jessica? “Go on.”

  “I own a lot of … things. I have homes in California, Washington State, Arkansas, and Hawaii. I travel quite a bit and have a private plane. I don’t have many cars. They’re not my thing. The Tesla is enough for me, although I do have a Land Rover in each home so I can get into the woods or far-off beaches. When I travel, I rent the best.”

  “I can tell,” Indigo murmured. “Is this your only boat?”

  Cole smiled easily.

  Indigo returned his smile. The light in Cole’s eyes told her he had a fondness for boats.

  “No. You’ve been on board the Lake Mermaid. This is the Jazz, and in California, I have a sailer, the Oceanus. In Washington, I have the Ember. And in Hawaii, the Ace of Hearts. I love the water like some men like cars, I guess.”

  Indigo tried to remain calm as she took in the news of Cole’s empire. She needed some time to process what he was telling her while she puzzled out his reasons for sharing. She focused on the boats. “Are they—do they look like this?” She swept her arm to encompass the Jazz.

  “The Ember is very similar to the Jazz. The Ace of Hearts is a little smaller and faster. The Oceanus is my flagship. It’s a sailer, so it works under wind.”

  Indigo shielded her eyes against the golden sun as she looked over the azure water and the luxury of the Jazz while listening to Cole talk about even richer opulence. She turned back to him to see him studying her carefully. “I’m glad I’m sitting down. It’s all a little overwhelming and it’s lovely, but it’s not why I enjoy your company. If you’d ask me to spend this evening hanging out in a Eureka Springs coffee shop, I’d be just as happy about seeing you. I don’t understand why you feel the need to share all of this with me. Most folks don’t like talking about money.” Thoughts of Sam came to her mind. He would salivate at the affluent luxury that now surrounded her. Picturing his reaction made her squirm in shame, and she tried to recall a happier memory of him. It came quickly—an afternoon fishing on the McKenzie with the river burbling underneath their boat.

  She pulled herself back to the present moment. She wasn’t with Sam right now, and her reaction to Cole’s wealth wasn’t the same as his would have been. Whenever thoughts of Cole entered her mind, they were always about the kindness he showed about her loss of Sam and his gentleness with her grief. It made her feel safe, and it humbled her. She looked up into Cole’s face to see his look grow intense with concern. “What are y
ou worried about?”

  He shook his head. “I’ve been taken advantage of before.”

  Just as Indigo thought. This involved Jessica. “Yes, I know.” Indigo held Cole’s gaze. “I’m not Jessica.”

  Cole’s eyes lost the fevered tension, his body slumping slightly in his chair as the evening sun finished its slide beyond the ocean. “I know, but there’s always this lingering unease around what happened with her. It’s made me a little wary, and I guess I want you to know what you’re getting yourself in to.”

  Indigo stilled her breathing as Cole reached for her hand. She placed her fingers in his upturned palm. He rubbed her skin with his thumb as his gaze turned keen. Indigo waited, her thoughts suspended between sky and water and Cole’s gaze. This was serious.

  “There’s another reason.” He paused. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but I’m asking that we make this exclusive. I’ll never push you beyond what you want. I’d just like to know that I’m the only one you’re seeing, since …” He continued, “You’re the only one I’m interested in or seeing.”

  Indigo leaned slightly across the table, tightening her grip on Cole’s hand, her wedding ring digging into her skin with their contact. “It’s not that I don’t want this, Cole. I do. It’s lovely, and you’re … I can’t even find the words to describe what you mean to me. My heart is so full and crying out to say yes. And it’s not because of your wealth. It’s how you treat the kids and Suzette. It’s how you want to make the communities where you live a better place through art. It’s how you treat me.” Her voice was wistful and melancholy. “But … I still feel married to Sam, and I’m not sure that will ever change.” A picture of Sam, his green eyes cheerful and his reddish-brown beard parted with a white smile, surfaced. Her heart contracted as if clenched in a fist before easing. Oh, Sam!