An I.O.U. from a Billionaire

by Olivia B. Dannon

  Joan turned off the car. “Was I really going that fast?”

  A policeman rapped on her window. She lowered the window as he opened her door. “Keep your hands where I can see them. Are you aware that it’s illegal to drive on the shoulder of the freeway? Do you know how fast you were going?”

  “I thought it was the carpool lane. I’m so sorry.”

  He frowned at her and then started looking her over more carefully. “Do I know you?”

  “I don’t think so unless maybe you brought someone in to Phoenix General? I’m an ER nurse.”

  “You’re that Taylor woman. Aren’t you?”

  Joan kept the smile she’d put on her face for the officer. “Yes but I’m not rich. Liam is, so if you’re going to write me a ticket let’s keep in mind that I don’t have access to his funds.”

  “I heard you speak on the news. You’re kind of famous, aren’t you?”

  “Only today. It’s going to fade.”

  He took off his sunglasses. “And that makes you think you can drive a hundred sixty miles an hour?”

  “A hundred sixty miles an hour?” Liam’s voice boomed out the speaker on her phone.

  “I don’t think my car can even go that fast. It’s one hundred twenty tops.”

  The officer raised his brows at her. “That Liam Wainwright on your phone?”

  “Yes.”

  “What has you driving so fast?” he asked.

  Joan smiled. “You’re going to think this is pretty funny when I tell you this.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Okay well… Liam hired bodyguards for me because he thinks I can’t take care of myself.”

  The officer nodded. “At a hundred sixty he may have a point, ma’am.”

  “He didn’t tell me about my bodyguards. I thought I was going to be kidnapped and held for ransom. I was trying to get away.”

  The officer shook his head. “That sounds like a rich person problem to me, ma’am. I should be arresting you, but I don’t feel like defending my actions to the team of lawyers Wainwright would send.”

  “Very wise of you, officer. Thank you,” Liam said over the speaker.

  “That’s why I’m going to write you a ticket for five hundred dollars a day for the jail time you should be getting so that’s five hundred dollars time sixty days in jail.” He smiled “That’s fifteen thousand, plus an additional five hundred dollar fine for speeding in the first place. A five thousand dollar fine for driving on the shoulder and we come to twenty thousand five hundred dollars.”

  “I’d rather serve the jail time. I don’t have that kind of money,” Joan said, raising her wrists for him to cuff her.

  “Joan, stop that. I’ll pay it. Thank the officer.”

  She should probably thank him for considering he should arrest her but doing so now after Liam told her to thank him, rubbed her the wrong way. “Thank you very much.”

  He ripped the ticket from his ticket pad and handed it over. “I’ll also be confiscating your driver’s license.” He held out his hand.

  “What? But this is only the second ticket I’ve ever gotten. I’m a great driver.”

  “You’re a danger to everyone else on the road. After you appear in court, where I’m certain your license will be suspended further, your fines are paid, and whatever else the judge slams you with, you can get it back. You’re welcome.” He put his hand out again. “Hand it over.”

  Liam made a disgusted sound on his end. “Give it to him, Joan. You’re already late.”

  Joan hit end on her phone and then dug out her license and handed it over.

  “I suggest you call someone to come and drive you to your destination. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.”

  I am going to kill Liam Wainwright.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  A hundred sixty miles an hour? She could have killed herself driving that fast. Liam wiped the sweat from his brow. Joan should be here by now.

  “Are you all right, Liam?” Fran asked, joining him near the window that looked out at the front of the house.

  “Just fine.”

  She patted his hand. “Anxiously awaiting your nurse?”

  “Joan. Yes, I am looking forward to seeing her.” He cringed as he spotted Crenshaw’s car. Evelyn has had no luck tracking down Alise. No one knows where she is. Not any of her friends, none of his, and Evelyn even checked Alise’s credit cards. Nothing.

  Fran smiled at him. “You know, I’m looking forward to meeting your Joan. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you sweat over a woman before. She is lovely from the pictures I’ve seen, but you’ve had pretty women before.”

  “She’s not what you’re expecting, I’ll tell you that much.” Liam drank the water in his glass wishing it was something stronger not daring to drink after the last time.

  Tatum entered the drawing room with Terrance. “That better be water,” his father said. “You look like a brawling teenager with that purple marble on your jaw and that red mark on your nose.”

  “I think he looks handsome and roughish,” Fran said patting his shoulder again. “Reminds me of the man I fell in love with.” She winked at Liam’s father.

  “I can’t believe you asked this stranger to marry you without talking to me first. I’m your father.”

  “Her father agrees with you. At least you’ll get along with the in-laws,” Liam said, remembering the grueling conversation he’d survived with Mr. Taylor.

  Cole and Hansen arrived next, and unlike Tatum and their father, they were smiling. “I knew you’d open your eyes,” Cole said. “I’m so glad you didn’t blow it with Joan.”

  “Well done, Master Liam.” Hansen agreed.

  “Thanks,” Liam said feeling guilt roll in his stomach. Lying to Hansen and Cole seemed worse than lying to everyone else. “She should be here soon. Crenshaw just pulled up.”

  That announcement sent Fran calling for refreshments to be brought in and his father to open the door himself for his friend and business partner.

  Liam looked at his watch.

  Their plane landed a half hour ago. Where are they?

  As if he’d sent a note telepathically, his phone chirped in his pocket. There was a text from Evelyn.

  Ten minutes away. Be there soon.

  “Where is the woman who stole your heart, Liam?” Crenshaw asked as he entered with Liam’s father.

  “She’ll be here any minute. I’m so glad you could make it, Mr. Crenshaw.”

  The raised brow and deep frown told Liam that Crenshaw was waiting to be convinced.

  “Liam, why don’t you play us something on the piano while we wait for Joanie to arrive.” Fran suggested.

  Normally Liam would have asked the guest if it would please them to hear him play but with the tension thick in the air he welcomed any opportunity to thin it out.

  Sitting down at the piano he began to play “L-O-V-E” made famous by Nat King Cole. The happy chords soothed the ragged edges of his nerves, and as the song came to a close, he looked up to see Joan standing in the doorway with Evelyn.

  Joan was wearing a silk evening gown the color of champagne. Thin sparkling straps met behind her neck and seemed to be all that was holding the dress from sliding down her body. The silk hugged her curves so well it made his mouth dry. The slit up the side of the dress stopped at the top of her thigh just under her hip.

  Liam stood and crossed the room to her. He knew he should kiss her hand and introduce her but seeing her after all the tire squealing, engine roaring, and worry she’d put him through, he needed more.

  Tilting her chin up, he took her mouth with his. The squeak of surprise didn’t stop him from pulling her closer and reassuring himself that she was okay. He could feel her warmth through the thin silk of the dress. Liam confirmed his suspicion that she was braless, and pantyless too, beneath her dress as his hands slid down her back and over her hips.

  “This must be the nurse,” Crenshaw said from behind them.

  Liam drew bac
k remembering the point of all this. He slid the engagement ring on her finger. “Yes,” he said turning to Crenshaw. “Please allow me to introduce you to my fiancée Joan Taylor. Joan, this is Bishop Crenshaw.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Joan said offering her hand.

  He spotted the ring on Joan’s left ring finger. Liam knew he would recognize the ring and know its significance. Crenshaw shook her right hand as he looked her over. “You are a very beautiful woman. Liam is lucky to have won your hand.”

  “Thank you,” Joan said.

  Her head was swimming. She’d walked into the Wainwright mansion intending on giving Liam a piece of her mind, but then she’d heard the music. Beautiful music.

  Following the sound, Joan couldn’t believe it when she saw Liam was at the keys. It wasn’t just timing and pressing keys, Liam played the piano like it was an extension of himself. In awe of his skill, she’d forgotten what she was going to say. She barely remembered Evelyn promising to check in on her before she left.

  Then he’d kissed her the way that only Liam could. Joan thought she would melt under his heat and, just as she believed there was no way this was just an act, he’d slipped a ring on her finger to carry on the charade and broken the kiss.

  He lied in the same breath introducing her as his fiancée. All eyes in the room were on her. The way they were looking at her, scrutinizing her like they could see through the dress and see every flaw in her body and character was not unlike being circled by a shark she decided.

  “It’s an honor to meet you,” Tatum said kissing her hand once as Crenshaw stepped aside. “I’m Tatum Wainwright, Liam’s older brother.” He looked every bit the hard businessman. Lean and a bit taller than Liam, his hair was lighter brown like Coles.

  Joan smiled, remembering the conversation they’d shared on Liam’s phone. “I bet you never thought you were going to have to face me after our talk on the phone, did you?”

  Tatum grinned like a boy with his hand stuck in the cookie jar. “I am thrilled to get the chance to make a better impression with the woman who saved Cole’s life. Oh, and Liam’s heart too. Right?”

  Very smooth. I’ll have to watch this one.

  “This is my father Terrance Wainwright, and my stepmother Francine,” Liam said. His hand slid over the exposed skin on her lower back, curving around her hip and gathering her close to his side.

  Joan smiled or least she tried to smile. It was hard with Liam’s hand on her bare skin. Terrance kissed her hand. His smile looked just as uncomfortable as the one Joan was wearing. His dark hair was streaked with gray. It was intimidating to meet him. His title and status alone would make anyone at least a little nervous.

  Terrance added to this with his quick study of Joan. The way his sharp eyes scanned her made Joan feel like Terrance already made up his mind about her in the two seconds it took for him to look her over.

  Charming.

  Joan was relieved when Liam turned her toward the woman he’d introduced as his mother-in-law so she could get away from Terrance’s cold shark-like eyes.

  His stepmom was the stark opposite of Terrance, at least in appearance. Her hair light blonde, her skin a radiant flawless fair tone with a peach sunshine warmth to her cheeks.

  “You have to call me Fran, or even Mom if you like.” Fran stepped forward hugging Joan. When she pulled back her smile genuine, she kissed Joan on both cheeks, her silvery blue eyes bright and joyful. “You see how outnumbered I am here? It’s about time we get more females to even up the ranks.”

  Cole came to stand on Joan’s left and as soon as Fran stopped speaking, he embraced her. “I’m so happy you’re here. You look so beautiful, did Liam tell you that?”

  “I haven’t had a chance,” Liam said, his hand still on her hip. His lips pressed against her temple and then behind her ear, “You’re exquisite.”

  Heat sizzled down her spin and blossomed in her core.

  It’s just an act, that’s all.

  “Thank you, and you’re very handsome tonight.” She grazed the back of his neck with her nails to pay him in kind for what he was doing to her. He was looking handsome as ever. Before she’d been able to concentrate on his arrogance, now with the feel of his solid muscle at her side, Joan was finding it difficult to dislike him.

  Hansen smiled at her from across the room behind the piano as he began to play soft music.

  “You are a very beautiful woman, Ms. Taylor,” Crenshaw said in a tone that sounded more accusatory than appreciative. “I can’t see what you and Liam have in common. Don’t you think rushing an engagement so soon after you saved his brother is unwise?”

  “Cut right to the heart of it don’t you, Mr. Crenshaw? Yes, I do feel that Liam’s gratitude may have swayed him to ask in some small way, so that is why we haven’t set a date.”

  Crenshaw smiled the same smile Terrance had where it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “True love has no doubts.” He spoke like he’d caught her in their lie.

  Liam started to talk but Joan held up her hand. “I believe that true love is putting that person and their feelings ahead of your own. My feelings for Liam are not cloudy or murky in the least. If for some reason, he isn’t as in love with me as I am with him, then I want him to break off the engagement. I want him to be happy.”

  “That’s so beautiful, Joan,” Fran said taking her hand. “Let’s you and I go and get a drink. You must be thirsty after your long day of work.”

  Joan willingly went with her ready to put space between herself and the men. It was like they knew it was a lie and were watching her to make one wrong step to prove them right.

  Fran handed her a glass of sparkling champagne and took one for herself. “I guess you must be beside yourself with happiness,” Fran said, clinking her glass with Joans. She sipped the champagne watching Joan over the rim of the glass.

  “I’m very happy.” Joan took a tiny sip of the champagne. She wasn’t about to get drunk and stupid.

  “Liam lost his mother very young and at a crucial time in his life. He hasn’t allowed himself to love a woman since he lost her. Well, until you of course.”

  Joan took another sip from the glass remembering too late she meant to hold it, not drink it. “He told me about losing his mother when we were in Florida. I know his loss was great. I can’t imagine losing my mother even now and I’m fully grown.”

  “Then you must understand the significance of the ring you’re wearing,” Fran said, taking Joan’s left hand to stare at the ring Liam had slipped onto her finger.

  Joan glanced back to see the men in deep conversation. Liam was clearly involved in the conversation, but he was watching Joan and Fran. She gave him a smile to let him know she wasn’t over here blowing their scheme.

  “This is his mother’s ring,” Fran said.

  Joan’s head whipped back around to look at her own hand still in Frans. “He didn’t tell me.” Joan gasped out, staring at the ring for the first time. The diamond was round and at least six carats.

  “You see the diamonds here set into the band? One of these was her original stone in the ring that Terrance proposed to her with before he made his own fortune.”

  “But the Wainwrights have been wealthy for generations.”

  “Terrence was cut off when he decided to marry Liam’s mother. When he made his own fortune, he was accepted again into the family wealth and he had diamonds added to the band all the way around with the addition of the largest diamond. He wanted her to know he’d lose all the money again if he had to because he loved her so much.” Fran sighed, still looking at the ring.

  Joan was breathless, staring at the family heirloom that clearly meant so much to all of them. “I had no idea. I can’t possibly use this ring when—”

  “He loves you. Giving it to you means so much to him, it’s so romantic you couldn’t possibly give it back. It would hurt him immeasurably.”

  Joan nodded even though she was now terrified it might slip off her finger and be lost, or lose
a diamond in the shower.

  “Liam doesn’t express what is in his heart very easily,” Fran said while watching her. “If he’s given you any doubt as to how much he cares for you, your reassurance can be found in this ring.”

  Smiling, Joan nodded even though her lips were quivering. It was so confusing to have this ring on when it was all a lie. She wanted to take it off, to make Liam take it back.

  “I love Liam as if he were my own son,” Fran said, wrapping her fingers tighter around Joan’s hand. “If you don’t love him, you need to end this now. If anyone hurts my son, there is no end to the lengths I would go. I would make certain that person suffered.”

  Joan met the hard gaze Fran was giving her. “I would never hurt Liam on purpose.” It was the easiest thing that had come out of her mouth all night because it was true. She didn’t want to hurt Liam and the realization of how much she didn’t want to hurt him terrified her.

  “Good.” Fran smiled again. “I figured since you threatened to have me done in with your extensive knowledge in medicine, you wouldn’t mind a warning from me.”

  Joan choked on the champagne she was swallowing and started coughing.

  “She’s all right,” Fran said in Liam’s direction as she patted Joan’s back. “I have to say, I’m relieved you don’t have that strange voice you were using on the phone.”

  Joan laughed with Fran so hard she was tearing up. Fran was too and they both were fanning themselves in an effort to save their makeup.

  “I was being harassed by reporters. It wasn’t meant for you. I’m so sorry.”

  Fran dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a napkin. “It was actually a wonderful way to meet you. Liam needs a woman who’s strong and unique.”

  “Unique being a nice way to say funny?”

  Fran smiled. “Liam is right. You are exquisite. I can’t wait to have you as my daughter.”

  Joan’s smile wavered as the stab of guilt as sharp as any knife gouged into her.

  “Did I frighten you? I promise I won’t be overbearing.”

  “No, of course not. You’re very kind. I think I’m just realizing how fast Liam and I leaped without looking when we got engaged.”