The Billionaire's Jackpot: Betting on You Series: Book Four

by Jeannette Winters

  Many people asked because they wanted to hear the stories, not ever thinking what retelling them would do to her. She was thankful Drew wasn’t that type of person. Drew still loves me but isn’t sure about us. He wasn’t asking for a retelling for the same reasons as others before him. His heart is in the right place. He wants to understand me better, and it has nothing to do with curiosity. And I love him even more for that.

  Would sharing the details be wise? Would it help him understand more about her? It might help him understand how Brad and she had formed a solid friendship, and not been in love. If she truly loved this man the way she believed, then she needed to trust him to be there in the good times and bad. And this is definitely one of the bad.

  Drew didn’t have a clue how Katherine could be as sweet and loving as she was after everything he had just learned about what she had experienced while serving overseas. Just hearing it sickened him, and she lived it for almost twelve years.

  All the money in the world couldn’t erase what she had done or seen. What she needed was someone to love and hold her. He wanted to be that person, but was he what she needed? From the emails he read, it seemed she needed someone more like Brad. Why she hadn’t seen that was beyond him. Looking from the outside, he would have bet Katherine and Brad would have made the perfect couple. Similar in so many ways.

  He tried to sweep the thoughts of Brad from his mind. While consoling her, Brad’s memory hung over them. She might not be saying the words out loud, but he knew exactly what she must have been thinking: That Brad would understand if he were here. The sad fact was Brad wasn’t and never could be again. Not for her or for him. All she had now was Drew, and he was a far cry from a good replacement. Brad had been generous and caring and loving. Drew was a risk-taker, selfish, and twittered on a fine line of what was legal and not. That’s fine if you are alone, but if you bring someone into your life, something has to change. He wasn’t sure he was capable of becoming the man she needed him to be. He also wasn’t sure if he could let her go either. One or the other. I can’t have it both ways. At least he shouldn’t if he truly cared for her.

  His voice was firm and final. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know.” He cupped her chin, turning her face up to him. “No matter what happens between us, I will always be there for you.”

  What he thought would bring comfort apparently didn’t. Instead of the warm smile he’d anticipated, Katherine blinked and looked baffled as their eyes met. She expected or wanted more from him. Damn she deserved it. The problem was, he wasn’t able to give himself fully. Not yet at least. He loved to gamble and this was his riskiest one yet. If she wasn’t willing to give him some time to work this out it could be all over. I could lose her for good.

  Drew adjusted them to lie back down in the bed while still holding her in his arms. “Sleep now. Don’t worry. I’ll stay here with you.”

  Thankfully Katherine didn’t pursue the topic or put up any argument. She placed her head on his chest and slowly drifted off to sleep. Drew, on the other hand, couldn’t turn his mind off. But at least he knew what he needed to do in the morning. One thing at a time.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

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  “She told you the nightmares had practically vanished a few weeks ago, but you still wonder if she’s thinking of Brad? What the fuck is wrong with you?” Ross’s voice rose angrily.

  Drew was put back a bit. He would’ve expected that to come from Trent, but Ross was the coolheaded one. He was anything but cool at the moment. “You don’t understand the connection those two shared.”

  Jon chimed in. “Shared. That is all in the past. Leave it there, Drew. She needs you now.”

  He couldn’t believe his friends weren’t more shocked at this announcement, and somehow they didn’t seem to have his back or see his side of things either. “You guys make this sound so damn easy. It’s anything but.”

  Trent laughed. “Easy? Hell no. You have to work harder at your relationship than any job you’ll ever do. Well, that’s not really hard for you, Drew, but we understand.”

  He was so tempted to knock Trent on his ass. They were more similar than either of them liked to admit. Somehow becoming a daddy had caused Trent to forget that. Instead of continuing on a topic he wanted to avoid, he tried to turn the focus back on Brad and Takes One. “Okay, guys, I can handle my own relationship, thank you. We were supposed to be talking about the emails Brad sent, outlining his vision. You can see we are way off the mark.”

  “That we are,” Jon said. “I’m glad she shared these. You do know there will be no way to keep Takes One a secret if we move forward with this. It will be out there for everyone to see.”

  They all nodded. Brad’s dream was huge, and he’d probably thought it would never come to fruition. If it weren’t for their financial success, it probably wouldn’t.

  “So we finally have the answer we were all looking for; what are we going to do about it?” Ross asked.

  “Pulling this off is going to take a lot more than the four of us,” Drew said.

  Jon reminded him, “Seven and hopefully soon-to-be eight.” Drew arched his brow unsure of his meaning. “If you haven’t figured it out yet, Drew, you will soon.”

  “What the hell are you talking about, Jon?” Drew demanded.

  “Very simple, Drew. All of us cocky bastards have come to realize the value our other halves bring to the table. If you haven’t seen what an amazing woman KJ is, then you’re a fucking lost cause,” Trent teased.

  “Better clean up that language, buddy. You’re a daddy now,” Drew shot back. He was joking with Trent, but inside he was hearing the message loud and clear. No one needed to tell him how special Katherine was because they’d only seen the tip of the iceberg. There wasn’t a day he questioned if he was lucky to have her in his life, the only problem—was she lucky to have him in hers? Katherine, you got the short end of the stick. I’m no prize. He didn’t come from a happy home and didn’t have the foggiest idea how to make one either.

  Ross pulled them back on track. “I believe we are all in agreement to change Takes One once again. We’re talking about twenty million dollars each to get this up and running.”

  “The money isn’t the issue. It will be a personal investment, a long-term investment,” Drew added. Something I’ve never been good at. It didn’t mean he couldn’t change for the right reason. “Once we start this, there will be no turning back, or at least not easily.”

  “Almost six years ago we met at a bar just like this one. We committed at that time to do whatever it takes to fulfil his dream,” Trent said.

  The four of them sat quietly for a moment, thinking back to that tragic time. They had all transformed their lives, yet they were all in agreement on one thing. Raising their glasses in unison, they reaffirmed their original commitment all over again. “For Brad.”

  Not long after their toast, Trent and Jon left, leaving Ross and Drew alone. That was good, as they had some unfinished business. Drew hadn’t forgotten walking up on Katherine and Ross in some heated discussion at the rehearsal dinner. He needed to make sure there were no questions left unanswered. “Are you really okay with Katherine and me? I know how close you and Brad were.”

  “We were all close. But to answer your question, I have no problem with it at all. My concern is you. Are you okay with it?”

  Drew had been searching for that damn answer for days. “Ross, there is something I didn’t tell the others.”

  “Is it something I should know?” Ross asked cautiously.

  Probably not. “I read all their emails, not just the parts explaining his dream. They were really close. Damn, he probably knew her better than I do,” he said in frustration.

  “And there is that word again, knew. That was a long time ago. The woman Brad knew is not the same woman you know today. If you don’t believe it, look at us. Are we the same damn fools we were right out of college? Hell no. So why expect anything different from KJ? She told you she had
n’t loved him romantically, Drew. Perhaps they’d only been friends like she is suggesting,” Ross explained. “You’ve given a lot of advice to us all over the past year. Maybe it’s time you take some.” Ross pointed his finger at Drew. “Get your head out of your ass and tell that woman how you feel, really feel, before you lose her.”

  Ross downed the last of his beer, got up, and headed out of the bar.

  Drew knew he loved her; that was never the issue. Would loving her be enough?

  It was the end of her two-week stay. Drew had been out most of the day, not telling her anything. It really wasn’t any of her business anyway. They were on rocky terms right now. Two days ago he’d asked her to stay with him, but after those emails, he’d never brought it up again. Why wait until he asks me to leave? I can go now if I want, on my own terms.

  That was part of the problem; she didn’t want to leave. Leaving would break her heart. She pulled more clothes out of the drawer and tossed them in the suitcase. Blossom sat by her side. “I know; you don’t have to tell me. You like it here too.” Grabbing the final remnants, she plopped them in and zipped up the suitcase. “But this is not our home. He doesn’t want us here, girl, and I can’t stay where I’m not wanted.”

  “I never said you weren’t wanted,” Drew said from the doorway.

  She almost jumped out of her skin. KJ ignored his comment. She knew he’d never asked her to leave, but that didn’t change the fact she was going. Blossom walked over and sat next to Drew, looking up to him adoringly. Whose dog are you anyway? Since Drew came into her life, Blossom had changed and was less attentive to her. Why?

  “How was your day?” she asked nonchalantly.

  He walked over and sat on the bed near her suitcase, as though it wasn’t there at all. “Very productive. I met with the guys regarding the future of Takes One.”

  Averting eye contact so she wouldn’t crack, she said softly, “I hope it works out for you all.” This was slowly killing her. He wasn’t taking her into his arms and kissing her madly, but he wasn’t ignoring her either. They were chatting as friends. God, I don’t want to be just your friend.

  Drew reached out and grabbed her hand; his thumb stroked it gently. Her body felt the electricity from such a simple touch. Don’t think about it. Get it off my mind. I’m leaving.

  When he spoke his voice was soft and tender, and she shuddered as he said her name. “Katherine, why won’t you look at me?”

  Because I’m trying to be strong. One look in your eyes and I’ll crumble. “I have been busy all day and I’m tired, that’s all.” She was tired of the emotional roller coaster she had been on the last two days. Her nightmares were evidence of her stress level. She couldn’t wait for him to make up his mind. It might not be fair to him, but she needed to think of her well-being. That meant taking control of her life again. These past two weeks had been amazing. But it’s only a vacation, not ever after.

  Drew pulled on her wrist, causing her to lose her balance and fall toward him. Of course he had her right where he wanted her: on his lap, in his arms, face to face. Damn you, Drew. You don’t play fair.

  “Too tired for this?” he asked before his lips claimed hers.

  Damn it, yes. I mean no. I mean . . . God, I have missed you. She couldn’t help herself. Her mouth opened, giving him access to what he wanted. Even though he’d kissed her with hunger and passion before, tonight it superseded anything she’d ever experienced before.

  “Katherine, do you know how precious you are to me?” he asked.

  No one had ever told her that before. Precious. Something you hold dear. Did she really mean that to him? Before she could utter a word, he placed his fingers across her lips.

  “That’s not all, though. I owe you an apology. I couldn’t get my head out of my ass to realize you had only just learned you’d lost another person dear to you. I am sorry for your loss. He was a good man, one of the best. But, Katherine . . . basically, I was jealous.

  Swallowing hard she tried to take in all he had just said to her. She asked, “Do you know how much I care for you?”

  “Tell me.”

  Was she willing to chance opening her heart to him and still risk going home? Putting herself out there wasn’t something she was good at. She didn’t take risks with her heart. Was it time to make an exception? “I love you, Drew.”

  “That I know already. I want to know how much.”

  “Drew, I can’t . . . I don’t know . . .” Her voice was filled with frustration.

  Smiling, he asked, “Would you prefer me to go first?”

  God, yes. Her only response was a slight nod as her voice might give away her feelings.

  Drew took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. He first kissed the back of her hand then turned it over and kissed her palm, bringing it to his chest. “Like the Tin Man, this spot was vacant until you entered my life. You are my heart, Katherine. If you leave me now, you have to know you are taking it with you.”

  The harder she tried to ignore the truth, the more persistent it became. It wasn’t his heart she felt beating in his chest, it was hers. Leaving him willingly or not wasn’t an option. She had been searching for her answer and here it was, right in front of her. “Drew, I don’t want . . . can’t live without you. I love you more than I thought humanly possible. I will stay as long as you’ll let me.” Her voice trembled.

  Drew smiled saying, “How does forever sound?”

  Tears welled in her eyes. “Not long enough,” she answered, kissing him fiercely. I’m yours always. Please don’t ever let me go.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

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  “Good morning, sleepyhead. It’s almost noon. As tempted as I may be to spend the day alone with you, we have things we need to do,” Drew said as he pulled the sheets off the bed, revealing her still naked body. He may have spent the entire night touching and tasting every inch of her, but that didn’t stop his body from reacting to her lush curves, craving for more. Turn away.

  Katherine stretched her arms above her head and in a lazy tone said, “I believe you told me last night I could stay here forever. There was no mention of leaving this spot.”

  She rolled onto her stomach, providing him a full view of her perfectly rounded ass. Walking over to the bed, he took his finger and started tracing his way up her body, first the bottom of her foot, causing her to giggle, then her lower calf in slow zigzag motions. The higher his finger traveled the more her muscles tensed. So damn lovely.

  He heard her moan as his fingers crossed the top of her thigh and stopped abruptly on her right cheek. So tempting. Raising his hand, he brought the palm down giving her a light smack on the ass. But no time right now.

  With an adventurous toss of her head, she looked at him over her shoulder and said teasingly, “That wasn’t very nice.” Her eyes smoldered with passion.

  Not liking it much either. Winking, he replied, “Will you forgive me if I promise to finish where I left off when we return?”

  Getting out of bed, she headed for the shower. “That’s a promise I won’t let you break.”

  I don’t have to worry about that. He watched her walk away, purposely swaying her hips at him seductively. God, she knows how to drive me crazy. Leaving for the living room he said, “And I love it.”

  KJ had no idea what could be important enough to practically drag her out of bed. Yes, the day was half gone, but this was her vacation. Oh God. I agreed to stay here. This is no longer a vacation. How had she missed that part? What about work?

  Drew was right; they had things to do, things to discuss. What was I thinking, saying I would stay in the city? I’m not a city girl. She wracked her brain for ways to approach the subject. He could move to Napa. Shaking her head, she knew instantly that wasn’t a viable option. He played the stock market, lived the fast life, and that was all here. Why would he want a little house with the white picket fence when he had all this?

  Slipping her light pink sundress over her head, she zipped
it up and took one last look in the mirror. She saw a woman who enjoyed a simple life. Her dress wasn’t designer and neither were her sandals. How does he think I’ll fit in New York City? Confused, she wandered restlessly around the room. I don’t even have good fashion sense. Pulling the dress back over her head, she threw it onto the bed. For most of her adult life, a dress code had been provided and strictly enforced. Now here she was, struggling to pick out the right outfit to go out with him. She didn’t even know where they were going, so how could she know what to wear?

  Standing in her bra and panties, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. I should have tried harder to get him to stay in for the day. Heading one last time to her packed suitcase, she pulled out a pair of jeans and the only blouse that wasn’t wrinkled. At least I look neat.

  Entering the living room, she saw Blossom fast asleep at Drew’s feet. A month ago Blossom would never have left her side except at work. Now she found herself looking for the dog half the time. At least I know where to find her.

  Drew got off the couch and asked, “Aren’t you the ready-in-fifteen-minutes girl? I was about to give up and come get you.”

  That’s what I get for being predictable. “Sorry, wardrobe malfunction.” Get used to it; there probably will be a lot more of them until I iron all my clothes again.

  He came over to her. “You look stunning, as always.” Brushing his lips quickly on hers, he said, “But we have a date, and I don’t want to be late.”

  “Date?” She looked at him puzzled. “I thought you said we had things we needed to get done today.”

  Smiling, he took her hand and said, “The first thing is a date. Me and you, hand in hand in Central Park.”

  Blossom gave a bark of agreement at the mention of the park. Ah, a walk-the-doggie date. Very important. “Good plan.”

  KJ grabbed the leash from Drew and headed for the elevator. Don’t you forget whose dog you are. Blossom trotted alongside Drew without a sideward glance. Maybe she wasn’t spending enough time with her; maybe she was jealous of Drew. She had read how dogs can feel slighted when someone new enters your life. That can’t be it. She loves Drew. She wasn’t sure what it was. I better call the trainer when we get back. Maybe she knows what’s going on.