Ruthless Billionaire

by Cheryl Phipps

  “Yeah, because you’re such a party animal,” Evan or Matthew said as they went past with heaped plates of food.

  “Bite me,” Sarah called after them.

  This was so absurd and alien to Jenna that she began to giggle, along with Caris. Sarah heard and grinned. It didn’t take long before they were laughing. Ben watched them, not sure what was happening and was perhaps wondering if they were a little hysterical.

  Sarah wiped a tear from her eye and put her arm around Jenna’s shoulder. “I like you, very much.”

  “I like, and admire you, Sarah.”

  “You’d better sharpen up, Ben. This one’s a keeper.”

  “We’re just …”

  “Oh sure. I may have thrown away my chance of a decent marriage, but I’m not blind to everyone else. You two have it bad.”

  Jenna shook her head. “No, it’s not like that.”

  “Whatever. Let’s eat, I’m starving. I haven’t had an appetite for weeks.”

  Sarah marched into the tent, leaving them to an awkwardness which hadn’t been there since yesterday. Had it really only been two days that she’d known him?

  “I should go. Could I get someone to bring my car around to the drive?”

  Ben was surprised. “Don’t you want to stay?”

  “You were paying me for a job, and now that the wedding’s been canceled there’s no real point to me being here. Is there?”

  “Let’s not talk about money, except to say that I’m not reneging. Stay because we can have a good time tonight. Together. Stay for that.”

  The look in his eyes made her choice very unfair.

  She should go. She absolutely should.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jenna had stayed. Ben was elated.

  At Sarah’s request the bridal table had been removed. Caris had discreetly organized the bridesmaids to remove all the gifts to a room where they could be returned at a later date.

  It was a crazy afternoon and night, but the food was excellent and Jenna was fitting in rather too well with the family, who had eaten in a corner of the tent. Still visible, they had circled the wagons around Sarah. Everyone apart from the immediate family kept their distance, thanks to Andy and the twins, who used their charms that he’d always believed to be wasted.

  It was dark, but the air was still warm. The stars were visible through the open sides, and the band played a slow waltz. Ben leaned into Jenna. “Care to dance?”

  She looked around nervously. “To this?”

  “You hear other music?”

  “No.”

  “Come on, then.”

  After a moment, she took his hand. Hers was small and smooth, although she had tiny calluses at the base of each finger. He pulled her close. The smell of roses tickled his nostrils. His chin was level with the top of her head and the feel of her in his arms made him want her more than he already had. His hand on her back wanted to creep around to her breast, but she managed to keep a little distance between them.

  “Jenna, I’d like to see you again.”

  Her feet tripped over themselves and she leaned back. For several seconds she studied him, as if she were trying to figure out what reasons he could have for suggesting such a thing.

  “How much?” she said.

  He stopped dancing and pulled away. “You want me to pay you?”

  It didn’t help that the other dancers had stopped to listen in, and that Andy looked very amused.

  Jenna slid on a grin, a mile wide. The little vixen; she was playing with him. Well, two could play at that game.

  “And just what would I get for my money this time?”

  Jenna’s open mouth did a few silent O’s, then she shut it with a snap.

  He pulled her reluctant body back into his arms. “Don’t play with fire, Jenna. You may get more than you bargained for.”

  “I’m beginning to appreciate that.” She moved back into his arms. “If I say yes to an unpaid date, what does that mean?”

  “Perhaps we could look upon it as a real first date?”

  She bit her lip. “I’m not sure.”

  “Way to make it sound like a terrible thing I’m asking.”

  “It’s just that you’re not exactly the type of guy I date.”

  “Right back at ya.”

  “Don’t you think that will be an issue?”

  “After what just happened today, I’m beginning to appreciate that there’s no one formula for attraction.”

  “How so?”

  He lowered his voice as they continued to dance. “Sarah and Marcus went to school together. They dated for years. They had a plan, and they crashed and burned. Maybe things would be easier if they hadn’t had so much in common.”

  “Maybe the things that matter are what’s in a person’s heart, not their history or what they think they should want.”

  “Well said. I don’t deny that there was some pressure on them to marry, but only because the parents thought they had decided on each other.”

  “No one should decide someone else’s future. We all need to choose that for ourselves.”

  “If that were the case, Matthew and Evan would be surfing and skiing their whole lives, instead of helping me run the family business.”

  Jenna laughed. “Okay, I concede that some people need direction, but not in love.”

  “Do you believe in love?”

  “I want to. I’ve never felt it before, have you?”

  “No, I’m a confirmed bachelor, thank you.”

  Jenna frowned. “So, that being the case, why would I want to go out with you?”

  “Because we have something between us? I’d like to see how far it goes. Wouldn’t you?”

  “I’m not sure. It might turn ugly.”

  “That would never happen, because we want the same things from each other.”

  She poked him in the chest with her pointed shiny nail. “Oh really? We only met yesterday. You have no idea what I want.”

  “Are you sure about that? Watch what happens when I do this.”

  His hand snaked up her ribs and rested under a perfect breast. Having no bra meant he could almost feel her skin.

  She gasped. “Stop that.” She looked around them to see if anyone noticed.

  “Don’t you like it?” he asked, as he took his hand away after a surreptitious squeeze.

  “No,” she said, breathily.

  “What do you like?”

  “I’m not going to tell you.”

  “Frightened I’ll use it against you?”

  “Definitely.”

  He nibbled her ear.

  “I’ll have to go if you’re going to manhandle me,” she said, her voice shaking a little.

  “Let me take you home?”

  They did a complete circuit of the dance floor.

  “Okay.”

  Ben thought he hadn’t heard her right, but she pulled away and went to collect her purse from where the family sat. Sarah had barely stayed long enough to eat and to show her strength, something that was dear to his own heart. At least it had been before today.

  The rest were watching him with transparent interest. He knew he wasn’t behaving as he usually did, but today had not been usual. Jenna, with her disregard for convention, had broken down barriers he couldn’t care less about with each passing minute.

  Jenna began her goodbyes with his mother. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out, Mrs. Knight.” She stopped when his mother frowned. “Sorry. Eloise. Thank you for a lovely end to the day.”

  She blushed, prettily, as his family said their goodbyes. Each one with more enthusiasm than the last. How had she won his family over so quickly? Then again, how had she done the same with him? They were questions for another day. Right now, he had more important things on his mind.

  They walked side-by-side through the half-empty tent. He took a quick look back, feeling a twinge of guilt. His mother, sitting next to the twins, gave him a wave. The boys gave him a thumbs up, and even though he cou
ldn’t hear them, he could tell the two of them were sniggering. One day they might grow up, but right now he didn’t give a damn.

  It was also impossible to refute what they’d said earlier about him liking Jenna more than he’d been prepared to admit. Not when he was walking out the door with her.

  He was about to find out how much she liked him. No matter what she said, the way she looked at him and the way her body had followed his around the dance floor, gave him hope that it was well enough.

  Andy appeared at the entrance to the house. “Looks like you guys are leaving the sinking ship.”

  “We’ve done our share of damage control. I’m just going to check on Sarah, then I’ll take Jenna home.”

  “I’ve already been to see her. She’s fast asleep, and she looks peaceful. Could be the bottle of champagne that was by her bed. Or the fact that she came to her senses just in time.”

  “Thanks, Andy, for everything you did. Did you get something to eat?”

  “Ha-ha. Like anything could stop that.”

  “True, but I know you’ve been checking on security all day, as well as tracking down a lost groom and his cohorts.”

  “Just part of the service. If you think it’s appropriate, I might suggest that the guests call it a night too. I know it’s not that late, but your mother looks shattered.”

  Ben frowned. “Does she? I thought she looked great, given the circumstances.”

  “She’s got a face for poker, for sure.”

  “I trust your judgment. I’ll make sure she rests tomorrow.”

  They fist bumped and Ben led Jenna to the garage. “We can collect your car tomorrow, if you like?”

  “If you don’t mind, that will be fine. Renee can bring me back out.”

  Ben wasn’t really listening as he drove the black Porsche down the long drive. He felt even more guilt at not being more observant.

  Jenna touched his arm. “Are you okay?”

  “Of course. Why do you ask?”

  “When Andy mentioned your mother looking tired, you seemed upset.”

  He was surprised she knew exactly what was bothering him. “It’s my place to notice things like that. I’m the eldest. I’d hate for her to get sick from all this. I don’t know where my head was.”

  “You had an awful lot to think about and to deal with. If you want to go back, it’s absolutely fine with me. I can get a taxi.”

  He slowed, then shook his head. “It’s okay. Andy will take care of the guests and Caris will take care of Mom. The family gets pretty annoyed with me bossing them around. Mom, especially.”

  “Surely not?”

  He shot her a sideways glance, taking note of the grin.

  “You, Jenna Molloy, are trouble with a capital T.”

  “Have you been speaking to Renee again?”

  He laughed. “Seems like our families have our numbers.”

  “Seems that way.”

  As they got closer to her place, Jenna seemed to withdraw, and the banter that had felt just right evaporated.

  Chapter Thirteen

  They stood outside her soot-covered door. Having him so close that they were nearly touching made Jenna’s hand shake. Ben eventually took the key from her.

  “I must clean that tomorrow,” she managed inanely, feeling the need to break the silence. She’d been safe in a group setting. Now the danger wasn’t coming from him.

  “I’ll help.”

  “Are you coming back tomorrow?”

  He placed the key back in her hand, wrapping her fingers around it, but not letting go. Then he gave her a warm smile that sent her senses into turmoil.

  “I hadn’t planned on going home tonight.”

  “You think an awful lot of yourself, don’t you?” she blustered.

  He shrugged. “I want you, Jenna. I think you want me.”

  “You heard what I said before about this not going anywhere?”

  “I did. Tell me again. Say ‘Go home, Ben,’ and I’ll leave.”

  “You will?”

  “I don’t want to, but I’ll respect your answer. I won’t believe it, but I will respect it.”

  She studied his moonlit face.

  “You can’t want to come in.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s still smells of smoke, and it’s messy.”

  “Trust me, if you invite me in, neither of us will notice.”

  Her face flushed. “I don’t sleep with anyone on a first date.”

  “We went shopping yesterday.”

  “And?”

  “I thought we were going to call that a first date?”

  Jenna gave a nervous laugh. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “Seriously, how can you ask me that? Take pity on a poor man, would you?”

  “You? A poor man?”

  “If you’d notice what you’ve done to me, you wouldn’t even question it.”

  She followed his gaze. “Oh. I see.” Ben’s trousers, which had been relatively snug before, were straining around his zipper.

  “You’d better come upstairs then. I wouldn’t want you to suffer permanent damage.”

  Ben’s hand snaked up her dress as she climbed the stairs in front of him, and maybe it was the glasses of wine she’d had, but she didn’t stop him. He wasn’t expecting coffee, and she’d be disappointed if he was.

  What was she doing? This wasn’t her. She didn’t date a lot, and she’d never jumped into bed with a stranger. Although Ben didn’t feel like a stranger.

  At the top of the stairs she turned to look down on him. The light seemed too bright, but not as bright as his eyes. He looked at her the way a woman wanted to be looked at. Her heart was skipping around in her chest as if it were doing a tap dance. Every nerve on her skin wanted him to touch her.

  She opened the door and stood in the middle of the small room. Waiting.

  Ben must have seen her need. He shut the door, took the few steps, and without further preamble, swept her up in his arms. His mouth crushed hers. His tongue invaded her mouth, but the shock got lost in desire, and the kiss turned fierce.

  When they stopped for a breath they opened their eyes at the same moment.

  “Well.” Ben smiled.

  “Yes. Very well.”

  “Can I help you out of that dress?”

  Her voice was croaky. “Since you helped me into it, you probably should.” But when he put her back on her feet, she didn’t turn around. She couldn’t seem to let go of him. Her hand was still around his neck, and his were around her back.

  Eventually, she felt his fingers locate the zipper, and just as he had before, except this time it was down, he moved it tantalizingly slowly. Who knew that something so small could make her knees want to buckle? His hands, so warm on her skin, slid up to her shoulders and slipped the sleeves down her arms. Silky fabric sliding down her body only enhanced the feeling.

  Ben stood back to look at her, and for the first time in her life she didn’t have the urge to cover up. The need in his eyes must have been a reflection of her own, and in a move so unfamiliar to her, yet so necessary, she closed the gap and reached for his belt. While she undid it, he slipped out of his jacket and began to unbutton his shirt.

  Jenna dropped his belt on the floor and proceeded to unzip him. She had no idea what had gotten into her, but she was out of control. He did that to her. This man who she hardly knew, but who could send her desire into hyperdrive with just a look.

  Crazy? Yes. Unstoppable? Yes.

  His trousers joined her dress, and then Ben began an assault on her that went beyond her expectations. It seemed he had every right to be self-assured when it came to making love.

  It began with his mouth on her skin. All of her skin. Starting from her mouth, he wandered almost lazily down her body. Paying more attention to her breasts and her navel, he was deliberate and focused as he knelt in front of her.

  By the time he got her pink panties, they were wet with her passion. Undeterred, Ben kissed and lick
ed her until her legs literally buckled.

  “Please,” she whispered.

  “I’m not finished here.”

  “I can’t … Please.”

  Ben groaned when she stepped back. She stumbled and he swooped her up into his arms and laid her on the bed. Jenna could smell the smoke, even though she’d washed everything, but Ben carried on with his ministrations not remotely put off, and Jenna willed herself to relax. The smoke had been an excuse, when she thought she’d need it. Perhaps she had, before. Not now. Now, she wanted him desperately. Beside her, and in her.

  Eventually Ben slipped off her panties and his fingers began where his mouth left off. As he watched her near her orgasm, he continued the assault on her senses. She closed her eyes, giving herself up to the sensations he created, until her breath was short and her fingers curled in his hair. “If you don’t … Right now … I swear.”

  He didn’t, and she orgasmed harder and longer than she ever had. She couldn’t imagine that anything else would ever compare to what had just happened to her. Ben proved her wrong.

  Barely had she settled at the bottom of the cliff, when he began to pull her to the top once more. He was beside her now, looking in her eyes with something like wonder. Her hand found his shaft. Not that it had been lost. Tapping at her apex, it demanded attention, and she was more than willing.

  She slid down his body until she was in the perfect position. Her tongue danced around the tip of him, and then she took him slowly into her mouth. The way his hips lifted from the bed, told her Ben was enjoying the attention, and she continued to tease and toy with him, until he groaned.

  “No more.”

  Ben quickly pulled her up and onto her back. A knee between her thighs nudged them wider, while he pulled a condom packet from his pocket. There was no time to wonder at his preparedness, and Jenna was simply thankful that nothing was going to hinder their lovemaking. She was ready for him. More than ready.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ben stretched in the dawn light. Last night had been awesome. Better than he’d had a right to imagine. Better than most. He opened his eyes. An empty bed.