Playboy Billionaire

by Mia Ford

  “You should come to the studio today,” Helen said to Jeff. He looked at her with his eyes narrow and dark and then mumbled something about being busy, said his goodbyes and left. “And you are still coming to paint with me again right?” Helen looked at Suzie.

  “Around four right?” Suzie asked.

  “Yes dear. I do so like to have someone to paint with. I apologize for turning in early last night. Having my whole family together is an exhausting blessing.”

  They walked back to the house in silence. Once inside, the kitchen was bustling with activity as Jared was flipping pancakes while his niece and nephew shouted all the shapes he should make. Johnny and Jeff were arguing over their favorite band’s new album. All in all, it was chaos. After breakfast the chaos spilled outside where the sound was dulled by the trees. Suzie sat on a bench swing and watched Jared and his brothers chase the little ones around.

  Eventually, Jared walked over and sat down next to her.

  “You’ve been pretty quiet this morning,” he said.

  “It has been a lovely morning,” Suzie replied and smiled, patting his knee with her hand. “This place is magical.”

  Jared’s eyes lit up and he kissed her quickly on the lips. “Yes, that’s why I wanted to bring you here and show you this.”

  “Thank you,” Suzie said, looking into his kind eyes. “This is really special.”

  “No, I am going to take you somewhere really special tonight. After supper, it is just me and you. I want to show you something.”

  “Sounds like a nice way to spend our last night. We have to go home tomorrow already.”

  Hugging her tight, he asked if she minded if he spent some time with his dad for a couple of hours before supper. Suzie told him it was perfect because she was going to be painting with his mom. Happily, he put his arm around her and leaned her head on his chest. They sat and rocked, looking out at the rest of the family. After a while, Jeff walked up and sat on the adjacent swing. He and Jared talked and caught up with the animosity of the previous night. In general, Jeff seemed less agitated and Candy had yet to make an appearance, though Suzie was not sure if the two things were related.

  After lunch, Jared and his dad headed out for a walk. Suzie found herself glued to the bench swing as the rocking motion felt relaxing. Sometime later, she realized she had fallen asleep and felt drowsy and unsure of time or place. Warmed by the sun, she stretched and sat up. The sun was getting lower in the sky and Suzie figured it was at least four, or around four as Helen had put it. Heading to the kitchen for a drink, Suzie confirmed it was past four and noted the whole cabin was silent. The older two brothers had just headed out and the rest of them must be hiding somewhere. Thirst quenched, Suzie slipped out the door and followed the stone path to the studio.

  The door to the studio was wide open and Suzie could hear music coming from within. It seemed a little too hard rock for Helen but this family seemed full of surprises. Stepping through the door, Suzie smelled the wet paint and looked toward a large canvas. It was unlike any of the others she had seen Helen paint. It was bright, yet dark, emotional and simple. It was one hand covering another, but it went deeper, with the color adding texture and layer. Suzie was entranced by it and was only half done. Behind her a door opened and a shadow moved behind her. Suzie turned smiling. Her mouth dropped into an oh of surprise as Jeff, covered in paint, walked up behind her.

  “You’re not Helen,” Suzie said slowly, looking from Jeff to the painting and back.

  “Not even close,” Jeff said, picking up his palette and brush and adding to the painting. “She has not been out here yet today.”

  “You painted this?” Suzie asked, in awe.

  “I am painting it, yeah.” Jeff looked at her puzzled. “Can you not tell anyone you saw me out here though? No one but Mom knows I paint. It is not something I like to share.”

  Suzie was surprised by the question as Jeff had not seemed like the type to care what others thought. Nor did he seem like the expressive artist type, come to think of it. “Sorry, yeah. I can go. I was just here to meet Helen,” Suzie said, backing towards the door.

  “No, Mom told me you’d be here. I meant to leave earlier, just got carried away.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” Suzie said, gasping again at the beauty and raw emotion of the painting.

  Jeff laughed and stared at her. “Well come on then, the other easel is still set up; you are here to paint aren’t you?”

  Suzie nodded and stepped in front of the easel she was using the previous day. She could feel Jeff standing close by though she could not see him. His painting was less powerful close up and provided a barrier and something to look at other than Jeff’s piercing eyes. Painting silently side by side, Suzie was nowhere near as relaxed as she had been the previous day. Wiggling with pent up energy and feeling a strange new vibe from Jeff, Suzie was uncomfortable. It was an arousing discomfort that made her squirm and reminded her vaguely of her dream the first night she stayed here. Biting her lip and forcing herself to look at her painting, she argued with herself about what she was feeling.

  Finally, too riled up to sit still, Suzie crossed the room for a drink of water. Now, standing behind Jeff she did not feel quite so out of breath. She watched him paint and was fascinated by how graceful his thick fibrous arms were as he danced the brush strokes on the canvas. He turned and caught her watching him. She froze as he stared into her eyes, turning the light tickle inside her into a wave of urgent desire. Jeff stretched, still looking at her and stepped back to put down his brush, then he walked over to her. Suzie forced herself to stare at the painting, shocked and unsure at what was going on inside her.

  “Hey, am I talking to myself here?” Jeff repeated his question and found Suzie completely unresponsive, focused simply on one goal. Jeff grabbed Suzie’s arm. “Are you okay?”

  A shock of electricity surged through both of them as Suzie was able to murmur, “Yes.”

  Moving in front of Suzie he put one arm on either side of her, pinning her to the wall. Jeff lowered his gaze, his dark eyes meeting hers. “What are you doing to me?” he growled, his voice low and close.

  Suzie licked her lips. She could hear his deep breathing inches away from her, she could feel his heat and smell him but above all else was this electric current drawing her to him. He was all wrong but she wanted him to make her his. A small moan escaped her lips and she brought her hand to her mouth. Still, with no movement but the eyes, Jeff seemed to be having an internal struggle. His breathing got deeper and Suzie moved her hand to touch his face. Moving his face, he kissed her hand and then pushed it aside with his cheek. Stepping closer, Jeff kissed her forehead, smelling her hair and then tilting her face to meet his; he kissed her hard on the mouth and pushed her up against the wall. Suzie opened her mouth, her tongue seeking and exploring his mouth. Pulling away with a gasp, she whispered, “No.”

  Standing still, Jeff didn’t move. He stood with an arm on either side of her, keeping Suzie pinned to the wall. Her eyes were wide and unsure, like a deer in the headlights. Her mind was panicking, what was she doing here? What was Jeff doing here? He knew she was with Jared, why had he kissed her? Wait, didn’t she touch him first and what was this strong underlying current, sizzling between them? Suzie took a breath.

  At that moment, there were footsteps coming up to the studio. Jeff stepped away from her and turned to the door. Helen entered, flushed and out of breath.

  “What are you still doing here?” she asked him, and then she spotted the painting he had been working on and gasped. Grabbing his arm, she dragged him over to it. “Jeff. This is amazing. You have a natural raw talent. Why don’t you paint more? Come out here more often, or better yet go to Jacquie’s studio in the city, she…”

  Jeff cut her off. “Enough Mom. Nobody knows I paint except you and it is going to stay that way. Besides, Suzie has been waiting over an hour for you so I am going to leave you two alone.”

  “Gosh, Suzie I did not even see you
there, I assumed I missed you. I am so sorry.” While Helen explained to Suzie why she was late, Jeff gathered his things to leave.

  “I was not here today. Got it?” he told them both.

  “If you insist, but we are not done talking about this,” Helen said sternly. Suzie could only nod, her mouth agape as he walked out the door.

  Instead of painting, Suzie helped Helen clean the studio, put away paint and brushes. All the while, Helen showed Suzie artwork and chatted about painting, nonchalantly describing Jeff as a tough guy with the soul of an artist, though he tried to bury it. Suzie smiled and responded when appropriate, or she tried to. Inside she was freaking out and wanted to run. If only she would have walked away when she saw Helen was not there. If only she had not touched him, kissed him. Trembling as she thought of that kiss, of his muscled arms holding her captive, she mumbled something about needing some fresh air and went outside.

  Suzie walked down the trail behind the studio. After she had distanced herself and was surrounded by trees, she sat on a log. Gasping deep breaths she tried to regain her composure. In a minute she would have to make her way back to the house for supper. After supper, Jared was taking her somewhere special. How could she tell him she kissed Jeff? How could she hurt him? Standing up quickly, Suzie jogged a short distance for an energy release, knowing she had to face everyone; she turned around and walked back the way she came.

  At the edge of the yard, she could see everyone gathering around the outside table to eat. After giving herself a pep talk, she walked up to join them. Jared smiled and patted the spot next to him for her to sit down. Obliging, she sat and asked him about his day. Holding her hand, he talked about his hike and encouraged her to eat a big meal because she would need it for their adventure. Suzie tried but could hardly eat a bite. It did not help that Jeff sat across from her, his outstretched legs under the table bumped hers sending a jolt of electricity through her body. Looking unfazed, he smiled and joked with everyone and had one arm around Candy who had finally left her room.

  After supper, Jared and Suzie changed into hiking attire and she followed him down another trail that curved steeply uphill. Suzie was silent as she tried to find a way to tell Jared what happened. She had promised not to talk about Jeff’s painting so that made the truth even more difficult. But why was he keeping it a secret from his twin brother? Surely Jeff didn’t expect her to keep it from Jared. Was that it? Was the kiss a sibling rivalry thing? That must be it. They competed over everything. Suzie sighed with relief. Surely, she was not the first girl they fought over.

  Another ten minutes and they had reached the summit. The sun was just beginning to set and the rocks provided a cozy shelter. Jared set his bag down and spread out a blanket. Sitting on it with his legs spread, Jared pulled her down to him. She sunk into his chest and he wrapped her in his arms. Breathing in his distinct scent she settled in and relaxed. His arms tight around her made her feel safe and she closed her mind to all other thoughts. The safety, security and trust she had for Jared were immeasurable. He was her rock. The sky turned brilliant pink and orange as the sun dipped low in the horizon. Jared held her as they quietly watched the sky illuminate the hills and valley below them.

  “This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” As she said it, a picture of Jeff’s painting flashed in her mind and she shook it away. “I love this place.”

  “And I love you,” Jared said holding her hand in his. “I have never brought anyone up here before and I wanted to share it with you because I love you.”

  Suzie’s mouth dropped open and her heart hit her stomach. Jared had never said those words before, no one had ever told Suzie they loved her. Feeling like a traitor, she looked down and stammered, “Oh Jared. I. Love you too.” She said it because she had to, because there he was bringing her to the most awe-inspiring place she had ever seen. Opening up to her and treating her like royalty, he was a dream come true. Suzie had never said those words to anyone before and maybe she meant it. She was not sure what love is supposed to feel like.

  Grabbing her tight, he kissed her until she kissed back. The heat of his lips warmed her and she could almost forget everything else. This was her Jared. He cared for her, protected her and apparently loved her. This was her future, not horny Jeff who was just trying to compete with Jared or piss him off.

  The first stars twinkled in the sky before Jared said they had to head back. And still Suzie had not said a word about her and Jeff’s interaction. They walked down the hill listening to the night time forest come alive. Jared led with his flashlight and Suzie followed, the lump in her throat growing. She felt like she lost her chance to be honest and was now hiding something from the man who loved her. Back at the yard, Jared pulled her in beside him, wrapping an arm around her waist. He asked her why she was so quiet and she explained that she was just tired from all the excitement. Still when they reached the deck, they sat down to talk with Jared’s mom and dad.

  Not noticing Suzie’s despondency, the conversation flowed as Jared rambled about what a great time they had had. Helen invited them back, just the two of them so they could paint and hike and enjoy some quiet time. Jared’s dad agreed, and was eager to see more of them. Suzie felt like her chance to tell Jared had disappeared. While Jared talked with his parents, Suzie resolved to never talk about it again. Jeff did not paint, so he was not in the studio, so nothing happened. Happily convinced she could talk herself out of the attraction she felt towards Jeff, she leaned on Jared’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

  “You two better get to bed,” Helen insisted. “Suzie looks like she is about to drop and you guys have a big day ahead of you.”

  “Yes, goodnight you two,” Jared’s dad said.

  They walked back to their room holding hands. Jared stopped at the back door to kiss her gently on the lips. Together they descended into the basement. Upon opening the door, they heard the television blaring and saw Jeff and Candy on the couch watching a movie. More accurately, there was a movie playing while they fooled around on the couch. Candy stopped kissing Jeff and looked up giggling. Jeff sat up and looked at them.

  “Our turn to walk in on you, I guess,” Jared said with a laugh that sounded lighthearted and carefree.

  Jeff said nothing until Jared said goodnight, then he responded with the same words. As they started to walk away, Jeff started kissing Candy again, but his eyes were on Suzie. Her heart began to race and she felt bitterness towards Candy. It angered her that those full lips and gruff beard were touching her. Stop it. She reminded herself. He means nothing to you. She repeated those words until she was settled into bed with Jared.

  Kissing her shoulder and sliding up next to her, Jared whispered in her ear, “Thank you for sharing this with me today. I love you.”

  “It was great,” Suzie said, trying to return the enthusiasm when all she felt was confusion. “I love you too.” She said it again to cover her uncertainty. Then over-exaggerating how tired she felt, she convinced Jared to let her fall asleep in his arms.

  He agreed and tenderly held her, though she was awake long after he fell asleep. Her eyes were closed but her brain was running full steam, replaying everything that happened that day. It would have been a perfect weekend if Jeff had not ruined it. And of course she had her part in it by not telling Jared what had happened. Now, she was guilty by omission. He had told her he loves her and she lied to him. She felt awful.

  In the morning, they were up and gone before anyone else. It was a long drive and they were going straight to work. Helen had programmed the coffee maker to turn on so they had steaming hot coffee to go with them. As they drove away and Suzie warmed from the inside out with the coffee, she began to feel better. The further they got from the cabin the better she felt. Things would go back to normal now and she could forget what happened. Jared did not see his family often and it should be doable to avoid Jeff as much as possible. Once they got back to work, friends, and life she would forget this lingering desire and random flash
es of shirtless Jeff. The painting he created, the darkness in his eyes and the way it felt to touch him. That was just lust playing on her fear of commitment she told herself. It was Jared she wanted. He looked over and she smiled at him as he continued to share more detail about the epic paintball game and how great of a weekend it was.

  “Oh yeah, and Jeff is going to be coming out next week to stay with me for a while. He has a contract for some carpentry work and since it is only two weeks it makes sense for him to stay with me. Mom said you got to know him a bit more. I know he is rough but he means well. And he said he is looking forward to spending time with both of us,” Jared said.

  Coming back to work after a long weekend was always difficult. Suzie however was looking forward to the distraction. It had been a quiet car ride home and she could only use the excuse about being tired for so long. Eventually she would have to figure out what to do, especially if Jared’s brother really was coming to town.

  Putting distance from the incident, and sitting back at her desk, catching up on emails, Suzie was feeling less stressed. Yes, she had lied but it was to protect Jared. She did not want him to get hurt over something that should have never happened. And, as soon as she got the chance, she would tell Jeff to never speak a word of it to Jared. Everything could move forward just fine and she and Jared would…would what. Well they loved each other, so they would continue building a relationship and help each other with their careers because that is what couples did. An image of Jeff shirtless, then touching her flashed across her mind and Suzie slammed her head onto her desk.

  “Super excited to be back at work, I can tell,” Laura joked as she walked to the cubicle next to her and sat down. “You are needed in the conference room fifteen minutes prior to the monthly operations meeting. Betty asked me to tell you.”