The Romance Challenge, Complete Series Box Set: BBW Hot Alpha Billionaire Romance

by Sterling, Arlanna

  "Come on in. Whatcha you got there? It looks heavy."

  "Ice cream. It makes everything better. Should we sample some now? While you tell me all about Robert?"

  I laughed, and got two bowls and spoons from the kitchen, and we sat at the dining table. "Word gets around fast. What did you hear?"

  "Just that he showed up drunk and started trouble with you and Nathan. Then Nathan wrestled him to the ground and stopped him from punching you."

  "Something like that. Not so dramatic. He came at me and Nathan grabbed him, but I don't believe he would have punched me. He was pretty messed up and sad. Do you know Robert?"

  "Kind of. We've been out with other people and had drinks. He wasn't expecting his mom to die so soon, I guess. Tough on him. Is he in big trouble?"

  "Nathan says no. I don't think his supervisor will come down too hard on him."

  "Glad to hear. Poor guy doesn't need any more shit. But on to the juicy stuff. Like you and Nathan." She raised her eyebrows.

  "There is no me and Nathan, I told you."

  "Oh, come on. He leaps to defend you from a crazed attacker and you still don't want him?"

  "Didn't we already have this conversation? About guys like Nathan and girls like me?"

  Chris put down her spoon and pulled out her phone. "Let me show you something. I don't share this with too many people, but I like you, and I'm pretty sure you can keep your mouth shut. This is the last picture of my husband and me two years ago. We're in Paris."

  "You were married?"

  "Briefly."

  I took the phone. "Wow, Paris. Is that a Lamborghini next to you?"

  "Yep. Alexander liked cars."

  "Liked? You're divorced, I take it?"

  "No, I'm a young widow. He died."

  "I'm so sorry."

  "Don't be. We had a great three years together." She flipped through a few more pictures. "Here we are, skiing in Switzerland. He loved sports and anything outdoors."

  "Looks like he loved you too." I studied the picture more closely. "Good Lord, I hope you got a room shortly after this shot. He's all over you."

  "He did love me, and I adored him."

  "What happened?"

  "Massive heart attack. We never saw it coming. Look at this one. We're posing like the Egyptian hieroglyphics. Aren't we cute?"

  "Adorable. So what's your point?"

  "My point is, Alexander is super-hot, wouldn't you agree?"

  "For sure."

  "This super-hot, super-rich guy chose me, to marry. He would come in the restaurant where I was a hostess, with these gorgeous women, who spent a huge amount of time in the bathroom fussing with their faces and hair. And putting his money up their noses. They'd be all laughing and playing around, but I could see he wasn't really having a good time."

  She flipped through her phone again, staring fondly. "So one day, he came in alone and I started talking to him. Really talking, about everyday stuff. And listening to what he said. He began coming in alone more often, at the end of my shift, and insisting I have dinner or a drink with him. We'd go out, somewhere quiet where no one knew who he was. Little diners, places like that. I asked him about his life, when he was a kid, and told him stories about me. We would sit and laugh, have a good time with each other."

  Her voice caught slightly, and I put my hand on hers. "We ended up in bed together and after that, well, Cupid shot his arrow good and hard, right into my big butt. I fell for him, but thought the same thing you do. He'd never want a hostess for a girlfriend. I was so far out of his class. But I enjoyed his company and kept seeing him. After we started doing the naughty, he stopped coming to the restaurant. I figured he didn't want me to watch him with his other women. Turns out, he quit screwing around with anyone but me, and old Cupid got him too. He took me to New York one weekend, got down on his knee, and proposed to me at the top of the Statue of Liberty. Close to the stars, he said."

  "Awww." My eyes teared up. "That's so romantic. Um, I don't want to get all personal, but if you were married to this wealthy guy…"

  "Why am I working at a resort?" She sighed. "Turns out Alexander had issues with the IRS. Big issues. When I realized there was a problem with the money and the will, I sold a bunch of my jewelry, ran away from home, came to Key Largo, drank and partied myself into oblivion for two months. Then I took Prozac and cried for Alexander for another month. After I decided to get my head out of my ass, I looked around and realized how beautiful this place is. I went home, took care of details, moved down here and got a job."

  She grabbed the carton and scooped another spoonful of ice cream into her bowl. "Don't worry, I don't have any nasty germs. The sugar in this stuff kills them anyway."

  "Sure it does." I followed her example.

  "So, the lesson here is, Alexander liked me for me. My curves, my personality, the whole package. I never dreamed I'd be married to a guy like that. He wanted something I had; not money, not movie-star looks. Like Nathan does with you. Don't shake your head at me. You want him; I hear it in your voice, and I'm pretty sure he's got a thing for you. Guys get tired of that silly-girl chatter at some point and want a woman with substance. In the body and mind." She raised her fist. "If you want him, you go get him, girl."

  "Wow, remind me to feed you ice cream the next time I need a revolution planned. Thanks for the pep talk. I've got to get going. More employees to meet and greet."

  "Think about what I said."

  "I will."

  "And be nice to me. One day, if a miracle occurs and the IRS and my lawyers get their shit together, I might end up with big bucks."

  I put our bowls in the sink, hugged Chris goodbye, and headed over to the main building. When I approached the Reef room, Nathan was already there. I stopped at the entrance and caught my breath. He sat, illuminated be a few flickering candles, staring at his laptop intently, and twirling one of those expensive pens.

  Lord, he looked good. Memories of our time together in bed flowed over me. The way he gazed so deep into my eyes, like he saw my soul. The feel of his lips on mine, his hands caressing my skin. The way he took his time, making sure I was satisfied before he indulged himself. Was I being an idiot, pushing him aside?

  He noticed me and raised his head, then smiled, melting my insides. I took a quick postcard picture. No one had ever looked at me that way before, with such passion and longing, mixed with tenderness. Heat spread through my body, starting at my core, making me wet. The fire moved up, and I knew he'd see it in my face, knew my cheeks would be pink as a bougainvillea any minute.

  Don't blush. Think about spreadsheets, taxes, root canals. Nathan was perceptive. He'd figure out exactly what naughty little thoughts filled my mind. Like how much I wanted to cross the room, straddle his lap, and bury my tongue in his mouth. Litter boxes, traffic tickets, ice storms.

  I squared my shoulders and went to him. Not too close. "I thought we'd go over a few more of my notes, while we wait for employees to show up."

  "I've got a better idea. How about a game of cards?" He tapped a deck sitting on the table.

  Cards?

  "What kind of game?"

  "Any chance I could interest you in strip poker?" That cocky smile. He knew what I'd been thinking.

  I turned and hung my purse on the back of a chair. Had to hide my face for another minute till the color disappeared. "Not the slightest."

  "Then we'll play gin. Do you know how?"

  "I haven't in a long time." I sat down. "Deal them out. I'm sure it will come back to me."

  It did, and we had fun, taking turns winning games. I managed to lasso my libido and just enjoy his company, like before we got naked with each other. How nice it would be, to have a guy at home, to hang out in the evening doing lots of nothing. One whose rhythm matched my own. A guy like Nathan. What did he do in his spare time? As much as he worked, maybe he didn't have any. Maybe he was enjoying this slight interlude from life as much as I was.

  The stereo picked up a radio station playin
g smooth jazz music, and we nibbled on the sandwiches and chips. A pleasant, easy-going evening. Until my damn curiosity got the best of me. I blame Chris's story, the mellow music, and the relaxing vibes in the room for making me open my big mouth.

  "Why didn't you grow up with your sibling?" I wanted to pull the words back in as soon as they were out, but it was too late.

  Nathan jerked his head up from studying his cards and stared at me, his brows drawn together. "It's a long story."

  "I told you about my sister, tell me about yours. Or do you have a brother?"

  "Sister." He went back to looking at his cards.

  I should leave it alone, but I couldn't. I wanted to learn more about Nathan. "Come on, you know about my family. Tell me your story."

  He tapped a finger on the table and drew another card. I figured he planned to ignore me but then he looked up. "I already told you, both my parents are dead now. My mom took off when we were kids and my dad raised me, most of my life. Karen, my sister, went to live with other relatives. She had health problems and Dad couldn't handle her. He barely managed me. So, I didn't grow up with a sister."

  "But you see her now?"

  "Yes."

  He wanted to say more. I sensed he struggled between revealing too much of himself, and the overwhelming need to share. "It must have been hard, having your sister leave you when you were a kid."

  He looked at me, and those beautiful eyes shone with pain. "I didn't understand what was happening. I only knew that Mom was gone, Dad was angry, and Karen wasn't there to read me a story at night."

  I wanted to reach out and touch him, to take away the sorrow. But I didn't. He needed to talk at his own pace.

  "Until Tanya came along, I never wanted to take a chance on being hurt like that again. I had no serious relationships, all those years growing up. After her, after I let myself fall in love and fall over the edge, I swore it wouldn't happen again. Until you."

  My turn to drop my gaze to the cards in my hand. Shit. My heart started racing. I guess I asked for this. Why didn't I just play it safe, inquire if he had a dog or something? Because I wanted to know Nathan, wanted to learn more about this guy I desired.

  "I wasn't digging for compliments."

  "I understand."

  "My life is a mess right now. I can't have you in it."

  "And I told you I would respect that. But I want you to understand, I'm not just coming on to you, as a onetime fling. I feel something deep for you, and I'm willing to risk getting hurt again to find out what it is."

  Shit, shit, shit. The raw emotion pouring from him nearly drowned me. I so wanted to believe him, to go to him, to lose myself in his warmth. I looked up, not sure I could resist that compelling, magnetic gaze of his without either bursting into tears or tearing off my clothes.

  "How are you holding out with ice?"

  We both jumped and turned towards the front of the room. A server from Water's Edge stood in the doorway.

  Nathan rose. "We're fine, thank you."

  "I was on my way out, thought I'd check. Say, you got any more of those tuna sandwiches? Man, that is the best. We need to get the recipe for here."

  "Help yourself." I gestured to the food, then stood also and walked to greet the man, needing to pull myself away from the spell Nathan wound around me.

  As I chatted with the employee and handed him food, I watched Nathan pack up the cards and his laptop. He joined us at the front of the room and turned to the man.

  "Please wait a few minutes, and walk with Amber back to Water's Edge." He took my arm and pulled me aside, creating flashes of heat where he touched. "There's only one other person who hasn't been by to meet and greet that's on this shift. I'll go find him, give him a sandwich and his raffle envelope. You lock up here, put the rest of this stuff back in the café and wait for me at the restaurant. I'll walk with you to your suite."

  "You don't have to."

  "No, I want you to wait at the café. Someone has made an effort find out where you are. You need to be cautious. I'll be there shortly to take you to your room."

  "Fine." I loaded up the cart and walked with the server back to the restaurant.

  But I didn't wait at Water's Edge. I had no desire to stand around the place, talking to the late-night staff, watching the happy people on vacation. I put the food away quickly, then strolled to my suite, enjoying the cool breeze that played with my hair and made me hug my jacket around my body tight. I wanted to be alone for a while, to take a walk and stick my toes in the water, to enjoy this last taste of paradise.

  Back in my room, I flung my purse on the couch, then opened one of my windows, inviting the breeze to blow through. It smelled so good here! If someone bottled this scent, they'd be rich. I started towards the closet to grab a heavier shirt for my walk.

  A noise from the bathroom stopped me in my tracks. An ice-cube chill ran along my spine. Probably nothing. Only the pipes creaking. But my intuition screamed at me.

  Danger!

  I took a quiet step backwards. I'd go to the main building, call Nathan, have him come back here with me. No doubt I'd get a safety lecture, but I could deal with that.

  My phone. I patted my pants. Not in my pocket, in my purse. Over there, on the couch.

  Get out!

  Okay, I'd use the phone at the front desk. Leave my purse here. Another creaking sound. The hair on the back of my neck stood up and walking backwards, not taking my eyes off the hallway to the bathroom, I eased towards the door. Another step, then a clattering noise as I ran into a chair. Damn. I wheeled around to look behind me and when I turned back I yelped. A man stood at the edge of the hallway, my angel statue in his hand.

  "Hello Amber. Nice to see you again."

  My heart pounded. Again? Did I know this guy? He wore jeans, a t-shirt and a leather jacket, and looked to be in his mid-fifties. Maybe older. Grey streaked his beard and hair.

  He moved toward me. "You probably don't remember me. I used to work with your dad. I met you girls once when you were little. You grew up nice."

  He looked me up and down and I tasted bile in my mouth. "What are you doing here?"

  "I came to ask you about this." He held up the statue, then put it on the counter separating the kitchen from the living area. "And this little item that your dad stuck inside of it." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a flash drive.

  Ah-ha, that's what the figurine hid. The empty base was the perfect size to conceal a small thumb drive.

  "I don't know anything, about either one." I took another step backward. How fast would he move? I could open the door, get out quick, but in my sandals, he'd likely catch me if I ran. I'd yell. Someone would hear me.

  "I think maybe you do know something. You obviously wanted this statue since you had it sent to you here on your vacation. You're not decorating a rental room."

  "I'm not on vacation, I'm working. I had the statue sent here because a friend saw it in that pawn shop and recognized it as the one thing stolen when Michelle was attacked. Did you do that? Hit my sister?"

  Anger replaced fear, and I stepped towards him.

  "Yeah, I hit her. Not hard. She surprised me. I saw you leave the house, the lights were down, I thought the place was empty." The man tapped the drive. "I pulled this out of that damn statue, tried to open the file. Sean put a password on it. Want to share?"

  "I don't have any idea what password Dad used." Fists clenched, I tried to slow my heart. As much as I wanted to tear into this man, I had to stay calm. "What's in the file?"

  "That's what I need to find out. If I'm not mistaken, the answer to a puzzle." He advanced, and I moved another step back.

  "What kind of puzzle?"

  "Nothing you need to worry about. You're sure you've never seen this before? Never opened it?"

  "No. Never. Why would my dad leave a password protected flash drive with Michelle? She didn't realize it was in the statue. None of us did."

  He sighed and leaned on the counter, allowing his ja
cket to open slightly and reveal a gun holster. I clamped my teeth to keep them from shaking.

  "Sean ripped me off, and I'm pretty damn sure the information about the money he stole is on this drive."

  "What are you talking about? You're wrong. Dad wasn't a thief. He didn't steal any money."

  Did he? I thought I knew him, but then, I never thought he'd abandon us, his family. He did though, easy enough, with another woman. And soon after, left us altogether.

  "Let me tell you a little story." The man hitched one butt cheek onto a stool. More relaxed, but still in position to chase me if I ran.

  "Your dad, myself, and two other guys came across a big wad of cash. Dirty money, obtained illegally. We found it a lot, working our cases. Most of the time that shit hangs around as evidence for years, then eventually gets put into a government fund. Maybe we get a little for our department, buy a few new copy machines. Whoopee." He twirled a finger in the air.

  "This stash we turned up one day, huge. Obscenely huge. Made us cry to think about it going to waste. So we grab wads of bills, hide them away. Going to be smart, and wait a few years before we have at it, not start spending it like crazy and draw attention to ourselves."

  He shifted position and his fist tightened around the flash drive. "One night, year or so later, we're playing cards, Sean gets his mouth running. He's remarried by then, to that blond piece of fluff. What's her name?"

  "Piece of fluff is fine." Yeah, my stepmom and I didn't get along.

  He smiled, a cold smile that didn't come anywhere near his eyes. "So Fluffy, she's apparently shown him the evil of his ways. He took the money, he told us, gave it all to charities. Says it's blood money and if we spend it, we'll be cursed."

  "I'm, uh, sorry for your loss. So why are you here?"

  "Because Sean fucking lied!" He pounded the counter, and I jumped. "He stole that money, I know it. And wherever your dad hid it, he put it on this drive."

  "How can you be so sure? And why are you just now going after the drive? Dad's been dead for years."

  "We did everything but torture Sean to tell us where he put the stash. He kept saying, he didn't have it. The money was given away. A week after he lays that crap on us, he drops dead from a stroke."