Resident Billionaire

by Cheryl Phipps

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Resident Billionaire

  Cheryl Phipps

  Copyright © 2017 by Cheryl Phipps

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Resident Billionaire

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Thank You

  About the Author

  Restless Billionaire

  Reluctant Billionaire

  Also by the Author

  Resident Billionaire

  Is loyalty worth more than love?

  Worlds apart, Caris Knight has fallen in love with the cowboy. It can’t work—there’s too much opposition, with the tall fair-haired Texan being the biggest obstacle of all. But Caris is used to obstacles, and she’s not made for giving up.

  Andy loves the Knights. When he was orphaned they saved him in too many ways to count. After a stint in the army he came home to see that the baby of the family was all grown up, and the mutual dislike had morphed into something he couldn’t comprehend, or deal with.

  Now the diminutive beauty is on his mind day and night, and she’s doing her best to make sure that’s how it stays.

  Chapter One

  The crowd stood and cheered as Caris finished her speech. She felt flushed with excitement and pride. Finally, she was a doctor. Well, she would be once she’d finished her residency, but right now it felt like she was on top of the world.

  As she walked down from the stage she searched for her family. There they were, two rows back, beaming right along with her. Her mother, her brother Ben and his girlfriend Jenna, her sister Sarah with her partner Christian, who held their baby, William. The twins, Evan and Matt, were in the row behind with their partners, Macy and Aimee. And most importantly—Andy.

  The tall Texan stood at the back of the pack as they made their way towards her, his ever-present Stetson grasped in one hand. He gave her a smile as she got near, and her heart skipped a beat. If he was a movie star he’d be a shoo-in to play Thor. All that was missing was the flowing blond hair. Not that his short cut, a legacy from time in the army, wasn’t just as attractive.

  Congratulations and hugs followed which was nice, but wasn’t what she was waiting for. Or rather, who.

  At six foot seven, he towered above everyone in her family, which meant next to her, he was an absolute giant. She measured barely five foot four, something the others had mercilessly teased her about all her life.

  Andy’s face, usually so impassive, came alive when she joined them. The Stetson passed backwards and forwards between his hands, a sign he was nervous, and something she hadn’t witnesses for years.

  In truth, she hadn’t noticed Andy until she’d turned sixteen—when she saw him for the first time in his army uniform. That day he hadn’t looked like the wild kid he’d been. He was all grown up, and her feelings had shifted gear.

  Right now, as she watched those huge hands, all she could think about was how much she wanted them on her. In those hands, you would be safe. She shook herself at the odd sentiment. As a Knight, she was already safe and ’certainly didn’t need a man to make it so. With the family talking amongst themselves, she watched Andy make his way to her side.

  “Well done, Caris. You must be happy now that part’s over with?” His voice, so deep that it sent shivers up her spine, was quiet. He didn’t raise it unless he had to, but the way he spoke to her made her feel as if they were the only two people there.

  She swallowed hard. “I’m always happy.”

  “I’ve—we’ve hardly seen you this last year.”

  Had he missed her then? She doubted it, not with all the goings on with this mad family of hers. Weddings turned to chaos, unplanned babies, and everyone finding their soul mates. Except for her and Andy. Did he feel it too? A sudden divide, where the others were going their own way.

  “Studying is hard work, and I’ve been trying to help out with Knight Industries when I can, but my free time is limited.”

  “I can imagine, especially after seeing some of those books you carry around. So, what now for Doctor Knight?”

  She smiled. “I don’t think I’ll get tired of hearing that. I have offers I’m considering, but Mom’s suggested some time off. I can’t argue with needing a rest, but I’m also ready to begin my residency and I haven’t decided where.”

  “You deserve a break. Coming top of the class surely means any decent hospital would have you when you’re ready.”

  She blushed, never comfortable with praise or attention. Which was lucky, because when it came to her siblings, who were loud and forceful, she often took a back seat. It was simply a matter of who could talk the loudest and say the most, that ensured the winner in most debates. Something she didn’t care enough about to participate in.

  “The options I have are pretty good. I’ll make up my mind while I’m on vacation.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Where will you go?”

  “I don’t know yet. Maybe to Heaven Bay to see Evan and Macy’s marina. Paris? New Zealand? The possibilities are endless.”

  Andy was about to comment when her mother touched her arm.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but we should get home since we have a party organized for our Doctor Caris Knight.”

  Andy nodded. “I guess we can’t keep people waiting for the star of the show. Can I give you a ride?”

  Any other time she would have been more than willing. Darn the man, today of all days he had to ask her that. “No thanks, I have my car, and the class wants a photo of us all.”

  “Of course.” The humor bled from his expression and he lifted a hand in brief farewell. “I’ll see you at home.”

  She swallowed a sigh as she watched his departing back. He was so handsome, so good—and so annoying. Every woman’s eyes were on him as he walked through the crowd. His fair hair and broad shoulders, which no one seemed immune to, drew many appreciative glances. Even men admired him or wanted to be him.

  The drawl and casual manner belied his sharp mind and sharper reflexes. Growing up with him had been both pleasure and pain. Not that she’d ever thought of him as a brother, unlike Ben and the twins. To her, he’d been Ben’s best friend, the angry kid with the foul mouth who’d eventually come to live with them.

  Right up until that day, when he’d walked inside the house and she’d looked up from a biology book to see him duck to get into the room. In uniform, his sun-kissed skin and body had filled out in all the right places into that of a man. All bets that she could remain as aloof as she previously had been were off.

  When the family dissipated she was left with her fellow doctors.

  “Caris, we’re off to a restaurant after the photos. Do you want to join us?”

  Kane was a nice guy, and he’
d made it more than obvious he was interested in a relationship, but she’d never been attracted to any man the way she was to Andy. He’d spoilt things for her in more than one respect. Except for a few kisses and preliminary stuff, Caris was a novice in all things sexual.

  She lifted her voice to address the whole group. “Sorry, I can’t. My family has a big party waiting for me.” She was genuinely sorry. They’d spent an enormous amount of time together over the last few years and it didn’t feel right to finish this way. “You’re all welcome to come by later.” She knew her family would be happy to have her friends join in the celebration.

  They let out whoops and cheers, excited by the prospect of a party, especially one at Knight Stables. She blushed furiously, and Kane stepped forward, an odd glint in his eyes.

  “That sounds like a plan. Thanks for inviting me.”

  She wasn’t prepared for his hug and found herself trapped in the embrace for longer than seemed appropriate. Even when he moved back, he held on to her arms for a bit longer, gazing into her eyes.

  “I can’t believe it’s over. Now comes the good stuff,” he winked down at her.

  “Let’s hope so.” She had her suspicions about what good stuff he was referring to, and it had nothing to do with work.

  He seemed reluctant to let her leave, even after the photos were taken, where he’d stood as close to her as he could, and now felt glued to her side, even as the rest of the group said their goodbyes. She was seriously regretting her invitation.

  “I have to get going. I hope you all have a fabulous night and remember if you’re still functioning, come by Knight Stables. I’m sure the party will go all night.” She called after them, hoping Kane would take the hint.

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” he insisted.

  When they got to her bright blue Ford Focus and she’d unlocked the door, he surprised her once more when he took her arm and spun her quickly. She was so unprepared that she couldn’t react when his lips smashed down on hers. The kiss was both hard and awkward, and thankfully over in seconds.

  “Sorry.” His grin belied his words. “Guess it’s the excitement.” He stooped down and picked up the keys she wasn’t aware she’d dropped. He wrapped her fingers around them, and casually said, “I’ll see you later.”

  He looked back and waved as she collapsed into the car. What the heck? They’d been friends as a group for four years, and he hadn’t done anything like that before. Sure, he’d made insinuations about them being more once they’d qualified, but she’d previously managed to block him. She’d been polite about it. Maybe that was the problem.

  She rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, feeling a little grossed out. Still, she wasn’t injured, and he hadn’t tried anything else. Caris shut and locked the door as a shiver crept up her spine, and not in a nice way.

  Home had never sounded better.

  Chapter Two

  Watching Caris collect her diploma and give her speech on behalf of the class had filled Andy with a rush of affection. Perhaps something more, but he wasn’t going there.

  Then witnessing her wrapped around a young doctor who clearly thought he was the coolest thing since the icebox was invented made his blood boil. He wanted to whack the guy. Not in a permanent, dead way, but a get your hands off my …? Sister. Hell no. They had no blood ties. None at all. He knew he was being overly dramatic in his mental protestations, but the alternative was despicable.

  When Andy came to live with the Knights, he was fourteen and Caris, eight. He was mixed-up and angry. She was focused and serious even then. He had no time for a nerdy child, and she, for the most part, ignored him.

  It didn’t matter back then. He and Ben were best friends from the first day he entered the classroom of his new school, and they spent every moment they could together. Plus, Eloise, the Knight matriarch, treated him like part of the family, which was lucky considering he’d been at Knight Stables more than he was at his own home.

  When his father had died, Eloise had fought the system to have Andy come live with them permanently. She and Ben had saved him in different ways from what surely would have been a life wasted. Maybe it wasn’t right, but the relief he’d felt at being an orphan had been immense. Unfortunately, it had also made him wilder.

  A stint in the army at eighteen had been the perfect career choice. No one had argued against it and he’d been gone for most of the next five years. When he came home, Caris was seventeen. Still focused, but a little less serious, and totally hot.

  She no longer ignored him. In fact, she followed him around like a groupie, until he’d told her to get lost. He’d had to do it to save his soul from eternal damnation in case he acted on the things he wanted to do to her. Her delectable body and full generous lips drew him like he was a divining rod and she was the water he desperately needed.

  Luckily, Caris took him at his word. Soon after, she found an apartment closer to the hospital. Then he hardly saw her. As much as he hated that, it had been necessary for both of them. When they did meet at family or work dinners for Knight Industries, she reverted to the aloofness she’d treated him with all those years ago. The rub was that each time he saw her, she somehow seemed more beautiful and just as unobtainable.

  He clenched his fists. Caris was not for him. When was he going to get it through his thick head?

  After the army, a private security company had seemed the logical step, and he’d studied hard to have the brains to match his brawn and to make it successful. Over the years, he’d managed to save the money he earned, but not enough to start a business.

  The family was waiting in the car park. He had the keys to the company limousine and was driving them all back to Knight Stables. When the rest piled into the back, Ben took the seat beside him.

  “You okay, Andy? You look more serious than usual,” he half-joked.

  “All good here, buddy. Sorry to make you wait. I was checking on Caris.”

  Ben laughed. “For goodness sake, she’s twenty-four, been living away from home for years, and is more than capable of organizing herself.”

  Andy checked that the window behind him was up before he answered.

  “True, but the world’s not a good place right now. People you think are okay can be a nightmare.” He knew it must sound crazy to someone like Ben, but you couldn’t fight for your country and see the things he’d seen without it changing you.

  Ben looked at Andy like he was talking another language. It happened a lot these days, but it was generally when he used too much jargon in relation to the family’s well-being.

  It had been Ben’s idea to join him as a silent partner by raising most of the cash. It had seemed a great solution, but Ben found it impossible to remain silent, something Andy should have known. Since patience was not exactly a part of his character, Ben wasn’t cut out for the business. He was also stubbornly determined to be good at it. Perhaps being second-in-command of the renowned family business made him feel he had to be the best at everything.

  The siblings were all extremely competitive, with Caris the exception. She didn’t care about being top dog in the company, although she obviously had aspirations of achieving great things as a doctor, and she wasn’t a shrinking violet when it came to expressing herself if she didn’t agree with something.

  “Are you talking about anyone in particular?”

  Andy blinked, having lost his train of thought. Something that seemed to happen regularly when he was around Caris. “That Kane, guy. He follows her around like a sycophant, so I checked him out. The dude has had issues with harassing women, although nothing was ever proven. It’s enough to make me distrust him.”

  Ben looked serious. “I’m so glad you’re part of this family, and I know you’ll watch out for her.” Then he grinned, “I’m also glad those skills of yours don’t need to be used on us.”

  A heavy silence descended.

  Ben turned in his seat. “Hell, no. Tell me it isn’t so.”

  Andy didn’t
stalk the family, but those who came in contact with them were instantly a priority over his business. He’d diverted a couple of fortune hunters and scammers before they’d caused any damages, but the family didn’t need to know every detail. Even now, he concentrated on the bare facts. It helped when people didn’t want to hear some truths. “When you and Jenna started doing the wild thing I looked into the family.”

  “Her family?”

  “Yep.”

  “Who told you to do that?” Ben’s voice rose in direct proportion to his eyebrows which were knocking on his hairline.

  “No one.” He wasn’t sorry, so there was no point in pretending otherwise.

  “Well, cut it out!” Ben crossed his arms, signaling the end of the conversation with a glare.

  That look was a family trait which didn’t work on Andy anymore. He was immune to all except Eloise’s. “I can’t promise. If I need to know something, I’ll find out about it. It’s my job.”

  “How many times do I have to remind you that ‘we’ are not your job?”

  “No.” Andy couldn’t hide the fierceness he felt. “It’s not my job. It’s far more than that.”

  Ben sighed and relaxed slightly. “I know I can’t win against you when you’ve made up your mind up, but at least stop checking up on me, okay?”

  “Behave, and I won’t have to.”

  A small silence ensued before loud laughter rocked the front of the limousine. Ben never misbehaved, unless he was giving his brothers a hard time. He was solid. His wife was the only issue if he had any. Then again, all the Knights’ partners were handfuls. In a good way.