A Billionaire's Redemption

by Cindy Dees

  “Do you want me to seduce you?” Normally, he wouldn’t be so blunt with a woman. He knew the signals well enough to recognize if a woman wanted to sleep with him or not. The problem with Willa, though, was she was giving him mixed, and contradictory, signals.

  She definitely was attracted to him. And when he’d seen that dress at her front door earlier, he’d been pretty damned sure she wanted to sleep with him. But then those women—and her own mother, the bitch—had shredded her, and it was as if he’d brought an entirely different woman home from the party than the one he’d taken. This one looked like a lost little girl. Or worse, like the robot from behind her father’s shoulder at campaign appearances.

  “You haven’t answered my question,” he said to the side of her averted face.

  “I can’t,” she said in a muffled voice.

  “Why not? It’s okay to say you don’t know what you want, or not now, or hell, no. But please be honest with me.” Not that he had any business pointing fingers at anyone for being less than truthful. He wanted her in his bed so bad he could taste it.

  “I can’t answer because—” she took a deep breath and continued in a small voice “—because if I said I did want you to seduce me, you’d do it to be a gentleman and not because you actually wanted to.”

  He laughed heartily. “Honey, if I seduce you, it most certainly won’t be out of any sense of duty. And I don’t necessarily promise to be a gentleman about it.”

  Her gaze snuck up to his for an instant before sliding away. She tossed back a large gulp of her liqueur and coughed as it burned a path down her throat. He reached over to pound her back until she could breathe again.

  So. Willa Merris was interested, but too insecure to admit it. He could work with that. He could definitely work with that.

  He plucked the empty glass out of her fingers and took it over to the bar to refill it. When he returned, he was pleased to see that she had kicked off her shoes. He passed her the drink and lifted her feet onto his thigh to massage them. In moments, she was making little moaning sounds of pleasure that just about drove him out of his mind.

  “So, we’re agreed, then,” he said in a businesslike tone. “Seduction is the order of the day.”

  Another gulp and another cough. But she conspicuously failed to disagree with him. The fire crackled, and its golden light painted Willa’s exquisite features with glistening fairy dust.

  “You’ve got me at a disadvantage,” he murmured.

  She looked up at him, her blue eyes big and wide and questioning.

  “You’re arguably the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but if I tell you that, you’ll think it’s a cheesy pick-up line.”

  “I wouldn’t believe you if you said it, anyway,” she answered lightly. “I’ve seen a bunch of the women you go out with. You have sophisticated taste. I’m not in that league at all.”

  “That’s the point. You’re different. You’re...real.”

  She laughed painfully. “A real mess.”

  “Everyone’s got baggage. And most of yours isn’t of your making. For tonight, could you try to set it aside?”

  “I’d love nothing better than to do that.” She sighed. “But I don’t know how.”

  “You just need a distraction to take your mind off things.”

  “Like what?”

  Lord, she asked that so innocently. Like she truly didn’t know what he meant. An urge to be the one to show her what was possible between a man and a woman surged through him. “Dance with me.”

  “What? Here?”

  “I never got to dance with you at the ball. I owe you one.”

  Smiling, she set her glass down and rose to her feet. He relished her slenderness as he drew her into his arms in front of the fireplace.

  “Shouldn’t there be some music?” she asked. “Can’t you just tell the house to turn something on?”

  He smiled down at her. “No computers here. This is my anti-technology hideaway.”

  “This house is so different from your penthouse. And yet, it fits you as well as that place does. It’s like each one reflects a side of your personality.” She swayed lightly in his arms and he imagined what she would feel like wrapped around him.

  “So, tell me, Gabe. Do you have any other houses that reflect some other part of you?”

  “I have a beach house in Northern California. It’s all glass and stone. It’s about the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks.”

  “What part of you does it reflect?”

  He gazed down at her candidly. “My wild and primal side that connects with nature.”

  “I think I might like to see that place.”

  Her face was turned up to his, and her lips glistened softly. She so wanted to be kissed. But did he dare? Once he started kissing her, he doubted his ability to stop. Thing was, he had no idea how traumatized she was nor how to proceed with finding out.

  “Say the word, and I’ll take you there,” he murmured.

  Her eyes widened, and he belatedly realized the double entendre implicit in his comment. “I’m sorry, Will. I don’t mean to come on so strong. I know you’re scared, and God knows I don’t want to make it worse. You’re going to have to tell me what you want and don’t want.”

  “What are you talking about?” She was looking up at him like he’d grown a second head.

  “The attack, of course. You flinch every time a man touches you, and every now and then you get this rabbit-about-to-get-eaten look in your eyes.”

  She huffed in what sounded like displeasure. “But I’ve already told you, I’m not scared of you.”

  Chagrin tore through him, hot and acid. Right. He was some old guy who posed no threat to her. A favorite uncle. Damn it. His arms fell away from her and she took an alarmed step forward and grabbed his lapels.

  “What’s wrong? What did I say?” she cried out softly. “Crud. I’m so bad at this. I always mess this up. They always go away and never call again. I’m such a klutz—”

  He cut her off. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Men. I’m no good at relationships. I’m a complete freak—”

  “Stop.” He stared down at her in shock. “Willa. You’re so beautiful it hurts to look at you. You’re intelligent. Sweet. Interesting to talk to. And sexy. God, woman. You’re so hot I can barely think straight around you. If men are running away from you, it’s because they’re so intimidated by you. They don’t think they’re good enough for you. Hell, I don’t think I’m good enough for you.”

  She stared at him blankly. Like she hadn’t heard a word he said. Or maybe like she heard but didn’t believe a word of it.

  “I’m serious, Willa. You’re extraordinary. You keep saying I’m out of your league, but honey, it’s the other way around. I’m a cynical, selfish, forty-year-old oil man with enough money to buy sex, but with no real friends. I’m a hard-ass businessman most of the time, and a workaholic to boot.”

  “Anything else?” she asked.

  He glared at her obvious skepticism. “I’m serious.”

  “Okay. But if you’ll forgive me for saying so, you left a few qualities off your list.”

  “Like what?”

  “You’re a gentleman at heart. You’ve rescued me more times than I can count. You’ve been decent to me when my family has been nothing but rotten to you over the years. You run a retirement home for elephants, for goodness’ sake. How many men can say that?”

  Elephants? She was bringing those up now?

  Her palms slid slowly up his lapels to grasp the ends of his bow tie. She tugged him close and he yielded reluctantly to the pressure.

  “Gabe,” she whispered achingly, “I want you to make love to me, even if it is pity sex on your part. I know it’ll be a one-night stand. I have no illusions about how you operate. But I’ve wanted you ever since I can remember, and tonight, I just don’t care about anything else.”

  He stared down at her in shock. “You’ve wanted me for h
ow long?” he asked slowly.

  “Since I was about sixteen,” she confessed, her cheeks starting to turn a dull red.

  “But why?”

  “C’mon, Gabe. You know how sexy a man you are. You know women crawl all over you not only for your money, but because you’re so attractive. And since when is forty old? You take great care of your health. And frankly, after women experience a few twenty-something guys with no clue what they’re doing, surely you can understand why women would much prefer a man who knows his way around a woman. You do know your way around a woman, don’t you?” she asked in quick dismay.

  “Yes,” he answered drily. “I do.”

  “Well, there you have it. You’re a hunk and a hot catch. Now, will you make love to me?”

  He’d love nothing better. But he was still worried about her emotional scars. He’d never dealt with anything like that before. “Willa, are you sure you’re ready for this? Do you need more time to trust me?”

  Her gaze narrowed in irritation. “I’m trying really hard to be brave and bold here. To get past...well, to get past my past. If you don’t quit asking me that, I’m going to have to tear your clothes off and have my wicked way with you. And to be honest, that notion scares me half to death. Besides, you’ve already said you like to be in charge in the bedroom.”

  He laughed reluctantly. Although her tearing his clothes off didn’t sound half-bad. “Refill?” he asked her. Now that the moment was upon him, he had no idea how to proceed with her. Yet another first for him. He laughed ruefully. “You do manage to mess with my head, Will.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, don’t apologize. It’s...interesting. You keep me on my toes.” He pressed a full glass into her hand and nudged the bottom of it toward her mouth.

  “A little liquid relaxation first, Mr. Dawson?”

  “Something like that.” She was so damned open and forthright. She would talk about anything, apparently. It was disconcerting. Most women were so busy maneuvering into his pants by this point, they weren’t stopping to talk about his tactics to achieve the same.

  She gazed up at him artlessly. He’d swear she was a virgin if he didn’t know better. “Ward wasn’t your first, was he?” Gabe asked carefully.

  She made a face. “Thankfully, no. But truth be told, no guy has ever impressed me tremendously.”

  “I’m supposed to impress you?” He laughed. “A tall order.”

  “I have faith in you, Gabe.”

  And there it was. That damned trust of hers. What if he let her down? If she freaked out in the middle of sex and he did the wrong thing? Fear gripped his chest in sharp talons.

  “Now what?” she asked.

  Now what, indeed.

  Chapter 10

  Deal struck, sex forthcoming. All of a sudden, Willa was more scared than the first time she’d done the deed with a sweaty frat boy in college whose face she could barely remember and name she couldn’t recall. But this was Gabe Dawson. The object of her lustful desires for most of her sexually aware life.

  Thankfully, it wasn’t the kind of scarred-and-damaged scared she’d feared would wreck the rest of her sex life. It was the butterflies-of-anticipation, so-nervous-she-could-barf, please-God-let-her-not-embarrass-herself kind of scared.

  “How are we going to do this?” she asked nervously. “Do you want me to take off my dress?”

  Gabe smiled. “No, Willa. Breathe. I’m not going to fall on you like some ravenous beast. We’ve got all night. And frankly, if the vibe’s not right tonight, we can get around to it some other time. Relax, already.”

  “Relax? I’m not sure I know what that is.”

  His smile widened. “Hungry? Thirsty?”

  “Umm, no.” What was he doing? He led her over to the couch and eased her down onto it. He took off his tuxedo jacket, tossed it over the back of a chair and sprawled casually beside her. He kicked off his shoes and propped his feet up on the stone hearth. His right arm stretched out across the back of the sofa toward her, and with his left hand, he nursed his whiskey.

  Perplexed, she propped her bare feet up beside his.

  “Nice toes,” he commented.

  She wiggled the digits in question, enjoying the little flowers painted on her freshly manicured toes. They even had a tiny crystal glued in the center of each flower. They were cute. “Foot fetish?” she asked conversationally.

  He laughed quietly. “Not especially. But I confess to enjoying every part of a woman. Fascinating creatures, you are.”

  The fire hissed quietly, and the dance of flames between the logs soothed her.

  “So how did your first day as a senator go?” he asked.

  “Not too bad, considering. No one has tried to kill me yet, and I was only partially flayed alive at that party.”

  “I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I knew they’d jump you, but I didn’t think they’d go for the jugular so fast. Vicious bunch of hyenas.”

  “Can I quote you on that?”

  “Absolutely. What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”

  She studied him quizzically. “Why do you ask?”

  “Far be it for me to tell you what to do...” he trailed off.

  “Go ahead.”

  “You might want to take a look at the candidates to fill your father’s slot in the upcoming election.”

  “Do you have a favorite?”

  He shrugged evasively.

  She turned to face him. “Who do you like?”

  “Your father’s opponent. I’ve donated a fair bit of money to his campaign.”

  She laughed, genuinely amused. “I should’ve known.”

  “You’re not mad at me?”

  It was her turn to shrug. “It’s just politics. For all I know, I may endorse the guy, too.”

  Gabe stared, shocked. “You’d turn on your father’s political party?”

  “If I don’t like their platform, I will.”

  “And I thought I was a rebel. Your father created a monster when he gave you his job.”

  “I’ve spent my whole life living in his shadow. I’m sick and tired of it. I’m stepping out into the light.”

  He reached up to smooth a strand of hair back from her cheek. “Just be careful, okay? Life in the spotlight can get rough.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Not only does everyone see the good things you do, but your mistakes are out there for the whole world to see. It takes a tough hide to deal with the negative stuff that comes with fame.”

  “You mean like crazy stalkers breaking into your home?” she asked soberly.

  “Among other things. The press delights in crucifying public figures.”

  “I believe I got that memo already,” she replied drily.

  He sighed, his fingers trailing through the ends of her hair. “I suppose you’re more prepared than most for the storm that’s headed your way. You’ve watched your father live in it for years.” He laid his palm at the base of her neck as if contemplating the pulse fluttering there beneath his touch. He added reflectively, “Although I suppose you’ve been caught in the edges of that storm long enough to know what you’re getting into, don’t you? You’re so much stronger than you look.”

  She tilted her head. “Do I come across as weak? A victim?”

  He frowned, his hand going still on her skin. “Why do you ask that?”

  “I read online that women who are raped often give off signals that they’re weak and would make easy victims.”

  “Christ, Will. The bastard wouldn’t even let you talk to a live counselor?” Gabe’s voice was abruptly harsh. Furious. She didn’t need to ask which bastard he was referring to. That would be John Merris.

  “It’s okay. I read up on it. I understand how I feel and why I feel that way. And I know what I have to do to put it behind me. I’ll be okay, no problem.”

  Gabe’s jaw rippled, and there was abruptly a faint tremor in the hand on her neck. “It’s not that easy, Willa. T
his is going to take time. I swear, I’d kill him myself if he was still alive.”

  She put a soothing hand on his cheek, forcing him to open his tightly shut eyes and look at her. “Gabe. I appreciate your protective urges. But I’m a grown-up. I can take care of myself.”

  “Like when that guy broke in to your mom’s house? Or when the police wouldn’t come to your place last night?” he snapped.

  Her hand fell into her lap. Was he right? Was she doomed to be taken advantage of and picked on for the rest of her life because she was too wimpy and afraid to stand up for herself? Would she always have to depend on other people to charge in to her rescue when she got in over her head?

  Big hands came up to either side of her face. Tilted her unwilling gaze up to meet the color of the deepest, most mysterious forest. “I’m sorry. I just worry about you. I want everything in your life to be safe and wonderful and perfect.”

  A frown knit her brows. “But why? I’m nothing to you.”

  He leaned forward slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. His voice was a bare whisper of sound across her skin. “Because I’ve wanted to make love to you since you were a teenager.”

  She inhaled in sharp surprise, but the gasp was cut off by his lips touching hers. His mouth was warm and resilient, featherlight against hers, a mere brush of sensation.

  “Really?” she whispered.

  “I thought I was a pervert for lusting after you, barely legal.” His lips brushed across hers again. “You were like a newborn colt, all long legs and the promise of elegance to come. The beauty you have now was all there, but just starting to unfold. It was mesmerizing.”

  “But you always called me those stupid kid names.”

  He laughed against her lips, a warm breath of whiskey into her mouth that tasted so good she went weak at the knees. “I did that to remind myself that you were way too young for me.”

  “I wanted you, too,” she confessed softly.

  “I know. That’s why I had to work so hard to stay away from you. I was the adult. It was my responsibility to do the right thing by you.”

  She drew back slightly to stare up at him. He’d been looking out for her all those years ago? “I had no idea....”