Reckless Billionaire

by Cheryl Phipps

  “I said ‘we’.”

  She frowned. “You know I don’t swim.”

  “I could teach you.”

  “No thanks.”

  “I hear it’s great exercise.”

  “No—thanks,” she said, a little firmer.

  “Okay. I get it.” He went to his room to get changed.

  When he went out to the pool, Aimee was there, but she’d changed from her jeans and shirt into shorts and a singlet. Her long legs were graceful as she walked the length of the pool, as if she were searching for sea monsters.

  “What are you doing?”

  She glanced up, teetering near the edge. Her arms waved like a windmill and he thought she was going in. He was prepared to follow her in when she righted herself.

  She was flushed and shaken. “Don’t sneak up on a person.”

  “I was coming to have a swim. That could hardly be called sneaking.”

  He was pretty sure she was counting to ten.

  “So, what are you doing here?”

  “I have to watch you, don’t I?”

  “Hey, I’m not an invalid anymore and I’m not forcing you into the water, so you don’t have to look like you’ve being sent to the gallows.”

  She crossed her arms under her breasts. “Maybe not, but I have to make sure you don’t drown, so I was trying to figure out how deep it got.”

  “You’ll jump in and save me?”

  She paled. “That wouldn’t work for either of us. But I can yell for help.”

  “I see. The pool is a long way from anyone who might be around.”

  “Your mom’s here.”

  “Sure, but she’ll be glued to her computer or on the phone.”

  Aimee’s demeanor went from annoyance to Dr. Phil. “Does that make you feel like she doesn’t care?”

  “Oh, hell no. You will not psychoanalyze me.”

  Guilty as charged, she came closer. “Sorry, but if I’m here to help you rethink the reckless lifestyle you’ve been living, then I need to understand why you feel the need to be an adrenaline junkie.” Her hand went to her mouth.

  He was astounded. “You think you’re here to cure me of something?”

  “I wouldn’t put it quite that way, but you and I both know that I could have gone ages ago. I’m here for reasons even I’m not sure of. What about you? Why do you think I’m here?”

  “I’ve said this so many times—I might have some issues, but I’m not sick. I haven’t done anything reckless for nearly two months, so I guess we can thank you and Mom for that, can’t we? I hope that’s what everyone wants to hear.”

  Close to the deep end of the pool, and without a thought for his injuries, Matt dived in. What had always been good therapy for his scattered mind when he was fit, was the reverse as the push off jarred his leg and the water, his arm. He held them as straight as he could and glided the length, hoping the pain would subside by the time he surfaced.

  When he got to the stairs he allowed himself to settle on one halfway up so that his chest was mostly above the water. He sucked in deep breaths and tried to mentally push the pain elsewhere as Aimee had shown him.

  “Matt! What are you thinking? Are you okay?” Aimee was standing above him, concerned and angry.

  “I’m fine.” His leg was still screaming at him, so he let it dangle in the coolness, and the throbbing let up a little.

  She sucked in her bottom lip and came down the first step. The water kissed her ankle. She took another step. Her calf was half wet.

  “You don’t need to come in. I’m fine.”

  Another step, and the water lapped at her knees.

  “Sure you are. Your face is as pale as that white towel you left behind. Do you get it now?”

  One more. Now she was mid-thigh and the edges of her shorts were slightly damp. He gulped. “Get what?”

  “That you’re still reckless?”

  Her face flushed with anger, he wanted to deny it with every fiber of his being. He couldn’t. The accident was the worst of anything he’d been through, and he knew that he’d simply been lucky before that. He could have died so many ways, and yet he had no death wish. Perhaps something was wrong with him after all.

  Ben appeared from the direction of the sitting room. He charged across the patio towards them. “What’s going on? I heard a scream.”

  “Sorry, Ben. That was me. I thought Matt had hurt himself.”

  “He looks okay to me. What did you do now?” He gave Matt a long-suffering look.

  “I dived into the pool.”

  “Hardly worth a scream.” He gave Aimee a curious glance.

  “Don’t either of you make out like it was no big deal. A person who just got his casts off shouldn’t think he can do everything he used to right away. Scars heal faster than broken bones and tissue, any fool knows that. I take my job seriously even if both of you think there’s no point in my being here.”

  She went back up the steps, spraying water with each step, walked along to Matt’s towel, and thrust it at Ben. “Here. You look after him. I’ve got something better to do.”

  As much as Matt felt guilty, the look on Ben’s face was priceless. Only the family would dare to cross him like that. When he could no longer hide the grin, Matt slid gently back into the water, floating for a while, careful not to jar his leg or arm. Ben sat in a rattan chair, still looking after Aimee. Matt wasn’t jealous. Ben and Jenna were so caught up in each other, that he couldn’t imagine him being interested in another woman any time soon.

  Easing his way back to the steps, his brother immediately came to his aid. He helped him up to the chair he’d just vacated, then fetched the towel and his crutch.

  “Thanks. I’m sure you hadn’t figured on helping like this.”

  “Matt, whatever you have going on in that crazy excuse for a brain, we’re all here for you, but it’s time to grow up, and you know it.”

  “Grow up? You think I’m childish?”

  Ben shrugged. “I think you need to get past this daredevil stuff. It was acceptable when you were a teenager, plus the things you tried weren’t as risky back then. It’s a stupid way to live.”

  “Wow. I don’t level up in your esteem too much do I?”

  Ben slammed his fist on the table, looking as surprised as Matt at his anger. “You’re not listening. Work ethics, and ideas—you’re equal to all of us. It’s this adrenaline rubbish that has to stop.” His voice softened. “We’d kind of like you to be around for a while yet.”

  Matt was astounded. Ben wasn’t the most emotional of men, so this was awkward. “Because I’m your favorite?”

  Ben smiled, as if he accepted the need for lightness. “You’re one of my favorites. Are you going to stay out here for a while?”

  “Yeah, I’ll stay. It’s nice to be outside in the sun and fresh air, without those damn casts.”

  Ben stood. “I hope you think about the last six weeks the next time a foolhardy idea springs up.”

  He walked away and Matt ran his fingers through his damp hair. He felt as if he’d been pummeled inside and out. He bet he looked like it too. He hadn’t had a hair cut in months and it was much longer than he usually wore it. He looked down at his pale skin and lopsided body with its thinner arm and leg. The scars were still red and his skin had peeled from being encased for so long.

  He was quite a mess, yet he was not only alive, he could walk and wipe his own backside. He’d seen others as he’d been wheeled around or spent time in the lounge who were doing a lot worse. They probably weren’t gripping or feeling sorry for themselves as he was. He’d bet that some of them had been in accidents that were their own doing, but most would have more likely come to hospital through no fault of their own.

  He couldn’t say why he had to do these things. Not exactly. He did know that he wanted more from his life than just being a Knight. He and Evan had often talked about the stigma of it. The total focus on doing right by the name and the company. It was a great company. It was a great
family. Yet they’d both felt that something was missing.

  The difference was that Evan had found his something with Macy Heaven and a run-down marina, and still had time to give to Knight Industries.

  “Have you calmed down yet?”

  Aimee walked towards him, and Matt was mesmerized. Did she have a clue how she looked? Her hair scraped back into that long ponytail didn’t detract from her face. Instead, it emphasized her high cheekbones and large, hazel eyes. Those eyes were focused on him with a wariness he knew he deserved. He was a terrible patient. His family might have hired her unnecessarily, but that was hardly her fault.

  “I’m sorry, Aimee. I’ll try to curb my enthusiasm.”

  “I’d like to believe you, but today felt like a step backwards.”

  He felt a twinge. Was this what fear felt like? “You’re not thinking of leaving, are you?”

  Hands on her hips, she was within touching distance.

  “Would that trouble you, even slightly?”

  It was the last thing he wanted. “Sure, it would. You wouldn’t get paid.”

  “And that would affect you, how?”

  “I’d feel bad.”

  “Poor you,” she said, scornfully.

  “You make it sound like I think everything is about me.”

  “Isn’t it?”

  He sighed. “This is really not my day.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Everyone wants to tell me what a terrible person I am. I get it.”

  Her head tilted to the side. “I think it might take you a while to really get it.”

  Aimee tied him up in knots. She might look like an angel, but she had a terrible bedside manner. Although, he wasn’t actually in bed.

  That’s when his mind did a complete flip and he had a vision of her. In his bed. Naked. He draped the towel over his shorts, hoping she wouldn’t notice his sudden arousal. Flirting with her was one thing. He’d hate for her to think he was some pervert.

  Chapter Eleven

  Aimee looked out over the pool and to the pasture beyond. As soon as she’d noticed his attraction to her, she’d wanted to run, but common sense prevailed.

  It wasn’t unusual for patients to get aroused by their nurses. It meant nothing. Sure, she wasn’t giving him a sponge bath or shaving him, but she was wearing shorts and a tight top. Even respect couldn’t stop hormones, and she didn’t think a man like Matt would usually find female company scarce. Six weeks might be a long time for him, and they were constantly together. Not that she felt sorry for him.

  She felt flushed and it had nothing to do with her anger of a few moments ago. Her hands had wanted to reach out to him, to fix his hurt and his impatience, but she’d kown it was a mistake. This whole thing was a mistake.

  She gave him a few minutes to get himself under control, then turned to face him.

  “Are you ready to get dressed?”

  His body was covered in goosebumps from his swim and the cool breeze. “That would be good.”

  She nodded and handed him the moon boot. “Can you get up by yourself?”

  He put on the boot then stood in a jerky way while she hovered, arms at the ready to catch him. It would be difficult since he towered over her. He set off at a much slower pace than he’d used for the last few days. She walked beside him and tried to hide a grin at his docility.

  “What?”

  “Perhaps you should be scolded more often if compliance is going to be the result.”

  Matt snorted. “Please don’t tell anyone at Knight Industries that. I get enough ribbing from being the youngest Knight on site.

  When they got back to his room he stopped at the open door. “I’m good from here. I think I’ll read for a bit. Why don’t you take some time for yourself?”

  “To do what?”

  He winked at her. “Go ride that horse.”

  “Yeah, that’s not likely, is it?”

  He laughed. “Make some phone calls, have a snack or take a nap. Whatever you like. Surely you can think of something.”

  “I’ve never had much downtime, unless you count sleeping.”

  “Then you should have a list a mile wide of things you’d like to do.”

  Clearly, he had no concept of who she was. Making plans for the future, or having a wish list was simply a waste of time. Until she was debt free, life was work. “I’ll come back in a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Aimee went to her room first. She wandered around it, but couldn’t settle. Her notes were all up to date, her clothes washed and bed made. There literally was nothing to do in here.

  Marching passed Matt’s room, down the stairs, across the foyer and out into the yard, she wasn’t immune to the understated beauty of Knight Stables, but she still felt out of place. She was more at home down at the stables themselves. She’d been to see Daisy, the pony she loved above the rest, earlier, but she couldn’t think of another place she’d rather be.

  It was a good way to exercise and it helped clear her head a little. She rounded the corner of the first stall and saw that Sarah was there with the baby.

  “Hi there,” Sarah welcomed her, as she began to brush her mare, Molly, in the stall next to Daisy’s.

  William peered around his pushchair and gave her a toothless grin.

  “Hi Sarah. Hello handsome.” She crouched so she was in front of the wee boy who was six months old now.

  He waved his chubby hands at her and she took one and kissed it, making him laugh.

  “You certainly have a knack with him. He’s not that fond of other people.” Sarah said as she brushed Molly’s mane.

  Aimee brushed Williams bristly fair head, and he closed his eyes, leaning into her palm. “I love babies, and I’m sure they can tell if people don’t, or are nervous around them.”

  “Just like horses.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s a fact, that horses feel that way.”

  “Daisy lets me pat and feed her, but I’m still as nervous as anything around her.”

  “You may be inside, but you don’t show it. They can’t read facial expressions like a baby can, but they hear what’s in your voice. If you talk like you love them and touch them like you’ll never hurt them, then that’s all they need.”

  “Not Sinbad,” Aimee contradicted.

  Sinbad was Matt’s horse, black as sin, with wild eyes, and no one went near him.

  Sarah laughed. “Okay. There’s always an exception. But Daisy’s a gentle soul, and I feel sorry for her. She needs someone to ride her. Caris used to but she’s not home very often as you know.”

  Daisy had heard her name and perhaps Aimee’s voice. Her head was out of the open half-door and she nickered at them. “Someone must want to. She’s so sweet.”

  “Wouldn’t you like to try it? I would be right here with you.”

  “No. I couldn’t.”

  “I think you’re a lot more fearless than you give yourself credit for.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Looking after Matt would try the patience of a saint, but caring for badly injured people and their families takes a lot of guts as far as I’m concerned. I’m not too fond of the sight of blood. Lucky for me that I’m marrying a surgeon.”

  Aimee laughed, but was intrigued by Sarah’s opinion of her. Fearless? She was constantly telling herself what she couldn’t do, perhaps it was time to try new things and find out if she was any good at something other than nursing. After all what was the worst scenario? A broken leg, or arm? She gulped as she stood, her heart already pounding.

  “Do you have time now?”

  “For a ride on Daisy? Sure.” Sarah immediately went to the horses stall and prepared her for Aimee.

  William had fallen asleep, and Aimee covered him with a blanket as Sarah led Daisy outside and into a small arena. Aimee followed at a distance and pushed the baby under a tall oak tree, making sure he was shaded.

  Her palms were sweaty as she went through t
he gate. Sarah had tied Daisy to a pole and now she waited patiently for Aimee to come to her.

  “Right. Reach up and grab the pommel-that little lump on the saddle. Put your foot into my palm and when I push you pull yourself up and swing your leg over. Got it?”

  “I think so.” Her voice shook as did the rest of her, but she did as Sarah asked and then she was sitting on Daisy’s back.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Strange.”

  “Well, you are as stiff as a mannequin. You need to relax a little.”

  With that Sarah showed her how to sit. How to squeeze her knees so that Daisy would understand when to go, and pull on the reins to stop her. That felt like the most important advice, and Aimee smiled through gritted teeth.

  “So, if you’re ready, I’m going to lead you around the ring. It’ll be slow, and if you don’t like it then we’ll stop. Okay?”

  Aimee nodded, her throat was dry and when Daisy threw her head back she gripped the reins for dear life. Then they were off. It was slow, but that was fine by Aimee.

  It was a weird feeling bobbing up and down in the saddle, but Sarah was issuing instructions about that too, and once she had the hang of it, she began to relax.

  They went around several times before Sarah stopped. “I’m nowhere near as fit as I should be. Would you like to try by yourself? You’re doing wonderfully.”

  Aimee was about to say no, but stopped herself. “You’ll stay close?”

  “Absolutely, but you’re safe with Daisy. I promise.”

  Aimee wanted to refute that, instead she took both reins and negotiated a turn. Daisy carried on as if Sarah was still leading her, but it was Aimee telling her when to turn, stop and go. She was in charge of this animal, and she loved it!

  Sarah gave her a thumbs up. “Matt’s going to be happy for you.”

  Aimee nodded. He would, and now she understood a little more about what made him tick.

  Chapter Twelve

  Another week down and Aimee was worried that she wasn’t doing enough. Matt had become withdrawn and was spending more time at the stables. She hadn’t told him about her riding, and didn’t want to encourage him to get on Sinbad just yet. Therefore, she was often alone in the rambling house. She’d offered her services for cleaning, but had been flatly refused. Apparently, Mrs. Knight wouldn’t like it.