Twisted_A Billionaire Romance

by Stella Andrews

  Impulsively I jump up and hug her - hard. She laughs self-consciously and I whisper, “Beau and Vanity are lucky to have such fine parents. I wish I could say the same.”

  I head outside before she can see the tears in my eyes. If they were my folks, I would never want to be the one responsible for casting the shadow I saw in her eyes.

  The freedom I feel in this place is worth more than Sam’s billions. As I ride through the fields on the back of my new best friend I feel at peace with myself. I love this place almost as much as I loved the beach. Never having either before makes them even more precious.

  Willie directed me towards the place he calls the creek. It takes me a while to reach it but when I do it was worth the effort.

  Nestling in the trees lies a sparkling creek. It glows like the rarest jewel and is every bit as magnificent. I gasp in delight as I see the light filter through the trees and paint a masterpiece before my eyes. This place is like a piece of heaven on earth.

  I lead Stardust to the water’s edge and tether her loosely to a nearby tree. Despite having just learned to ride I feel an old hand as it came as naturally to me as walking. It helps that she’s such a sweet little thing and is docile and accommodating.

  While she drinks, I lie on my back and study the clouds in the sky. All around me is silence except for the sound of nature. I’m as far removed from civilization as I could be and it feels good.

  However, it soon becomes apparent that I’m not alone. Stardust throws her head back and whinnies softly. She looks towards the trees on the far side and I watch as she flicks her tail and shifts on the spot. Looking over with interest I see another horse being led through the clearing by a man.

  I half sit and strain to see who it can be. Whoever he is he’s a cowboy for sure. He’s wearing a brown Stetson and matching cowboy boots. His jeans hug his legs and I can tell he works hard because his body is straining against the denim shirt he wears.

  As he draws nearer my heart races and I blink in disbelief. Then I am up and running.

  Running towards the only man I ever want to hold in my life. Towards the beat of my heart and the air in my lungs.

  Sam.

  28

  Sam

  When I left Washington in the same jet I hired for Katherine, it was no pleasure trip. I made use of the time to bring my work up to date and set things in place for a few days away. Cody agreed to take over the helm while I went to get my girl. I know I can’t take long but nothing is more important than this.

  The car waiting for me is in direct contrast to the ones I usually drive.

  I smile as I see Willie waiting patiently and he nods his greeting.

  Flinging my bag into his pickup, I jump in beside him. He starts the engine and growls. “Good to see you, boy.”

  I laugh to myself. Samuel Carrington, ex-navy SEAL, and self-made billionaire will always be a boy to him.

  I grin. Good to see you too, Willie. Now tell me, how’s that gorgeous wife of yours?”

  I detect a slight softening of his features as he nods. “She’s fine.”

  Undeterred, I press on. “What about Beau and Vanity? Have you seen much of them lately?”

  He stiffens and I feel a sadness overcome me. I know he’s worried about his kids. He has no reason to but I suppose it’s because they lead lives he doesn’t understand. He just nods again.

  “Fine – I think.”

  Sighing, I turn and look at the landscape flashing past me. Wide open spaces and freedom. Just what Katherine ordered.

  As I think about her, I feel the excitement grip me. Finally, we are free to explore this new life of ours. A few days is all Ryder needs to set the wheels in motion and then there will be no separating us again.

  By the time we reach the ranch, I feel impatient to get to her. Missy greets us and as I hug her she says softly, “Katherine’s lovely, Sam. You make such a sweet couple.”

  I hug her back and feel the usual calm whenever I come here. This place is a detox and a reaffirmation of all that’s good in life. It was the only place I wanted to send Katherine. I trust these good people with my life and that’s now Katherine.

  Missy must have a sixth sense because she pulls back and smiles.

  “Head off and change and Willie will saddle up your usual horse. You’ll find the only one you want to see at the creek. She’s not been gone long so you should come across her.”

  I think I almost split the sides of my face as I can’t stop grinning and her laughter follows me inside. She knows me so well. Any pleasantries can wait. I only have one thing on my mind.

  I ride my horse like a man possessed. I know the creek of old and spent many hours there recovering after a hard tour. Beau and I were like brothers in the military and it broke my heart when he quit. He had his reasons though and I know his parents have no understanding of why he took the decision.

  I hope to catch up with him when I’m here. I miss him more than I’ll admit to anyone.

  I see the clearing and think the beat of my heart must shout my arrival. Jumping off the horse, I lead him through the trees.

  Then I see her. My beautiful girl who sparks something long buried in my heart. My breath hitches as I see her running toward me. The horse stamps his feet with a shared impatience I feel. I don’t even have time to tether the horse before she’s on me. She jumps into my arms and holds me so tightly it says everything. As I feel her body against mine and her tears on my cheek, I almost lose it. The relief is overwhelming as we cling to each other in the most private of places. Then she pulls back and I claim those edible lips like a man starving for food. I taste the delights within as I feel her hands snake around the back of my head and pull me in deeper.

  Without thinking I sweep her in my arms and carry her gently to the water’s edge. Then I push her down and look into her eyes with a passion I’ve kept contained for too long. The eyes that stare back at me pull me in and promise me a happy ever after. The love in them takes my breath away and the pounding in my head signals the urgent need to be inside the woman I love.

  I say softly, “I love you, Katherine Rogers. I will never leave you again.”

  She smiles with such radiance it blinds the sun. “I love you, Sam Carrington now shut the fuck up and give me what I’ve waited so patiently for.”

  With a wicked grin, I raise her hands above her head and pin her down with a wicked look and a teasing smile.

  “So, I heard you want a cowboy whose good with his hands?”

  She smiles wickedly. “Are you up to the job?”

  I pull her face to mine and whisper, “You’d better believe it, ma’am.”

  Then I kiss that sassy mouth hard and good as I devour her like the beast within me. She shivers under my touch and it sends me wild. We tear each other’s clothes off like the inconvenience they are. I want to feel that sexy body under mine and to hell with the consequences.

  She gasps as I kiss a trail down that sexy body and push her jeans off as I move lower. She moans as I taste the delights of the woman I crave and she shudders against my tongue. I hear her gasp,

  “It’s too much, I need you inside me before I come apart.”

  I ignore her words. She will come apart several times before I’m finished with her, this is just the appetizer.

  As I lick her forbidden place and suck the pleasure from inside she tenses and then tightens her fingers in my hair. She groans and then throbs against my tongue as she unleashes her pleasure on me. She shakes under the strength of the orgasm that wasn’t far away and I can’t wait any longer. I need to feel that piece of paradise for myself and with a feral groan I thrust into her sweet depths and feel my dick fill her with a throbbing need. She bucks against me and I drive in hard.

  I can’t get in far enough, I want to crawl inside and take up residence forever. This is the sweetest place to be in the world and I never want to be anywhere else. I feel her desire building as I thrust relentlessly. She claws my back and grips my waist with her th
ighs as we take from each other what we need more than air. I groan as she gasps and then screams my name. As she shatters under me I feel myself explode inside her. We reach the heights of ecstasy together and lie as close as humanly possible as we shudder under the effects.

  Once becomes twice and three times quickly follows. If the horses are still here, it’s a miracle because Katherine and I are insatiable. There is not a part of each other’s body’s that we don’t explore and when I’m not inside her, I immediately feel the loss.

  We clean up in the creek and as we dry out we start again. Minutes become hours and time is of no consequence. There is nothing else that matters except this. As we lie together by the side of the creek, Katherine lays her head on my chest and sighs with contentment.

  I stroke her shoulder and pull her close. She says softly. “Is this real, Sam?”

  My heart tightens at the quiver in her voice. She’s afraid of losing something she’s always craved and never found - until now.

  I stroke her hair and kiss the top of her head lightly.

  I say softly. “This is as real as it gets, Katherine.”

  Sitting up, I take her hand in mine as she faces me looking like an Angel. Her long dark hair is messy from passion and her lips swollen from desire. The spark in her eyes is driven by fulfillment and I stare at the beauty before me marveling how I got so lucky.

  I reach up and stroke her cheek and she leans into my hand.

  Then I take her other hand and say gently.

  “I love you, Katherine. I’ve never loved anyone before you and never will again. You are the purpose in my life and will drive me to be a better person. Everything I do from now on will be to put a smile on those lips and happiness in your eyes. The only thing I need from you is your love.”

  She goes to speak but I silence her lips with my finger. Then I face her with everything I’ve got and say with determination. “Will you marry me, Katherine? Make me the wealthiest man alive by agreeing to be my wife.”

  I watch as the tears spill as she looks at me with pure love shining from those beautiful eyes. Her lip trembles as she whispers, “Yes.”

  I lean my head to one side and smirk. “I’m sorry, what was that?”

  Laughing, she launches herself at me and as I fall back, she falls with me and shouts, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  My lips find hers and my hand fists in her hair as I grind my lips to hers. The kiss we share is the knowledge we’ve made it. Two lost souls on the edge of life, seeking the same thing. Each other.

  Epilogue

  Six Months later

  Katherine

  I look across at Sam and he smiles reassuringly.

  “Don’t worry, darlin’, you’ll be fine.”

  I nod but my heart feels like a stone in my chest. I look out of the window and see the familiar landscape passing as we take the drive I know and love so much.

  As we pull in I stare at the name that I hold so dear.

  Rubicon

  The tears burn behind my eyes and I swallow nervously. This is it, I’m going home.

  Sam is also quiet beside me and I know this will be as hard for him as it will for me. Back to the past with my future firmly by my side. Today we return to face our demons - mine in particular and I’m not sure I’m ready.

  Sam says gently. “You’ll be fine, honey. Once you see the guys again, it will all come good.”

  Reaching for his hand, I squeeze it lightly, desperate to feel the comfort it always gives me.

  Six months have passed like five minutes. Sam and I married abroad on a Tropical Island with the sand curled beneath my toes. Strangers were our witnesses as we committed to a lifetime together with the sun and the sea as our wedding guests. We both wanted it that way. No memories of our past and nothing standing in the way of our happiness on what turned out to be the best day of my life.

  We honeymooned on the same Tropical Island and I was the happiest I had ever been. I still am because Sam makes sure of it. We live in his apartment in Washington and rarely venture out. He works of course, and I’m content to spend time with Susan and take time to enjoy my privacy and adjust to my new life.

  Our weekends are spent in Florida at the beach house I love with a passion. Not as much as I love my new husband though. I count my blessings every day I wake up with him beside me and wonder what on earth I’ve done to deserve him?

  The car grinds to a halt outside the huge doors that promise so much inside. My band of brothers and the men I once gave everything to. My heart beats a little faster as I think about one man in particular. How will I feel when I see him again? And how will I react seeing him with the woman responsible for the path my life took?

  As Sam turns to me I realize I’m about to find out. He smiles and says gently, “You ready for this?”

  I nod and feel my heart racing as we leave the sanctuary of my newfound happiness and head back to deal with the shadows of my past.

  As we wait outside the huge door, I hold Sam’s hand tightly. At least he’s by my side; I thank God for that at least.

  When Ryder called and told us to come, there was never going to be any other answer than ‘when?’ We know there is unfinished business here that needs sorting and so here we are.

  I hear the footsteps approach and feel curious as to who will answer.

  As the door flies open I relax as I see Brewer grinning at me. The tears flood my eyes as he holds out his arms and I stumble into them. They wrap around me and he says gruffly, “Welcome home, darlin’.”

  I squeeze him tightly and feel my heart settle—just a little.

  Brewer was always like a father to me despite not being that much older. His old lady, Lou is a force to be reckoned with and the two of them always treated me like a much-loved member of their own family.

  Brewer was shot a while back and we didn’t think he’d make it. Ryder and Lou kept vigil by his bedside while I cared for their son, Jack. It was a dark time but he pulled through and they never forgot how I stepped in to help.

  He whispers, “We missed you, Kitty.”

  I swallow my tears and smile happily. “I missed you too, Brewer. How’s Lou and Jack?”

  I watch the sunshine enter his eyes as he grins. “Challenging.”

  I laugh as he drags me inside with Sam following closely behind.

  I spare a thought for the man I love who must be dreading this as much as me. It won’t be easy for him seeing the familiarity I share with the group of bikers I knew so intimately. However, in the fucked-up way we lived they are the only family I ever had - until Sam. I can’t change that and wouldn’t want to either.

  As Brewer leads me into the clubhouse, something happens that knocks me for six.

  I’m conscious that it’s a full house. There are lots of Twisted Reapers but they are rarely all together at any one time. Even on a job, half of them remain behind at the compound.

  Today there isn’t a spare seat in the familiar clubhouse as we move inside. Then it begins. A slow clap that gains in volume and speed. As we pass, there is nothing but the sound of clapping that sends light to my heart and sparks a different kind of emotion inside me.

  Soon the claps turn to cheers as we walk through the wall of bikers who all want to pay their respects. The noise deafens me as one by one they shout their welcome and congratulate me on a job well done.

  I laugh happily and hug many a strong biker in my path. The women are no different and I feel the happiness warm my heart as my friends surround me and cling to me like the long-lost friends they are.

  The tears come thick and fast as I’m welcomed back into the heart of my family. This is home and always will be. These people are my family and nothing will ever change that.

  Then I see him and my world stands still. Ryder King, President of the Twisted Reapers MC with his trusted deputy by his side. His eyes study my approach but this time they watch me with respect and acceptance. There is no desire in them, just a fondness for one of his own.
<
br />   Snake smiles and I run to him and hold on to the man I love like a big brother and holds the dearest place in my heart.

  He shuts the rest of them out with his bear-like frame and whispers, “Welcome home, darlin’.”

  I squeeze him hard and then feel a small hand on my shoulder.

  I turn around and see Bonnie his old lady looking at me with happiness and tears in her eyes. She whispers, “We missed you, Kitty.”

  I fall into her open arms and say softly, “I missed you too, Bonnie. I missed all of you.”

  Then, as she pulls away, I see another woman staring at me nervously. Just for a moment there’s silence as we stare at each other. I feel as if the whole club holds its breath as I face the one woman who held my life in her pretty little hands.

  Ashton King, the woman who took what I thought was mine, is staring at me with such emotion I think my world stops. I watch her lip quiver as she moves towards me. I don’t miss the fact she’s heavy with child and that fills me with a happiness I never thought I’d feel.

  She steps forward and says softly, “Thank you, Kitty. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for me. I can’t believe you did it.”

  I step towards her and smile gently.

  She moves across and wraps those fragile arms around me and hugs me so sweetly every bad feeling or thought I ever had for her evaporates in an instant.

  She whispers, “I’m so sorry. Sorry for taking what was yours and for sending you to those men. I can’t imagine why you would want to help me and I know it must have been the hardest thing you ever did.”

  I cling to her and feel nothing but a strong connection with the beauty in my arms. We share so much and not all of it pleasant. Nobody else will ever understand what dark experience we share and I feel devastated at the knowledge of what she went through.

  I whisper. “No, I’m sorry, Ashton. I’m sorry for what you went through and I’m sorry I gave you cause to worry about my return. If you hadn’t come, this place wouldn’t have so many happy ever afters. I must thank you for setting me free and giving me my future.”