“I’m already in up to my neck, so why not?”
She laughed. “Please don’t let him know we spoke.”
“That’s easy. It’s not like I’m going to shout it out at the next dinner party,” he teased.
Ouch. “I deserved that one.” She laughed. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t get him back for it one day.
“I’m glad you could meet me.”
Elaine stirred her coffee. “Ross, I was going to reach out to you if you hadn’t. Jill is very special to me. Like a kid sister. I’m very protective of her, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Like a lioness. “That’s understandable. She is a sweet person. You don’t want to see her hurt. Neither do I.”
“The jury is out on that one. From what I heard, you haven’t been succeeding. She was very upset the other night. And for good reason, too.”
No arguing with that either. He wasn’t meeting her to deny anything he had said or done. He was there for one reason only. Trent. Fix things with Jill, then with Elaine.
“Everything is good with us. We have an understanding.”
“What the hell does that mean?” she asked harshly.
That we have great sex and no strings. “We are going to take things slowly.” He almost choked when he said it. It was more like fast and hot. But it worked for them.
“Good. She is unique, full of life and promise, Ross. You might not realize it, but given a chance she will do great things in this world, more than any of us. Even with the work we do at Takes One, she will touch so many more, and it’ll never be noticed.”
Was she part of a secret group? How was it going to go unnoticed? Then he recalled Brad’s years of doing so much for so many, and no one had known. Not even him, his college roommate. I guess no matter how much you think you know a person, they share only what they want you to know. Is that what’s happening with Jill? Was she only showing him what she wanted him to see? He wanted to know more, know all of her.
“I only wanted to be sure you understood. It is not my intention to hurt her, not before and not going forward.”
“I know you’re Trent’s friend and all, but I will not sit quietly by if I see a hint of you not doing right by her. If it wasn’t for Trent, I wouldn’t be here now. But he trusts you, and believes your intentions are good. I don’t happen to agree with Trent. I see you as someone who is unsure of what he wants. I suggest figuring it out quickly, or it will have one result, hurting Jill again.”
He had done the best he could to mend the fences with Elaine, but it was going to take a lot more than words. Though he wished to have smoothed things out so all was well with Trent and Elaine, his primary focus was on Jill. Meeting with Elaine wasn’t a complete waste of time; he agreed on one thing, he needed to figure out what he wanted.
Chapter Twenty-Two
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Tonight was going to be different. He wasn’t going to direct the conversation. No, she knew exactly what topics she wanted to cover: Brad and the vineyard. Drew gave her some insight as to why Ross distanced himself, but she knew it was deeper than that. She might not get all the answers, but she was going to get some. One way or another. What if he was incapable of opening up? What then? Is it even worth pursuing? The answer didn’t come.
Ross was on time as usual, and they were quickly on their way to the restaurant. Jill wasn’t sure she would ever get used to the fancy meals. There was something about a family run diner with the old-fashioned meatloaf and mashed potato dinner. It was so much more relaxing. Though Ross chose places with excellent food, the staff was so darn attentive they almost seemed to hover. Every time she thought it was safe to hit him with a question, they were interrupted. Did she have the worst timing or did he just have the best luck?
Dessert had come and gone and still not one answer. She wasn’t about to give up so easily. Jill has spent half her week planning exactly what she was going to say, and she wasn’t about to let the opportunity slip by now. The night was still early. “Would you like to come up for coffee?”
“Sounds great,” Ross said, and followed her into her apartment. Jill went right to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. Normally she wouldn’t have one so late, but there was no way was she offering him a beer. That would only risk the night taking a turn in a direction that left little time for conversation. Good as it may be, no sex tonight.
When she returned he had taken his suit jacket off and was lounging on the couch. Don’t get too comfortable. Handing him the coffee she sat on the chair opposite the couch. “Dinner was nice, thank you.”
“Glad you liked it. Any reason why you’re sitting all the way over there?”
Definitely. She ignored his question and started on her own. Might as well jump right in before she let him distract her. “Tell me about your college days.”
He took a sip of the hot coffee. “It was college. Nothing special.”
Oh yeah, this is going to be like pulling teeth. “Since I’ve never been, how about a little more detail. What did you study?”
“Business.”
No shit. “Play sports? Play an instrument? Get sent to the dean’s office for streaking?”
Ross arched a brow. “No. No, and definitely not. I was the levelheaded one. When I was in the dean’s office it was usually to show support for Drew, Trent, and Brad.”
Finally. Door’s open; here I come. “Brad? Who’s Brad?” She smiled inwardly at her skill. He wasn’t the only one able to manipulate a situation.
“I met Brad in my freshman year at Boston University. He was an unusual character.”
“How so?”
Downing his coffee he placed the cup on the table and leaned back on the couch. “Unpredictable. Not like the rest of us. Jon and I were what you would consider the nerds of the group. Study hard, play little. Trent and Drew, let’s just say I was shocked they didn’t get kicked out for half the shit they pulled. Brad, on the other hand, was a blend. Always on top of whatever project was due, yet half the time he was the mastermind behind Trent and Drew’s antics. I have to admit, even I fell into his trap several times.”
Forcing a look of shock, she said, “Really? Do tell. What crazy things did you do in college?”
Ross shook his head. “You’re not getting me to admit anything.” He laughed.
“Okay, if you had done something crazy, what would it have been? Cheated on a test? Come on. Spill it.”
“I never cheated at anything,” he said seriously. “That doesn’t mean I didn’t get into my share of trouble.”
“Just admit it, you were boring,” she teased.
“Oh, you’re pushing it now. I said Trent and Drew were always in the dean’s office. That was only because they got caught. Brad and I were much smarter. My junior year, Brad and I decided to visit a rival university and kidnap their mascot. We held it for two weeks before returning it. During that entire time their rugby team did not win a single match.”
She burst out laughing. “Okay, you have proven your point. You were not boring. But please tell me it wasn’t alive.”
“Oh, it was and not easily hidden. The worst part was we discovered it liked to drink beer, and one night it got drunk and stumbled out of the dorm. I was chasing it in my underwear at two a.m.”
“Now that must have been a sight. Boxers or briefs?” she teased.
“Speedos,” he joked.
She could picture him running around chasing some crazy animal, a goat or pig or something.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I have a vision of it in my head, and it might haunt me all night.”
“I would be more than happy to give you something much more pleasant to dream about,” he said and reached for her hand.
“Oh, I bet you would.” She pulled her hand away. Stay focused, Jill. “What’s Brad up to these days?” She knew she was opening up a painful topic, but one she believed he needed to discuss. If there was going to be anything real between them, he would need to learn to s
hare with her. It wasn’t going to be a one-way relationship if she had anything to say about it.
Maybe he should call it a night. Reminiscing wasn’t something he liked to do, and there were better things they could be doing.
“Unfortunately, Brad passed away five years ago.” Now drop it.
“I’m so sorry. Had he been sick?”
She wasn’t going to give him a break. “No. It was a car accident.”
“That is so sad. It must have been very difficult to lose such a close friend,” she said, her voice soft and filled with compassion.
Hard didn’t even begin to describe it. Brad was the only person who’d been willing to go home with him on school break after their little beer pong party. He’d never understood why he went, as it hadn’t been fun in any way. He’d said, “What are friends for if not to suffer along with you?” Brad had been right. For some crazy reason, Brad’s presence somehow diminished the experience of his mother’s harsh words. It wasn’t that she hadn’t judge him as harshly, but she’d spent half her time riding Brad’s ass on things, so it had given him a break. Now that was a friend.
“You would have liked him. Everyone did. He didn’t come from money and had absolutely no interest in having any. If he could make a person laugh or smile, then he was happy. He was a selfless person. More than I . . . more than any of us knew.”
“How so?”
Telling her too much was going to open up things he tried not to think about. Like how Brad was a better person than he, and that if someone had had to leave this earth at such a young age . . . it should have been me. Brad’s parents, to this day, hadn’t recovered from the loss of their only child. But that was only a piece of the void left by Brad’s death. Even now Ross recalled all the villages Brad had sponsored over the years. His journal had been filled with details of each place, the people he’d met, what it was like when he’d arrived, and the changes he’d witnessed while he was with them. Ross couldn’t bring himself to finish reading it. After getting halfway through, he’d closed the book and put it in the nightstand on Freedom. He would keep it always but never open it again. It would be an endless reminder that even though he’d considered Brad his best friend, he’d never known what was really important to him because he’d never taken the time to ask. And it was too late now. Too damn late.
That was when Ross realized he was more like his mother than he wanted to admit. A cold, shallow, self-centered bastard. What contribution had he made to humanity? Nothing. Everything he did, every decision he made, was for his own benefit. Yes, he was involved in Takes One, but so were the others. It’s not like something he was personally involved in. Actually the most involved he had been was the fundraiser he’d co-hosted with Jill. Until then, he’d only been a financial supporter of the decisions suggested by others, and he’d considered that enough.
Why is she digging up all of this now? He had plans for tonight, which didn’t include sharing feelings. Ross wanted to hold her, taste her until neither of them could think. Instead, she messed with his mind, brought him to a place he didn’t want to be. She might as well have poured a pitcher of iced water on him because it really killed the mood. Staying any longer was only going to make things worse.
“Jill, I’ve got to get going. Maybe we can get together again over the weekend.” He got up without waiting for a response and headed for the door.
She quickly followed. “Are you sure you can’t stay?”
Tonight all he wanted to do was drink and forget. If only it were that easy. “Next time.” He left her standing by the door, not even kissing her goodnight. It was just one more thing to prove he was an undeserving bastard. Jill deserved so much more than he could give. If there was any kindness in him at all he would never call or see her again. As he thought it through, he knew he wasn’t about to let her go . . . even it if the was best for her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
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It had been impossible to sleep that night. When she finally did sleep it was already morning, and still he haunted her dreams. She recalled his expression when she’d asked about Brad. His pain was so damn apparent, yet he was unable to express it. What happened to him to cause such a shutdown?
She remembered how he’d looked each time his mother had spoken to him at the fundraiser. It was the same blank, dead, emotionless look. Not just on the outside. She could see it right to his core through his eyes. He must have built a barrier around himself as a child and now was unable to let anyone in. Not even me.
That didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try. He was a product of his mother, but he was also a product of his father. That man was kind and gentle. Jill had seen that kindness within Ross as well. What made Ross, Ross? He was a blend of both personalities. He was strong and driven like his mother, even though I don’t like her, and also caring and protective like his father. She had witnessed both sides while on the boat with him. If she could see it, why couldn’t he?
Why? Why do I want this so desperately? For him or for us? Could there be an us? Obviously I want an us, but what if he really isn’t capable of love? As she thought more about Ross, she knew he was a well-respected man. He had a strong bond with his friends, even after all these years after college. He’d lost his best friend. I understand that loss. I still miss my parents daily. He’d pleaded with me to leave Freedom so I would be safe. He had cared for me. He was compassionate, but also had courage. Apart from sharing his heart. He was alone . . . by choice. Did he want that forever? He was good man, a kind, thoughtful man, sensational in bed, but alone. I don’t want him to be alone. I want him to want me, but I don’t want him to be alone. He. Is. Worth. More.
Being with him wasn’t going to make him see what he didn’t want to. She needed to get him someplace where he felt relaxed, comfortable. Then she could pursue the issues at hand. But where? How? As long as they continued to come back to her apartment it would end the same way—in bed, making love. I’m not complaining, but I want more.
There had to be a way to get him off guard. Then it hit her. Freedom. But after the storm she was unsure what shape it was in. Maybe it had been ruined. She could text him and ask, but then he would question why. And that wouldn’t get them back on the boat either. She needed something more subtle. Think, damn it.
Thinking then laughing, she had her plan. It might just work. That was if she didn’t end up in jail. Jill was going to need some help to pull it off. Who should she call, Elaine? No, she’s pregnant and doesn’t need to worry about me. Hmm. Lizette? No, she’s busy with last minute wedding plans. Donna? Hell would have to freeze first. There had to be someone she could reach out to for a little help.
There was a new friend who might be willing to give her a hand. But how was she going to explain what she was about to do? Should she tell her the truth? That she was going to take what little savings she had and hop on a plane tonight, find his boat, take a sexy picture of herself on his boat, text it to him and wait for him to arrive. And then they would sail away and not return until all was resolved. Sounds like a perfect plan to me. But what if he didn’t come? Of course he’ll come. Releasing a heavy sigh, she thought, I hope.
What do I have to lose? Nothing was changing; if anything it was getting worse. He might get into a routine, and before she knew it, they would be just what he’d offered: lovers only. She wasn’t about to let that happen. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Jill looked at the clock, almost noon. I can pull this off. Opening her laptop she searched for a direct flight. Yes! There was one seat available on a flight leaving at seven p.m. That would give her plenty of time to make all other arrangements and get to the airport. She was still trying to get used to dealing with the traffic jams in the city. Better leave early because I’m not missing this flight for anything.
Just one more thing. Grabbing her phone she searched for the number. Hope you’re an early riser. Not everyone sleeps till noon on the weekend. They don’t know what they’re missing.
Vo
icemail. “Hi, this is Jill, Jill Aragao. I hate to bother you, but I am flying in tonight and was hoping you could pick me up and maybe let me crash at your place for a night? I’ll explain everything when I see you. My flight arrives at nine p.m. Thanks.” They had spoken regularly on the phone since the fundraiser, and KJ had asked her to visit sometime. Well, it looks like that time is now, KJ. Hope you’re ready.
Pulling things from her closet, she packed as light as she could. The bare essentials. If things went as planned, she wasn’t going to need a lot of clothes anyway. She had no plans with anyone over the next week so she probably wouldn’t even be missed. By the time anyone looked for her, she would hopefully be sailing away on a romantic getaway with Ross. If not, then she would be asking her friends to pick her up at the airport upon her return trip to New York. Please don’t let that be the case. Jill was a planner by nature. As far as she could tell she had thought of everything. So let’s get the plan in action.
It was already dark when her plane landed and another two hours before she finally was able to relax on the couch of a beautifully restored Californian bungalow. She never meant to put KJ out of her way and have her driving so late at night. Hadn’t planned on that. What else could I have missed?
“I was surprised to get your message. What brings you back to California?”
“KJ, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. I really feel bad about calling you like this, but I don’t know anyone else out here.”
“No problem. Blossom and I usually just watch a movie after a walk so you will have to make it up to her,” she joked.
Somehow she knew Blossom was just a big pushover. Kind of like me. “I really do owe you, girl,” Jill said to Blossom as she petted her gently. She loved all animals, and Blossom was as sweet as they come, but a dog that weighed more than her still intimidated her. KJ patted her thigh, and Blossom quickly obeyed and sat by her. Obviously KJ was not so easily intimidated.
The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three Page 14