Billionaire's Second Chance

by Claire Adams

  Austin was with Mia in the photo. Her naked breasts pressed against him as they kissed. He was touching her, and the familiarity between them was obvious to me. I let out a long, broken cry as I stared at the image. I could tell by the sign on the wall that the picture had been taken at the local hotel here in North Reed. I dropped onto my ass and closed my eyes as I started crying.

  Did he do this with her before coming to fuck me? Was that the game that he was playing? I pulled myself together and walked to the bedroom. I shook him roughly as I held my phone in my hand.

  “Baby, what is it?” Austin asked. I held out the phone to show him the picture. “Fucking bitch. I can explain this, Rebecca.”

  “She’s near naked and you're kissing her in a local hotel. You’re touching her nipple in the picture, Austin. That’s pretty self-explanatory to me.” I felt myself go numb the way I did when he left before. Tears slid down my cheeks.

  “Rebecca, this was a set-up. I knew that she was up to something, but I never expected this. Listen to me.” I dropped onto the edge of my bed and stared at the floor. He pulled me against him. “She was in town and told me to meet her at the hotel. I went to tell her to get the fuck out of my life. She wouldn’t take no for an answer. Mia was the only woman in New York who I saw on more than a casual basis, and I regret it so much now. She’s insane and manipulative, and she did this to break us up. What you don’t see is how I shoved her away and left the room.”

  I was frozen against him. I couldn’t move except to let the last few tears slide down my cheeks. I gave him a second chance, and everybody was right about that. It did hurt like hell. “Who took the picture?”

  “I don’t know. I never saw anyone else there, but I left right after this was taken. She must have had someone there waiting for the right moment. She answered the door in this stupid lingerie.” I stared at him. Austin held his hands up as I moved forward. “She took it off. Not me. I only touched her to get her away from me.”

  I wanted to believe him, but my walls were back up around my heart. I wouldn’t let them down again for Austin. I wiped my face with my hand. He touched my shoulder, and I moved to shake his hand off while I went to get my robe. “This isn’t going to work, Austin.”

  “Rebecca, I love you,” he insisted.

  I stood to face him. “We’ve grown apart too much. You’re a different person now.” I waved my hand in the air and pushed back the pain. “I could never be her for you, and I can’t stand the idea of Mia and the other women who you slept with while we were apart. I’m just me. I live in a small town, and I work a really average job. I’m nobody special, and you moved on from here. You’re probably ready to drop the news that you’re moving back to New York any day now, so you can break my heart. Guess what? It’s done.”

  “I love you, Rebecca. I wasn’t planning on just leaving you. I regret leaving you behind more than anything else in my fucking life. I don’t want to lose you again.”

  “I love you more than anything, Austin. I always have and always will, but I don’t trust you with my heart. That picture released all my insecurity back into…everywhere, and I don’t want to compete with the girls or your life. I want you to leave.”

  “No, I don’t want to. I need you, Rebecca. Mia set this up so you’d react like this. Don’t you get that?” He moved to cup my face in his hands.

  “I’ll never be enough for you. I don’t want to try anymore, Austin. I love you, but I want you gone. Don’t contact me before you leave North Reed. Don’t call me, don’t come to my work, and let me move on already. It hurts even worse the second time.”

  He sighed and dropped his head forward.

  I watched as he dressed, feeling my heart splinter into pieces. He left his shirt untucked over his jeans and looked at me when he was ready to leave.

  “One last kiss?” he asked. I remained still. Austin moved towards me and pressed his lips to my unresponsive ones before pulling away with a low cry. “I love you.”

  I followed him to the door and locked it securely before I went back to my room and sent Kim a text. I needed my sister. I needed someone who I could trust.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Austin

  It was hard as hell not to see Rebecca all week, but I honored her wishes. I just didn’t leave town like she thought I might.

  I spent the time on the phone with Preston, who was returning to New York soon. I called other people there and made the arrangements I needed to prove myself to the woman I loved. My dad sat with me, and I showed him the paperwork that I printed out daily. He clapped me on the back when he learned my complete plan. It felt good to do something different after everything that went wrong. It felt good to be fighting for Rebecca, even though she didn’t know anything about it yet. We kept it from Mom, choosing to surprise her around the same time if my plan worked.

  I went into town a few times to deal with some local things, and it was apparent that Rebecca was unhappy with me. I knew that she didn’t tell everyone the details of what happened because that’s not how she was, but this was a small town. If she was at all down, I would automatically be the cause of that. I accepted it and went about my business, confident that I could change her mind.

  I even roped Kim into it, visiting her at the library when I knew that Rebecca was at work. Together, we came up with a plan. I missed her more than anything, but this had to be done a certain way.

  Dad drove with me to the rental agency to return the car, and then we headed to a local dealership where I picked out a used SUV that would be perfect for all the weather and was not obnoxious. I learned a lot about myself in that hotel room with Mia. I hated the man who I’d become in New York, but I had to forgive myself and try to move on in a way that made me happy.

  I dressed in my favorite jeans and a flannel shirt on Friday as I looked in the mirror. I might need another haircut, but I thought that might work out pretty well once this night was over. I grabbed an old cowboy hat from high school and fit it over my head with a grin, thinking of Preston. He supported my plan wholeheartedly. He was one of the few that told me he was proud of me.

  Later that night when I knocked on Rebecca’s door, I knew she’d be home. Kim would have told her she was running a little late for dinner together. That was part of my plan.

  I’d packed my briefcase with everything I needed the night before and checked it several times to make sure that everything was there. I walked out into the living room to see Mom cooking dinner in the kitchen and Dad watching a game. He gave me a knowing smile.

  “Austin, honey, aren’t you staying for dinner?” Mom called out to me as I set the briefcase down.

  “I have to take care of something, Mom. I’ll be back later.”

  She looked closer at me, and a smile crossed her face. “Now that looks like the Texas boy I remember. It’s a good look on you.”

  I smiled and tipped my hat toward her. She giggled and kept cooking as she shook her head.

  “See you later,” I told Dad.

  He gave me a loving look. “Go get your girl, Austin.” He smiled, and I nodded.

  “That’s the plan.” I grabbed the briefcase and the keys to my car, walking out into the driveway as I looked over the blue Chevy Tahoe. It certainly wasn’t my Escalade in New York, but this was a great car for Texas. I thought it was a perfect mix between the Austin from the city and the guy that grew up in North Reed. I hoped that Rebecca would like it as well since I saw a nice red one of the same year that I wanted to buy for her.

  I slipped inside and started the engine as I pictured her face. I hated that my most recent memory was of her throwing me out of her house, but I was going to fix everything tonight. I pulled out of the driveway and made the short drive to her house, noting the lights on in the house as I parked on the curb.

  I looked in the mirror. This was my biggest deal yet, and I needed to score this one. I got out of the car and pocketed my keys and phone before I grabbed my briefcase.

  I stepp
ed up to the door and knocked. She answered the door. Her face quickly hardened, and she began to close the door in my face.

  I stopped it with my hand. “You have to hear me out, Rebecca,” I told her in a gentle voice. She paused and stared at me with narrowed eyes. “This is the last time that I will ever bother you, but I deserve a chance to prove myself to you.”

  “I don’t know what you think you need to prove, but come in. I’m waiting for Kim.” I stepped inside and noticed that Rebecca looked beautiful in a pair of worn jeans and a soft blue sweater. “I’ll give you until her arrival, Austin.”

  I held my grin, knowing that Kim wasn’t coming unless Rebecca told me no. I had every intention of preventing that, and I walked into the living room and set my briefcase down as she leaned against the wall. “That works for me.”

  “You look different. You look like my old Austin.”

  I paused in my movement. Was that hope that I heard in her voice and a little bit of love left over for me?

  “I am different, Rebecca. I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks, and I have done a lot of thinking.” I looked at her and gestured for her to join me on the couch. Her body language was cool as she walked in to sit down, sitting stiffly a few feet away from me. “Have you heard anything on the news about business lately?” I asked.

  She gave me a strange look. “Why would I? That’s not my thing, and I asked Mary to stop watching the news so much at the salon.”

  “Allow me to show you, then.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and Googled my favorite site for the latest business news. I found the article and handed the phone to her to read it.

  It was a great shock to everyone that I was selling off large amounts of my controlling interest in some of the companies that I invested in and huge news all over the media. I watched Rebecca read it with a troubled frown before she handed the phone back to me.

  “Why would you do that?” she asked me quietly. I pulled up something else on my phone. “Business is your life.”

  “That’s only one thing of many that I want to show you,” I assured her. I pulled up the email from my realtor, detailing the sales of all my homes in New York. It was specific with listings for each one, and I handed the phone to her again. Rebecca read that and opened her mouth in surprise as she clicked on the various properties. “I am selling every one of them, Rebecca.”

  “I don’t understand, Austin. You were going back there, and now you won’t have any of your homes. Are you going to buy a new one?” Confusion painted her face.

  I smiled gently at her. “When did I say I was going back, Rebecca?”

  Her confusion seemed to deepen. “I suppose that you didn’t, but New York was all you ever wanted,” she said in a small voice. “You dreamed of that for so long.”

  “I dreamed of that before I knew what I really wanted from life, Rebecca. I went running to New York with the idea that it was going to be it for me, but I avoided coming back here. Do you know why?” She shook her head. “Leaving you was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in my life. Asking you to go with me was selfish and the only way I could think to have it all. When you said no, I knew I couldn’t come back here and see you. I couldn’t stand the idea of being reminded of my mistake. I avoided coming back to North Reed for years, until Mom insisted that I join them for the holidays.” I looked at her as her eyes widened. “The first place I went was Grayson’s, Rebecca. I didn’t even think about it, and the car parked itself. I needed to see you and realized that you were still the same beautiful woman who I was in love with years ago. By the way, that car is gone.”

  “The rental?” she asked. I nodded with a soft smile. She turned her head toward the front of the house. Rebecca stood and went to the window to look out, taking a moment before she looked back at me. “I like that. It’s more suited for North Reed, though a truck would have been perfect, you know?”

  “Touché,” I said with a chuckle. “I did learn in New York that I love SUVs. That is one part of my city life that I’ll keep, but otherwise, I am a Texas man.”

  Her eyes softened as she moved to sit back down. “What do you mean?” Rebecca asked.

  I took a deep breath and reached for my briefcase. This was probably the last time I’d need it, and I pulled it closer to me.

  “I am selling a lot of shares in my businesses and homes back in the city, as you know. I am giving that life up, Rebecca. I was reminded being here that North Reed is a wonderful place. I love my family here, and I love you.” I clicked the case open and pulled out a folder.

  “What about Mia?” she asked in a whisper.

  I shook my head at her. “There was never anything with Mia here. That was a setup and the last reminder for me that I didn’t want that life anymore. I’d found the woman who I love.” A tear slid down her cheek, and she looked down at the floor for a moment. “Here. Read this.”

  I slid the folder to her and Rebecca took a deep breath before she leaned forward to place it on the table. She read the papers carefully, and I watched her hands shaking as she took it all in.

  “Austin?” Rebecca asked as she stared at me with understanding crossing her face. “You’re going to stay here?”

  I looked into the briefcase, seeing the dark blue velvet box. This was it. “I’ll stay if you agree to be my wife, Rebecca Silver.”

  I pulled out the box. She started to cry, pressing her hands to her face. I lifted the lid, and Rebecca looked from my solemn face to the delicate diamond band with a small center diamond. I knew that it was beautiful and tasteful, as well as perfect for the love of my life. “I called your dad and asked him for your hand in marriage two days ago, and he told me that he knew I’d come to my senses.”

  “They all know about this?” Rebecca moved closer to me as she continued to cry. “Kim?”

  “Yes. I made a lot of plans for this night. I needed something to distract me from not being able to see you.”

  She started to laugh through her tears. “I’ve wanted this since I met you, Austin. I wanted a life here in North Reed with you, getting married and having babies. I can’t believe that it’s finally going to happen.” She looked at me with a shimmering, worried gaze. “You do want that, right?”

  “I bought you a house, Rebecca.” I chuckled as I gestured to the paperwork on the table. “Of course, I want that. It’s a nice four-bedroom farmhouse to start us off. It’ll need a little work, but I have missed working with my hands. I look forward to making it our own.” I met her gaze and pulled the ring out of the box. “So, what’s your answer? Will you marry me?”

  “Yes!” Rebecca shot across the cushion to hug me tightly. “I can’t wait to marry you.”

  “I have enough money to live on for a long time, but we’re going small town, baby. I’m going to make our house perfect for us and the babies that we’re going to fill it with.” I held her close with the ring still in my hand, kissing her hair. “I don’t want to change anything about you, Rebecca. I want you to make a better person out of me.”

  She looked at me with tear-filled eyes and smiled. “You’re already a great person, Austin. You don’t need me for that.” She kissed me, pressing her body against me as our lips parted and tongues met in a slow, sweet kiss.

  I’d never tire of kissing this woman or waking up with her in the morning. It took me a few years to find out what life was all about, and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way, but now I was sure about everything.

  I pulled away from her and smiled as she stared at me. “How about trying this ring on, Rebecca?”

  She laughed and grabbed the box. I watched her pull the ring out and hold it to the light. Then, she slid it on her perfect finger and stared at it with awe in her eyes. “I love it, Austin. It’s beautiful.”

  “So are you,” I told her before I claimed her lips again.

  EPILOGUE

  Three years later

  Rebecca

  I was in the office, looking for an email that I printed out ear
lier in the week while I listened carefully to the rest of the house. I could hear small giggles and then the sound of something hitting the floor. I grimaced and just grabbed the entire folder. This was going to be much easier if I could work and keep an eye on AJ at the same time.

  I walked into the living room and smiled at my son, just two years old with dark curly hair and his daddy’s eyes. Next to Austin, AJ was my world. He looked up at me and held up one of the wooden blocks he was playing with.

  I took it with a big smile. “Thank you, baby boy,” I said and sat on the couch behind him.

  He kept playing with his toys on the blanket. A cool breeze blew through the open windows. The farmhouse was beautiful, and everything Austin did to it made it that much more perfect for us. We had hardwood floors in the living room and kitchen, with a lot of colorful rugs to add some pizazz, as well as to cushion AJ’s falls when he got a little too wild. The bedrooms all had pretty carpeting.

  AJ’s falls were often. I had my hands full with this boy, and even though I missed working at Grayson’s, I did love being home to raise my baby. It isn’t like I wasn’t working at all. Austin had started an organization here and named it the Harris Charitable Foundation, right after we moved into the house. I agreed to be his assistant as long as I wouldn’t have to travel more than two weeks a year for business. There were plenty of people to babysit for us, but I loved North Reed that much more now. I did let Austin take the family on some vacations to the beach and other states from time-to-time, but we mostly stayed in town.

  Why not? It was a perfect town to raise a family in, and our family was here. There was no reason to leave for too long.