The Skipper & the Billionaire Playboy

by Mia Caldwell

  “He knows how much it means to me. He’s trying to help, which is more than you’re doing, you boorish oaf.”

  “I don’t like it.”

  “I don’t care.” She glared at him with equal intensity, though she was shocked to realize her nipples were hard, and her panties were dampening. As angry as she was, she was equally aroused. It must be a response to the pheromones circulating between them. “And we both know I don’t belong to you.”

  “Wrong.”

  Suddenly, his arms were no longer across his chest. Instead, his hands gripped her upper arms as he pulled her near him.

  Nadia tried to shrug him off, resisting the pull even though she wasn’t completely enthusiastic about doing so. Part of her wanted to sink into him, to let her passions rage. The calm and logical side reminded her she couldn’t let his behavior stand.

  “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, or what your goal was when you sabotaged my meeting with Timothy Wynndt, but this is over. Get out of my way so I can get back to the party and maybe still salvage a few minutes with him.”

  “No fucking way.” He ignored the way she winced at his crude language. “I don’t like you with other men. We’re together, and I did not like seeing you all over him.”

  Of its own accord, Nadia’s hand lifted and slapped him across the face. She gasped at her own actions, even as he grinned.

  “I’m sorry,” she said stiffly. “You’re acting like a huge jackass, but that doesn’t excuse me slapping you.”

  To her surprise, he chuckled. “It simply means your passions are running deep, my love.”

  She flinched at the word. “Don’t say that.”

  Sawyer frowned, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled her closer, but in a coaxing fashion.

  She was annoyed to find herself powerless to resist as she leaned closer to him. “That was Timothy Wynndt. He’s a former competitor for the Louis Vuitton Cup, and he crewed on a team that almost won the America’s Cup. He has the right connections and insight to help build my racing team and get my own my dream off the ground.”

  He sighed, frowning. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t like his hands on you.”

  “His hands?” She was trying to remember when Timothy had ever touched her, only vaguely recalling his hand on her shoulder once or twice. It hadn’t seemed flirtatious at the time, and she shook her head. “You’re imagining things, and you have no right either way. We’re not in a relationship.”

  “That’s crap.”

  Suddenly, his mouth was over hers, ravishing her in a combination of anger and lust that fueled her own. She raked her hands through his hair and pulled sharply, and his growl of discomfort only fueled her need. They were angry with each other, and it showed as they frantically tugged at clothes and joined together in a passionate embrace underscored with acrimony.

  He pushed her dress up to her waist, somehow getting the tight-fitting skirt to cooperate, as she was fumbling with his trousers. The buttons refused to yield, and she by some means held back the urge to just rip them open. Finally, they yielded to her, and she shoved his pants down along with his briefs to free his erection. He flipped positions so she was against the wall, using it for support and also to hold her there.

  She snaked her thigh around his waist to open up to him as his cock nudged the slick opening of her pussy. He surged inside her, and she screeched. It wasn’t painful, but she was still angry. She’d never felt this anger-driven lust before, and the frantic need to have him inside her warred with her desire to push him away.

  They had sex at a frantic, angry pace, with jerky and distorted motions. As he came, his spasms triggered her own climax, which was physically satisfying, but emotionally hollow.

  Afterward, he pulled away from her just enough to disengage their bodies before he laid his forehead against the wall, tipping it slightly so he could look at her.

  For a long moment, she stared ahead, determined not to break. Her resolve softened when he brushed his knuckles slightly down her cheek before pressing a kiss to her shoulder and whispering, “I’m sorry.”

  She turned to look at him, still not speaking as their eyes locked.

  “I was jealous. I didn’t like seeing his hands on you, and I didn’t like how you were talking to him so animatedly. You don’t talk to me like that, and I wanted you to. Instead of speaking to you rationally, I overreacted and behaved like a territorial male pissing all over the place. I’m sorry,” he said again.

  She nodded stiffly, feeling the last of her anger dissipate. “Why are you jealous? We don’t have a relationship.”

  He shook his head, his forehead brushing against the wall as he did so. “That’s not true.” His tone lacked heat, but was rich with frustration. “I don’t know what we have, Nadia, but this isn’t the casual fling that I’m used to. I want more with you. I don’t know what that is, or what it entails even, but I’d like the chance to find out. I feel…something deeper for you.”

  She nibbled on her bottom lip, hesitating. Part of her urged refusal or outright rejection of his words. She didn’t want to want him, and she didn’t want to want a deeper relationship with him. She certainly didn’t want to admit she was feeling more than just sexual feelings for him either.

  Nadia didn’t like the idea of surrendering that much control, but she was inherently honest, and she finally nodded. “You’re right. This is more than just sex.”

  He sighed softly, looking relieved. “I promise I’ll smooth things over with Timothy, but would you consider giving me more time?”

  Nadia frowned. “The party can’t be going on much longer, Sawyer.”

  He smiled, even as he shook his head. “No, I meant more time in our relationship, and more time here in San Francisco? Would you consider extending our stay for a bit as we explore what’s between us? We both know once we leave here, we’re going separate ways, and I’m not ready for that to happen yet.”

  She should have panicked at the idea of delaying her dreams even by a few days, but calmness filled her instead. It was edged with a little excitement even, though she cautioned herself not to expect too much or open to fully to Sawyer. He was revealing a new side of himself, but she didn’t really believe he had it in him to be monogamous and in a long-term relationship.

  Since that was the only kind she would consider in light of how it would affect her dream of racing, it seemed doomed to fail. Still, she supposed they owed it to each other to make sure this was nothing more than a temporary anomaly in their carefully laid plans. “Let’s play it by ear.”

  He relaxed, his body pressing more firmly against hers as he kissed her on the cheek before kissing her lips.

  When he would have deepened the kiss, she pushed him away. “None of that right now. You have to track down Timothy Wynndt and fix the impression that you’re a possessive boyfriend.”

  He grinned. “I have a feeling I could be very possessive of you, but I’ll try to rein in the caveman tactics from now on, Nadia. We’ll talk more about us later, but I need to go track down your other man now.”

  Her lips twitched, and she rolled her eyes. He was hardly her other man. With Sawyer around, she couldn’t imagine trying to juggle two men in a romantic fashion. The one in front of her was more than any woman could handle easily, and he provided more than enough challenge for her—and she usually thrived on challenge.

  Chapter Eight

  Harold took the news of their extended stay with a dignified nod of his head, though Caitlin and Kiersten weren’t so subtle. Nadia had to fight back a smile at the two women exchanging conspiratorial winks and satisfied grins. Bless their matchmaking hearts.

  After their breakfast, Sawyer took her into the city. Nadia had been to San Francisco a time or two, but she had never played tourist before. They started with the Ghirardelli store in Union Square before hailing a pedi-cab to take them to the pier.

  It was like being home again as they strolled down the waterfront, the waters of the bay lapping gentl
y against the barrier. It was natural to twine her fingers through his, and they held hands as they walked. When they stopped for lunch, it was the first time they let go of each other, and as soon as they had eaten their delicious seafood, he took her hand again upon exiting the restaurant. She could get used to this.

  Nadia didn’t know whether to quell that thought or embrace it. She was still in an uneasy state between shifting from employee to lover to something more. Neither she nor Sawyer had expected to want anything more, and their plans didn’t include each other. It would have been wiser to try to break the connection between them, but her heart twinged at the thought, and she couldn’t do it.

  She hadn’t been looking for love, and she certainly wouldn’t label it as love yet anyway, but if there was a possibility of a real future with Sawyer, she needed to explore that option. They both deserved to know if they could make this thing work.

  It was late in the evening by the time they returned to his family’s home, just in time for dinner. After eating with the Sinclairs, Nadia and Sawyer went upstairs to his room. They opted for an early night, though they didn’t fall asleep for hours. They were too busy with each other, lost in the sensual pleasures of exploring each other.

  Chapter Nine

  On Sunday, Nadia slept in. She rarely did such a thing, but her late nights with Sawyer, coupled with the physical exertion of their trip to the city yesterday, followed by more exertion between the sheets last night, had left her exhausted.

  She was surprised to find Sawyer up before her, and she realized he had been rising before noon during their trip back to the Sinclair household. Feeling decadent and lazy, but intending to enjoy the sensation, she slid from bed and hopped into the shower. A while later, dressed in silk shorts that brushed her knees and a sleeveless button-down shirt to match, she headed downstairs. Her sandals made a slight slapping sound on the marble of the staircase.

  No one was immediately visible when she reached the downstairs living area, so she searched a bit. She wondered if the family went to church, but she couldn’t see Sawyer sitting in a pew for that long, at least not without fidgeting. Besides, she was there, and they would have invited her to go as well.

  She had to bite back a delighted laugh at the idea of Kiersten and Caitlin deciding to throw them an impromptu wedding after the morning sermon. Those two would just about try it, she decided with a grin of affection as she made her way to the kitchen.

  Sunday was the cook’s day off, so she had a breakfast of leftovers foraged from the fridge, along with a cup of strong Italian coffee. After finishing, she poured another and continued her search for Sawyer or someone in the family.

  There was nobody visible on the lower level, so she assumed they must be outside. She was headed toward the garden when voices coming from the vicinity of Harold’s office made her freeze. She was certain she recognized Sawyer’s, so she turned in that direction.

  Some instinct warned her to move quietly, and she did so as she approached the partially opened door. The angle was perfect to allow her to look in, and her eyes widened with surprise when she saw Sawyer leaning back against his grandfather’s desk with Paige, the sexy blonde secretary, leaning into him.

  Disappointment welled in her, and a hollow sensation filled her stomach. She should have known Sawyer couldn’t go without his typical womanizing. Perhaps it was her own fault, because she hadn’t explicitly stated there would be an embargo on other women while they were busy exploring the relationship. To her, it had been a given, but she supposed she shouldn’t have assumed it would be that way for a man used to sleeping with every woman who caught his eye.

  She hesitated, not certain whether she should barge in and make it plain to Sawyer that he had blown things, or if she should walk in and stake her claim. Or should she just turn around and walk away, chalking up the brief fling with Sawyer as a life lesson and move on? Could she just move on, or was she already too emotionally invested to take that step?

  Torn by indecision, she gasped when she heard the conversation.

  “Come on, Sawyer. You have quite a reputation as a ladies’ man.” The irritating blonde punctuated the words with an ultra feminine giggle as her fingertips danced across his chest.

  Jealousy surged in Nadia, giving her the answer to her dilemma. As she started to push open the door wider to announce her presence, she froze again in shock.

  “You’re a lovely woman, Paige.” He took her hand in his, moving it from his chest and back to her side. “If I had met you before, I would certainly be tempted. However, I discovered there’s only one lady I want. My heart just wouldn’t be in it if I slept with you.”

  Paige’s lips puckered into a pout, and her other hand displayed across his hip. “It’s not really your heart I’m after, is it?” With a sultry laugh, she splayed her hand across Sawyer’s package.

  Nadia gasped softly in outrage as Sawyer stiffened, his posture radiating rejection. “I said no. My heart belongs to someone else.”

  Nadia’s own heart stuttered at his words, but she shoved aside her reaction for future contemplation, deciding it was time to rescue her man from the blonde beast currently fondling him. She made no attempt to be quiet as she shoved open the door and strode across the hardwood floor. “There you are,” she announced brightly. “I’ve been looking for you, love.”

  Paige had stepped back, looking guilty, but Sawyer was clearly just relieved. He scooted away from the blonde warily, as though she were a poisonous snake that might strike at any moment, before coming to Nadia. “I was just coming to wake you up.”

  She glared challengingly at Paige as she put her hand across Sawyer’s chest. Of course he made no move to shove her away or shrug her off, unlike he had the blonde. Power swelled in her, along with a strong surge of satisfaction, and she couldn’t help a slight smirk in the blonde’s direction. “You should have come sooner. You could have woken me up in that special way of yours.” She purred the word with a deliberately sexual undertone that made the other woman snort with disgust.

  With a grin, deliberately turning her back on Paige to demonstrate she considered the other woman no threat, she wound her arms around Sawyer and pulled him down for a deep kiss. The coffee cup in her hand wobbled slightly, and she leaned over so she could set it on a printer table. Then her arms went around him again, hands moving possessively over his back.

  The kiss started out as a show of ownership, of marking her territory, but rapidly changed to something more. She had a new appreciation for Sawyer’s display of jealousy the other night at the party, but that was her last coherent thought as the door banged shut behind Paige, and Sawyer drew her over to the couch. It was almost an hour later before they emerged from Harold’s office, both looking rumpled, but sated.

  That afternoon, the Sinclairs packed a picnic to take to Golden Gate Park. It was Nadia’s favorite spot in the whole city, and she was touched that Sawyer had remembered her saying so the day before. She wasn’t surprised to learn he was the instrument of the picnic organization, but she was happy he’d included his family as well. As much as she wanted to monopolize his time and keep him to herself, at least until she figured out how she felt and where things were headed, she also didn’t want to block out his family, or hurt the people who had been so kind to her.

  Even Harold had accompanied them, grousing a bit in the process, but mostly for show. She was amused to see him get out of his scooter and sit on the blanket Caitlin had spread out over the grass. He sighed, leaning back a bit, though he groaned and rubbed his neck. “Damned arthritis,” he muttered.

  There was a veritable feast, and she wasn’t certain if it had been catered, hiding in the kitchen the whole time, or if Caitlin had thrown it all together herself. Whoever had put it together was a genius. They dined on fried chicken, fruit salad, crostini with marinated mushroom and olives, and beet salad with creamy dollops of chevre, all washed down with chilled white wine.

  Afterward, certain she would never move or nee
d to eat again, Nadia laid her head on Sawyer’s lap and curled up close to him. The way he ran his fingers through her hair was soothing, and she was soon on the verge of falling asleep. A sense of contentment filled her, reminding her once again she could get used to living this life.

  She would always want the water, and her desire to win the America’s Cup hadn’t faded, but she was considering for the first time that there might be room for two dreams in her life instead of just one. Had Sawyer really meant it when he’d told Paige someone else owned his heart? If it hadn’t been just a brush-off to the other woman, he had to have been speaking about her.

  After all, he wasn’t known for his longevity, and had confessed he was feeling something more. Nadia also questioned what she was feeling. Her attraction to Sawyer went beyond physical, and it was deeper than anything she had felt before. Did he have her heart too? She wasn’t sure, but she was fine with allowing enough time to know the answer. They hadn’t put an end date on their stay, or their relationship, so there was plenty of time to figure out where they were going.

  Chapter Ten

  She must have fallen asleep, because frantic voices woke her. Nadia was immediately awake, fully alert, and realized she was lying on the blanket with her head on the ground.

  She sat up, her gaze focusing unerringly on the four people on the other side of the large blanket. Caitlin, Kiersten, and Sawyer were gathered around Harold, who was pale and lying prone. “What’s wrong? Is he okay?”

  Sawyer looked up, his face grim. “We thought he was napping, but when Mom went to wake him a couple of minutes ago, he wasn’t responding. Kiersten called nine-one-one, but we’re not sure what’s wrong.”

  She licked her lips, stomach tight with dread. “Did you check his pulse?” she asked softly.