“Hot tub,” she stated the obvious. “Nice.”
“We can go in if you want.”
“I didn’t bring a suit.”
“There are suits to borrow here.”
“Oh.” She wasn’t sure if she was ready for him to see her in a bathing suit. “Maybe another time.”
He smiled. “We should probably get back down to the lake. The fireworks will be starting soon anyway.”
“Yeah, let’s do that.”
They went through the house again, and he shut off all the lights and locked up. Lightning bugs had started to flit around in the air, and Genevieve stopped by the railing of the deck to watch them. She felt Kurtis’s body heat as he stopped beside her and looked out over the side of the hill at the little blinks of light all around them.
“This reminds me of my childhood.” She laughed to herself. “Except for the million dollar beach house and this amazing view. But the lightning bugs are the same.” She glanced over at Kurtis, who was smiling at her. He was close enough that all he’d have to do was lean six inches forward and their lips would touch.
A loud boom suddenly sounded from down the beach, and her face lit up. “Fireworks!” She took off down the stairs with Kurtis on her tail and jumped onto the blanket, facing down the beach where they’d walked from to watch the fireworks at a distance.
She wrapped the extra blanket over her shoulders and clapped her hands together. “I love fireworks.”
“Just wait,” he told her.
She eyed him curiously. “For what?”
The words were no sooner out of her mouth than a loud boom sounded, and she spotted a few trails of light climbing straight out in front of them from a barge out on the water. Her eyes followed as they reached their final height in the sky and burst into cascades of red, white, and blue.
Her hands came up to cover her mouth, and her eyes shot to his then back to the display. She’d never been this close to the fireworks before, and it was amazing. “Did you do this?”
“Skylar told me someone up the beach was getting married tonight and launching fireworks of their own.” Kurtis sat down and scooted close to her, taking the edge of the blanket from around her shoulder and tugging it until it wrapped around his broad shoulders too.
Genevieve scooted closer into his side to watch the show. He smelled spicy and sweet at the same time, and she tried to inhale deeply without him knowing, wanting to memorize his scent.
“You’re warm.” His voice was low and soft.
“So are you,” she replied, despite the goosebumps that traveled over her body at his words.
They watched as the sky lit up with a waterfall of twinkling white lights around a giant red star. She glanced over at him, only to discover that he wasn’t watching the patriotic display with her after all. His eyes were completely focused on her.
She shifted her body, turning to face him more, and his fingertips made contact with her cheek. The feather light touch as he brushed along her jaw and slid his fingers into the hair at the base of her neck made her shiver.
“Are you cold?” he whispered.
“No.” She breathed the answer, and they were so close now that her breath bounced off his face and onto her own.
“Gen.” She loved this new nickname he had for her.
“Yes?”
“I want to kiss you.” His words were breathy, and she trembled as his nose brushed hers. “May I?”
She felt like giggling at how proper he sounded in that moment and at how giddy she felt. Her hands slowly slid up and gripped the fabric at the front of his T-shirt.
“You’re killing me here,” he breathed.
Her answer was to tug him closer and press her lips against his.
He gently held the back of her head, his thumb brushing over her jaw, while his other arm slid around her waist, bringing her even closer to him. His kisses were dizzying, his lips soft yet firm against hers, and it wasn’t long before she couldn’t think straight.
The loud and constant booms of the fireworks grand finale above brought them both out of their heady fog.
“Wow!” they both breathed at the same time, unable to look anywhere but at each other as the show ended.
He continued to hold her face in his hands as he placed soft kisses on each of her cheeks then one more on her lips.
“I like you, Genevieve,” he whispered in her ear. “So much.”
A delightful warmth spread through her body at the feel of his breath on her neck. “I couldn’t tell.”
With another soft kiss to her lips, he silenced her teasing laugh.
Genevieve sighed when the kiss ended. “I like you too, Kurtis.”
He shifted away then, facing the dark lake before them, and she could sense a change in the air between them.
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s getting late, and I still have to drive you home.”
“I don’t want this night to end.”
“Neither do I.” He turned to her again. “But we do have to work in the morning.”
“We could play hooky.” She giggled.
“I wouldn’t object to that.”
“Maybe a visit to Captain Sundae.”
“Maybe.” He slipped an arm around her back and pulled her into his side.
Genevieve gazed up at the night sky. “I love when the sky is clear. You can see so many stars when you’re away from the city like this.” She lay back on the blanket and tugged on his arm until he joined her. “I wonder if we’ll see any shooting stars.”
“What would you wish for?” he asked as he slipped his fingers through hers.
“If wishes were fishes, we’d all swim in riches,” she replied with a laugh. “That’s what my daddy used to say, anyway.”
His grip on her hand loosened a little, and once again, Kurtis seemed to withdraw at something she’d said. She wished she knew him better and understood his tells, but they weren’t there yet.
Yet was such a hopeful word. This had truly been the best date she’d ever been on, and thinking there was more to come, more to look forward to, things they hadn’t gotten to yet, filled her with an abundance of joy. So much that she felt like jumping up and dancing, or maybe just kissing him again.
She let go of his hand and rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand, and looked down at him. He remained on his back, lit only by the moonlight, and he was perhaps the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered, as if he had stolen her thoughts. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, causing goosebumps to travel over every inch of her skin in anticipation of what might come next.
She leaned into his hand and closed her eyes, prepared for another breathtaking kiss.
“What the?” He suddenly dropped his hand and sat up.
Her eyes flew open, and she turned to see where his attention had gone.
“Nobody was supposed to be here tonight.” His eyes were fixed on the beach house above, now glowing with what appeared to be every light in the place.
“Should we go up there?”
“I think I should.”
She followed him up the stairs to the landing of the deck.
“Can you wait out here for a minute, and I’ll see what’s going on?” he asked.
“Sure. We’re not going to get into trouble for being here are we?”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “We won’t. I just want to check on the house and make sure everything’s okay.”
“Sure thing.”
She watched as he disappeared into the house. She thought she heard voices from where she stood. She moved along under the cover of shadow, venturing closer to the door, hoping to hear what was happening.
There was movement within, and she suddenly spotted a familiar face.
Sebastian.
TWENTY-ONE
We thought you were in California with Adelia,” Sebastian told his brother. “Why didn’t y
ou tell us you were back?”
“I didn’t think anyone would actually care,” Gus replied.
“You know that’s not true at all. Sky has been worried sick about you. She was relieved when she found out you were with Adelia.”
“Yeah, well, I felt like I was wearing out my welcome at her place. Besides, her parents are constantly in her business, and they started to get up in my business as well.”
Sebastian stepped to his brother and lay a hand on his shoulder, but Gus winced and jerked away.
“Gus, come on. I’m on your side and you know it.”
Gus had a sadness in his eyes.
“I believe you can be a great leader, brother. I really do. But you’ve got to decide once and for all to change.”
Gus’s attention suddenly shifted to the back door. “Who’s with you?” He got a devious grin on his face. “Is that Genevieve? You brought her here for the fireworks? Did you tell her who you are?”
“Not yet,” Sebastian admitted, “and I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell her.”
“What’s taking you so long?” Gus asked.
“I’m trying to find the right time.”
“The right time is probably before you take her to bed.”
“I’m not taking anyone to bed.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Gus walked to the refrigerator and grabbed a beer, opening it quickly, and taking a long chug. “You’re the good brother. How could I forget?”
“Gus.”
The back door suddenly opened, and Genevieve entered. Sebastian’s heart leapt into his throat, hoping she hadn’t heard him address his brother by his real name.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I really have to use the bathroom.”
“Come on in,” Sebastian told her. “It’s down the hall, where I showed you earlier.”
“Hey, Genevieve,” Gus greeted her. “How’s it goin’?”
“Very well, Sebastian. How are you? We haven’t seen you around lately.”
“Busy with other commitments.”
She nodded and held up a finger. “Be right back.”
“She is so hot,” Gus said once she was out of earshot. “You are one lucky son of a gun.”
“Please don’t talk about her like that.” Sebastian hated when Gus got like this, and he worried what might pop out of his brother’s mouth next, since it was obvious he was not sober at the moment.
“Well, you’re lucky until she finds out who you are. Then you’ll just be a sorry son of a …” Gus’s voice trailed off before he finished that thought. He moved into the living room and plopped down on one of the comfy sofas, taking another swig of his beer.
Sebastian took that moment to nonchalantly text Skylar and let her know where Gus was.
Genevieve came out of the bathroom a minute later looking relieved.
“Ready to go?” Sebastian asked her.
“Sure.”
“No! You just got here!” Gus patted the seat next to him. “Don’t go yet. Celebrate with me. It’s Independence Day. Let’s toast to our independence.” He held his beer bottle in the air.
Sebastian wanted to get Genevieve out of there as quickly as he could. “Uh, you seem like you’ve done a little celebrating already … Sebastian. I’m going to get Genevieve home now.”
“Oh, right … Sebastian. That’s me. Sebastian. I’m the president of Schultz Chocolate. The head honcho. The big boss.” Gus looked over at Genevieve. “Why would you go for a guy like Kurtis here, who makes little more than minimum wage, instead of someone like … well, me.”
She walked over and sat down beside him. “Are you all right, Sebastian?”
“I’m great. How’s your sister?”
“She’s fine.” Genevieve looked over at Sebastian and gave him a concerned look before turning back to Gus. “Can I get you something? Water? Coffee?”
“I don’t need a nurse or a waitress.” Gus’s gaze moved from her face to her chest and back as he slid closer and leaned toward her, eyeing her mouth. “But you do have what I need.”
“Hey! Knock it off!” Sebastian cried out.
Genevieve backed away and quickly scrambled to stand. “I’d like to go now.”
Sebastian took her hand in his. “Okay.”
She walked quickly toward the door, her hand slipping from his as she exited the house before him.
Just before he stepped out, he turned back to his brother, lowering his voice. “Get it together, Gus.”
Genevieve was halfway down the steps before he even reached the top. When he joined her at the bottom, he drew her into a hug. “I’m so sorry about that. He gets like that sometimes.”
“I had no idea. He seemed so put together the day I met him.”
“Are you okay? He should not have treated you like that.”
“I’m fine. Just surprised is all. I guess you never know what’s really going on in someone’s life. They can seem like they have it all when everything is falling apart. I’m going to pray for him.”
“He could use it.” That was the first time he’d heard her speak of faith in any way. As they walked along the beach holding hands, he felt the need to ask, “So, you believe in God.”
“I do,” she declared. “I was practically raised in the small Bible church in my hometown. Do you go to church?”
“Occasionally with my family.”
He loved that she was a woman of faith. It’s what he’d always hoped to find in the woman he fell in love with. His brain stuttered at that thought. Was he falling in love with her? There was so much about her to like. Not only her physical appearance, but the woman she was. Her thoughts and feelings. Her enthusiasm over her work and her love for horses. And now to learn that she loved God and trusted Him to hear her prayers. She was the whole package. And he had no doubt that his deep like for her was morphing into much more.
“I’m starting to freak out a little over the regatta,” Genevieve admitted as they stood in front of her apartment door.
“Why?” he asked.
“It’s just, there’s still so much to do. What if I’ve taken on more than I can handle?”
His hand moved to her cheek, and it felt natural, as if it was something he did all the time. “Hey, that’s why you have me. I’ll help with anything you need. You can do this.”
“You’ve never seen me in action before. How do you know I’m not just full of it? How do you know I can really pull this off?” she asked, teasingly.
“I believe in you.”
“You do?” The teasing look in her eyes was gone, now replaced with a rapt expression.
He gave her a nod, and the corners of his mouth turned upward.
She lay her hand on his chest. “Thank you. You don’t know what it means to have someone who supports me like this. I’ve never really had …” A few beats of silence passed. “I’ve never had a serious relationship before.”
Sebastian’s eyes widened. “Never?”
“I mean, I was a bit of a tomboy growing up, so boys didn’t see me that way, I guess. I’ve had boyfriends now and then, but most were just casual, and we were more friends than anything else. None I ever wanted something serious with.” Her eyes widened this time, and she began stumbling over her words. “Not that … I wasn’t saying you and I …”
He started to chuckle as she lowered her head and looked down at the ground.
“This is coming out all wrong,” she muttered.
He touched her chin with the tip of his index finger and lifted her face until their eyes met. “It sounds just fine to me.”
“Tonight was wonderful.” The combination of light from the moon and the nearby streetlight sparkled in her eyes.
“It was. And I’d like more wonderful moments with you.” His pulse stuttered as he settled his hands on her waist then slid them around her, his fingertips pressing into her back as he drew her close.
She smiled up at him. “Me too.”
“Starting right now.” He leaned down and pressed his lips t
o hers, soft and gentle. Having her in his arms felt incredible, and the soft sigh she made when he deepened the kiss sent a thrill through him. He was kissing Genevieve. And she liked him as much as he liked her.
But there was still this little nagging in the back of his mind. She liked him. He was certain of that now. He knew he could trust her. And the regatta was getting closer and closer. It was time to tell her the truth. He had to come clean and just pray that she would forgive him.
When their lips parted, she lay her head on his chest, and he held her close. He never wanted to let her go. He rested his chin on the top of her head, terrified of how she would react when he told her what he’d been dreading telling her for weeks.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” he forced himself to say.
She lifted her head and gazed up at him. So hopeful, with that same captivated look as earlier.
“Uh …”
The blood began coursing through his veins, his palms were suddenly sweaty, and his stomach was tied in knots. What if she never forgave him? Now that he’d held her in his arms and tasted her sweet kisses, how could he ever go back to a life without her? Panic shot through his body, and he froze. As much as he tried to will himself to speak, the right words would not come.
“What is it?” she asked, her forehead creased with concern.
“We should fill out the paperwork to disclose our dating relationship to Human Resources,” he blurted.
She got a little twinkle in her eyes. “So this means we’re dating then?”
Feeling like a failure and a fraud, he leaned in slowly, placed a soft kiss on her cheek, and whispered, “If that’s what you want.”
She smiled and nodded. “Is it what you want?”
“More than anything.”
She threw her arms around his neck and gazed into his eyes. “I wasn’t expecting to find you, Kurtis Fraser, but now that I have, I’m not letting you go.”
He wrapped his arms tightly around her back and hugged her close. He felt exactly the same way, but hearing a name that wasn’t his come from her lips broke his heart. The guilt and regret were so great now, he was drowning in them.
Not The Billionaire Page 15