A Brush with a Billionaire

by Lorana Hoopes

  “Thanks for staying open, Pierre.” Brent shook the man’s outstretched hand. “This is my girlfriend, Sam.”

  Pierre’s eyes flicked to Sam, and he brought her hand to his lips, laying a soft kiss on the back. “She is too pretty for you.”

  Brent chuckled and gazed at Sam. “Don’t I know it, but don’t let her good looks fool you. Sam here is an amazing mechanic and will probably spend more time looking under the hood than admiring the exterior of the cars.”

  Pierre’s eyes widened. “Beautiful and smart? Now I know she’s too good for you. Why don’t you drop this fool and come work for me?”

  A soft blush spread across Sam’s cheeks. “While that is a very tempting offer, I’m kind of fond of Brent here.”

  “Ah, well, I can’t blame you there. Brent is a good man. Now, what would you like to see first?” Pierre asked.

  Brent turned to Sam. Though he was the one shopping, he wanted her to be able to see a car she wanted.

  “Can I see a Carrera?” she asked. “I’ve always loved the look of them.”

  “She has good taste too.” Pierre flashed Brent a smile as he led them over to the cars. At least a dozen filled the room, ranging in colors and designs. “Here it is, the brand-new Carrera.”

  Sam’s eyes shone as she ran her hand over the smooth red paint. “Wow, I never thought I’d see one this close.”

  “Why don’t you get inside?” Brent asked. “See how it feels?”

  She turned wide eyes to Pierre, as if asking for permission.

  “Yes, please.” Pierre waved his hand at her to indicate it was fine.

  Brent noticed Sam’s hand was shaking just slightly as she opened the door and slid into the driver seat. Her hands glided over the steering wheel with a soft touch, and her mouth parted. Though he figured she wouldn’t allow him to right now, Brent promised that one day he would purchase a Carrera for her.

  Chapter 16

  “Are you really going to be happy with a Boxster?” Sam asked as they left the dealership. Brent had decided on a silver Boxster, and while nice, it wouldn’t have been Sam’s first choice.

  Brent took her hand and laced his fingers with hers as they walked back to the limo. “Julia read me all the statistics of red cars and accidents while I was in the hospital. She might have skinned me alive if I bought another red car.”

  “I know, but a Boxster?” Sam was kidding and she knew Brent understood that by the look he gave her.

  “Get in and stop giving me grief woman.” He motioned her inside the door to the limo. The driver, clad all in black with a white shirt held the door open. Though Brent had paid for the Porsche outright and they could have driven it home, he was still sore from the accident and Sam did not feel comfortable driving such an expensive car around in a city she didn’t know. So, Brent had opted to have it delivered and hired another limo pickup.

  When the driver climbed into the front seat, Brent leaned forward to speak through the window. “To the St. Regis, please.”

  “Right away, sir.”

  “Are you still hungry?” Brent began opening cabinets and the mini fridge. “There’s nuts and champagne.”

  Sam laughed at the image of him scrounging in the limo. “I’m fine. Overwhelmed actually. This is ….”

  “It does take some getting used to,” he agreed, “but it has some nice perks.”

  Sam nodded and ran her hand across the plush leather seat. Had she ever been in a limousine? Maybe in high school. Prom. Yes, definitely Prom. Connor, her boyfriend at the time, and the other boys had gone in on a limo to take them to prom, but it wasn’t the same. That limo had been older, the seats upholstered in some knobby fabric instead of the smooth leather caressing her palms now. And with ten of them shoved inside, it definitely hadn’t felt as spacious.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Sam blinked and focused on Brent who was staring intently at her. “Oh, I was just thinking back to high school - the only other time I was in a limo - and wondering if I’m really cut out for your world.”

  Brent picked up her hand and ran his thumb across the top. He was silent for a moment. Gathering his thoughts?

  “Sam, I enjoy having money, but it doesn’t define me. I grew up in a small town, and even though my family was well off, my father hid how wealthy we were until I was a teenager. It might be an adjustment, but I could go back to that life.”

  Sam stared into his eyes, gauging his truthfulness. His eyes met her gaze, and they were open and honest. Perhaps he could adjust to living in a smaller town again, but could she ask him to?

  As the limo pulled to a stop, the driver turned to face them. “Here we are, sir. Let me get the door for you.”

  Brent stepped out first and held his hand out to Sam. As she took in the multilevel, white building, her eyes widened. Lush green trees surrounded the building, which meant it was obviously watered a lot as there wasn’t much rain in Houston.

  “It’s so….”

  “Big?” he suggested.

  “Opulent was the word I was going for. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in a hotel so large.”

  A large smile spread across Brent’s face, showing off his white teeth. “Just wait until you see the inside.” He pressed a few bills into the driver’s hand, then took Sam’s hand and led her inside.

  Brent hadn’t been joking about the inside. The floor was a white marble, but it was threaded with gold. Golds, browns, and reds accented the room. The couches were tan and gold. The rugs brown and red. A gold speckling covered the white marble desk that lay in front of them. A light brown wainscoting covered the walls and the ceilings were painted a beige color and had to be at least twelve feet high.

  In the middle of the ceiling, a large gold chandelier hung down, sending prisms of color across the floor. Sam’s eyes flitted from one piece of the room to the next, unsure of what to focus on.

  Brent led the way to the large desk and greeted the woman behind it. “Hello, Brent McKasson checking in.”

  “Yes, Mr. McKasson. Welcome to the St. Regis. Are you having a nice evening tonight?” The woman was young, in her late twenties probably with shoulder length brown hair and big doe eyes that she batted occasionally at Brent as she checked him in.

  I’m standing right here, Sam thought, but she wasn’t flashy. Yes, her dress was nice, but still probably nothing anyone in this hotel would touch. And her soft dark hair framed her face nicely, but there was nothing stellar about it or her blue eyes. Sam bit her lip, not enjoying this feeling of insecurity.

  “Have a nice stay,” the woman’s voice finished.

  “Thank you. We will.” Brent emphasized the “we” and squeezed Sam’s hand, lifting it slightly to bring it into the woman’s vision.

  “Why did you do that?” Sam hissed as he led her to the elevator. “You’re not staying with me.”

  He pressed the button, and the gold doors slid open. “No, but she doesn’t know that. I didn’t like the way she was looking at me, like I was her next meal or something.” He pretended to shudder as he stepped into the elevator, but his smile gave him away.

  Sam’s mouth dropped open. “You like the attention,” she accused as she joined him. The doors closed, and Brent punched the highest button.

  “No, I used to, but you showed me that I want so much more. While the attention is flattering, I also wanted her to know that I was taken.”

  The heat crept up Sam’s neck again. How did he always know what to say?

  With a soft ding, the elevators doors hissed open, and they stepped out. There was a door to the left and a door to the right, but not much else in this hallway. Brent turned left and flashed the card key across the reader. A soft click sounded, and the door swung inward.

  “You got the penthouse?” Sam’s eyes widened as she stepped inside. “This isn’t a hotel room, Brent. It’s an entire apartment, and it’s bigger than my house back home.”

  Brent just smiled and continued inside. The room opened into a lar
ge sitting room with a couch, two chairs, and fireplace. To the left was a door leading to the bedroom and bathroom and to the right was a small kitchen and eating area.

  “I figured since you would be here a few days, you deserved more than a hotel room,” Brent said.

  “But Brent, you didn’t let me pack. I don’t have any clothes or my toothbrush.” Although Sam was certain a place like this would give you a toothbrush and toothpaste.

  “Don’t worry about it. Julia took care of everything.” He led the way to the bedroom and flicked the light on. A large king-sized bed filled the room and on top of the bed was a plethora of clothing. Shirts, pants, skirts, socks, and a bag from Victoria’s Secrets which undoubtedly held undergarments. “Size six, right?”

  Sam nodded as she stepped up to the bed. Though all the price tags had been taken off, Sam was certain everything on the bed was brand new. “What is all this?”

  “I told Julia to buy you a few pieces you would feel comfortable in.” Brent chuckled as he looked over the clothes. Though nice, they were definitely not what Sam usually wore. “As you can see, she isn’t sold on your style and was obviously hoping to influence you a little. You’ll find all the bathroom necessities you need stocked as well.”

  “I’m only here for a few days,” Sam stammered. “Why would you go through all this for a few days?”

  “Because you’re worth it,” Brent pulled her close and cupped her face with his hand, “and I want you to feel comfortable here.”

  As his lips closed on hers, explosions fired in Sam’s head. She hoped it wasn’t just the money, but she was afraid she was falling for Brent. Hard and fast.

  Brent opened the door of his penthouse apartment located just a few minutes from the St. Regis hotel and sighed slightly. He had only been gone a week, but he had missed the place. Actually, it wasn’t so much the place as the space. Sam was a hospitable host, but he had been staying in a single room with a bathroom down the hall. After he left the hospital and returned to Sam, he had stayed with Fanny in an even smaller room with a shared bathroom. They hadn’t thought it would be appropriate for him to stay with Sam again now that they were dating. Either way, both were quite a stretch from his two thousand square foot apartment.

  He took a moment to wander the rooms and re-acquaint himself with the place. Though it was just him, the apartment boasted three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a formal and informal living room, a large kitchen, and a dining room. Brent paused for a moment outside his bedroom as his king-sized bed called to him, but he needed to unwind first.

  He returned to the kitchen and grabbed a drink from the fridge before wandering into the living room. A little TV, that’s what he needed. Something trivial he could watch and just unplug. Brent had just settled into his favorite recliner when a knock sounded at the door. He glanced at his watch, surprised that someone would be at his door this late, but he rose and crossed to the door.

  The minute he opened the door, he cursed himself for not using the spyhole first. Tricia stood on the other side of the door, dressed to the nines. Her glossy red lips pulled into a smile as her gaze met his.

  “What are you doing here, Tricia?” He positioned himself in the doorway to block her entrance.

  “Giving you another chance.” Her voice sounded more like a purr as she laid a hand on his arm. “I think you were confused last time when I came to the cabin.”

  “I wasn’t confused, Tricia. Not last time or the other times I broke it off. I want something different. Something you can’t offer me.”

  Tricia’s lips pushed out in a pout, and she batted her eyes at him. “I can be anything you want. Just tell me what you want me to be.”

  Brent sighed and rolled his eyes. “That’s just it, Tricia. I don’t want to have to tell you what to be. Sam just is what I want.”

  Tricia’s eyes widened into large saucers. “Sam? Who’s Sam? Is she the one you were jabbering about at the cabin? You can’t be serious Brent. You’ll never be happy in that tiny town.”

  “I already am happy, Tricia. Look, I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but you’ll find someone who suits you better. It just won’t be me.”

  Tricia’s gaze turned into a hateful glare. “You’re the one who will be sorry, Brent. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

  Before he could say another word, she whirled and stomped away. With a shake of his head, Brent shut the door. Tricia might be crazy, but he was pretty sure she was harmless. Still, he was glad to be rid of her. He made a mental note to ask the management to keep her from coming to his room again.

  Chapter 17

  Sam woke up the next morning feeling like a princess. The large bed had sucked her in the night before causing her to fall asleep just minutes after her eyes closed. Now, as the sun peeked in through the lacy curtains, Sam stretched and enjoyed the satiny caresses of the sheets against her bare skin. Had she ever slept on satin sheets in the past? She couldn’t remember a time, but she thought she might need to purchase some for her bed back home.

  After a final stretch, Sam tossed back the comforter and swung her legs out of bed. Her feet sank into the plush carpet as she crossed the room and grabbed the terry cloth robe from the back of the door. She was hungry, but she had no idea what to do for breakfast. Brent hadn’t let her pack anything, and she certainly couldn’t afford room service.

  As if on cue, her cell phone rang and Brent’s cell number flashed on the screen. With a smile, she punched the call button. “Hello?”

  “Good morning.” His voice was warm on the other end. “How did you sleep?”

  “Very well and you?”

  Brent laughed. “I can’t deny that I missed my bed. It was a good night’s sleep for sure. I have my meeting this morning, but I wanted to tell you to order some room service and charge it to the tab…”

  “Brent, I can’t do that,” Sam interrupted.

  “Yes, you can. Order some room service. Enjoy a massage or spa treatment if you want. I should be done by around five. I’ll come pick you up and we’ll have dinner.”

  “Okay, that sounds good. I’ll see you then.” Sam clicked the end button and sighed. There was no point in quibbling over the money. He had planned this trip, and though Sam wanted to chip in, she knew he would not let her. She would do nothing extravagant, but at least she could order some breakfast and maybe see about a massage.

  The room service menu was on a table near the bed and after scanning the options, Sam decided on an omelet with a side of fresh fruit and coffee. She placed the order and then padded into the living room.

  A big screen TV hung on one wall. Sam clicked on the remote and curled up in a chair to wait for the food.

  The knock sounded a few minutes later, and Sam rose to open the door. A woman in black pants and a white shirt smiled at her from the other side. In her hands was a large tray topped with a golden cover.

  “Hi, I have breakfast.”

  “Thank you.” Sam stepped back to allow entrance and pointed to an end table. “You can put it there on the table.”

  The woman nodded, but even as she walked to the table, her eyes kept returning to Sam. The woman’s gaze made Sam feel like she was an animal at an exhibit. “I’m sorry, it’s just that you look so familiar to me.”

  Sam shook her head. She was no one famous. “You must have me confused with someone else. I don’t live here. I live in a pretty small town, and I’m a mechanic. No one famous.”

  Suddenly, the woman’s eyes lit up and she snapped her fingers. “That’s it. You’re dating Brent McKasson, right?”

  Sam blinked, unsure how this woman would know that. “I am, but how…”

  “You guys were on the cover of the Style section this morning. I read it every week because I have no life. I mean I’m nearly twenty-five and still working here.”

  “Oh, well, I’m sure you have a life,” Sam began but the woman cut her off.

  “I can’t wait to tell all my friends I met you.” Her eyes widened and she g
rabbed Sam’s arm. “What’s it like dating a billionaire? I bet he takes you to exotic places and buys you tons of expensive jewelry? Do you have any jewelry?” She turned Sam’s hand over searching for rings or Rolexes, Sam wasn’t sure which.

  As tactfully as possible, Sam removed her hand. “We’ve only just begun dating, so there’s been no jewelry, and this is the only trip we’ve taken together. Honestly, I’m just here for a few days while he attends some meeting, and then I’ll be going back to Soda Spurs.”

  The woman’s eyes fell. “Well, that’s not much of a story to tell. Hope you enjoy your breakfast.”

  She turned and exited but as she did, Sam heard her mumble under breath, “Bet that relationship won’t last long.”

  As the woman pulled the door shut, Sam sighed and leaned into the couch. What if the woman was right? What if she was too boring for Brent?

  Brent checked his watch as he got out of the limo. He hoped this meeting wouldn’t last long as he had plans to take Sam on a romantic dinner cruise.

  “Way to cut it close,” Julia said as he reached the front door where she was waiting. “You know they hate being kept waiting.”

  Brent winked at her and tapped his watch. “And I have five minutes to spare. You worry too much.”

  Julia rolled her eyes. “Let’s just go.”

  Brent followed her into the atrium and down a long hallway to her office. As the production company was based in Los Angeles, this meeting would be happening over webcam.

  “Welcome Mr. McKasson, Ms. Adams.” The president’s face filled the large TV screen on the wall. “Thank you for coming.”

  “Always willing to meet with Night Ranger producers.” Julia took one empty chair and Brent took one beside her.

  “We’ll cut right to the chase since our time is valuable as I’m sure yours is. We want to get filming on the next movie right away. Night Ranger four made more money than we even planned, so the writers are hard at work on the next three movies.”