The Billionaire's Birthday Love

by Ginny Sterling

  A voice interrupted from nearby, startling them both. Max looked up in alarm, pivoting in the sand, and positioning himself between Jolie and the man standing there in the shadows.

  Her heart flipped in her chest as she realized that Max was willing to protect her from the harmless homeless man who’d stumbled on them. She never had anyone stick up for her before, and the effort touched her. The man must have recognized the glowing drinks and was searching for his next free drink or meal.

  “You are welcome to the drinks,” Jolie interrupted, trying to deescalate the moment and calm down her fierce protector. She laid a hand on Max’s shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world and felt him tense under her fingertips.

  “We are leaving,” Max uttered.

  “Of course.”

  “I don’t like the idea of someone coming up to us when we are alone.”

  “He’s harmless.”

  “I won’t chance your safety.”

  “I appreciate that but…”

  “Jolie, I…”

  Max reached for her hand and she saw the intense look in his eyes as the man stumbled away in the dark with their glowing plastic pints. This would go nowhere between them and Max said it himself already that he was leaving tomorrow. She had a splendid time, a lot of fun, and would have some beautiful memories.

  “Shhh,” she said, getting to her feet and dusting the sand from her dress. “Look, let’s just blame this all on the moonlight, a little alcohol, and an attraction that can’t go anywhere for either of us.”

  “You could…”

  Jolie put her hands up and covered her ears stubbornly. They were from two unique worlds, and she knew that happy endings rarely worked out except in fairy tales.

  “No. Consider it part of your adventure, if you want.”

  “Then I will hire you for another adventure, if that is what you want me to call it. I want to take you back to the hotel, cover you in kisses, and…”

  Jolie could barely breathe at the intensity of his eyes and the emotion churning through her. She wanted to kiss him but was angry and hurt beyond measure, thinking he could hire her for more. Maybe it was her fault she’d given him that impression?

  “You think this is about money? That you can hire me… me… for more than what I am willing to give? I am not for sale like that, Max, and if you tackle your problems like that, by throwing money at it, you will learn nothing. You don’t need an adventure—you need a swift kick in the…”

  Jolie straightened up and grew silent as she saw his jaw clenching and the waves were now lapping at their toes. The tide was coming in quickly and it was time to go. She didn’t want to finish this magical weekend with something ugly that would taint her memories of him. She wanted to remember the laughing, smiling, and loving man who’d captured her heart.

  … And she knew that now.

  “Max,” she breathed painfully. “We need to go back to the hotel and say goodnight. This has been a beautiful weekend that I will always treasure, but sometimes reality has a way of reminding you what you can/can’t have. You are a wonderful person and I wish you much joy in your life back home.”

  “I will walk you back to your room,” he said tightly, picking up his sandals.

  “I appreciate that.”

  “Jolie,” he began, and she shook her head, putting her hand up between them. That kiss between them was electric and rocked her world to the core. She knew that Max was her Achille’s heel, and she needed to be strong enough to tell him goodbye when he left tomorrow. At this very moment, she wasn’t sure that she could.

  She had fallen hard for the man who smiled shyly at her—and the man she saw deep within him. He was gentle, caring, and would be a wonderful leader in a country she could barely fathom halfway across the world. For all she knew, he could have had a family there, an arranged marriage, or a bushel of children with those bright blue-green eyes that pierced the soul.

  “No,” she whispered painfully. “I need you to understand that you can’t buy me, buy my affection, or buy your way into a future you think you want. You need to have someone tell you no occasionally in your life—no matter how much it hurts sometimes… I just hate that it’s me.”

  Max nodded tightly and didn’t say a word.

  Part of her wished he would argue the point, tell her she was wrong, but another part of her was barely holding it all together. She couldn’t wait to get back to her room, soak in a bubble bath and have a good old ugly cry that came straight from the soul…

  She had been given a chance that she’d hoped, wished, and begged for—and was now pushing him away. It was the right thing to do too, no matter how wretched she felt. Max was never intended for her and would never respect her, especially if he felt like he could purchase his way through life, getting what he wanted. That he’d even said that hurt so very much.

  That would be her strength tomorrow when she said goodbye.

  That would have to be it, because everything else about him was perfect and she could forgive just about anything in this very moment… and that was a very dangerous thing for a woman who valued her independence and freedom.

  Chapter 7

  Jolie got up early the next morning to find that Max was gone. She’d been up late crying her heart out in her room, trying not to disturb him or make him aware that it upset her. It was stupid to think she could have fallen for him so very quickly. She barely knew him for three days… one magical, fantastic weekend… and was head-over-heels-halfway in love with him.

  Knocking on the door, she was fully prepared to admit how much she liked him and how scary this all was to her. She’d had no one on her side. She had been alone and on her own since she was nineteen, so the thought of wanting or needing someone just felt so foreign to her.

  As she lay there last night, she realized that if Max left, she would never be able to see his smile or the sideways glances he gave her… and that bothered her more than she ever expected. She found herself crying and laughing at the ridiculous way they danced together on the dancefloor, and the way he seemed to be her support when she needed him, swimming to the island or scavenging for food. He was there for her—not to hold her back or buy his way—but because he was a wonderful man…

  She was twenty-eight and hadn’t found one yet, nor was she ready to let the most gorgeous one she’d ever met slip through her fingers.

  “Max? Max, are you up?”

  The hotel door that separated the two rooms opened slowly as a dark-haired woman wearing a uniform smiled warmly at her. Jolie knew in that moment that she was too late and fought back the burning bile that suddenly threatened her.

  “Mr. Georgas has already checked out, miss.”

  “When? How long ago?”

  “About two hours ago. Are you Jolie Murray?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mr. Georgas said to give you this,” she said happily, handing her a manila envelope that was sealed. Jolie nodded, accepting it, and closed the door between the two rooms, her mind spinning. She plopped down indelicately on the corner of her bed, staring at the envelope. Her mind was racing at the uncomprehending idea that Max was actually gone.

  She opened the envelope and let the contents slide onto the sheets. There were two more envelopes inside, along with two sets of keys. Picking up one of the larger envelopes, she slid her finger under the tab and tore it open. Title work and typed font blurred before her eyes as she read that she was the sole owner of a vessel named Adventure, berthed in spot nineteen at the marina about ten minutes from the hotel. She opened the other envelope to find that it was a note from Max. His crawling handwriting caught her eye as she read his words.

  My lovely Jolie,

  I cannot thank you enough for the best birthday a man could ever wish for, and I understand what you were trying to tell me. I am very sorry that I lashed out or might have hurt you carelessly in my stupidity.

  I just wanted more time with you, more time to get to know you, and to see your lov
ely smile. You are more than I ever expected and deserve—and I truly hope that your new Adventure fills your heart… as my own memories of our shared adventure will have to suffice and carry me through my future.

  You are right—telling me ‘no’ was a good idea because I would never have settled for less than your everything. In three days, I found happiness, joy, and someone I treasure more than anything in the world.

  Please be happy and enjoy the gifts.

  Always yours,

  Max

  Jolie stared at the keys in her hand, realizing they were the keys to his Porsche and the keys to her new boat. They fell onto the bedding as she collapsed painfully, her heart breaking in two.

  Max was gone and with him, her heart.

  Max looked at his uncle’s knowing gaze and painfully turned away.

  His soul felt like it was dying a slow death as they left for the airport. Giving Jolie the boat and the car wasn’t enough—nothing was enough for her, and he knew that now. Her smile, her laugh, and that single bittersweet kiss were priceless.

  Max wished he’d brought the Visine with him from the hotel room. He’d used it already several times this morning to get rid of the redness from his time spent crying alone in his room. He felt his eyes burning again, knowing she would probably wake up soon. He hoped she understood that he couldn’t bear to say goodbye. When he kissed her in the moonlight, he knew then that going back to Greece without her would be a death sentence to his soul. His family would never understand why he couldn’t be happy with anyone else. There was no one else out there that would tell him he was wrong, call him a ‘dork’, or tease him about his love of Jack-in-the-Box.

  All he could do at this point was provide for Jolie at a distance, giving her an Adventure of her own, her freedom, and support for whatever she wanted. It had been a sheer stroke of genius to instruct his uncle to purchase a ship for Jolie and name it Adventure in honor of their weekend. Little did he know that it would be the only remains of a beautiful memory that would remain in this world.

  “Are you all right, Maxie?”

  “I’m just tired,” Max admitted, not bothering to correct his name. “I feel so exhausted deep down inside and I don’t know if I can ever…”

  “Jolie is very special, isn’t she?”

  “You do not understand,” Max whispered, turning to look at his uncle. He felt the tear slip past his eyelashes and didn’t bother to hide the raw emotions he was dealing with right now. “She’s incredible.”

  “There, there, my boy,” his uncle crooned, pulling Max into a hug just like he was an immature boy and he went gratefully, searching for any relief from the pain that he felt in his chest.

  “It will all be as it should in the end. Let’s just try to rest on the plane and have a stiff drink. You can tell me all about this incredible woman who has captured your heart.”

  Max nodded, wiping his eyes, and boarded the private jet waiting for the two of them at the airport. He took his seat and let out a deep, shuddering breath, wondering if he would be ill. He was leaving a piece of him behind, something he never expected. It felt so painful and heartbreaking at the same time. The realization that he had fallen for his beautiful guide and his world would never be the same left him reeling.

  How was he going to be able to go on?

  Chapter 8

  It was a freaking yacht.

  Jolie stared at the behemoth before her in stunned shock. The gleaming hull shone in the bright sunlight as she stood there looking at it, double-checking the berthing. The last thing she wanted to do was get arrested on someone else’s yacht for trespassing with no one to bail her out.

  It felt weird to get in the Porsche and took her a good ten minutes to find where to stick the stupid key in the ignition. Every car she’d ever driven, the ignition was on the right side of the steering column… but noooo… the sleek car had a teensy spot on the left side that she happened to glance at a second time, realizing it wasn’t a spot to put coins like she’d originally thought. She’d laughed painfully alone at the idea that she’d made such a mistake, wishing that Max had seen her fidgeting around in his car. She drove it slowly to the marina, afraid to get a ticket or into an accident in the beautiful vehicle. She parked far back, away from the other cars, and double-checked the doors twice to make sure they were locked.

  Walking down the pier, she’d seen the gigantic ship and at first thought the Adventure must be hidden behind it, only to realize that this was the Adventure. The hull had to be at least twenty-five feet with brilliant wood trim, chrome polished railing, and a massive sun deck that extended off the back of the cruiser.

  “Hello…?” she called out nervously, clenching the keys in her hand painfully. Worst-case scenario, she could tell the police to search the Porsche-that-wasn’t-hers-but-was-now for the title to the boat… uh… ship. Glancing down at her hand, she saw the talisman that Max had given her.

  “I’m counting on you to bring me luck even though Max isn’t here anymore,” she whispered, taking a deep breath. “He said you would keep me safe and keep the hurtful things away.”

  Stepping forward, she expected to hear someone shout, sound an alarm, or brandish a firearm towards her, but there was nothing. She stood there for several minutes, just waiting, before investigating below decks. Hesitating, she walked into the cockpit and saw an envelope by the steering wheel. Looking around, she picked it up and opened it, revealing an invitation inside… to the Georgas Shipping celebration regarding their expansion of the company. Flipping the card over, she saw handwriting that looked different from Max’s had, reading the words aloud to herself.

  Always fight for love—and be safe crossing.

  Augustus Georgas—Max’s uncle

  Jolie felt a smile blossom on her face as she looked around the cockpit, seeing the nautical tools and maps before her were marked. Descending into the belly of the ship, she found two diesel engines that would carry her forward. There was a small galley, a master bedroom, a bathroom, and a closet stocked with women’s clothing. Several swimsuits were hanging on hangers with tags still on them, and a beautiful gown that looked almost like a sundress was off the shoulder. She suspected that Max’s uncle had a hand in their meeting from the very beginning. Laughing, she climbed back up to the cockpit and inserted the key in the ignition. The engines roared to life and she couldn’t help the cry of happiness that escaped her as she threw back her head, laughing happily. She would take the greatest adventure of her life and throw caution to the wind, grasping at her future with both hands.

  Jolie was going to Greece.

  Max stared out the window numbly.

  He couldn’t imagine anything worse than being paraded before his parents’ friends, family, and coworkers hoping someone could drag him out of the funk he’d been in since returning. Nothing made him happy, and he felt like a whiny child pouting. He wanted Jolie here and wanted to know how she was doing. He wished he’d thought to get her phone number or some sort of way to communicate with her—instead he’d slipped away to save his own stupid pride.

  His family was expanding their fleet of ships and hosting a fundraiser for charity, as well as announcing his new ship. Max agreed, but only if they changed the name of the ship. If he would be a part of this world he couldn’t escape from, the least he could do was try to bring a part of Jolie with him. His father agreed, trumping his mother’s protest since she’d named the ship, and had their attorney’s draw up the documents right away. Max named the large freightliner, Kardia tis Tzoli.

  … or Jolie’s Heart.

  He wasn’t embarrassed because he knew Jolie would never see it. It was his reminder of the woman he would never forget. Max knew he would be expected to find someone and settle down, but he did not understand how anyone would be happy living in a loveless marriage. It was pathetic and made him feel so hopeless.

  Donning his jacket, he didn’t even bother to shave for the event tonight, knowing that his mother would parade women around h
im repeatedly just like she had every other time. It was terribly predictable and irritating. Slipping on cufflinks, he finally headed down to the ballroom where this fiasco was supposed to be held. He meandered, as if he was dragging his feet, down the marble corridors towards his destiny. Raking his fingers through his hair, he hesitated at the ornate doorways and took several breaths before stepping inside.

  It had been almost two weeks since he left Florida—and felt like forever. As he stepped inside, it was eerie at how similar everything was around him, like he’d never escaped this world around him. This was part of the reason he wanted the name of his ship changed. He never wanted to forget her or their time together.

  God, he missed her terribly.

  Chapter 9

  Jolie stared at the brilliant waters of the Grecian port before her. She’d never seen water so bright blue. The land around there was dotted with bleached buildings, several tall skyscrapers, as well as ancient buildings. A massive stone amphitheater overlooked the ocean, and she could just imagine the view from there. On the hills overlooking the lush port, she saw several Greek ruins in the distance; the columns standing strong after several millennia.

  As she slid into the marina, she saw an older man standing there waving at her. He was wearing a dark black suit like something out of a mafia movie. Jolie did a double-take, looking behind her, and then back at him as the boat pulled up to be moored.

  “Miss Murray?” the man said brightly, making his face crease easily as he smiled at her. “I am Augustus Georgas but you can call me Theios, if you like?”

  “How…? What…?” she asked, surprised. “How did you know I would be here right now?”

  “Well, the event will start soon and I didn’t think you would want to miss something like this, would you?”