Billionaires Club

by Elsa Kurt

  There are times, like right now when our eyes meet and arousal flashes in the blue depths, making my dick stir. Her breasts rise as she breathes deeply and my mouth waters with the need to kiss her, taste her nipples, feel her coming over me.

  She’s my boss, but I don’t fucking care.

  Forcing my eyes to the papers on the table, I breathe in and my nostrils flare. I’m two seconds away from jumping over the table and tossing her over my shoulder before storming out of the conference room in front of all our colleagues.

  This ends today. We will either hash this shit out or I’ll be forced to leave a job I love. There is no amount of money in the world that is worth me staying here if I’ll be required to watch the woman I want avoid me. I have more self-preservation than that.

  Chapter 9

  Kylie

  The dark expression in Brendan’s eyes make my legs quiver. I want him. It doesn’t matter how many times I tell myself I don’t…I do. The mind-blowing sex in the elevator shook me to my core. I’ve avoided it as much as I can, but my days are a mess when I’m not able to catch even a glimpse of him.

  To say my days are filled with more responsibility is an understatement. I love my job now more than ever. I know Granddaddy is proud of me, and this team will continue to flourish under my loving care. I don’t doubt that at all. I’m a Courier, and we don’t give up on what we love and want. That’s one reason my father’s struggled with his gambling. He loves it and refuses to give it up.

  My eyes flick over to Brendan and I see his nostrils flare. I want to know what is causing it. He’s never far from my mind. After a week of debating back and forth, I moved into Granddaddy’s office. Those first few days I cried at his lingering smell. There are so many times I wanted to open the adjoining door connecting my office to Brendan’s, but say what? Do what?

  It’s not lost on me the hurt I’ve caused Brendan with my cold shoulder. I left that elevator petrified that word would get out about our tryst. Now paparazzi and reporters hound me about my love life and all it would take is whoever worked that day to copy the tape and send it in for a payout.

  Granddaddy would roll over in his grave if that ever happened.

  The meeting ends, and I hurry down the hall to my office. I don’t know what the final decision was on the topic of new jerseys, but I’m sure there will be another mention of it. This is turning into a problem.

  I push open the door and move to the small refrigerator and grab a bottle of water. Any time Brendan is in a meeting I lose focus. His hands, lips, eyes, and even the way his tongue wets his lips entrances me.

  After I’ve chugged the water, I wipe my mouth and sigh. My need for Brendan is out of control. Beads of sweat roll between my shoulder blades and my panties are damp with need for him. My breasts feel heavy and I’m glad for the light padding in the cups that hide my erect nipples. A slow shudder passes down my spine and I’m tempted to turn on my heels and pass through our door.

  Throwing the bottle away, I wipe my hands on my skirt and gather my hair off my neck into a ponytail. A tingle of awareness hits me, and I freeze. Spinning on my heels, I teeter and right myself. My breath is lodged in my throat and neither of us speaks.

  Brendan is sitting on my new couch, his right arm slung across the back and his left ankle crossed over his right knee. The gray suit fits him nicely, and I imagine popping open each button to his crisp white dress shirt, revealing the muscles I can’t stop dreaming about.

  He stands without a word and crosses the room to me. Tilting my head, I meet his eyes as my lungs burn. I should send him away, scold him for not making his presence known. How long has he watched me?

  Kiss me, please!

  My eyes land on his lips as the last flitting thought passes my mind. Soft, full lips that know how to work me into a frenzy. Or maybe I’d been so lost in grief that I dreamt it was that good?

  “Kylie,” he groans, sounding pained. His mouth smashes into mine. Lips press against each other and I gasp, breathing in his exhale. Brendan deepens the kiss and our tongues glide and roll as we devour each other.

  His kisses are better than I remembered. Definitely not a figment of my imagination as his fingers dig into my hips, pulling me flush to him. His hands slide around and find my ass, kneading and massaging the muscles.

  My arms snake up his body and wrap around his neck as I rise to my tippy toes, breasts pressed against his hard chest. His erection pushes against my soft belly. We fit together—

  Brendan draws back suddenly, and my eyes flutter open as my brain catches up. His eyes are turbulent, reminding me of a brewing storm, and I’m left staring. Partly in fear, not because I think he would ever hurt me, but rather I don’t know if I can accept what’s hidden behind those walls. The other part of me is so damn aroused by this man, and the look he’s giving me makes my thighs press together.

  He growls, his chest vibrating under my fingers. “As much as I want to mark you as mine, we need to talk.” My mouth opens but no sound comes out. “No, I need you to hear me out first.”

  I nod.

  “You’ve been avoiding me for a couple months,” he says, and I don’t deny it. “We stepped over lines and there’s no going back.”

  I nod and my heart pounds away against my ribs. His hand cradles my cheek and I’m helpless as I press into his palm. The gentle stroke of his thumb against my skin makes me sigh.

  “I’m not stupid. This is unconventional since you’re my boss. I tried making myself care about that. We’ve known each other for years. It’s not like I was just hired. I’ve always been attracted to you, but now that I’ve had a taste of you…” He shudders. “We need to explore this. We don’t have to go public about it. I understand the complications this could cause for both of us. But this limbo we’re in? No, no more of that shit. I’m losing my fucking mind. If you can’t let me in and give us a shot, I’ll have to walk away, in every way.” His eyes cloud with so many emotions, but the ones I cling to are hope and sadness.

  I want him on a deeper level. We’ve worked side by side for years. One look at him and my panties melt—especially now that I’ve experienced the feel of his mouth and dick on my sex. As a woman, people will judge me harshly for dating a man who works for me. It’s a fact. Can I let Brendan walk away? How will the Cougars go on without his gentle, loving care? How will I handle not seeing him?

  He’s right about the last couple months. I’ve been miserable with the distance I forced between us. There is so much we need to learn about each other. This could blow up in our faces, as most workplace romances do. Or you can find love and happiness… I hear my granddaddy say the words. A chill runs down my body as I bite my lip.

  “I’m scared,” I whisper, and for a moment I’m sure he didn’t hear them.

  “Fucking terrified,” he whispers.

  My eyes flit back and forth between his. “This might blow up in our face.”

  “Can you honestly let me go without trying? I know I can’t. That’s why I’m in here. I’ve had enough.”

  “Always trust your gut!” Granddaddy used to tell me.

  I bite my lip hard and register the sweet metallic taste of blood. “No. I hate the thought of you leaving.”

  “I’ve given you months to process us. What do you say?”

  Will I regret it if I step out of his arms and watch him go? “You’ll have to be patient with me,” I say and pull him down for a tender kiss.

  When the kiss ends he presses his forehead to mine as we catch our breaths. “Thank God. I’ve been losing my damn mind without you. You avoiding me, cut me to the bone. I can’t take any more of that.”

  “No more. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’ve been so confused and lost. I didn’t know if I was acting out of grief.”

  “And now? What do you think?” he asks.

  “That I’ve always wanted you, but the moment we touched—really touched—you opened the floodgates of something deeper. These last couple of months have been awful. I’m ready
to see how deep this thing between us really is.”

  Brendan swings me into his arms and kisses me as he maneuvers us across the office to the couch. Our first order of business in christening our new relationship is coming—until we can’t see straight.

  Chapter 10

  Brendan

  The way I feel around Kylie is indescribable. I’d dated here and there, but no woman has stolen my attention like she has. I hope the staff won’t notice the extra pep in my step as we decided not to go public with our relationship until we were ready. There are still paparazzi watching her after Kyle’s passing, and we don’t need to rock the boat any more than necessary. Especially with the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony around the corner. The spotlight needs to be focused on our player being inducted, not Kylie’s love life.

  A quick knock sounds on the door before the vision that has occupied my mind day and night appears. “Hi! You busy?” she asks.

  I push back from my desk with a smile. “Never too busy for you.” Chuckling at my words, I’m reminded of the many times I’ve said them in my time with the Cougars.

  Kylie closes the door behind her and her head cocks to the side. “Why the laugh?”

  “Many a time I said those words to Kyle.” Rounding my desk, I meet her with an overwhelming need to kiss her.

  Cupping her face, my lips press against hers, rubbing back and forth over the soft flesh and allowing myself a quick taste before I force myself to pull back.

  Her eyes flutter open and I smile. “Hi,” she repeats breathlessly, and I’m slammed with memories of her body under mine.

  “Hi, baby.” In her hands, I see a stack of papers. “What do you have there?” We move to the couch and once again I’m reminded of the times Kyle would sit on this same couch as we discussed possible legal scenarios concerning the team. I’m not sure I’ll ever stop missing his presence in my life.

  Kylie’s eyes flit to the side, a brief flash of nerves that make me sit a little straighter. “Well, Granddaddy’s passing has had me thinking—”

  “About what?”

  “I’m obviously not married, and I don’t have children—”

  “Do you want them?” The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them. Our eyes meet, and for a moment I realize how badly I need her to say yes.

  Her tongue slips free and runs along her lower lip. “Y-yes. If I met the right man, I would love to start a family down the line. You?”

  The knot around my chest eases at her words. “No,” I say and her face falls before she regains her composure. “Now if the right woman comes along, I would love to see her round with my child.”

  The wheels turn in her beautiful brain before she smacks my arm. “You!”

  “What? You said the right man, and well, I’m kind of looking for other parts in my life partner.” I wink before chuckling at her answering growl. “Okay, now that we know we are both on the same page about children, what has Kyle’s passing got you thinking of?”

  “I don’t have a will. Before now it wasn’t something I even considered. I can’t let this team land in my father’s hands, but I don’t know how to do this without an heir.”

  I nod. “Fair enough. We can contact my friend who helped me with Kyle’s. I’m sure he can help you with options in case something happens before you have an heir.”

  She lays her head on my shoulder and we drink in the intimate moment of peace. I have a niggling feeling that something else is on her mind, but I don’t want to prod. The smell of her shampoo wafts toward me as I kiss the top of her head.

  “I wonder what he thinks about this,” she whispers.

  “To be honest, I think he was working this angle for a couple years.”

  Kylie looks at me. “Really? Why do you say that?”

  “When was the last time he took you to a fundraising event?”

  “We went to a dinner about two months before he died.”

  “I’m not talking about the dinners. An actual formal engagement where you needed to doll yourself up.”

  Wrinkles form between her eyes and I can’t help but kiss the spot. She’s a beautiful woman, but when that spot scrunches up in thought I find her exceptionally adorable.

  “Well, shit. I really don’t remember.”

  “The first time he complained of his sciatica. He asked me to take his place because he didn’t want you to fly solo for the event. At first, I remember being concerned, but then I spotted him walking around fine even though he favored his lower back earlier that day. He also liked to bring up your personal life.” The last part makes me feel a little uncomfortable with admitting.

  “My personal life?”

  “Yeah. He was concerned you worked too much and weren’t allowing yourself time to meet a man.” He even asked me if I thought you were attractive.

  Kylie shook her head, amusement lighting her eyes. “What a busybody. Now that you have me thinking about it, it all makes sense.”

  “What does?”

  “He asked me what I thought of you once. Why you were single and if I found you attractive.”

  I raise my brows suggestively. “And what did you tell him?”

  Kylie laughs. “Wouldn’t you like to know!”

  My fingers find her sides and her giggles bring what I know can only be described as a cheesy grin to my face. The grief of losing Kyle and the added stress of taking over the team has cast a shadow of worry over her. In this rare moment, I’m able to chase it away.

  “Tell me!” I demand before another round of giggles escapes her.

  “Mercy!” she cries out and I soften my fingers, allowing them to lay on her sides.

  It’s an intimate caress, one that is natural. Unfortunately, it will shoot the keeping this thing between us quiet out of the water if someone comes into my office unannounced. Only, in this moment I don’t care or think about it much.

  I’m left staring as her chest rises and falls rapidly as she catches her breath. “So?” My voice is raspy as desire takes root.

  “I think I told him you were intelligent, loyal, and attractive enough. That I didn’t know why you were single.” A sweet blush washes over her cheeks at the admission and my chest puffs out.

  “Attractive enough?” I ask before threatening to tickle her once more.

  Kylie laughs. “Well, I wasn’t going to tell Granddaddy that I thought you were hot.”

  “I suppose not. Between what you just said and what I’d already gathered, I think the old man was trying to push us together.”

  The bright light that lit her face a moment ago dims. “I miss him so much,” she whispers.

  Gathering her in my arms, I hold her and allow myself to grieve, if only for a moment. “I miss him too.”

  Chapter 11

  Kylie

  Brendan’s arms are wrapped around me and I wonder how I have gone so long without him. He makes me feel safe and secure, something no other man has done. I imagine Granddaddy is feeling very proud of himself right now.

  The intercom on Brendan’s phone beeps before we hear Vicky. “Brendan? I’m looking for Kylie. Is she in there with you?”

  Brendan releases me. “Back to work, boss.”

  I sit forward and watch him weave around the furniture to his desk. “Hey, Vicky. Kylie’s here.”

  “There’s a man from the de’Scala Hotel in Vegas requesting to speak with you,” Vicky announces.

  I look from the phone to Brendan’s face. Our curious expressions mirror each other, and I push to my feet. “Mind if I take it in here?”

  “No. Would you like some privacy?” he asks, and I smile.

  “You’re fine.” I press the button on the phone, “I’ll take the call in here. Thanks, Vick!”

  After pressing the speaker button, I lean on the desk. “Kylie Courier. How can I be of service?”

  “Hello, Ms. Courier. My name is Matthew Blackburn, I work for Mr. Maxwell Scala of the de‘Scala Hotels.” When I don’t say more, he continues. “I’m callin
g about an outstanding debt for our Botticelli Suite.”

  Now that has my attention. I haven’t been to Vegas in—well, too long. I certainly haven’t stayed at the de‘Scala. I can feel Brendan watching me, but I force myself to focus on the caller. “I’m sorry, Mr. Blackburn, but I don’t understand what this has to do with me?”

  “The suite was checked out to a Mr. Courier.”

  I meet Brendan’s eyes, and mouth, “Granddaddy?”

  His shoulders rise and fall, unsure.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Blackburn, but I don’t have any knowledge of my grandfather, Kyle, visiting the de‘Scala.”

  “I apologize, ma’am. The suite was in Michael Courier’s name.”

  My eyes harden, and I straighten from the desk. My father? Why didn’t I assume that first? “How much?” I snap.

  “Ten grand for a three-night stay.”

  Brendan releases a low whistle as he shakes his head. “Jesus!”

  “Ten grand for three nights? How much is that suite, geez!”

  “Well, ma’am, he charged quite a bit to the room during his stay.”

  “I’ll say,” I mutter. “Is there any way I can speak to Mr. Scala on the matter?”

  “I’ll have to see if he’s finished with his meeting. Do you mind holding or should I have him call you?”

  “I’ll hold.” He excuses himself and music plays. I mute the call and turn toward Brendan. “My father is a real piece of work! Any way you can contact Jeffrey today and see if the inheritance installment went through with Michael?”

  “No problem. What are you—”

  “Maxwell Scala.”

  I clear my throat and unmute the phone at the hard, deep sounding voice on the line. “Hello, Mr. Scala, this is Kylie Courier.”

  “Hello.”

  “Mr. Blackburn has informed me of an outstanding debt at your hotel in my father’s name.”

  “Yes. Matthew says you’d like to speak with me on the matter.”

  “Mr. Scala, you’re a businessman. If you weren’t, your hotels wouldn’t be what they are. My father’s debts are his own, not mine, nor of my team. I’ll handle this inhouse and pay his debt, but I’d like to request something first.” He remained quiet and I continued. “Please do not allow him to stay at your hotels again. Otherwise, if you do, please contact him directly, and not myself nor anyone on my staff when trying to get your money back.”