The Billionaire Bachelor (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 1) Page 29

  She shivered, but not because she was cold.

  “Do you feel this?” he asked.

  She bit down on her cheek to keep from crying, her eyes sliding shut in bald surrender. She felt it. God, how she felt it.

  Soft kisses brushed her closed lids, first one, then the other. His warm breath in her ear, he said, “You feel it. I know you do. I feel it.”

  “You can’t…” Finally. Her voice. Thank God. For a moment she thought she’d stand here completely mute and let his words cover her like a warm blanket.

  “Can’t what? Love you?” He drew back so he could conquer her soul with his navy blues. “Too late. I love you. I’ve loved you even longer than I dared admit. And you still love me, Merina.”

  “I don’t.”

  “It’s okay.” He smiled gently, looking handsome.

  “It’s not!” she said, tears of anger, of confusion streaming down her cheeks. Because she did love him, dammit. She loved him, but she hated him for doing this. “It’s not okay.”

  Weakly, she shoved his chest with her hands but he only pulled her closer.

  “I missed a board meeting today. I missed a lot of meetings. A lot of work.”

  She frowned.

  “Laser focused on my legacy, I would have done anything to attain CEO. Like marry a woman and threaten to gut her hotel because I knew how much it meant to her. But now I have what I want, and without that woman by my side, my legacy means nothing. I was working so hard to fulfill my destiny, I failed to see that you, Merina, are a part of it. Without you, I have nothing. Without you, I am nothing.”

  She simply stared.

  “The day you stormed into my office with that”—he pointed at the doorknob—“you changed me. I was never the same after you. But I’m stubborn, and I’m stupid. I let myself believe letting you go was better for both of us. No matter how much it hurt me, I knew you were better off without me.”

  She wanted to be.

  “But you’re not, are you?” He touched her face again. “Did I really break you, Merina? Won’t you let me fix it? Fix us?”

  “I’m terrified,” she admitted, her voice choked with unshed tears. “I’m so scared you’ll freak out and leave again. I can’t take it. I won’t go through this again.”

  “You won’t have to.”

  “I don’t know that.” She couldn’t trust that he wouldn’t shut her out all over again.

  He licked his lips, nodding at his shoes. When his shoulders rose and dropped with a deep breath, she could see he understood where she was coming from.

  “I need to be rebuilt,” he muttered.

  “Sorry?”

  “Like the Van Heusen.” He lowered onto one of the barstools and looked around the room, at the ceiling medallions, the shelves lined with bottles, the antique sconces. He put his fingers on the brass doorknob. “I was gutted before I met you. I was a shell, my foundation shaky. I’m better than the man you met the first time. Because of you, I’m better.”

  She thought of Arnold’s words about his wife. I wasn’t this man before I knew her.

  But that didn’t change one indelible fact.

  “I can’t fix you,” she said.

  “I don’t want you to fix me,” Reese said. “I want you to stand beside me. You see beauty in this place, and you made me see it too. You see charm where there are cracks. I’m cracked in a hundred places, but the biggest one happened when I saw your ring on top of those papers.”

  She told herself not to go to him but found she was drawn in by what he said. This strong, cocky, coldhearted billionaire had been softened by her. He was asking for a chance. The same man who looked at this room with disgust now held nothing but warmth in his eyes.

  She reached for him, watching as her palm touched the damp scruff on his face.

  “You’re a mess,” she told him.

  “I’m on the mend.” His eyes looked as wet as the rest of him when he fisted her silk shirt. His sodden hold was strained, as if he wanted to pull her to him but resisted. He only waited.

  “You can rise from the ashes on your own, Reese.”

  His face fell. He gave her a sad nod and released her shirt. As much as it hurt, she backed away from him, and waved good-bye. This time, for real.

  She heard him stand, the shift of material as he walked behind her. When she reached the doorway, he spoke.

  “I found home with you.”

  She turned. He stood, arms at his sides, shoulders slumped. She never thought she’d see Reese Crane look dejected.

  “Home was a safe place when my mom was alive. Then she died and I never found it again. Not with dad and my brothers. Family, trust, love, yes. But not home. That place you feel safe naked.” He gave her a slight eyebrow lift. “Figuratively.”

  Her lips flinched the slightest bit.

  “The mansion was never more than a place to live. Once I left it behind and moved to the hotel, I forgot about needing a space where I could be me.” He dipped his chin and walked closer to her. “Until you.”

  She didn’t retreat. Not this time.

  “We built more than a business, Merina. We accomplished more than fooling the world. We made a house into a home. I want that with you. But this time, a safe space for both of us.”

  “To be naked,” she said.

  “Preferably.”

  She smiled, just a small one.

  “Come home with me, Merina.” He tipped her chin. “For tonight. For good.”

  He bled sincerity. And her heart couldn’t deny that what he’d said was the truth.

  They had built a home together.

  Her life hadn’t made sense for weeks, but instantly, the fog cleared. She could see clearly. She could see him. See them. She wrapped her arms around his waist and felt a rush of air leave his lungs in a grateful huff as he folded her against him.

  “Come back.” he said against her hair, his voice tight. “Come back and I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life making this up to you.”

  She lifted her face and saw the love reflected in his eyes. Beneath the suited sewer rat, there was a man. The man she’d fallen in love with. The man she’d never recover from no matter how long he stayed away.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?” His smile was cautious. Adorably unsure. He blinked back what looked like tears as her own eyes blurred with them.

  He squeezed her close and she could feel how right this was, how right they were together. She knew him. She believed in him.

  “Come on, Crane,” she said. “Take me home.”

  Epilogue

  Rumpled and sexy, Reese’s head rested on the pillow, his firm mouth smiling. The Chicago sun was shining, bouncing off the fresh blanket of snow in the backyard. Merina had climbed out of bed and taken the robe off the Van Heusen doorknob now hanging on the wall like a hook. She stood at the sliding doors looking out at the pool and beyond from their first-floor bedroom.

  She turned and squared her fingers, framing him.

  “What are you doing?” Reese propped his head on his hand.

  “Hashtag love of my life,” she said.

  “Get in here.” His smile widened.

  She hopped to the bed, sliding into white sheets and into his warm, waiting arms.

  “Let’s see it,” he said.

  She lifted her left hand, turning her fingers so he could see the engagement ring he put on her finger last week. On State Street. When they met her parents there to ice skate and celebrate their very special anniversary.

  “I can’t wait to marry you.” He kissed her knuckles. “Again.” He threaded their fingers together, pressing their palms flat and leveling her with a heated, sincere gaze.

  She leaned in and kissed his nose.

  “Thank you.” He kissed her lips.

  “For?”

  “For making me.” He tugged her closer as they lay side by side. “They say behind every good man is a strong woman.”

  “I think the saying goes ‘Behind every good man i
s a woman rolling her eyes.’”

  “Well, I was close.”

  She held her index finger and thumb an inch apart.

  He moved in to kiss her again and she interrupted with, “Oh! I forgot to tell you.”

  He pulled his chin back to focus on her.

  “I decided to have a team of decorators tackle that whitewashed lobby of Crane Hotel.”

  “You what?”

  “Bo-ring,” she sang. “When they’re done, your glass and stone shrine will be Bohemian and full of personality.”

  “I don’t like personality.” His mouth turned down.

  Enjoying teasing him, she rolled out of bed. “I should confirm we would like the tapestries after all.” She tapped her lips and pretended to think. “And the beaded curtains.”

  “Merina, you’d better be kidding.” He threw the sheets aside and stood.

  She backed across the room as she continued. “Do you think the addition of bean bag chairs in the lobby is too much?”

  A hint of a smile curved the stubble around his mouth, making her grow warm and her heart leap. He knew she was kidding.

  “Only if you promise to have a Tarot reader present on Saturdays. No live chickens, though, it’ll freak out the suits.” He caught her, fisting the knot in her robe and pulling her close.

  “I had you going, admit it.” She laughed.

  “I’ll admit nothing.”

  “You’ll tell me everything, Reese Crane.” She wrapped her arms around his neck as he splayed one wide palm over her back.

  “Let’s try you saying my name again.” He put his lips against hers and murmured, “Only this time louder, and with more enthusiasm.”

  This time her laughter was joined by his. She kissed his smile. Her husband—er, soon-to-be husband—in her home. Their home.

  She ran her fingers through his hair but when she met his gaze, she found him looking scarily serious.

  “I love you, Merina Van Heusen.”

  Her chest expanded as she pulled in a breath, that same breath clogging her throat.

  “I love you, Reese Crane.”

  Also by Jessica Lemmon

  The Love in the Balance series

  Tempting the Billionaire

  Can’t Let Go (novella)

  Hard to Handle

  The Millionaire Affair

  The Second Chance series

  Bringing Home the Bad Boy

  Rescuing the Bad Boy

  A Bad Boy for Christmas

  Return of the Bad Boy

  ACCLAIM FOR

  JESSICA LEMMON’S NOVELS

  A BAD BOY FOR CHRISTMAS

  “Shopping for a hot holiday read? Look no further than A Bad Boy for Christmas. Actually, it’s a terrific read for any time of the year. With charismatic characters, stirring situations, and enough sexy to fill an entire town’s worth of stockings, this latest in Lemmon’s Second Chance series is 400-plus pages of Christmas magic.”

  —USA Today

  “4 stars! Lemmon’s contemporary style of storytelling and down-to-earth characters shine through. Lemmon will draw readers into this story because she writes characters whom readers can connect with. Connor and Faith are strong and complement each other, and their chemistry is explosive. Lemmon is an expert at the modern-day romance.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “Lemmon’s sexy and well-constructed third Second Chance romance uses a nice reversal: the man wants marriage and the woman is commitment-shy…Likable and realistic characters with believable emotions, and the right balance of fantasy fulfillment, make for some good holiday heat.”

  —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  RESCUING THE BAD BOY

  “An amazing read and I can’t wait for the next installment.”

  —TheBookNympho.com

  “Nobody does a bad boy like Jessica Lemmon.”

  —HarlequinJunkie.com

  “Lemmon’s style of storytelling, coupled with a strong plot, makes this story an amazing read.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  BRINGING HOME THE BAD BOY

  “Clever, romantic, and utterly unforgettable.”

  —Lauren Layne, USA Today bestselling author

  “4 ½ stars! A sexy gem of a read that will tug at the heartstrings…A heartfelt plot infused with both emotionally tender and raw moments makes this a story that readers will savor.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  THE MILLIONAIRE AFFAIR

  “Fast-paced, well-written, and impossible to put down…Jessica writes with humor infused generously throughout in a realistic, entertaining way that really helps to make her characters realistic people you’ll want to know…You won’t be disappointed!”

  —HarlequinJunkie.com

  “Landon and Kimber’s banter is infectious as their chemistry sizzles. Smartly written with a narrative infused with humor and snark, this modern-day romance is a keeper.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “I have always loved Jessica Lemmon’s books and have enjoyed reading this series. She has again captured me with her magnificent writing and characters.”

  —NightOwlReviews.com

  HARD TO HANDLE

  “[Aiden is] a perfect balance of sensitive, heart-on-his-sleeve guy who is as sexy and ‘alpha’ as they come…A rare treat.”

  —PolishedBookworm.com

  “[Aiden is] a fantastic character. He is a motorcycle-riding, tattooed, rebel kind of guy with a huge heart. What’s not to love?…I really enjoyed this book and I think readers will find it entertaining and heartfelt.”

  —RomanceRewind.blogspot.com

  “I smiled through a lot of it, but seeing Aiden and Sadie deal with all of their hurdles was also incredibly moving and had me tearing up more than once as well…I can’t wait to see what Lemmon will bring to the table next.”

  —HerdingCats-BurningSoup.com

  “Aiden has all the characteristics of a bad boy but with the heart of that perfect hero…Their gradual spark leads to some well-written steamier scenes.”

  —RosieReadsRomance.blogspot.com

  CAN’T LET GO

  “This novella was long enough to get me hooked on Aiden and Sadie and short enough to leave me wanting more…The chemistry between the characters is fan worthy and the banter is a great addition. The writing style draws readers in.”

  —BSReviewers.blogspot.com

  TEMPTING THE BILLIONAIRE

  “A smashing debut! Charming, sexy, and brimming with wit—you’ll be adding Jessica Lemmon to your bookshelves for years to come!”

  —Heidi Betts, USA Today bestselling author

  “Lemmon’s characters are believable and flawed. Her writing is engaging and witty. If I had been reading this book out in public, everyone would have seen the huge grin on my face. I had so much fun reading this and adore it immensely.”

  —LiteraryEtc.wordpress.com

  “The awesome cover opened to even more awesome things inside. It was realistic! Funny! Charming! Sweet!”

  —AbigailMumford.com

  To overhaul the pool bars in Oahu’s Crane Hotel, Tag enlists the help of his neighbor-slash-bartender Rachel Foster to help with the design. Several sultry nights later, their relationship deepens, but Rachel knows a player is always a player. Now that she’s fallen for the billionaire prince, is she willing to walk away?

  Please see the next page

  for a preview of

  The Billionaire Next Door.

  Chapter 1

  Eyes closed, Rachel Foster drew in a steeling breath, shut out the din of voices at the surrounding tables in the bar, and said these words aloud for the first time ever: “Mom, Dad, I resigned from my position at the design firm after Shaun took credit for my work, moved out of our shared apartment, and took a job as a bartender instead.”

  She held her breath for a few seconds before opening her eyes. “Should I start with my ex taking credit for my work, then move to the resignation? Or is it best to open with the bartende
r bit?”

  “I think they’ll love you no matter what.” The fiftysomething-year-old man in front of her, who was playing the role of “Mom and Dad” chuckled and shook his head.

  Oliver something. He had kind green eyes, a plain face, and a head full of hair dyed a shade too dark for his age and skin tone. He was a regular at the bar where she worked, enjoying the same exact meal (turkey club, no mayo) each and every weeknight. He always ate, but never drank alcohol, only soda. And he had a big, beautiful Great Dane, a dog she would soon be in charge of while living in his gorgeous apartment. She really needed to learn Oliver’s last name.

  “You say that because you’ve never met them,” she said, grabbing the soda gun from behind the bar and refilling his Diet Coke.

  He brushed his hands on a paper napkin and shook his head. “I’m old enough to be your father.”

  “Uncle,” she corrected, being generous.

  “Older uncle,” he reiterated. “Either way, I have longer perspective than you and I’m advising you to tell your folks what’s going on.”

  “I will.” Eventually. Right now, she couldn’t call her family in Ohio and drop in their lap that their successful city-dwelling daughter was not watching the gold nameplate go up on her office door. Instead, she was stacking dirty dishes in a bus tub and cleaning that sticky, disgusting stuff out of the rubber mat over which she poured libations for eight hours a night, five days a week.

  She took Oliver’s plate as he reached for his wallet. He extracted a credit card, which he used to pay everything and get miles for his many business trips, and set a gold key next to it.

  “Front desk knows to expect you tomorrow,” he said, then brought up the Great Dane with whom he shared a life. “Adonis has been asking about you since you stopped by last week.”