Just like that, the storm passed. They fell into easy conversation until her friends returned from the dancefloor. Then, Dorran took his leave, leaving her to enjoy the rest of her girl’s night out. He didn’t mind walking away, knowing that they had plans to meet for dinner tomorrow. A sweet relief filled him, making his steps feel lighter. The last two weeks were rough, and he just couldn’t let Kerry go. He’d never been this way about a woman, but he’d been telling the truth when he said she was different.
He was beginning to suspect that Kerry Donovan might be the one. Not just the woman he would marry to get his grandma and brother off his back, but the right woman for him.
Chapter Nine
Kerry slid into the passenger’s seat of Dorran’s sleek sports car, utterly unsurprised that he showed up in such a flashy vehicle. It was Friday afternoon, and he had invited her upstate to spend the weekend with him and his family at his grandmother’s country home. Dorran was putting her overnight bag into the trunk, which was at the front of this car. She took a moment to examine the interior, which was completely black and impeccably clean, a sure sign that he cared a lot about this vehicle. The leather seat was cool against her back, and the engine was so quiet that she could barely hear it. She buckled her seatbelt and got comfortable when Dorran got in the car, knowing that they had a long drive ahead of them.
“So, tell me about your family,” she said as he navigated through the San Francisco traffic. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “What?”
“I was just checking to see if you had a notebook in your hand. You were using your shrink voice.”
He pulled up to a stoplight, so she reached over and lightly pinched his thigh.
“What the hell?”
“I told you, I’m not a shrink.”
Dorran chuckled. “Okay, damn. Point taken.”
“And I’m not charging by the hour. I’m genuinely curious. What’s your grandma like?”
“She’s the best. She and Stan are the only family I have left. My parents died when I was ten, a damn drunk driver slammed into their car one night, and she and my grandpa took us in. Raised us, even as she was mourning the loss of her son.”
“Strong woman.”
“Oh yeah. And she’s the type that’s not afraid to speak her mind. It’s all about keepin’ it real. So, don’t ask her a question unless you’re prepared to get it straight up, because that’s what you’re getting.”
Kerry smiled, her eyes glued to Dorran. This was a new side of him that she was seeing right now. There was something almost boyish about him as he talked about his grandmother. The sincerity of it was giving her a heady feeling.
“And Stan? What’s your relationship like with him?”
They were on the freeway now, heading north as the city fell away behind them. Traffic was light, so they were making good time.
“Stan and I love each other. We went through hell together, losing our parents. But . . . the sibling rivalry thing gets a little out of control sometimes. But, hey, he’s my little brother. Nobody messes with him . . . except me.”
“How so? The out-of-control thing.”
“I don’t know, it just feels like everything is a competition between us. Who has the better career, the most money, more of Grandma’s attention, just everything. It never ends.”
“One could argue that that’s a healthy aspect of a sibling relationship.”
Okay, that was a classic psychologist answer, but she hoped he didn’t notice. It was a habit to fall back on her training.
“I suppose it is, but it’s not always easy. For some reason, he’s always been the more serious one. I don’t know why he’s like that when he’s had it so easy his whole life.”
Kerry picked up on something bitter in his voice. “What do you mean by that?”
“You know, I think I’ll take this exit up here. We can take the back roads. Not the most direct route, but I can really open her up out on those long, empty stretches. Show you what this baby can do.”
He patted the car’s dashboard and grinned, but she wasn’t fooled. She recognized the purposeful change of subject. Intense curiosity filled her, but she let the subject drop for now.
“How fast can this car go?”
“They say it can get up just over two hundred miles per hour, but I haven’t tested that yet.”
“Yet? You don’t need to test that at all. That’s crazy!”
“Worried about me?”
He sent a wink her way and she rolled her eyes.
“More like worried about myself.”
Dorran took the exit and, true to his word, he floored the accelerator once they were on a straight, clear road. Kerry knew that she should tell him not to be reckless, but as they neared a hundred miles an hour, she felt a thrill shoot through her. Cracking the window, she closed her eyes as cool air washed over her face. It tasted like freedom.
The engine purred as they sped along. When she glanced at the dashboard again, she saw that Dorran had stopped accelerating and was keeping the car locked in around one hundred twenty.
At that speed, they arrived at their location twenty minutes sooner than expected. Kerry could tell when they got close because Dorran eased off the gas, letting the car slow down to the posted speed limit before they turned onto a narrow country road that was shaded by tall oaks on each side. She peered through the windshield as they approached the large house. It was set back from the road, nestled among the trees of this wooded area.
The house was a three-story, log cabin style building with a huge wrap-around porch. As Dorran pulled his car into the driveway and parked, a tall woman with short, white hair stepped out onto the porch. Kerry recognized Violet Knight immediately. The woman was a fashion icon with a hell of a following, after all.
Kerry thought she looked chic and fun in her sixties-inspired shift dress with psychedelic designs. Chunky jewelry around her neck and wrists paired with her knee-high black boots to complete the outfit. She made being a fashionista look as easy as breathing. Maybe it was for her.
Violet had also recently started wearing dark-rimmed glasses that were just as much a fashion accessory as a vision aid. That pair of glasses were a huge deal on Instagram. The woman was in her eighties and still effortlessly setting fashion trends. It was downright inspirational.
Violet watched them get out of the car with a soft smile on her face. Kerry made a grab for her suitcase, but Dorran reached it first, lifting it out of the trunk. The corner of her mouth twitched. It looked like he didn’t have to be told to do everything she wanted from him. She was a big fan of old school chivalry: the carrying of heavy objects, the opening of doors, all of it.
She walked at his side as they approached the porch. There were no butterflies in her stomach, no nerves to calm. She had always been great with the families of her past boyfriends. For some reason, they always seemed to love her.
Violet looked relaxed, even though Kerry noticed that she stood with perfect posture, her spine straight and shoulders back. The woman was the type to walk into any room as if she owned the place, drawing attention not by her actions, but by exuding self-confidence. This was a strong woman. Kerry liked her immediately.
“Hello, dear.”
His grandma opened her arms and pulled Dorran into a hug. He pecked her on the cheek before pulling away and gesturing to Kerry.
“Grandma, this is Kerry. She’s the woman I’ve been seeing for the last couple of months. Kerry, this is my grandmother, Violet Knight.”
“Nice to meet you,” Kerry said, stepping closer, with her hand jutting out in front of her. Violet clasped her fingers quickly before letting go.
“You too. It’s nice to have Dorran bring home a respectable partner for a change.”
Dorran scoffed, and she gave him a look with one raised eyebrow, as if daring him to refute her statement. He didn’t.
“Tell me, is that a Hermes handbag?” She asked and Kerry nodded, looking down at the purse.
> “Yes, it is. I adore it.”
“I can’t blame you for that. It’s lovely. Please, come on in.”
Kerry didn’t need to be told twice. Violet led her inside, and she took a minute to linger and observe the space. They were standing in a foyer with a high ceiling and tasteful decorations. She was surprised by how modern everything was, having been expecting a different style for a home in the country. The floors were dark wood, but everything else was bright. The walls were a neutral beige with white trim. There was a large painting on one wall of a mountain range at sunset. The colors were brilliant and captivating.
A middle-aged woman in a simple black dress with a white collar appeared and took their bags from Dorran, taking them up a staircase on the far side of the room. Kerry assumed she was the maid and wondered how many people were on the staff in a house this big.
“Come,” Violet said, leading them into the living room. This room was decorated in the same way, with its neutral wall colors and bold accents. The couches were white and pointed at the television. But Kerry was looking at the fireplace and couldn’t seem to stop herself from heading over to it. There, atop the mantle, was a line of pictures from Dorran’s childhood.
He was easy to recognize, as it seemed that his cocky smirk was around even in his early adolescent years. There was also a youthful innocence that made her heart ache. Everyone had that until they grew up and got jaded by life, but it was surreal to think of Dorran that way. Stan was in many of the pictures too, she noticed.
There were pictures of the boys playing little league, celebrating birthdays, graduating from high school, all the big events from their childhood. There was also a gut-wrenching shot of the two boys when they were rather young, standing with a man and woman that had to be their parents. The similarities between the boys and their father were startling, but Kerry could see their mom in them too, especially in Dorran. He had her eyes. The family picture stood out from the others, due to the ornate silver frame that marked it as precious.
At that moment, Stan’s familiar voice was right behind her.
“Hello, Dorran. Kerry.”
She turned to see that he’d entered the room from the kitchen. He wore a disapproving scowl as he looked at Dorran, but he was handsome under all that irritation. In her opinion, he had nothing on his brother, but she knew Stan to be a good man, having worked with him since his days playing for the San Francisco Titans. But that was all a bit of a grey area that she didn’t like to think about. Her dating a client’s brother like this could be considered inappropriate by some people.
“Hey there, little brother,” Dorran said, clapping him on the back.
“Hey there?” Stan repeated incredulously. “That’s all you have to say after avoiding me for two weeks?”
“Well, I was avoiding a lecture. Giving you time to cool off and all that.”
“You were photographed outside a strip club in Vegas. With a stripper. You deserve a lecture.”
Kerry quirked a brow, but otherwise suppressed her surprise at Stan’s words. He clearly didn’t know the story of why Dorran was in Vegas. Glancing at Violet’s face, she had the distinct impression that his grandmother didn’t know either.
“Tell me, is it the stick up your ass that keeps you from ever having a good time?”
“I think you have enough of a good time for the both of us. I mean, do you ever think about how your actions reflect on the company?”
“That’s enough, boys,” Violet pronounced, her voice kind but firm. Kerry was impressed when both men’s mouths snapped closed. “We’re not here to argue. Now, dinner should be just about ready. Kerry, dear, you make yourself comfortable. Dorran, you make the aperitif cocktails while I check on dinner.”
Her tone made it clear that there was no room for argument, so Dorran made his way over to a wet bar on the far side of the room. Hopefully, everyone would be okay with classic martinis, because that was all he knew how to make. He was no bartender, preferring to drink his alcohol straight up.
His grandma turned to leave the room, and he saw her hand go to her temple, rubbing gently. He frowned as he watched her go, then turned to see his own concern printed on Stan’s face as well. He motioned his brother over to him while Kerry took a seat on the white couch by the fireplace.
“How is she?” He asked, putting their petty squabbling aside to focus on something that really mattered.
“She won’t talk about it, but I know the doctor is trying her on a new blood pressure medication. I’m not so sure it’s working. She had a nosebleed at the office yesterday.”
Dorran felt something painful twist in the center of his chest.
“Shit,” he muttered.
“Yeah.”
A heavy feeling settled over the brothers, and they were silent as Dorran made their drinks. They might have their differences, but he and his brother were united in their love for their grandmother. The thought of losing her was chilling.
He finished making their drinks and joined Kerry on the couch, handing hers over. She looked perfectly relaxed, and he took a moment to admire her beauty. Her paisley, wrap-around dress hugged her curves in all the right ways, and he greedily ran his gaze over her.
Damn, he wanted her so much it hurt.
The longer they dated without sleeping together, the more desperate he became to claim her. It was sweet torture.
“Dinner will be ready in ten minutes,” his grandma said, walking back into the room. She accepted a martini from Stan and took a seat in the easy chair across from the couch. Stan remained standing, looking tense, but at least he’d stopped looking at Dorran like he was a disappointment. For now.
“So, Kerry, tell me about yourself.”
“Well, I’m a peak performance psychologist and author. I work with athletes primarily.”
“Yes, Stan mentioned that. Quite impressive. How did you choose to focus on sports?”
Kerry’s smile was soft at that thought of her father. “Oh, I get that from my dad. He’s a sports nut and growing up around that turned me into a pretty big fan myself. Especially football. You know how most people say their favorite season is Autumn? Well, for my dad, it’s football season.”
“It sounds like you guys are close.”
Kerry nodded. “He’s the best. But I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like. He and my mom live in Connecticut.”
“Oh, so you’re originally a Nutmegger?”
Kerry laughed at the term, then noticed the confused look on Dorran’s face.
“It’s a nickname for people from Connecticut, because it’s the nutmeg state,” she explained.
Dorran felt a wave of affection wash over him as he looked at Kerry. It must have shown on his face because his grandma was staring at him with an almost smug look while Stan’s mouth was open in shock. Dorran cleared his throat and stood.
“So…dinner. You think it’s ready?” He led the way into the dining room, telling himself that he was just hungry. It had nothing to do with avoiding questions about his relationship with Kerry.
And yet, his pulse thumped against his ribcage, and he wasn’t quite sure if it was because of his affection for Kerry or his fear of what it meant. Was he completely ready to change his ways and commit?
Chapter Ten
The next day, Violet took Kerry to the nearby town for some shopping and girl time. Kerry quickly realized that the older woman had impeccable fashion sense. Of course, Kerry knew that Violet was famous for that, but it was different to see it in person. She took Kerry to a little boutique with a sign above the door proclaiming it Lulu’s Place. It didn’t look like much from the outside, just a small brick building on the corner of Main street. The glass windows in front were dark, so the mannequins on display didn’t quite catch the eye. It was the sort of place that Kerry would have easily overlooked if on her own.
But the inside of the shop was amazing. There were gorgeous, one-of-a-kind pieces from wall to wall. Yet, it didn’t feel crowded because
there was an open space in the middle. In fact, it was clearly designed for comfort. A shop girl hurried over and greeted them brightly. The next thing she knew, Kerry was holding a flute of bubbly while the shop girl presented her with clothing in her size and the style that she had specified. Violet chatted easily with the owner, who had put aside several items for Violet as they came in. It was VIP treatment. Kerry was shown to a dressing room, where she tried on dresses, blouses, skirts, and shoes. She loved almost everything and didn’t know how she was going to select a few pieces that fit in her budget. Kerry made decent money between her athletic clients and her book deals, but this clothing was expensive, and it would break the bank to buy everything.
After an hour of this treatment, Violet took a seat beside Kerry on the puffy couch in the center of the shop. Somehow, the woman managed to look graceful even as she reclined.
“Well, what do you think?”
“This place is fantastic,” Kerry said. “I’ve never shopped like this before. I may never go to one of those big chain stores again.”
Violet laughed lightly, the sound almost musical.
“Yes, this place is a hidden gem, a diamond in the rough, if you will.”
“Well, your secret’s safe with me.”
“I wanted to bring you here so that we could have some time alone together, a chance to get to know one another. We are the most important women in Dorran’s life, after all.”
“He hasn’t brought many girls to meet you?”
“Well…I’ve seen more than my fair share of women the morning after.” Violet’s face twisted in a grimace at the thought.
“Ah, the walk of shame isn’t always pretty, is it?” Kerry successfully kept all bitterness out of her voice. She did feel a twinge of jealousy but tried to suppress it. She felt confident that Dorran hadn’t been with anyone else since they had started to see each other. At least, that was what he told her, and she wanted to believe him.
Besides, if her methods for breaking his bad patterns had worked, then she had nothing to worry about. She just had to keep faith in the process.
Making Out with the Billionaire Page 9
