The Conflicted Billionaire (The Conflicted Love Series Book 1)

by Sharon Sue Thorn

  “That’s very kind of you, but I’m okay.”

  They’d made a full circle and stood near the front door. Owen followed Betsy up the staircase to a large yet cozy room. The art on the walls was very Kansas-esque, with sunflower fields and blue skies.

  “This is perfect.” He smiled at Betsy.

  Obviously pleased with the compliment, her smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. “Let me know if you need anything, and I hope you enjoy your stay.”

  I hope I do, too. Owen thought of Jenny. “I’m sure I will. How many guests do you have right now, may I ask?”

  “We have seven total. One couple, a family of four, and you. Next week we’ll be nearly full.”

  Betsy handed him two keys. They were real keys, and Owen couldn’t help but be pleased with the absolute humanness of the entire atmosphere. He almost asked Betsy if she’d ever consider selling, but he stopped himself. It wasn’t hard to see that Betsy’s Bed & Breakfast was her pride and joy.

  “The square key is to the door downstairs, and the round one is to your room,” she explained. “Oh! I didn’t show you because it’s dark out, but we have an outdoor sitting area out back. The Wi-Fi works out there too. We let our chickens roam back there, so please remember to keep the gate closed.”

  “Got it.”

  A revelation of what his life lacked bloomed in his mind, and his stomach sank, though his smile didn’t falter. Years of practice had taught him how to keep it firmly in place. Betsy listed the nearby restaurants and diners where he could get a late supper. Dover had two eating establishments, but Topeka sounded as it if it had more restaurants than people from the way Betsy described it.

  When she left him to unpack his bag, he sat on the bed and took in the surroundings again. This is nice.

  Owen could readily admit that he led a blessed life. He’d never once had to worry about whether he’d be able to pay his bills or buy food. He could do just about anything he wanted at the drop of a hat. That first flight had confirmed that he was spoiled in some ways, being able to upgrade without a thought. He couldn’t buy a real relationship, though. In his social circle, conversation often only revolved around dollars and assets. It bored him.

  He wanted connections that didn’t revolve around business, or pretenses, last names, or bank accounts. When his father had passed away, he’d been launched into a world he’d previously been protected from. Not because it was bad or evil, but boy was it cold. Maybe that was why he had never fully fit into the world that had provided all his comforts.

  Each time he tried to date someone in his financial class, he felt evaluated. His last date had scolded the waitress horribly for messing up his order, treating her as if she’d burned the king’s toast. He’d apologized to the waitress, handed her a generous tip, and promptly ended the date.

  Opening his bag, Owen immediately spotted the photo of his parents and put it beside his bed. In the picture, they were still young, and he was just a tot. It had become his security blanket when traveling. Next, he removed his laptop, connected to the Wi-Fi, and promptly checked his eMatch account. He had a message waiting.

  Jenny was getting ready for the bridal shower she’d been unhappy about the day before. How he wished he knew where it was being held. Maybe he could ask her? No, stupid! Instead, he responded in kind, empathizing with her, and told her to try to have a good time.

  After he hit Send, he spent time reading her previous emails for any other helpful clues. He already knew so much about her, but he didn’t want to forget any details. She’d mentioned once how she loved the smell of Chocolate Cosmos, a flower she’d photographed during a vacation in Mexico many years ago.

  An hour later, he was down to yesterday’s emails and today’s. He reread the last one from the day before and caught something he hadn’t noticed the first time. At the end, she had typed P.S. after her name but nothing after it.

  He started a new message.

  Hey Jenny,

  Hope you’re having a fabulous day. I hope the party was more fun that you expected. I’m not sure what girls do at those types of parties. You should tell me the secrets. I don’t have a sister, so I’m clueless.

  By the way, I wanted to ask... your message from yesterday had a P.S., but there was nothing after it. What did you mean to say? My curiosity is at an all-time high thanks to you (smile).

  Chapter 5

  Jenny stepped outside to get some fresh air. She couldn’t handle the bridal shower for one more minute. Leslie’s best friend had ordered two strippers. The party had gone from tame to wild in less than five seconds after the arrival of the cowboys who wore nothing but two-ton Stetsons, Wrangler jeans that fell off the moment they got there, and cheap cowboy boots decked out with spurs.

  While Jenny didn’t want to be judgmental, she couldn’t fathom why anyone who was planning to get married would consider watching naked men dance in front of them and, ew!, on them.

  The cool night air floated through the breezeway, and she shivered, wishing she’d brought her sweater out with her.

  As country music blared from inside, Jenny rested her elbows on the wide railing. Unable to get the image of the rented cowboys attempting to hogtie the guests out of her mind, she figured her phone would be a good distraction. A “Yeehaw!” came from inside, and she shook her head.

  “These women are crazy,” she muttered.

  Jenny checked her email, then scrolled through her Facebook page. Bored, she glanced through the window just in time to see Leslie slap one of the strippers’ behinds as he gyrated against her. A word came to mind that she automatically felt terrible for, and she shoved it out of her head. Scanning the room for Sammie, she found her almost immediately. Her friend had downed one too many drinks and was now dancing with the other stripper.

  “Oh, Sammie.”

  Their eyes met, and she gave her best friend an are-you-out-of-your-mind glare. Seconds later, Sammie danced past the window, out the door, and towards her.

  “Why aren’t you in there with us?” Sammie slurred at her.

  “You know this isn’t my kind of fun.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Sammie threw her arms around Jenny and squeezed. “I love you so much.”

  Jenny giggled. “I love you too, but I need to head home.”

  “Nooooooooo!” Sammie whined. “You can’t leave me. Not now. We’re having so much fun! Let’s go back in. The cute one has a lasso.” She giggle-snorted.

  “Wow. You’re obviously doing just fine without me. Intoxication is making you think otherwise. Will you get my stuff for me, though? I don’t want to go back in there. Way too many germs.”

  Sammie sighed dramatically. “Ohhhhkay.” When she turned, her high heels wobbled, and her hands flew out to the side. She almost went down. “That was close! I almost broke meh leg!” She giggled again. “I’m a pirate!”

  Jenny covered her mouth. She’d never seen Sammie this drunk. Fortunately, once the party was over, her friend could sleep it off and deal with the repercussions in the morning.

  While she waited for Sammie, she turned back to her phone and logged into her eMatch account. As she read the message, her eyes widened. “Oh no!” She hadn’t deleted the P.S.! And now he wanted to know what she’d meant to say. What would she tell him?

  Oh, man, she hated lying, but what would he think? Mentioning flying in for coffee was one thing. He wouldn’t take that seriously. Besides, who did stuff like that, besides the seriously wealthy? She didn’t have the funds to book flights at will for coffee.

  They’d agreed early on that they’d stick to messages and no video, even though Jeff had said things that indicated he’d be okay with more. But he’d never tried to plan it.

  Groaning, Jenny clicked out. Her honest-to-a-fault nature could be such a hindrance. She had a hard time using little lies to erase things or even to save people’s feelings. Once, on a double date with Sammie, her bestie had asked her if her butt looked big in her new jeans. Well, it did, but not beca
use of the jeans.

  “Some guys like big butts. It’s just who you are,” she’d told Sammie.

  How did one not know they had a sizeable caboose? Her answer should have made Sammie feel better, but noooo. She’d lamented over her gluteus maximus for days, until some random guy complimented her on her extra-large muscle. Fortunately, she’d made peace with it since then, declaring that her booty was a gift from her mom’s side of the family.

  Jenny detested being lied to and couldn’t, in good conscience, lie to anyone else.

  A screen door slapped shut, and seconds later, Sammie wove over to her. “Here’s your sweater and purse.” Then she dangled her keys. “C’mon. I’ll run you home.”

  Jenny’s heart stuttered. “Sammie, you’re out of your gourd if you think I’m getting into a car with you.”

  Sammie tried to create an indignant expression, but she looked constipated instead.

  “Oh, no, girl.” Jenny shook her finger at her. “Why would you even consider driving right now?”

  “I’m fine!” Sammie waved her away. “Besides, it’s too late for you to walk home alone.”

  “It’s a little late, but this is Dover, and it’s only a few blocks. I’ll be perfectly fine.”

  “Jenny.” Sammie attempted to shift her weight but stumbled a bit. She steadied herself by leaning against one of the white columns that supported the porch roof. “It’ll only take a second.”

  “You’re impossible!”

  Sammie’s face bloomed into a smile, and she straightened. “Good!” she said much too loudly. “Let’s go.”

  Why does she think I’m agreeing? Jenny walked behind her BFF as Sammie held her arms out in an attempt to keep her balance on the narrow stone path. The keys dangled from her fingertips. Jenny swooped in like a seagull after a french fry and snatched them.

  “Hey!” Sammie spun around so quickly, she ended up sitting on the ground.

  “Look, I don’t know what you drank in there to make you stupid. But you’re not driving. You can come get your keys from me tomorrow once your brain has returned. I’m going home, and you’re going inside.” Jenny knelt, careful to stay steady on the cobblestones, and put Sammie’s arm over her shoulders. As she pulled her drunk friend up from the waist, Sammie laughed and wiggled around.

  “That tickles! Stop it.”

  “Help me help you get up, woman.” Jenny grunted under Sammie’s dead weight.

  Sammie finally made an effort to stand, and Jenny walked her back inside. She led her to one of Leslie’s spare rooms, where Sammie flopped down on the bed.

  “Do not leave this room,” Jenny told her as she pulled Sammie’s heels off her feet.

  “’Kay,” Sammie whispered.

  Jenny pulled the covers from underneath Sammie and adjusted them so she could cover her up. Then, bidding Sammie a good night, Jenny walked out of the room as her best friend confessed her love for her over and over.

  “Love you, too!” she called back. She couldn’t wait to be back home.

  Chapter 6

  After Owen finished off his exceptionally late dinner—supper, he thought, and chuckled—he headed back toward the B&B, ready to call it a night. He checked his eMatch account on his phone to see if Jenny had responded, but there were no new messages. If he was going to be himself, then maybe he should discontinue messaging her. There was no way she’d catch on anyway, right?

  Of course she wouldn’t.

  A thought struck him. What if his plan here didn’t work out? If he ditched her on eMatch and she didn’t have any interest in the real him, he would lose her altogether. The thought of her not being in his life at all scared him, and that bothered him even more. He was too emotionally invested.

  What am I doing? Owen seriously questioned his sanity at that moment. The undigested food felt like a brick in his gut. Had he really been reduced to this sort of desperation? Was he that starved for companionship? The answer was yes. Yes, he was, but he was going about it all wrong. Just because he could afford to fly here and find her didn’t mean it was okay for him to do so. What he needed to do was go home and either come clean and go from there or just stop messaging her altogether. He’d never felt as scandalous as he did at that moment. He decided he’d stay the night and leave after breakfast in the morning. He could still take some time off and go somewhere alone for a few days.

  After turning onto Rose Garden Lane, Owen pulled his car against the curb in front of the B&B. Right before they went out, his headlights captured a moving figure coming toward him on the sidewalk. Owen did a double take. A slender frame with shapely legs, wearing a dress that appeared to have been made just for her. Why would she be walking alone this late at night?

  Her pace slowed as Owen got out of the SUV, slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder. When he went around the car and got closer to her, recognition flashed in his mind. No way. Is it her? “Is everything okay, miss?” Resisting the urge to rush over to her, Owen approached the sidewalk slowly. He didn’t want to freak her out.

  Jenny smiled politely. “Yes, all is well. Thanks for asking.”

  What are the odds? He couldn’t just let her walk away. “Um,” he said, his mind raced for something to say. She was far more beautiful than the photo on her profile. He wished he could say so. “It’s a lovely evening.” The weather? Really? How clichéd was that? Now she probably thought he was a psycho. Or a loser.

  JENNY EYED THE STRANGER. She wasn’t getting any ‘run for your life’ vibes, but serial killers could be handsome and athletic. It wasn’t lost on her that he’d parked in front of the B&B. He’d parked on the street instead of the parking lot, and that part was a bit suspicious. Sure, the parking lot wasn’t fancy, but it was better than the street. Did he need to make a quick getaway? Maybe after he’d murdered her?

  “Yes, it is.” She tried to sound normal. The man was off-the-charts attractive, but she wasn’t about to die for being overly trusting. She stayed back.

  He hooked his thumb in his jeans pocket and looked at his shoes. He was so adorable—and scary.

  She cleared her throat. “Are you staying at Betsy’s?”

  “I am,” he answered quickly. “I’m in town for a while.”

  “Really? Are you on your honeymoon?” No ring. Many of Betsy’s guests came for honeymoons or getaways from their fast-paced city life, and this man was definitely a city boy. He reeked of it in his designer jeans and Calvin Klein shirt. She wasn’t sure what brand his loafers were, but the fact that he wore loafers was telling.

  “Oh, no. I needed to be in this area, and this looked like the best place to stay without driving to the next city each day.”

  Jenny fought back a smile. “Topeka isn’t that far, and this place is pricey.” Why had she said that? “Not that I’m trying to run off Betsy’s guests. Don’t tell her I said that.”

  The man chuckled. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

  Oh, my goodness. Jenny’s insides quivered. This man’s voice was made of butter, honey, and sugar, whipped up and smooth. She didn’t think she’d ever heard a sexier-sounding voice. It made her wonder what Jeff’s voice sounded like. Thinking of Jeff snapped her out of her admiration for the man in front of her.

  “Thanks. Do you mind going in first so I can be sure you’re not some psychopath who’s going to try to follow me?” His beautiful eyes widened, and he took a step back. It made her giggle. “No offense.”

  “Of course,” he sputtered. “Are you staying here too?”

  “Nope. I live in the area. Just taking a walk.” Immediately, she regretted her words. Why would she tell a complete stranger she lived in the area? Not that it wouldn’t be somewhat obvious, but still.

  “I could give you a ride if you like.”

  “No, thanks.”

  “Oh, right. The psycho killer thing.”

  “Yep.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.” Jenny nodded once. Maybe he is crazy. Why offer a ride after
what I said?

  “Okay, then.” The guy put his hands in the air as if to prove he wasn’t holding a knife, ready to chop her into tiny pieces. “Uh, nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” Jenny gave him a genuine smile.

  She thought he was going to say something else, but, instead, he turned and headed up to the porch. She watched him walk away. No hardship there, he was a beautiful man. Sure enough, he had a key and walked right in the door. She exhaled. Goodness, she hadn’t reacted to a man like that in eons. She hoped he hadn’t noticed. He obviously didn’t live here. And she felt something else...

  Groaning out loud, Jenny picked up her pace for the last block of her walk. Why did she feel guilty? Jeff wasn’t her boyfriend, but she’d been having some serious feelings about him. It was insane, but she wanted to meet him. He’d been a constant friend. Dependable.

  Just within the words of his messages, he’d done so much for her. He listened. Read between the lines. Understood her. Her reaction to this stranger she’d just met was purely physical attraction, most likely a result of her loneliness. It’d been so long since she’d felt the arms of someone who loved her wrapped around her. She hadn’t been on a date since Mr. Henry Creepy. After that one, she’d watched her back for a month, scared he was going to pop out of a dark alley somewhere. Not that she frequented such areas.

  Maybe walking home alone wasn’t the best idea.

  Besides, other than the fact that he was gorgeous, she knew nothing about the guy back there—and she wouldn’t. She might see him around once or twice as long as he was in town, but that was it. Jeff was handsome too, she reminded herself. If he posted his real picture.

  Of course he had! Jeff was true blue. She could feel it. Sammie might think she was nuts, but she had an excellent sense about people, just like her patients did. Animals had divine senses about the personalities of the people they came into contact with.