The Billionaire's Big Risk

by Christie Logan

  A woman like Claudia wasn’t about to offer those things to a man who came off like Master of the Universe. He needed to approach her with humility—a quality he wasn’t much accustomed to. “I’ll leave and not cause a scene, I swear,” he said. “But before I do, would you please have one dance with me?”

  His heart thunked as she hesitated. He knew when a woman was into him. And thank goodness, Claudia was tempted by his invitation. He managed to sweep aside her doubts and lead her out to the balcony. And dancing with her, holding her close, was everything he imagined it would be.

  The dance was all too brief. When he gave her his orchid boutonniere just before he said goodbye, promising they’d meet again, he knew she didn’t believe him. But she had no idea how single minded he could be when he wanted something. And he wanted Claudia.

  He would see to it that their paths crossed again.

  When the elevator doors slid open, he spotted a familiar figure with turquoise-streaked hair in the waiting area. “Aaron.”

  He strode over to her. “Summer. What are you doing here? Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Are you all right? I was worried about you. The way you just took off last night, and then that text I woke up to…”

  He remembered then that he’d texted her in the wee hours, briefly explaining why he’d cut out so quickly. He didn’t recall naming the hospital, but he must have, for her to be here.

  “Dude, I’m so sorry about Andy,” she said, her eyes liquid with concern. Summer had met both his sons several times. They were all around the same age, and when they were still kids Aaron would take the three of them out for pizza or ice cream. “How is he?”

  “He’s unconscious right now. The doctors have placed him in a coma to give him a chance to recover.”

  Her face fell. “Oh, wow. Well, what can I do? Do you need anything?”

  He shook his head. “No.” A sudden thought flashed in his brain. “Wait a minute. Yes. You can stay at my place for a while, keep an eye on it.” He’d feel better knowing Summer was safe in his apartment and away from that loser boyfriend of hers. He had enough worries over Andy. He didn’t want to worry about her too.

  She blinked. “You sure?”

  “Absolutely. You’d be doing me a big favor.” Better to phrase it that way than have her guess his true intent. “I’ll be popping in, just to pick up a few things, but I’ll be spending most of my time here.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want. I mean, it’s no sacrifice on my part. Your place is like, sick.”

  “Sick. That’s good, right?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Wow. You are such an old.” Then she grew serious. “Look, maybe I can get some stuff together for you and bring it here. Like some shaving stuff. Unless you’re going for that scruffy look, son.” With a grin, she reached out and rubbed his bristly cheek.

  From the corner of his eye, he saw Claudia emerging from the elevator at that very moment. She went still as she spotted Summer touching his cheek. Chalk one up for bad timing.

  He took a step back. “Thanks. That’d be fine.”

  “But what about that snooty door man? And those guys at the front desk, they were fine last night, but you were with me then—”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll let them know. No one will give you a hard time.” As he answered, his focus was on Claudia. She waited near the elevator, her gaze elsewhere. Clearly wanting to avoid walking past him and Summer.

  “I want to get back to Andy,” he said, taking another step back. “Thanks for coming by, doll.”

  “Okay. Well, text me if there’s anything you need. Or call. I hope Andy’s better soon.”

  He dipped his head in acknowledgment and headed toward Andy’s room. He should have asked Summer to bring him a warm coat. He expected only bitter cold and frost, courtesy of winter storm Claudia. The forecast looked bleak.

  Claudia had hoped to sail past Aaron’s young friend in dignified silence, but that hope was shattered when the girl spoke to her. “Excuse me. Ms. Sinclair?”

  Her only choice was to acknowledge the greeting or rudely ignore it. As embarrassing as the situation was, Claudia couldn’t justify being unkind. She stopped as the girl approached her. “Yes?”

  “You are Ms. Sinclair, right?” Aaron’s friend asked. “I mean, we’ve never met, but I’ve seen your picture online—”

  Why would this girl be looking her up online? “Oh.”

  “Oh, man, that sounded stalkerish, huh? I didn’t mean it like that. I’ve read about that foundation of yours, My Sister’s House. I think it’s way cool, what you’re doing to help women—”

  Claudia held on to her patience with her fingernails. “What can I do for you, miss?”

  “Right, I’m talking too much, huh? Yeah, I do that when I’m nervous.” She rolled her eyes. “Shut up already, Summer. Yeah, I’m Summer Caruso. I’m a friend of your husband’s. I mean—sorry, I mean your ex-husband’s. I mean Aaron.”

  “Yes. I gathered as much.” This time she didn’t bother to keep the chill from her voice. “Miss Caruso, I really want to get back to my son—”

  “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry about Andy and I hope he gets well real soon. I just wanted to explain about last night. You know, me being at Aaron’s. The bathrobe and all that. I don’t want you to think—”

  “Aaron and I have been divorced for a long time. Who he spends his time with is none of my business—”

  “But it’s not like that,” Summer insisted. “Aaron’s not my squeeze or my sugar daddy or whatever. He’s my friend. He’s been like a second father to me ever since my own dad died.”

  What? Once she made sense of the girl’s explanation, sympathy welled in Claudia. “Let’s sit down a moment.” No sense in drawing the attention of everyone in the waiting area.

  She and Summer found a more-or-less private spot to talk. The girl took a deep breath and began. “See, my dad was the building’s door man for like twenty years. He raised me alone most of my childhood. My mom died when I was six years old. My grandparents wanted to take me in when she died, they thought my dad couldn’t handle it. But he wouldn’t hear of it, you know? He wasn’t gonna let anyone else raise me. And he was a great dad.” Summer’s head lowered as though she wanted to hide the tears glistening in her eyes.

  Claudia’s chest tightened in sympathy. “He must have loved you a great deal.”

  “Yeah. And I loved him. When your husband…sorry, I mean Aaron, moved into the building, he got to know my dad. They became friends. I know that sounds weird, a billionaire being friends with a door man. And it wasn’t because of the tips or anything like that, ‘cause Dad wasn’t a suck-up. I mean he was always polite and professional, but he wasn’t a bootlicker. And some of those rich guys, they could be total di—uh, sorry, total jerks. But Aaron was a real good guy. He took an interest in my father, especially when he found out they were both single dads. I think…I don’t know, I think he was kind of lonely.”

  Pain twisted Claudia’s heart. She knew that loneliness. Though the divorce had been at her insistence, it didn’t mean she hadn’t missed Aaron. The boys and the foundation kept her busy during the day, but they couldn’t make up for not having a partner in her life. Someone sitting next to her in the evening, a warm presence beside her in bed.

  Had Aaron missed her as well? Had he missed his sons? The custody arrangement had been generous. He saw Marcus and Andrew often, but it wasn’t the same as living with them full time. Seeing them day to day.

  Summer was still speaking. “So my dad invited him to our place one night for dinner. You’d think a hot shot billionaire would turn up his nose at coming to our dinky place for homemade spaghetti and meatballs, but he showed up all right. Brought a bottle of wine for my dad and some barrettes for me. And after that, he’d come by a couple times a month. I think he liked getting away from all the bling and just hanging with some, you know, simple everyday people.”

  Claudia smiled and nodded. Aaron had neve
r been a snob. That was one of the qualities she loved about him.

  She quickly caught herself. Had loved, Claudia. Past tense.

  Summer glanced at her hesitantly. “Maybe that sounds weird to you.”

  “Not at all,” Claudia answered. “Before I married Aaron, I was a simple everyday person.” And though there was much to be said for having plenty of money at one’s disposal, there were times she honestly missed her old way of life in spite of its challenges.

  “Really?” The girl scanned Claudia’s pricy salon-styled coiffure, the Hermes silk scarf around her neck and the Chanel purse sitting on her lap somewhat dubiously. “Anyway, like I was saying, Aaron and Dad got to be pretty good buds…and then my dad got sick.”

  Claudia sucked in a breath. The mother in her wanted to comfort this child. “I’m so sorry. How old were you when—”

  “I was a sophomore in high school when he was first diagnosed. He was trying to be all brave for me, telling me it was no big thing, that he was gonna be just fine.” Summer gave her a wobbly smile. “You know how guys are…how dads are…always wanting to protect us.”

  Claudia nodded, smiling sympathetically. Her dad had been the same way.

  “When Aaron found out, he was just amazing. Got my dad the best doctors, the best care. It couldn’t have been cheap, and dad’s insurance wasn’t great. But your husband never said a word about it. And when the chemo made dad sick, Aaron hired nurses to take care of him at home.” Summer shook her head slowly, as though she couldn’t quite believe everything she’d recounted. Her voice grew softer. “Dad died my senior year. He was too sick to come to my graduation, but Aaron went in his place and recorded it so Dad could see me walk across the stage and get my diploma. Dad went into hospice a couple weeks later, but at least he got to see me graduate before he died.”

  A lump clogged her throat as Claudia grasped the girl’s hand. Sometimes a loving touch could say more than a thousand words.

  She was moved by Summer’s story, but not really surprised by everything Aaron had done to help the young woman and her father. Aaron had always been a kind, generous man when he let the devil-may-care façade fall away. But he only did that with those he truly cared for and trusted.

  It was his wildness and “I don’t give a flip” attitude that made Claudia first notice him. But it was his goodness and compassion that made her fall in love with him. That kept her by his side—until everything fell apart.

  Since the divorce, she hadn’t let herself dwell on his better qualities. Better to keep his faults in mind. To dig in her heels and remain steadfast that her decision to split had been the right choice.

  “What are you doing now?” Claudia asked, her motherly instinct kicking in. Summer was no older than her own sons, but alone and without family. Though Claudia’s boys were grown—or thought they were, anyway—they still had their parents to turn to in times of need. She hated to think of Summer with no one.

  Summer’s mouth hitched up in a smile, perhaps in response to Claudia’s maternal tone. “I’m good. Going to school. Got a little place. Aaron’s been helping me out, too. Don’t get the wrong idea, though. I’m not letting him pay for everything. I’m pulling my weight. Got a part-time job and as soon as I graduate, I’ll be on my own two feet.” Her face took on a worried look. “You’re not mad, are you? That he’s helping me out?”

  Smiling, Claudia shook her head. “No. I’m glad he is. But it must be difficult, going to school and working.”

  Winter shrugged. “Sometimes, but lots of people do it. And Eddie—he’s my boyfriend—helps out, too. When he can.” She looked down at her lap. “That’s why I was at Aaron’s last night. Eddie and me had a fight and I had no place else to go. So what you saw—”

  “It’s fine, Summer. I understand. And I appreciate you wanting to explain.” Claudia stood. “But as I said, Aaron’s private life is really none of my business.” To soften her words, she added “But I’m glad he has a good friend in you.”

  “Well…okay…” Summer got to her feet but she looked a bit skeptical, as though she didn’t quite believe Claudia was as disinterested as she claimed.

  But then, neither did Claudia. She couldn’t deny the relief that filled her, knowing Aaron’s feelings for this girl were paternal. He’d become a surrogate father to Summer now that her own father was gone.

  Once Summer said goodbye, Claudia lingered in the waiting area, thinking back to her early courtship with Aaron. After meeting him that first night, she told herself she’d never see him again. But he made a liar out of her. A few days after the gala, she found him waiting for her on the sidewalk as she left work…

  She blinked when she saw him, her heart stuttering. Her mouth fell open as he approached her, grinning.

  “I told you we’d meet again.” He wore a satisfied expression, like a cat licking cream from its whiskers.

  She must have looked like a fool, gaping at him. But he’d completely surprised her. “How did you…”

  “It wasn’t hard,” he answered. “Are you ready?”

  “Ready for what?” Though still a bit off-balance, she realized it wouldn’t have been difficult to track her down. After all, he knew where she worked.

  “I’m taking you to dinner.” He spoke as if it were a done deal.

  Claudia sucked in a deep breath. Was this really happening? She’d been dreaming of this man since the night they’d met, telling herself that all she could have were dreams. Yet here he was, standing in front of her.

  And he looked good. Today he dressed casually. No semi-formal suit, of course. Just a simple button-down shirt and slacks. Claudia had no idea whether his outfit was off-the-rack or custom-made, but either way the man looked like he’d slouched off the pages of GQ or Esquire. Could he ever look bad? She doubted it.

  And he smelled good, too. Her nostrils tingled as she caught a whiff of the same subtle cologne he’d worn the night of the gala.

  Her heart thumped and her palms dampened. Yes, Aaron Sinclair was all that and several bags of chips, but a bit too sure of himself. Did he expect her to melt into a puddle of goo just because he’d shown up and batted his big blue-gray eyes at her?

  Oh, who was she kidding? She wanted to melt into a puddle at his feet. Every molecule of her body was begging her to. But her brain said slow your roll.

  Just because billionaire boy liked to take charge didn’t mean she had to fall in line. He might be used to women following him like adoring little puppy dogs, but she had a mind of her own, thank you very much. He needed to find that out right now.

  “What makes you think I don’t already have plans?”

  He blinked.

  Ha, Claudia thought with satisfaction. He hadn’t seen that coming.

  “Do you?” he asked.

  “No,” she answered. “But you take a lot for granted. How do you know I even want to have dinner with you?”

  He blinked again, as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

  What’s wrong with you? Her hormones screamed. This hot man wants to take you out and you want to go! Why are you messing with him? You’re going to ruin everything!

  Because he has to know I’m not his puppy dog, her brain replied. He has to learn that I’m the boss of me and he can’t just swoop in and take charge.

  “A girl likes to be asked, you know.” Her voice was quiet.

  A corner of his mouth hitched up. Maybe he wasn’t used to being challenged. Maybe he liked it. “Claudia, would you please have dinner with me tonight?”

  She didn’t answer right away. Aaron Sinclair was too used to getting his own way. Let him twist a little.

  His eyes widened and his eyebrows rose as he waited for her reply. His half-smile hitched up higher.

  “All right,” she said at last. “As long as I get to pick the place.”

  He acquiesced with a nod and a glint in his eye. Yes, she was right. He liked her challenging him. “Fair enough. Let me hail a cab.”

  �
�A cab? You mean you didn’t come on your motorcycle?” she teased. She’d read about his exploits on his bike. What was it, a Harley or something? She knew nothing about motorcycles.

  “Not in the city,” he answered. “The roads are a mess, the traffic’s awful and the drivers want to kill you.”

  “Sounds like just the adventure you’d be looking for,” she said lightly.

  “Not when I’d have precious cargo like you with me.”

  He was joking, of course, but his comment warmed her all the same. “Just as well. My mom would kill me if she ever found out I rode on the back of someone’s bike. Anyway, no need for a taxi. We can walk from here.”

  She hid a smile when his eyebrows rose again. It was fun, keeping him on his toes.

  “Lead the way,” he replied.

  As they walked, he said “So tell me why your mother would object to you being on the back of my bike.”

  “She’s an E.R. nurse. All my life I’ve heard stories about the terrible things that happen to people on motorcycles. Every time there was an accident, she’d come home with another gory story. She made me swear I’d never ride one.”

  He looked surprised. “And you never have?”

  She shrugged. “Guess all her tales of road rash, broken legs and brain trauma made an impression.”

  “What about your father?”

  “He was a construction boss.” She pushed aside the familiar twinge of pain that hit her whenever she thought of her dad’s old job.

  Aaron didn’t miss her use of past tense. “Is he retired now?”

  “Forced retirement, you could say. He was injured on the job and couldn’t go back. Had to go on disability.”

  His expression turned solemn. “I’m sorry.”

  She gave him a lopsided smile. “Don’t be. He’s doing all right.” In spite of being forced into a wheelchair, her dad was a toughie. He insisted on being seen as a whole person regardless of his physical challenges. No feeling sorry for him. He hated pity above all else.

  It had been a big adjustment for her dad, adapting to his new circumstances, and a big adjustment for her family. They had gone from a two-paycheck home to one where her mother was the primary breadwinner. That had been another challenge for her dad, dealing with his hurt pride. But they’d all weathered the choppy waters and came through as a family.