The Shameless Billionaire Series: Billionaire Romance Box Set (An Alpha-Male, Billionaire, Bad Boy, Bad Girl, Romance)

by Michelle Love

  The tips of his fingers flow over my collar bone, I have to stifle a moan from the effect it has on me. “Uh, yeah, that’s my plan. I write romance novels. Well, I’ve almost written one and plan to write many more.”

  “A romance writer, didn’t get that one right,” he mutters.

  “What’re you talking about?” I ask.

  “I predicted a veterinarian,” he says. “I was way off.”

  I shake my head, and say, “I like animals, but I’ve never got the calling to go that far. I’m being a terrible hostess.” I take his hand and stand. “Come with me, let me get you something to eat and drink.”

  “I could eat,” he says.

  He rises and follows me, slipping his hand out of mine to run it around my waist. We fit so perfectly together, and I’m seeing just how hard this will be to keep my head on straight. The sound of him inhaling fills my ear. “What are you doing?” I ask as I pull away from him, but he holds me tight so I can’t get too far away from him.

  “Your perfume is intoxicating. What’s it called?” he asks.

  “I’m not wearing any,” I say with a laugh. “You really are wasting your lines on me, Kip.”

  His brow furrows, and he leans in taking in another deep breath. “No, I smell something fantastic. Perhaps it’s your shampoo.”

  I swat his arm, and say, “Come on! My shampoo is intoxicating? Really?”

  He pulls me close again. “Maybe it’s you that’s making me feel intoxicated, Peyton.”

  A tremble runs through my body as the warmth of his breath makes my skin flush with an excitement I’ve never known. “You’re a dangerous man.” His smile lets me know how right I am.

  On our way out to the bar outside we run into my parents. My father glances at the way Kip holds me to him and looks me in the eyes. “Who do we have here, Peyton?” he asks.

  “Daddy,” I say as I find myself beaming at Kip. “This is Kip. I met him at school today. Kip, this is my father, Matt Reed.”

  Kip lets go of my waist and extends his hand out to my father. “Hello, sir, it’s nice to meet you.”

  My father shakes Kip’s hand and asks, “Did you graduate this evening as well?”

  “No sir,” he says. “I’m not a college boy. It was straight to work for me, right out of high school, I’m afraid.”

  My father gives him a huge smile. “A workin’ man. Good to hear that,” he says then gestures to me. “I can’t say I’ve seen my daughter let anyone ever hold on to her the way she lets you. You must be something special.”

  Kip looks at me as he runs his arm back around my waist. “Is that so?”

  “Daddy, please!” I say then gesture to my mother who stands by my father’s side and gawks openly at Kip. “This is my mother, Donna. Mom, this is Kip.”

  Kips takes her hand and kisses the top of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Donna. You have a beautiful and wonderful daughter.”

  She blushes and giggles. “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you. Peyton has never let anyone hang on to her like she’s letting you. It’s kind of taking us by surprise. But you seem like a very nice, young man.”

  If she only knew!

  I roll my eyes at how lame my parents are making me sound. “Okay, anyway, I’m going to get us something to drink and eat. See you guys around.” I lean in to whisper as we walk away. “They don’t know anything about me and my private life. Don’t listen to them.”

  Kyla pops up in front of us, making us stop. “My, my, my, aren’t you popular today, Peyton," she says as she eyes Kip. “So, aren’t you going to introduce me?”

  I look up at Kip, not sure of what to say his name is. I hesitate then say, “Kyla this is someone I met today. This is my best friend and now ex-roommate, Kyla.”

  He nods then says, “Nice to meet you, Kyla.”

  His accent tips her off and her mouth falls open. “No way!”

  I lean in close to her. “Don’t you dare say a word or you know everyone will be all over him.”

  “Holy shit!” Kyla says as she stares at Kip. “You look so different. What are you doing here? I mean this is literally the middle of nowhere, Hicksville.” Her eyes go to his arm around my waist. “I can’t believe she’s letting you do that.”

  Kip’s head tilts as he looks at me. “Hmm. What do you know about that? First your parents and now your best friend. Does no one know of your personal life, Peyton?”

  I look her in the eyes and say, “Keep your mouth shut Kyla!”

  Does everyone have to point out how I never let any guys touch me?

  “Touchy!” she says then turns to walk away, but looks back over her shoulder. “So the other guys who showed up here with those accents are from your band then. I’m going to go introduce myself.”

  Looking back at Kip, I ask, “Weren’t we going to get a drink? What would you like? Wait, let me guess, some kind of hard whiskey I bet. Isn’t that what all you pop stars drink? Or is it some fancy new thing that’s all the rage in L.A.?”

  Moving along to the bar he says, “Contrary to popular opinion, all of us don’t drink like that. I’ll just have a beer, thanks. And is that bar-b-que I smell?”

  “It is. You have to try my father’s brisket,” I say as I grab a couple of cups from a stack on the bar and head to one of the kegs.

  His arm slides away from me as he holds out his hands. “Please, allow me,” he says as he reaches for the cups.

  I hand him one and he fills it up, then hands it to me. He takes the other and fills it, then his arm goes right back around my waist. “Now show me to the food which produces this wonderful aroma.”

  Everything seems so easy with him for some damn reason. I know this is so temporary and he’ll be gone before I know it, but I can’t seem to go back to the place I was in when I first met him or he sang that damn song to me.

  Where is that woman who was so on guard?

  Kip

  Long gone is the overly wary girl I met this morning and sang to earlier today. Peyton seems to be letting me in some and while I’m loving it, I’m also more than aware of the limited amount of time I have to be with her. A few more days of normal I’ve been given like a gift that gets taken away all too often.

  Her smile is bright, and she gets a twinkle in her light brown eyes when she laughs, which is often. I’m not sure what has her treating me so nice. Maybe it’s because she didn’t think I’d really come see her. Whatever it is, I find I’m happier than I’ve ever been with any woman, and I barely know her.

  Now that she’s allowing me to touch her and run my arm around her, I can feel how perfectly we fit one another. With my other conquests I’ve always been quick to get to the finish line with them, but with her I find myself wanting to take my time. Though I have damn little of it.

  Most of the guests have left as she and I sit on the edge of the swimming pool, letting our legs dangle in the cool water. “Where are you guys headed next,” she asks.

  I tuck a stray curl behind her ear as I look into her eyes. “Dallas,” I say. “Dallas was to be tomorrow, but it was pushed back, so we have the next three days off. I hope you don’t have any plans cause I’d like to spend them with you.”

  Small wrinkles form on her forehead as she frowns. “You don’t see that as a waste of your time?”

  I smile at her. “No, do you?”

  With a light laugh she looks away. “I’m not one to have a three day fling with a roaming rock star, no matter how sweet I think he is.”

  She thinks I’m sweet!

  Her eyes close as I touch her chin, bringing her face back so I can see her expression. “Why does it just have to last three days?”

  Her eyes flutter open as she says, “We both know why. Your life is full. Practically every minute is scheduled for you. This time off is a fluke, isn’t it?”

  I nod. “I find that interesting,” I say, stroking her cheek as I lean towards her. “The moment our eyes met something in me clicked. I’ve never experienced anything like
it. I’m being completely honest with you, Peyton, so please don’t give me any of that rubbish about giving you lines. I’d like you to be honest with me about what you feel about me.”

  Searching my eyes as if seeking the truth in them, she says, “You have no idea how much I want to believe you, Kip. And if you really want me to be honest with you, well, when you touched me this morning then took my hand, I felt something spread throughout my body. That’s never happened before. And to be honest, I find it terrifying. I mean, I’m no fool, I know this won’t last. I know you have to go.”

  “You should believe me, it’s true,” lifting her chin to angle her face to mine I brush her cheek with my lips, settling them at the back of her ear. “Ask me, Peyton.”

  Her laughter peals through the night air. A splash of water hits me as she kicks it up. “Oh, you’re good, Mr. Pop Rock. Guess I’m the first girl you sang that song to who has told you no.” She stands up and offers me her hand. I take it but instead of standing up, I pull her to sit on my lap. “Kip!”

  I hold her tight to me, resting my forehead against hers. “As a matter of fact you’re right, but that’s not why I want to feel your lips on mine. I want to see what it feels like. Your presence has made me unsteady and excited like never before. To be honest, I was confused by your reaction to me. It’s something I’ve never experienced before. You’re so normal.”

  “Thanks,” she says with a smile. “That’s what every girl wants to hear.”

  “Normal is something I long for.” I run my hands through her curls. “I’ve never had a normal life, Peyton. I watch television and see normal families and wish I had one. My life has always been over the top. You wouldn’t believe the wacky shit I’ve went through.”

  “Tell me, Kip.” Her arms slip around my neck and she leans her head against my chest. “I want to hear about what has made you who you are.”

  Somehow, holding her like this seems so natural. It feels so right and comfortable. I find myself wanting to tell her things I’ve never told anyone.

  “What was the thing you did to get yourself in the most trouble with your parents, when you were a child?” I ask.

  “I left the barn door open, and at that time we had seven horses and one cow. They all got out, and I got a few licks from Daddy’s belt.” Her finger traces a pattern on my chest, leaving little electric currents as she does.

  “See, that’s normal,” I say. “I got knocked around the formal dining room one night as my parents threw a lavish party, alcohol and drugs flowing like water. One of my father’s friends, someone you have definitely heard of, but shall remain nameless, offered me a cracker with caviar on it. I was five and not about to put that in my mouth. I was a crying mess as my mother shoved that nasty crap into my mouth, after which I threw up all over the white carpet, and was promptly sent to bed.”

  Her arms go around me and she tightens them in a hug. “That’s horrible, Kip.”

  I kiss the top of her head. “My days are filled with traveling and my nights with a face full of make- up and women who throw themselves at me with no regard for their selves. I swear if you heard some of the things they say you would shit.” My arms go around her and tighten as she looks up at me with tears in her eyes.

  “I’ve changed my mind,” she says, then licks her red lips. “If nothing else comes of this I’ll be happy to know I was the one normal girl you’ve ever kissed. Kip, I’m asking you to kiss me.”

  Finally, she’s asking me to kiss her, and I find all I want to do is do this thing with her right. She is not a one night stand or even a three night stand. She’s good and seems pure and innocent.

  I smile at her and run my hands over her back. “You know what, Peyton? I’m going to do this right. Allow me to take you on a date tomorrow wherever you want to go. I don’t want our first kiss to be one out of pity for a poor, rich boy.”

  She smiles back. “A date? Anywhere I want?”

  I nod. “Anywhere.”

  “Do you ride?” she asks.

  I give her a wicked smile, she may as well know my true humor which can be a bit raunchy at times. “Ride what?”

  She gently hits my chest. “Horses, silly.”

  I laugh. “It’s been a while. But yeah, I can ride.”

  “Bring your band of monkeys if they’d like to come and we can spend a normal day of riding horses, fishing in our pond, and maybe, if you’re really lucky, swimming in the pool. Then I’ll make us a normal dinner of spaghetti and meatballs.”

  Now that does sound completely normal and completely wonderful!

  “It’s a date then, but I’m not bringing them. I want it to be me and you, alone.”

  She snuggles into my chest as a cool breeze blows past us. “My family will be here, Kip. We won’t be alone much. They can come if you want them to.”

  “I love my mates, don’t get me wrong, but they’re Hollywood to their core. It’s safe to say they’ve disappeared with random girls from your little party here and will sneak back to our hotel in Austin once the sun rises,” I say, then kiss the top of her head.

  She makes a deep sigh. “I suppose it’s very late and if we’re to have any fun at all tomorrow, we best be getting to bed.”

  “Is that an invitation,” I ask with a laugh.

  “No.” She giggles and pulls her head off my chest. “I should tell you something before you go wasting a lot of time on me. It might change your mind about spending your days off with me.”

  Her words make me feel bad and I want her to understand how I’m starting to really feel about her. “None of my time is wasted when it concerns you.”

  Darting back and forth, her eyes tell me she’s nervous about telling me what she has to say. “Promise me you won’t think I’m a freak.”

  I nod. “I know a ton of freaks and trust me when I say there is nothing you can tell me to make me think that about you.”

  “I’m not going to be giving in to you, Kip. Not sexually, anyway,” she says and I find myself laughing.

  “Ever?”

  “Not in the next three days.” She looks away. “I’m a virgin.”

  “How old are you?” I ask in surprise.

  Her eyes meet mine. “Twenty-two.”

  Wow! This is so not right to do to her if I can’t do right by her!

  “Okay, so that’s good to know.” I stroke her hair and smile like it’s not a big deal.

  “So, I understand if you don’t want to spend the next few days with me. It won’t end the way you might think it will. It’s not in me to give that part of myself to someone who isn’t going to be a real part of my life, and I know you can’t be.” Her eyes begin to glisten with what I believe may be tears.

  I kiss her cheek, then move my lips to her neck and kiss her lightly, her body shivers and I hold her close to me. “Peyton, I have no idea where this is leading. I promise you that I’ll end it if I think you’ll be hurt by anything I do.”

  “Thank you, Kip. Thank you for understanding who I am.”

  I do understand and I have to ask myself if I have it in me to give her what she needs.

  Peyton

  I walk Kip to his car where I find a limousine waiting and promptly swat at his chest. “You didn’t tell me you had someone waiting on you. This is awful, the driver could’ve come in and ate and been comfortable instead of cooped up in this thing.”

  His arms run around me and he hugs me tight. “See, a normal response! I love it!” he says. “Now give me your phone.”

  I reach into the pocket of my skirt and hand it to him. He sends himself a message from my phone and hands it back. “There, now I have your number and you have mine. I’ll give you a call in the morning before I come over. Do you drink coffee?”

  “That early?” I ask. “Come on, it’s late. Don’t act like you’ll be back up in a few hours and raring to see me.”

  “Baby, if I could, I’d stay with you the whole time, or take you back with me to the hotel.” he says. “Tomorrow I’m rent
ing a car, so you don’t have to feel sorrow for my driver.”

  “Don’t bring me any coffee, I like tea.”

  Pressing my body up against the back car door, he wraps me up in his arms and rocks with me, placing his forehead on mine. “Tea it is. Can I have a chaste kiss good night to give me sweet dreams?”

  I press my lips to his cheek and have to fight myself not to move them to his lips which are plump and juicy looking. Even with this most chaste of kisses I feel him swelling as his body is flush with mine. My body has ached for his for some time now and this closeness is making it so much worse.

  My lips have lingered on his cheek for too long and he pulls back from me with a groan. His blue eyes are dark and full of desire as he moves his mouth towards me and I want it to crash down on mine, but they touch my cheek and I nearly fall apart.

  My hands flow over his back as he leaves his lips on my cheek, then I feel the wetness of the tip of his tongue touch my cheek and my knees go weak.

  Crap! If a damn kiss on the cheek does this to me, what will a real kiss do? I’ll be putty in the man’s hands!

  My breath comes in waves as his hands move up to tangle in my hair and he pulls my head back and looks at me for the longest time. Our eyes seem to communicate how much we both are feeling. “I should go,” he finally says. “It would be best if I go now.” Somehow it seems like we can’t stop looking at each other. “I don’t want to go, Peyton.”

  “I don’t want you to,” I say and find I’m licking my lips and his eyes finally leave mine as he looks at my lips and bites his bottom one.

  Slowly he moves his head forward, closer and closer as he looks at my lips and I’m quivering inside and am so afraid if he kisses me I’ll let him do anything he wants to me and to hell with me worrying about when he has to leave. His lips are so close to mine I can feel the heat of his breath on them. Then his forehead touches mine and he keeps his lips that close for a little while as we both breathe ragged breaths.

  “Tomorrow,” he says quietly. “Tomorrow, I will see you. Good night.”