The Daring One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance

by Cami Checketts

  Summer’s heart soared. Was he telling the truth? Was she something special to him? “You jerking with my heart?”

  Chance chuckled. “I would never do that.” He took a step closer. His strong body brushing against her.

  Summer cinched the robe tighter. “How is Yvonne such an expert at this kind of thing, then? She had every little detail—makeup, hair products, perfume.”

  Chance’s lips thinned. “My brother does this sort of thing all the time.”

  “Oh.” She glanced at him from beneath her eyelashes. “But not you?”

  He shook his head.

  Summer flung her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. “I like you, Chance Judd.” She slipped out of his arms and pushed the elevator button.

  Chance caught up to her quickly, and whirled her around. Pinning her against the wall, he took full advantage of her lips for several wonderful seconds. So many pleasure receptors were firing in her lips, she felt like she was floating with delight.

  The elevator dinged open behind them. Summer thought they should just let it go to another floor. It would come back for them, eventually. A throat cleared, and the same middle-aged couple from earlier walked past them, both grinning broadly.

  “Excuse us,” Chance said, taking her hand again and leading her into the elevator.

  Summer tried to catch her breath as the elevator whisked them down to the main level.

  “We have got to find a spot where nobody can interrupt us,” Chance muttered.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” Summer smiled at him.

  Chance arched an eyebrow. “Depends on your version of a good idea.”

  Summer stepped closer, fully intent on kissing him again, when the elevator opened and some preteens rushed in. Chance led her out and down the hallway to the outdoor pool area. A few children were playing in the circular pool, but their parents were in the hot tub. Summer slipped her flip-flops off and dipped her toe in the pool. It was heated, but barely. She smiled at a little boy who climbed up onto the steps.

  “Wanna watch me jump?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  He cannonballed off the steps and splashed her. She laughed. “Good one.”

  “You do it,” the little guy said.

  “Hudson,” a beautiful young mom called from the hot tub. “Don’t bother people.”

  “I’m not botherin’ her, she’s my friend!” He nodded to Summer. “Go.”

  Chance laughed next to her. “Your friend just called you out.”

  Summer gave him a death glare. She yanked her robe off, shoved it at Chance, and leapt into the pool, wrapping her arms around her legs and yelling, “Cannonball!” The cool water shocked her for a second, but she came up smiling.

  Hudson cheered, “Good one!” He looked at Chance, who was watching her with a bemused expression. “Your turn.”

  “No.” Chance shook his head. “It looks cold.”

  “You’re gonna get shown up by a girl?”

  Summer laughed as she beat her arms through the water to warm up. “Yeah, you loser.”

  Chance set her robe on a nearby lawn chair, ran to the edge of the pool, then smoothly dove in.

  “No!” Hudson yelled out.

  Summer tried to dodge, but Chance grabbed her in his arms as he surfaced. Being held by him with minimal clothing on was a bit too much fun. She tried to struggle free, but he held her and laughed. Water streamed down his handsome face, and she knew she was falling for him much too quickly.

  “Lame!” Hudson said from the stairs. “Her splash was much better than yours.”

  “Says the five-year-old,” Chance whispered roughly against her cheek. “This is the best move I’ve ever done.”

  “The twenty-six-year-old fully agrees.” Summer cuddled against his chest.

  “You gotta do something better than that,” Hudson argued.

  Chance gave her a mischievous grin, then tossed her into the air. Summer hit the water, flailing and sputtering.

  “Yes,” Hudson cheered. “Throw me!”

  Summer wiped the water out of her eyes and watched the little boy launch himself into Chance’s arms.

  “Hudson,” the mom warned.

  “It’s okay,” Chance said. “If it’s okay with you.”

  “Thanks.” The mom blushed under Chance’s smile. “But he can’t swim very well.”

  “Can too,” Hudson insisted.

  “How about if I catch you?” Summer asked.

  “Okay.” He sighed heavily, then looked up at Chance. “Do it now!”

  Chance tossed the cute little boy to Summer, and she spun him and flung him back. His peals of laughter almost made up for the fact that Summer had been launched out of Chance’s arms because of him. A little while later, Hudson’s mom told him it was time to go. He climbed out of the pool, protesting. She made him thank both of them. Both mother and son gave Chance longing glances as they left.

  Summer splashed him. “I think you made some fans.”

  Chance brushed a hand through his short hair. “Five-year-olds are pretty easy to please.”

  “I was talking about the mom.”

  Chance winked. “Jealous?”

  “Maybe.”

  He swam toward her, but she dodged and pulled herself out of the pool. The hot tub still had a few adults in it, but the pool was empty now.

  Summer wrapped her arms around her torso, not comfortable in the sporty bikini.

  Chance climbed out next to her. “Cold?”

  “I told you I don’t usually wear bikinis.”

  Chance arched his eyebrows. “Everyone else’s loss.”

  She rolled her eyes at him, but felt warm inside. They climbed the concrete steps to where the hot tub overlooked the pool and said hello to the three occupants who greeted them, but left a few minutes later.

  “Ah, this is what I’m talking about,” Summer murmured, the hot water embracing her tired body.

  “It is nice,” Chance said, closing his eyes and sinking down deeper.

  “Nice? This whole day has been unreal. Thank you.”

  Chance smiled at her and took her hand, holding it under the water. “Thanks for letting me kidnap you.”

  “Anytime.” And she found she meant it. This break from reality had been exactly what she needed, but being with Chance was the best part. “Must be nice being a millionaire and able to do amazing things like this.” She gestured to the beautiful hotel, though she meant the entire day.

  He didn’t respond, just gave her a smile that showed she was way off.

  “Oh no.” She gulped and released his hand. “You’re a billionaire.”

  Chance shrugged.

  Summer took a long breath. A billionaire? She closed her eyes and let the jets pound at her back as it all came rushing back. That stupid billionaire bride pact. Curse Erin for ever thinking of it. The thing had haunted almost all of her friends now. Her eyes popped open and she glanced at the handsome man next to her, who luckily had his eyes closed. Was she going to be next? The water was suddenly too hot, but she didn’t want to sit on the side and show off her abdomen, so she stayed in her spot, squeezing her eyes shut again and sweating it out.

  Okay, so maybe her girl’s camp friends would say the pact haunted them in good ways. Most of them were happily married to wealthy men and doing great things with their lives. Erin, MacKenzie, and Taylor were the only ones so far who hadn’t married money, but they were also ecstatically happy. Yet Summer was not ready to follow the trend. She was a trendsetter, not a follower. She wanted to be successful all on her own, and would’ve been if it hadn’t been for that cursed Mumford’s Sons company talking her dad into selling to the shark, Lillywhite, who proceeded to fire her.

  She finally opened her eyes to Chance staring at her. “You okay?” he asked.

  She nodded quickly, but the magical spell of the day was broken. Chance was a great guy, if Summer was looking to be some rich guy’s arm candy. She could enjoy being with h
im, but she needed to be more in control when he kissed her and held her. Maybe someday she’d have a chance with the seemingly perfect Chance. Right now, she needed to focus on finding her own way.

  Chapter Eight

  The day after biking, they’d taken a quick plane ride back to Gunnison, and Yvonne had made sure Chance’s rented Land Rover, with the bikes loaded on the rack, was waiting for him at the airport so they could get back to Crested Butte. She was really good at this sort of thing. Chance had found an online site that did flowers, chocolates, and gifts, and sent her a huge basket to thank her. He also made sure he was caught up on any work Yvonne had for him before he left his house to come find Summer.

  He’d had the best day with Summer yesterday. After the hot tub, she was exhausted, so they’d each gone to their own rooms to shower and go to bed. He had been feeling the long day too, and he tried not to second-guess her slight change in demeanor. Before she’d pled tired, things had been rolling so quickly he was sure he would get the kiss of a lifetime to finish off the day. As it was, he’d given her a quick kiss before she’d slipped into her room. A disappointment to be sure, but hopefully not a worry.

  While Chance was daydreaming about how she’d looked in the swimming suit last night, Summer ran out of her front door at the ranch and jumped into his rented Land Rover. “Hey, wait,” he said. “I’m supposed to get your door.”

  “Trevor is ticked at me for staying overnight with you and not making it to church. You better drive now or you’ll have a shotgun in your face.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Drive!” She thumped her palms on the dash.

  Chance jumped. He dropped it into gear and pulled quickly out of the driveway. “I should go talk to him if he’s upset.”

  “Oh, no way.” Summer shook her head. “Not if you know what’s good for you. He takes overprotective to a level any dad of a teenage girl would be proud of.”

  Chance glanced at her and saw the twinkle in those blue eyes. “You just love to tease me.”

  “Go back to that ranch and see if I’m teasing you or not.”

  “Maybe when I drop you off Trevor and I can have a heart-to-heart.”

  “Brave, brave man.” She winked. “Your legs sore?”

  “A little bit.” Chance was glad she was back to teasing and being her fun self. He’d been a little worried last night after the hot tub and his revelation that he was a billionaire. Most women would be excited about that prospect, but it obviously bothered Summer. “You’re really making me hike? I thought we both agreed mountain biking is much more fun.”

  “True, but I’m saddle sore. Never take a two-month siesta from biking, then go for seven hours.”

  Chance’s face reddened. She would say just about anything. “Which way?”

  “Let’s go to Judd River Falls. The hike named after you.” She winked. “It’s a short, perfect Sunday hike, and we can continue up the trail toward Copper Creek Lake if you’re up to it. Drive to the same place you parked yesterday.”

  “Gotcha.” They drove up the road, and he enjoyed the casual camaraderie they had. Summer liked to tease him, but she was allowing him to date her, to be part of her life, and to kiss her. He’d take a little teasing for all of that.

  He parked the vehicle and they ambled slowly up the incline to the falls, pausing to look down at the rushing water for a while, then continued up the trail.

  “See?” she said after they’d been quiet and enjoyed the scenery of quaking aspen, pine trees, and the majestic mountains. “This is a good way to ease your legs out of that stiffness.”

  “And it’s beautiful scenery.”

  “Yep. I chose well.”

  They were alone on the trail, nothing but green surrounding them and the river rushing by down below. “And it’s private.” He stopped, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her in.

  Summer gave a little gasp of surprise, but her happy smile appeared quickly. “Just try and kiss me. I bet within twenty seconds somebody comes around one of those bends to interrupt us. It’s our curse.”

  “Dang for curses,” he whispered against her mouth. “I’d better not waste time if I’ve only got twenty seconds.” He claimed her lips with his, and she didn’t disappoint as she snuggled into his arms and matched him kiss for kiss.

  A little while later, crashing and yelling came from above them. They broke apart. Summer pursed her lips. “That was a good one. We got a hundred and thirty-two seconds before the interruption.”

  “If you were counting the entire time, I am doing something wrong.”

  Summer laughed, taking his hand and swinging their arms like a child as they said hello to the young family trooping down the trail.

  As soon as they passed, Chance tugged her closer. “Summer. Please say you weren’t counting.”

  Summer tilted her head to the side and grinned at him. Long seconds ticked by before she wrapped her arms around his neck and murmured in his ear, “I wasn’t counting.”

  “So I wasn’t doing something wrong?” He encompassed her back with his hands. She fit perfectly in his arms.

  “On the contrary, my unconfident friend. You were doing everything just right.”

  Chance smiled and decided to try it again, just to make sure.

  Summer loved this relaxed Sunday afternoon with Chance. They only went up the trail a couple of miles before heading back, holding hands and talking the entire time. The scenery was gorgeous with cascading pines on the mountainside and the creek trickling below them on the other side of the trail. She’d pushed future worries to the back of her mind, intent on enjoying this time with Chance. It bugged her that he was a billionaire and she was a destitute loser with no future prospects for work, but it wasn’t his fault.

  “If I ask you to come back to my place for dinner, will you give me a hard time?” Chance asked when they reached his Land Rover.

  “I’ll always give you a hard time, but you can ask.” She leaned against the vehicle.

  Chance bent down and kissed her. She returned it wholeheartedly for several minutes before giving him a playful grin, slipping out of his arms and into the car. Chance shut the door and hurried around to his side. He didn’t start the car, but focused on her. “Summer. I’d love to cook you dinner, and I promise not to try anything inappropriate. Will you please come to my place?”

  “Smooth, Judd. Real smooth.”

  “And?”

  She bit at her cheek to hide a smile. “I’ll think about it.”

  “Think about it? We’ve only got a ten-minute drive before we’ll be back at your house.”

  “Ooh, good point. I don’t want to face Papa Turnbow yet. Let’s go to your rented mansion, then. I know how you love to boast about all your money.” She winked to show she was teasing. He actually didn’t flaunt his money, and she liked that. “Be warned, though: if you try anything inappropriate, you’d better be prepared to lose an eyeball or something.”

  Chance chuckled. “Noted.”

  He drove them down the mountain, taking her hand and resting it on his muscled thigh. Summer found her thoughts scattered by the simple move. He could do that to her so effectively with the slightest touch. She’d better be on her guard at his house.

  He drove northeast of downtown up into the gated community for the ultra-rich. When he pulled through the circular drive and into the garage of a massive house with a pond to the side, grass stretching all around, and an unreal view of the ski resort, she tried for nonchalant. “Too much, Judd. Maybe you shouldn’t have brought me to the mansion. It is intimidating.”

  Chance shook his head. “You can handle it. I’ve seen you deal with a lot worse than this.”

  Summer wasn’t sure she could deal with it. He got her door, took her hand, and led her through the spotless five-car garage with only the Land Rover, his two bikes, and a utility vehicle of some sort to fill the space. They walked through a large mud room with an impressive laundry room and bathroom attached. All the cabinets wer
e white and the walls were painted a pale blue. It had a great vacation feel. Then they entered the great room, and her jaw dropped. It was massive, with three-story windows showcasing the mountains, knotty cherry cabinets and woodwork throughout. The plush leather sofas looked comforting. The walls were painted a neutral grayish-brown, with landscape paintings providing bursts of color here and there. There was a rock and granite fireplace that ran the height of the three stories. She loved the entire thing.

  She forced a confidence she wasn’t feeling, strode to a sofa, and plopped down. “I’ll just hang here while you cook for me.”

  Chance smiled. “Would you like the remote to the TV or the fireplace?”

  “No, the view’s enough of a show for me.”

  “It is pretty. You could always go sit in the hot tub.”

  “I don’t like the suits you give me to wear in the hot tub.”

  He laughed. “I liked the one for last night enough for the both of us.”

  Summer chose to ignore that. Chance started pulling things out of the industrial fridge. He piled the containers in his arms and walked to some patio doors. Summer couldn’t just sit there. She rushed to him as he struggled to open the door with his arms full and swung it wide.

  “Thank you.” He set the packages down on the counter next to a built-in grill.

  Summer glanced around the patio and was awestruck again. “The cabinets out here are nicer than my parents’ house.”

  Chance pushed a button to light the grill, not answering her. How did she expect him to respond? Her parents had plenty of money and a beautiful home, but this place was amazing. If Chance was really a billionaire, his home or homes were probably nicer than this.

  She glanced over at the pile on the counter as he started unwrapping the packages—steak, seasoned chicken, huge shrimp, veggies ready to grill. “Wow. You know how to grill, eh?”

  “Easy when it’s all pre-packaged. I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought a little of everything.”

  “So you just assumed I’d say yes and come to dinner tonight?”

  “I hoped.”