A Billionaire's Treasure (The Ellsworth Brothers #1)

by Cece Baker

  Safe in the front seat of her beloved Honda, she took a deep cleansing breath before inserting her key into the ignition. As per usual, the car sputtered to life faithfully and she proceeded out of the driveway and home.

  Chapter 3

  Her apartment was simple, utilitarian perhaps, but she had put in some effort to make her place a home, a modern yet comfortable environment outfitted with discount, build-it-yourself furnishings and plenty of textures reflected in her cushy throw pillows, thick wool rug and silky sheer window coverings that masked the ugly mini blinds. This was more than just a place to call home. It was her sanctuary.

  Thea was greeted with a raucous meow reminding her that she had arrived home late and Sinatra was hungry. She called to her cat, petting him as he weaved lovingly between her legs. It was nice to come home to a pet. It made her feel as if she wasn’t so alone.

  She wasn’t really alone if you counted her mom, her sister, Sasha, and Sasha’s soon-to-be fiancé, Rick, plus her best friend, Jill. Liane, her mother, was a self-proclaimed born-again hippie. She now referred to herself as Wandering Feather, did tarot card readings and sold healing crystals in her New Age book shop. She did not approve of the wealthy, saying they were all greedy capitalists and their spirits were going to be in agony after they died due to the fact that they did not seek enlightenment or treat those less fortunate with kindness. But, when it came right down to it, her mom appreciated when the shop made a profit so she could travel to places like Nepal, Greenland, or Poughkeepsie. Thea often just shook her head when she thought of her mom, but even with all her idiosyncrasies, she couldn’t help but love her.

  Her sister, however, was a different story. Not that deep down she didn’t love her, but Sasha was a know-it-all, could do no wrong and was snooty about her perfect life. She was a cum laude Princeton graduate and she reminded everyone of this whenever possible. She graduated with a major in international business and a minor in Chinese and traveled a lot for her job, meeting heads of huge corporations as well as heads of state. Her boyfriend, Rick, was a lawyer specializing in international law. As Sasha so often reminded her, theirs was a match made in heaven.

  Thea had known her best friend, Jill, since they were in seventh grade. The two girls made it through those tough, awkward teen years together. Jill or Jills as Thea called her, was street smart, sassy, self-confident and stunning. In fact, she was drop-dead gorgeous and didn’t even realize it. That made Thea love her even more.

  Jill was a telemarketing debt collector, which was perfect for her personality. The woman could talk herself out of a box. Her advice was always no-nonsense and straight to the point. Thea could always count on her to tell it like it is even if she didn’t want to hear what her friend had to say. That said, she wondered what her friend would think of Landen Ellsworth. She frowned at the thought. “Now what made me think of him out of the blue like that?”

  After eating a quick meal of leftover soup and crackers Thea scooped out Sinatra’s litter box, called Jills to give her the report on her new job, then fell into bed. As she tried to fall asleep her mind wandered to one Landen Ellsworth.

  She wondered what he was doing at that very moment. Maybe he was bedding a leggy fashion model or a petite flight attendant? What if he was thinking about her? What if he was pleasuring himself while thinking about her? Thea imagined him lying naked on his king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows to his left offering a sparkling view of the city at night. He’d reach his hand down to his cock and begin rubbing. Slowly his eyes would close and he’d quietly murmur her name over and over, stroking his member until it grew hard. The speed of his hand would increase until the passion was too great and he came, lines of sticky white semen strewn across his abdomen. Thea suddenly realized that her own breathing had quickened and moisture had gathered between her thighs. She was feeling hot and bothered. Truthfully, though, she thought, “Landen Ellsworth would never be interested in someone like me. I’m just the hired help; a chubby woman who is neither sophisticated nor sexy.” As much as she tried to remain positive and confident in herself and her appearance, there were times when the self-doubt crept in and sabotaged her thinking. It was on that depressing note that she finally drifted off to sleep.

  The next morning Thea fed Sinatra, went out for a quick walk on the path around the pond just outside her apartment, then jumped in the shower. Today she dressed in her regular work clothes, scrubs and sneakers; comfort and function is what her job demanded. Caring for others as she did was a physically demanding job and one that she adored. She liked that it required her to use her muscles. She would be miserable if she had to be confined to a desk all day long.

  Before she knew it, two weeks had flown by. She and Caroline had formed a strong bond, one based on trust and caring. Caroline had a sunny disposition unlike her husband and worked hard at the small tasks that Thea had assigned her. Those included simple things like brushing her hair, feeding herself, or holding a book to read. The days were pleasant and rewarding.

  One afternoon found the two ladies sitting quietly in the living room of the suite when Caroline began talking. She told stories of how she met her husband and how different he used to be.

  “He wasn’t always so obsessed with his business. In fact, he had spent a lot of time with the boys, well, at least with Landen and Drake. Landen was the independent one, which between you and me I think drove William a little crazy. When Drake came along William had just started the construction company, but always took time to spend with his boys. He’d read to them in the evenings and take them fishing on the weekends.

  “But by the time Westin arrived he was in the thick of growing the business and his spare time was scarce. Don’t repeat this to anyone,” Caroline continued in a conspiratorial voice, “but Westin is a true mama’s boy. He was such a loving little boy, always giving kisses and hugs to everyone, even the staff. He was a charmer and he still is, but he is so unaware of his effect on people that his actions are never meant to manipulate anyone or any situation to his benefit. His heart is made of gold. He works at his father’s company too, you know, but in a financial role. He is certainly not afraid of hard work.

  “Drake was always getting into mischief, whether bringing frogs in the house, playing tricks on both of his brothers or Maddie, our cook at the time. She would threaten to swat his behind more times than not, but she never did. Ultimately, he grew jealous of Landen. They were always so competitive. Whatever Drake accomplished Landen had done one better or had already achieved that milestone. I tried praising him daily, but it just wasn’t the same when that praise didn’t come from his father like it did for Landen. Caroline’s eyes clouded and she gazed off into space for several moments.

  “It makes me sad thinking about it. I suppose it has shaped who he is today: headstrong, reckless and unapologetic. I’m afraid one day he’s going to take things too far and really get hurt or hurt someone else. He doesn’t even have a job. He tried working at Ellsworth Construction, but didn’t like the job. I don’t know the whole story about that. I believe he’s living off his trust fund now, and fills his days doing whatever his heart desires and spends his money in pursuit of finding happiness. Like happiness can be bought. I know it doesn’t do any good to worry, but I’m his mother, and so I do.”

  Caroline paused slightly, smiling before she continued.

  “Now Landen, he was a precocious little boy, so inquisitive and smart,” she said. “He was a little explorer and far too smart for his own good. He and William’s mother, Sophie, went for long walks along the river and always came home with what they deemed ‘a treasure.’ It was usually just some junk that had washed ashore, but you’d never know it by the way he described his findings. They would make up stories about how the item got there, to whom it belonged and what its life was before it fell into the river.

  “He was always so intense and serious about it all. I guess that’s why he is so intense and passionate as an adult. William was always so proud of
his eldest son. Landen thrived on making us proud. In high school he was the quarterback of the football team and led the debate team to the state competition. The girls were always knocking at the door or calling him at all hours of the night. It’s a miracle that he was able to study as much as he did.

  “Nowadays, he’s always at the company headquarters since William handed him the reigns. Although I know there is tension between the two of them, even though neither of them will admit to it. Currently there is disagreement on how to handle a high-profile project they just won and it’s causing a lot of friction and stress for both. It’s a wonder he won’t have an ulcer by the time he’s thirty-five at this rate.”

  Thea listened intently and finally asked, “How often do the boys, er, your sons come to visit?”

  Caroline responded with a sigh, “Never often enough for me, but they’re grown and have their own lives. Westin comes over at least two or three times a month, with Landen about the same, and Drake is a hit and miss. Sometimes he blows in often and showers me with gifts and love, and then several months will go by without hearing a single word from him. Officially, I have put in my request to all three of them to meet the woman of their dreams so that I can keep the hope of grandchildren alive,” she laughed.

  Thea smiled at the woman’s comment, then before she could stop herself she heard herself ask aloud, “Do any of them have girlfriends?” Mental head slap. Why did she have to ask that question? Was it now blatantly obvious to Caroline now that she was interested in her eldest son? She hoped not.

  Caroline thought for a moment and said, “Drake always has a beautiful woman on his arm, but we rarely see the same one twice. Westin had a steady girlfriend in college, but got his heart broken when she ended the relationship citing different future goals. Since then, he has dated, but currently is single. Landen has had women friends from time to time, but now with his work demanding his every waking moment, he has put the thoughts of women to the side, I suppose.

  “I just want them to be happy, and if you ask me, finding a partner, a worthy partner in life, makes all the difference. Having someone to share the good and bad, create lasting memories and to offer support or be supported, is so important. Do you agree, Thea?” Startled, Thea looked at the woman and responded that yes, she did wholeheartedly agree. “And, you, do you have a worthy young man in your life?”

  Thea shook her head and sadly said, “No. Not me.”

  “Well, don’t you worry. The right man will come along just when you least expect it. Mark my words.” Caroline nodded her head emphatically and smiled. Thea managed a half smile and glanced out the window. That was what everyone who had someone said.

  Chapter 4

  As the weeks turned into months Thea fell into a steady routine of work, relaxing, hanging out with friends and keeping in touch with her mom and sister. It was at one of their family dinners that Sasha announced that Rick had a friend she needed to meet. He was perfect: well-educated, funny and not bad looking. Wouldn’t she please just humor her and meet the guy? Thea’s mother agreed heartily, citing the fact that she had not had a date since she broke up with Greg. “Craig,” Thea corrected her.

  “What, honey?” she called from the kitchen.

  “His name was Craig, not Greg.”

  “Okay, dear, whatever you say.”

  Thea rolled her eyes. Rick piped in at this point telling her that his friend was a really nice guy looking to meet the right woman. In order to get them to move on from the subject of her love life she agreed to go out with this guy. What was his name again? Ken. Or maybe Ben? Len?

  Excitedly, Sasha clapped her hands and squealed. Yes, she squealed. What had Thea gotten herself into she thought miserably? Rick would give Ken or Ben her number so they could make arrangements on where and when to meet. The plan was to go out this weekend. Thea groaned remembering how much she’d been looking forward to a quiet weekend, taking a long hot bath and listening to the new music she’d downloaded. So much for that idea.

  The next afternoon Thea received a voice message from Ben saying that he was looking forward to meet her and could they meet this Friday at 7 p.m. at the new Asian fusion restaurant that just opened downtown? He’d make a reservation. That evening she summoned the courage to return Ben’s phone call and they chatted for a few minutes. She kept trying to end the phone call, but Ben kept interrupting and telling her about his day, his dinner, his dietary restrictions and food allergies. This was going to be an experience, Thea thought somberly. Her sister might have to pay for getting her hooked up with this one.

  Friday arrived far too quickly for Thea’s taste, but she tried to keep an open mind about Ken, oops, Ben. Ben. His name was Ben. She had to get that through her head. “Stay positive,” she told herself. Maybe she was about to meet the man who would fulfill all her dreams and fantasies. “Who knows,” Thea mused, “maybe I’ll be having hot monkey sex tonight. That would be a nice change of pace.”

  Thea wore a coral-colored sundress with a black, lime and blue pattern reminiscent of an Indian design that framed her chest and opened to a deep vee in the front and back. It was a sexy little number that came to just above her knee and made Thea feel flirty and beautiful. The short sleeves covered her shoulders and upper arms. She added a coral necklace that led the eye directly down to her cleavage. The thick coral bracelet and nude-colored strappy sandals finished the look perfectly. She’d taken extra time in applying her makeup, subtle as it was, and her hair was behaving nicely. Just before she left her apartment she stopped at the mirror near the front door and applied her coral lip gloss. “With any luck, I’ll need to reapply this often tonight,” she thought positively. She called a goodbye to Sinatra, closed and locked her door and walked to her car with a bounce in her step and a sexy sway in her hips.

  Downtown was bustling. Thankfully, the days were light longer so she had no problem finding the restaurant. She decided to splurge on herself and opted to use the valet parking offered by the restaurant. Parking was such a nuisance. She pulled up to the curb and immediately a valet had the front door open, extended his hand to help her out of the car and eyed her legs appreciatively. She gave him a sexy smile in response.

  She entered the restaurant and glanced around, looking for a man sitting by himself at the bar or waiting near the hostess stand. Seeing no one, she asked the hostess if someone named Ben Houston had arrived. She looked down at her computer and just as she was about to speak a man came jogging up to them, looked at Thea and said, “Uh, Thea? Are you Thea Jeffries?”

  With a smile Thea responded, “Yes. And you must be Ken.”

  There was an awkward pause and he responded, “Ben. Ben Houston.”

  Geez almighty. Thea did a mental head slap. Way to embarrass yourself right off the bat. She apologized profusely.

  “No harm done,” Ben said. He led Thea to the booth he had already been seated at and proceeded to present her with something in a rather large box. She glanced up and in shock saw that he was giving her a corsage.

  “I didn’t know if you could wear the pin-on kind or not so I got a wrist one. I hope you like it,” he said with hope in his eyes.

  Thea gulped, “It’s lovely, Ben. How thoughtful of you.”

  “You have to put it on so I can admire it all through dinner. Maybe I should have asked you what color your dress was before I bought it.” Thea assured him that it was the thought that counted and slipped the corsage of blue-tipped carnations, brightly dyed blue daisies and baby’s breath onto her left wrist.

  The waiter approached and asked if he could get drinks for them. Thea ordered a Sauvignon blanc and Ben went for a white Zinfandel. “I’m not really a wine connoisseur, but I appreciate a good white zin just like the next person.” Thea smiled at him and thought to herself, “This is going to be a long evening.”

  After their orders were placed—the special for Thea and the special without garlic, cabbage or salt for Ben—Thea excused herself to visit the ladies room. As she walked
away from their table she let out a long breath. Sasha was definitely going to hear about this and she’d have to figure out a way to make her and Rick suffer for thinking she and Ben would be a good match! Who did they think she was anyway? Before exiting the bathroom Thea glanced in the mirror to check her hair. Satisfied, she opened the door to the ladies room, looked up and stopped dead in her tracks.

  Her eyes locked with the familiar face of a very tall, very handsome man.

  Landen. Landen Ellsworth. What are the chances that in a large city on any given night she would run into the son of her client in a restaurant while on a date with Ben the corsage guy?

  Landen spoke first. “Thea, isn’t it? Landen. Landen Ellsworth, Caroline’s son.”

  “Yes, of course I remember you, Landen. So nice to see you again. Are you here to eat?” Another mental head slap. God, had she really asked that? He’s in a restaurant, Thea, why else would he be here?

  He grinned and with laughter in his voice he said, “Yes, I’m here to get some dinner. I hear the food here is excellent and I haven’t tried it yet. And you? Are you here to eat?”

  Thea blushed and said, “Yes. I, too, am here to eat.”

  At that moment their conversation was interrupted by Ben. “Thea? I was getting worried that maybe you got lost, so I thought I’d check on you. Don’t want you running away from me when our date has just begun,” he said cheekily.

  “Ben. Yes, I was just on my way back to our booth when I ran into uh, an acquaintance of mine. Ben Houston, Landen Ellsworth. Landen, this is my date, Ben.”

  “Landen is it? Very pleased to meet you. Any friend of Thea’s is a friend of mine. Please, you must come and join us.”

  Horrified Thea broke in and said, “Landen is here meeting friends for dinner, right Landen?”