How to Avoid a Billionaire

by Tressie Lockwood

  She felt his hot seed fill her, but she wasn’t worried. Ryder would get hard again and even take her all night. He drove into her pussy as far as he could and held still, panting. She reached between them and stroked her clit. Her lover pumped slow and easy. She began to moan when her core muscles contracted.

  “Mmm, yeah, you’re close, angel. Rub that clit for me.”

  She did and pinched it as an orgasm exploded. His name trembled on her lips, but she bit it off when the front door opened. James stood frozen in place. Ryder turned so his naked body blocked hers from sight. I need to die right now from embarrassment.

  “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t realize…”

  “You have the night off, James,” Ryder snapped. “Good night.”

  “Good night, sir.” The door clicked closed.

  Melanie buried her face against Ryder’s neck. This time, her groan had nothing to do with pleasure. “Kill me now.”

  “It’s okay.” He chuckled above her.

  “He saw us.”

  “He saw my naked rear. Nothing he hadn’t glimpsed before. Come. Let’s continue this conversation in my bed.”

  She frowned at him. “What conversation?”

  He winked. “Exactly.”

  The next morning, Melanie opened her eyes to find herself alone in the bed. Sun shone through the open French doors, and she wrapped a sheet around herself and went to investigate. Ryder stood on the balcony staring out at the water. Before she reached him, she paused to soak in the view. Other houses dotted the shoreline, and already people were out on the water in their boats. The entire scene seemed far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, so peaceful.

  “This is wonderful. I don’t know how you leave home,” she murmured.

  He turned and extended his hand. She took it and settled against his chest. “I have a confession, angel.”

  She stiffened in his arms and looked up at him. “This isn’t your house?”

  He laughed. “It’s mine. No, not that. The movies.”

  “What about them?”

  “I stayed up several nights watching and taking notes on what I could discuss with you.”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “I am.”

  She pulled out of his hold and just stared at him. “You lost sleep to study up on a few B movies as if you had to give a presentation? Is that how you approach everything? You learn what people like and make sure you know enough to impress them, like you did with my dad.”

  “In all fairness, I didn’t know you were taking me to your parents’ house.”

  “But you knew I was half Chinese.”

  “I can prove to you I’ve done business that required me to learn about Chinese culture.”

  She folded her arms under her chest. “That’s not the point.”

  “What point are you making?”

  “Don’t talk to me like none of this affects you, Ryder, as if I’m just one more person to manipulate, or rather, placate when the situation calls for it. I don’t appreciate the trick! Why did you even tell me? You could have left me ignorant. I mean you had me going. I was impressed.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  He took a step toward her, but she backed up and spun away. “I’m going home. Please give me a ride. Better yet I’ll call a taxi.”

  He caught up with her beside the bed and enfolded her in his embrace. She fought to get him off without effect. “I did it because it’s what I’m used to doing. More than that, I… I’m sorry. Forgive me.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Because I want you to stay. Think about it.” He spun her to face him and raised her chin. She drew back expecting him to kiss her, a move that would undermine her defenses again. He only refused to let her escape. “Rather than woo you using the lie, I told you the truth. I had no reason to…”

  She opened her mouth, but he touched her lips.

  “Other than to earn your trust.”

  She smacked his hand so she could speak. “In a backward kind of way.”

  “I’m a bai chi.”

  “Totally.” She stopped struggling, and her anger melted away. Whether he spoke the truth now or not, she didn’t know, but he was right. He could have kept up the deception. She realized this was who he was, a man used to finding out what others wanted and creating a connection to win them over. The knowledge scared her because she couldn’t tell how he really felt, whether he liked her. His patience with her dad’s arrogance could have come from practice not because they had found camaraderie in each other. “I don’t know you, Ryder. I feel like I’m out of my league.”

  “There is no league, only people.”

  “That’s not true.”

  He gave her a small shake, and she looked into his eyes. Her heart fluttered, and she couldn’t look away. Did he know how much he affected her? Of course he did. He’d trained for this, studied at the feet of his father and others.

  “There’s only perception, Melanie.”

  He called her by her name so infrequently, it sounded funny, and she kind of wanted to hear him call her angel again. She shook her head. He frowned, probably thinking she’d shaken her head because she disagreed with him.

  “Spend the weekend with me. Let’s get to know each other without plans or tricks or games,” he said. “At the end, we’ll have had fun at the least. At best…” He shrugged.

  “Let me go.”

  He dropped his hands to his sides, and she stepped away. She felt his gaze follow as she walked to the French doors, but she focused on the water. A longing came over her she couldn’t deny, and she grinned. “Okay. First, you have to cook me breakfast—you, not your maid—and then I want to go out on the boat.”

  “Done!”

  A short while later, Melanie sat on one of the stools in the kitchen and drank fresh brewed coffee. She’d had to make it herself because Ryder had never made his own. “I can’t believe you’ve never brewed coffee. At the least you could have thrown together some instant in your life.”

  He winced as he opened the refrigerator. “If I wanted to choke, sure. I’ve tried it. Not good. I’ve grown up with servants. My father kept full-time staff, so there wasn’t a need to learn anything.”

  She held up a hand. “Hold on. No need to learn anything? That means you have no clue what you’re doing in that refrigerator right now? And you not knowing how to cook is incongruent with the guy who stayed up all night studying B movies.”

  “I study what is directly useful. As for food…” He tapped his temple. “I memorized the numbers to caterers just in case Jodie is unavailable. Even in the few times she was not, there are other assistants at the company to fill in.”

  “And at home?”

  “Maria, the maid, can be called in at a moment’s notice, and James is a certified chef. So you see, I don’t have use for learning to cook.”

  “Goodness, you’re complicated.”

  He laughed. “And as for what I’m doing in here, I’ll show you.” He pulled out a plastic-wrapped plate piled with an assortment of pastries and set it on the counter. “Breakfast is served.”

  “You knew that was in there when you agreed to make breakfast, didn’t you?”

  “I’m always prepared.”

  She grinned. After they enjoyed warm pastries that she heated and hot coffee, they headed upstairs to shower and dress. Melanie had to fight off his advances and then gave in once or twice before they strode outside in the direction of the pier. Melanie stopped short when she didn’t see a boat.

  “Is it invisible?”

  Ryder frowned and switched directions. She followed him into a small building, and she gasped. The place looked like a clubroom on one side and more rustic on the other with two wide doors that could swing open. She judged the
doors to be facing the water.

  “James?” Ryder called when he entered.

  “Mr. Neyland, I apologize. I inspected the boat this morning and found a leak in the gas line. Rather than repair it myself, I wanted to have the entire engine inspected by a professional. The shop picked up the boat ten minutes ago.”

  Ryder rubbed his neck. “I appreciate your thoroughness.”

  “Thank you, sir. I was about to call you, but I wanted to make sure the jet skis were ready as an alternative.”

  Ryder snapped his fingers. “Perfect, but take out one. Melanie will ride with me.”

  Melanie’s eyes widened. “Whoa, did he say jet ski? Because I don’t know if I’m up for that.”

  “Trust me, angel. You’ll love it. Come this way. I have a wet suit that will fit you.”

  “Always prepared?” she asked.

  “Always.”

  The spray in her face, wind raising goose bumps on her skin, and her heart racing, Melanie wrapped her arms around Ryder’s waist and had the time of her life. She couldn’t believe how much fun riding on a jet ski could be. Both terrifying and exciting, the experience was unlike anything she had ever done.

  “I want to drive,” she shouted behind him. Ryder slowed the vehicle to a stop and maneuvered to sit behind her. With his big frame, he crowded her, and his strong arms holding her waist, her pussy vibrated and they hadn’t even started the engine yet. Ryder’s lips brushed her ear as he gave her instructions on what to do, but she hardly focused, feeling his cock pressed against her ass. The wetsuit left nothing to the imagination.

  “You got all that?” he rumbled in a throaty voice.

  “Umm.”

  He chuckled and squeezed her middle. Somehow she thought he’d moved his hands lower so his fingertips grazed her clit. “I’ll go over it again.”

  She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “No, I’ve got it. Let’s go.”

  Good thing she’d watched him start the engine when they began. Not that it entailed more than holding a green button and waiting. He nodded encouragement, and soon she had them flying on the waves. They spent the better part of the morning riding around, passing a few people and waving. Then they returned to the house, changed, and got ready to go out to lunch. Melanie enjoyed every second in Ryder’s presence, laughing and teasing him at one point and letting him chase her the next.

  They watched more movies, this time ones he hadn’t seen, and Melanie caught him hiding a yawn. She enjoyed the realness of his boredom with the clichéd storylines to his pretense, and they ended the first night dancing barefoot on the veranda to the melody of soft music and the lap of the water as it brushed the shore.

  Chapter Seven

  Ryder pulled his cell phone from his pocket and checked the text message that had just come in. His source confirmed his thoughts and offered names and dates. He clicked a few keys rapid fire, transferring the funds from his private account in payment for the information. Then he made a couple of phone calls. When everything was in place, he stood from his desk, lips tight. He stabbed the headset on his ear. “Jodie, I’m going to be out for an hour, probably less. Did you take care of what I asked you to?”

  “Of course.”

  “Bring it—”

  Christian burst into the office and Ryder frowned at him.

  “Jodie, I’ll call you back.” He disconnected from her and turned to his cousin. “I don’t have time to share my personal life with you right now, Christian. I’m headed out. I’ll give you the details later.”

  Christian slapped him on the back as he passed. “You’re getting it in the middle of the day? I’m telling you I want to be you, bro.”

  “Who says I’m about to have sex? I have to go.”

  Ryder walked away from the knowing chuckle and headed to the elevator. He walked the couple of blocks to the restaurant and remembered he hadn’t told Jodie where he was going specifically. He texted her the info as he took the seat the waiter led him to. Fifteen minutes later, Shana Lewis entered and he signaled for her to join him.

  He had to admit the leggy woman was beautiful but she knew it, the way she approached him, sashaying, her thin lips pursed. Several men turned their heads to watch as she passed by, but Ryder remained unimpressed. A few months ago, he might have sampled a woman like her, but she no longer held appeal. The information he had gathered on her indicated she was not the empty-headed bimbo she appeared to be. She held a Bachelor’s in Web design and had graduated near the top of her class. Yet she didn’t rely on her smarts or her education.

  She drew up to the table and paused as if giving him a chance to take in the view of her perfect legs. “Ryder Neyland, I was surprised when you called me. I didn’t know you knew I existed.” The sweetness to her tone grated on his nerves. He took his time standing and indicated a chair.

  “I didn’t,” he assured her and had the satisfaction of seeing her flush. “I know of you only because of Melanie. Sit down.”

  Offense radiated off her but she sat. He knew by his tone she’d started to realize this meeting wasn’t what her vanity had told her it was. He cut to the chase because he didn’t care to spend more time than necessary in her presence.

  “From this moment on, Melanie is gone from your life.”

  Shana’s eyes widened and she tittered. “What are you talking about? I knew you rich guys were controlling, but really? Choosing her friends?”

  He reached across the table and grabbed her wrist. His anger, a rare sight, bubbled to the surface. “You’re not her friend. In fact, you never were.”

  He had to give her credit. She maintained the smile on her face, but her eyes flashed fire. “I don’t know what—”

  “Quiet,” he snapped in a low tone, and she fell silent. “You’re the one who stole her designs. You covered your tracks by fucking your boss. As long as you kept spreading your legs, he gladly gave you whatever you wanted.”

  “So now you’re going to tell Melanie?”

  “No, she doesn’t need to know. Like I said, you’re out of her life.”

  Shana wrenched her arm free and sat back in her chair. “I don’t care. I’m out of there anyway. You’re right. I was sleeping with the boss, but he doesn’t have enough clout or connections to get me where I wanted to go. I just gave my notice today. I have a bigger, better deal.”

  Shana flipped her hair over her shoulder, a self-satisfied grin on her face.

  Ryder smiled as well. “You mean the offer from Coverton?”

  Her smile faded.

  “No one crosses me or mine, Ms. Lewis. Have a nice day.”

  Her jaw worked, but she spoke no more words. After a few stunned moments, she stood and turned away from the table. Ryder listened while she spoke with someone on the phone. “Yes, this is Shana Lewis. I was wondering if I could start the job sooner than the fifteenth. What do you mean the offer has been rescinded? No, I didn’t get the letter yet. You can’t do this to me!”

  Melanie hurried to the front door on the second doorbell ring. She checked the peephole and wondered at the young man she’d never seen before. “Who is it?”

  “Delivery for Ms. Melanie Cai.”

  She hesitated and then opened the door with the chain on. The man smiled and held up his ID and a small package. She removed the chain. “I wasn’t expecting anything.”

  “If you’ll sign here.”

  She took the offered package and gasped at seeing Ryder’s name on it. “You’re a private carrier?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You have a nice day.”

  “Wait, let me tip you.”

  “That won’t be necessary. Already taken care of by the Neyland Corporation.” He walked away, and she shut and locked the door, staring down at the package. What could it be? Her weekend with Ryder had been unbelievable. They’d had so much fun and talked about everything. For the fir
st time, she felt like he was opening up and really letting her get to meet the real Ryder. At the end, he had made no promises, but somehow she felt like they had moved to a new level in their relationship. Hell, she had been afraid to call what they had a relationship until that past weekend.

  The envelope shredded on the dining room table, she drew out a narrow, black box. Inside was the most amazing necklace she had ever seen. A panther’s head made of diamonds, his nose onyx, his eyes sapphires, and tassels hung from his head, a mixture of diamonds, onyx, and sapphires. She checked the inside silk of the box and choked at the name of the jeweler where the piece originated. This was no department or mall jewelry store.

  Melanie’s legs refused to hold her, so she sank into a chair. Her fingers shook as she handled the necklace. Where the heck did he think she would wear this thing and not feel like all the world knew its value? While she contemplated Ryder having too much money and whether she should accept his gift, she noticed the small white envelope in the bigger one. Several thoughts flowed through her mind at what he would say in accompaniment to the gift. She bit her lip to keep control of the happy grin. Platitudes of love? That wasn’t Ryder. Poetry? She almost laughed.

  The words that jumped off the sheet were “remember our time together” and “move on.” She couldn’t make a sound. She couldn’t cry or cuss him out. All she did was sit there, for a full hour, staring at the wall while her fingers crumpled the note. He had used her, enjoyed her body. Now she knew his show of honesty was just a part of his game to throw her off and make her love him, because that’s what he’d done. He’d made her fall in love.

  At last, tears swelled in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She didn’t bother brushing them away but let them flow. A sob or two escaped, and she hiccupped as her frame shook. Time passed, and when the tears stopped but the pain continued, she rose from the chair and went to get dressed. She repacked the necklace and grabbed her purse then left the apartment. Uptown, she found parking and walked the short way to Ryder’s building. Would she still have access or had it been revoked now that he’d dumped her? She imagined he had done countless women the way he had used her, and some of them didn’t take rejection well. All she wanted was to throw his necklace in his face and tell him what she thought of him. Then she would never see him again.