Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Praise for Cheryl Phipps
5.0 out of 5 stars for The Millionaire Next Door
A HeartWarming Romance
Really sweet story, and by "sweet" I don't mean sappy - just one that gives you a really warm glow when you finish the story, knowing the characters are going to live happily ever after! Whilst the premise is textbook romantic fantasy (who wouldn't want the hunky Millionaire Next Door to fall in love with them?!), the characters are multi dimensional with very real problems that don't get solved with the wave of a magic wand. It's a quick, satisfying read that'll make you feel good at the end. Definitely recommended for lovers of contemporary romance and women’s fiction.
By KiwiWriter
Reluctant Billionaire
Cheryl Phipps
Cheryl Phipps
Copyright © 2017 by Cheryl Phipps
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Reluctant Billionaire
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Thank you
About the Author
Also by Cheryl Phipps
Restless Billionaire
Reluctant Billionaire
It was just meant to be a fling.
Sarah Knight is determined, focused, and totally not looking for another man. The last thing she needs is a rich playboy upsetting her carefully structured life.
Renowned surgeon, Christian Grayson is in Rarotonga to relax, so he wasn’t expecting a holiday romance. Gorgeous, sexy and quick-witted, Sarah’s everything a man could want—and it’s only for a few days, right?
Chapter One
The bronzed waiter placed a cocktail of the brightest pink on a small table next to her lounger.
“I didn’t order that.”
“I know.”
Sarah Knight looked over her sunglasses at the handsome hunk wearing the unlikely combo of a white polo and board shorts. He pulled the lounger next to hers closer, and sat down with a dazzling and self-assured smile, all while not spilling a drop of his less showy beverage. Not a waiter then.
Sarah raised her eyebrows, as he touched his glass to hers which remained exactly where he’d put it.
“Cheers, pretty lady.”
She grimaced. “As unique as you think your tactics may be, all I want is a peaceful day. Alone.”
His gaze began at her face and ended at her toes. “I’m afraid, looking the way you do, that’s not possible.”
She frowned. “You get that you’re being a little creepy, right?”
He laughed, a deep belly laugh, making her skin prickle in a rather pleasant way. Despite his arrogance, she’d have to be blind not to notice his good looks and those amazing dimples. How annoying. She didn’t want to notice any such thing.
“I’m just an average guy, trying his luck on the most beautiful woman on this island.”
Sarah blushed. It was obviously another line he’d had practice with, but damn it this one was good. “Thank you, but your luck’s run out. I’m not interested.” She picked up the magazine she’d been flicking through, determined not to encourage him, but finding it hard to concentrate.
This was nothing new, but prior to this, her lack of concentration had been due to talking herself into marrying the wrong man, and the recent memory of leaving Marcus at the altar. Now, a buff, great looking guy was staring at her, in such a way that it left no doubt in her mind or anyone else’s who might see him that he found her desirable. It was so honestly frank that she found it hard not to be flattered.
Finally, when he’d had enough of being ignored, he put his shades on, leaned back into the chair, and noisily sipped his drink.
Sarah licked her lips. The cocktail had looked inviting. It was hot out here by the pool, she was thirsty, and by the enticing cracking sound a few inches away, the ice was surely melting. Snaking a hand across the table, she clasped the stem, but her euphoria was short lived when a large palm swamped hers.
Gasping in fright, she turned her head to glare at him. His sunglasses mirrored her face, and while she couldn’t see his expression, she could see ‘the look’ on her own. It was something her mom had perfected as a deterrent to her children and anyone else who crossed her. It would do nicely.
“Take your hand off mine. Now.”
“Say, please.”
“Please,” she said, in a way which could not be construed as pleasant.
“Whoa! I was only going to pass it to you.” His hand let her loose.
“Sure you were.” She snatched hers away and stood to slip her cover-up on over her bikini. Then she strode down the path which led to the beach.
Men! She’d had about all she intended to take from them, and she would order her own damn drinks. She’d been in Rarotonga for a few days, and every single one of them, some stranger had insisted she enjoy his company, when all she’d wanted was to be left to think about how she was going to handle the drama she’d left behind in San Francisco.
She still had a few days before she had to go home to face everyone. There would be questions about that day; about her wedding, or the lack of one. Managing to get a great tan from all this ‘relaxation’, she was still mortified when she thought of not only the wedding, but how she’d let it get to the stage it had.
Walking along Muri beach, she kicked at the white sand. Though she needed answers and a plan, it would be so nice to forget for an hour or two, but even her dreams were filled with her humiliation.
Out to her left, a small island called a Motu was attached to the mainland only at low tide, and each day there had been a wedding on it. It was a stark reminder what an idiot she’d been.
She’d known Marcus wasn’t right for her. They had little in common, apart from business and money. They mixed in the same circles and had gravitated towards each other at school, yet even back then, they were so different. He hated sport, her friends, and wasn’t too keen on her family.
That should have been the deal breaker because Sarah loved her family more than anything, but she also knew what pains they could all be. They were bossy and domineering. She even acknowledged it and had thought that if she could be more like the woman Marcus insisted she be, they’d have a good—if not a passionate—marriage.
She picked up
a stone and skipped it over the water. She even doubted his faithfulness. People in their community loved a good gossip, and some of them were less discrete than others.
Sarah had tried dating other men when Marcus needed a break a year ago, but she’d never come close to loving any of them. When he’d finally turned up to their wedding—after she’d all but given up on him—and Marcus explained that he was truly ready to commit and how much he loved her, she’d been surprised but relieved. Better the devil and all that, and she did know Marcus. Or so she’d thought.
Her mood wasn’t getting any better despite the beautiful surroundings, and on her way back to the resort, Sarah headed to the kiosk situated above high tide which gave out equipment to the guests. Maybe some exercise might help her to shed some of this anger, and a fair amount of confusion.
Chapter Two
With disappointment, Christian watched the gorgeous blonde leave. He’d been a jerk, which wasn’t what he was known for, and he was sorry he hadn’t behaved better.
He didn’t take holidays of more than a day or two and he was bored, and trying hard not to think of work, which was no real excuse. He knew people who would love to be in his shoes, but lazing about could only be done for so long when you were a workaholic.
The travel agent had said he’d have a great time in Rarotonga. A place that was quiet and where he’d be unlikely to bump into anyone he knew.
The self-imposed exile had been at the request of his doctor, who was also a close friend and deeply concerned over Christian’s health. They both knew he was burnt out, and this had been the cause of his collapse a week or so ago.
Looking ruefully at the melted drink to his left, he finished his own virgin mojito and mulled over what he would do today. Perhaps he should consider an earlier flight home? His sister would be upset with him for not taking the full week. He had promised, and Christian did not break promises if he could possibly help it. He could persevere for a couple of more days. Couldn’t he?
He might go snorkeling in the lagoon which might kill an hour or so. He walked down the path through the canopy of trees to the beach and saw her immediately.
The resort’s paddle board instructor was knee deep in the lagoon, his arms around the blonde’s waist as he helped her stand. Her little blue bikini top barely held her perky breasts and the matching bottoms, which stretched across her butt, could make a man weak at the knees. Of course, he’d noticed her great body earlier, but with her muscles clenching with effort and her butt stuck out for balance, he was practically a drooling mess.
Christian grabbed another board and paddle and carried it to the water, then walked it out a way before jumping on. It would have been better if the water was colder since he could already feel the arousal pushing at his swim shorts.
There were several young women on the resort—some far too young—wanting his attention, but Christian wasn’t interested. He might have been tempted, but ever since the day he’d first glimpsed her, the gorgeous blonde was barely out of his mind. It was only today that he’d taken the chance of talking to her and breached the barrier that invisible or not, could be felt at a distance.
Christian had not anticipated this attraction for the simple fact that he didn’t date blondes. He’d developed a distrust of them since his first girlfriend had tried to palm off her love child as his and demanded he marry her. The memory had faded, but he didn’t want a repeat performance. He gave any would-be girlfriend two or three dates then moved on. Or had a break. And, he was über-careful of making sure there was no danger of any babies appearing at a later time.
If he couldn’t find something or someone to amuse him, then he may as well be back at work. He loved his job, despite the pressure of being a leading surgeon, and if he was away from it for too long he was like a bear with a toothache.
Although, right at this moment he had other issues. His desire, which had been dormant for several months, was escalating with each arch of the blonde’s back as she used her body to counteract the small waves. She was a natural. Even when she wobbled slightly, it was done gracefully.
He could leave her be. Find another woman to satisfy his need, but he didn’t want any woman. He wanted her. She was a challenge, and his life centered around challenges.
Kneeling, he paddled to where, solo now, she appeared to be relishing the experience. With barely a wobble she moved across the calm lagoon.
He stood as he pulled closer and began to match her strokes. Christian called out to her. “Looks like you’re getting the hang of it.”
As she turned slightly, one foot shot off the board, and in a flailing of arms and legs she hit the water with a resounding splash. She surfaced spluttering and coughing, not quite as graceful as before and with a face covered in hair. She was less perfect than before, but somehow even more appealing.
She scraped angrily at the hair. “What the hell are you trying to do?”
He smothered his grin. “Sorry. I was merely saying how well you were doing. First time, is it?”
“Go away. Now!” She heaved herself over the board, her legs dangling in the water. Managing to get one leg over she tried to hoist herself up. Her other leg acted as a weight and pulled her and the board over like a crocodile in its death throes.
Christian did the only thing a gentleman could do. He slid into the water, grabbed her waist, and hoisted her onto the board with one arm, while he held it steady with the other.
Hair dripping, mascara smudged, and green eyes flashing with anger, she brought to mind a mermaid who’d had a rough night. Except these legs were so damn flawless.
“Would. You. Leave. Me. Alone.”
“Hey, I was helping you.”
“Your ‘help’ is something I can do without.”
She adjusted her bikini which had moved about precariously, something Christian was well aware of and enjoying immensely. Perhaps not trusting herself to stand, she carefully knelt on the board, snatching the paddle he held out to her, turned it around and headed for shore.
Well, he’d earned no points there. Either she was a tough crowd or he was slipping. He shook his head. It was undoubtedly the later, and Christian had no idea what had gotten into him.
Actually, he knew too well. His erratic behavior stemmed from his collapse a couple of weeks ago. He’d felt his mortality was shaken, and the lack of control had hit him hard. He pulled himself up on the board to lay face up and stare at the azure sky, wondering if he would ever feel the same way about his life. About women. About death.
He splashed water on his face. He’d not considered his own death before his collapse. His focus had been on his career and making sure his sister was taken care of. If he wasn’t around she would be alone. Thinking about that made his stomach cramp.
So much for relaxation. His assistant had booked this place, and it was picture-perfect. If you wanted nothing more than sand, sea, good food, and drink. He’d managed one day of nothing much, because quite frankly he’d felt like he’d been run over by a bus. The second day he’d done paddle boarding, a hundred laps of the pool, spent two hours in the gym, and danced with most of the island women.
Five days in and he was ready to go home. But he’d promised the doctor and his sister he’d take a week. He’d made a couple of mistakes—not life threatening—but he’d had to concede that he needed time out. His patients deserved the best and right now, that wasn’t him.
It was an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective about what he wanted to achieve in his career and how to do it without killing himself. Going forward, an eighty-hour week on a regular basis was not going to fly.
This was a start, and not a new idea, but he was at a loss to think of anything else, except how was he going to fill this day?
Chapter Three
Sarah was furious with the hunk. So much for a relaxing holiday. So much for staying clear of men who were determined to annoy her. She fumed under the shower by the pool as she washed off the sand and salt, feeling in no better moo
d than when she’d left twenty minutes ago.
A cabana boy was by her side in an instant with one of the soft, white towels Sarah loved, and she gave herself a good rub down before slumping into the lounger she’d left her things by.
Putting on sunglasses, she took several, deep breaths. Her younger sister, Caris, had taught her this as a relaxation technique and it really did work. She’d finally calmed down when the bronzed man came back. Was he following her now?
He glanced her way, showered, then dived expertly into the pool. He did a lot of laps, while she tried to read. He was obviously showing off, but he must be incredibly fit, and must be why he had such a great body.
She was in the middle of chastising herself for being guilty of a lot of what she’d accused him of, when he pulled himself up and over the side of the pool. Standing tall, he took in great gulps of air which pushed out his chest, emphasizing his six pack, and made Sarah wish she could close her eyes. He was riveting, which was incredibly frustrating when she was doing her best to ignore him.
“Stevie!”
A scream cut the quiet and sent shivers down Sarah’s spine. A woman stood at the edge of the pool and Sarah followed her gaze to where a small brown head bobbed. Face down. The woman jumped in fully clothed, followed by the bronzed man. There was no lifeguard.
Sarah ran to the edge of the pool and knelt on the pavers. The man picked the child up and thrust her into Sarah’s arms. He was up beside her in a flash, and took the child back.
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