My Wicked Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings Book 6)

by Serenity Woods

  “Why not?”

  “You said compromise is part of a successful marriage. And then went on to say Samantha didn’t compromise on anything. I don’t want to wake up one day and realize I’ve given up everything. I understand the notion of wanting to share your life with someone, for comfort, companionship, that sort of thing. And I can see how being in love with someone would be exciting. But how do you stop it becoming unhealthy, and how do you ensure you don’t lose your own identity?”

  “I don’t know,” he says.

  We both think about that as he navigates the busy city. It’s nearly 12:15 p.m., so there’s no time to stop and look around. The city sits at the head of Otago Harbour, in the middle of a ring of hills that are the remnants of an extinct volcano. I manage to glimpse Victorian and Edwardian architecture, the steeples of old churches, and signs to Otago University. Ryan avoids the city center though and takes the road toward the peninsula and Larnach Castle. As he climbs the hill, we get a breathtaking view across the harbor to the mainland. The mist is lifting from the surrounding hills, and the sun beams down on the city. I’m pleased for Leon and Nix. I want them to have the perfect day, and nice weather is a good start.

  “I presume that in a more balanced relationship, you don’t lose your own identity as much,” Ryan says, and I realize he’s still thinking about the question I asked him earlier. “The problem becomes when one partner is less compromising than the other.”

  “That’s what worries me, though,” I tell him. “You’re hardly the weak, wussy sort. I can’t imagine you would let yourself get walked over. And yet you ended up getting divorced.”

  “We were incompatible ultimately, that’s all.”

  I blow a raspberry. “I think she has a screw loose. If you were my man, I’d never let you go.”

  He opens his mouth to reply to that, but I point at a sign to Larnach Castle, which differs from the direction the lady on the GPS suggests, and by the time he’s reversed and taken another road, we’re nearly there and he forgets what we were saying.

  I meant it, though. I don’t understand love. Samantha had a man like Ryan, who is, frankly, as perfect as a man can be—gorgeous, kind, generous, rich, funny, sexy, and great in bed. Why on earth would she let him slip through her fingers? And yet he says they were incompatible. The thought frightens me. There are no guarantees in love. There’s no big yellow arrow above a man’s head that declares “He’s the one, Clio.” There isn’t really a fat little baby who’s going to choose with whom I fall in love. It’s all down to me, and it seems so, so easy to make the wrong decision. It’s not as if Ryan is the only one in my family to screw up a relationship. Look at Hal and Rosie; Leon and the older woman he had an affair with all those years ago. Nobody goes into a relationship thinking it’s not going to last. Everyone hopes they’ve found Mr. or Mrs. Right.

  But there’s no time for me to dwell on it, because we round the bend and approach the castle grounds. Ryan lowers his window to speak to the woman in the security box on the gate.

  “We’re here for the King wedding,” he states.

  “Can I have your names please?” she asks.

  “Ryan and Clio King,” he says. She glances at me, and I realize it sounds as if we’re married.

  “Lovely day for it,” she replies with a smile. “Go ahead until you reach a fork in the road, then take the right-hand lane. That’ll take you to the Lodge. I believe everyone will be making their way up to the castle at 1:30 p.m.”

  “Thank you.” Ryan waves goodbye and drives along the road.

  “Well, we made it.” I feel a flood of relief. I’m glad I’m there for Leon’s sake, as well as my own.

  “Yeah, no worries.” He takes the right-hand road toward the Lodge. “I’m glad we got here in time.”

  “Thank you for coming up with the idea. And for driving, and for standing up for me.” I sigh. “I’m glad we’re here, but actually I’m disappointed it’s over.”

  “I know what you mean.” He smiles at me. “It was a good journey. Lots of interesting scenery.”

  “I didn’t mean the scenery.”

  He slows as he pulls up outside the Lodge. “I know.” He stops the car and turns off the engine. Then he turns to me. “I hope we manage to hook up again tonight, but if we don’t—if you change your mind, or it’s just not possible—I want you to know I had a really good time.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ryan

  “Oh, we’re definitely hooking up again,” Clio says as she unbuckles her seat belt. “I’m not going to pass up on the chance for some more terrific sex while we’re away.”

  Her words make me smile, and give me a warm glow. I like that she thinks we’ve had terrific sex. And I love that she wants to do it again.

  She turns toward me, and we survey each other for a moment. She lowered her window when we entered the grounds, and the spring breeze ruffles her hair. Lifting a hand, she tucks a strand behind her ear. She has elegant hands with short, manicured nails—I much prefer them to Samantha’s long fake nails.

  She’s been like a breath of fresh air this weekend. I’ve really enjoyed my time with her, and I agree, I don’t want to pass up the chance of spending more time together. We may be on different paths for the future, but why not live for today?

  “Fair enough,” I say. “Tonight it is.”

  Her lips curve up. “You still want me then?” she asks playfully. “You’re not bored with me yet?”

  I let my gaze slip down her, taking in her generous breasts, her silky-smooth thighs. “Oh, I want you.”

  “How?” she asks.

  I lift my gaze back to hers. There’s a touch of longing in her eyes.

  “First,” I tell her, “I’m going to make you come with my mouth again.”

  Her lips part, and her expression turns helpless. “Oh,” she says weakly.

  “Then,” I continue, “when you’re wet and swollen so there’s no friction, I’m going to fuck you from behind.”

  It’s a gamble, a guess that she wants me to talk dirty, that it turns her on, and that she likes her guy to take charge. My ex hated being bossed around and disliked any kind of crude talk, but sure enough, Clio’s eyes light up.

  She lifts her chin, though, acting outraged. “I see,” she replies. “Do I get a say in it?”

  “Happy to accept suggestions. Long as I get my own way.” I smile.

  “I’m very rebellious,” she states. “You might have to tie me down.”

  I meet her eyes, and our gazes lock. “Well, wouldn’t that be a shame,” I murmur, filling with heat at the thought of tying Clio up and having her at my mercy. Her pale, soft body would be laid out before me, and she’d be helpless to stop me using her until we were both exhausted.

  She swallows. “The look in your eyes makes me feel funny inside.”

  “What kind of look is it?”

  “Desire. I don’t think anyone’s ever looked at me like that before.”

  I laugh. “Bullshit. I’m sure there are hundreds of guys who’ve fantasized about getting you into bed.”

  “Fantasizing is one thing. You look at me as if I’m already naked. As if there are a hundred things you can think of to do to me.”

  “Want me to name them all? Because I can.”

  She shivers. I keep my gaze on hers. My pulse has increased, and I’m close to lowering the car seat again and doing her there and then.

  “You’re so fucking sexy,” I tell her. “I’m not going to be able to stop thinking about you this afternoon.”

  “Me either.”

  “Every time you see me looking at you,” I say, “I’m thinking about stripping you naked and having sex with you.”

  Her eyes are hot, and her breasts rise and fall rapidly with her fast breaths. “I—”

  At that moment, however, we’re interrupted by a cheer, and we look across to the Lodge to see a handful of people spilling out onto the drive to greet us.

  “Fuck,” Clio mumbles. �
��Hold that thought.”

  I sigh, then pin a smile on my face as we get out of the car. Hal, Stefan, Noah, and Fitz come forward and give Clio and I bear hugs.

  “You made it,” Hal says. “Thank God.”

  “By the skin of your teeth,” Stefan says.

  Clio sticks her tongue out at him. “An inch is as good as a mile.”

  “Well, next time maybe you’ll listen to me when I tell you it’s getting late,” Stefan tells her.

  She rolls her eyes and takes her case from Noah as he lifts it out of the back of the car. “I doubt it.” She smiles at Hal. “The girls all with Nix?”

  “Yeah. They’re waiting for you. Joanna—our wedding organizer—is in the foyer sorting out the buttonholes; she’ll take you up to them.”

  She nods, then meets my eyes briefly. “Later, bro’.”

  “Yeah, later.”

  She walks into the Lodge and disappears.

  I blow out a breath and smile at my brother. “How are things going here?”

  “Good,” Hal says. “Everything’s on track.”

  “Where’s Leon?”

  “Getting dressed.”

  Hal, Stefan, and Noah are already all dressed in matching suits. Because of the location of the wedding, Leon and Nix decided to go traditional, and the guys are wearing a black morning coat, snug fitting and cutaway with a single button at the waist over gray trousers, with a white shirt, and a silvery-gray double-breasted waistcoat and tie. Hal’s waistcoat is baby pink, the same as Leon’s will be. “Your suit is in your room,” Hal adds.

  “We’ve got just under an hour before everything kicks off,” Noah says. “Want to catch a cup of coffee first?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’m going over to the castle,” Hal says, “to do a final round and make sure everything’s on track.” He heads off across the gardens.

  Picking up my case, I follow Noah and Stefan inside. The wedding organizer has a team running errands, and one of them takes my case to my room, while I follow the guys into a large lounge.

  “This place is amazing.” I look around at the exquisite mahogany furniture, the tapestries on the wall, and the wood paneling, carved with English roses, Scottish thistles, Irish shamrocks, and New Zealand’s silver ferns. “I feel like I’ve gone back in time.”

  “I know what you mean.” Stefan runs a hand across the marble fireplace. “The new owners have done an amazing job restoring the place.”

  “It was a great choice for a wedding.” Noah goes over to the young woman standing by a refreshment table and asks for three coffees.

  I smile at him as he turns back. “How are you doing? It’s good to see you here.”

  Noah’s been working on his agoraphobia with Abby, venturing further and further afield, and it’s amazing to see him all the way here at the other end of the country.

  “I’m good.” He accepts a coffee from the waitress with a smile. “I’m convinced one reason Leon decided to hold the wedding here was to get me out of the North Island.”

  I chuckle; that wouldn’t surprise me at all. Leon is going to be thrilled that his brother not only made it here, but that he seems remarkably calm and composed.

  “Are you ready to reveal where you’re spiriting us away to in December?” Stefan asks.

  Noah’s getting married to Abby on Christmas Eve. Part of his incentive for conquering his agoraphobia is because he wants to take her somewhere exquisite for the wedding, and he’s already told us all he’ll be flying all his friends and family somewhere too, so we have to make sure we keep the dates free. “I’ll tell you all tonight,” he says mysteriously.

  He’s hinted that he’d like to spend Christmas somewhere cold in the snow, so I’m expecting it to be in the northern hemisphere somewhere, maybe Italy, or perhaps Canada. It’s a long way for him to fly, but he’s obviously determined to make it work.

  “The hypnotism is obviously working,” I say, knowing he’s been trying hypnosis as a method to control his anxiety attacks.

  “Definitely.” He leads the way over to a few chairs by the window overlooking the gardens. “I wouldn’t have been able to do all this without it, I don’t think.”

  We sit, and I look out at the gardens. I can see native palms and ferns, kauri trees and cabbage trees, kowhai and pohutukawa, along with flower borders that bring spring color to all the green. “Part of me can’t believe I’m here,” I say. “It’s a long way from the Bay of Islands.”

  “It is if you travel the way you did.” Stefan shakes his head. “I’m sorry to hear about the accident, but I’m so glad you missed the plane too. There’s no way Clio would have made it here if it wasn’t for you.”

  I sip my coffee. “I think you’re a little harsh on her. She’s resourceful and smart.”

  “Yeah. And disorganized and scatterbrained. And a terrible timekeeper. She’s always late for everything.”

  “She’s young,” I reply. “That’ll improve when she settles into her job.”

  “I dunno,” he says. “I’m not sure the Ark is the right place for her.”

  Noah and I raise our eyebrows. “What do you mean?” Noah asks.

  “She’s intelligent,” Stefan replies. “Hardworking. Compassionate. She’ll make a great vet. But sometimes I don’t think her heart is in it.”

  I think about what she told me, that she wishes she could have worked in a zoo, but that she felt pressured by Hal’s and maybe Stefan’s views on them. But I’m not going to tell them that. “As I said, she’s young,” I tell him. “She only spoke about the Ark positively on our journey. But I think it is difficult for her being the youngest of the Kings. Everyone treats her like their baby sister.” Apart from me, obviously. I try not to wince. “And she’s not eighteen anymore. She’s a grown woman who deserves a little respect. Maybe if you lightened up on her a bit, she might grow into the role.”

  Stefan meets my gaze, and his lips curve up a little. “Was she resentful about me giving her a hard time?”

  “A bit.”

  “Fair enough.” He finishes off his coffee and gets to his feet. “I’m going to check on Leon, make sure he’s not hyperventilating into a paper bag somewhere. Catch you later.” He walks off.

  I look at Noah, who gives me a wry smile. “Sore spot?” I ask him.

  He gives a little shrug. “He runs a tight ship at the veterinary center. I can’t criticize him for that as I’m sure that’s why it’s been so successful. And you’re right, he does see it as his job to bring Clio into line. She can be a loose cannon.”

  “I think that’s only because she feels…” I search for the right word. “Restrained, sometimes. It was assumed she’d work at the Ark when she graduated, and of course she loves it there and she’s appreciative of everything she’s been given. But she’s not done an Overseas Experience. She’s not really had a chance to spread her wings.”

  Noah studies me, and I wonder whether he’s going to comment on my relationship with Clio, but he doesn’t. Instead, he says, “How are things with you, anyway?”

  “Well, I was going to talk to you about that. I had a call from Mike Fenton, you know, from the Ministry for Children.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah. He wants me to go to Wellington next Wednesday for a meeting to discuss adapting the app for the adoption agency.”

  His face breaks into a smile. “That’s fantastic. You must be thrilled.”

  I hesitate. “Yeah… he says Tama Herewini is thinking of offering me a full-time job there.”

  Noah nods slowly. “I’m not surprised. I’m sure they think you’d be a great addition to the team.” He tips his head to the side. “Are you interested?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You should be. It’s a subject close to our hearts.” Matt King adopted him when he married Noah’s mother, Georgia.

  “It’s a great opportunity,” I agree. “But I love my job at the Ark.”

  “Yeah, I know. I suppose it depends on whether you’r
e ready to settle, or if you still want to stretch your wings, as you put it.” He meets my eyes. “And whether you have anything, or anyone, else to stay for.”

  My lips curve up, and he smiles in response. “You’re like a gray-haired Cupid,” I scold him, wondering how he can always see a spark of something between people before anyone else notices it.

  He laughs. “I like to see people happy. Is that a crime?”

  “Nah.”

  “Is it just a fling?” he asks.

  “Jeez, Noah. You were out there for, like, two seconds. What makes you think anything happened between us?”

  “Am I wrong?”

  I blow out a breath. “No.”

  He chuckles. “She’s a lovely girl.”

  “She’s mad as a box of frogs.”

  “Yeah, but she has spirit. She’d keep you on your toes.”

  “She’s also Leon’s baby sister,” I point out.

  He purses his lips. “Good point. I probably wouldn’t mention it today.”

  I glance over at the door as I see people in the foyer and smile. “The Three Wise Men are here.”

  Noah looks over his shoulder, then back at me. “I’m always here if you want to talk,” he says.

  I nod, and then we stand, return our cups to the waitress, and head out to the foyer. Dad’s there with Mom, Charlie with Ophelia, and Matt with Georgia. The guys are dressed in morning suits, their wives in floor-length gowns and sparkling jewelry. They all cheer as they see me, and Mom and then Dad give me a hug.

  “Sorry to hear about the accident,” Dad says. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I wasn’t part of it, luckily,” I inform them, “but it was pretty nasty. I think the other driver might have died in the crash.”

  “How awful,” Mom says. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  “Me too.” These things happen so suddenly. The driver wouldn’t have been aware when he woke up that morning that he wouldn’t live to see another day. The thought is shocking, and makes me immensely glad that I’m here, with my friends and family, about to see my cousin get married to a beautiful girl.