Loving the Billionaire

by Christina Tetreault

  Glancing away from Warren’s distracting smile, she spotted Will and his brother with the reverend, and her brain went back into play. Keep walking. With her eyes focused on Helen’s soon-to-be husband, she made it to the front and turned as the “Wedding March” began, and the doors opened again.

  Two of her other friends had married at Trinity Church the previous summer, and the same reverend had performed those ceremonies. Since she’d heard the entire script before, Ruth let her thoughts wander back to Warren’s unexpected visit. True, it was not unheard of for Warren to stop in if he was in the area. However, she couldn’t recall the last time he’d been in Newport during the winter. His offer to accompany her today had surprised but not shocked her. They’d been friends for a long time, and the Warren she’d come to know was kind and helpful. But that didn’t explain his presence right now.

  Warren’s invitation to dinner tomorrow was the thing that bothered her the most. Sure they’d had meals together before. On several occasions they’d eaten lunch on the beach or stopped at Pirate’s Cove for ice cream. None of those outings had taken place on Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year. Should she take that as some kind of sign? He had left his own family’s party on New Year’s Eve to spend time with her last month. Maybe Helen was right about the differences in their social standings not bothering him. Not once had he ever treated her as anything but his equal. And it had been his idea to come with her today. She hadn’t mentioned her lack of a date because she hoped he’d step up.

  Ruth looked away from Helen and back at Warren as the couple exchanged vows. Their eyes met, and he smiled at her. For half a second the crowded church disappeared. He became the only other person there. Before she looked away, he winked at her, and her stomach went into its own version of the twist. What is going on? Man, she wanted to know. Before she could contemplate the situation any further, the reverend gave Will and Helen permission to kiss.

  With her arm through Mitch’s, she followed the bride and groom down the aisle. “Where’s the fire?”

  “What?” Ruth looked away from the back of Helen’s head and at Mitch. She’d locked her eyes on Helen to keep from looking at Warren again.

  “If you walk any faster you’ll be jogging down the aisle. What’s the rush? It’s not like anyone is running off.”

  The bride and groom were not rushing off to their limo, but she was in a hurry to reach Warren. She wanted to catch him before the photographer started snapping more photos. Once he did, there would be no escape.

  “I want to use the ladies’ room before the photographer gets a hold of us again. He was brutal this morning. I didn’t think he’d ever finish.” She didn’t lie. The photographer had taken endless pictures.

  They passed by the final row of pews. “His assistant was just as bad. The restrooms are to the left of the front door. If anyone asks where you went, I’ll let them know.”

  Thanks to the previous weddings she’d attended there, she didn’t need directions to the ladies’ room. “Thanks. I’ll be quick.”

  Mitch released her arm and headed in one direction while Ruth made a beeline back the way she’d come. Guests had started filing out, but she’d not seen Warren exit. Inside she scanned the pews as some of the guests mingled. Unable to see well over all the standing guests, she moved farther inside. When she saw him still seated, she stepped around one of her high school friends with nothing more than a wave.

  “Hi, Warren.” She slipped into the pew and sat down. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was coming to pick you up anyway, and I didn’t think Helen would mind if I came to the ceremony.”

  The tiny bubble of hope in her chest burst. She’d known it was a long shot, but she hoped he’d say something like ‘I came to see you’ or ‘I missed you and couldn’t wait to see you again’.

  “You’re right.” She didn’t add that more than likely Helen had not even noticed Warren. When Helen walked down the aisle, she’d only had eyes for Will. And on the off chance she had noticed, Ruth knew Helen wouldn’t mind. In fact, Helen would probably start pressuring her to ask him out again the second she saw her, like she had done after Ruth told her Warren was her date for the reception.

  “You look beautiful today.”

  She could have said the same thing about him. Warren looked good no matter what he wore. He was fortunate that way. Most people, herself included, had certain colors or styles they should avoid no matter what the fashion magazines said was in style. Not him. In all the years she’d known him, he’d never looked anything but amazing.

  “Thanks. I’m glad Helen picked this color and not her original choice. When she planned on a summer wedding, she wanted us all to wear sunflower yellow. That would’ve been only slightly better than the peach gown I wore to my friend Rhonda’s wedding in June.” Ruth doubted anything would ever look worse on her than the peach gown and white sunhat she’d worn to Rhonda’s wedding. And she hoped she never found out.

  “One of my cousins got married a few years ago, and her bridesmaids wore peach. I didn’t think it looked bad. The peach tuxedos were horrible.”

  She’d seen photographs of men wearing various colored tuxedos including baby blue, peach, and yellow. Whatever fashion expert came up with that idea should never be allowed to design clothes again. Thankfully that trend hadn’t lasted long. “Why would anyone do that?”

  “No idea.”

  “There you are.” Carla’s voice stopped Ruth from saying anything else. “The photographer is ready to do the group picture with Reverend Ellison. Then he’ll do the rest at the hotel.”

  “I don’t want to get on the photographer’s bad side.” Ruth stood up. “Or Helen’s. I’ll see you in a little while. Where do you want to meet?”

  “I’ll wait for you near the donation box out front.”

  ***

  Warren sipped his Manhattan and watched people stroll in and out of the hotel lobby. Ruth had disappeared with the rest of the wedding party when they arrived. And while he’d seen several people from the church, Ruth hadn’t yet reappeared. He assumed the wedding party was still doing pictures. Most couples who held their receptions at the hotel did their photos outside with the harbor in the background. If the weather didn’t allow it, they took them by the indoor pool with its cascading waterfall and exotic plants. They had to be almost finished with pictures. His watch read ten of three, and the staff at the hotel liked events to stay on schedule.

  “Mr. Sherbrooke, I didn’t know you would be visiting us today.” A tall balding man he didn’t recognized approached him. “I’m Jeffery Primrose, the manager on duty today.” The man extended his hand.

  “It is nice to meet you, Jeffery.”

  “Will you be staying with us long? The penthouse suite is available. I can get you checked in right away.”

  Warren scanned the area before he looked back at the manager. “No. I’m not staying. Just meeting a friend here.”

  “In that case is there anything I can get for you? Another drink or perhaps something to eat while you wait.”

  He glanced over Jeffery’s shoulder as Ruth and another member of the wedding party walked down the hall. Over the years he’d seen her dressed in everything from shorts and skirts to jeans and her nurse’s uniform, but he’d never seen her decked out like she was today. Although the gown had long sleeves and reached the floor, it left her shoulders bare. The deep burgundy complimented her complexion, and he’d noticed on the drive how it drew out the red highlights in her dark hair.

  “Mr. Sherbrooke?”

  When he heard the manager, he realized he’d been silent for too long. “I’m fine. But you have guests by the name of William and Helen Lee staying here tonight. Please have a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne delivered to their room this evening following their reception.” Since he didn’t know the couple’s exact tastes, he selected one of his favorite champagnes.

  “I will arrange it right away, Mr. Sherbrooke. Can I do anything
else for you?”

  “That’s all for now. If I require anything else I will let you know, Jeffery. Thank you.” He pulled his gaze away from the vision walking toward him. “If you will please excuse me, my friend has arrived.” Warren heard the manager utter a reply, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he headed in Ruth’s direction.

  The smile she gifted him with told Warren she’d spotted him. After saying something to her friend, she walked toward him while her friend headed in the direction of the restroom. “Sorry that took so long. The photographer just kept taking pictures. I lost count of how many times he put in a new roll of film.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It gave me a chance to grab a drink.” He took a step closer, invading her personal space. “Can I get you anything?”

  With her so close, all he wanted was to reach out and touch her, to see if the skin on her shoulders and neck was as smooth as it appeared. Once he satisfied that desire, he wanted to place his lips on her neck and leave a trail of kisses up to her lips. He couldn’t do either tonight, not in such a public place. Maybe if he knew what her reaction would be, he’d drag her into a secluded corner, give into his desires, and risk getting caught by a hotel guest or employee. But he didn’t know what she would do. That left him one option. He had to wait. Tomorrow night they’d be alone. If she told him she didn’t have any feelings for him, there would be no one around to witness it. And if she returned his affections, they would be alone to do whatever they pleased.

  “I’m okay for now. Why don’t we go sit down? Dinner should start soon.”

  Warren gave into his need to touch her and placed his hand on her lower back. “Is the reception in the Bellevue Room?” The hotel contained three ballrooms, the Bellevue Room being the most popular.

  Ruth nodded and walked alongside him. “People have noticed you’re here,” she said. “I hope this doesn’t cause any problems for you.”

  He heard the concern in her voice. The American public was obsessed with his family. While there were many other wealthy families in the United States, it was his family that drew the most attention from the media, and he didn’t know why. He’d asked his grandmother about it when he was eleven or twelve, but she hadn’t given him a satisfactory answer. For a long time after that, he tried to figure it out. Now, he didn’t think about it. Rather he accepted it as part of his life. “It won’t.”

  At least that was the answer he gave her. If his father learned about his date with Ruth via the media rather than him, he’d get a phone call and most likely a summons home. His parents already had the perfect woman picked out for him.

  Even though he could only recall speaking to Tracey Nashua three times in his entire life, his parents decided after his last failed relationship that he should marry her once he finished his MBA. He’d flat out told them he wasn’t interested in Tracey. Although he had spent little time with her, they traveled in the same social circles, and he’d heard enough about her to know a marriage would never work.

  “I really hope not.” Ruth stopped and picked up their place card from the table in the hall. “We’re at table five. Helen put me with Mitch, her brother in-law. She’s determined to get us together, even though I keep telling her I’m not interested in him.”

  Warren kept his hand on her back as they walked among the numbered tables and ignored the stares other guests sent his way. “She’s not having a head table with the wedding party?”

  Ruth waved at someone across the room before she stopped at their table. “Helen didn’t want one. She said it was too old-fashioned, and I’m glad she decided not to. I always feel like everyone is watching me eat when I have to sit in front of everyone.”

  “I know what you mean.” He pulled out a chair for her. When she sat, his hands dropped to her shoulders, his brain no longer in control. Her skin beneath his palms was just as smooth and warm as he’d imagined.

  “Her mom wasn’t happy with the idea.” Ruth reached for her water glass. “They were still arguing about the arrangement last week.”

  He didn’t want to move his hands, but he couldn’t stand there all night either. “Some people think there is only one right way to do things. They’re not open to change.” He slid his hands away. “All the weddings I’ve attended have had head tables, but I think I prefer it this way.” Warren took his seat. “It is the bride and groom’s day. They deserve to be the center of attention.”

  “You’re a smart man. I knew I liked you for a reason.” Ruth waved to another friend that passed by them.

  “Do you know everyone here?” He recognized a few faces from Ruth and Helen’s New Year’s Eve party, but otherwise no one looked familiar to him.

  Ruth made a sweep of the room and nodded. “Just about. Helen, Will, and I went to high school together, and we had the same friends. And I’ve spent a lot of time with Helen’s family. Even went to Washington, D.C. on vacation with them one summer.” She turned her full attention toward him. “Are you uncomfortable because you don’t know anyone?”

  Social gatherings of any size didn’t faze him regardless of whether he knew a single soul. “Not at all. Just curious.”

  “Thanks again for coming today. I really appreciate it.”

  He couldn’t think of anywhere else he’d want to be right then, other than perhaps alone with her at Cliff House or her apartment. “Anytime.” He added nothing else as a man identical to the groom joined them, and in all honesty, he didn’t know if it was the groom or the best man.

  “Hi, Mitch.” Ruth looked at the man who joined them. “You finally escaped your grandmother?”

  “Just barely. The woman is determined to see me married before she dies. Or so she says. She just spent the last fifteen minutes pointing out all the single women in the room she recognized and listing their fine qualities.”

  Ruth looked back over at him. “As of today, Mitch is her only grandchild not married.”

  “I think she had the most to say about you, Ruth.”

  The urge to throw an arm over Ruth’s shoulders and announce to everyone that she was taken caused Warren to move closer to her.

  “Let’s hope she and Helen never get together. Then we’re both in trouble.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Ruth’s comment, as well as her earlier one about Mitch, helped ease a little of the possessiveness that gripped him. That didn’t mean he still didn’t want to brand her as his. While a kiss or two would accomplish that, he went for a more subtle approach and placed his hand over hers.

  The moment their skin came in contact, she snapped her head around toward him. Her lips parted as if about to ask a question, but then she pressed them shut again. However, she didn’t pull her hand away, which gave him hope.

  “I don’t think we’ve met.” Warren directed his words to Mitch as he extended his free hand. “Warren Sherbrooke.”

  “Mitch Lee. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Gradually, other guests joined them, and soon all eyes turned to the ballroom’s main entrance as the bride and groom entered the room. Once the applause stopped, the best man stood and gave his speech, which turned out to be the most humorous wedding speech Warren had ever heard. In fact, he expected the guests to ask for an encore performance; they seemed to be having such a good time. Eventually, Mitch sat and individual conversations began among the guests as dinner came.

  Chapter 4

  Ruth pretended to listen to the conversations around her. Carla and her husband sat at the table, as did Helen’s widowed aunt. Between the three of them and Mitch, a steady conversation permeated dinner. However, Ruth could do little more than nod thanks to the gentleman seated next to her. Ever since he’d asked her for dinner, she’d been little more than a walking mass of confusion. His actions today only intensified the problem.

  When they’d first sat down and he’d touched her shoulders, she’d stopped breathing. Once oxygen returned, she wracked her brain for a way to explain the incident. Despite her best efforts, nothing materialized.
Then Mitch appeared, and she’d rejoiced. Or at least she had for a moment because no sooner did Mitch sit down and start up a conversation than Warren took her hand. It wasn’t the first time he’d held her hand. The epitome of manners, he’d offered her his hand before she stood on countless occasions. Tonight the feel of his hand linked with hers was different. More intimate. And it didn’t help that he kept his hand like that until dinner was served.

  Now with the meal over and the dinner dishes gone, she wondered if he’d take her hand again.

  On the dance floor, Helen and Will finished their wedding dance, and the speakers crackled for a moment. “At this time Will and Helen would like to ask the wedding party to join them in a dance,” the DJ announced.

  Darn. With her thoughts centered on Warren, she’d forgotten about the customary wedding party dance.

  “My favorite part of a wedding. The dancing.” Carla stood up. “I hope your cousin is a good dancer, Mitch.” After giving her husband a kiss, she walked over to Nathan Lee, the groomsman she’d been paired with and Mitch’s first cousin.

  “She’s in for a rough one. Nathan hates dancing. He’s got two left feet.” Mitch stood and offered his hand to Ruth. “Don’t worry though, your feet are safe with me.”

  She allowed Mitch to lead her away and tried to shake the sense that someone was watching her.

  “I don’t think he could be any more obvious if he tried.” Mitch led her in a turn.

  “The way Will keeps looking at Helen, I’m amazed he hasn’t tossed her over his shoulder and carried her off to the closest empty room.”