Played by the Billionaire

by Alexia Adams

  Not wanting to appear ungracious, she took a sip, then another. Whatever it was, it quelled her rolling stomach and quieted the jackhammering in her head.

  “What do you want to do today?” she asked after Mandy pushed away her empty plate.

  “Jason has offered to take me to the market where he gets local produce. You look like you could use a day to unwind. Why don’t you stay here and relax? Horace says he set up a hammock down by the beach.”

  Lorelei pulled her glasses down her nose so she could scrutinize her friend. Was Mandy trying to wrangle some alone time with Jason? It would be nice if two people could find some happiness out of this holiday.

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you later then?”

  Without waiting for Mandy to respond, Lorelei picked up her hat from the table and wandered out onto the terrace. On each of the tables next to the loungers sat a paperback book, the same as on the bedside table upstairs. Several times over the past week her hand had hovered over one of the books; she was curious as to her host’s literary tastes. He’d said the books at Russian River had been his brother’s. Perhaps these were as well and had nothing to do with Liam.

  But as she’d finished the novel she’d brought with her, it couldn’t hurt to see why the book was so great there were multiple copies throughout the house. She couldn’t keep drowning her sorrow with nightly cocktails. Maybe what she needed was to get lost in a literary world where someone else experienced all the heartache.

  With a shrug she picked up one of the novels and headed toward the beach. The hammock was in the ideal position for a day’s relaxation. Strung between two palm trees, it was shaded enough so she didn’t burn in the sun, but at just the right angle to enjoy the view. Next to the hammock was a flagpole with a little note on the bottom, instructing the user to raise the flag for refreshments. No doubt about it, this was paradise.

  After settling into the comfortable, swinging chair, she examined the book. It was called Marooned and there was no acknowledgment of author or publisher. She flipped to the back, but there wasn’t a blurb. Odd, must be some kind of self-published story.

  Opening to the first page, she read the dedication:

  To Lorelei, my love

  I don’t expect you to forgive me

  I would like you to understand

  What the? She shut the book and threw it across the sand. Of all the low-down, dirty tricks. Sure, Liam may not have come personally, but he’d written a book for her. If he thought she was going to waste her holiday, her time, trying to get over him by reading some fictional account of his actions then he had a lot to learn about women—a lot to learn about her. Not that she was going to give him the chance.

  She swayed in the hammock, watching the dance of the palm fronds above her head. Closing her eyes, she tried to sleep. All she saw was Liam’s face when she’d told him he was like his father. She’d seen that same expression once before, on her cousin’s son, when he’d been told his dog had been hit and killed. A look that said he would never love again.

  Damn the man. All right, I’ll read your book, but I don’t have to believe it and I won’t forgive.

  Hopefully she’d learn enough about him to turn her off. Then she could stop longing for him. Getting out of the hammock, she retrieved the book and dusted off the sand. She sat back down and, with a shaking hand, opened the novel.

  The story was told as a tribute to Marcus, as though Liam were only a secondary character in his own life. He chronicled Marcus’s refusing to go to Disneyland with his father, because Liam couldn’t come along. Of Marcus running from his school to Liam’s, to walk home with him, to prevent school bullies from beating up the scrawny younger brother. And Marcus using his birthday money to buy old computers, so Liam could create a network.

  Between the lines, however, Lorelei read the story of a young boy, unloved by any adult, his only friend his older brother, computers his whole world. Her heart broke for the little Liam, and she wiped away more than one tear throughout the reading. If she hadn’t met his mother, she wouldn’t have been able to believe the woman’s indifference to her son’s needs.

  It made Lorelei’s childhood, full of aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially a mother who loved her, seem blissful. Family had surrounded her all her life, and she’d taken their nosy interference for granted. She could barely imagine the emptiness Liam must have endured with only his brother to love him.

  Unaware of how much time had passed, she was surprised when a shadow loomed over her. She glanced up to see Horace standing with a picnic basket in one hand and a thermos in the other. “Excuse me for the interruption, Miss Lorelei. As it’s almost two, we figured you might be hungry. Is there anything else I can get you?”

  Guilt swept through her at making the elderly man come down all those stairs to bring her food. “Please, will you eat with me? I’d like to hear how you came to work for Liam.”

  Horace hesitated a moment, then nodded and sat on the sand, even though Lorelei had moved up to allow him room on the hammock.

  “Celine and I are originally from Montserrat. When the volcano blew we had to evacuate. We lost everything—our house, farm, all gone. Our children up and moved to Europe but we couldn’t face living there with all them people and the cold weather. So we came here and squatted on this land. There was just an old derelict house at the time. We built ourselves a shack out of some of the loose materials. It wasn’t much but it kept us mostly dry in the rains. We raised some chickens and had a little garden for some vegetables.”

  “Wasn’t there some government assistance for you? Didn’t your children help?” Lorelei was appalled that an elderly couple were forced to live in such conditions, in this day and age, through no fault of their own.

  “Europe is very expensive and our children didn’t have any extra money. And the government wanted us to live in some settlement. We’d always lived on the land, had space. We couldn’t live on top a bunch of other people. When Mr. Liam bought the property, however, we thought we was done for and we’d have to move. Instead he offered us jobs here. He built us a nice little place of our own, said we could have the garden, and the chickens, and all we had to do in return is keep an eye on the place when he wasn’t here. Make sure no one broke in or nothing. Of course, Celine does a little housekeeping, making beds and such, she can’t help it. There’s another girl who comes from the village to do all the heavy cleaning.”

  “Well, that’s very nice of him,” Lorelei added lamely.

  “Sure was. And he treats us like family when he does visit. Yup, was a blessed day when Mr. Liam bought this place. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Miss Lorelei. Celine wants me to climb up and get some coconuts for a cake she’s gonna bake.”

  Horace got to his feet and after tipping his hat to Lorelei, sauntered up the path. She wasn’t sure if it was safe for the old man to climb a tree, but he’d probably done it since he was a toddler.

  She picked up the book again. Horace’s revelation of Liam’s generosity made it harder to stay mad at him. When she got to the part where his first girlfriend in college turned out to be a corporate spy, hired to steal the security program he was developing, she understood. When caught, the woman had laughed in his face and told him he wasn’t the kind of guy women loved. First his mother, then this girl. No wonder he’d never considered that she could fall in love with him and get hurt; no woman ever had.

  He ended the narrative with Marcus begging him to finish his novel and his instruction to find a woman to teach him about love, not believing it was possible someone would care enough for him to be hurt by his self-serving actions.

  Lorelei shut the book with a snap.

  …

  “So, how was your day?” Mandy was sipping a cocktail on the terrace as Lorelei reached the top of the path back to the house. It was already five o’clock and Lorelei had spent the last half hour sitting in the sand, letting the soft grains run between her fingers.

  Her mind was whirling and she wa
sn’t sure what she felt about what she’d read. If it was accurate, then Liam wasn’t half the villain she’d thought. Still, he had lied to her, deceived her and hurt her… If only she knew if the last words were true or written just for dramatic effect—I finally knew what it was to love and be loved by a woman. Then I screwed it up.

  Realizing her friend was staring at her, waiting for a response, she replied, “Fine, I spent the day reading on the beach. How was the market?”

  “Fabulous. Jason is a great guy. Did you know he was a homeless drug addict and Liam took him off the street, sent him to rehab, and then gave him the job as his personal chef? And he’d never even met him before?”

  Lorelei shook her head. “No, I didn’t.” She got up. “I think I’ll have a shower before dinner.”

  “Oh, um…about dinner. Jason has cooked, but we were wondering if you minded if he served you and then he and I are going to pop back to town. He says there’s a great steel drum band playing one of the local parks. We’re going to eat there. You can join us if you like,” Mandy quickly added.

  Lorelei examined her friend. She was glowing, and not only from the sunshine. Mandy hadn’t been so happy since her fiancé dumped her. “No, it’s all right. You two go ahead. I’ve got some thinking to do and will probably turn in early. No need to serve me anything. I can dish it up for myself if he’s already cooked.”

  “I told Jason you’d say that. Thanks a million, Lorelei. If we leave soon we can get good seats. Oh, I’m so happy!”

  Mandy sprinted toward her room to get ready, while Lorelei followed at a more sedate pace into the house. She popped her head into the kitchen and found Jason on the phone. He paused his conversation at her entrance.

  “I just wanted to let you know I can help myself tonight. No need for you to wait around. Enjoy your evening,” she told the chef.

  The smile he gave her was worth the loneliness of eating alone. She trudged up the stairs and into the master bedroom. Wandering out onto the deck, she leaned against the railing and stared at the ocean. Where was Liam now? Was he in China in some boring business meeting? It had been six weeks since she left him; had he come to terms with the loss? Would he try to contact her again when she returned to San Francisco, or was this holiday the final parting gift from him?

  It was probably a good thing Jason and Mandy were going out tonight. She could already tell she was going to be morose company. She showered and changed into a summer dress before she realized it was the same one she’d worn when she’d gone to Russian River with Liam. The evening was still warm, so she left her sweater off and wandered back downstairs. Having had a late lunch, she wasn’t particularly hungry.

  “It’s a beautiful evening, and the sunset is going to be ’specially lovely from the beach.” Celine appeared out of nowhere, making Lorelei jump. “The path is lit back to the house.”

  Lorelei nodded and followed the older lady’s suggestion. She was too restless to sit; a walk on the beach at sunset might soothe her enough to be able to eat, then sleep. Tomorrow she’d figure out what to do about Liam.

  When she reached the beach, she discovered that a large white yacht had anchored about a hundred feet from shore. There were several other luxury villas on the hill; perhaps one of them had visitors. At the far end of the beach she saw a solitary figure standing in the surf, next to a dinghy. From the distance, she couldn’t make out if it was a man or woman.

  Taking her shoes off, she walked to the water’s edge, letting the warm water lap against her feet. Little crabs scurried along the sand, disappearing with each wave. The sky turned from soft blue, to pink, to red. The end of another day. She sighed.

  The figure at the other end of the beach was closer now. She thought about returning to the house, but couldn’t tear herself away. Surprisingly, she wasn’t afraid; perhaps it was dwelling on all Liam had endured that made her life seem golden. The figure came nearer. He was tall, and definitely a man. She should go back; she wasn’t feeling up for even a casual chat with a friendly neighbor. Lorelei turned back toward the path when something about the figure made her pause. Somehow, he seemed familiar.

  When he was ten feet from her he stopped.

  Díos mío, it was Liam.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Liam stopped a few feet from her, leaving her plenty of room to escape back up to the house if she wanted to avoid him. She took one step toward the stairs, but his sharp intake of breath stopped her. It was as though he was steeling himself for more pain.

  “Hi.” His voice was uncertain. It was the first time Lorelei could ever remember him not being sure of himself.

  “You promised you wouldn’t come.”

  “I’ll go if you tell me to leave. When I phoned Jason this afternoon, he said you’d read the book. I had to see you.” He reached out a hand toward her.

  She didn’t move. Her heart beat too rapidly, and her head kept replaying scenes from what she’d read that afternoon, but she had no idea where she stood in his life. Did he just want to apologize in person for deceiving her? Was this good-bye on friendly terms?

  As the silence lengthened between them, Liam’s shoulders dropped. His hand returned to his side.

  “Liam.” Her chest ached, whether for herself or for him she wasn’t sure.

  “Yes?” A flare of hope lit his eyes.

  “I’m sorry you’ve had a miserable life, but that doesn’t excuse your lies.”

  He took a step backward and his strong jaw dropped to his chest. His voice was so low she had to strain to hear his next words. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Lorelei. What I did was wrong, but I honestly never thought it would get so real. I thought we’d have a few dates, a few laughs, we’d like each other but not be compatible, and we’d go our separate ways. Like most couples who date.”

  “Well, I guess your prediction came true…”

  He raised his head and stared into her eyes. “No, it’s not like that. You showed me a whole different world. I can’t go back to the old one now. I need you in my life, Lorelei. Ask David. I haven’t even been able to work because I’m thinking of you, missing you. Is there any way I can convince you to give me another chance?”

  “Even if I could get past the lies, the deceptions, it doesn’t change who we are.”

  “Do you love me?” He took a step nearer and she could see his eyes trying to read her expression in the moonlight.

  “Don’t be cruel, Liam.” She hugged herself, trying to keep her heart from leaping out of her chest to lie bleeding at his feet.

  He took another step closer and she could smell his spicy cologne. Involuntarily she inhaled deeply, her head swimming with his scent.

  “Please, please, Lorelei. I need to hear you say the words.” His hand reached out and his thumb brushed a tear off her cheek she hadn’t even been aware was there.

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m a coward.”

  She raised her eyes to his and saw such pain she blinked.

  “Te quiero. I love you, Liam Manning.” The relief that swept through him was visible—he seemed two inches taller and he took a deep breath. “Pero, but it doesn’t change anything.”

  The breath left his body with an audible whoosh. “It changes everything. I love you, Lorelei, so much it’s going to take the rest of my life to show you.”

  Her heart swelled at his words until reason took rein. “No, it doesn’t. You’re still a genius billionaire with a loose idea of the law, and I’m a charity worker who won’t even jaywalk.”

  “Do you think I’ll risk a second in prison if it means being away from you? You have my solemn promise that as long as you’re in my life, I won’t commit a single crime. I’ll never gamble with happiness, yours or mine, again.”

  His hand that was on her cheek threaded through her hair and he pulled her closer. She put both hands on his chest, holding him off.

  “Even if I could trust you, it doesn’t change the biggest difference between us. I want children, lots of children. Y
ou don’t. It’s such a fundamental issue we’ll never be able to get over it. Really, Liam, it’s better if we end it here. I forgive you, but let’s both move on before we waste any more time on this relationship.”

  “No.”

  “No? I don’t think this is just your decision.”

  “No. I won’t move on. I love you, Lorelei Torres. More than I thought I could love another human being, even Marcus. I can’t face a future without you. The thought of children scares the shit out of me. But with you at my side, holding my hand, I honestly believe anything is possible.”

  “Really, you mean that?” Her hands crept up his chest, to rest on his shoulders.

  “You’re going to be a fabulous mother. I couldn’t deny you that. You’ll have to teach me to be a loving parent.”

  Lorelei put her hand on his face, running her thumb over his lips.

  “You’ll make a great father, because you’ll know all the things not to do. You’ll be there when your child is sad. You’ll defend them when they’re put down, and most of all, you’ll love them. And that’s the most important thing, Liam. Not being afraid to love.”

  “I intend to show you every single day of our lives how much I love you. I guess when the babies start to arrive I’ll have to figure out how to show them as well.”

  “That’s all I need.”

  He kissed her then. He carried on kissing her until she pushed against his chest. Her breathing was heavy and she clung to him like wet seaweed.

  “Come up to the house. There’s a huge bed with your name on it,” she whispered, her voice husky with desire.

  He groaned. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I signed a contract, and I promised I wouldn’t enter the property while you’re there. I know what a stickler you are for the law. I don’t want to jeopardize our fledgling relationship by breaking my word.”