The Billionaire's Embrace: A Billionaire Romance (The Hampton Billionaires Book 2)

by Erika Rose

  “Have you ever been to a FAWN concert?” Cole asked still laughing.

  “No.”

  “Well I have. Whoa! Not because I’m a fan, although she is hot. That girl…Cindy Candy Connie, shit I’m not sure which had me take her last year. It’s like her fans are crazy. They’ve got like a line of security against the stage and still people try to get through them to get to FAWN.’ Cole’s eyes widened as he spoke. “It’s like she’s a religion. People chant her name and start fainting when they see her. Do you really think asking them nicely will work?”

  “Shit!”

  “Yup that’s about it.”

  Garret laughed at the whole situation before he spoke again. “Sounds to me like you were an insensitive SOB this morning.”

  “I didn’t realize…” Seth’s voice trailed off as he realized how stupid he was. Just because he wasn’t interested in following celebrities around didn’t mean other people weren’t. “What am I going to do?”

  Garret sat back, his eyes mocking that this time it wasn’t him in this situation. “I’d say you need to decide if you want to see her again or not, and then decide what you’re going to do.”

  As Seth sat back biting his lip contemplating his predicament, Cole let out a whoop. “I cannot believe you bedded FAWN and that wasn’t like the first thing you told us!”

  “It wasn’t like that. She’s different.” Seth said almost hesitantly before turning to Garrett and continuing. “I want to see her again.”

  Garret smiled. “Good. Then it’s easy. Start with an apology.”

  “Apology?” Seth asked confused.

  “Seth you all but told a child without and arm to clap their hands. You owe her an apology.”

  “Right.”

  Cole chewed on a piece of cheese and spoke as soon as he swallowed. “You could ask her on a date.”

  Both Seth and Garret turned to Cole who was known for his love ‘em and leave ‘em tactics.

  “Just because I don’t doesn’t mean you can’t” Cole shrugged.

  “Right, so apology first and then date.” Seth nodded perfunctory, feeling better now that he had a plan.

  “Exactly.” Garret said as he punched him in the arm. “Good luck.”

  Seth smiled before punching Garret back. “Talking about luck. How are the wedding plans coming?”

  That strange calmness that shone from Garrett’s eyes since meeting Skye settled over him before he spoke. “Great. We’re about a month away and to be honest I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait.”

  “Wait for what?” Skye asked as she stepped outside and started clearing up the table.

  Garret playfully swatted her behind. “To call you my wench.”

  Seth laughed at the easy banter between Garrett and Skye and for the first time wondered if that wasn’t what was lacking in his life?

  He made his way to the hotel later that evening. He had been summoned by his parents to meet them for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Seth knew it wouldn’t take long. His father would punch out a speech or two, his mother would chasten him about not settling down and giving her any grandchildren and then they would all go their separate ways until they repeated the whole scenario. Which luckily for Seth was only about once every three months.

  He would go talk to Fawn after dinner and invite her on a date tomorrow night. For some reason the thought of seeing Fawn again made him more nervous than listening to his father’s speech. A welcome change.

  He walked into the dining room taking a seat at the only table his parents ever used, in the corner in the back. Where his father could still supervise all the waiters during dinner service. Sometimes Seth wished he had his father’s love and ambition for hotels. Even though he could run the hotel with his eyes closed and hands behind his back, Seth had never enjoyed it.

  “Water please, sparkling.” Seth said as a young girl asked him for his order.

  Right at that moment Seth could swear the waiters walked taller, the glasses sparkled more brightly and the conversations around him dimmed as his father and mother stepped into the restaurant.

  Seth watched them approach the table. His father’s gaze traveled lazily over the restaurant, but Seth knew he didn’t miss a thing. His father was observing how full the plates were; if the linen was clean, if the guests were happy. At the end of the day that was his only concern. Guest satisfaction.

  “Mom, Dad.” Seth stood as they reached the table.

  “Seth.” His father briefly shook his hand before sitting down.

  “Seth honey, it’s so good to see you.” The grey eyes he inherited from his mother looked into his own, somehow hers seemed softer.

  “Mom.” Seth smiled before taking her in his arms and giving her a bear hug.

  They all sat down as Seth’s father waited for a waiter to scurry closer. “Mr. Roth, good evening to you and your family. Can I bring you the usual?”

  “Yes, thank Sam. Scotch on the rocks for me and Mrs. Roth will be having a Mimosa.”

  “On its way sir.” Sam said before hurrying away to get the drinks.

  “So Seth, how’ve you been?” Mr. Roth asked Seth.

  “Fine dad.” Seth said knowing the speech was on its way.

  “Well I’ve heard good things from the manager. Apparently you’re around quite frequently, keeping your hand in.” His father sounded pleased, Seth would almost go as far as saying excited.

  “I am dad. I told you I don’t mind being involved; I just don’t want to run the hotel.”

  “Well maybe you’ll get a taste for it sooner or later. A man’s got to think about how he is going to provide for his family one day.”

  “Luckily I don’t have one.” Seth said sourly as he drank more water. He preferred keeping a clear head, at least until his father had fulfilled his obligatory speeches for the evening.

  “Oh honey, that’s such a shame. It’s really time you meet a nice girl and settle down. Sheila says her cousin is in the Hamptons for the summer; maybe I should arrange you to take her out a bit.” Mrs. Roth beamed excitedly.

  “Mom, I don’t need you to arrange my dates.” Seth felt like a teenager again.

  “Your mom is only trying to help you Seth. You’re twenty nine years old; you’ve got no ambition, no passion and not even a wife. When I was your age…”

  “I know dad. When you were my age you had just bought your first hotel, I was already three years old and you and mom lived in the basement, knowing you were working towards your dream.” Seth sighed deeply. “It’s not like I’m planning on disappointing you. It’s just, I don’t know. I don’t enjoy hotels dad. I know you do, you always have. I just need to find something I enjoy. And as for the wife, that’ll come when it comes, I’m not rushing into a lifelong commitment so you can have grandchildren.”

  Seth watched his father’s eyebrows raise and he wondered if he took it too far this time, instead his father surprised him when he spoke.

  “Seth I think that’s the first time you’ve been honest with me since you asked for piano lessons.”

  Seth smiled at his father and thought back on how hard that had been. But he’d done it. Maybe it was time he did something hard again.

  “Thanks dad, would you mind if I go. There’s somewhere I’ve got to be.”

  Seth’s mom smiled and turned to his father. “Seems like he’s got ambition about something or someone.”

  Seth’s father laughed before turning to Seth. “Go on son. We’ll talk soon.”

  Seth all but ran to the elevators. As he pushed the button for the Penthouse floor he withdrew the keycard from his pocket that accessed all floors. He swiped it and counted the floors and the elevator soared.

  By the time it reached the Penthouse floor, Seth felt his breath backing up. He had never been this nervous about asking a girl on a date. But like he said this afternoon something was different about Fawn.

  He stepped into the spacious foyer and
briskly walked to her door knocking a few short knocks before stepping back and waiting for her to open.

  It felt like an eternity later when the door knob turned and revealed Fawn looking all rumpled and sleepy.

  “Seth?” She asked through bleary eyes.

  “Hi.”

  “What are you doing here? What’s the time?” Fawn asked tugging at a stray strand of hair over her face.

  “It’s a little before eight pm, and I came to talk to you.” Seth reached for her hands as he stepped inside.

  Fawn frowned at him confused. “I must’ve fallen asleep.”

  It took all the willpower Seth could muster not to grab her and kiss the sleep tousled look from her eyes. “Looks like it. Can I talk to you?”

  Fawn nodded on a yawn. “Yeah sure come inside.”

  Seth followed her to the living room and sat down on the couch opposite from the one where she had curled up with blanket. A notebook lay open beside her with a pen on it. If Seth had to guess, she’d been writing.

  “Right, so about this morning.” Seth started.

  “I’m sorry I snapped.” Fawn said softly.

  “No, I’m sorry I was insensitive. I have no idea what it’s like to be you and I had no right brushing your fears aside as if they didn’t matter.”

  Fawn nodded watching him with those big blue eyes.

  “I enjoyed last night, more than you can know. I want to make up for screwing it up this morning.”

  Fawn didn’t move or say a word simply watched him.

  Seth took a deep breath before speaking again. “Let me take you on a date tomorrow evening. We can talk and I can grovel some more, and then maybe we can see if we’ve got more in common than we think.” Seth smiled crookedly hoping her answer would be yes.

  Fawn watched him a long time mulling over his invite before she finally nodded. Her face was an open book as doubt played over it. Seth held his breath hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. “Fine, one date.”

  Seth got up and nearly kissed her, but held himself back. It was only a date and yet it felt like the beginning of something more.

  “Goodnight Fawn, I’ll pick you up tomorrow evening at seven pm.” Seth said as he walked to the door. As he reached it he turned back. “Oh and Fawn, you better tell Dom we’ll be dining elsewhere, so if he wants come he’ll need to be ready too.”

  Fawn’s eyes widened at the mention of her bodyguard and Seth hoped the fact that he had kept Dom in mind would regain some of the affection he had lost that morning.

  CHAPTER 7

  I’m not like the other girls you see,

  Like the one that’s on TV

  I’m just plain and boring me.

  I like spending time alone

  Playing music on my own

  Get lost in my own world

  “World.” Fawn said to herself pulling a pencil from behind her ear. “World.” She repeated the word in thought, staring down at the lyrics she had scribbled in her moleskin. Her fingers absently thrum the strings of the guitar on her lap when her phone rang.

  “Fawn.” She answered, still staring at the lyrics.

  “Hello Superstar! Tired of normalcy yet?” John’s friendly voice boomed over the phone.

  “Hi John, if staying in the penthouse of a luxury hotel is what you call normal then no, I’m not ready to come back yet.” Fawn had allowed Dom to reveal her location to John after their near brush with reveal a few days before. Fawn hoped John wouldn’t leak her location to the press himself.

  “Fawn.” John moaned. “I can get you a spot on THE talk show in town. Let’s just say she’s small, blonde, and can’t wait to have you.”

  Excitement bubbled through Fawn. She knew exactly who John was talking about. “When?”

  “This Thursday. Say yes Fawn, this is a great opportunity.” John pushed.

  Fawn bit her lower lip as her eyes trailed over to where her moleskin lay open with freshly written lyrics. She rubbed her thumb against her forefinger and felt the fresh calluses from strumming a guitar hours at a time. Was she really ready to go back yet? She had so much more she still wanted to write.

  If she went back now, when would she have time to finish what she had started?

  She owed it to herself to finish. “No John, I’m sorry. I’ll be back in three weeks.”

  “What?” John nearly screeched.

  Fawn took a deep breath. “John, I told you I’m taking a month off. I’m not coming back before then; if I do you’ll be the first to know. I’m taking some time for myself for the first time in three years. Why don’t you take a holiday yourself?”

  “I don’t like holidays.” John said. Fawn could almost imagine him pouting.

  “Why don’t you at least try?”

  “But Fawn, we can’t let this opportunity pass.”

  “If a certain small blonde with a talk show really wants me on there, she still will in a few weeks. Talk to you soon John.”

  Fawn put the phone down and uncrossed her fingers. Ever since she had appointed John Piwalsky as her manager he had come through on the two things he had promised her. He had kept her busy, and made her famous.

  In three years Fawn had never denied John any request or appearance, she had always trusted his judgment. It didn’t matter how tired, sore, or jet-lagged she was; if John asked, Fawn said yes.

  Saying no to John was one of the hardest things Fawn had ever done, but it felt good.

  Felt good to be her own person, make her own decisions and most of all to write her own music.

  Feeling like celebrating, Fawn grabbed her disguise consisting of a sunhat and glasses and headed to the grocery store. Who cared if it wasn’t even noon yet? She was going to spoil herself with chocolate and some chips. Besides, what’s the use of being in the Hamptons if you didn’t even take a walk in the fresh sea air?

  Fawn’s mouth watered as she tossed the extra large peppermint chocolate bar into her basket on top of the crisp and hazelnut pralines. She was going to have to spend the last week in the Hamptons fasting or John would never forgive her. She walked up and down the aisles of the grocery store watching its patron. Mothers pushing prams while they wrestled with a trolley on the side. Couples on holiday browsing the items and whispering to each other now and then. A businessman grabbing a pack of condoms and a box of breath mints, obviously on his way to a big meeting, Fawn smiled to herself as she thought about what that meeting entailed.

  She had missed this. Just being another person in the crowd. Not being in the spotlight all the time. Every move judged by millions of people and photographed for the world to see.

  As she passed the fresh fruits and vegetables and saw a young woman loading in a few choice items, Fawn couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever learn to cook. Lost in thought and dreaming about the future, Fawn didn’t hear when someone called her name the first time.

  “Fawn!”

  Fawn pulled her shoulders up and burrowed into the hat and sunglasses. Why did someone have to recognize her now? She increased her pace hoping whoever recognized her would realize their mistake when she didn’t respond.

  She had almost turned the corner when she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. “It’s me, Danny.” A voice said from behind her.

  Fawn turned and saw the surfer from the fishing shop watching her expectantly with a wide grin. She couldn’t help but return the smile. “Danny, it’s nice to see you.”

  “You too. Getting around all right? I’m still waiting for you to ask me to show you around.” He winked and Fawn felt a quiet flicker of attraction. Not the wild thunder that crashed through her body when Seth was around. The flicker was more comfortable, felt safer.

  “Thanks Danny but actually I forgot about your offer.”

  “Well you can always take me up on it now.” Danny said leaning closer. “I know the best Italian spot in town, Rosetta’s Ravioli. Why don’t you let me take you?”

  “Da
nny I’m not sure that’s a good idea. There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

  Danny leaned close and Fawn felt that brief flicker of attraction again. “I know who you are…” At his words Fawn felt a chill run down her spine. “Your secret is safe with me Fawn.”

  Fawn pulled back and looked him in the eye. If he thought she would be blackmailed into a date he had another thing coming. But she saw no hidden agenda in his eyes. They were earnest as the smile he gave her. “Come on, go to dinner with me?”

  Fawn smiled at his pleading eyes. She had agreed to a date with Seth tonight. Conflicting thoughts rushed through her. Having dinner with Seth; her body humming and fever rising from anticipation?

  Or a night with Danny; easy conversation with a man that gave her no more than a comfortable flicker of attraction and a pleasant smile.

  Fawn bit the inside of her cheek in thought before she took off her glasses and smiled at Danny. “Meet you there at seven pm.”

  Excitement quickly covered Danny’s face before he swiftly disguised it with a cocky grin. “Lookin’ forward to it.”

  As Fawn walked back to the hotel she couldn’t help but feel bad about dropping Seth. He had been so earnest in his apology, but was that enough? Deep down he was just another alpha male with rich parents and a large ego. Just like Rufus was. Rufus had made her feel like the only girl in the room when he put his mind to it. But once he stopped, the room wasn’t large enough for Fawn and his ego.

  Caught off guard by the fact that Danny knew who she was, she also appreciated the fact that no hassle was made of it.

  Fawn knew that Seth would give her fireworks and goose bumps, but maybe she needed the quiet warmth and slow attraction she felt with Johnny. Something that couldn’t burn you like fireworks or drive you senseless with fever.

  Pulling out the peanut brittle she had grabbed on her way to the cashier, Fawn opened it and took a large bite. As the salty sweetness overtook her senses she pulled out her phone and sent a text to Seth.

  Can’t make tonight.

  Sorry

  -F-