The Protective Billionaire

by Christine Kersey

  “Ah-ha! I suspected as much.”

  Softly chuckling, Aubree nodded. “Yes, okay. He’s hot. Really, really hot. And he seems really nice too. But…”

  “But what?”

  “I just…I don’t trust myself to have good judgement when it comes to men. Not after Tyler.”

  “First off, your judgement’s just fine. It didn’t take you long to figure out that Tyler was a nut-job. Second, there are nice guys out there, Aubs.”

  She’d missed talking to Janie. She always knew exactly the right thing to say. “Thanks. I guess I needed to hear that from someone else.” She paused a beat. “He’s dog-sitting Maya.”

  Janie turned to her, eyebrows raised. “Really?”

  “Yes.” Then she told her how Cameron had dropped everything to help her find Maya.

  “He sounds like a really good guy.”

  Aubree agreed, and the more she told Janie about Cameron, the more convinced she was that he was a good guy, a man she could trust, a man she didn’t have to worry about turning into a stalker.

  Feeling better, she turned her focus to the part she would be auditioning for, talking it through with Janie.

  The next day, the audition went well—Jason Evanson had even been there to audition with her, which had been a highlight—and as Aubree flew home, she couldn’t stop thinking about the audition. Confident the producers had loved her, even so she was a nervous wreck wondering if she would get the part.

  On the drive back to the cabin, as she passed miles and miles of forest, she had mixed feelings about possibly leaving this place. On the one hand, she’d really enjoyed the solitude, but on the other, the thought of getting her career back on track held undeniable appeal. Then again, the idea of moving back to Los Angeles where Tyler could more easily find her sent a burst of shivers over her.

  They haven’t offered you the part yet, so don’t get ahead of yourself.

  Forcing aside thoughts of the audition, she pictured Maya. She was eager to pick her up. Cameron had texted a few pictures of her playing and sleeping—something she’d appreciated.

  Then an image of Cameron filled her mind and she had to admit she was eager to see him too. Especially after talking to Janie. Maybe she should give him a chance.

  A short time later she pulled up to his house, and the moment she stepped out of her car, the front door opened and Maya trotted out to see her with Cameron right behind her.

  “Did you miss me, girl?” she asked Maya as she held her face in her hands. “I missed you loads.”

  Aubree straightened and faced Cameron, momentarily taken aback by how the spark of attraction she’d been feeling had brightened since talking to Janie. “Thank you again for watching her.”

  “Anytime. She’s a great dog.”

  Nodding, Aubree said, “I’m lucky to have her.” She paused a beat. “So, she behaved?”

  “Oh yeah. We went on walks and played fetch, and when I was working, she slept nearby.” He chuckled. “Kind of makes me want to get a dog of my own.”

  “You should. Dogs are such loving companions. I can help you pick one out.” Slow down, girl. He said Maya kind of made him want to get a dog. “I mean, if you decide to get one.”

  Cameron laughed. “Okay. Good to know I can count on your help.”

  Embarrassed by her over-enthusiasm, Aubree looked past his shoulder. “I’ll just get her things and get out of your hair.”

  “No rush,” he said, and Aubree found herself relaxing.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah.” He motioned for her to come inside. “Come on in. You must be tired after your flight. I’ll make us something to drink.”

  “All right. I guess I have a few minutes.” In reality, she had the rest of the day. It was late afternoon and she had no plans but to go home and be by herself.

  Why did that sound so pathetic all of sudden?

  Cameron turned and walked toward the steps and Aubree couldn’t help herself. Her gaze slid up and down his body, taking in his broad shoulders and trim waist. An image of him wielding the chainsaw, his biceps flexing, filled her mind and a burst of heat filled her belly.

  Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she forced the image away before following him inside.

  “Let’s sit on the deck,” he said before walking across the family room to a pair of French doors that led to a spacious deck. He opened one door and held it for her and she walked outside.

  With all the trees surrounding the house, it felt like they were sitting in the leafy branches.

  “This is so beautiful,” she said as she gazed at the view. “So tranquil.”

  “Yeah,” Cameron said as he came to stand beside her at the railing. “This space was one of the reasons I bought this house. I sit out here and work from time to time.”

  “I would too.” She smiled as she turned to face him. That’s when she realized that only a few inches separated them. It was as if the heat from his body radiated toward her and she was surprised at the urge she felt to move closer to him.

  Wanting to counteract the unexpected feeling, she took half a step back and cleared her throat. “Can I get a glass of ice water?”

  Cameron felt like an idiot for not offering her something to drink sooner. Wasn’t that the reason he’d invited her inside? She’d just gotten back from a flight, for heaven’s sake. Of course she was thirsty. Probably hungry too. It was just with her standing so close, he’d kind of forgotten himself as he’d gotten caught up in the fantasy of what it would feel like to hold her in his arms.

  “Sorry,” he said as he forced away the imagery. “Can I get you something to eat? I can throw some meat on the grill.”

  She shook her head. “No, no. That’s okay. Just some water.”

  “Of course.”

  He went inside and fixed two glasses of ice water, then carried them back outside, handing one to her. She wrapped her fingers around the glass, her gaze meeting his.

  Was it his imagination, or was there a spark of interest there? What about Wyatt? The boyfriend?

  “Did you get to see Wyatt while you were in LA?”

  Her eyes widened momentarily and Cameron wondered if she felt guilty for being there with him when she had a boyfriend.

  “I mean,” he added, “I assume he lives in LA.”

  “Yeah,” she said, taking a step back and looking away from him and toward the forest. “He lives in LA.” She shifted her gaze to meet his. “But no, I, uh, I didn’t see him while I was there.”

  Rather surprised that she hadn’t taken the time to see her boyfriend, he slowly nodded. Had she even told the guy she was coming to town? Was she trying to avoid him? If so, why?

  More suspicious than ever that she was hiding something—something he could possibly help her resolve—he tried to think of a way to find out what it was.

  Aubree hated lying to Cameron. That first time it had seemed so harmless—and necessary. But the more she got to know him, and the more she recognized what a genuinely good person he was, the worse she felt about fudging the truth.

  It was one thing to keep her stalking problem and her career information to herself, but now that she didn’t get any stalker-like vibes from Cameron, there was no reason to keep pretending she had this fabulous boyfriend.

  Holding back a sigh, she turned away from Cameron and stared at the forest of trees spread out in front of her.

  “What are you thinking about?” Cameron asked.

  His question caught Aubree off guard, and before she could talk herself out of it, she turned to face him and said, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Cameron’s eyebrows shot up. That was the last thing he’d expected her to say. But he was thrilled to find out she was single. Still, why was she admitting this now? “What?”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m sure you had your reasons.” Reasons he’d like to discove
r.

  She stared at him, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.

  His gaze slid to those luscious lips and he had to tear his gaze away from them and focus on her emerald green eyes—eyes so full of emotion. What was going on? What was she hiding?

  “You’re right,” she said. “I did have my reasons. But still, I want to apologize. I…I feel bad about lying.”

  He didn’t like that she’d made up this boyfriend either, but it wouldn’t be the first time a woman had said she wasn’t available when she really was. He understood that sometimes that was the best way to keep a man from hitting on a woman. Even so, he was pleased that she felt bad about it. Because that meant she was not someone who was comfortable with telling untruths.

  Then he thought about his own dishonesty—lying by omission. Not that he had to tell her his net worth, but he’d never even hinted that he was extremely wealthy. Then again, why did she need to know? How was it relevant? They were just friends, after all.

  “I’m over it,” he said. “Although, I am kind of curious why you’re admitting this to me now.”

  She looked away again.

  Maybe admitting the truth had been a mistake. She hadn’t expected him to dig deeper. There were limits to what she would reveal about herself and her problems.

  She turned to face him. “Thanks for watching Maya.” Then she pushed a smile onto her lips. “I’m pretty tired so I’m gonna…” She pointed in the general direction of the front of the house. “I’m gonna head home.”

  Disappointment was plain on his face, but it wasn’t her responsibility to make him happy. But even as she turned to walk back into the house she couldn’t stop the mix of guilt and regret from splashing over her.

  “Yeah. Okay.”

  She could hear him following her as Maya walked beside her.

  She reached the front door and pulled it open, then stepped onto the porch.

  “Aubree,” Cameron said, his voice deep.

  She stopped and turned to face him, wishing she could tell him all her secrets but not ready to make herself vulnerable. “Yeah?”

  He gazed at her a moment, then he said, “If there’s anything you need…” His lips pressed together and a muscle moved in his jaw. “I’m here, okay?”

  She appreciated the offer, but there was absolutely nothing he could do to help her. “Thanks.” Then, with a final smile of gratitude, she and Maya left.

  The next morning when Aubree woke, the first thing she did was check her phone to see if her agent had emailed her about the results of her audition, but there were no emails from him. However, there was an email from an unfamiliar email address. She tapped on the screen and brought up the message.

  Hey, beautiful - I miss you and I hope I’ll see you soon. We have so much to talk about. So much to plan. We’re getting married!

  Alarm bells clanged in Aubree’s head and her heart began to race as her gaze slid to the end of the email. Sure enough, it was from Tyler.

  Not able to help herself, she continued reading.

  I went to your apartment and you weren’t there. And you changed your cell number. Why did you do that? It makes me wonder if you’re cheating on me. You know I won’t put up with that.

  We need to have a serious talk, Aubree. Tell me where you are. And don’t even think about ignoring me because I WILL find you. You know I love you, Aubree. With all my heart. And I really don’t want to hurt you. Please don’t make me hurt you.

  Soon we’ll be married and we’ll be together forever. Don’t do anything to mess that up, my love. We’re meant to be together. You can’t fight fate.

  All my love,

  Tyler

  Hands shaking, Aubree set her phone on the bedside table. Tyler was as delusional as ever. But his threats scared her. Terrified her, actually. The low hum of fear that had been with her since this whole thing had started burst into a loud buzzing sound in her ears. Her vision went to pinpricks and she squeezed her eyes closed as her heart hammered inside her chest.

  Since arriving at Janie’s cabin she’d tried to put Tyler out of her mind, tried to forget that he was dangerous. It had mostly worked. Until now.

  She threw back the covers and stepped onto the wood floor. Maya lifted her head from her bed in the corner and looked at Aubree. Then, perhaps sensing Aubree’s distress, she stood and stretched before coming to Aubree’s side.

  “Hi, baby,” Aubree said, her voice soft. “You’re gonna protect me, right?”

  Of course she would. Despite the fact that she’d run off in the forest when she’d needed her, Aubree had to believe that if it came to it, Maya would protect her.

  If there’s anything you need, I’m here. Okay? Cameron’s words—confident and sure—played through Aubree’s head. Then an image of his handsome face and strong body filled her mind.

  Could he do anything to help her? Though she doubted it, at a minimum he could come to her aid quickly if she was in danger—more quickly than the police could up here in the mountains. Maybe she should tell him about Tyler. Just so he would know that if she called for his help, that it was urgent.

  Feeling marginally better, she went through her morning routine, and then she and Maya drove to Cameron’s house.

  Chapter Nineteen

  A knock sounded on Cameron’s door. It had to be Aubree. No one else came around. Smiling, Cameron set his laptop on the small table beside the deck lounge chair, then stood and went to the front door, pulling it open.

  It was her.

  Pleased to see her, when he saw her furrowed brow and the way she gnawed on her lower lip, he knew something was wrong. Maya was with her, so it wasn’t a missing dog.

  “Good morning,” he said.

  “Hey.” Her lips rolled together. “I need to…to talk to you.”

  “Of course.” He stepped back and held the door open. “Please. Come in.”

  “Thanks.”

  She stepped across the threshold, then stopped in the foyer. Cameron closed the door and faced her. “Let’s go out back. Onto the deck.”

  She nodded, then led the way outside, stopping and turning to him once she reached the deck. “You’re working.” She pointed to his laptop. “I can…I can come back later.”

  There was no way he’d send her away. Not when she was obviously in distress. Not when she was about to tell him something important.

  “I was about to take a break,” he said. That wasn’t true, but it didn’t matter. Having her there was a good reason to stop working. “Please. Have a seat.”

  She sat in one of the chairs and Maya lay at her feet.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  She shook her head.

  “Okay.” Cameron sat in an adjacent chair. “What’s up?”

  Her lips pursed, then she looked toward the forest before meeting his gaze. “You said if you could help, you would.”

  Elated that she’d come to him, he tried to tone down the eagerness he felt. “Yeah. Absolutely.”

  She nodded. “If I…” She softly sighed as she closed her eyes before looking at him. “If I call you and ask you to come over, will you do it?”

  Could she be any more vague? “Of course.” He paused, giving her a chance to elaborate, but when she stayed silent, he asked, “Can you tell me more? Like, would I need to bring my tools? Would you need me to fix something?”

  A sharp sound of laughter burst from her mouth. “No.”

  “Okay.” This was kind of ridiculous. How could he help her if she didn’t tell him more? “Aubree, what’s going on?”

  Was she ready to trust him? Ready to make herself vulnerable?

  Then she tried to look at it from his point of view. He had no clue what the issue was. It wasn’t fair for her to ask him to drop everything and come to her aid when he wouldn’t even know that it could be unsafe. What if Tyler had a gun? She would be putting Cameron in mortal danger.

  She couldn’t ask that of him. That wasn’t fair. Wasn’t right. No. She would have to do
this on her own.

  “You know what? Never mind. I…I’ll be fine.”

  His eyebrows bunched as he shook his head. “No. You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to drop hints that you’ll need my help and then take it away.” Audibly sighing, he stared at her. “Something’s wrong. I’ve known that from the moment you fell on your butt at the grocery store. You’re on edge all the time.” His eyebrows went up. “Tell me the truth. What’s going on?”

  The sincere concern in his eyes did her in. She had to tell him the truth. Even if he couldn’t do a thing about it. “I have a stalker.”

  “A stalker?” That had never occurred to him. But he could see it happening. Aubree was gorgeous and sweet and kind. It would be easy to fall for her. Cameron admitted that he was walking down that path even as they sat there.

  “Yes. He’s a guy I went out with a couple of times and now he’s under the delusion that we’re getting married.”

  Wow. That sounded like it could be serious. “That’s why you’re staying at your friend’s cabin.”

  She nodded.

  It explained so much. Why she was constantly on alert, why she hadn’t wanted to go to a restaurant, why she’d startled so easily at the grocery store.

  “So,” she said, “if I call you and ask you to come over, I’d need you to come right away.”

  “Because this stalker would have found you?” The thought of some crazy man finding her when she was all alone sent a powerful need to protect her surging through him.

  “Yeah. If…if that’s okay. I mean, I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. So, if you don’t think you can do it, I’ll…I’ll understand.”

  It took everything in him to stay in his seat when his every instinct told him to wrap her in his arms and never let her go, never let her be in danger.

  And then he got an idea.

  “No,” he finally said with a shake of his head. “No. I can’t agree to that. I won’t.”