Cocky Billionaires: A Contemporary Romance Box Set

by J. P. Comeau

  Dad glared at me. “You’ve never known when to reel in that humor of yours.”

  I shrugged. “Figured if everyone was answering for everyone else, then I could continue the trend.”

  Mom clicked her tongue. “BeBe, stop. We’re just trying to enjoy a peaceful lunch.”

  Zane chuckled. “Yeah, BeBe.”

  I glared at my brother. “I’ll kill you in your sleep, ZeZe.”

  Dad pointed his fork at me. “Not at this table. Understood.”

  I saluted him. “Got it, boss.”

  Zane cleared his throat. “So, Dad. How are things on your end of the spectrum? I know it’s been a tough year for you guys. Everything going okay?”

  Dad sat back. “Ah, well. I’ve had to lay off quite a few people, and I’m not happy about it. We could only offer them partial severance, too. I’m not sure what I’m going to do yet. I’m consulting with my investors' first thing in the morning to see if we can come up with something.”

  I peeked over at him. “Do you have a side business or something new you can draw from?”

  Dad looked over at me. “I don’t enjoy parting my attention with multiple projects like that.”

  Zane furrowed his brow. “Why not? I thought you liked my rental property idea.”

  “Well, yes. Because that falls in line with the work you currently do. It’s not really a focus-shifter. It’s just an offshoot of what you already do.”

  I took a bite of my food. “So, I shouldn’t bring up the fact that I’m in the beginning stages of starting my own production business.”

  Mom gasped. “What!? Oh, sweetie. That’s phenomenal! When you were younger, you always wanted to--.”

  Dad’s face fell. “You still haven’t given up on that foolish dream yet?”

  I shook my head. “I’m not becoming an actor. I’m just--.”

  “Giving other foolish dreamers hope before crushing their dreams. Is that really the kind of man you want to be?”

  Zane looked at me. “I didn’t know you were starting something like that.”

  Clint paused. “Wait, you didn’t even tell Zane?”

  Dad shook his head. “Irresponsible, at best, not to tell your own damn business partner about possibly leaving.”

  I sighed. “No one said anything about leaving. I’ll always be part of the--.”

  Dad pointed at me with his fork. “That’s exactly what my first business partner said before he left to start his own small-town bank chain. You want to know what happened with that?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I already know. You bought him out--.”

  “Two years into his fun little adventure, yes. You’ve already found success at Zane’s side. No use in abandoning your own brother for some dream you can’t let go of.”

  Mom whispered. “Don’t be so hard on him, honey.”

  Dad’s eyes fell to his food. “Then, he needs to stop making such asinine decisions.”

  I looked over at Clint, and he seemed to be the only person who had sympathy in his eyes for me. It didn’t matter, though. It was always like that. Clint came to Zane’s defense all the time. But, me? The middle child? I took care of myself. I was the punching bag for Mom and Dad. I was the referee between Clint and Zane. I was the loner. The impossible child. The weird one.

  And obviously, that would never change. No matter the kind of success I found.

  “BeBe, I’d like to hear more about this production company of yours. Does it have a name?” Mom asked.

  Dad waved his hand in the air. “Stop encouraging him. The last thing we need is to--.”

  I nodded. “It does, Mom. I’m calling it ‘Top Notch Productions.’”

  Clint grinned. “You gonna do that with your little wifey?”

  The entire table paused as Mom’s fork fell from her hand.

  “What did you say, CeCe?” she asked.

  Clint’s eyes met mine. “Wait, you haven’t told them?”

  I wanted to kill him. “No, Clint. I haven’t.”

  Dad’s voice grew gruff. “Did he say ‘wifey’?”

  I closed my eyes. “It was an accidental marriage. A dare gone bad. I’m taking care of it.”

  Dad shot up from the table. “You got married in a Vegas chapel, and you didn’t tell me!?”

  Mom grabbed his arm. “Sit down.”

  I leaned back. “Remind me never to tell you guys anything ever again.”

  Clint shrugged. “How was I supposed to know?”

  I leaned forward. “You used those loose lips of yours when you asked, fuckwad.”

  Mom snipped at me. “No language like that at the table.”

  “And once again, I have to clean up your messes. Let me get in touch with my attorney. They’ll have it handled before the day is out.” Dad threw his napkin down.

  I shook my head. “No, thanks, actually. I got it handled.”

  “Nonsense. You need to be out of this sooner rather than later. Before the bimbo, you’ve married--.”

  I stood. “Excuse me?”

  Dad glared at me. “Before the woman, you married bleeds you dry of all your money. You know damn good and well women in this town--.”

  I pointed at him. “Don’t you dare talk about Kelly that way. She’s a bright, intelligent, beautiful, down-to-earth woman who anyone would be lucky to marry. And I don’t need you, or your money, or your influence, or your damn attorney to babysit me or do me any favors. Some days? I think you forget who got my business up and running before I even offered Zane a slice of the pie.”

  Zane nodded. “He’s right, Dad.”

  I watched his face turn red. “Get out of my house.”

  I threw my napkin down onto my plate. “Trust me, I’m two steps ahead of you.”

  With Mom bickering and Clint finally stepping up to the plate for me, I stormed out of the house. I hated coming here. I hated family get-togethers. I hated sitting down anywhere with my father and trying to talk to him about shit. I was okay with Mom. I could run my own damn drug empire, and so long as I paid my bills, she’d pat me on the back. But, Dad?

  If I wasn’t Zane or Clint, I was nobody.

  “Fuck him,” I murmured.

  Smoke poured from my ears on the ride back to my place. And by the time I got up to my front door, I already had a plan in the works. I didn’t want to be here any longer. I needed some time away.

  As far away as I could get.

  “Kelly!”

  I slammed the door behind me and marched toward her room.

  “Kelly!” I roared.

  She poked her head around the corner. “Hey. You okay? How did lunch go?”

  “You want to go for a ride?”

  She smiled. “Sure. Yeah. Where are we headed?”

  “Anywhere our hearts desire. Pack an overnight bag, just in case. Two or three outfits should be enough.”

  “Oh, surprise trips. I love these. I take them with Roxy all the time.”

  “Get packed. We’ve got an hour before we need to catch our ride.”

  17

  _____

  KELLY

  I furrowed my brow. “I thought you said we were going for a ride?”

  Brenden opened his door. “This is our ride.”

  “This is a jet.”

  He offered me his hand. “My private jet, yes.”

  I paused. “You have your own jet?”

  “One of the first purchases I made for the company, especially once Zane got passionate about taking us international a few years back.”

  I looked at his hand. “Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise. Come on.”

  I slid my hand into his as someone started unloading my bag from the trunk. With his hand in mine, we boarded the plane, and the luxuriousness inside made my jaw drop to the floor. The plush carpet beneath my heels and the buttery leather seats waiting for us to sit down made me dizzy. But, it was the lavishness of the food and drinks I smelled that started my gut churning with need.

  “Is t
hat a bedroom back there?” I asked.

  Brenden led me to our seats. “It is, yes. For the longer trips. But, we won’t be on the plane that long.”

  I sat in the seat he ushered me to. “Noted.”

  Brenden held my hand for the entire flight. We didn’t say a word, but it wasn’t as if the silence was uncomfortable. On the one hand, I wanted to ask him about how lunch went. But, on the other hand, I kind of already knew.

  I just didn’t know if he wanted to talk about it or leave it in the past.

  After taking a short catnap on Brenden’s shoulder, I woke up to him buckling me in. I lifted my head, and he smiled at me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I giggled as his fingertips trailed against my cheek. Warming me and enticing me, and making me wonder if we could steal a few moments in that back bedroom. But, before I could ask, the intercom came on.

  And the captain started speaking.

  “Good afternoon. We have arrived in San Diego. The city of sun, sand, and surrealism. Today’s high is 72, and the low tonight is a cool, chilly 42. We hope you enjoy your stay here in this fair city and thank you for trusting your flight to me and my team.”

  I gasped. “San Diego?”

  Brenden nodded. “I remember you saying one time that you loved it out here.”

  “I don’t even remember saying that.”

  “Is it true, though?”

  I nodded slowly. “San Diego is one of my favorite places in the world.”

  “Well, get ready for a few days of shopping, spa retreats, and so much food it’ll make your head spin.”

  I smiled brightly. “We’re in San Diego!”

  He kissed the top of my head. “Yes, beautiful. We are.”

  We got off the plane and had our things stowed into the back of a black town car. But we didn’t go to the hotel first. Instead, Brenden instructed the driver to head to Prospect Street.

  I gasped. “Brenden, look! Look, look, look!”

  “I see that. You like that shop?”

  “Oh, my gosh. They have the most brilliant gems and some of the most unique jewelry pieces I’ve ever seen. You need to check it out sometime.”

  “Why don’t we go inside now?”

  I looked over at him. “Because there’s somewhere else I want to go first. Driver?”

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Can you take us to that little Mexican hut down by the water?”

  “Certainly.”

  Brenden furrowed his brow. “A Mexican hut on the water?”

  “Best fish tacos we’ll eat on the West Coast. Guaranteed.”

  The food was fantastic. The sea breeze tickled my cheeks, and the smell of the ocean intoxicated me as fresh white fish was piled high onto crunchy, homemade taco shells. The vegetables and dips were organic. The Perrier water tasted better than what I had at home. Everything fell into place as Brenden’s feet nestled against mine underneath the rickety table.

  Then, it was time to head to the hotel.

  “So, where are we staying?” I asked.

  “The Del,” he said.

  I blinked. “The Del, in Coronado?”

  He nodded. “That’s the one. And, I got us a suite with two separate bedrooms. You know, in case you didn’t feel comfortable sleeping in the same room.”

  Thoughtfulness wasn’t a trait I would’ve ever assigned to Brenden. But, with each passing day, I saw a new side of him. A dedicated side. A passionate side. A caring side, and now a thoughtful side. I wondered what else our spontaneous trip might bring. I wondered what other surprises were in store for me.

  My question was answered when we got up to the suite, though.

  “Oh. My. God,” I said.

  Brenden wrapped his arm around me. “You like it?”

  I slowly walked over to the windows at the far end of the room, looking out over the ocean.

  “Can we sleep with the windows open so we can hear it?” I asked.

  He chuckled. “We can do whatever you want.”

  I turned back toward the view. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit. I didn’t know I needed to pack one.”

  “Well, there’s a shop downstairs. I’m sure we can find something that fits your body perfectly down there.”

  I blushed. “Won’t that charge the bathing suit to the room, though?”

  He shrugged. “So?”

  I sighed. “I don’t want to take your money, Brenden.”

  “And you’re not. It’s a bathing suit, Kelly. Forty bucks tops.”

  “If you say so.”

  The soft gray walls and the white crown molding and baseboards lent a soft palate of color to the bright blue and yellow accents. The microfiber furniture looked plush and ready to welcome my body, and the knotty pine wood used for furniture accents took my breath away. Each of the rooms had its own en-suite master bathroom with a jetted tub and a glass-encased shower. The accent pillows sparkled with blues and yellows, swirling with floral designs, and the king-sized beds called to my entire body.

  I felt Brenden’s hand on the small of my back, though, and it pulled me back to the present.

  “What do you say about hanging out around here tonight?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “I’m okay with that. What would you like to do?”

  “Well, this place has a hotel restaurant and bar. Plus, it’s got a tiki bar by the pool and three different hot tubs.”

  “Oh, sounds nice.”

  “Mhm. So, here’s what I’m thinking: we go snag you a bathing suit and enjoy some cocktails by the hot tub. We wait out the sun until it sets, then we come back up here, get dressed, and go enjoy the five-course meal the hotel restaurant offers.”

  I giggled. “Sounds delightful.”

  He held me close. “Great. I’ve been told that if you sit by the hot tub outside, you can watch the sun set over the ocean while sipping cocktails and enjoying the warmth pouring from the jets, without actually getting in.”

  “Well, I’m getting in the hot tub. They’re so relaxing.”

  He smiled. “Noted.”

  I quirked an eyebrow. “You seem to be taking a lot of notes there, mister.”

  He grinned. “Maybe I am. Does that bother you?”

  “No. Doesn’t bother me. Just makes me wonder what you’ve got brewing in that mind of yours.”

  He rubbed my back. “Look out towards the water.”

  “What?”

  He nodded. “Look.”

  I scanned my eyes over the horizon before I saw what he was referencing. Black dots appeared before they got closer and closer, and I noticed what they were.

  “Are those ships?” I asked.

  He pulled me close. “Even better. Those are Navy ships in the distance, all moving in a line. There’s probably a cadence of some sort being called right now.”

  I looked up at him. “How do you know all of this?”

  He looked down at me. “Clint.”

  “That’s right. He was a Navy SEAL.”

  “Uh-huh. And if I’m guessing right, those are SEALs out there right now.”

  “Wait, seriously?”

  “Mhm. It’s called ‘hell week.’ Five intensive days of training, drilling, cadence-calling, and cuts before a new SEAL team is formed and ready for active duty. Clint told me during his hell week that he never got more than four hours of sleep.”

  “A night?”

  “Nope. Overall.”

  My jaw dropped. “What!?”

  His eyes turned back out towards the water. “Yep. Our military men and women go through literal hell to make sure we’re safe. To make sure we can prosper and be what we are. And while I don’t always agree with Clint, I’ll always respect him for what he’s done. Because I sure as hell could never do something like that.”

  I placed my hand on his chest. “You’re a good brother, Brenden. And a good man. Don’t ever let someone tell you differently.”

  I watched something crawl across his face before he sighed.

  “I needed to hear t
hat. Thank you.”

  I laid my head against him. “Of course. Anytime.”

  He drew in a curt breath. “So! Ready for that bathing suit? I’m thinking a nice stringed bikini with those little triangle nipple things.”

  I shook my head. “You wish.”

  “Trust me, I really do.”

  And that’s when I figured it out. That’s when I realized it. Brenden wasn’t the kind of man we thought him to be at all. It was a facade for the type of man he had become because, for some reason, the man he had become wasn’t good enough for someone. I knew what that looked like, too, because I’d gone through it myself. With my own father. Though, I never really talked about that much.

  Maybe I should at dinner.

  Maybe if I talked about it at dinner, he’d talk about what was on his mind.

  And the thought made me eager to skip right to the food.

  18

  _____

  BRENDEN

  “And here’s your door, milady.”

  Kelly giggled. “Milady, huh? You’re a proper drunk, aren’t you?”

  I held up my finger. “Excuse me, miss. I am not drunk.”

  She snorted with laughter as I leaned against the door in front of her room.

  “I’m merely tipsy.”

  She snickered. “Very tipsy, actually. That door is holding you up, okay?”

  I nodded. “It’s treating my shoulder very well, yes. It’s the most action I’ve gotten in a while.”

  “Oh, boo. I find that one hard to believe.”

  I paused. “Why?”

  She blinked. “Well, because you always have someone you’re interested in. Or, someone you’ve got on your arm. Or, in your bed.”

  “I do?”

  She nodded slowly. “Yeah, you do.”

  “And you've noticed?”

  “Everyone notices, Brenden.”

  “But, you notice?”

  I gazed into her eyes as she finally nodded at me.

  “Yeah. I always notice,” Kelly said softly.

  I’d been so smitten with her all night that all I wanted to do was kiss her. So, I did. I bent forward and captured her lips, tasting the red wine still on the tip of her tongue. Warmth trickled through my veins, and I felt my body gravitating toward her. I felt her hand slide softly against my cheek, cupping it as we stood there in front of her hotel room.