The Billionaire's Deception (The Blank Check Series Book 5)

by Jeannette Winters

  It wasn’t long before she was totally relaxed and drifting off. It was lovely. Her mind took her to where she wanted to be. She could almost feel the warm sand between her toes as she walked on the sunny beach. Even the breeze was refreshing. When she opened her eyes, she saw the sun was about to set. Making her way through the crowd to the shore’s edge she looked out over the horizon, she noticed a brown pelican diving down for one last fish before it was too dark.

  Closing her eyes again, she inhaled the salty smell of the ocean. But the noise all vanished and was replaced by the sound of the waves that rolled onto the beach. Why was it so quiet? This was Miami. It’s never quiet here. Opening her eyes she looked to the left, then to the right, and no one was around. Like the pelican, she was alone.

  It didn’t trouble her, and she wasn’t afraid. Instead she turned back to the waves and enjoyed their sound. But soon, her legs grew tired, and she needed to sit. As she did, she found a blanket behind her. It wasn’t hers, but since there wasn’t anyone in sight to complain, she might as well make use of it.

  She didn’t want to miss the stars that were starting to appear, but once again, her lids became heavy and she closed her eyes. As she began to lay back, her head bumped something hard. Sitting back up she notice a basket had appeared. It was overflowing with cheese, fresh fruits and wine. But there were two glasses, and she was…alone.

  Closing her eyes again, she slowly opened them, waiting to see what would appear this time. It wasn’t more food, but instead, something so much more delicious. It was Ethan. He was sitting beside her on the blanket, pouring them each a glass of wine. He said nothing as he handed it to her. She took a sip and savored the sweet taste. Then took another and noticed Ethan wasn’t taking his eyes off her. What was he looking at? What did he want?

  Her tongue traced her lips. I know what I want. She reached out to him, pulled him close, and let her lips meet his. He tasted like…coffee, hot black coffee. She willed her eyes to stay open, but they didn’t obey as she melted into him.

  When she opened her eyes, she wasn’t on the beach any longer, but in the Potters’ kitchen and Ethan was sitting at the table still watching her. She brought him a plate of steak and eggs, cooked to perfection. But when she placed it down in front of him, Ethan reached out for her, pulling her down onto his lap and claimed her lips. There was nothing slow or gentle. His hunger wasn’t for food. And neither was hers.

  Ethan placed his hands on her waist, picked her up and sat her on the table causing his plate of food tumbling and crashing on the floor. She didn’t care. Nothing mattered right now except for this moment. As Ethan kissed his way down her neck, she arched her back begging for more. Her eyes closed and instantly she heard the knock on the kitchen door. She didn’t want to open her eyes. She knew what would happen if she did. This would end, and she didn’t want it to. It might just be a dream, but it was the beginning of a damn good one.

  The knock came again, this time followed by a woman’s voice. “Kollette. Kollette, it’s dinner time.”

  Rolling over she forced her eyes open. It was back to reality. She was alone in a cold bed. The only thing warm right now was her from a dream of someone she had allowed herself to think about. Unfortunately, I forgot to tell my subconscious that.

  “I’ll be right there Mabel,” she called out. She was going to need a few minutes to gather herself. The last thing she wanted was to walk out of her bedroom all flush from her dream. She didn’t think Roy and Mabel were going to pick up on it, but she feared Ethan might. They were going to be playing games again tonight, and she didn’t want it to become…awkward.

  When she finally joined them in the kitchen, she noticed Ethan looked as though they had just wakened him as well. She doubted however, that his sleep was as restless as hers. But there he was, watching her just as he had in her dream. It caused a shiver to run through her body.

  “Are you cold? Do you want a sweater?” Mabel asked.

  “No. I’m fine,” she said avoiding Ethan’s eyes.

  It’s just my imagination. That’s all.

  “Since the two of you decided to sleep all afternoon, I thought you might need something really good for dessert tonight,” Mabel said.

  Roy grinned. “I talked her into making chocolate cake. My favorite.”

  “Don’t listen to him. All desserts are his favorite. If he had his way, that’s all he’d eat morning, noon and night.”

  “And what’s wrong with that?” Roy asked.

  Mabel leaned over and kissed Roy briefly. “I want you around for a very long time Roy, and if it means I have to make you eat your vegetables, I’ll do it.”

  Roy grabbed hold of Mabel and pulled her close to him. “You’re all the sweet I need anyway,” he said before kissing her soundly.

  Guess I’m not the only one wanting some loving. By the look of those two, they were going to call it a night really early. Which meant even more time alone for her with Ethan. That wasn’t going to be good. Not tonight.

  Sure enough dinner went too quickly and Mabel and Roy didn’t even touch the cake. Ethan offered for them to clean up and no one even questioned it.

  Now alone Ethan said, “Are you in a rush to do the dishes?”

  “Why?” she asked.

  “Because there is a chocolate cake, uncut. It’s driving me crazy.”

  “You wouldn’t do it. Roy said that’s his favorite. You should save it for him,” she said firmly.

  Ethan laughed and leaned in closer to her. “Do you really think he’s thinking about cake right now?”

  She gave him a playful slap. “You’re so bad. I can’t believe you said that.”

  “But you’re thinking it too and you know it,” he said.

  Kollette blushed and turned away. “Are you going to wash or dry?”

  “I’m going to have cake,” he said. She heard the cupboard open and then he asked, “Should I get one or two plates?”

  She wanted to say one, but that’s not what came out of her mouth. “Two.” Ethan chuckled and she turned around glaring at him. “That did not count as you winning. It was a question and I answered with my decision.”

  “Of course. But I plan on winning again tonight.”

  “Don’t be so sure. I’m picking the games tonight,” she declared.

  “Wait. When did we agree to that?” he asked.

  “Guess that’s another decision I made tonight,” she said firmly. “Now are you cutting that cake or not?”

  “Should I be worried?” he asked, not moving.

  “About what?”

  “It’s like you woke up from your nap determined not to let me win.”

  She picked up the knife and made the first cut. “Very perceptive.” Making another cut she added, “And it’s only going to get worse after I eat all this sugar.”

  When she placed a hefty piece of cake on the plate, Ethan took it from her, and then took the knife as well. He cut a much smaller piece and handed it to her. “For safety concerns, I think this should be your piece.”

  She could see him biting back his grin. There was no way she could’ve eaten such a big piece in the first place so she accepted his so called sliver. “Wow. I can’t believe that you’re actually scared.”

  “Excuse me? I’m not scared,” he stated.

  Holding up her plate she said, “Could’ve fooled me.” Without waiting for his response, she took the cake and went to sit back down. He followed suit.

  “Just so you know, I’m rested as well. Pick whatever game you want, but I’m out to win. And I’m not going to wait till tomorrow to claim my prize.”

  She was just about to take a bite but instead she put her fork back down on the plate. “I don’t believe we’ve determined what that prize is.”

  “Winners choice,” he announced.

  “I don’t think so. Maybe we need to agree prior to the beginning of the competition,” she suggested.

  “I have no problem with that.”

  “Good. So
what are we playing for?” she asked.

  “Winner gets…a kiss,” Ethan stated.

  Her jaw dropped. That wasn’t what she expected him to say. “I…I…”

  “Forfeit?” he said in a teasing tone.

  “So you were joking,” Kollette asked.

  “About you forfeiting? Yes. About the kiss? No.”

  Damn it. This was not how this trip was supposed to go. The only thing she’d learned about Potters Peak, was that she was very attracted to the other guest. She needed to nip it before it got out of control.

  “Ethan, I’m not here to…”

  “It’s a kiss Kollette. Just my lips touching yours.”

  Yeah, and my blood beginning to boil as I want more.

  “Then you shouldn’t have a problem with my saying no. I don’t even know your last name.”

  “Nor do I know yours. Kollette, are you telling me that you’ve never kissed anyone without having a full background check on them?” he asked.

  “There’s a huge difference between the two,” she said firmly. And she knew she was making a big thing out of nothing. Heck she couldn’t even remember all the names of the men she’d kissed. It wasn’t like they ended up in bed together. He was right, it was just a kiss. With a huff she said, “And I don’t see how a kiss declares one person a winner and the other a loser.”

  He smiled. “Exactly. We both win,” he said and gave her a wink. “So what do you say? A kiss or the loser has to answer every single question the winner asks.”

  That wasn’t about to happen. “Fine. A single kiss. That’s it.” She put out her hand as though this was really going to prevent things from getting out of control. But it meant she was drawing the lines. One that she hoped she didn’t cross.

  Ethan practically inhaled the cake, and then went back for a second slice. She barely touched hers. Ever since he mentioned a kiss, her stomach had been doing flips. It also didn’t help that they had been sitting at the same table that was in her dream. But thankfully, he had been too busy eating to even notice.

  “You ready to get started?” he asked.

  She thought she was, until the prize was determined. Her fight, her drive to win, vanished. I don’t think I have it in me to stay up all night playing games again.”

  “Wow. I never thought you’d give up so easily.”

  “I’m not giving up. I’m just…tired.” She was too. That nap didn’t rejuvenate her at all. If anything, she was more tired than before.

  He leaned over and said, “Then before you go to bed, I guess there’s just one last thing to do. Pay up.”

  Now only inches apart, so close she could feel the heat radiate from him, his lips touched hers. The instant they made contact she felt her body react. It felt like a wave of electricity rushing through her veins. The hunger that had been in her dreams, now a reality. She willed herself to pull away, to break the sweet contact, but instead she found herself melting into his embrace. Kollette lifted her hands to rest them on his shoulders as her lips fought to hold back. But when his tongue urged her to open her mouth she didn’t resist. She wanted to taste him. But he didn’t taste like coffee, instead, sweet chocolate. As their tongues played and danced, a moan escaped her lips.

  She needed to slow this down. This was supposed to be a simple kiss, but it was quickly building into something more. This was crazy. Her heart was racing. But the thought of this kiss ending so soon, sucked.

  But this wasn’t about what she wanted. It was about what needed to be. This had to stop. Right now she was here at Potters Peak under false pretenses. Not that she lied, but the omission of the truth was just as bad.

  Slowly she began to pull away. When she opened her eyes, and met his, she saw her desire reflect in him. It would’ve been so much easier if he had just shrugged it off and walked away. But instead Ethan raised his hand and stroked her cheek.

  “Sweet dreams Kollette.”

  Her voice was shaky as she said, “Sweet…dreams Ethan.”

  She practically ran out of the kitchen and back to her room. There wasn’t a lock on her door, but even if there was, it needed to be on the outside. She wasn’t afraid of him, but more of her own response to him.

  As she laid on the bed, she knew it was going to be another sleepless night. And her dreams, well they didn’t even come close to being as sweet as the real thing. That didn’t mean they weren’t going to come and provide a sweet torture for her anyway.

  4

  “Roy, there is no reason for you to go down and check. Let me do it.” Ethan had been there enough times to know his way down the mountain to the main road on horseback. It wasn’t that Roy was feeble, but he still didn’t like the idea of him going that distance, with that amount of snow, all alone.

  “You’re on vacation,” Roy said.

  Ethan laughed. “That’s right. So I think I’d rather take the ride than chop and haul wood today.” What Roy might not have noticed was Ethan had done it once again, before anyone got up. He hadn’t slept much after that kiss last night. Even cutting all that wood didn’t do anything to ease his frustration. I did it to myself.

  Why the hell did he bet a kiss? He’d been watching her since the moment they met and he knew she wanted him. For some reason she was fighting it. There were a lot of reasons that could be. She could have a boyfriend or worst, a husband back home. It would explain her mad dash back to her room after the kiss. He wanted to feel badly about manipulating the situation, but he didn’t. Ethan couldn’t get the feel, the taste of her, out of his mind.

  “It really don’t matter. The county ain’t gonna move any faster than they can,” Roy said, taking another gulp of his coffee.

  “I know. But I just want to see if they’ve even started clearing the lower half.”

  Roy looked at him long and hard before asking, “Something happen Ethan? I ain’t never seen you so anxious to get out of here. Won’t be surprised any if you decide to shovel your way to the main road.”

  It wasn’t him that he was worried about. Kollette had wanted to leave earlier. If she needed a way out, he wanted to make sure she had one. Since she was still in her room this morning, he assumed she was trying to avoid him. A little distance might not be a bad idea right now.

  “It’s not like that. I just don’t know when I’ll need to return to New York.” Of course he had no plans on doing that anytime soon. Going back now wouldn’t have given Charles any time to fix the issues. Actually Ethan wasn’t sure they were fixable. Really the problems weren’t problems. His brothers lives had changed, which in turn affected the dynamics of the business. Ethan was still working as he always did, like a man married to his job. It was his brothers who no longer put Lawson Steel above all. They now had families and responsibilities that Ethan didn’t. Funny how coming here, seeing Roy and Mabel together and still crazy about each other, reminded him that he had to be more…understanding in those regards. Just because I don’t want it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t support their decision.

  “I’ve been married a long time Ethan. I can tell you like her,” Roy said.

  “I do. But that has nothing to do with the road being open,” he said “Well actually it does. Did you know she’s from Miami?”

  Roy shook his head. “You know I don’t ask questions. People tell me what they want me to know.”

  Ethan appreciated that. Over the last decade, he told Roy a little bit more about him. Yet Roy still had no idea he was part owner of Lawson Steel. He actually never even told Roy his last name. It didn’t seem to matter out here. That’s why he liked it so much. He was just Ethan, no legacy to need to live up to. No expectation set from anyone else but from himself.

  But that was the problem. He did expect more from himself, at least in regards to last night.

  “I’m sure she’s looking forward to getting back to the warm weather. That’s all I was trying to say,” Ethan stated.

  “I would’ve thought you’d be hoping for the opposite.”

  Truth was
, he didn’t know much more about Kollette than what Roy and Mabel did. Maybe if she stayed, that would change. But this was the place he came so he didn’t need to be a Lawson. How could he pry when he didn’t want her to?

  “I won’t dispute that I enjoy her company Roy. But she should have the option to leave if she chose to. Right now, that’s not the case.”

  “I agree with you there. Okay. Take the horse and see if the county has even started working their way up here. I’d just feel better if it was me. I’d feel horrible if anything happened.”

  “You don’t have to worry about me Roy. I know my way around,” Ethan said.

  “I was talking about my horse,” Roy said. Ethan knew Roy was only half joking.

  It didn’t take him long to saddle the mare up and head out. But he did heed Roy’s advice. The snow was deep and any fallen trees or branches would be covered. He was going to take his time. Hell, the longer he was away from the cabin today, the better.

  About three hours later, Ethan finally made it down the mountain, and onto the main road. It was a good sign that the road had been plowed. It wouldn’t be more than a day or two before they started working on the side roads like the one going up to the Potters place.

  He was just about to turn the old mare around and start his trek back up when he noticed a patrol car heading in his direction. Ethan held the reigns tight as the car pulled off the side of the road, and a deputy got out.

  “Howdy. You’re Ethan right?” he asked.

  Ethan remembered seeing the deputy a few times when he went into town with Roy. “I am.”

  “You staying at the Potters?”

  What he liked about this place was everyone watched out for each other. He nodded. “For a few days. Good timing with all this snow they got.”

  “Yeah. It’s gonna take a few days before we get it all cleared.” The deputy reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a phone. “Have you seen this woman?”