Seduced by a Billionaire (The Carolina Series Book 1)

by Jill Downey

  “He does,” Ella said.

  Kyle grabbed a blond pup and held the small squirming bundle saying, “This one is a little girl.”

  “What’s this one?” Finn asked about the puppy still climbing all over him. Ella checked and announced that it was a boy.

  “Charlie,” Finn said.

  Ella met Kyle’s warm gaze, her heart doing a little flip-flop. He was so damn sexy sitting there holding that tiny little puppy to his face while it chewed on his nose. Her heart melted.

  “What about this one?” Ella said pointing to a shy chocolate pup that appeared to be the runt of the litter.

  “Girl or boy?” Finn asked.

  “Girl.”

  “Lucy,” Finn said.

  “Let’s narrow the field here. Why don’t you pick your three favorites and we’ll have them take the rest away? Then we’ll get a better idea of each one’s personality.”

  Finn chose one of each color, the blonde, the chocolate runt, and the friendly black puppy. The assistant took the rest back to their pen.

  “Two girls and a boy,” Kyle said.

  They observed them playing together and with only three pups, the runt seemed to come out of her shell and was now holding her own with her rough and tumble siblings.

  “Dad, you know I was thinking, it’d be sad for Charlie not to have a sister or brother. He might get lonely.”

  Ella’s heart ached, “But he’ll have you Finn. You can sleep and play together.”

  “But what about when I’m in school?”

  “Son, you’ve got to pick one. That was our agreement.”

  Finn’s face scrunched up in concentration, “Well, I like them all but seems like Charlie picked me.”

  Ella held the chocolate lab while Finn deliberated. She fell asleep in her arms. Kyle put his arm around her and nibbled on her ear. “Lucky puppy,” he whispered.

  Kyle found himself becoming aroused watching her snuggling the pup against her breasts. He wished it were himself nestled there. She glanced up and caught him staring and gave him a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness. He leaned down and kissed her softly on her full lips. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She whispered, “Kyle, what if I took Lucy here and you and Finn take Charlie. Then they could have play dates and they wouldn’t be lonely.”

  His laugh lines crinkled around his eyes as he said, “I knew it. I called this one the minute we sat down.”

  She laughed, “You did not!”

  “I swear.”

  “What’s so funny?” Finn asked.

  “Looks like Charlie doesn’t have to be lonely. Ms. Softy here thinks she would like to take Lucy home with us as well.”

  Finn jumped up and threw his arms around Ella waking the sleeping puppy. “I love you so much Ella! Lucy ya hear that? You’re coming home with us too!”

  Kyle was moved by the scene before him, it could be a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. He suddenly felt fiercely protective and knew he would go to any lengths to safeguard his family. Family. Well there it was. Now he was going to have to do something about that.

  “Well I guess we’ve made our decision. Let’s get out of here before we end up with three.” Kyle said.

  On the way home Finn sat in the back talking to Charlie, telling him all about his new home and the adventures they would have together. Ella held Lucy, asleep in her lap. Kyle reached over for Ella’s hand and squeezed tight. She squeezed back. It was scary to feel this deeply, Kyle mused. He had never felt this exposed in his life. It also brought out his primal protectiveness which equaled his sense of vulnerability.

  Ella was having her own inner battle. She had yet to mention the L word out loud. Did Kyle feel the same? Was she fooling herself to think that this was more than an affair? He was the most beautiful man she had ever laid eyes on and a billionaire to boot. She wished he wasn’t. Why couldn’t he be some average Joe? Who did she think she was? How could she ever hold his interest for the long haul? She knew the man sitting next to her held her heart in the palm of his hand. If this ended tomorrow, she would never be the same.

  She knew she had to work up her courage to have a serious conversation sometime soon. But not tonight. She didn’t want this to end yet. She wasn’t ready to hear that he didn’t feel the same. For now, she’d be content to live in the moment. It was too late anyway. She was already in the deepest of waters, she just hoped that she didn’t drown.

  31

  Deb and Ella sat on her living room floor playing tug of war with Lucy and an old sock. She was growling and flinging her head from side to side like a real badass, all ten pounds of her.

  “She is adorable!” Deb said.

  “I think my old hound Bernie is smiling down on us.”

  “He’s probably thinking, it’s about time, Mom.”

  “In a few months Lucy will be able to go on my runs with me.”

  “So tell me how are things with the billionaire?”

  Ella blew out a big breath, “Do you have to remind me that he’s out of my league?”

  “How did I do that?”

  “Billionaire, I can’t cope.”

  “Sure, you can.”

  “Really, I can’t.”

  Ella stretched out on the carpet propping one arm behind her head. Lucy crawled on top of her and sat on her chest while Ella scratched her behind the ears. “I know it’s my issue, but the juxtaposition of growing up in foster with nothing, to mansions, Ferrari’s and twelve-thousand-dollar bottles of perfume, how the hell am I supposed to feel?”

  “I get it, but he can’t change how he grew up.”

  “I know all that, it’s just that I’m not sure where I fit in his life. The sex is great, I love his son, we’re coasting along, he wants me to move in with him…but I’m afraid it’ll change things.”

  “Have you ever thought that it could change things for the better? Besides maybe he’s afraid too.”

  “No way. He has it all, looks, money, prestige, power, confidence, he’s not afraid of anything.”

  “Everyone’s afraid of something. Have you ever asked him?”

  Burying her nose in the puppies fur she said, “To answer your question, no, it hasn’t come up.”

  “Everyone feels vulnerable at some time or another. He lost a wife to brain cancer; he’s been touched by life. He has a son. That changes a person. Give him a chance. Take a risk and ask him where he sees your relationship going. Nothing risked nothing gained.”

  “I just have to get up my nerve.”

  “Personally, I think the guy is head over heels in love with you. Why would he let you into his son’s life the way he has…into his own life? He’s invited you to share his world. He wouldn’t do that if he weren’t serious.”

  “I suppose. I don’t feel like I’m just a fling, but I’m not sure what I am.”

  “All you have to do is ask. I’d rather know. Uncertainty is a buzzkill.”

  “You’re right, I’ll do it.”

  “Good. Jump in, next time you see him.”

  “We’re going to spend Saturday at the Marlin Tournament. Finn too. His yacht club has lots of festivities planned and stuff for the kids as well. The marina is right there, so we’ll get to see the catch coming in and being weighed and judged. Afterwards Lucy and I are spending the night. I’ll bring it up then, I promise.”

  “Girl, you only have to promise yourself, I’m not here to judge.”

  “I needed to say it out loud to keep it one-hundred-percent.”

  “I better be the maid of honor, that’s all I’m saying.”

  Ella laughed, “Who said anything about marriage?”

  “Me. Call me.”

  “I will, thanks Deb.” Ella followed her to the door.

  “No problem. That’s what BFF’s are for.”

  Ella shut the door behind her friend and poured herself a glass of wine.

  “Lucy it’s popcorn, wine and Netflix tonight, what do you think girl?” Lucy wagged her tail
enthusiastically. Daisy had decided to come out of hiding, making her dramatic appearance by jumping over Lucy onto the back of the couch. Lucy started barking at her which wasn’t helping their relationship one bit. Daisy ignored her. She hadn’t warmed up to Lucy yet, but at least she wasn’t hissing at her anymore. Progress.

  “I’ll feed you two then we’re all going to crash on the couch…together, you got that?” Daisy yawned then began grooming, making her point.

  Maybe it was the liquid courage from the wine and her friends support, but now that she had decided to have the dreaded relationship talk, she felt better already.

  32

  “Baby you in that sundress, I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else today,” Kyle said. He reached inside of her bodice to fondle her breast. He kissed her, thrusting his tongue deep inside. Talking against her lips he said, “It’s been too damn long.”

  She reached between his legs and rubbed his hardness through the fabric of his jeans. “I know. I need to feel you inside of me, sooner rather than later.”

  Her short flirty dress was perfect for sneaking his hand up her inner thigh, which he did now, his finger finding her juicy center and plunging in and out. Her legs threatened to buckle so she held on tightly to his shoulders for support. His other hand was lifting her skirt from behind to grope her sweet ass.

  “I love when you wear thong underwear.”

  “Just for you, totally unselfish of me,” she said grinning.

  “Florence Nightingale, all the way.”

  They heard Finn coming so she quickly straightened her dress and pulled out her gloss to reapply.

  “Hi Ella, where’s Lucy?”

  “Mr. Drake took her. He’s going to watch the pups while we’re gone.”

  “Can I go see her before we leave?”

  “Sure, go ahead. Meet us in the music room,” Kyle said.

  “Okay.”

  Kyle took her hand and led her to the piano. Sitting on the bench at the keyboard he patted the seat and gestured for her to sit. She scooched in next to him. He leaned over and kissed her. His strong tanned fingers hovered over the keys; he began to play. The opening chords from Carol King’s classic Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow floated in the air like a kiss.

  Then he began to sing. His voice had a smoky quality to it and was sexy as hell. Low and mesmerizing. He sang a love song for her and Ella wondered for a moment if she was dreaming.

  Holding her breath, her body tense and trembling with emotion, she feared she would break down sobbing. It touched her so deeply, it was without a doubt…nothing even came close…the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. A tear slipped out and ran down her cheek.

  He finished the song and turned toward her, “What do you think? It’s a new song for me, I’ve been practicing all week.”

  Her eyes were glassy and as big as saucers as she nodded her head.

  “Hey, are you crying?”

  She nodded again and embarrassed, buried her face against his shoulder.

  “Baby, I didn’t want to make you cry. I wanted to seduce you,” Kyle said.

  “Mission accomplished," she mumbled into his shirt.

  “Well that’s good then. Kiss me.”

  She lifted her head and he kissed the salty tears from her cheeks before tenderly pressing his lips to hers.

  “Hey, Dad, Ella, you should have seen Charlie and Lucy just now.”

  Ella gave Kyle a watery smile then turned toward Finn.

  Finn blinked and his brow furrowed. He ran over to hug Ella around the waist, “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m okay Finn. Your dad just played a song that was so beautiful it made me cry.”

  “Is it that one he keeps playing over and over? All that love stuff?” He grinned up at her.

  “That would be the one,” she said.

  “Well did you like it? Dad said he was learning it to surprise you.”

  “I loved it.”

  “Good, now maybe he’ll play something else.”

  Kyle laughed heartily, “You’re something else, kid.” He pulled Finn in for a group hug. They all squeezed together for a brief moment before Finn said, “Can we go now?”

  “Yes. Shall we?” Kyle said pulling Ella up from the bench. “My ride or yours?”

  “Jeep!” Finn called. “Race ya!”

  Finn had a head start, Ella close behind. They raced across the marble floors through the mansion’s wide corridors and out the front doors where she had parked in the circular round-about.

  “Do you want to drive?” Ella said, challengingly.

  “You’re trusting me with your baby?” Kyle asked, surprised.

  “Why not?”

  Grabbing the keys from her he got behind the wheel, Finn crawled in back and Ella buckled in beside Kyle. He adjusted the rearview mirror, meeting Finn’s eyes, he gave him a thumbs-up then put it into gear.

  “A family that plays together stays together!” Kyle shouted over the noise from driving with the top off. He glanced in the back again and his heart squeezed at the pure joy on his son’s face. Life was good.

  33

  It was a gorgeous sunny day, the sky a periwinkle blue, the air festive and lively. There were food trucks and art vendors selling pottery, colorful paintings, framed photography, handmade jewelry, and booths with tee-shirts ranging from tacky touristy screen printing to artful hand-dyed batiks.

  Ella stopped to look at a pair of handmade silver earrings and held one up to her ear, inspecting herself in the small hand mirror. Kyle came up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck. She leaned back into him, her body melting into his. She had never felt so alive, her whole-body vibrating with anticipation.

  “You like those?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I think I love you.”

  She froze, eyes widening she gaped at him through the mirror.

  Voice strangled she said, “Excuse me?”

  He turned her to face him, laugh lines fanning out around his eyes, he played innocent, “They were made for you.”

  “No, I’m talking about the other part.”

  “You mean the ‘I love you’ part?”

  Eyes shining, she said, “Yes, that part.”

  “I love you, Ella Palmer.”

  She searched his twinkling eyes, which matched the navy polo shirt he had on today. “I love you too.” She stood on her tip toes and pulled his head down for a kiss.

  A loud voice interrupted them. “Get a room!”

  It was Pete.

  “Great timing, dude,” Kyle complained.

  “Hey, don’t you two get enough time for that when you’re alone? You don’t have to subject the rest of us to your nauseating happiness.”

  “Jealousy is not a good look on you,” Kyle replied.

  “Hey, did you see that forty-six-footer at the end of the marina?”

  “No, we haven’t got that far. We just got here.”

  “Take a look, makes yours look like a row-boat.”

  Ella inwardly rolled her eyes. Could he be any more obnoxious? She knew he was Kyle’s partner and best friend but geesh, what an asshole.

  “And how is Ella today?” he asked her.

  It annoyed her to no end when someone talked in third person like that. “Ella is fine. And how is Pete today?” Her sarcasm was wasted on him.

  “Great! How could I not be? It’s a perfect day. Just wait until the boats start coming in with their trophies. It’s exciting. Quite the zoo today. Great turnout.”

  “It gets bigger every year. I kind of miss the old days when it wasn’t so well attended,” Kyle said.

  “Me too, except there are more hot chicks to ogle than there used to be. I have reservations for dinner at the club, are you two interested in joining us?”

  “Can’t,” Kyle said. “The nanny is off this weekend and we have Finn.”

  “Where is the little turd?”

  “He was just here.” Ky
le looked around and spied him watching some young teenagers painting faces the next booth over. Kyle caught Finn’s attention and motioned him back.

  “Buddy, you stay close, there are too many people for you to be wandering off without us.”

  “Okay.”

  Kyle paid for the earrings then asked Ella if she wanted to wear them now or have the artist bag them. “I’d like to wear them, please.”

  She gathered up her hair and held it back from her face and Kyle slipped the wires through her earlobes. He couldn’t get enough of her. It felt like an insatiable longing which was both intoxicating and painful. Her glowing skin, perfectly smooth tan and creamy, felt soft against his knuckles as he struggled awkwardly with the dainty earrings. Ella looked up at him through her thick lashes, giving him her thousand-watt smile, man that toothy smile of hers…that gap…permanent hard-on.

  Finn tugged on Ella’s skirt, “Can we go now?”

  “Yep, all set.”

  They returned with Finn to the face painting booth. The young girls were raising money for a local coastal conservation project. There were a number of kids lined up and at Finn’s insistence they joined them.

  “I want to be a dog,” he said.

  “Finn look over there, that little girl looks like a cat,” Ella pointed out a youngster sitting in a chair, getting her face painted.

  “Cool, but I want to look like Charlie.”

  “He’ll like that.”

  “Hey, if you two don’t mind I’m going to walk with Pete to look at that Yacht,” Kyle said.

  “No problem. Looks like we’ll be here a while.”

  “Remember what I said Finn. If I’m not back before you’re done make sure you hold onto Ella’s hand in the crowds.” Kyle glanced at his platinum Rolex to check the time. “I’ll try to be back in twenty minutes.”

  “Don’t worry about us, take your time,” Ella said.

  Ella watched as he walked away, his jeans accentuating his tight butt, polo shirt tucked in, broad shoulders tapering to his slim waist. His body relaxed, a man comfortable in his own skin. His confident stride attracted the attention of a few hopeful women as he passed. She could hear his faint laughter at something Pete had said. He loved her! A warmth filled her chest and her heart fluttered just thinking about that moment.