Seduced by a Billionaire (The Carolina Series Book 1)

by Jill Downey

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Kyle returned to the bed after brushing his teeth, and stood naked over Ella, his expression soft and warm. She lay there relaxed and comfortable…luscious, inviting…at ease in her own skin. Unhampered by self-consciousness, she was provocative without even trying. Part of what made her so alluring was her confidence and responsiveness to his lovemaking. She was like a fine instrument, sensitive and attuned to his touch.

  He sat at the end of the bed and picked up one foot and began to massage it. Pulling on each toe and stretching it before kneading the sensitive sole with strong hands. Ella practically purred. “Don’t stop,” she said.

  He picked up the other foot and gave it the same attention before moving up to her calves, then her thighs. When he reached the apex, he gently spread her thighs apart and dipped his head between her legs, lapping at her sweet spot as her body contracted, the sheets bunched up in her tight grasp.

  He teased her with his tongue, feathery light flicks until Ella squirmed under his attention, demanding… begging… He sucked softly as she writhed under his skillful lovemaking. Inserting his finger deep inside her, he continued his ministration with his mouth.

  “Please, I need you inside of me now,” she begged.

  He quickly donned a condom and slipped inside of her juiciness. He bent her knees allowing him to penetrate deeper. His hard length filled her completely and he didn’t move at first, he waited until she started to writhe in agony beneath him before he began to ride her like a mating animal.

  Wild, almost savagely, he plunged in and out, his hips thrusting faster as he rode her. Her eyes were glazed with passion, she bit her bottom lip, panting as she cried out “Yes!” She contracted around him as she orgasmed. Feeling her tightness pulsating against his hardness sent him over the edge and he came hard and fast.

  Ella’s labored breath slowly returned to normal. She held Kyle’s head to her breasts as he suckled her nipple, sending tremors through her core as her orgasm slowly abated. She didn’t want him to move. She loved having him inside of her. His warmth and weight on top of her felt like a cocoon, warm, safe, sensual. He smelled musky and manly, with a hint of spice. Kissing the top of his cradled head, she whispered, “You are an amazing lover.”

  “You are easy to love. Your taste, your smell, your responsiveness…I will never get enough of you Ella.” Ella pulsated against his softening shaft, like the tremors after an earthquake.

  Kyle rolled onto his back, taking her with him, slipping out of her as he pulled her on top. She felt a moment of loss as his warmth withdrew from her womanhood. She licked his neck, mmm salty, and nuzzled him as she sprawled out full length, covering his body with her own.

  They both fell asleep like that. In the early hours of the morning Ella awoke spooned against Kyle’s chest, his arms wrapped around her. She wrapped her arms over his and snuggled closely against him.

  “Are you awake?’ he murmured into her ear.

  “Barely.”

  “I love you Ella Palmer.”

  She wiggled her butt against him, “I love you too, hot stuff.”

  “Is hot stuff still a thing?”

  “Most definitely.”

  “Are you ready to hang out with my entire crazy family tonight?”

  “Yes, the only one I haven’t met is Griffin.”

  “Warning, my Mom will be all over you.”

  “I can handle it. What’s Griffin like?”

  “He’s the baby of the family and it’s obvious. Doesn’t take anything too seriously. Playful, a big flirt, charming, most women would say movie-star handsome, but don’t get any ideas,” he said, eyes narrowed.

  “I would have a hard time believing anyone could be any more handsome than you.”

  “Good answer. Let’s hop in the shower,” Kyle suggested.

  “Do I really have to move?”

  “Yes, my parents are early risers. They could show up anytime, plus we need to get the pups out of their crate.”

  “They slept through the whole night. Amazing considering the rodeo going on right next to them,” she said, grinning.

  “Come on, get up,” he pulled her along and they quickly showered and dressed. They headed downstairs carrying two squiggly bundles who were raring to go.

  “I love puppy breath,” Ella giggled as Lucy licked her face.

  “You want to take them outside while I throw breakfast together?”

  “Sure,” Ella said.

  “Hurry back,” he caressed her cheek then watched as the puppies happily trotted behind her to the great outdoors. Life was good…no—life is great!

  45

  The chef was in the staff kitchen with his assistant, busy preparing hors d’oeuvres for the party. Richard had brought someone in to decorate the pool area festively. The large covered outdoor table was set, adorned with a bright red tablecloth and vases filled with colorful fresh cut flowers. Music streamed through the sound system as the decorator lit the candles inside hurricane lamps that hung from shepherd hooks scattered around the patio.

  The decorator’s assistant leaned over the pool, placing floating battery-operated lights made to look like lily pads in the water. The gas outdoor fireplace had been lit purely for ambience since it was turning out to be a beautiful summer evening. The only thing missing were the people, who would arrive shortly.

  Ella had decided to wear a gauzy white and dark green floral print with an alluring lace-up back and V-neck front. It had a wrapped maxi skirt with flouncy ruffles and a high-low hem. At the last minute she remembered to put on the pearls Kyle had given her, in what seemed like years ago. How far they’d come.

  She glanced over at Kyle, desirable as hell in his cream linen slacks and tucked black tee-shirt. He wore his hair slicked back and a relaxed smile as his eyes did a last-minute sweep over the patio. Catching her eye, he winked and said, “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

  “Absolutely!”

  “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Warn her about what?” A man stepped out through the French doors with a martini in his hand. His hair was dark brown, worn shaggy and slightly long; even without the introductions, his cobalt blue eyes were a dead giveaway that he was Kyle’s younger brother, Griffin.

  “Well, well, well, I always knew you had exquisite taste. You must be Ella,” he took her hand and leaned over to kiss the back of it. Holding on to it a little longer than necessary, his eyes boldly sparkled with curiosity.

  She found herself slightly breathless from the spell he wove. Kyle saved the day, protectively putting his arm around her and hugging her tightly against his side. “Down boy, she’s already taken.”

  “Hey, a guy can fantasize, no harm in that,” he winked at her wickedly.

  “I guess no introductions are necessary but for manners sake, Ella this is Griffin, Griffin, Ella.”

  “You are as magnificent as everyone has said. Why don’t you dump this shmuck and run away with me? I’m the handsome and charming one of the family. Plus, I like to have fun; my brother can be a real stick in the mud.”

  Ella laughed at his audacity, “He’s pretty charming as well, and I’d say he’s learning to loosen up a bit.”

  “Finally, a woman who can rescue my workaholic sibling from himself. Sweet!”

  “Daddy, Ella, I’m back! Hey Uncle Griffin,” Finn said, running to hug each of them. “Where’s Charlie and Lucy?”

  Ella pointed to the round fenced-in area off to the side of the patio. He raced to the gate to let them out. Finn sat on the grass letting the puppies maul him, laughing as they competed for his attention. Kyle went over to Finn and squatted down, having a conversation with his son as Finn nodded thoughtfully.

  “My nephew is growing up fast,” Griffin said. His eyes lit up when Faye stepped outside. “Sis!”

  Faye ran over, throwing her arms around her brother. “Where have you been, naughty boy. I never see you anymore.”

  “Golfing, wi
ning and dining beautiful women, you know the usual.”

  Faye rolled her eyes at Ella, “My dear brother, mark my words, you’re going to meet someone someday that gives you a run for your money and you won’t know what hit you.”

  “Doubtful,” he grinned.

  “Hi Mr. and Mrs. Bennett,” Ella said as they joined them on the patio. A waiter appeared and discreetly took their drink orders.

  “Please, ma chéri, call us Giselle and James, we insist,” she said warmly.

  “Okay, thank you.”

  James Bennett nodded his head stiffly, but his smile actually reached his eyes today. He and Giselle were holding hands, apparently still in love after all these years.

  “Mr. Bennett—I mean James, how was Finn’s overnight stay?”

  “We enjoyed him immensely. He is a delight.”

  “Yes, he is. Kyle and Jemma have done a great job,” Ella agreed.

  Another waiter appeared holding a tray of finger foods, everyone piled their napkins with the sumptuous fare. Kyle rejoined the group and they all made small talk. Giselle pulled Ella aside, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Tell me, are you in love with my son?”

  Ella’s eyes widened and her mouth fell open, “Um, actually, that would be a yes,” she said recovering from her surprise.

  “Good, that’s settled then. Mon trésor, I have never seen him so content. He is so in love, no?”

  “I want your son to be happy. I love him.”

  “Ma belle, you can make babies, so Finn has little brothers and sisters, no?”

  Ella’s cheeks turned pink as she laughed, remembering Kyle’s warning and understanding a little more clearly what he had meant.

  “Mother, you’re making Ella blush,” Kyle said walking over catching the tail-end of the conversation.

  “I just said Finn needs un petit frère ou une petite soeur.”

  Kyle laughed out loud, “Mother you never give up do you?”

  Richard appeared with Ella’s best friend Deb following, full wine glass in hand. Ella shrieked, “Deb! What are you doing here?”

  “Your charming boyfriend invited me.”

  Ella gave her friend a big hug. “You’re just in time for dinner.”

  “That was my plan.”

  The chef, in traditional chef’s uniform, right down to the toque blanche, a white chef hat, had fired up the large gas grill and was throwing shish kebabs, skewered cubes of beef and bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and bacon, onto the flames.

  “Shall we move to the table?” Kyle suggested. He tucked his hand in the small of Ella’s back as they made their way to their seats.

  They all took their places around the table with much talk and laughter. Ella was enchanted with the whole tribe. They were all so interesting and had great stories to tell. Deb seemed to fit right in. Finn was doing his best to keep them entertained as well. She couldn’t help but fast forward to his teenage years; she thought he might have inherited a little bit of his Uncle Griffin’s charm. After dinner a traditional French dessert was served, Crème au Caramel, absolutely to die for in Ella’s opinion.

  Kyle suggested they move to more comfortable seating around the pool, which they did. Drinks were flowing and everyone seemed to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. Ella slipped off her heels and wiggled toes that were happy to be free. Faye had kicked hers off long ago. Finn got up and ran into the house yelling, “I’ll be right back, nobody move,” causing them all to laugh at his dramatics.

  When he returned, he was pulling Richard Drake along with him and Finn had a huge grin on his face. Kyle stood up and tapped his glass with a spoon, the tinkling sound capturing everyone’s attention.

  They all looked at him expectantly, and Ella’s eyebrow’s rose when he turned towards her. Getting down on one knee in front of her, she suddenly understood what was about to happen. Eyes wide, she covered her mouth with her hand. She searched Kyle’s eyes, which were blazing with emotion. Finn stepped next to his dad and importantly reached his hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a ring box handing it to his father.

  “Ella, you are my heart, my love, l’amour de ma vie, my other half. Will you marry me?”

  With tears spilling out and down her cheeks she nodded her head yes. Holding out her hand, she watched as he slipped the huge diamond solitaire onto her finger. The group, who had been in on it the whole time, cheered. James clicked his glass with a spoon, saying “Toast.”

  They all turned toward him, and he said, “Ella, welcome to the Bennett family. You are an answered prayer for us. We never thought we’d see our son happy again. Our grandson adores you and so do we. May you have a lifetime of joy and happiness together.”

  Finn wrapped his arms around Ella and said, “I love you to the moon and back.”

  “My turn,” Kyle said. He lowered his head and kissed her passionately to the delight of everyone.

  “See what I have to go through?” Finn said, grinning happily.

  Laughing Giselle said, “One day mon mignon, you’ll kiss a girl like that.”

  “No way, gross!”

  Ella looked around at her family…her family. Finally, she had the one thing she had been longing for since she was a child. More importantly she had found her mate, the person she wanted to wake up beside for the rest of her life. She couldn’t wait to have little munchkins running around the now empty halls of this mansion. It would be filled with love, joy and laughter.

  The End for Now…

  Thanks for reading Seduced by a Billionaire! I hope you enjoyed it. Look for book two, Secret Billionaire, to be released early summer! If you haven’t read The Heartland Series yet here’s the link. Each book can be read as standalone or indulge in the whole series.

  Happy Reading!

  Here’s the universal link to the Heartland Series box set:

  mybook.to/BoxSetHeartlandSeries

  Here’s a link to my Facebook readers group:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/179183050062278/:

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank April Wilson for sharing her wisdom, her encouragement and her continued support. Her generosity of spirit is inspiring!

  Thanks to my other April… April Bennett, my editor and guide. Her empathy, humor and smarts are everything I could ever have asked for.

  Special shout out to Janice Whiteaker, another generous author who has offered and shared so much information and direction and miraculously appeared just when I needed her!

  I’d honestly be floundering without these three incredibly talented women.

  Books by Jill Downey

  The Heartland Series:

  More Than A Boss

  More Than A Memory

  More Than A Fling