The Barrington Billionaires Collection 1

by Danielle Stewart

  “Just like this,” he said as he plunged deep inside her, sending shock waves through her body. Her hands came up to his hair, running through it at a frantic pace. He dragged his mouth down her cheek, over her neck, and found her puckered nipple arching up to him. Swirling his tongue over the tingling flesh, he made a primal noise as a shiver rolled over her body.

  Emmitt was pulling out and plunging inside of her over and over again as he teased and tantalized her with the edges of his teeth. “Evie,” he whispered, his pace picking up. “Shit Evie, I’m gonna come.” He buried his head into her neck as he scooped one arm behind her back and held her so tightly she felt like she might break in two. He was waiting on her permission, her forgiveness, and she willingly gave it.

  “Come Emmitt, fuck me fast and come.”

  As though he had no control, no way to stop, he took her words as absolution from his ridiculous lack of staying time. His release was epic, loud and powerful, gripping and clawing at her as he pulled out. Emmitt’s breath didn’t level out for over a minute as he collapsed on top of her. When words finally came he was uncharacteristically sheepish. “Shit,” he said shaking his head in disbelief. “You are so fucking tight and hot. I just couldn’t.”

  “It’s all right,” she said, waving him off and pretending the aching desire blossoming from between her legs wasn’t important.

  “Are you kidding me?” he asked, cocking a brow up at her as though she were crazy. “You think that’s it? You think we’ll just roll over and go to sleep now?”

  She shrugged, not wanting to make him feel bad. He rolled on top of her again and slithered back down her body. “You have no idea what you’re in for.” He grabbed the back of her thighs tightly and lifted her ass from the bed, tossing her knees over his shoulders. “How many times have you orgasmed in one night? What’s the record to beat?”

  “The record?” she asked with a chuckle. “Is this a competition?”

  “No,” he said seriously. “There’s no competing with me. How many?”

  “Two maybe?” she said uneasily.

  “Oh god,” he laughed. “That’s pathetic.” His finger slipped inside her slick core, and she jumped from the shock it sent through her. Emmitt’s thumb rubbed rhythmically against her sweet spot. He found the perfect pace within a few seconds, and she was arching, pushing herself closer, forcing him deeper inside her.

  “Yes,” she shrieked. “Emmitt, yes.” Much to her surprise he dropped her legs down but kept his finger working magic over her slick spot. He was hard again and plummeting deep inside her before she could take her next breath. But the next breath wouldn’t come anyway. It was stuck in her throat as she split open with pleasure, her muscles tightening and pulsing around his firm shaft.

  Emmitt hovered above her and as she burst with pleasure she again felt the urge to hide. He was taking in every quiver of her body, the crumpling of her face, the clutching of her hands to the sheets. He was watching it all. A very naughty smile broke across his face as he gently laid her back down on the bed.

  Her breath was ragged, her hair matted down with sweat as he laughed out his words. “That’s one. A couple dozen more to go.”

  Chapter 14

  Emmitt had fucked a lot of women. All kinds in all sorts of places for all sorts of reasons. But never had he finished and felt anything besides the desire to run. Literally. Just run the hell out of there. Run a few more miles. Run until the thoughts in his head melted away. But right now running was a distant idea pushed out by the smell of Evie’s hair draped over his arm.

  “Glad you didn’t go out with whatever loser Sophie was going to send you with?” Emmitt asked, tracing a finger up her hip and over her side.

  “There was no loser,” she said, kissing her way across his chest and then settling comfortably in his arms.

  “Trust me, just because he was rich doesn’t mean anything.”

  “No,” she said with a laugh. “I mean I never called Sophie and asked her to find me a date. If I wasn’t going to go with you, I didn’t want to go with anyone else. I just had to call the car service I hired to bring me and cancel. When you knocked on my door I thought you might be the driver. I’m sorry if my feelings for you makes you uncomfortable or freaks you out or whatever, but I like you.”

  “I just worry because you have no reason to like me. There is absolutely zero logic behind thinking you could like a man like me.”

  “I’m not sure logic has a long standing history with emotions. I like you.” She was blushing now, and he knew he could either tell her the truth or put a stop to this.

  “It freaks me out,” he admitted. “But I’m still here. That’s different for me. You should know that. I am trying.”

  “It’s fine,” she said, looking anything but.

  “Let me finish. It freaks me out that you like me because I don’t not like you.”

  “You don’t not like me?”

  “Exactly. I usually don’t like people. Any people, all people. I don’t like them. I find little to no use for anyone. But I don’t not like you.”

  “So you like me?” Evie asked, reserving her excitement until she understood what the hell he was getting at.

  “That feels stronger than I’m willing to say,” he joked, but never loosened his grip on her. “But I don’t not like you.”

  “What’s your deal?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “You’re attracted to me.”

  “Obviously.”

  “We’ve had plenty of reasonable conversations where we seem to get along.”

  “Fair statement.”

  “I’m funny,” she said, now counting the points out on her fingers.

  “Debatable. Unless we’re counting physical comedy because then you are great at tripping over stuff and walking into doors.”

  “What’s wrong with me that you can’t say you like me,” Evie asked, but Emmitt was quick to counter.

  “What’s wrong with you that you can say you like me?”

  “Who told you that you were an asshole? Who filled your head with that bull for so long? Because it feels like you heard it enough times you started to believe it.”

  “That didn’t answer my question,” Emmitt redirected.

  “Fine, you want to know why I like you? I saw your face the day Jessica got arrested. It worried you. I see the way you look at your brother. I see what you’re willing to do just to help him with business. I’ve watched how you talk to drivers, and the doormen, and the hotel concierge. I saw how many times you put money in that homeless guy’s cup in the park across from West Oil back in Texas. When you think no one’s looking, you treat people really decent. And since I’ve met you, I’ve been watching.”

  “I’m the guy who eats James’s chocolates and fucks with my brother just for fun. I’ve got a short temper and a loud voice.”

  “James is a billionaire. He can buy more chocolates, and I’m not sure your brother would know what to do if you stopped messing with him.” Evie wasn’t backing down.

  “I’ve hurt a lot of people,” Emmitt admitted, realizing this romanticized version of himself that Evie was hoping for didn’t really exist. Or if it did it was a drop in the bucket of who he really was.

  “I’ve hurt a lot of people,” Evie breathed out sadly. “I’ve been selfish before, and I’ve burned a lot of bridges.”

  “You can’t even be in the same atmosphere of trouble I’ve caused. You can’t imagine.” Emmitt shook his head adamantly.

  “Then tell me,” Evie begged, running a hand over his cheek. “If you want to convince me I shouldn’t bother with you then make your case.”

  “I’m not trying to chase you off. I meant what I said and not just because I was staring at your magnificent body. If I’m ever going to be a good guy, I feel like it could be with you. Plus, making a case about anything while you’re naked is difficult.”

  “Then hold me, and let’s go to sleep,” she said, kissing his chest again as she snuggled close to him. “Or tell me w
hy you’re so awful. Because I don’t see it.”

  “When I was a kid I was pissed, every day really pissed, and my mother suffered for that. My brother and sister did too. I couldn’t be controlled, and I couldn’t be contained. I made their lives hell.”

  “You don’t talk much about your sister; is she here in Boston?”

  “She is. Harlan has had a rough go of things. I bailed on her when I enlisted. Then shit went downhill quickly for her. She had a deadbeat boyfriend who became her deadbeat husband, then a deadbeat dad to her kids, and now a deadbeat ex-husband.”

  “You forced them to get married?”

  “No,” Emmitt sighed as though she were missing the point, “but I wasn’t there to protect her.”

  “You can’t run people’s lives for them. You can’t save them from their choices. I’m not convinced. Give me some more.”

  “My mother,” he said, shaking his head. “I shot her nerves. I was arrested seven times before I was sixteen years old. I made a million promises and broke them all. The only thing I did with any sort of consistency was let her down. Worse than that, I never had a good reason when she asked why. I just felt like it.”

  “You were a kid. An angry kid who made some bad choices. It happens all the time. Like I said, I’ve hurt people too. I’m still not convinced.” She traced a finger over the muscles of his chest and flashed him a small smile. “Try again.”

  “I’ve tricked women into sleeping with me by telling them what they want to hear. I play games. I change my number. I go off the radar. I break up over text. I lie.” He was staring at the ceiling now, not able to look back down at her angelic face. “I like when my job puts me in a position to fight. Going a couple rounds with some prick who deserves to get knocked around is basically why I get up in the morning. If I go too long without hitting something, dodging a bullet or outrunning some danger, I start to get fucked up. I fight. I explode. I destroy.”

  “You fought for your country,” Evie offered. “You’re doing all this for your brother. What’s the last thing you did for your sister or your mother?”

  “I tossed my sister’s asshole ex out her front door when he came to pick up the kids drunk. My mom, I haven’t done much for. I just try to show up when she’s not well and stay out of her way when she is.”

  “You said she has kids, your sister. Are you a good uncle?”

  “No,” he laughed, “I’m the worst. I give them chocolate right before bed. I buy them drums and swear in front of them. I wake them up just because I want to see them. It drives my sister crazy.”

  “But they run to you when they see you coming?”

  Emmitt laughed. “Every time.”

  “I’m sorry but I’m still not convinced. I hear a couple bad habits but deep down—”

  “Okay, Evie,” Emmitt said, kissing the top of her head. “I’ll let you think what you want but don’t say you weren’t warned.”

  “You’re a better guy than you think, Emmitt. You have to start believing that. And until you do, I’ll believe it for you.”

  He let out a long sigh, wondering where Evie would be, what she’d be doing when she stopped believing.

  Chapter 15

  Evie slid her hand across the cold sheet and realized too late why it was not warm. Emmitt wasn’t in the bed anymore. The curtains were pulled closed, which meant it could be the middle of the night or the middle of the day and her tired eyes wouldn’t be able to tell.

  “Emmitt?” she whispered into the darkness.

  “I’m here,” he said, sounding caught. “Something came up. I’ve got to go. You can sleep in.”

  “Emmitt,” she said, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. “If you’re just trying to hit the eject button on this don’t bother. I can leave.” Evie rolled off the side of the bed and covered her naked body with the sheet.

  “Something really did come up,” he insisted, pushing his hand over the top of his nearly shaved head as though it was pounding.

  “Take me with you,” she said coolly as though his answer wasn’t as important as it was. “If it’s work maybe I can help.”

  “It’s not work,” he said, lacing up his black boots and slinging a backpack over his shoulder.

  “Okay,” she said with an unsatisfied nod as she began to mentally formulate her plan. She’d wait until he was gone and then get dressed. He didn’t deserve even another passing glance at her bare skin.

  “You could come,” he said clearing his throat uncomfortably. “It’s personal. Not work, but if you wanted to come for the ride you could.”

  “Yeah,” she said, furrowing her brows as though it needed consideration. “I could, I guess, if you want me to.” She’d tossed him a softball; all he needed was to say yes. Yes, I want you to come.

  “We’ll leave in ten,” he said, checking his watch.

  She contemplated asking how she was supposed to get showered, long hair dried, and dressed in ten minutes. But the invitation felt like the closing door in an action movie. You had to just shut up and slide underneath it before you lost your shot. So she did. Dirty hair and wrinkled clothes, she hopped in the car.

  “You seem frustrated,” Evie chirped as they sped down the dark road toward the rising sun.

  “I turned the volume down on my phone. I didn’t want to be interrupted. I never do that.”

  “And you missed a call?” she asked, squirming in the passenger seat of the rental car. It had been parked in the hotel garage with no intention of being used since he seemed to prefer cabs and limos but apparently this morning was the reason he kept it around.

  “My sister,” he grunted reluctantly. “I won’t be long, but I need to deal with something at her house.”

  “And I should wait in the car?” Evie asked, letting her voice do most of the talking. She didn’t hop in this car before the sun came up with no time to get ready just to be told to wait there.

  “You can come in, but it’s not a friendly social visit. We won’t be staying long.”

  “All right,” she sighed, wanting to probe further but realizing it wouldn’t likely get her very far. As they pulled off the highway and started down some residential roads she could feel Emmitt buzzing with adrenaline. His fingers tightened down on the steering wheel and his teeth ground together. “What’s her name again?” Evie asked.

  “Harlan,” he said as he cursed the red light that seemed to refuse to change to green. “We’re here,” he announced suddenly, pointing across the intersection to a small white cottage covered in ivy.

  “That’s a really cute house,” Evie said, attempting to sound positive. It was cute, but small and unkempt.

  “My mother comes from a wealthy family and this used to be the staff quarters many years ago. A lot of the land was bought up around it but we still own the house. When my sister got divorced from that moron she wanted someplace to regroup. Something simple. Our family is worth over a billion dollars, and my sister is crammed into this hundred-year-old shack.”

  “Did he come back?” Evie asked, wondering if Harlan had been hurt and if Emmitt was about to go crazy on her ex.

  His face changed suddenly and then leveled off again. “Not the he you’d think but something just as bad.” He slammed the car into park and swung the door open. She wasn’t concerned that he hadn’t come around to open hers. Clearly something big was happening here.

  He pounded on the old wooden front door a couple times until a light flicked on. “What the hell, Emmitt?” a tall dark-haired woman with familiar eyes stumbled out the front door and closed it behind her. “The girls are sleeping. What the hell are you doing here?”

  Evie watched as Harlan shoved at Emmitt’s chest not even moving him an inch.

  “I got your text message.”

  “And?” she asked, still not seeming to notice Evie.

  “How much money did you give him?”

  “None,” she said slow and drawn out, but still defiant. “He didn’t ask for money. My text message wasn’t a f
lare I sent up for help. I was just letting you know Dad came by.”

  The picture was becoming clearer now. Evie had heard bits and pieces of information about Emmitt’s father, and none of them were nice. She knew he skipped out on the family when the kids were still young.

  “Are you inviting us in?” Emmitt asked, looking down at his sister with a softer stare.

  “It’s not even six in the morning,” she huffed, “and who is this?” The skepticism in her voice reminded Evie instantly of Emmitt. It’s exactly how he’d have asked the question too.

  “I’m Evie,” she said, extending her hand and smiling. Harlan hesitated but finally greeted her with a brief and unwelcoming shake.

  “Did you not have time to drop her off after your booty call?” Harlan asked, still blocking their path into the house.

  Evie opened her mouth to protest but Emmitt was already speaking. “She’s not a booty call. Don’t be a jerk.”

  “Excuse me for using past experiences to try to figure out who you brought to my door this morning. It doesn’t help that the two of you look like you just rolled out of bed. The same bed.”

  “Emmitt was worried when he read your text,” Evie said, trying to both explain and shoot a little barb at the same time.

  “Are you letting us in?” Emmitt asked again.

  “I don’t want or need a lecture right now, Emmitt. I don’t hate Dad the same way you and Mathew do.”

  “You were too young to see all the reasons you should hate him and to know better than to let him in when he comes to visit.”

  “I remember all the things you did to hurt this family, and I still love you. People can change. He had a ninety-day chip from Gamblers Anonymous. He promised himself he wouldn’t come see me until he had it. He wanted to see the kids.”

  “You can buy those chips on line. Did you let him see the kids?”