The Billionaire's Jackpot: Betting on You Series: Book Four (3 page)

Not only did she miss her sister, she also missed the day-by-day purpose and direction. She’d always been so driven, so active. She didn’t excel at civilian life, which only made accepting it as her life that much harder.

Blossom didn’t move until the last tear was shed and wiped away. Only then did she raise her head and sit by KJ’s side, leaning against her. Rewarding her with a scratch behind the ears, she said, “What would I do without you, girl?” She wouldn’t allow herself to dwell too long on that subject. She knew too many who had those same struggles and lost the battle.

The clock on the mantle chimed, one, two, then three.
Oh God, I better get to the store.
Drew was expecting dinner tonight. The choices were limited. Blossom’s kibble or the only human food in the cupboard—a can of tuna. Grabbing her purse, she bolted out the door searching for ideas of what to make tonight.
Three thousand miles was a long way to travel for a sandwich.

‡

A
quick shopping
adventure somehow turned into stocking her condo as though she actually cooked there every day.
This is one night. I must be losing my mind; I like take-out.

It had taken her almost an hour to put the groceries away before she could even begin the food prep. Since she wasn’t sure what his tastes in food were, except for dessert, she opted for surf and turf—lobster tail, a petite filet mignon wrapped in bacon, and a side of steamed asparagus with vinaigrette dressing.
Just because I don’t cook doesn’t mean I can’t.
When she’d purchased her bungalow more than a year ago, she made sure she’d also picked up everything she needed to make it a home, including a full set of china and crystal. Those had at least been opened but still sat waiting patiently in the cabinet.
Blossom’s not a fan of fine-dining.
The pots and pans, on the other hand, were still in their original boxes in a closet.
Time to break them in.
It wasn’t long before her kitchen smelled absolutely amazing.
Maybe I should do this more often.

Then she looked around the kitchen:
disaster.
It appeared she’d used every pan she owned, and they were stacked on top of each other, overflowing the sink.
Thank goodness we are eating in the dining room.
She laughed softly to herself. There was only one thing left to do—wait.

Thankfully she didn’t have time to second-guess herself. Blossom announced his arrival even before the doorbell rang.
Let’s get this over with.
Taking off her apron, she laid it on the counter and headed for the door. Her heart skipped a beat when she opened it and found him holding a large bouquet of orange tiger lilies out to her.
Unusual. Beautiful.
“Thank you, Drew. They’re lovely. Please, come in.”
Don’t be so nervous; it’s only dinner.
“I hope you’re hungry because dinner is ready.”

As he entered the living room he replied, “I wasn’t, but something smells fantastic and suddenly I’m starving.”

Let’s hope you enjoy it.
“Follow me. You can sit in the dining room while I bring everything out.”

“Let me help you.”

“No,” KJ said sharply, her hand on his chest stopping him from following her.
You’re not entering that kitchen.
In a softer tone she added, “I mean I have everything under control. You’re my guest; sit and relax. I’ll only be a moment. If you’re bored, you can open the wine while I’m gone.” Leaving him alone, she trotted off before he had time to argue with her.
Nothing like biting his head off in the first five minutes. Great job, KJ.

Quickly she carried in both plates. They looked wonderful, but she was now questioning her choices.
Does this
say I’m trying too hard?
KJ almost dropped the plates as she noticed Drew had not only poured the wine but had also lit the candles from the living room and placed them on the dining room table. He’d also moved his place setting next to hers. Was that his subtle way of telling her he was in charge?
You’re going to be sadly mistaken if you think that’s the case, Drew.
Choosing to ignore it, she handed him his plate, then took her newly relocated seat next to him.

“Aren’t we missing someone?” Drew asked.

Oh goodness. Had he invited someone else? Had I missed that bit of information?
“Who would that be?”
Hope they aren’t hungry because I only cooked enough for two.

“Your roommate.”

Puzzled at first, she caught on.
Oh, you know how to play this, don’t you, Drew?
No matter his intentions, it did calm her nerves. “She is lying on her doggie bed and won’t come until I need her.”

Drew looked around then turned back to KJ. “I’m not sure I ever met a dog so well trained. Was she a Marine too?” he teased.

KJ laughed. “She probably could’ve been. I never had a dog before Blossom, so I don’t have anything to compare her to, but I have to admit, she is pretty awesome. I know why they say a dog is man’s—and woman’s—best friend.”

Drew nodded and said, “If my lifestyle was different, and I was actually home more, I might consider getting one.”

“They do need a lot of attention, but the payoff is worth all the time you put into them. I wouldn’t want to be without her.”
She’s all I have in the world.
KJ needed to change the subject before the easygoing mood of the night was lost. “Hope the food choices are okay. I should have asked you earlier.”

“You’re an amazing cook, Katherine. Full of surprises, aren’t you?” Drew had sampled the lobster earlier and now cut into his steak, taking a huge bite.

She wasn’t sure what he meant by that. KJ knew she was easy to read. Even back on base she wouldn’t play poker; she lost every hand. She wasn’t about to ask him what he meant because she was worried what his answer might be.

“Tell me about yourself.”

Keep it simple. Direct.
“You know all there is to know. I joined the Marines when I was eighteen and got out when I was thirty. Currently, I’m a nurse in the local hospital. Not much to tell.” She watched Drew eat the last bite of his steak then lean back in his chair. He was eyeing her carefully while chewing. His gaze made her uncomfortable, like he was able to see what she’d purposely hidden. Breaking eye contact, she looked down at her plate and proceeded to cut her steak into even smaller bits.
Coward.

“Somehow I doubt that. Your eyes tell an entirely different story.” Drew smiled. When she opened her mouth to dispute his accusation, he raised his hand and said, “No need to tell me now. I’ll enjoy finding out for myself.”

KJ didn’t miss the sexual innuendo in his tone. She wanted to shout,
in your dreams,
however, her own dreams were troubling her. Even now, looking at him dressed in a pair of jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt—biceps stretching it to the max—was causing turmoil within her.
Wonder what the rest of him looks like.
KJ tried avoiding eye contact, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away. There was a burning hunger deep within her. How easy it would be to give in, but what then? What about tomorrow?
Don’t go down that path, KJ.
Responding would only encourage him further. Turning the topic away from her and back onto him, she said, “I hardly know anything about you.”

“There is so much to tell. I would probably need to spend the night to get through even a quarter of it.” He winked at her and continued, “But I’m not sure you’re ready to know me quite that well yet. But if you would like, I would—”

I bet you would.
“No. That’s okay, Drew. I get the hint.” Shaking her head, she added, “I bet you were voted class clown in school. You don’t appear to take much seriously.”

For the first time, he became quiet. Had she crossed the line, said something that offended him? It had only been her perception, but that didn’t mean it was accurate.

When Drew finally spoke it was the first time she heard his tone flat, dry. “I am surrounded by people who take life too seriously, feel the need to run around in a suit all the time, and would rather die than leave home not clean-shaven. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m not one of those. I live my life in a way that makes me happy.”

It was one of the things that had attracted her to him; he wasn’t a carbon copy of anyone she knew.
It’s refreshing.
“It’s a good way to live. I wish I felt so comfortable.”

“Why do you think you don’t?” Drew’s expression was full of disbelief.

Whatever he thought he saw in her, he was wrong. She was a rule follower, everything neat and orderly. All he would need to do was look in her bedroom drawers and closet, and he would see for himself. She may not have reenlisted, but that was where her heart longed to be, where she felt comfortable, however she couldn’t return as long as she still felt broken inside. No, she needed to fix her own personal emotional injury before she would be able to fix anyone else’s.

“I don’t know about you, but I am ready for dessert and from Jill’s text message to me earlier this week, I believe you may have earned the chocolate cake you asked for.” KJ quickly scooped up both their plates.

“Can I give you a—”

“Sit, I got this.” KJ retreated through the door and into the safe haven of the kitchen before he could protest.
Remember, this is just one night, so don’t let him get to you.

That’s odd.
She
left the room so quickly and with an expression that almost looked like he may have upset her in some way.
I don’t think I said anything inappropriate, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t.
Pushing himself away from the table, Drew decided he better go and apologize now.
I hope she’s not in there crying. I don’t do tears well.

What greeted him on the other side of the door stopped him dead in his tracks.
Holy shit!
Katherine was bent over searching for something in the refrigerator. Cocking his head slightly to one side, he enjoyed the view of her beautiful round ass, now barely covered by her short skirt. He had no idea what she was struggling to get off the bottom shelf of the fridge, but he couldn’t bring himself to offer to help.
Not with this view.
It was so tempting to sneak up behind her and grab hold of it.
Damn.
His body instantly reacted to hers but standing there watching her wasn’t his style. No, he wanted her, but when he made his move, she was going to see it coming and want it as badly as he did.

Clearing his throat, he attempted to announce his presence without startling her. Unfortunately, the total opposite happened. Katherine stood up and turned so quickly she lost her grip on the chocolate cake she’d been taking out of the refrigerator. As it tipped forward, Drew moved into action, reaching out and hoping to save the day with a phenomenal great catch. He was able to stop it from falling to the floor. However, he must have spent too many hours playing volleyball, as it looked more like he was trying to spike it over a net than catch the damn thing. Drew’s large hands tipped the edge of the platter sending the double-layer, chocolate-frosted cake back in Katherine’s direction, landing plastered against her neck and chest.
That didn’t work out.

Katherine stood wide-eyed, her mouth gaping open in shock. “I . . . You . . . What . . .”

Taking hold of the plate, he took the now smashed cake from her hands and placed it on the nearby counter. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Or ruin the cake
. He proceeded to assist her in removing chunks that still clung to her.

She stepped back and said, “I can do this myself if you don’t mind.”

I don’t mind at all
. The chocolate melting against her warm flesh now dripped down her neck, following the path he wished his lips could take as they entered the crevice between her breasts. He could picture licking the frosting right off her, but by the tone she’d used, there was no chance that was happening.
At least not tonight.

As he stepped toward her, a large object blocked his path. Her faithful companion had come to her rescue.
Come on, Blossom, give a man a chance.

“Drew, I think maybe we should call it a night.”

Why the hell did he have to follow her into the kitchen? If only he had a bit of patience, the night most likely would be ending on an entirely different note.
Way to go, Drew.
He searched her eyes for any indication that he might be successful at persuading her to change her mind. Not a blink or hesitation.

He lifted her right hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the delicate skin.
I bet you always taste sweet.
Drew would leave tonight, but he had no intention of returning to the East Coast until he knew if it was true. Something had spooked her. Katherine was a confident, strong woman, but that hadn’t been who he’d found in the kitchen. She’d looked . . . sad, or something. Whatever it was this wasn’t the time to pursue her.
Next time we eat out.

‡