The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three (10 page)

The first time they’d met, she’d put her hand out for a dance and hadn’t backed down until he’d agreed. It was nice his father liked her, but a delicate wallflower she wasn’t. She was carefree and sweet, yes, but innocent, no. “Thank you for your concern, but I’m not a child anymore. I know what I’m doing.”

“I hope so because you won’t find another one like her, do you hear me? She’s the marrying type.”

Marriage. I’m only taking her boating.
His father must’ve sampled too much of the wine, if he saw wedding bells in his son’s future. Disputing the fact would only cause a lengthy conversation he was not about to have with his father. Not now and maybe not ever. “Got it. Rule number one, don’t keep the lady waiting. I really have to go.”

Though his father was shaking his head, doubt written all over his face, he said, “Agreed. Nice seeing you, son. Try not to stay away so long next time.”

Ross nodded and made his way out of the vineyard. Heading off to find Jill, he thought being home was different this time. He wasn’t sure why, but he would make a point to try and visit again soon. He might not want to discuss relationships with his father, but he enjoyed talking with him more than he could remember. When time permitted they would have to do more of that. But now his thoughts were focused solely on stealing Jill away and making sweet love to her all night on the boat.

‡

T
his is his
sailboat?
She laughed silently, recalling a sign posted at the gate of the dock:
You can’t judge a man by the size of his boat
. It looked more like something mariners sailed around the world in, not something meant for an afternoon tour of the harbor.
Why had I expected anything less?
It was a sixty-foot luxury sailboat with all the amenities one could ask for.
Is it too late to tell him the closest I’ve ever come to sailing was two years ago on the Duck Tour boat in Boston? Probably a little late.
She tried to steady herself as she made her way to the benches by the rail.
Don’t let me find out I get seasick now.

“Your boat is . . . impressive.”

“Thank you. It suits my needs.”

What those needs were was what worried her. The way he looked at her, she could feel the hunger he fought to control. It was both scary and exciting, making her inhibitions seem non-existent. She turned away and faced the vast ocean. It was only for a few hours; she could do this.

The farther from shore they sailed, the fewer boats they saw until eventually there was nothing in sight: no boats or land. They were completely and utterly alone. She began to panic. She liked being in control of things, but here she had absolutely none. She didn’t even know how to use a compass.
What if we get lost at sea?
She looked up, and though the sky was clear, all but one cloud, she began to worry if a storm brewed quickly and the boat turned over, she would be trapped, and no one would know how to find her.

She jumped, startled by his touch on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” His voice was filled with concern.

Only then did she realize her inner fears were not as hidden as she believed. “It’s just that . . .” Looking again at the water all around them, she continued, “I’ve never been this far from land. Are you sure we are safe?”

Ross raised his hand and brushed away the hair, blowing in front of her face. “Safer than in a car.”

Her eyes filled with doubt. “Isn’t that the line for planes?”

“Which is also true. In comparison, you are much safer on a boat than in a plane or a car,” he said, smiling. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve been doing this for most of my life. You’re in good hands.”

“I trust
you
, but I don’t know about the boat.”

“It’s made from only the best materials, if that is what you are worried about.”

“Yes, that is one of my worries.”

“I don’t make junk.”

Does he mean what I think he means?
This is one of his boats.
She looked at the boat again, this time admiring the workmanship. It was beautiful, even the wood was hand-carved, and she spied the brass plate that held the name of the boat: Freedom.
Very patriotic.

“You said you like to swim. I hope you brought your suit, but if you didn’t that will be okay too.” He smiled suggestively.

Swim yes, but not with the sharks.
She wasn’t about to let him think she was scared of anything else. “My suit is in my bag. Is there a place I can change?”

“And I was looking forward to a good skinny dip.” He laughed as he reached for her hand to lead the way.

Below decks was even more impressive. The interior was filled with rich, stained wood and had a pull-out couch. To the left was a small kitchen that included a stove and refrigerator.

“You can change in the bedroom if you wish, but it is kind of tight in there. Much more space here.”

They had kissed several times, but he hadn’t verbalized his feelings. His blatant sexual innuendo confused her. Was that what this afternoon ride was about? Taking it to the next level? Ross, still holding her hand, began to stroke it gently, coaxing her for an answer. Even the slightest touch ignited a flame within her. It would be so easy to give in, let nature take its course. All she had ever been told was to think things out fully before making a decision. When he touched her, there were a lot of things she wanted to do, but thinking wasn’t one of them.

Her own wants caused her to blush; she decided to ignore his offer this time. Reluctantly she pulled her hand from his, found her bathing suit in her bag, and retreated to the bedroom. With the locked door now behind her she closed her eyes and tried to regain control of her thoughts.
It’s just one afternoon, nothing more.
Somehow this knowledge saddened her. Since Ross was waiting for her only a few feet away, there was no time to search her soul for the right answer.

She was stunning
no matter what she wore. What was unexpected was his reaction to her standing before him in a small black and gold string bikini that barely covered her. She was captivating. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He gazed from her toes to her slender hips, over her tiny abdomen, and finally, at her voluptuous breasts. As if this wasn’t enough to floor him, she stood there watching him, her own eyes equally filled with desire.

He told himself to close his eyes, turn, and walk away.
Don’t start what you can’t finish.
But he was unable to move and watched as she exited the bedroom to stand by him. He’d never wanted a woman as badly as he wanted Jill. He wasn’t sure he could stop if he simply kissed her. In the tight quarters, the swell of her breasts were only inches away, begging him to release them from the confines of the thin fabric.

Her tongue darted across her lips, and softly she said his name, “Ross.”

In one swift move he pulled her against him, devouring her lips with a hard, feverish kiss. He tried to pull away, but she held him to her, parting her lips to let him inside. He inhaled her sweet scent as he kissed down her jaw to the nape of her neck, and back to her lips. He almost regained control but was totally lost when a moan of pleasure escaped her.

His hands ran freely down her back, over her sweet ass, and back up to cup her heaving breasts. Breaking their kiss briefly, he whispered, “You’re so beautiful,” then captured her again as he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

Laying her down, he nibbled and kissed her jaw to her neck but didn’t stop there. One hand reached behind her back and untied the tiny string holding the top in place. He met her gaze as his teeth clamped down on the cloth and pulled it away like an animal.

His hand cupped her breast; her moans grew deeper. Plucking at one nipple, he sucked the other, teasingly flicking it with his tongue. He needed more of her. Now. As he licked and nipped his way across her stomach, her hands tried to block his path. One hand grabbed them both as the other explored. His teeth untied the bow on her left hip, then the right. He deftly removed the bikini bottoms, leaving her naked beneath him. Her body trembled as he spread her legs. She quivered as his tongue circled her belly button and traced lower, stopping only to nip softly on her inner thigh.

Breathlessly she begged, “Ross, I can’t.”

“You can,” he said as his tongue licked her center gently. “And you will.” He circled her clit then sucked on it. Jill cried out in pleasure, arching her hips off the bed, her moans only encouraging him. “You taste so sweet.” He couldn’t get enough of her, devouring her feverishly as he felt her tense beneath him.

“Ross. Oh God, Ross. Please . . . I—”

Her body jerked violently as she lost herself in a powerful release. He continued to suck until her body began to settle. There was no getting enough of her.
Damn she’s perfect.
His hard throbbing cock ached to feel her wrapped around him. He released her hands, stood, quickly removed his swim shorts, and sheathed himself with a condom from the nightstand.

She trembled as he kissed his way back up her stomach and claimed her breast again. His fingers played with her clit, and she stirred again. This time she was moving with him, no longer fighting the feeling. Her hands ran down his back, nails digging in at times, caressing at other times. He loved how he could bring her to the brink and hold her there.

“Please, Ross. Please, no more,” she begged softly in shallow breaths.

Sucking her nipple hard, he stoked her clit faster. He needed to feel her release on his cock. Pressing his throbbing cock at her opening, he paused, his mouth taking hers. She was hot and wet, ready for him, and he could wait no longer.

In one thrust, he buried himself deep inside her. She instantly cried out, her body tensing.
What have I done? Was that what I thought it was? Is she . . .?
Still deep within her he raised his head enough to see her face, and a tear rolled down her cheek.
A virgin.
Wiping the tear away, he kissed her gently.
What have I done?

How could someone so sweet and beautiful still be a virgin at twenty-six?
By staying away from men like me.
This was a first for him. He contemplated doing the right thing, pulling out, apologizing, and taking her back home. He knew he wasn’t about to do that, though.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. If you let me I can make the pain go away.”
Or at least try.

She nodded, and he slowly began to move inside her, all the while kissing her softly. No thought of his own wants or needs. Only when her hips began to move did he quicken his rhythm. Moving faster and deeper, her cries of pain were replaced with moans of pleasure. As she moaned, her body rocked with release, causing him to lose control, and plunging deep within her, he shuddered with his release.

Pulling out of her gently, he rolled to lie beside her, powerless to move or speak. He wasn’t sure what to say, but knew he needed to say something. Nothing he could say or do would change the facts.

“Jill, if I would’ve known you were a virgin, I never would have brought you here.”

He felt her tense beside him. “What does that mean? Was it always your intention to just sleep with me?”

It’s an ugly truth.
One he wasn’t particularly proud of at the moment. His lack of response seemed to set her off.

Sitting on the bed she pulled the sheet up, wrapped it around herself, and said, “You’re unbelievable. And I’m a fool for thinking you actually liked me.” The anger in her voice did not escape his notice.

Sitting beside her, he said, “I do like you. But that’s not the point.”

“Is there a point?” she questioned.

Say something. Anything. She’s waiting.
Digging deep, he said the first thing that came to mind. “Well, there is love . . .”
Love?

He couldn’t believe the word came out of his mouth. Though he was happy for his friends who thought they’d found it, he didn’t believe in it. One person who can make a person care so much that they would be willing to give up their dreams or take a bullet for them? Nope, that was never going to be him. To him it was just another four-letter word, and one he had never even hinted at before. He wasn’t about to start now. Somehow he needed to fix this.

Unfortunately the word seemed to have piqued her interest. “What about it?” She paused, only the sound of the breeze could be heard blowing into the sail. “Really, Ross, what does a man like you know about love?” she asked.

“Plenty.”
None that you would like to hear.

“So, tell me. Share your knowledge, which is as vast as the ocean. What is true love?” Her tone was sarcastic and full of doubt.

There was a good reason she had doubt, because he had nothing.
It’s like a ball and chain, an anchor, a rope around your neck.
Smiling, he recalled one saying that had stuck with him. “True love is the greatest thing in the world . . . except for a nice MLT. Mutton, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean, and the tomato is ripe,” he said as seriously as he could muster.

Shock, followed by bewilderment, showed on her face. “Seriously?” She got off the bed, grabbed a pillow, and threw it at him. She said accusingly, “After what we just shared this is the best you have, a quote from The Princess Bride?” She turned her face away, looking anywhere but at his face. “I think it’s time you take me home.”